Saturday, February 9, 2013

We hear it is snowing

Here in the south we don't get the snows that happen in other places in the world. 35 inches is hard to wrap my head around. There was a time that we had 24 inches here but that was in the 90's and seems like a distant dream. Remembering that snow is different then experiencing the snow.
So I get to go online and look at the snow. Wow, that is a lot of snow.

Here it is chilly, don't hate us, but not such a bad winter to have gone through with some days hitting the 70's and bouncing back down to the low 30's. Really, it is hardly a winter at all.

We are both in the studio and still making the production line. I am bouncing back and forth between the slab roller and the wheel. Although the slab roller seems to be winning. I have more tiles in my head and they have to come out somewhere.

I did make it up to the Teapot show at The NC Pottery Center last Saturday and I am ashamed to tell you that I did not get pictures. I find it hard to just ignore people and take pictures.
I was able to get one picture of my neighbor Carol's teapot that I dearly love. I have always been amazed at what comes out of Carol head and this one is no exception.
   

 What I wanted the sign to say was ,Please touch, please pick me up, please hold me, but of course shows are not like that.I find it funny that we all take pots to shows, have open galleries with folks, kids, dogs and cats and yet, there are times that pots are so precious that they must be put under plexiglass or behind ropes. I understand the reasons why but I would love a show that was made to touch. What is clay without being held?
My plan is to get back to the Center and take some pictures on one of these quiet days.

I did finally get some tiles loaded and fired this week.
I had forgotten how badly hot wax smells in the studio and plan to go back to using only cold wax when firing in the electric kiln. The odor just hangs in the air.





 Here are a few pictures of the tiles.

Oh! Mark just brought me coffee.
Yum.
Later,
M

17 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

On the other hand, glaze cleans up so much easier off hot wax.

Judy Shreve said...

That teapot is so cool. Would love to see it close-up. Your tiles are lovely - as usual.

Anna M. Branner said...

I've been following the storm up north as well. I felt a tiny bit (but ONLY a tiny bit) guilty when I woke up to sunny blue skies this morning.

As always I love your tiles!

Shortstuff said...

"What is clay without being held?" - that's it in a nutshell, isn't it? Lovely words. Tell Mark I need coffee.

Kevin Carter said...

When I went to SOFA Chicago this year, there was a ceramicist who had a number of 'plates' and 'bowls' (they were more display than functional) on display.
She also had a sign that said 'Please touch the artwork."
It was the only sign like that in the whole show. I guess it's understandable, a lot of the work sells for $150,000+, with a William Morris piece selling for $225,000. There was no 'Touch Me' sign by that one!

cookingwithgas said...

for me I don't want a pot I can not hold- too much pressure on how to take care of such a thing. It would be too much like owning all hand wash clothes.

Mark Les needs coffee! stat!
Thanks as usually for comments!

cookingwithgas said...

and Dennis- it is easier to clean up the pots with hot wax but boy the smell...

Linda Starr said...

oh that teapot and the eye looking right at me. Ha.

your tiles look wonderful, sweet lizard, I like the speckling in the glaze.

Maggie said...

when I saw Carol's squirrel t-pot, it blew mine outta the building.
My sister had 30 inches of snow in CT...done it before, I remember building forts as a kid. But,I called her to see if she got home from Aruba in time!
Yes...touch is necessary to the equation.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Just wanted to say "Hi" and, like so many others have said, "Love that teapot!"... I haven't been commenting much on blogs these days, but have been following. Your tiles are looking great!

cookingwithgas said...

Maggie it really caught my eye. I need to go back and see them all.
Hello Patricia.
It takes time to comment and when you are working that is hard to do.

Claudia from Idiot's Kitchen said...

Oooh, the tiles are lovely!

Gary's third pottery blog said...

they ARE lovely tiles!

mamaraby said...

I love the tiles! :0)

cookingwithgas said...

oh, thanks you all I love making the tiles. They are my fun stuff!

Unknown said...

I hear you about touching the pottery! I keep a sign in my shop and bring to shows that says: "Please Pick Up the Pots!" You know who picks up the most? Children :) Their parents freak out, but I tell them that the kids have it right~ you need to hold a pot to know if it's right for you!

Becky Brown said...

I'm with you ... we've had such little snow the last two years that it's hard to remember SNOW.

Your tiles are lovely, as always!