Happy Holidays

Been too busy shopping for presents and preparing for company today, to work with clay. Once the holidays are over, production and creativity will begin again.

Raffles

I've been checking out art shows all around the bay area to get inspired. Just found out I won a raffle prize. Isn't that exciting! Can't wait to pick it up and see what I won. It's a necklace which one of the jewelry artists donated. I've donated work to raffles and its gratifying to help raise $'s for a non profit.

Last show of 2009

Did a small art show on Saturday. Plenty of people, but still tight with their $'s. We sold, but only older items that were marked down to giveaway prices. Maybe 2010 will be better. They keep saying the recession is over, but I don't see a lot of evidence of it.

New Birdhouses

Went to the studio yesterday. Brought home 6 new birdhouses that came out just great! The designs and glazes worked beautifully. Now all that's left to do is put hangers and perches on to complete them. We have a small show this weekend, but we will only be selling older items or items we no longer want. Since everything will be priced to go, maybe people will be in a buying mood. One can only hope!

Nothing

Didn't get anything out of the kiln today. Will have to wait till next week. Very disappointing. I have a couple of new designs that I want to use on plates and/or birdhouses. Just can't seem to get motivated since I came home from Maui. Next show is 12/5. Only a small show so nothing to stress about.

Back Home Again

No more aloha for me. Came home to cold and rainy weather, but I did get to see a beautiful new birdhouse that was fired while I was away. Should have a few more coming out on Tuesday.

Aloha

Did get to go to some galleries in Lahaina. Beautiful glasswork and some interesting ceramics. Don't know where their studios are at this point. I am here for another week, so anything is possible.

Aloha

Maui is as wonderful as I remember. Beautiful weather, beaches, etc. Hope to visit some galleries and studios soon. I would really like to meet some of the local artists.

Aloha!!!!

Leaving tomorrow for Maui. So looking forward to the trip. Not only will I spend time with a good friend, I know I will be inspired by all the beauty around me. While I am enjoying myself, Terry will be busy working on birdhouses and tiles. She will be picking up our orders and delivering them. We have about 8 new birdhouses in various stages of production. Can't wait to see them all when I get back.

Mold Pouring

Yesterday at the studio, spent a couple of hours glazing a birdhouse, putting greenware into the kiln and socializing with other potters. One beautiful new piece had just been unloaded from the kiln. The birdhouse came out great, just needs a perch and wire hangar to be complete. Prior to yesterday, we had glazed a number of beads that we use to hang birdhouses with some new colors. Very impressive results. Will take pictures of the new finished products and post them. Right now, pouring liquid clay into a jar mold. Waiting to pour it out and the clay to take the shape of the mold. This one we will glaze a bright color and put some bird appliques on. It is a lot less labor intensive and can be sold at a lower price.

Glazing

Today we will be in the studio glazing some bisque birdhouses. I think there will be a dog plate and maybe a few other pieces. I can't quite remember. The birdhouses are a little different than the usual ones we do. This time we did appliques for the designs and the glaze will be very bright colors, such as purple or red instead of clear glaze over a design. It's so great to experiment especially when the piece is even better than you imagined. I know there are beads in a variety of colors coming out of the kiln. Those are used to put colored wire through to hang the birdhouses. Since we make our own, they always compliment the birdhouse.

Friday

Used my brain enough today in class. Out to lunch with friends and then to the gym. Now I am starving. Think tomorrow I will start working again or maybe go and check out the Danville show.

Started New Tiles for Garden Stakes

Finally got around to starting on winter production. Worked on 15 new dog garden stakes. Designed some with Airedales, Scotties, Fox Terriers and left some blank. I usually work on tile designs when the clay is wet. Terry prefers to work on bisque. That's why I made some blanks. Now they will dry for a week and than they will go into their first firing. I think not having any shows till the spring has slowed me down.

Another Day

I think today I actually will motivate myself enough to roll out some clay and start making things. Orders are waiting and Terry needs to complete the Scottie tile and a cat face for a heart hangar.

Rain Is Not Inspiring Me

Today it is raining which is not inspiring me to work at all. Tomorrow the sun is supposed to shine and I will be making some tiles that will end out as garden stakes. Probably do some dog designs. I know I am out of Scotties, but I will have to look in the sales book to see what else needs to be produced.

Sunday

Just back from San Francisco. Went to a flea market looking for figurines to use on birdhouses or something to give me inspiration for a new design. Found nothing. Maybe inspiration will find me tomorrow.

For Sale

Everything you see in the pictures is for sale. I'll post my 2010 art fair schedule when it is available. Did I say we also do dog shows? They are so much fun to do!

Welcome

Here is our brand new blog. We, Terry & Eleanor, work with clay to create wonderful pieces to sell at art fairs. No art fair this weekend so I am just working on orders. Actually, this is it till the Spring when we start again. Have all winter to produce new items. First I will make some new birdhouses after I figure out the size and design I want.