Show & Bread

I am in a show in Greensboro NC, being held at Greenhill in the downtown area.

For information and times, here is a click

If you are in the area, stop in and see it.

Thanks!

A new bread recipe that we tried this week.

Dried Fruit Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

 1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. Cinnamon

2 ¼ tsp yeast

1 1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 egg

1/2 cup Bread flour & 1/2 cup Whole Wheat set aside

1 cup mixed dried fruit, raisins, cranberries, Apricots

Grease and flour, or use spray, one bread loaf pan.

Place the 2 cups of all-purpose flour in a bowl with sugar, salt, cinnamon and yeast.

Place the salt on one side of your bowl and your yeast on the other.

Mix well and add in warm water, beat well, add in egg, beat, drizzle in cooled butter, beat well.

Stir in the ½ cup Bread flour & ½ cup Whole Wheat, add and stir in fruit.

Pour this into bread pan, use flour on your hand to pat into pan, will be sticky.

Cover loosely with a plastic bag, let rise 1 hour

Before hour is up preheat oven to 375, you can preheat to 400 but be sure to turn down the heat to 375 when you place bread in the oven

Bake 40-45 minutes

I have been playing with bread, we like this one for breakfast.

Toast, butter, eat

Take 2 asprin

and call me in the morning.
This is a terrible time to feel that not quite your self thing.
I am having some hot tea to see where I feel after that.
What I would really like is a day of nothing, but, somehow, that is just not going to happen.
 So without any more whining we move on.

 On Sunday we were invited to set up pots at a sheep farm about 40 minutes from where we live.
It was a simple 11-4 day. In my mind all shows should start at 11 and end at 4, really, most serious buyers and in and out by then.

On Saturday evening it rained buckets and I was afraid that we would see the same on Sunday. If it did rain I was staying home. Shows outside in the rain are no fun.
Lucky the skies cleared and it was a beautiful day.

This show was interesting as it was more about the animals and fiber than anything else.
But, we planned for the crowd by taking only two table's worth of pots and keeping the prices to a mid to low range.
I think that worked for us, we were happy with the day.
Plus, the crowd was so nice, as were the fiber vendors and the folks who put the show on.
We scarfed down some good eats and over indulged in homemade ice cream.

All in all- a good day.

 This animal was so sweet to let all these folks pet her.
 I was amazed.

I had more fun watching the kids run around, sit on hay bales, listen to music and this one climbed in and out and in and out of the flower bed. She will be a future farmer maybe?

We did unload the small kiln and found that we have about one shelf of pots to fire again.
Most of them came out fine and some of them very good.
We are planning to email for some advice as soon as we shake off the cobwebs from the week-end.
We also took a order for 80 mugs so pots have to be made for a firing soon after our open house.

See why this head thing can not get the attention it would like?
Yes, no rest for the wicked.


Cheers!
M

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!

Blowing Rock

This weekend was the first time we have set up at Blowing Rock at their Art in The Park.
The Art in the Park is really set up behind the park.
The staff is extremely well organized. When you pull in you are given your place to set up, but you don't go in until the way is clear for you. When you do pull in you must unload everything and remove your vehicle and trailer pronto.
This allows the other folks to come in and do the same.
When you break down it is the same deal. You must be all packed and ready before you are allowed to get in and load your trailer.
This meant no watching as people scrambled to get in fast, block the area and run over each other to get set up and break down. It also meant there was a calm to both that I don't see at other shows.
We did have some good sales despite the skinny crowd.

When we set out to become potters we did shows for the first two years and decided we would prefer to work out something else.
We concentrated on building work space and having a small gallery at home. We also had a few great wholesale accounts that we sold to several times a year.
This allowed us to slowly build a business where we were.
We also kept part time jobs to fill the gaps.
After all we were not in this alone, we had to kids we were raising.
Over the past few years we have watched as wholesale has become consignment. It is much easier for a gallery or shop owner to operate but it is hard for any one of us to loan our work.
We are not fond of this method of selling work.
You are in a situation where you have to follow and keep up with what is sold and what is not. If you are with a good gallery you will get your check on time when the work sells.
If you are with a not so good gallery you will have to chase them down for your money and possibly for the return of your work.
We managed quite well how we were for a number of years.
Now we find our selves having to go out and do shows.
This has been quite an experience since we were not set up to do shows.
Having to set up for shows adds another element to all you are already doing.
It means, tent, booth,trailer or van, travel, packing, unpacking, what will sell, time away from working, time to apply for shows.
It has been an interested new layer to the work schedule.
In many ways it has put us back out there and reminds folks who we are and where we are.
Yet, at the same time I feel it cuts into time we could be working.
We have many discussions on how things have changed in Seagrove and beyond.
We talk about how to deal with those changes and what we plan to do next.
After almost 30 years in to this we are still exploring all the avenues.
A new booth is the next one and possibly a van.
For now it is unpack and see what the week brings.
It is time for a few good weeks on the wheels.
Happy Spinning!

Come go with us.

First, thank you all so much for your well wishes for my brother.
He will be heading home today.
Our thoughts are with him and his family as he settles in.
We all live in different places so we are all planning to go see him as soon as we can.
Remember to take some time with family when you can.
Hug a love one  today for me okay!

Mark is heading up to Blowing Rock this weekend.
I hope you will stop in the booth if you are there.
He will be in booth number 12.
I have all the pots packed up and ready for him to go up the mountain.

This week I have been doing some work on the Clay and Blogs show.
I sent information to Tom Starland for Carolina Unleashed along with digitals of work sent to me.
Well, gosh I just remember I did not send any for Mark and I.
Sometimes I get so busy working on this I forget we are in it as well!
I have been playing tag team with Chris over at the Arts council shoring up some of the details there.
This show has a lot of promise.
And fall will be here before we know it.
I can't tell you where May went and June is slipping by quickly.


As my brother Jay says.
Peace

Sunday Evening

I should have..
I should have taken more pictures.

We are back from the show.
It was down as far as the numbers of folks coming to the show.
I wonder if the beautiful spring day was just too good to pass up.
I imagine that many folks wanted to spend time outside.

We sold some pots, talked to some our favorite customers, enjoyed some time with fellow potter friends, that we don't see often enough, and added some new potter friends to our list.
Shows can be about making connections with potters as well as customers.
And it was great to have a few drinks and a good laugh or two... okay maybe three.

We made our trip home before the rain.
I am sitting here listening to the weather folks talk about tornados in our area.
Sounds like some areas are getting hit with heavy rain, hail and wind.
I had better shut down and see if there is any thing that need to be done.
Over and out.

Framing tiles

Back in the days before the studio fire when I was first playing with clay bodies for tiles I made a few tiles to be framed.
These tiles were made so I could work out Clay bodies, glazes and firing temperatures.
Since this one was made I have moved into different galzes.
It is interesting tto see what I was working with two years ago and what I am working with now.
They tiles survived the studio fire and were boxed away.
Every once in awhile I would dig them out and play with them.
How to mount, how to frame.
Well the better half tells me if I buy him the right tool for the nailing the frames together he will make frames for me.
It was a done deal.
So we have taken the tiles, fastened them down on backer board, framed them with walnut and then grouted them.
This is all new to me and it was enjoyable to learn the process.
Also painless for me on the farms.
We have a cabinet shop close by who lets us buy some wood from them now and again.
The walnut, Mark's choice, was a good pick I think.
The frames have turned out very nice and done wonders for the tiles.

I have in mind to put a few more together while I am working on the back splash.
I figure there will be times while things are drying that I can put together some sets.
I am having a hard time letting go of the oak leaves, but then again I do love it when someone comes along and has just the right place for something.

Today we will drag out the show stuff and start packing for Hickory.
Packing for a show is an art form of its own.
Last time we had everything packed and got all the way there to find we have left out the covers for the tables.
There went any extra time we factor in.
We went in search of fabric.
Lucky us we found a fabric store and with some  help from a clerk we were able to find material and get out of there for around 45.00.

Beverly will be here keeping the store here open while we are off in Hickory.
We are both looking forward to some time out and connecting with customers.

Now- where is did I store the table covers.....

Sunday Evening

It's all about the finish line isn't it?
As potters we work most of the time alone.
It's just us and what we do.
Here I have Mark to keep me company in the studio but some days we don't talk we just work.
Other days might be taken up by all those little things that you have to take care of.
The more I make pots the more I realize how valuable my time is when I am on the wheel or slab roller.
There are so many days when your time can be eaten away by the things we need to do to get ready for a show or the life things such as cars, health, yard, grocery shopping, bill paying and family. You know the things that get you through life.
For me there is more to the show then just selling pots. It is a time when you get to connect with your customer. I was very lucky this time. I had not one but two sisters who came out to help me.
We left Mark home to keep our shop open while my sisters went with me.
Having them both there allowed me to not only sell pots, but talk to the customers who had questions or greet the customers who have become our extended family.
For me it's a bit like "home week."
I get to see a good deal of my regular customers and meet some new ones.
And isn't that why we do what we do?
It's all about that connection between us, the customer and our work.
So- time to relax before Monday rolls in and I have to start all over again.
Cheers!
M

Crozet Va

We are almost packed and ready to roll out of here tomorrow for a craft show.

We are headed to Crozet Va. for the fall show.

It is a beautiful spot in the Va. mountains.

I am looking forward to seeing some Va. mountains and with a little luck there will be some color in the leaves.

I love fall....

The display is packed and I am doing the last minute things that need to be done.

Oh, don't forget the --------whatever.

Last time we did a show I forgot to pack the cloths for the tables so we ended up at a fabric store.

The store here in Whynot will be open and running as we leave Beverly here in charge while we are gone.

There is still a lot to do and I had better get cracking.

I hope you all watched the Craft in America last night.

It was really good.

If you could not see it I hope you will find a copy to watch.

The viewing party I helped with last night raised about 1500.00 for the North Carolina Pottery Center.

I hope to have a final count when we get back.

And, if you are in Seagrove, the North Carolina Pottery Center needs to be on your places to go list. ( along with Whynot Pottery!)

M

A Sunday afternoon

Last week was a long week- we spent the weekend at the Catawba Pottery Festival.
Then last Sunday we spent the day restocking the store and planning what we would take to the Greensboro Pottery Show.
After a week working on pots we jumped into the wood firing yesterday, came home packed the truck and this morning off we went to Greensboro.
It was a short ride up the road- a wonderful day to be out.

We were greeted by the staff and fellow potters. It was nice to be invited to participate in their show and we felt very welcomed.
I had to have a picture of these two students from Guilford College. They had some sweet wood fired pots for sale.
It makes me feel good to see and talk with someone their age and feel their enthusiasm for our shared art.
Susannah plans to move out to Washington State after her graduation and then possibly back to the East coast to work under someone who does wood fired.

Who knows maybe we will see her again.
Meanwhile there was a brisk crowd out at the show.
After a quick dinner we are home and ready to put our feet up and get ready for next week!

Freechild Studio

The show this weekend was very well attended despite the weather. In fact the weather might have driven folks inside. It was a mess of a weekend to be outside- but great weather to be inside.
The show is a mix of folk potters, county potters and contemporary potters.
I want to introduce you to John Garland and Mary Paul. I love their work- wonderful detail and color!
Go check out their website, because I could not do justice with my camera.

also they just happen to be very close friend of my sister who lives in Raleigh- which is how we met.
We enjoyed the show, but are happy to be back home. Next week is glaze week and woodfiring at the NCPC.

Catawba Valley Festival

We are packing up the display- packing up the pots and heading to Hickory for the Catawba Pottery Festival.
I have a kiln with odds and ends firing- I am glaze testing for the wedding tile- and it is going to rain.
It should be a great weekend to set aside your garden and come up, down or across to Hickory and find some pots for eating, drinking, and enjoying.
You know you need a vase to put flowers in or a lamp in that spot of the house that needs a bit of light.
A bowl for serving- a bowl for eating- a cup for coffee or tea.
An oil lamp to light for a romantic dinner or to chase away the night when the lights go out.
A cup for wine- a small plate for nibbles.

Somethig to hang, something to stand or something to sit.
There will be potters there who can fill just about any whim or need you have.
We will see you there.
M&M