Stuff

Thank you for the support through comments, email and phone calls, it means a lot.
There is something I have learned over the years and that is some people just do not know what to say.
I undersatnd this.
and yet- reaching out when someone needs it is important.
It does not need to be a lot just a simple word or act of kindness goes a long, long ways.
So thank you.
My sister Leslie has posted her thoughts and some fun pictures on Lee that show that spunky side of her.
She had to be, born between two brothers and then having two little sisters who hung on her every word.

The picture I posted of her giving Cancer the one finger salute was taken by Mark and it is a favorite of his.
Why you must think? He has one of Leslie doing this as well and me- he wants to frame them together.
When we married I was 19, a mere child.
He was a whopping 20, a boy.
These women, my sisters are his sisters.
He laid claim a long time ago.
So they treat him like one of the brothers- there is no holding back.
So I am sure he deserved those fingers, everyone of them.

Today I am back to pots- I blew up a lid on one of the jars while preheating the kiln for bisque- big blow! It has been awhile since I heard that noise.
Buggers!
Again Thank you for giving me that safe place.
M

Sister Lee

As many of you know my brother Jay passed away last October from cancer.
I have a hard time using the term battling because in a battle there are rules of engagement.
With cancer I have begun to believe it is a sneaky bastard who steals away your family members.
There are no rules you can not have a sit down.
Your people can not talk to their people.

So last fall not long after the passing of my brother my sister Lee began to talk about not feeling well.
Shortly after eating her stomach would bother her and she would feel nauseous.
The concern for her well being grew and I urged her to see the doctor.
I had just lost one sibling and did not want to lose another.
It has taken weeks of testing to find out that she too is suffering from cancer.

How can that be?
I am stunned beyond words.
This is so close to losing Jay how could this possible happen twice to us?
We don't know at this time how she will react from treatment  or if there is a course of treatment that she can take.
So my word of the day has become FU*K
Sometimes you just have to say FU*K because nothing else seems to carry the weight that this word does at this time.
And to top this off she is being sued.
Yes, sued by some one who's parents were squatters in a house my sister was selling over 17 years ago.
She is being sued to exposing this person to lead paint at the age of 3.
Good god people! My sister did not rent this house to her parents.
Her parents broke into Lee's house and lived there.
When it was discovered they were there they stole everything they could to sell.
The crazy thing about this is they will win a settlement off the insurance my sister had on the house back then.
You can not make this sh*t up.
So bear with me if I am a litle off.
I am trying to find my balance.

Cancer-FU*K YOU!

To top this off the insurance company will pay for her test but not her treatments.
I kid you not.

Cuppa

and what is tea without a cup?
Short post sunshine calls!

cheers!
M

Thursday and all day I thought it was Friday

 These jars are like old friends come to visit.
They felt good and fun to make.

 The teapots I am still working on with this over the top handle.
Seems I need to work this out a bit more.
They dried a bit quicker then I wanted them to and makes the handles feel a bit off to one side more then I wanted.

 Makes me want to tilt my head to the right.....

The stamping is interesting but needs something else...

that's Thursday -see you!
M

Wandering Wednesday

Yesterday I decided to head back over to that stoneware clay and make 4 more Teapots. I don't know about you but two is not enough to work an item out of ones system. So I did 4 bodies which I will do spouts on today.
I never throw spouts the same day I make teapots. I use to think all the items needed to be made on the same day at the same time.
Then I went to a workshop at Jugtown Pottery with a Korean pottery- Mister... somebody.
Anyway- he would make a spout and then just put it on the pot.
Hummm- here he was working very wet and just popping that spout on the body with out a lot of fuss.
It change how I did spouts.
I now throw the body and lid.
Today I will trim the lid and fix the body- stamp and or carve and then I will make spouts, let them dry a bit, hit them with a hair dryer and then cut a whole- no little holes for me- and put the spout in place.
It always surprises me how much easier I find this.
Of course I see spouts that are better then mine and have more defined shapes but I always go back to this.
Some day I might change things up but then again if it is working....

I also did some jars and since it has been awhile I thought I would look some up to see how they have changed or if I need to do something different with them.
It is like reading recipes before you cook.
I read them and look up different ones and then I go cook.
I hardly ever follow the recipe instead I like the ideas and take components from several and combine.
Although if it starts with cream of any soup I don't even consider.
These were made at least 2 years ago.
Now to go see what I will do with those blanks I have out there waiting for me.

Cheers! Go make pots!
M

All good things...

All good things must come to an end and it is time for the last of the pots from the Clay and Blog show to head back home.
Last year at this time we were busy planning the show.
In the year we planned and made the show quite a success.
But I still think what made this for me was getting to know the potters who participated in the show.
Meeting many of them in person  was the high light of putting this together.
And finding out that Hannah, Doug and Angela are all coming to the USofA in April even better.
I do hope we all get a minute to meet.
If you are interested there will be 3 workshops with them.
First one kicks off with Hollis in Cape Cod.
The second in Virginia with Dan
and the third in North Carolina with Ron.
Should be great fun.

Angela

Hannah

Doug

Cheers!
M

Tea Time

I did get two teapots put together yesterday.
I had made 4 bodies but two of them worked better as jars instead of teapots.
I felt the mouth opening was wider then I wanted to put spouts and handles on.
Those were carved and set aside to dry.

On these two I wanted to try an over the lid handle and I did.
For the first time I have done them they are okay.
I see room for improvement , of course, but might be tempted to try these again.

I made some small teacups- no handles to go with them.
BUT!---I have painted myself in a corner by using the cone 6 clay instead of our stoneware clay.
What corner you say?
Well, I would usually make these from our stoneware body, glaze them in our wood ash glazes and then fire to cone 10, reduction..
Now I am wondering how to glaze these in the glazes I used while working on the tiles...
Seems I need to think about this and give myself a deadline!
Shoot! I hate that thinking thing.

Meanwhile we have sold the 7 foot kiln with shelves.
The 2 10 cubic foot ones are still here.
If you are interested or know someone who is interested pop us an email.
info@whynotpottery.com

And I am reading all your blogs seems my mind is wandering on the comments.
My mind is still in a winter slumber and a jumble of thoughts.
More on that later.
M

Work and Play

Mark and I are invited to participate in an Exhibition being held at the North Carolina Pottery Center call Tea Time.
We will both be sending two Tea Pots along with some cups.
Yesterday I made 4 of the bodies and lids.
I put them all under tight plastic last night because Tracey and I have been trying to find a day to just run around, have some lunch and ride the back roads in search of old buildings and barns.

Tea Caddies

Today was a day we picked out of the hat weeks ago and even though I needed to make spouts I went.

Pisgah Covered Bridge

And I was happy to have gone.
Happy to have had the time to spend with someone who has become a friend over the past year.
Talk and laughter came easy while we rode the back roads.
The sky was blue and the weather tripped its way up to 60 degrees, a perfect January day in the south.
We peeled a layer as we rode around and laughed about the fact we might need the a/c!
We did not- just kept riding. 

Sweet and snug on the hillside

It was fun to show Tracey some of the barns and buildings I like when I drive from Seagrove to Asheboro.
I love the fact that I can get all the way there and back without 4 lanes of traffic.
I also love that these buildings and barns stand proudly, many of them still used.
I look at the houses that litter the road ways with all their newness and then I marvel at the old wide planks and the softness of the boards I see on these old buildings, some of which you can almost see through as though they are turning themselves into paper.

One of my favorite barns over near the NC Zoo

I love when you see the care taken of one of these old barns, painted, used and loved.
I also wonder if there will come a time when someone removes that barn to put a house in its place.
There use to be many old tabacco barns around as well but most of those are gone.

I can't wait to see how some of these pop up in Tracey's work.
She was seeing lines and details that she liked.
But I will let her tell you about that.

Tomorrow I will get back on those Tea Pots.
Today I just plan to savor the rest of the day.
M

Paper, rock, scissors or making choices

Paper, rock, scissors or I wonder if this game could be called paper, pots, scissors?
I have been making tiles, jewelry  and trays during this icy cold phase of January, but I have still not touched the wheel.
Oh I have read and poured over blogs of all the potters who are out there working away.
I love looking at what they are making and envy their ability to just go back to work.
I always need a bit of down time this time of year.
Or maybe a slower start.
So even though I am making some pots my mind has wandered over to paper.

I started our raiding all the old Christmas card for paper and using up some card stock I have.
Well it was all over then because then I had to try some real paper.
The kind that is made to fold rather then me making it fold.
So I order some paper used for Origami 
Oh my it is like using a soft clay rather than a hard clay.
It is like you just learned how to get the clay to move the way you want it to.
This paper just has a feel the other paper does not.
Right now I am only folding small boxes and a variety of items that could and would hold jewelry.
You can either slip a pair of earrings in or a pendent and use them as a gift box. 

And while I am folding these I have been looking at the different patterns on the paper.
Of course I have a favorite.
I really love this one.

Sorry the picture does suck a bit!

This time folding paper has given me time to think about pots and what I want to make.
It has given me time to think about my brother and miss him a bit (a lot!).
It has given my hands something to do while my mind goes to places I don't want it to go alone.
A comfort in the paper, soft and soothing.
Funny how something so simple can fill a place or a void for a person.
Is this how it feels for people who make pots for fun?
I make pots as a living and have for close to 30 years.
This means I have to find the simple pleasures somewhere else in order to get back in touch with clay.
Last night as I went to sleep I thought,"dream of teapots".
But instead I dreamed of someone who was making  dogs from tile pipes.
Go figure.
So folks I am out to the shop today and we will see what comes off that wheel.
or off the slab roller.........
Cheers!
M

Please - hold the ice

Really it is not the snow!
It is the ice.
Living in the woods has its disadvantages and this is one of them!
The snow is easy to walk in over to the studio and back, but this ice is not so much fun.
Toady I made two trips over and thought about how crazy this is.

I mean look- its not that far.

But walking with a stick and breaking the ice as I walk along would be okay if I did not have the reputation of being a bit clumsy.
I have fallen on less....

and to top it all off this is the left hand side of the studio- no ice!
Why?
No trees- and sun.
I am watching the weather and warmer temperatures can not come soon enough.
I feel a bit trapped over here in the ice castle.
But I did roll tiles and trays so a trip back over tomorrow is must.
Even though I would be happy to just stay right here in the castle....

Tiny but powerful

The snow yesterday came down in the smallest flakes I have even seen, but they all seem to band together well enough to stick and build up.
There is only about 3 inches out there and it took all day to accumulate before we added a bit of freezing rain on top.
This morning all seems to be very quiet.

We did slide over and get a bit of work done but what is it about snow that is so distracting?
Do people who live with this all the time just move along and don't stop in wonder and amazement.
Here in the south we want to get out the board games, put on the kettle, get out the needle point and sit by the fire.
We can wait for it all to be gone.

But I do love how I can look at a picture and it feels as if time just stopped.
That some how this snow just stopped the clock.
Slow down, take a breath.
Do something out of the ordinary.
Or just sit and watch the snow pile up.

So today is grout day for a mirror.
I get to go out and see what the weather will bring today.
Yes, I would rather sit by the fire.
How about you?

A snow day 2011

Just so you all know the kilns are still here.
I wish we had packed them off over the weekend but they are still with us.
We do think one is sold and hope it makes its way to its new home to fire many pots.

Christmas I wanted to do something with some of the small tiles I had saved the last two year.
For several years I had wanted to work out making some mirrors with some of the tiles I make.
I would get them all out and play with them.
Then I would pack them back up and think one day.
Well- the day was here.
I wanted to give both the girls one for Christmas.
So I went to my go to guy and handy man, Mark, and told him what I wanted.
Now I don't know about you, but I need a handy man.
I usually know what I want as a finished product but don't know how to get there.
So Mark helped me map out the steps I needed to finish these up and make the dream a reality.
So I made two that we grouted and loaded in the car on Christmas Eve.
Cutting things just a tad close on that one.
Now we are working out more.
He is still my go to guy and is doing all the wood prep for me.
I'll have to get a picture of the new one up as well.
It will be a Christmas present for my sister.
I know, I know but she knows it is coming.
Gee, we are known for doing things late around here!

When I decided to make these I wanted some plain tiles to use with my handmade tiles and I opted for some commercial tiles to fill in around the handmade ones.
Even though I prefer to make all the tiles I did enjoy the ease of just fitting them with some already made.

For this next one I found some slate blue looking tiles to use.
I think they will go nicely together.
I plan to finish up two.
One to give and one to sell.

Another note about the commercial tile- I was able to find over runs that are just siting in a warehouse.
So it makes me fill good that I am able to give these tiles a life by getting them off some dusty shelves.
I also bought a sheet of black glass tiles that I want to use in either a mirror or with some of the jewelry.
Again those endless possibilities!
As you must know if you are following the winter weather it is snowing here.
Seems we are in a for at least a good dose of snow and cold.
I am going to layer up and make it over to the studio to finish up some tiles I am working on.
Keep warm out there-  it is going to be a hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate kind of day.
Cheers!
M

uneedakiln

Mark and I are clearing out space for the new kiln and are selling the three kilns we have been using mostly for bisque over the past, who knows, years.
We have 2 10 cubic foot kilns- selling price 800.00 for both no furniture.
Here are the specs:
28-27 H    cone 10
240V
11520watts
single phase
kiln sitter with timer
5 switches

28-27H the same as above
no inter connectors
single box houses switches-sitter and timer
6 switches

Last one-
23-27H cone 10
240V single Phase
10800 watts 45 amp
sitter and timer
extra floor or lid
3-3way switches
4 full round shelves- 300.00

Contact us if you are interested an any of the above.
info@whynotpottery.com
Or stop in for a real look and bring your pick-up truck!
M

First Friday

Just think last Friday was New Years Eve!
And here you are thinking that seemed weeks ago!
No- it was just last week and the Friday before that was Christmas Eve!
So last year you are thinking.
So here we are the first full week into January and we are all thinking about how quickly this year will run past us.
So take a minute today this first Friday of 2011 and breath.
Nice and deep.
Good- now get your running shoes on, buckle your seat belt and get going.
No time to waste.
It will only get busier from this Friday to the last one in December of 2011.

For me- it only took all week to get myself in the groove and back in the studio,
I am rolling tiles, making small stuff as fillers and walking gently past my wheel.
I think we need to make friends again.
It is so easy for me to distract myself from throwing this time of year.
There are books to catch up on, tiles I want to make, a book I would like to finish and, yet, I know if I don't get there... there will be hell to pay later.
I will be running like a rabbit playing catch up.

I did spend time getting more pots listed in the Etsy shop.
If you are inclined go take a look.
So on this first Friday of a new year I think I will get my shoes on and go finish up the tiles and think really, really hard about throwing next week.
A girl can dream....
M

Carolina Arts Unleashed

If you are a potter who lives and works in North Carolina or South Carolina you need to get yourself  listed on Carolina Arts new and very much improved website.
Tom and Linda Starland are instrumental in getting the news out about art openings all over North and South Carolina.
If they know about it they are promoting it.
In the past year they have done an excellent job of gathering information to list a strong website of all NC and SC potters- that they know of.
If you are not on their free listing contact them.
They are also offering an active listing at 10.00 a month.
I have just finished- or I should say they have- getting set up.
Whynot Pottery
For more information you can email them at: info@carolinaarts.com

They also offer their publication on line that can be down loaded for you to read .
So as they say around here , "go get you some"!
Go get you some good advertisement at a reasonable rate.
Cheers,
M

me and Mark 1975 ish............

Paul Soldner

Paul Soldner
One of the great ones just walked out the door.

A trip to meet a Lucky man

Mark and I slipped out of Norfolk a day behind our scheduled visit with Dan Finnegan in Fredericksburg Va.
It was our plan to take a trip up there to return his work and the work of Hannah and Doug when we packed up the Clay and Blogs show at the end of October.
The trip up was quite nice and we looked forward to meeting Dan and seeing his place. I had a bit of a taste of it from Hollis as he had posted about stopping in there on his travels to North Carolina for the show.
We would not be disappointed with our time there.
Meeting the various potters has really been the highlight of the show for me and Mark.
We walked into a spacious and beautiful building that is the LibertyTown Arts Workshop started in 2001.
As soon as we walked in we were stuck with how well laid out and organized the place was. There was someone with not only a sense of place but a sense of flow of space behind  all of this.
And as soon as we meet Dan we realized it was him.
Dan has spent the last 30 years in Fredericksburg and has taken a vision and put that vision to work.
I have spent time in and out of many non-profits in NC who are trying to do what Dan has done with out the success I saw there on the visit we had that day.
Meeting Dan was like meeting up with an old friend.
I found him to be very  warm and inviting.
The type of person who is so willing to give himself and share his life with you.
Dan gave us a tour of the facility which includes a school and 2 floors of studio space.
The studio spaces were all well laid out and full.
There was not a space that was not being used.
Beautiful and creative artist filled every room.
In talking with Dan about his vision and building I came back to what I have heard over and over again.
It takes one dedicated person with vision to make something work.
It was clear to me that is happening there.
I hope anyone who finds them self in the area will stop in.
This is a trip fully worth taking.
After a great lunch next door Dan offered to take us out to see his studio about 11 miles out of town.
Of course we wanted to go.
We rode out of town and as the houses fell away behind us we found our self in Dan's bit of paradise.

These two building house his studio space, storage and kiln.
Now let's talk about this kiln.
I have seen many, many kilns in the past 30 years my self but this kiln is a work of art all by it's self.
Drool away it is a feast for the eyes.

And not only is this a beauty of a kiln the pottery coming out of it is wonderful as well.
I have enjoyed watching as Dan has taken flight with the birds he is making along with his Teapots, mugs, jugs, bowls and other works.
The birds are so much fun to see in person although all but a few have already gone to live with some lucky owner.

Which brings me back to this lucky man.
A man who trained at the Winchcombe Pottery with Ray Finch in Gloucestershire, England in the late 1970's. A connection that continues through today with trips back to England in the summers.
A man who found himself in a small community and built not only a life for himself, but built a community within the community.
This lucky man has enriched the area he lives in by not just his art but by giving others a place to learn and work.
Dan said to me he feels like he is the Luckiest Man alive.
I think he is right.
Thanks Dan- we hope to see you again in the coming year when you bring Hannah and Doug to the States to share their talents with us.
Happy New Year this one holds great promise.
M