Shaking things up

I have been making animal rattles this week. Most started out as small orbs that were then transformed into pigs, sheep, and one cat. The larger pig started out as a little, wheel thrown jug. All of them are small and will fit in the palm of your hand. I will probably finish them in a variety of ways, incorporating some of the techniques gleaned from the workshop I went to at the end of August. The rattling animals were filler work while waiting for pig bodies to firm up for assembling. These little guys will make great kiln fillers as well. They can tuck in underneath all those vessel sinks that Jeff has been making.

 Today we awoke to cool, dry, air... it's only 61 degrees here at 9 am. It feels so good to have windows open with fresh air and sunshine streaming in. Not sure how long it will last, but I will enjoy it while it's here.

Making it Big

 Jeff's been in the studio making big pots. We are excited to put some pots in David Stuempfle's wood kiln this week. Jeff also made a few large cache pots that I didn't get photos of before they left for the kiln. David fires slow and long and most of the pots will not be bisque fired.

I spent the weekend throwing some small bowls off the hump and then moved on to making rattle orbs. I am taking advantage of the Japanese maple tree while there are still leaves on it.
When I get the chance to wood fire, I make things for me. Not meaning that I will keep them, but rather I make things that I love to make with no worries about whether or not they will sell.
... but they usually do.

Balance

After the poor me, I have to make sponge holders rant, I found that I had some time to make just what I wanted to make.

Orbs, rattles, and spoons.

I worked into the evening on Tuesday getting them made and spent part of yesterday afternoon carving them.

I have the opportunity to fire these, along with a few pigs, in a neighbors wood kiln this week.

The rattles sell pretty quickly, especially when wood fired. They are definitely not something that people "need", but after they pick them, hold them, and shake them...
they WANT them.

Yesterday felt like a perfect work balance. I carved the orbs and rattles and also finished an order for flower dotted soup mugs. These are enjoyable to make and don't seem like work. I am not really doing much slip trailing anymore, unless it's for an order. If I had a wood kiln I would do more and probably combine it with carving. Someday we will have that wood kiln. One can never stop dreaming.

one of my favorite people...

Jane Kaufmann sent me an e-mail this week:

Heat getting you down?

Have two stiff drinks.

Then go to You Tube and search for "Gossip Lady with Artist Jane Kaufmann"

and let me know if you learn anything.

I always follow Jane's advice...

What did I learn?

1. A much easier way to make rattles than the method I was using.

2. That Jane went to jail for three weeks.

quiet weekend at the pottery

not much going on here to blog about this week.  we are enjoying the spring-like weather, making pots and doing some yard work.  being a northerner i am TOTALLY enjoying the flowers that are already blooming here in seagrove...

above are a couple of jane kaufmann orbs and a finger puppet sculpture that jeff and i have the pleasure of owning... they look great being photographed with the spring blooms.

tracey broome has been posting pics of buildings that inspire her to build a new studio.  her photographs made me think of the little playhouse that is nestled in the woods of the yard here in seagrove.  it's an adorable little house that the mahan kid's played in as children.  i think i will plant some flowers around it this spring.  it really is an adorable little house... and it is painted purple!  such a contrast to the log cabins that we live and work in.
life is good and i am happy to be here in north carolina :-)