Photo Set Up
Last Thursday, I spent most of the day at the church where the guild holds its sales photographing work to use in future show advertisements and on their website. Our sale runs Thursday – Saturday for obvious reasons and the church apparently gives the guild favorable rental terms. It doesn’t hurt that it’s huge and that there are numerous rooms at our disposal. Some might consider it sacrilege, but we did our photographing in a small intimate annex chapel with the set up above – notice the cross behind the photo tent. It worked so well, I think I’m going to abandon photographing outside with my ghetto setup. The room was completely dark except for the lighting on the tent. We were able to get some great shots this way.
Platter by guild member, Kathleen Laurie, photographed in our set up
Meanwhile, during the marathon photo session, a few swear words escaped our lips – and we all laughed nervously while asking for forgiveness.
I’m feeling the urge to do a little glaze testing. Last night, I dusted off my copies of Mastering Cone 6 Glazes by Hesselberth & Roy as well as my copy of The Ceramic Spectrum by Robin Hopper. I’m feeling pretty relaxed now that the sale is over and I really do need to expand my glaze palette.
My in-laws are flying up today for a few days. They didn’t want to miss my daughter’s performance at the Shakespeare Festival on Friday and then we’ll spend Mother’s day together as a family.
Tonight, my husband and I are going on a rare date. We”re going to see Justin Currie, former lead singer of Del Amitri at the Toad Tavern. I’m not normally a live music fan, but this will be in an intimite venue – so I won’t feel so claustrophobic since there shouldn’t be any large crowds to speak of.
Happy Wednesday,
~Cynthia
My Weekend Guild Show Purchase
Before becoming a member of the Colorado Potter’s Guild this year, I attended the show as a shopper for the past few years. This year I was both a member and a shopper. 
It’s hard to resist the temptation to buy everything, so I limited myself to 1 purchase. I bought the little soda fired wine cups above, by Jackie Harper and used them as soon as I got home from the show Saturday night. I suppose they could be purposed for tea or other beverages, but I knew that I was going to drink red wine from these as soon as I spotted them. It didn’t hurt that I was present the same day that Jackie was firing these little gems in the vapor kiln.
I love the look of soda fired ceramics and it looks like the guild is going to do a group soda firing this summer, so I’ll be able to get a couple of pieces in the kiln without having to sign up to fire the kiln myself. It will be a good way to try it out.
I want to thank those of you who were able to make it to the Guild’s spring sale this past weekend. Castle Clay artists have their show next weekend and I’m going to attend with a friend of mine. This year, they’ve invited some glass & jewelry artists to display their work at the show as well as a soap maker, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they produce.
Happy Monday,
~Cynthia
Colorado Potter’s Guild Show Closes Today
Opening night before the doors opened – so cool to see so much amazing ceramic work all in one place
As a member of the guild, which operates like a cooperative, everyone is assigned a job (ideally the job that best utilizes one’s skills) to help the guild and our sales run smoothly. So, as a new member, to what committees and tasks have I been assigned? Surprisingly, my blogging, Internet and Photoshop skills are being tapped. I have been assigned to the “website committee” and for the sale, I spent most of the day Thursday helping to photograph select guild member’s work to be used in future mailings and our website. Other than that, my gift of gab has come in handy working the “floor” of the sale’s venue. I credit that skill not to blogging, but my years spent as a flight attendant for United. I can talk to anyone, anywhere about anything – and if you want a pillow & blankie, I’ll try my hardest to find one for you!
I have enjoyed the show and have fondled many many pots in the last few days. It’s hard with so much eye candy to not purchase everything in sight, however, before going to the show I decided I would only buy a mug for my husband since he’s been drinking out of one of my seconds. I decided that a mug or cup is really the most personal choice of all and he needed to pick it out himself so last night, he chose a gorgeous salt fired mug for his daily coffee made by Jean Boch. It’s a good thing, it’s not one I would have chosen for him. It was interesting browsing with him, since he has different preferences. He chose a manly amber glaze vs. the pale greens and celadons I normally favor and he had definite issues with certain types of handles not fitting his hands. I don’t normally use the handle on my mugs, so it’s not an issue for me since I like to cup the mug with my whole hand. Next time you pick up a cup, think about how you use it and if you want to read more about how choosing pottery is really the most intimate choice of all, click here.
Meanwhile, the show closes this afternoon. We were allowed to enter 105 pots into the show, only 10 of which could be sets. I only managed to get 55 pots made in time for the show since I was also making work for the “Fine Art of Craft Show” in Evergreen simultaneously. I was pleased to see that as of last night I only have about 14 items left that haven’t sold and we still have one full day to go. Our next sale is before the holidays in November – so I’ll have ample time to make 105 pieces! I’m going to try a new clay body and might even venture into some high fire stoneware clays.
Enjoy your weekend,
~Cynthia
