Big Bamboo!

The power company was cutting back trees along the Pottery Highway. About a half mile from our house is giant stand of bamboo. Jeff stopped and asked the tree guys if he could collect some of the bamboo they cut. The said, "Help yourself!".

Jeff went right to work creating tea and water scoops of various sizes. He also made us some cool new chopsticks. He designed the chopsticks after some that he used in Japan. They are square and much easier to use than the round ones. I don't seem to have a photo of the chopsticks.

He is training the handles to stay in position. Once set, he plans to re-wrap them with copper wire in a neater fashion.

Can't wait to see what he does with the giant stalks!

Pottery, Food, Friends, Fun!

I am getting ready for a long overdue raku firing. My friend Bonnie came today and she worked on some beads and pendants for the firing, while I threw some new bead racks on the wheel, along with a plate to hold flat pendants during the firing. The best thing about having friends in the studio is taking a lunch break together!

 Bonnie brought a nice bottle of red wine and I whipped up some Korean pancakes served with a side of kimchi. What's a Korean meal without kimchi?

Aside from pottery lessons, Jeff also gives lessons on how to use chopsticks. We had lots of fun, and only one of us resorted to a fork. But I'm not telling who.

The holidays are over and the photo booth is back on the dining room table. I will be adding new pots to the Etsy shop over the next few days, be sure to check it out.

S. Korean pots and chopsticks...

Jeff unloading pots from a wood kiln in South Korea. This photo was taken by Elena Renker, one of the international artists that was also invited to attend the festival.

Last night I got try out the chopsticks that Jeff brought home for me. I like the simplicity of these, the natural wood color. and the square design. Much easier to eat with than the round, slippery,lacquered ones that I have. I didn't have to switch to a fork half way through the meal!