Laughing with the girls

It has been really quiet since school started and the lateness of summer has taken over.
You can feel it in the air and you can hear the sounds of summer gone as the kids go back to school and the air hangs with quiet.
It is not like Mark and I can not have a lively conversation it is just hard to do that and work at the same time.
We find that when we are working it takes all our brain cells to focus on the task at hand.
You know if you make pottery for a living and spend countless hours working that there are days you really need to get your self out and see people.
So yesterday I ran away for a few hours and had lunch with Tracey and Susan.
They did great post with great pictures.
It is funny how someone else can give an eye to something you look at everyday and make it look different.
Make it look good like I want to be there, hey I am there!
THen we went over to the NCPC to see the show.

 Here are those two oohing over some of Donna Craven's pots at the NCPC

And while they were snapping  pictures of old pots I had to get some pictures of my neighbor Carol's work.
Amazing......
I must admit I am not always clear or what collector's collect and why they buy some of the things they do.
A pot really has to call to someone and there seems to be someone for every type of work out there. I think that is what makes this show interesting. As we walked through there were pots that we just did not gravitate to at all, others that caught us all and some that did something for one of us and not the others.
A diverse group of opinions, I like that.

I can see why someone would buy Carol's work.
Her work is full of interest without being over done and each piece has a story that goes with it that only adds to the work.

 If you can get there this show is worth a look.

Meanwhile back at the ranch.
We are almost finished glazing, loading starts today.
I am thinking of all the  folks hit by the storm and hope that  life returns to normal for them all as soon as possible.

Cheers,
M

Slow Sunday

We woke up this morning to a steady rain falling and realized that this is just what we needed to make us take a slow Sunday.
On slow Sundays you can stay in your PJs until 11, or after.
You can watch a movie at 10 am if you like.
Check a lovely bisque firing but keep your hands and thoughts out of working in the studio.
Eat a late lunch of a sandwich with some mouth watering home grown tomatoes.
 (dust a little and rearrange the living room, I know that's work, shhhhh.)
And, why not (yes, whynot) think about taking in a show in the late afternoon. (Taking in a show, who says that any more...)

 What a day in August this is.
This is like late September even the bugs are still in their PJ's.

Mark has been working on some vases for the next firing.
This is only one that I was able to get a shot of.
There are some others that are as nice if not nicer.

These are going to be stamped with Whynot Pottery, Whynot NC, 2012, 30Th year on the bottom since October will be our 30th year.
I know, hard to believe....

We did run away Friday night for the show at the NCPC and was able to see a few pots.
You know how shows go, walk a little, talk a little, walk a little talk a little....
I am going to go back and drag Tracey and Susan with me, and we are going to look at this show.

Don't you love the bell!??

There are two of these and I think I could slip out with them putting one under each arm if no one is looking.

I am adding some small project tiles to the Etsy shop.
I have many of these that I make and set aside for all those projects I want to do but lately I have been thinking that someone else might want to do their own project with tiles and I need to move some of these along.
If you are interested let me know.

Well, it is time to see about taking in that show.
Wanna' come?
You can but don't be too slow...
M

for Leslie- yes, we do blues....

Put this on your list of things to do!

I went to the opening at the NCPC  Yesterday and now I know you have to go.
Put this high on your list of a must go see show.
Here were some of my favorites!

Grave Marker

AR Cole

JA Craven

Royal Crown Pottery

Buying a Kiln and opening at the NCPC

In February of this past year I posted questions about buying a new electric kiln.
I had a lot of good advice from good peole.
There is nothing like hearing straight form the source about buying a kiln.
We are back at that point now.
Having gone through the year nursing along our aging kiln- one more fire baby , just one more.
Its like an aging horse or animal come on one more breath or hill and we can let you rest.
Well, now I am back reading  the suggestions and narrowing down the choice.
I am looking at buying an L&L, we like the small one we bought for tiles 2 years back.
Now it is size and model.
I really don't want a kiln that is too big, nor do I want one that is too small.
I want one that is just right.
Hey- there is a fairy tale in here somewhere!
So here are my choices:
JD2927
or
e28t3 10.2 cubic feet- so far this one is top on the list.
Anybody have any good solid reasons to go with something else?
Now I am comparing prices- sales and free shipping are my plan.
I have also looked at used kilns but seems I have some of those and I am making plans on how best to use those.
Maybe a little wood kiln or soda kiln with the leftovers.
There are plenty of ways to use them I just need some motivation and a good back.

There are several kiln openings in the area today if you are out and about in Seagrove.
We are open our usual hours 9-5.
This afternoon is an opening for a really GREAT show at the NCPC.
This show is done from the prospective of a collector.
I was able to see pots yesterday that I only dream of.
Good grief there was a Webster there that was just wonderful.
And close to that a salt glaze Jug that I am going back for another look and pictures.
Since I was with a group I did not get to read the tags.
There were pots calling my name from all directions.
I find that I am still drawn to those old shapes from those old kilns- salt drips and kisses.
Oh, they need to have a touch day up there and let potters come in and hold these pots.
Now that would be the ticket.
Yum!
From the NCPC website:

This exhibit will explore North Carolina pottery through pieces selected by seven North Carolina collectors.  The collectors in this series are Monty Busick, Steve Compton, Bragg Cox, Leon Danielson, Joe Foster, George Hoffman and Joe Wilkinson. This exhibit presents an interesting perspective on North Carolina pottery. This is the first of the Collector’s Eye series that will begin the visual journey around the state through the collector’s eyes.

Monty Busick, an educator for 37 years and currently a consultant for Wake County Schools, is the current president of the NC Pottery Collectors’ Guild. His collection is from the Seagrove and Pittsboro areas, focusing on Mark Hewitt’s apprentice’s work.

Leon Danielson, an Economics Educator at NC State in Raleigh, and wife Sue moved to NC in 1972. They collect NC art and utilitarian pottery generally with emphasis on Hilton Pottery from the Catawba Valley. Their collection of Tobacco Road Pottery is remarkable; they established this business with a partner in 1979 utilizing the turning skills of C.B. Craven and the artistic talents of Ernestine Hilton Sigmon.

Joe Wilkinson, an Antique and Fine Arts dealer from Spring Hope, worked summers in the early 1970’s with Dot and Walter Auman at Seagrove Pottery, developing a concentrated interest in pottery. Joe collects Transition Period Pottery 1916-1930 and utilitarian pottery being transformed by Arts and Crafts influences.

Steve Compton was first introduced to North Carolina’s pottery traditions in the mid 1970’s while on assignment as a photographer for the Mebane Enterprise-Journal. Steve collects 18th to 19th century earthenware, utilitarian salt-glazed and alkaline-glazed stoneware, and early to mid-20th century art pottery. Steve is currently District Superintendent for the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Bragg Cox, a North Carolina native, has collected NC Pottery for twelve years; he collects early utilitarian, transitional, art and figurals from North Carolina and focuses on pieces with exceptional glazes, decoration and form. Bragg also collects Southern decorative arts including folk art.

Joe Foster is a self taught potter, having begun as a pottery collector. He began working for Archie Teague around his shop in the 1990’s where he learned a great deal. When Archie died suddenly in 1998 Joe found himself with the increased responsibility for the day to day operations of the shop.

George Hoffman, originally from Delaware, Ohio has been collecting pottery for twenty five years. He began collecting North Carolina Pots when he was traveling down Hwy 220 from Ohio and stopped in Seagrove at Seagrove Pottery on his way to Seven Lakes. He collects early Jugtown, early Ben Owen III, Billy Ray Hussey, and candlesticks.

The opening reception is Saturday, December 4, from 3:30-5:30 and is being sponsored by The North Carolina Pottery Collectors’ Guild, Raleigh, NC. The Reception is free and open to the public.  The exhibit will be open November 23, 2010 through February 12, 2011.

Exhibitions are made possible through the generosity of our membership, the Mary and Elliott Wood Foundation and the Goodnight Educational Foundation. This project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Pack a bag, your warm clothes and walking shoes and come on out!
M

PS- There is the opening for the Green Hill show tonight- so much to do!
I think I need a nap!