Time to Get MOVING...

Well, I worked out the doubled booking. Let's face it, I need to be at the show I instigated. I am looking forward to being there and sharing my hobby with that part of my "world". I will know most of the people who come by and that will be an interesting experience.

Now, I need to get to it. I have a little under 2 weeks and about half of what I want to take. I have all the darker glazing done, now I need to create items for some of the lighter combinations I have wanted to try. It has been interesting to work with various combinations and layering ideas, and the results have been mixed, but I have discovered some new loves. I have uploaded some of the ones I like, so far.

Crash! Slash! Burn! Do it all over again....

WOW, that kiln can get HOT! I went out to check on a run last week and "peeked" under the lid to see how my prized tray was doing. You know, the one I had to redo because the last time I did it, it was next to another piece that exploded, and so my then prized tray also exploded. Well, I was sure this second time would be a total winner.

Well, let me just tell you, that when your kiln manufacturer says "spring loaded" top, they mean it! Yes, I know I broke the cardinal rule of potters, I peeked...sorry to all I am offending by retelling this story...you all already know what happened.

Yes, I peeked. My wrist was burned by the hot air, I LET GO of the lid for a second and CRASH up it went. SLASH went the two top corners of my prized tray. Terrible.

I have now completed prized tray number 3. It has made it through bisque stage and I will glaze it, fire it and WILL NOT peek. I promise. I will post a picture when it is safely DONE.

I was busy today and tried a few new things using braids. I also recreated a few items I have not made in about a year. They are drying and I will be pleased to see how they turn out.

Interestingly, I have noticed that because I had been sick for 4 months and was not able to work in the studio, my "skills" deteriorated. I think I am now back to where I was before I got sick...I think...or just about. But it was interesting that when I stopped for a while I did loose some of the skills and little "tricks" that I had figured out that you think you will always remember, but I just could not recall.

It was kind of like having a long conversation interrupted and forgetting where you were in the discussion. It was interesting, but mostly, I am relieved that I am back to where I was last fall. Now, I am just trying to keep moving forward.

Double Booked

Yikes, I have double booked myself. In the same weekend I am supposed to be at a show, I am also supposed to be on a retreat. I wonder how I do these things. You may think I am just a total space case, but there may a reason to my madness.

In addition to being a mom, wife, animal care taker, potter, house maintainer, vehicle maintainer, and child chauffeur, I am also the mom of a child with special needs. This is a development which has come into focus in just last few years.

All those times I have looked at moms who have kids that have "special needs", I always felt for them, but never understood. Unfortunately, I am now walking in those shoes. While my child is wonderful, and surprises me frequently, it has added to our everyday life "schedule" which is the least of the places this has impacted our family. But in case you might be curious, I will share that in addition to school, after school activities, community commitments, friends, family, and church, my special needs child also has a minimum of 5-7 scheduled appointments every week with various specialists that are on our "team".

Creating this "team" could be the subject of its own separate text book.

So, not to be looking for sympathy, for those who have been on the receiving end of our cancellations, realize that lives can be more complicated than they appear on the outside.

So, I double booked in a big way. I feel really awful, again. The show I committed to is actually one I encouraged and requested through a local organization. They adopted the idea and have run with it. For my part, I was to attend and I wanted to donate my proceeds to their organization. While I have other shows that I could attend and then donate to this organization from them, I really wanted to be there in person.

Now, the tough part. Deciding what to do. Back out, but out of which commitment? I cannot tell you how many times I have had to say "backing out" "sorry we can't make it after all" "we really wanted to come, but just can't this time around" "thanks so much for thinking of us, it sounded so fun, but we just have to pass".

Between illness, scheduling, and just sheer exhaustion, this has become a mantra lately. So has "sucks to be me".

No, I am not feeling sorry for myself, or am I looking for sympathy, I just wish the stars would align correctly for a period of time so I can at least focus to keep my schedule straight!

Ping Pang, Ding Dang WHAT???

Ping or not to ping, that is my question. Well, I am trying it, we will see where it goes. Being new to the blogging sphere, it is hard to know which way to go in all of this. But we are trying....

This is a test......PING......?????

The Slow Lane...

Well, both kids were sick this week which slowed my progress down quite a bit. After finally becoming healthy myself, it has been hard to get back to the studio and then have to walk back into the slow lane with sick kids. One project I worked on over the winter was to create a sort of photo book of pieces I have liked. I have been reviewing the "book" and am remembering that some of these pieces really did turn out well. I am going to try and recreate them again. Recreating is always problematic, with clay, you NEVER get the same result twice, NEVER. But at least I have some ideas to go with.

The big kiln is loaded with several shelves of underglazed pieces. LOTS of flowers and light colors which is lovely to see as the temperature is steady at 33 degrees with a stiff wind chill.

As I walk my property, I am beginning to see the coming of Spring. My rose bushes have begun to sprout small red shoots off the branches signaling what is to come. I cut my first flower this week, a crocus. It was nice to have it inside at the kitchen sink.

Well, I have enough ideas to keep things going for a while.

Even if I only get out there for an hour a day, I am certain I will get that kiln loaded soon!

Danger Will Robinson!!!

Mechanical failure or human "space case"? That is the question for today. I promised to post some photos of pieces in process....yes, I remember I did. WELL, in my need for CLEAN, I disposed of my camera USB. SO, I can not download at the moment. Luckily, I have one of those - everyone has one- cameras, so I will hopefully be receiving my new plug soon.

Otherwise, I have been underglazing with some interesting results. Yes, I will post later. I have been interrupted in my desire to create with a child who has been sick. But hopefully, tomorrow will bring real alone time, and time to create!

SHAZAM...there it is...

Well, we are back from the near west. The mountains were mostly grey and snow covered, the trees bare, but there was a soothing, quiet feeling to the area. While enjoying my ride to the top of the tube slide, I began to look up to the sky and there it was....my new idea....trying to create the bare branch look on pottery pieces. I have seen something like this done before, but I am going to give it a try. I already know how I am going to do it, but who knows if it will turn out well, we will see.

Otherwise, the trip was short, but fun. The kids enjoyed skating, swimming, tubing, skiing and snow boarding. I mainly served as logistics coordinator this time around. Even though we are out of that "I need Mommy" stage, my youngest still cannot be left alone, and when her mind changes about an activity, well, let's just say we need to be flexible and have a patient and happy demeanor.

I try my best. This trip in particular was pretty funny. Every activity I said I would participate. Every activity I showed up, was outfitted for the occasion, was on time and ready for action. Every activity was either cut short, never started, or I was requested to take off the equipment and "just walk beside me"!

At some point, I will be able to just strap on skis again and take off for the day, but not quite yet.

Now, you may wonder, well what about the husband? Well, I was really proud of him. He has been a skier all his life. This weekend, he tried snowboarding. He did quite well, and was able to keep up with our son who has been doing it for a few years now. So, I had to let the "men" go and do their thing, while my daughter and I bonded, more!

It was a nice break, but I am glad to be back in the comfort of my own home. I always enjoy coming home again.

Tomorrow, I get back to the studio. I have managed to fill 1/2 of my large kiln with some projects I have done over the past 3 weeks. Hopefully, by the end of this week the kiln will be full and the bisque run will be complete. My first show for the year is March 28th. It is feeling like it will be here before I know it, and then I have 3 more that follow quickly thereafter, so I am feeling the pressure of getting things going. So, off I go... to the mud!

I am looking forward to underglazing some floral pieces that are already in the kiln. They take a long time to make, and need an extra kiln run to complete the process, but they are very popular, and I really love the end result. I will post the pieces as I take them through the process so you can see what goes into making one.