The only thing spinning should be the wheel.

The only thing spinning in a pottery shop should be a wheel and not the potter.
After a tad of vertigo on Wednesday and not so much on Thursday and Friday I thought it was just passing through.
Boy was I wrong.
I awoke in the wee hours of the morning to a whirl wind of spinning.
After bouncing my way to the living room and finding a chair I proceeded to try to figure out why the vertigo was back and 100 times worse then it had been.
No answer.
I spent most of yesterday trying to find center.
If I sit just so and hold my head I don't spin.
If I lie with three pillows on my left side , not too bad.
If I walk upright and try to look at anything it puts me in a tailspin.
Fortunately I was not alone yesterday and Mark waited on me between the customers.
Today after a trip to the "Doc in the box" where they looked into the ears and found no infection, no real reason for my inability to walk or do anything. They sent me home with meds to counter the nausea.
I just have to wait for this to pass.
So I am staring at my rug in the living room and planning on some new tiles.
After all I can't just will this thing away.
It's a bit of an out of body experience.
As Mark drove us to the, "Doc in the box ,my thoughts of the outside world were ones I have felt after a long snow or illness.
The world looks new and crisp yet I don't feel a part of it.
So I plan to see if I can will myself back to center so I can get back in the studio.
Thinking of tiles.

Black Friday

The day after filling your self with food people go shopping.
And you know what I mean, they go shopping at 4 am!
I am, for one,am not much of a shopper.
I never have been.
I just don't shop unless I need something.
And even then I would rather buy books or art.
I use to go out as a teen for clothes and come back with a book.
It made sense to me.
So going out with the masses to shop on black Friday!?
No, I will be right here with the pottery shop open.
We hope to see some of those like minded folks who are not big box or mall shoppers.

On another note we had hoped to spend thanksgiving with our daughter and her husband.
A case of the crud kept them home.
We were taken in by our friends David and Nancy for a wonderful afternoon of Turkey Frying and lots of good food and conversation.
I have never had fried turkey.
It was pretty darn good.

The Turkey Master- Adam

















I took some shots of David's new kiln he is building.
I would love to give you all the low down on the kiln but rather then show my ignorance on the subject I will just post pictures in hopes you will find your way to one of his kiln openings and then you can ask all the questions I failed to ask.

I could not have said it better

Posted by my older brother:
http://www.backcountrynotes.com/frontpage-blog/2009/11/26/giving-thanks-for-siblings.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Walking into walls

We did have a great show out at the Luck's cannery here in Seagrove.
On Monday we completely cleaned our gallery/store or our wee little Pottery Sale shop.
It is about 12X26.
Some days we feel like the story about Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Some days it is too big, when stock is low.
Some days is is too small, when stock is high.
and other days it is just right.
But most days I am amazed that we have made a living out of our wee little shop.
It has been good to us.
And- it needed a real shake down.
We are magnets for cobwebs and dust.
We took the whole store apart, dusted and rearranged.
It has that fresh and clean look to it with all the pottery sitting just a Little taller.
Now the down part of the dusting and maybe the season.
I have had vertigo in the past but not for several years.
I usually feel it coming on and do some things to prevent it from going full blown.
Welp- it just snuck up on me and has me loopy.
I rolled over this morning the room spun.
This means getting up and moving very slowly.
I can't turn my head fast or "cut my eyes" at you.
It also means that trip to the store is out today and so is my appointment for a massage...
Sigh.
Sometimes life just bites you.
So here I am at my desk making busy while I see how long this is going to last.
I have had it last for weeks and other times it passes in a day.
Meanwhile, I don't move fast and walk into walls.
It is like being the drunk at the party with no booze.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
I'll be doing mine a little slow........

Sunday Evening

It's all about the finish line isn't it?
As potters we work most of the time alone.
It's just us and what we do.
Here I have Mark to keep me company in the studio but some days we don't talk we just work.
Other days might be taken up by all those little things that you have to take care of.
The more I make pots the more I realize how valuable my time is when I am on the wheel or slab roller.
There are so many days when your time can be eaten away by the things we need to do to get ready for a show or the life things such as cars, health, yard, grocery shopping, bill paying and family. You know the things that get you through life.
For me there is more to the show then just selling pots. It is a time when you get to connect with your customer. I was very lucky this time. I had not one but two sisters who came out to help me.
We left Mark home to keep our shop open while my sisters went with me.
Having them both there allowed me to not only sell pots, but talk to the customers who had questions or greet the customers who have become our extended family.
For me it's a bit like "home week."
I get to see a good deal of my regular customers and meet some new ones.
And isn't that why we do what we do?
It's all about that connection between us, the customer and our work.
So- time to relax before Monday rolls in and I have to start all over again.
Cheers!
M

Say three hail Mary's or confession time.

I fully expected you all to call me on this.

But seems I had to give some extra hits to get someone to pick it out.

So go back and take a look in the kiln.

There is someone, from Penland, there- another hint, who is sitting in our kiln with our pots.

We hope that someone sees it- we are holding this pot hostage until he picks one from our shop.

I will post more pictures later, but my list today for the show is long.

I am packing up and heading for set up at." The Celebration of Seagrove Potters."

Cheers!
M

A quick look in the kiln more later

I was awake at 4 am- and from what I am reading on other blogs I am not the only one having trouble sleeping right now, like Gary.

So much stuff going on with the holidays and shows.

The turkey has not even been sliced but we feel the hot breath of Christmas as it comes rushing down to meet us.

Mark and I have the first stack out of the kiln and we are taking an oatmeal and coffee break.

I had better get out there and help with the second stack.

See if there are any pots of mystery in the kiln.

M

Just be cool

You have heard the expression, "never wake a sleeping baby?'
That is how I feel when the big kiln is cooling.
We tend to walk around it the first 24 hours, tip toeing around, slipping past it's radiating heat with out so much as a glance in it's direction.
In other words, we ignore it completely for the first 24 hours.

I remember the early days when we would melt flashlights trying to see the results almost as soon as the burners were turned off.
We would look in the kiln with such anticipation and expectations.
Then we learned not to rush things. To give the kiln the time it takes to work a bit of magic on the glazes.
I am like the ball player who wears the same socks or shirt all season.
If we wait, it will all be good.
If we don't take any bricks out too fast...
You know the drill.
It is as if we have some control over the firing after it is done.

We all know that what is done is done.
The good will be good, the bad , bad and the so so - well so -so.

But tomorrow is day two.
The flashlights will come out.
Mark will sneak over and take a look and so will I.
Sometimes we find ourselves both at the kiln, flashlights in hand, pulling a brick for a little look.
Fingers and toes crossed.
Tomorrow we peek.

A reason to Celebrate.

A year ago last weekend the First Annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters was held at the Luck's cannery in Seagrove NC.
We along with many of our fellow potters enjoyed a great weekend.
The second annual show is coming up this weekend.

If you read my blog you know we will be there along with about 65 shops which adds up to about 80 potters.

During the event last year, while we were all enjoying the show ,we had a turn of events which effected us all deeply.

On that Saturday night a fire struck at Chris Luther Pottery while the Luther's were not home but off at a friends house. The fire was related to a wood stove and the building was a total loss.

We had Studio fire in July of the same year, but lost only our main work building.
Chris and, his wife, Lisa lost everything in the building and the building.
The only thing left standing before the night was over was part of a wall and a piece of the tin roof.

We were all deeply effected by this tragedy at a time when spirits were high.
The community rallied around Chris to help and I know that he and Lisa appreciated all the care and love that came their way.

But as I said about our fire.

It is a walk in Hell.
A walk you don't wish on anyone and one you must walk many times alone.

We lost things, but Chris lost, kilns, gallery space, equipment, wheels, glaze recipes, notes, favorite tools, just think of all those things you have around you everyday.
To top things off they lost household items and a beloved family pet, Sassy.

But, if you know the Luther's, or ever meet Chris or have met Chris you will find that this is one of those people not to be beaten down.
He said to us, "I built it once, I will build it again."
And he is well on his way.

Mark and I have watched as the building has taken shape.
The ground was cleared, the block work went up, the trusses came in, doors, windows, electric, insulation.
All this while still maintaining a family life with three boys.

Chris and Lisa have come a long way in the past year.
They held their first kiln opening in October.
A "soft opening" in which many of their friends, family and customers came out not only to buy pots but to celebrate the rebuilding of the Luther's pottery.
To cheer them up and give them the hope they need to continue through the final stages.

The walls are up, but the devil is in the details.

I stopped by today just to say hello and see how they were doing.
Chris is busy getting ready for the show.
There were pots in all stages of ready.
They, like many of us, are loading tonight and firing tomorrow.

But for the Luther's this is the sweet rewards of the walk, the knowledge that things are falling into place.
The past year will become the past year,
it will be a year they will never forget.
Yet, they survived it and life goes on.
I fully get this.

I know for Chris ,that while he is not finished yet, there will be a point where it is just him and the wheel and the past year a faded memory.

The act of getting back to the life you were truly meant to live, like his ancestor's before him. The life of a potter which calls and whispers at you, calling you back again and again to the wheel to create.
It will be his again.

Our thoughts and best wishes are for him Lisa and the boys to Celebrate a job well done and enjoy their time at the Celebration Of Seagrove Potters.
Things will just get better and better!

M&M

Chris's new blog!

Thanksgiving already.....

I can tell you that the wind is still whipping out there.
And with that said I don't know how much we will load in the kiln today.
And the days are really counting down.
With only one week away from the show.

Now the thought is get it in and fire Sunday.
The kiln then takes two full days to cool down.
Nice and slow.
Sunday fire, Monday and Tuesday cool down, unload on Wednesday.
Set up is Thursday and Friday Night Gala is, well, Friday.
So our few days lead have turned into us chomping at the bit to get it done.
Nothing like letting the wind out of your sails.
And speaking of wind... yea, I already said, IT IS STILL BLOWING!"

I had to share my Thanksgiving cactus which thinks it is time for some turkey.
I think they are both a little early this year.
Maybe I should have left them outside another 2 weeks.

Little sister here is only about four years old. Plucked off at cart a Lowe's hardware one day. The first year no blooms at all. All the spots that I thought were going to bloom just dropped off.
She was much happier after being put in a Geoff Pickett planter with some room to work on her spreading roots.

I have a Pesto Cheesecake in the oven for the (free) reception tonight at the NCPC.

This is the all time easiest recipe. It sounds so strange, but think savory okay?

Off to be productive!

Cheers!

And the rains came.......

And the rain continued.
On through the night, whipping up the east cost,
blowing down trees and flooding streets.
It is not pretty out there.
And to top it off our family mostly lives up the east coast.
We have friends, mothers, brother, daughter and son -in -law all in Norfolk which is going to be subject to flooding.
We are a tad on edge.
It is always hard to sit and watch from a distance.

So another day of delay.
We will not load the kiln as we thought we might.
It may be tomorrow.
We have a few days we can wait, but, yikes, tomorrow is a week out from the show.

Instead of sitting on my hands I am going to roll some tiles and make some cone 6 work for an electric load.

But I need to take a mop.
When it rains and blows like this one of the tin roofs leaks.
We took all the carts up under a better roof in the rebuilt part of the studio.
We have been through this drill.
The first time we walked into the studio to find "melting" pots from rain it was an," oh, shoot!" moment.
One we don't want to repeat.
Hope you are all high and dry.
and if not buckle your seat belts, It's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Station break, or the rain moved in

We had a plan.
When you go out of town and then come back to work and don't pay any attention to the TV or weather you, me, are surprised when you find out there is a storm coming that plans to rain on your parade of things you have to do.
Rain it is for all day today and maybe tomorrow.
We are weather watches when it is kiln loading and firing time.
A little rain is fine.
30 mile an hour wind plus rain.
We can wait a day.
The kiln is under a shed, but the going in and out and the place to put ware boards can get damp.
So better to wait a day.
I have signed myself to the dreaded bookwork.
I use to update the books monthly, who was that person? Now, I get a few months behind and there it is sitting on my desk just waiting on me.
So while this storm dumps lots of rain and I plan to stay dry in the basement office and try not to think about losing a day to weather.
We have time for the delay and we don't.
We want to fire a kiln in December and there are pots to be made for that.
And, gee I just received a notice to report for jury duty on December 1st.

Be sure and get your tickets for the Friday night Gala of the" Celebration Of Seagrove Potters."
It is coming up fast and I know you want to be there!

Our booth number is B-12 come and see us!

Contemporary Pottery from North Carolina’s American Indian Communities

Back when the North Carolina Pottery Center Hosted an exhibition of the Contemporary
Pottery from North Carolina’s American Indian Communities there was a grant written for a book. This book will soon be for sale at the NCPC. For a preview of the book and pictures take a look at the NCPC website or click on the link below to take you to a PDF file from the book.

From the introduction by Sally Peterson:
"The North Carolina Pottery Center hosted
its seminal exhibition, Contemporary
Pottery from North Carolina’s American
Indian Communities, from May 9 through
August 23, 2008. The exhibit showcased
works from eleven Cherokee, four Haliwa-Saponi, and
two Lumbee artists in clay. Each artist and each tribe has
a different story to tell, yet a common purpose unites
them. They want no less than to rediscover, recreate, and
revitalize the ancient pottery traditions of their peoples.
And indeed, they want more than this. Individually and
collectively, they wish not only to master an ancient
craft but also to elevate its quality to levels that match
and perhaps surpass the best pottery found in both ancient
and contemporary American Indian traditions."

Go check out this book and contact the NCPC to get your copy!

Me- I am still on the mountain.
Cheers!
M

Ain't no mountain high enough....

It's Sunday in November and while many folks go to church, eat a nice dinner with the family or watch football, we are in the studio working away.
Now don't get me wrong I am not complaining.
Well, maybe a little.
We did talk to both kids on the phone, who are doing great thanks for asking.
And I did go sit through a board meeting this afternoon at the North Carolina Pottery Center.
The good new from the center is it is stable for now.
the bad news from the center is we can not stop raising the money it takes to keep the place going.
The NCPC is a wonderful place.
The exhibitions are always worth the trip and the latest one opens this Friday.
So if you are coming our way be sure to stop in and see what this place is all about.
I only got a foothold on the mountain of pots today, but the plan is to get in there early tomorrow and knock them out!

So here's some of Allison's tiles.
Enjoy!

Pinch me, it's November!

Rode wet and put up hard.

Run over by a Mac Truck.

Dog tired.

Pick any of the expressions above and you will know how the time change, quick trip to VA. and right back to work have me feeling today.

Hit by a ton of bricks.

Too many nights up past my bedtime.

But- today is a new day and after dreaming about trying to get somewhere over and over we are heading back into the studio to glaze the mountain of pots.

We did get a good start the last two days and we are both excited about unloading the bisque with the variety of vases that Mark decorated.

I want to get as many as possible in this firing.

Making something new is always exciting.

Yet- putting it through all the stages is nerve wracking.

Will this work- but what if we did this.

Have you tried this- I wonder if........

Meanwhile sweet Allison was here yesterday to clean up her tiles and put some lines in the back to make them easier to set later.

Now it's all in the drying.

I like the slow method for tiles. Long and slow.

So back under the plastic.

Yesterday she hung out to watch us glaze and ask questions.

It is interested to see what you do through someone else.

We just go on automatic pilot and glaze.

Zipping through the production line but slow waltzing through the one of a kind works.

I find glazing one of the hardest things to teach.

Keep the glaze stirred, all the time, hold the pot in this glaze to the count of 3, but that one to the count of 6 and that one just in and out.

Don't over think it but don't under think it as well.

Other news in and around Seagrove.

Everyone here is gearing up for the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. The Friday night Gala is selling tickets and getting great response. We have our booth number and somehow picked the same number as last year.

B-12. We are on vitamin row.

We won't be hard to find if you remember where we were last year.

The building has some changes which will allow folks to stand inside to check in. Come on in out of the cold.

Also the NCPC's last fund raiser, "Craft in America", after expense was just over 20K.The house party which raised the most money was the one here in Seagrove.

The potters could buy a membership for 20.00 that night, but many went beyond the call and added money to their membership.

As I looked over the list of house parties and donors, again I am stuck by how supportive the potters are.

We don't make a ton of money and times are tight, but they reached in again and gave.

Thanks to all who attended a party to support the center.

I am off to climb that mountain of pots.

Cheers!

Is it just me?

In today's paper:
Found
Dog with runner still attached
call to identify.

Free
Jumbo Shrimp
with purchase.

She asked and he said yes.

Yes, that is the daughter and her Dad- nice shot Anna!

Before the walk.

After the "I do's"

A little"Cheesecake?"


Keeping my mother out to all hours......