Reasons not to work....

There are reasons not to work and here is the best one.

Opa is so funny!

Friday nibbles -Clay and Blogs:Telling a Story

Jeff Martin

Brandon Phillips

Doug Fitch

Patricia Griffin

I have a confession to make- I stole all of the images above.
I wanted to continue with my Friday nibbles for you all and I have some....potters...who did not send me any images.
Being the person I am-- I was just brazen enough to go right out and take these.
I hope no ones minds and I hope you will all sit back and enjoy.
It makes them even tastier knowing they are forbidden fruit!
Enjoy!
M

Bowls

Yesterday's bowls
and you are not taking

my picture.....

are you??????

Well- yes, yes I am.......!

You can run but you can not hide!

Spider and pottery

Today, a month plus since I took the great and graceful fall off the wet deck and hit my back, I threw pots on the wheel!
I was a little anxious about throwing, I was afraid my back would not want to bend the way I need it to to work on the wheel.
After doing a little warm up with bottles I moved over to some sugar jars and then on to some small bowls.
Right before I wrapped up my cart for the evening I counted.
35 pots- sigh- that felt pretty good.
I did come in and stretch out on my big green ball- this thing is a wonder.
I sit on it and then walk backwards while it relaxes my back.
It feels so good.
I just hang out on it for a bit and then back to work I go.
I do this about 3 times a day and at night before I hit the sack.

I was not in the mood to take pictures of pots- so how about this fat, well fed garden spider?
Isn't she a beauty!

And we are going live

The Arts Council of Moore County has just updated their site and changed their web address.

For those of you in the Clay and Blogs show you might want to update your links.
But better then that is the online element for the Clay and Blogs show is now up.
Chris Dunn has put many hours into getting our page of potters up along with the Gallery page.
He had a goal of September 1st  but we are live as of friday.
( I was out of it from a procedure done with some pretty decent drugs.. thus you are just getting the information.)
If you are part of the show he can still add you into the gallery.
Send him the information or email me if you have any questions.
Here we are live:
Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story
and the Gallery page
I find it hard to believe we are into the late part of August and September will soon be here.
I have enjoyed the potters who I stated this show with and even more I have enjoyed getting to know many potters I might have never met through this show.
I hope you will all take a look through the list and the gallery.

and because a person should not behind the wheel while said drugs are wearing off I did make some trays.
Cheers,
M

Friday nibbles -Clay and Blogs:Telling a Story

Jenn Mecca

Ron Philbeck

Micheal Mahan

Micheal Kline

Another weeks draws us closer to fall.
I, for one, am ready for some cooler weather.
This past summer has been one for the record books just like the past winter.
Funny how you fondly look back at all that snow when the humidity has you dripping...
So, again, I plan not to talk for the pots or the potters and will leave it up to you to read and enjoy.
Grab a cold one and go do some reading.
Cheers!
M

There is a song in there some where...

Some days as I sit in my basement and watch the world go by on my flat screen I wonder.
I wonder how we got  here to where we are today.
I wonder where we are all going and when we will all arrive.
But most days I don't wonder at all.
I just get up and do the things that need to be done to make it in this ever changing world - corny right- I know but do you really come here for deep thought?
I hope not because we are just two potters working daily at what we do.
I don't go deep because I hope you come here for some of the light stuff.
Somedays I don't want to think, some days I want to see pictures of your pots, your kids, your animals, your vacations, and yes-your lives.
If I wanted deep I could watch The Real Housewives of........
But I am just not that person.
I started this blog for many reasons one of which was not to tell you who was out there making good pots.
That is for you to decide.
Meanwhile after years of trying I just get up and do.
I do the things that need to be done to get work out.
And there are no secrets here--- I enjoy it.
So bring on the puppies, the babies, your recipes, your pictures of what you ate, your you tube, your jokes, your laughter and your tears.
Bring out the good, the bad and the ugly.
Show me a glimpse into your life and some days ,if need be, go wide.
I for one am reading.
Cheers,
M

A cold one and.....

First off- when Tracey was here last weekend she did not come empty handed. ( she is southern you know, we can't go without a gift even if we are doing you a favor!)
She wanted us to take this to Blowing Rock with us and enjoy and instead we stuck it in the fridge and enjoyed it last night with the help of friends.
Oh, my it was a very good beer.
Very crisp and oh- so- tasty- it really hit the spot.
So thanks Tracey!

Now, while I have your attention, a few folks have said why aren't you sharing pictures of the grand baby?
So could you stand a few?
I mean she is pretty darn cute and getting bigger every day-( her mother keeps feeding her!)
So here are a few that melt my heart.
It really makes my day to get the daily pictures of her.
When I have a down day I just look at them all- but I want make you do that.

At work with Mom today- she loves to play on the floor and hang out at the office.
See she is pretty darn cute.

swimming with the fishes

The challenge- make a large hand built fish bowl to go on a ledge in the kitchen of the Safari house.
This bowl will be the home for some small fish that will be swimming around.

Mark took over this project while I was laid up with the back.
It it a pretty good size bowl with rooms for the fish to move around in- in and out, in and out, what's in here a small space you can only go in and hide...

 Yesterday I unloaded the last of the large tiles for this back splash. I have them safely boxed away while I move into the last stage of the border tiles.

When I get the border tiles made and through the first fire I plan to put up the sheet of plywood in the studio for glazing. When I do I will get some pictures.
I have laid out sections, but I don't have a space large enough for the whole lot at one time.
I would love to have them out just to see the whole thing all at one time- but I think it would be a pain to walk around right now.
I thought I could finish the all the tiles by the end of this month, but I am thinking it will be mid- September.

Meanwhile this big fish bowl is under wraps drying very slowly.

We are still enjoying the delude of butterflies - I wonder why this has been such a prolific year for them?
Does anyone know?


 

Goldilocks and the Three bears, or who's been sleeping in my bed?

Mark and I went to blowing Rock for a show this past weekend.
I was very worried about who I could leave here to run things while I was away.
Then I came up with a thought....one that I hoped could work out for two potters.
For me potter number 1, who has plenty of studio space to share and potter number 2, who could make use of our space in exchange for keeping us open and staying here while we were gone.

Well of all the potters I could not think of I could not think of  anyone better to try this with then Tracey Broome.
So- on Friday Tracey showed up here bright and early from her house ,which is about 45 minutes from here,to get a quick low down on the studio, the sales shop and the house.
This goes here- that goes there- here are towels, sheets and pillow- a/c instructions, here's how to run a charge, take a check and work the cash register, wrapping paper, masking tape, bags................ blah, blah,blah... and we were on our way just going up the road after throwing Tracey to the bears.
We had just hit Blowing Rock when we received a very exciting call from her.
Tracey had just made the biggest sale we have made in the store  this year.
She was blown away and so were we- it was exciting for her and us.
We have been in a real drought this summer with just enough sales to pay one bill at a time.
With Tracey's exciting news it looked like we might have a good weekend.

On Saturday I had made arrangements with Laurie Abela, our favorite soap maker, to be here to run the shop for the Potter's for Peace weekend.
That would, we had hoped, free Tracey to just work in the studio.
But- Tracey was in for a second adventure this weekend and I would rather she get a chance to tell you all about that herself.
Meanwhile, back in Whynot Laurie was busy running the shop, selling pots and her wonderful soaps with a %  to benefit The Central Asia Institute.
We have a few mugs and soaps left over.
If you are interested and would like a mug, a tumbler or some of the green tea soap contact us:
info@whynotpottery.com.

Blowing Rock was better for us this month then it was back in June.
We did start out the morning with a moment of regret when we looked at the mud hole that was our space.
It was a big mud puddle that someone had thrown an old rug in.
I was ready to head home when Mark asked for another space.
We were quickly given a new space that was perfect.
Level and much dryer.
It did throw us and the crafts people on either side of us in a tailspin as we were all trying to unload and put up tents.
We all just jumped in to help one another- first getting the other tents up and then ours.
Then everyone could get their work out.
I just love when 3 booths  work together to help one another out, no muss-no fuss!
Despite the overcast sky their were some buyers out.
We had two down pours but still managed to come out mostly dry.
Note the attractive blue tape keeping the lid down- I found it is better to tape the lid then to have it fly off while being picked up.

We are back home, unpacked and very happy with Goldilocks- seems she found just the right pace to sleep and leaft hardly a trace behind her.
(except some tea I am sitting here enjoying...)
I can't wait to see if she was able to get some work made and how her second adventure of the weekend went for her.
Thanks Tracey and Laurie job well done!

Friday nibbles -Clay and Blogs:Telling a Story

Joy Tanner

Paul Jessop

Julia Wilkins

Kyle Carpenter

We are quickly clicking through the weeks as summer tries to wind down.
Before we all know it the leaves will all be turning and cooler weather will set in.
But before we leave the hot and muggy summer of 2010 grab a cold cup of coffee or a tall cup of sweet tea and enjoy another walk through some of our potters for the Clay and Blogs show.
Cheers!
M

A few pots from the last kiln

A small teapot of Mark's- good for two.

  We are working on how to get rid of this shadow-
A small jar of mine B-mix with carving and our green glaze.

another jar with feet.

Cheers!
M

It's all in the company we keep

Mark and I took a little drive on Sunday to spend some time with my brother Jay, his wife Leslie and meet the new addition to his family Jax.
Jax is a bundle of joy and energy bouncing all over the house and making sure that the cats and all his people are in order.
We enjoyed traveling up on Sunday and being gulped up by the Blue Ridge mountains.
To get to my brothers we have to first get I-77, a trip on its own from our house.
I don't know if you have ever heard the expression, " you just can't get there from here."
But- my brother and I both live in areas where this rings true.
Once on I-77 we have to go and touch the edges of West Virginia and turn left to hear back into the depths of the Virginia mountains to find him.
Riding up early on Sunday morning made for a scenic drive.
Once we got there we were greeted by Jax, the family dog.
Spending time with my brother is always a treat and getting to talk about old NC pottery and have him show me some examples of work made by the potters of our youth are something I treasure. I learn something new every time.
He has collected some fine examples of Philmore Graves pieces and it was a treat to see them in person.

While we were there we took a swing around to his law office, he is a lawyer by trade.
I know all the lawyer jokes and I am sure you do too- so save them for later.
When I walked in his office I thought- "who would not trust a lawyer who displayed these in his office"?
It would put me right at ease to be among such good company as this.

Some great CC Cole's Pottery.
Look at those glazes- bring back the lead!

From  the JB Cole family.
Look at the handles on these-especially the one that seems to be from the hear no evil series.
The small three handled piece in the front is a Nell Cole Graves wife of Phil Graves.
That little pot just fit in my hand and the handles...sweet!

Pink! or maybe I should say rose...

and like I said, "it's all in the company you keep."
I turned around and found a shelf of my bottles, a slat glazed tea bowl of Mark's and an egg vase in the left hand corner.
I felt pretty good to see myself being displayed along with some of the old Masters.
 Then I spotted one of Mark's vases behind my brother's chair.
Nice......

There have been several post about supporting art and artist.
This is a fine example of someone who cares enough not only to buy art but share it with others.
I hope that the people who walk into his office found some comfort in the beauty of the work.
I know I did.
There is nothing better then to deck your work office out with pottery or any art.

 A super nice bottle of Mark's over on Jay's left.

And last but not least the boss of the office and house Jax.

How could you not love this face?!!
We are back in NC and back to work tomorrow.
With a little PT thrown in for good measure.

Seagrove Potters for Peace:Turning Stoneware into Schools

On Saturday the 14th of August we will once again be participating with our fellow Seagrove Potters in raising money for The Central Asia Institute.

Mark made a nice tall mug  good for anything you would like to put in it- hot or cold.
This mug is our family favorite.
My Mother, Mark's dad,  My sister Lee and BIL Tony rarely drink or drank out of anything but one of these mugs.
I have one of the first ones Mark ever made in 1983 and it is still one of my very favorites.
There are 10 in a variety of glazes for sale.

I have made a standard mug style I like for drinking tea.
This is the mug I reach for on those cold mornings for my cup of tea.
It seems just right for one tea bag and because the shape pulls in a bit it seems to keep the tea warm.
I will have 10 in a variety of glazes.

Beverly, who works with us and for us from time to time, was excited to make something to sell as well.
Beverly is by day the webmaster for the NC Zoo.
By night and weekends she makes pottery.
Beverly will have 7 tall tumblers for sale.

Also joining us and here to run the shop that day will be Laurie Abela from Abela Soaps and Bodyworks.
Laurie is a retired nurse who makes wonderful soap, eye pillows and other things.
Laurie has made a special Green Tea Soap to sell on Saturday.

All the pottery is signed with Seagrove Potters for Peace, the year, the maker and a peace sign.
Remember- there are no early sales.
Sales start at 9 am and go through 5 pm
Go to the website and print a list of the participating potters to carry with you.
You will need to drive from shop to shop, but what is life, if not an adventure.
We hope to see you on Saturday!
M

Friday nibbles -Clay and Blogs:Telling a Story

Bruce Gholson

Samantha Henneke

Christy Cole

Joe Cole

Today's nibbles are two couples who are in the show Clay and Blogs.
I have found that each person has their own voice on the blog.
With Bulldog Samantha is the key person with input from Bruce.
With Joe and Christy they both write about what is going on in their lives.
So here you go- sit back pour your choice of beverage and enjoy.
It's still hot and muggy here- go cold!
Cheers!
M

On another note- I went to PT yesterday for my back and all I can say is- it was a good thing! I go back twice next week and I hope to see quick improvement.
Sigh- can you be in love with your PT guy this fast?
It was well worth the time and maybe a post on the machines I was put in and through yesterday......