New Glazed Work
Relief printed hand built stoneware mugs
I meant to write a blog post yesterday or this morning, but my flash image uploader in my wordpress dashboard wasn’t working and I was forced to upload one photo at a time. Quelle horreur! Stomping my feet impatiently and yelling at my laptop didn’t seem to solve anything. So, today, I did a little computer clean up and also investigated the image problem. After perusing the WP support forum, I discovered that the new version of Adobe Flash 10 is not compatible (apparently this will be fixed with the next release of WP) – so I had to roll Adobe Flash back to version 9. What a pain – but, I’m happy to say that my uploader is now working fast and properly so here I am writing this post at 8:40pm on a Monday night.
Relief printed frog stoneware covered box
Sales were good at last weekend’s Colorado Potters Guild Sale. I really wasn’t sure if they would be given the economy right now. Maybe folks are feeling a little more hopeful with the election results? I sold quite a bit of my new work and even some older work that doesn’t quite match what I making now. Out of 35 mugs, I took home 5 (deservedly so – I will be reglazing them this week). I love getting this kind of feedback!
Lots of folks remembered my covered boxes from the spring sale and were asking where I hid them. I only had about 5 and came home with 0. I meant to make a bunch of boxes for the sale and just plain ran out of time. I accepted a couple of special orders for boxes at the CPG sale that I’m going to start working on this week at a leisurely pace. These aren’t something that I can rush – they take time and careful consideration depending on the theme.
Hybrid mugs – hand built and wheel thrown
People really liked my new mugs – good thing since I like making them! The relief printed ones in the top image of this post were the first to go, I guess that means that I should really make more of these in the future and also expand my lino-cuts. I haven’t committed to any more sales events before the holidays – something about which I’m happy. I plan to continue exploring shapes and different ideas and will also stock up my Etsy shop, which is currently empty.
Hybrid vases
I like the vases – but need to refine them just a bit more. They would also make a good sized pitcher if I added a spout and handle.
Meanwhile, I spent yesterday reading and commenting on my favorite blogs since I hadn’t had the time to do so the week leading up to my sale. It feels good to get back to a normal routine. I know my family has enjoyed having me back. 
The good news is that I have a full kiln load of glazed work that I didn’t get fired in time for the sale which will help fill my Etsy shop. As soon as I reglaze the mugs, I’ll push the start button. This week I’m also going to start adding images to my gallery page – I’d say it’s about time, wouldn’t you?
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
Good Crowds and Great Pottery at the Colorado Potters Guild Fall Sale
I have felt a bit out of the loop the past week as a crescendo of activity culminated in the Colorado Potters Guild Fall Sale opening on Thursday night. Fortunately, the spiked adrenaline that was fueling me the last few days has subsided and I am much more relaxed today. The Colorado Potters Guild Fall Sale closes this afternoon at 5:00pm – there’s still time to find some terrific pottery from local Colorado artists. I’ve added a sampling of some of our 48 member’s work below:
Large Bowl by Sarah Christensen, porcelain reduction fired to cone 10
Sarah makes beautiful work and long before I joined the Guild, I purchased one of her mugs. Unlike many of of the guild’s members who do not have formal educations in ceramics or pottery, Sarah graduated from Alfred. Her work is very recognizable – she leaves a lot of raw clay exposed on the exterior of her pots, and uses glazes and underglaze pencils to create complex designs.
Large 20 inch low fired earthenware turtle platter by Kathleen Laurie
I have been fortunate to know Kathleen for a couple of years and she was one of the people who encouraged me to apply to become a member of the Guild. She hand builds in low fire earthenware and also makes more traditional high fired wheel thrown reduction fired porcelain work. Kathleen has such a spontaneous glazing and decorating style that I envy in both types of her work. I have already purchased something from this year’s show, but I just might have to purchase one of her turtle inspired pieces today before the show closes.
Sampling of pottery from Guild members
There are definitely more female than male members at the Guild – I’m not sure if that’s true for a lot of clay communities or not? The large hand built vase on the pedestal is by Walt Hyler, one of our senior members who makes large sculptural functional work. It’s such a pleasure that there are potters of all ages at the Guild. The large round 25″+ in diameter soda fired vase on the table below with the dried grass is by Dick Howell who is the Guild’s kiln director.
Shino fired set & more
Having fired in oxidation for so long, I enjoy seeing all the different types of glazes and firing methods that I have available at my disposal now. I haven’t taken advantage of it much, but plan to do so this winter. The guild is going to start doing scheduled monthly guild group firings for whoever wants to sign up through the winter which will be a great way for me to experiment without having to make a ton of work that could end up being real doggies.
Set of reduction fired tumblers and matching tray by Willow Connery, cone 10
Willow makes gorgeous wheel thrown work and I aspire to throw as well as her. Her craftsmanship is amazing and her work light as a feather. My very first purchase from a guild member before I even thought of applying was one of her porcelain platters.
Reduction fired platters by Candice Kiesow, cone 10
Candice is my “mentor” at the Guild this year and I just love her! Every new member is assigned a mentor who helps guide and familiarize newbies to the procedures, equipment, building etc. for the first year. She has an art background and is multi faceted – working in ceramics, graphic design and jewelry. Candice just started a blog too, which reminds me that I haven’t linked to her yet….
I was prepared for our sale to be a little slower this year given the current economy, but I was wrong. We are selling pottery like hot cakes – yesterday we had 3 check out tables and had lines 5 deep at each for hours. I left at 1pm, so I can only imagine that it remained steady all day long. I don’t think I’ll have much to take home this evening when we break down.
Thanks to everyone who showed up and said “hi” to me the past couple of days. I even met someone in person with whom I’ve only emailed back and forth for a couple of months. It’s weird putting a face to an email address – you just have to love the way blogging, social networking sites and the internet as a whole has a way of connecting people who might never meet otherwise.
Back to regularly scheduled programming on Monday,
~Cynthia
