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

It is never just about the pots.

I know, I know, you are getting tired of all these trees, but just think in about a week all this color will be gone and those leaves will just be something we have to get rid of. At least the ones that are right around the house.The treasures of today just become someones trash to deal with later. Hum- better not start down that road today.
This first tree is right out the kitchen window and as I was staring out the window taking in its intense beauty  Mark walks in and says, "I just don't ever remember a fall with colors like this one, just look at this tree." Good Lord after living together for 40 years he can pick up my thoughts through walls, scary right?!
But he was so right- beautiful...

Then he comes in with the camera and tells me he has caught a few fall moments.
This one is just a shot through the woods.
Tasty.....

And then we both know that this tree will be bare as bare can be in just a day or two. There is a cold front coming through with wind and that will just take all this goodness with it.

And now about those pots- the kiln load is glazed, the cone plaques are made, wadding ready, kiln post washed, shelves cleaned and washed, anything else?
It is all in wait for us tomorrow.
We just ran out of steam.
We started glazing Monday and were done by lunch today. We planned to start loading but I feel a need to take a stretch out on the floor and let my back muscles relax.
And the damp mood of the day seems to fit my mood.
I have had at least 3 dreams with my brother Jay in them the past week.
As I get ready for the festival next week end I have to face that Lee will not be there with me.
Although Leslie is coming to help me and that does brighten my mood, she is my rock.
So it is never just about the pots.
So wish us low winds for a good firing.
I will try to post some pottery related pictures soon,
M

Fill 'er up please and while you are there check the oil

We have been throwing this past week trying to get our behind selves in line for a firing before a show on the 19th.
yea, I know, we should have been ready for this so we could just breeze into November.
But who prepares for chaos?
No one ever thinks they will get behind the slow bus of life or that a tractor will just pull out in front of you.
You can be humming down the highway when you get hit by a life moment!
And then there you  are with your hood up waiting for a tow truck.

So do you just wait or forge ahead in hopes that you can get enough work finished to load up the big kiln to fire.
As I see it we have 2 weeks- anything is possible in two weeks.
A lot can happen in 2 weeks.
Empires can fall and Roman can be built in two weeks, right?

I always think to myself that I will not be here next year doing the scramble, but no one plans for the life moments.
If you knew they were coming you could just put them off.
"No", you could say, "this is an inconvenient time, could you please wait to bleed until December?"
January would be better and if you could just put a brace on things I could really deal you in in February. I think I am open that month........

But, as we all know, life does not work that way and so we just figure it out while we go about our daily schedules.

Pots will get made, we will make our show, life moments will happen.
Meanwhile if you are out I have a list for you- I could use a runner for a month.
You're not busy are you?
M