I'm trying to make a line of pots that I'm really happy with.

I say "a line of pots," but I don't really want to think of them that way, I'm just not sure how else to phrase it.  A bunch of pots?  A style of pots?  Maybe that's the thing, thinking of what I make as "lines" rather than as simply different ways of creating and surfacing them.  They are in constant evolution, really.  I want them to be interesting, both to me and to the user.  I want people to connect to them, and to enjoy their food just that little bit more when they eat or drink from them.

But what is the right pot?  I *think* I have the glaze colours down, ones that I like and that fit the mood  I'm trying to present, and my personality.  I like the textures I've been working with.  I enjoy both throwing and hand-building.  But something still isn't quite working.  It's closer than it's ever been, but still not exact.

I've got a ton of ideas, pictures in my mind of how they look, but not quite the time required to produce them fluidly.  And then, should I use both white and brown clay?  My heart says use brown, but should I provide other glaze colour options?  Maybe not.  Am I working too hard to produce a "product," rather than an expression?

So many questions!! :-)  This is how my mind works.  Questioning myself all the time rather than just making.

For the Farmer's Market I'm working on some pieces that I've never made before--mortar and pestles.  I think the first ones will be for pressing garlic cloves.  My sister will give one a try so hopefully I'll get some good feedback on them.  Also French butter dishes.  That's new but could be an interesting item.  For the market I'm trying to think a lot about food prep and serving.

This is an example of my latest favourite "way of making:"

That's a slab built, textured sandwich plate and small soup bowl.  The glaze is painted in the circles, then wiped off the raised surface.  The glaze recipe was given to me by a friend.  It leaves such a lovely glow on the clay.  I just love it.  And it's fun to see people looking at them, picking them up and fitting their fingers into the grooves.

Getting started is the hardest part

I just came across this un-published post I thought I'd put up....It's from well over a year ago.  There are more like this.  But the concerns always ring true....how to get and stay organized...a lifelong quest.

So now that January is here, and it's a new year, I'm working at getting some plans together and make this the best year yet, with regard to the creative side of life.  So far, the year has started out with quite a bit of energy, but I find myself running into the same issues as before....time management and distractions.  I'm the first to admit that I am easily distracted, and working from home with all the daily tasks that need to get done does not always come easily for me.  I can build up tons of ideas while doing something else, but it seems there is always something else to do before I can get started on them....doesn't really make much sense, given that I feel most myself when I'm making something.

For now I'll plan to really step up my work this year.  I'm going to renew some lapsed memberships, most notably with the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, search out new local craft sales to take part in, and really work at letting my pieces evolve, both in clay and fibre.  That seems counterproductive..."working at letting my pieces evolve."   Perhaps I work too hard at that..

Today, with O home unexpectedly, we'll start with something simple, pinch pots.

Working on getting some new listings in the shop today.

I've been busily working away in the studio, making sure I have a good supply of buttons for Knitter's Frolic (Toronto, in April) as well as new ones to list on etsy.

Also coming up in two weeks is the West End Pottery Sale.  For that I'm putting together my functional work.  Not totally happy with the mugs that just came out of the kiln, but I'm thinking I'm a little preoccupied with buttons.  Ha!  So I'll save those photos for later.

March break ends after this weekend so schedules will be (more or less) back to normal on Monday.  Thankfully I have a wonderful SO who was able to take the week off to occupy les enfants.  They've been enjoying what will likely (and thankfully) be the last of the snow for this year.

Summer Projects

I'm working on a bit of goal setting at the moment.  Right now it feels a little scary to set them since I'm not sure I'll be able to fulfill them all, but I guess I need to make my best effort...Maybe just writing that will help.

One of the goals is to start thinking more about my blog.  Truthfully, I'm never sure what I want to say here.  But I do know I'd like to post every week, and if I can get in the habit, maybe a couple of times a week.

I'll start with this post.  No photos.  Photos will come.  I'll start to carry around my camera a bit more maybe.

The summer is gearing up to be busy!  More about my plans another day, but it will involve markets, fibre festivals and more.  Today I signed up for the first time for tour de fleece.  I have two full fleeces that I said I'd try to have spun by the end of the summer.....Anyway, this will help me make some headway on that!  Must get them washed in the next few days, will post photos next week.

Cheers!

Button button who's got the button

I've been making a lot of these lately.  The shop has quite a few sets and there are currently more in the works.  They are just such a joy to make.

Today will involve spinning up some batts that were put together yesterday, submitting another craft sale application and maybe working a little bit on some of these:

I finally left my tech job, so from here on, starting this week, aside from the few pottery classes I teach, I will be a full time maker.  Nice.  I just wish it hadn't taken me so long..

Setting Goals

So, I'm trying to set some goals for myself.

Things I need to decide on:  

A business name that encompasses all the things I want to make.

What exactly I will make.  (I find it really hard to limit myself...but there has to be a limit...)

How much clay, how much fibre.....Clay has been my main "thing," but I'm really enjoying creating yarns...

Dare I say I'll try to keep up with regular blog posts?  Maybe a monday mornings would work, to keep me focussed for the week.

 I'm also going to get to work on some buttons for Buttonmania, which will be part of Fibrefest in Almonte in September.

Building Momentum

Let's hope I can keep this up....