Sgraffito sells!

Green and brown sgraffito pots. Photos courtesy of Tim.

Well it couldn't have turned out better! This past Friday and Saturday was the annual holiday pottery sale at the TMA ceramics studio. I wished I had my camera, there was a lot of nice work of fellow potters and decent crowds. This was the first time I tested the market with my pottery. Made $349, all but five pieces sold. Twenty of my pieces were my "signature" sgraffito porcelain pots. Barb says this style is my niche and they all sold the first day. All, except two of them, I considered to be test pieces or "seconds," so many were priced to sell. I am thrilled although I now may be short on pottery gifts this year. This really has given me the confidence to continue in this direction, yes!

New work (not sgraffito).

Girls Night Out

New work: Bunny Hop

After this past week of trying to get some new prints finished and framed for the GNO yesterday and the Holiday Open House at Angelwood Gallery this weekend, my diligence paid off. Yesterday Nicki, a pottery/ vet friend, purchased the print I made after she had provided an inspiration photo of a Great Dane. It's so nice that I receive the support from many of my pottery pals. I had hoped to get two other images finished, however the ink was too slow in drying.

It was a fun night where I got to hang out with Linda S, Bonnie, Barb B, Julie B and Nadia all in one fun spot. The gallery also looked great with lots of nice stuff. We all left with something for ourselves and a few gifts. Linda and I also had a pleasant dinner beforehand at Smedlap Smithy's in Waterville. It seems she's found the perfect flexible job to keep her hands in things.

Now I'm getting ready for the Studio Pottery Sale at the Museum next week on "Black Friday" and Saturday. My dining table is currently covered with pots that I hope will sell. Otherwise, everyone knows what they will be getting for Christmas.

My 4th Wood Kiln Firing

Unloading the kiln on Wednesday evening. Pots still covered with ash.

My bunny and Julie's vase.

This past Saturday we fired up the Manabigama kiln at the 577 Foundation. Despite the cool weather, the kiln, wood firepit, food and camaraderie kept us all content. Turkey breast, Jerusalem artichokes, baked potatoes and bread were all cooked wood coals. It was all good.

My pal Barb with her siren pitcher.

While it might not have been the most successful firing in terms of everyone's results, there were still quite a few beautiful pieces. I believe the kiln did not reach the desired temperature toward the back.  Not a big issue, some of mine I will re-fire in a future firing.

Not the most flattering photo, here are just some of the group with
Julie (in the shark headdress), our fearless leader.

More of the same

Busy, busy, busy—with clay of course. Just found out that next Monday is supposed to be our last day of starting any new wet clay work. This seems a little early considering the last class is Dec. 1. Apparently if it has been started, we can continue finishing, so I will be throwing like a crazy potter this week. At least we're able to get into the studio 6 days a week. I have been throwing so much that the clay has sucked out the oil out of my hands so I have severe dish-pan hands.

My thought is the more I can get done, the more I'll have to sell. I have been somewhat pleased using the museum's glazes, clay bodies and slips. Of course, I'm highly critical of my work and still see much room for improvement and development but I am progressing. Spring museum classes don't begin until Jan. 24.

I'm running out of time in terms of getting new print work done
for the holidays. Perhaps if I get a dehumidifier in my studio the ink
will dry faster on my prints. I have a couple of new promising pieces in the works.

Not sure where all the kids came from on Halloween but we ran out of candy by 6:45. We didn't buy that much but we normally don't get that as many as we had this year. So it was lights out and out for dinner. Looking forward to seeing Elaine and Bonnie tomorrow for a GNO in Perrysburg, dinner at Stella's and some holiday open houses.

Another wood kiln firing this weekend at 577! These are always fun. More pottery I can't sell so hopefully they will make nice gifts.