My blog seems to get neglected periodically. 

I am out of practice posting regularly. 

My computer died and now I am sharing one with the

family and it is not in a private location.

This leads me to think before I type.

Clay and I are still in a wonderful 

relationship.

We are figuring out new things and

rediscovering old techniques and styles.

It has been an engaging journey 

and one I do not take for granted, or 

take lightly.

I know what a pure gift it is for me

to be able to explore making pots for money

and not being thrown into a full time job situation.

I am blessed.

These pots were pulled out of the kiln this morning.

This series are altered square planters or utensil holders...

they have holes in the bottom for drainage.

set of 5 mugs

lidded bowl

altered lidded bowls... squarish

raised bowls... 

altered lidded jars

(shape learned and inspired by Michael Simon)

mugs 

(mama bird, max's monsters, and altered small series)

I am working toward an etsy site and a concrete line

that is consistent and predictable but continue to love

the exploration and discovery that clay allows.

I am, ironically, participating in the Tough Mudder,

(no this is not a clay event but a crazy 12 mile obstacle course) and in the process got a tad big blister. The day or two it will take to heal will allow me to 

work on photos and etsy and hand building!) 

Fall is delicious. Hope you are finding it delicious too.

Sometimes a hard summer makes for a productive fall....

I won't go into many details except to say

for many reasons

many

many

I did not have a productive summer in the studio.

School has begun again

and so have I.

Here are a few fresh things 

and a few in the works.

little mugs..

 leaf pattern mugs... medium to large size.

 little bird mugs..

medium sized pitchers

a series I am working on... plate set..

 medium sized pitcher.

 medium to large, altered square mugs..

larger bird mug.

 larger leaf mug.

  bowl

monster bowl with raised foot

the blue  enso circle bowls...

playing with black on red... I like it.

 part of the set.

small breakfast plates..

more monster mugs..

bowls with tall raised added foot.

The kiln is loaded again and a bisque is under way.

I have a few shows this fall and am hoping to get into a few more for December.

Clay and I missed each other. 

It has been a wonderful reunion. 

Missing my studio and my studio is missing me

Summer is frenetic. 

It is full.

Swim team.

Breakfast.

Break up fights.

Taking to and fro, 

to and from,

here and there 

and everywhere.

I have not been in the studio working for three weeks.

Really. 

Went to NYC (was awesome),

and have been working the others.

And have been parenting and failing at parenting.

And thinking about pots and what I want to do 

and the direction the pots might go.

I love that clay has a say in it all.

I have the idea and clay has the final say.

Just like my kids.

That should be a lesson. 

Did you hear that self?

Yes.

Guess What???!!! It is Possible.

I had to take a week.

I needed to clean and clip stuff (like hedge and tree kind of stuff) 

and look at my garden, or lack of garden, 

do errands

 that I have not done

for hmm... 

like a month or two?

The really good news, the news that brings me joy....

deep down to my toes joy,

is that I miss clay.

I miss being in my studio.

I am excited about getting back 

into the studio.

I am excited about possibility.

Possibility is what we all dream about,

what we live for

what makes us jump out of bed in the morning.

I am so into possibility.

Thank you

possibility.

fresh from the oven.... Mmmmm

I understand that I am in the beginning of a love affair and that all this energy and

excitement cannot maintain this height for long,

but...

while I am in this renewed sense of creativity,

I am taking it by its harness and flying.

I also signed up for a marathon. Well,

not really.

But I did apply to a craft show in Asheville. A pretty popular local venue for

artist.

I was excited but not too hopeful... because rejection is one of those consistent

realms in the art world that can bring you down, way down, 

like that nasty scale in the morning... telling you lies about your worth.

So, I was pleasantly, with a dash of giddy, surprised to find that I got in.

It is the Big Crafty. July 8th. Downtown Asheville.

So it is my clay marathon. I am training, and practicing and experimenting with what

will work, what I love, and what other people comment on with excitement.

Here are some of the pots fresh from the oven: