A week of surprise

A box from Linda Starr with a great pot inside.
I think I might have to fill this with flowers.
I loved how she used some sponges as packing material.
Everyone should do this.
Thanks Linda! 

My good friend Laurie Abela, the soap maker, contacted me this week to see if we could get together for a bit this week. It has been a busy time for us and, of course, when a friend calls you find the time.
I know we can all identify with that feeling of being just too busy.
That is how I have felt the past few weeks.
I don't know where the time goes and if I am, at times, being present in those moments.
There are times that you need someone to call and slow you down a bit.

When Laurie came over she had something for me along with a pocket full of tissues.
When my sister Lee was dying from cancer one of the things she needed me to do was clean out a storage trailer that she had.
I found many unfinished projects that she had started and set aside.
You know, life gets busy.
In one box I found some quilt squares along with some sewing items that I thought Laurie could use.
When she came over I just loaded her up.
One of the things in the box were some quilted squares.
I gave them to Laurie and just knew that she could either make something with the squares or give them to someone that might use them.
I also gave her a dress that Lee once wore when she was younger.
It was green with flowers.
I can still see Lee in that dress, young, red headed and full of life.

Today, Laurie gave me back those squares, made into a quilt using Lee's dress as the first row around those squares. It is beautiful, made with care and love by a person who I have made a deep connection with. Who has listened as I talked about the loss of my brother and sister, who handed me a piece of Lee back today.
A quilt made of love.
 I have learned that Laurie is a person of great determination, and a big heart.
Kind, generous, thoughtful, steady and my friend.
Thank you Laurie.
I will treasure this quilt made by you for me.
And, on those days when life seems difficult, I will wrap myself in this love and think of all the good things that life can give.

Meredith

Goldilocks and the Three bears, or who's been sleeping in my bed?

Mark and I went to blowing Rock for a show this past weekend.
I was very worried about who I could leave here to run things while I was away.
Then I came up with a thought....one that I hoped could work out for two potters.
For me potter number 1, who has plenty of studio space to share and potter number 2, who could make use of our space in exchange for keeping us open and staying here while we were gone.

Well of all the potters I could not think of I could not think of  anyone better to try this with then Tracey Broome.
So- on Friday Tracey showed up here bright and early from her house ,which is about 45 minutes from here,to get a quick low down on the studio, the sales shop and the house.
This goes here- that goes there- here are towels, sheets and pillow- a/c instructions, here's how to run a charge, take a check and work the cash register, wrapping paper, masking tape, bags................ blah, blah,blah... and we were on our way just going up the road after throwing Tracey to the bears.
We had just hit Blowing Rock when we received a very exciting call from her.
Tracey had just made the biggest sale we have made in the store  this year.
She was blown away and so were we- it was exciting for her and us.
We have been in a real drought this summer with just enough sales to pay one bill at a time.
With Tracey's exciting news it looked like we might have a good weekend.

On Saturday I had made arrangements with Laurie Abela, our favorite soap maker, to be here to run the shop for the Potter's for Peace weekend.
That would, we had hoped, free Tracey to just work in the studio.
But- Tracey was in for a second adventure this weekend and I would rather she get a chance to tell you all about that herself.
Meanwhile, back in Whynot Laurie was busy running the shop, selling pots and her wonderful soaps with a %  to benefit The Central Asia Institute.
We have a few mugs and soaps left over.
If you are interested and would like a mug, a tumbler or some of the green tea soap contact us:
info@whynotpottery.com.

Blowing Rock was better for us this month then it was back in June.
We did start out the morning with a moment of regret when we looked at the mud hole that was our space.
It was a big mud puddle that someone had thrown an old rug in.
I was ready to head home when Mark asked for another space.
We were quickly given a new space that was perfect.
Level and much dryer.
It did throw us and the crafts people on either side of us in a tailspin as we were all trying to unload and put up tents.
We all just jumped in to help one another- first getting the other tents up and then ours.
Then everyone could get their work out.
I just love when 3 booths  work together to help one another out, no muss-no fuss!
Despite the overcast sky their were some buyers out.
We had two down pours but still managed to come out mostly dry.
Note the attractive blue tape keeping the lid down- I found it is better to tape the lid then to have it fly off while being picked up.

We are back home, unpacked and very happy with Goldilocks- seems she found just the right pace to sleep and leaft hardly a trace behind her.
(except some tea I am sitting here enjoying...)
I can't wait to see if she was able to get some work made and how her second adventure of the weekend went for her.
Thanks Tracey and Laurie job well done!

Seagrove Potters for Peace:Turning Stoneware into Schools

On Saturday the 14th of August we will once again be participating with our fellow Seagrove Potters in raising money for The Central Asia Institute.

Mark made a nice tall mug  good for anything you would like to put in it- hot or cold.
This mug is our family favorite.
My Mother, Mark's dad,  My sister Lee and BIL Tony rarely drink or drank out of anything but one of these mugs.
I have one of the first ones Mark ever made in 1983 and it is still one of my very favorites.
There are 10 in a variety of glazes for sale.

I have made a standard mug style I like for drinking tea.
This is the mug I reach for on those cold mornings for my cup of tea.
It seems just right for one tea bag and because the shape pulls in a bit it seems to keep the tea warm.
I will have 10 in a variety of glazes.

Beverly, who works with us and for us from time to time, was excited to make something to sell as well.
Beverly is by day the webmaster for the NC Zoo.
By night and weekends she makes pottery.
Beverly will have 7 tall tumblers for sale.

Also joining us and here to run the shop that day will be Laurie Abela from Abela Soaps and Bodyworks.
Laurie is a retired nurse who makes wonderful soap, eye pillows and other things.
Laurie has made a special Green Tea Soap to sell on Saturday.

All the pottery is signed with Seagrove Potters for Peace, the year, the maker and a peace sign.
Remember- there are no early sales.
Sales start at 9 am and go through 5 pm
Go to the website and print a list of the participating potters to carry with you.
You will need to drive from shop to shop, but what is life, if not an adventure.
We hope to see you on Saturday!
M