A respite from the cold

I just unloaded a kiln full of fun pots this afternoon. A bright spot in an otherwise bleak week. I've been really taken down by a bad flu/cold this week and haven't had the energy to get much done. Trying to get my last show applications in and get some work out to galleries. One new gallery you'll see my work in this spring is the Grand Hand in St. Paul, MN. 

Finally...a day off!

Finally my art fair season is over and I can remember that I have another life outside the studio. It always seems that in about mid-August I come up to take a breath and wonder where the summer went and why I spent the whole thing in a hot studio firing a hot kiln. I also always hit a point in the summer when I start wondering why I live in the city...urban life starts to feel a bit grating. Enough of the screeching tires, firecrackers in the middle of the night, too much traffic and urban violence happening a little too close for comfort. There was a shooting only a few blocks from our house last week on a corner that Eli and I walk by on our way to the playground. A 5-month old girl was hit by a stray bullet. It's scary and it definitely makes you remember what's important. On a brighter note, my husband and I decided to take advantage of an opportunity for a day trip outside Minneapolis to the CSA farm that we're getting produce from this summer. It was nice to get out of the city and see where our food is being grown. It also reminds me why I make functional pottery...I love the connection of my work with preparing, eating and sharing food. Eli was thrilled to get up close and personal with some goats and to take a hay ride behind a big tractor. I'm trying to let go of my manic production schedule to enjoy my family and the remaining good weather before I get into the thick of preparations for fall events.

Uptown Art Fair...ready, set, go!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post but I've been working basically without rest since Madison Art Fair to restock for Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis this weekend. I've never gotten in to this show before, so I am really excited to be there and wanted to have my best work for sale. Despite exhaustion, guilt about neglecting my child (and husband) and summer heat and humidity I've managed to impress even myself with how much new work I've gotten done. The last load is cooling in the kiln now so I'll stop by the studio to pack everything up on my way to the booth tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers for a good firing! Wish I could share pictures but unfortunately my camera took a swim in the lake up at the cabin earlier this month and I haven't had a chance to replace it (hence my also sadly empty etsy page). Hopefully I'll remedy this after this weekend. Stop by my booth (#2408 on the mall) to say hi! Fri., Aug. 1 (noon-8:30); Sat., Aug. 2 (10:00-8:30) and Sun., Aug. 3 (10:00-6:00).

Sneak peek...

I just unloaded my glaze kiln and was happy to find that most of the work came out well. I'm really happy with the big bowl towards the back of the kiln. It has a fun bird image similar to the bird platter in my lost post. Plus, tumblers and small bowls that I really needed for my inventory. There are a few pots that I need to refire...I just can't seem to completely get rid of pinholes in a couple of my glazes. Still, overall a success and more pots to pack up for the weekend. Time to clean for tonight and run a few errands.

Last minute rush...

Today was crazy trying to get everything ready for our big studio event this weekend. Somehow everything always takes longer than I expect. I could hardly wait to get in so I could see how my last kiln load of work turned out. You just never know until you actually open the kiln. I was thrilled with the results and have lots of new work to put out! The kiln gods must have been happy because my glazes looked great and it seems like I've resolved some of the problems I've been having my firings. Here is a vase that came out today. I'm hoping to get photos of a bunch of the other pieces before they leave to find new homes.