Spring Hot and Cold

We have been gone once again to continue on our journey into the depths of adulthood.
The details of which will just make your eyes glazed over like hot donuts so I will spare you the tales of travel, long lines, long waits and traffic.
 The trip was as short as we could make it leaving here on Sunday and back yesterday by 1:30 to open and get some work finished so we can fire next week.

One of the things we did on our last trip to Nawfalk was to stop in and take in the new Hot Shop at the Chrysler Museum. The Chrysler has the most wonderful collection of glass and it was only fitting that they open a glass studio in a building just across the parking lot from the museum. What was even more fun for us was the fact that Mark was working for Wet Dog Glass down in Star NC when the order for this equipment was being made.
 He worked on most of the things you see here. His job while he was working for them was to cut the steel for the "ovens".
It was great to pop in and see the place all set up and see how well supported it is. They have a daily demo around lunch time and it fills up with at least 60 or more folks at a time. The place quickly filled  with all ages from elderly to young childern with their parents. We noticed that many folks brought their lunch to eat while they watched. Even more fun was the fact that the Tech guy who was hired worked with Mark at Star. They were able to have a nice chat and catch up while we were there. So one more reason to go to Nawfalk if you get the time.
Glass is hot!

So here we are home again for the time being- we are getting ready for our kiln opening on the 21st of  this month.
Here at Whynot we will once again have Raven Pottery, Snowhill Pottery and Tileworks and Abela Bodycare joining us under tents out in the yard. Mud and Suds time.
There will be plenty of new work and cookies.
We are known for having the best cookies in town!
This is in conjunction with the area Spring kiln Opening and you will find that many of the area shops are gearing up to have new works as well.
Just google discoverseagrove.com for more info.
Yeah, I know you can do it.
Back to it today- I have some tiles to finish up so I can get to glazing.
 This round the little kiln...... let's see what kind of mood she is in this month.
Good, I hope!
Cheers!
M 

April is coming right up!

Every year we buy a calendar for the studio.
This year I found this wonderful calendar with sealife pictures.
Today I was debating if I wanted to tear off the picture for March or leave it.
It has a wonderful fish with the most beautiful yellows and soft blues.
It makes me want to develop a glaze around it.
Then when I popped open the page for April and saw this starfish and it was love at first site.
Oh my gosh!- look at the color of that red and then all the interesting patterns with the whilte.
Wouldn't this look great on something!
I think I will be drinking this picture in for the month of April.
I would love to develop this glaze as well.
Now laugh- because I know how busy the next month will be.

We made short work of unpacking from the Hickory show.
We knew we would have a short window to throw and glaze before the Spring kiln opening here in Seagrove.
We along with 48 other potters from our area have banded together to hold what will be a gallery/kiln opening crawl.
Here, at our shop in Whynot. we have invited a soap maker Laurie Abela of Abela Soaps to join us.
Laurie is a good friend, massage therapist, gardener and nurse.
Laurie will be here with her soaps.
I have used many homemade soaps over the years, but I am sold on hers.
They are my favorite.
And her bathmelts....oh, take a night with a hot bath and throw one of these in.
Yummy is all I can think!

Also joining us will be our good friend Anne Raven Jorgensen of Raven Pottery.
Anne lived in the Seagrove area for about 15 years before moving to Southern Pines.
She lives only 45 minutes down the road but just far enough we have to make plans to see one another.
Anne makes fun and wonderful pots.

Last but not least is our friend Laura Weant Avery of Snowhill Tiles.
Laura also lived in Seagrove for a number of years and recently moved away.
She will join us bringing her tiles and jewlery.
Laura's tiles have always inspired me.
I took a workshop from her several yeras ago.
She was so forth coming and sharing with her knowledge.

We are excited to have these folks join us I am calling it "Mud and Suds in the Yard".
I thought it fitting after the wet, wintry messy winter we all had.
And then our wet rain we had last week.
Mud!
 We will Mud in all shapes and form.
Now, can we all think positive for some weeks of sunshine and dry weather.
Plan a- we sent up tents.
Plan b- we set up in our work studio.
Whatever happens we will work out a way to get everyone set up.
We are planning refreshments and a door prize or two.

Yesterday I started on teapots and butter dishes while Mark made those "crown" pots.
So this week is throwing week.
Next week is glaze and with fingers crossed we will have a great kiln load of pots to unload for the weekend of the 17th-18th.
Should be fun, so come out and see us.
We will be open Saturday from 9-5
And Sunday from 10-4