I have been hanging out with thugs.

This is just not working out for me.
I have spent too many hours hanging out with thugs and I find that when I do this nothing gets taken care of.
The paperwork piles higher on my desk.
The mice take over the spare room and call in friends for a love fest.
The spiders build multiplex condos in all the corners and there I am hanging with thugs.
Just one more page, don't tell me Mark put another book on the reader...
I am going to have to quit something.
Maybe quit making pots and just take up reading.
My confession is I love a good trashy novel.
I know, I know I am suppose to be reading things to enlighten  and bring me to a place of zen, but no I want to read about thugs and the guys that go after them.
Toss in some humor and I am done.

It is not as if things are not happening around here with  getting ready for the spring kiln opening. We have pots in the bisque kiln, pots that are drying, pots that are being glazed and all I can think about is getting the bad guys taken care of. 
If the books are not bad enough we discovered Justified and just finished up the 3rd season.
I love streaming.
We have our raised beds ready for spring planting, lettuce and potatoes are in and we are talking about what other things to plant.
What is more important than the thugs is this weekend  that is coming up fast!

Mark and Meredith Heywood of Whynot Pottery and Acacia Tile are pleased to invite you to their spring event: Mud and Suds on Saturday April 20, from 9-5pm & Sunday the 21^st, from 11-4pm

Mark and Meredith have been busy restocking the shelves and will have your favorite “hand crafted, homemade”, kiln cookies on hand for a quick munch.

Joining in the fun on Saturday and sharing her talents is Laurie Abela of Abela Bodycare.

Laurie is a long time soap maker and will bring her knowledge of soaps and bodycare to the show on Saturday.

This event coincides with:

 The Annual Seagrove Potters “Celebration of Spring Kiln Opening & Studio Tour”.

To check in with the local potters:

https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationOfSeagrovePotters
or I try to keep us updated at:
https://www.facebook.com/whynotpotterywhynotnc
go over here and download a map and get the information on who is participating in the Open house
http://www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com/news.html
 
So you see the place I have put myself in.
There are cookies to bake and pots to be finish.
It's going to be showtime soon.
Put the book down.

Seriously,
M

Give me a minute

Oh we had some weekend over here with Mud and Suds going on in the yard and then Mark and I going over Sunday afternoon to see the pottery set up at the High Point Furniture Market.
But first things first.
The weather watchers were sure we were getting rained out on Saturday and I refused to believe them.
I was right 90%  of the time because we did have a late shower in the afternoon that dumped on us for a bit and then rolled away.
Other than that we had a great day of pottery, tiles, soaps, yard art and of course the cookies.
I have posted a new one here that was a hit.
But what cookie was not a hit? We had our favorites and many folks picked their favorites as well.
Now it was not all about the cookies as folks picked out some beautiful pots, tiles, yard art and soaps to take home with them.

Abela Soaps

Snowhill Pottery and Tile

Raven Pottery

On Sunday it rained and a cold wind came in.
Lucky for us Don and Mark went and blocked up the carport with the tent sides and we put everyone under a dry roof and used the large covered tent as a walk through for customers to come in and stay dry.
Brilliant those two are!

 Anne even strung some festive lights for us and things were nice and cozy for Sunday.

Late Sunday we drove over to see the pottery in the Miles Talbott show room in High Point.
It rained all the way over and I was not looking forward to walking in the rain while all dressed up and wearing heels. Yes, I own some dress clothes and hells I mean heels.
We found the building and there was a parking lot right there and no long walk in the rain.
When we walked in I was struck immediately at how beautifully set up the building was.
We checked in and went to see the pottery and meet Joe Ruggiero the designer who set up all the rooms  we were placed in. He gave us such a warm welcome and let us know how very pleased he was with the work.
And, we were so pleased to see the pots in action.

We meet many wonderful folks, had a bite of cheese and walked through all the rooms.
What I took away  was that this is one class act. We saw beautifully made furniture, wonderful fabrics and people who were truly interested in what they do. It was all very upbeat and positive.
We left with a good feeling after seeing it all come together.
The only thing we are planning to change is to pull the midnight back a bit to show that it is really Navy and not black.
It wants to look black although in my eye I could see the blue tones to it.
Where will this go from here? I don't know but we will keep you posted as we move along.

A few thank yous from the weekend.
Thanks to our wonderful friends who came and spent the day with us and shared what they do and then held everything together while we went to High Point.
And a big thank you to my sister who came and helped out.
 She cooked and fed us and we talked way too late into the night.
To my son who came out and set me up with a new computer, that I will play with soon! 
The customers who continue to support us and let me know they read the blog.
Thank you all- you are what keeps us doing what we do.
Cheers!
M&M

From the rock

Just a few pictures from the rock as we get the second firing ready. We have a few pots to glaze and then we will load her up and fire another round.
Meanwhile next week-end is our Spring kiln Opening here at Whynot.
Mud (pottery) and Suds (soaps) in the yard ( if the sun is shinning) in the studio if it rains.
Joining us Anne Raven Jorgensen from Raven Pottery, Laura Johnson from Snowhill Pottery and Tile, and Laurie Abela from Abela Bodyworks.
Plan to be here- shop, grab a cookie and grab a chair, it should be fun.
Cheers,
M

Unveiled

Well- it is still a mystery but here you go!

 I went for my walk this morning and when I came home Mark had the door down, pictures taken and pots were almost all pulled. It is a good thing we have that camera!
I like to look back and see how well a pot did in a certain place in the kiln and what the flame pattern tells us.

Over all we are much happier with this firing and need to credit that to new regulators and Mark's ability to wing the heck out of a firing.
We are heading back out to plan another load and fire this kiln again by next week.
Kiln opening weekend on the 21st!
Best get cracking,
M

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 

Mud and Suds in the Yard and the Celebration of Spring Kiln Opening

Day one down and day two just starting.
The sun is shinning and we are all set up for day two.
See you there!
M

What is life if not an adventure?

And they say the show must go on.
There is nothing like the forecast of a little rain and wind to worry us all that our Spring kiln Opening is in peril.
Many of the potters spend hours getting ready for the customers to come out and see what is new in the pottery shops after the long winter months.
Many of us clean our studios, bake cookies, bread- put on the coffee pot and in general just get ready to welcome you out.
Then the weather man tells us that we could have storms.
We have made alternative plans for our guest to be in a safe building rather then out in the yard under tents.
So get out you galoshes, or your fancy new boots and grab an umbrella and come out for pottery, cookies and other treats.
What is life if not an adventure?
Right Toto?

  After all I have some interesting cookie stories to tell.
M

Mud and Suds in the Yard and the Celebration of Spring Kiln Opening

 Mud and Suds in the Yard.We started this last year and loved it enough to have it again this year.
This year back again is Anne Raven Jorgensen from Raven Pottery.
Anne and I go way back.
We met when she was a pottery student at the local community college.
She was holding down the home front while her husband was off in Korea.
She would later move to the area with her family and become a potter in the Seagrove area.
The older girls have gone off on their own, but with one more in the nest they family moved about 45 minutes outside of Seagrove.
Anne still makes pottery, but has taken a detour into Jewelry making.
She will be bringing both with her to the event.
Come and see what is new with Anne.

The other Mud person will be Laura Weant Johnson of Snowhill Tileworks  whose studio can be found at 220 S. Churton St. Hillsborough NC
Laura will be featuring handmade ceramic tile and porcelain jewelry.

I meet Laura when she was making tiles here in Seagrove and if you don't know I have a big crush on her son Judson.
He is one of those boys that steals your heart, plus I knew him even before he was born.
So we go way back!
Laura will be bringing a nice selection of tiles and her Jewelry.
Better get here early.


And where would we be without the suds?
Coming again will be Laurie Abela.
I stole this right off her blog!
I'm a soapmaker, massage therapist, and gardener, with a history in cardiac nursing. Living a simple, green lifestyle is my passion, and something I continue to learn about. The gardens here grow food, flowers & herbs, some of which I use in my soaps. 
Laurie has such a soothing personality and does a good job of keeping my feet on the ground.
Then there are her yummy products.
She made me the best rice bundle.
I can't call it a sock because it is bigger then a sock.
I put it in the microwave for 2 minutes and use it for my sore muscles or better yet I toss that baby in the bed before I get in and warm my icicle toes with it.
Me and the rice bundle are close.
I think even Mark steals it away for his back.

We have added one more person to the mix and even though he is not a mud he is the partner of our
Ms. Suds.
Joseph Ezzell will be here with some of his sculpture.
From J's Etsy Site:
Creating art is my football I guess...I'd rather be out creating something than sitting in front of the telly. The wonderful homestead that nurtures me provides the peace and place I need to do my work. My creative, supportive partner encourages me. The magnificence our world possesses inspires me. And my fellow humans continue to supply the junk and cast-offs I use for most of my creations. It's perfect!

Put this down on your calendar of things you must do in April
Rain or shine - we can move then insdie if we need to.
Come on out:
 Saturday April the 16th 10-5 and  Sunday the17th 11-4.
Tell me you read the blog and I will have a surprise for you!
Cheers,
M

Thinking about Spring events

As quick as March came into my life I have a feeling that April will be close behind.
I think April will not be put off and come barreling in in full force.
I want to clue you in on what we have happening here on the Farm for April.
We are going to have our Mud and Suds in the Yard.
We started this last year and loved it enough to have it again this year.
This year back again is Anne Raven Jorgensen from Raven Pottery.
Anne and I go way back.
We met when she was a pottery student at the local community college.
She was holding down the home front while her husband was off in Korea.
She would later move to the area with her family and become a potter in the Seagrove area.
The older girls have gone off on their own, but with one more in the nest they family moved about 45 minutes outside of seagrove.
Anne still makes pottery, but has taken a detour into Jewelry making.
She will be bringing both with her to the event.
Come and see what is new with Anne.

The other Mud person will be Laura Weant Johnson of Snowhill Tileworks  whose studio can be found at 220 S. Churton St. Hillsborough NC
Laura will be featuring handmade ceramic tile and porcelain jewelry.

I meet Laura when she was making tiles here in Seagrove and if you don't know I have a big crush on her son Judson.
He is one of those boys that steals your heart, plus I knew him even before he was born.
So we go way back!
Laura will be bringing a nice selection of tiles and her Jewelry.
Better get here early.


And where would we be without the suds?
Coming again will be Laurie Abela.
I stole this right off her blog!
I'm a soapmaker, massage therapist, and gardener, with a history in cardiac nursing. Living a simple, green lifestyle is my passion, and something I continue to learn about. The gardens here grow food, flowers & herbs, some of which I use in my soaps. 
Laurie has such a soothing personality and does a good job of keeping my feet on the ground.
Then there are her yummy products.
She made me the best rice bundle.
I can't call it a sock because it is bigger then a sock.
I put it in the microwave for 2 minutes and use it for my sore muscles or better yet I toss that baby in the bed before I get in and warm my icicle toes with it.
Me and the rice bundle are close.
I think even Mark steals it away for his back.

We have added one more person to the mix and even though he is not a mud he is the partner of our
Ms. Suds.
Joseph Ezzell will be here with some of his sculpture.
From J's Etsy Site:
Creating art is my football I guess...I'd rather be out creating something than sitting in front of the telly. The wonderful homestead that nurtures me provides the peace and place I need to do my work. My creative, supportive partner encourages me. The magnificence our world possesses inspires me. And my fellow humans continue to supply the junk and cast-offs I use for most of my creations. It's perfect!

Put this down on your calendar of things you must do in April
Rain or shine - we can move then insdie if we need to.
Come on out:
 Saturday April the 16th 10-5 and  Sunday the17th 11-4.
Tell me you read the blog and I will have a surprise for you!
Cheers,
M

What's in the yard.

Raven Pottery

Snowhill Tiles and the best helper of the day.

Abela Soaps

Lee Lewis-