Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thanks so much for all your comments this year.  Your feedback is why I keep posting.  Here's to a fantastic year to come!

December!

I have been so very busy, and my blog has been suffering.   I hope I haven't lost all of you readers!

In November I was busy, busy getting all my commissions done by December 1.  I ALMOST made it.  A few were fired in a lighter load.  And I confess to having one that was done incorrectly and must be REDONE to meet the request.  My mistake.  I need to learn to write EVERYTHING DOWN, all the details, in one place, for commissions.  Lesson learned. (I hope.)

There was one more shelf but that one was full of Christmas presents and I don't want to give anything away!

Two scarves were commissioned several weeks ago.

I have spent a great deal of time running to the post office!  My Etsy shop did very well this year.  Thank you , thank you all you hand made shoppers!

Now I need to distribute the last of MY family gifts and clean this pig sty before the holiday.

Until next time!  Happy Holidays!!

SO busy! And New Work at a New Venue!

It is that time of year again.  The air is getting nippy (though with a spattering of 70 degree days!  Crazy Virginia weather.) the days are getting shorter and there is a ton of work to be done.

My studio has limited space for work in progress (I must do something about that in the new year...)

And I have things at all stages this week.

And WAY too much under plastic waiting patiently (!?) to be decorated.

Yet today, rather then get busy in the studio I worked in the yard doing what I hope is the last garden prep before winter, digging beds, planting bulbs, mulching and raking leaves.

So my studio still looks like this!

Meanwhile this past Saturday Kathy from Serendipity Quilt Shop in Dagsboro Delaware came to pick up her wholesale order!  These  pots are a little diffrent for me.  When we spoke at the fiber festival (where we met originally) she requested chickens, quilts, and the beach!  Here is a sample.  (If you want to buy head to her fantastic shop!)

(These pictures are only mediocre as I remembered I hadn't taken any while I was waiting for her to come pick the order up.  So just quick snaps to help me document...)

Spoon rests!  I'll have more of these at Liberty Town for the small works show in December!

Tomorrow I WILL spend the day in the studio. 

Our Morning Walk

Layla and I walk a two mile loop nearly every day.  If it weren't for her I don't know if I would be so regular about it.  Even if it is good for me.  And it isn't just the exercise.  This time of year it's the beauty all around us that helps your heart as much as the motion.

Kenmore, George Washington's sister's house.  Years ago I worked there as a guide and later the guide supervisor.  I thought it was my dream job.  But it turned out I was wrong!  But it is a beautiful place to work.  And we walk past it nearly every day.

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The grave of Mary Washington.  (George's Mom.)

My happy companion.

Vermont. Part Two

Last time I promised you pottery.

Kristen lives very near Two Potters Nathan and Becca, and she has even helped with a firing of their massive kiln.  Their place was one of only two places I knew I needed to see while in Vermont.  (the other was King Arthur Flour if you were wondering.)

I follow them on Facebook and read their blog.  I can't believe I finally was able to see the place in real life AND meet Becca and Nathan.  I was very lucky, for only a week earlier Becca was a little busy bringing Zoe into the world. :)  (She is beautiful.)

The shop.

Standing in front of the massive kiln shed with the gorgeous studio in view.

Not a bad view for sipping coffee and waiting for a kiln to cool...

Carefully numbered bricks for resealing the door before firing.

Unfortunately I was so impressed by the shear size of their workspace I didn't take any pictures giving you a feel for it.  (If you go to their website you will see the entire building process and the impressive result!) 

I love seeing how diffrent potters arrange their wheels.  Both Nathan and Becca throw standing up.  Definitely the best way to take care of your back and something I have been considering.

Becca's set up.

(Don't you love that sweet table, and getting the pedal at just the right height makes a big difference!)

Nathan's wheel.

And Nathan's view.  Pretty inspiring if you ask me.

My purchases...It was hard choosing!  The tumbler is one of Nathan's from the wood kiln and the plate shows Becca's vegetables from the electric kiln.  (I have several other pieces I have purchased that match.)

This sweet bowl comes from the wood kiln as well.

Nathan and Becca are every bit as hospitable as they seem on their blog. I was just thrilled to meet them and see all that they have accomplished!

..................

So another day was spent in Brandon, VT.  I took so few pictures here.  

But I absolutely love this cemetary.

And the reason for the visit to this sweet town was to stop at the Brandon Art Guild.

I discovered before my trip that Stacey Stanhope is a member and would be a highlighted artist while I was there!  She has very little internet presence (meaning no website but she does pop onto Facebook occasionally with pictures of her recent work.)  But I have managed to pick up a mug...and was sure I would do a little shopping while at the gallery.

I did do quite a bit of GIFT shopping (no pictures of those of course.)  But this sweet yunomi came home with me.

And I decided this plate would be a gift from my brothers.  Thanks guys!

From Brandon we headed to Middlebury and the search for the elusive Heady Topper!  (If you are a beer lover you may know what I am talking about!)

(This picture is to see if my little brother still reads my blog.)

Middlebury, VT

And since I did a little shopping (including a half case of Heady Topper that needed to be kept cold!) my packing required some flexibilty and imagination.

See ya Vermont!  Until next time!!!