Thursday, December 22, 2011

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

14 comments:

Laura said...

You did a good job. Request is hard work, but it was worth.
Happy Birthday!! And Merry Christmas!

Gary's third pottery blog said...

CONGRATS :) Lovely thrown shapes, too.

Linda Starr said...

Nice smooth shapes, and old habits are hard to change, ha, happy birthday, great pot by Jim too

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Happy Birthday!... Aaaawww, those nice smooth shapes would be calling to me too!

Quietly Otaku said...

Nice work, I love your large jars, I'm sure they'll look beautiful once they're done. Hope you had a great birthday!

Dan Finnegan said...

Have a happy day! So glad your writing again...still one of my very favorites! Merry Christmas.

Tracey Broome said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Meredith,
Happy Birthday to you!!

Everyone sing along!

Hope you have a beautiful day! You sure are sounding better these days, you are over the hump, I think :)

Michèle Hastings said...

I give lots of credit to anyone who can throw other peoples shapes... Jeff loves to throw so he gets right into it and can duplicate anyones work.
Can't wait to hear about the new project. Have Happy Birthday, open a bottle of wine and enjoy using your Jim cup!

Lori Buff said...

Have a happy birthday!

cookingwithgas said...

you guys are the best- make an old dog blush-I am being very lazy today- no excuses- I just am!

Peter said...

Hi Meredith,
I'm singing along with Tracey (above), I'm wondering if my "Happy Birthday" will create some strange echo effect as it orbits the earth to get round to you! "Happy (happy) Birthday (day) To (to) You (ooooh)...."
I'm loving all the work in progress photos, they are both inspirational and instructional to a learner like myself. I really treasure the fact that experienced potters are quietly sharing and encouraging others this way. Huge thank yous... and Merry Christmas! xx

cookingwithgas said...

Peter (peter) Peter...(peter)...I think i hear that Happy Birthday just loud and clear.
Thank you!
Here's to a great (great) New year!

Peter said...

You (ooooo) you (ooo).....

Birthday greetings still orbiting! (..ting!)..

P... (p)

Joe Troncale said...

Beautiful lines in the vases with even better decorations!