After Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is over and so are most of the leftovers. It was the quietest one I had in over 30 years.

We always celebrated largely first with our small family and a large family of fiends then lately with just our family that is not so small anymore.

This was the first Thanksgiving without my mother in law who passed away last winter, and my son and his family circus with 4 boisterous children, six and under, who make a lot of happy noise could not make it as most of them were sick with the Flu, boy do I hate the Flu.

Just before Thanksgiving

 my Christmas village

This weekend is dedicated to the Capital City Art and Craft  show here in Charleston at the Civic Center. It was the usual in crowds and buyers but I was impressed by the new additions as they were quality crafts and arts. of course there still was the normal junk that sells real well, better than Walmart, but this show seems to be getting better not worse.

Another shot showing a sculpture of Don and his Afghan.

I took the pictures beforehand since I was hoping to be depleted by now and am writing on a Sunday morning since the show is from 12-6 and this is the only time before the madness of thanksgiving begins; with my children and their families all staying at the house and cooking and laughing and playing and screaming at the Ball game on TV.  Oh I so look forward to this beautiful madness that fills my heart with joy. 

A day well spent

I went with a few friends to a Jen Allen workshop at Concord University in Athens, WV

The day started on the right note with a beautiful sunrise that made my heart sing.       
 The workshop was very informative and she was very pleasant and open. She answered all questions and shared her recipes and tricks of the trade.

Here are some of her pieces in progress at different stages of being slipped, carved, trimmed and handles applied.

And applying the colored engobes and accent glazes with a syringe bottle after which she will wax the decorations to keep the glaze from settling on them then dip the whole thing in her beautiful Celadons and others.

 And the finished, intricate, layered and functional product.

Deliverance

here is part of the order awaiting tags, packaging and sending. notice that in a small studio everything has to be double duty including me the boss and the gofer and the slab-roller, sorting and packaging table.

All is done now packed ,delivered or shipped.

Feels good?

I suppose being done with all the pending orders is such a relief, yet I feel a bit empty in spite of the up coming show on Friday " Capital City Art and Craft show, @ the Civic Center In Charleston WV" and the interview with the local TV news before that on Tuesday at 8:00 am.

I think what I need is more time in the studio now that I have time for me but then I do have this show to prepare for, a studio that could use a good cleaning, and a Thanksgiving which is the once a year gathering of all of our family at home. with Mom ( me) enjoying her other passion of cooking for all.

Half way there

On my way to the finish, everything bisqued. some painted and all awaiting glazing and second firing.

Claybeings everywhere

Even had to improvise for an extra table top. A Bat on top of a bucket right by the Kiln vent.
Claybeings, drying slowly in the improvised humid Cabinet, really a mini green house.
And the kiln is getting filled.


Just finished "building" all the orders I had pending. and then had to make more so I can be ready for Capital City Arts and Crafts Show in a little over 2 weeks.

Claybeings are everywhere in the studio, drying, being fired and finished.

But today is a no studio day as I wait for the kiln to finish the Bisque firing for the first batch, hoping I didn't put them in too wet. And hoping the next batch dry fast to fire it next while I am staining/coloring this bunch.