Still working and another family birthday

We reluctantly went into the studio yesterday and finished making more samples for a project we are working on.
One that I am not ready to reveal yet, but I will write about later.
The pots we are making are to the specs for someone else.
Many of them are familiar and, yet, are shapes that we would take one step further or add lines, stamps and some carving.
It has been interesting and an act of discipline to stay within the guidelines.
As I am throwing I will notice an area that I would usually add a line, or two or three. My eye will hit it and then I want to reach for a tool to add said line... no, I have to tell myself.
It is like I have gone from driving a straight gear over to an automatic.
Don't shift!
Then again it is  a challenge to figure all this out.
Below there are two ginger jars with two bottles that will fill out the pots that Mark made last week.

Yes- there are two carved jars below- rejects are great for carving!

Mark is working on a second line with lots of egg shapes from 4 inches up to about 12 inches.

Some of these will be kept and some....well, like I said we are working out the details.

And if you made it all the way to the bottom of the page- here is a treat.
I was on Jim's Etsy shop the other day and I just had had to have one of Jim's pieces.
I hit the buy button.
I know you can see why.
Right now Jim is keeping company with a couple of other guys you should all know.

I see some wine in our future.
And today is my Birthday, the day after my sweet girl.
No moaning, no begrudging another year.
Instead I am thankful.
So my birthday wish is that you all go out and tell someone you care about them, or take a tea/coffee with a friend, call someone, email, send a card, reach out and care.
Breath!
Life is good,
M