Bisque

Lately it seems, blogs I follow have been writing about gardens, recipes, and vacations.I have been writing about studio construction, machinery shows, Ohio Slip, and selling pots. I may even have slipped up and said a few nice things about other people.( Don't expect that to happen again anytime soon) It's time to get back to writing about pots. Since I have been doing those other things, I do not have a lot of new finished work to show you right now. I did a bisque load yesterday and that will have to do. I am still on my unending quest for the perfect mug so here are a bunch of variations, probably will finish out at 12 ounces. I love big 20 ounce mugs but some folks seem to want something a little smaller. I have also been testing a slip that looks like it gives good coverage. I think the sponge decoration will pop. Tea pots are very popular with potters but they take a while to make and can be a pain to transport to shows. I thought I would try some coffee servers. Opinions welcome. Finally bowls galore. serving bowls, soup/cereal bowls, small red clay baking bowls to match my larger baking dishes and a casserole that is way too big. Hope to let you see the outcome in a couple of weeks.

My twin brother turned 60 yesterday.( I'm still trying to decide if I will or not. ) Thanks to all who sent greetings.

I've been thinking

A couple of weeks ago,Tracey Broome tsbroome.blogspot.com questioned why people will go to a festival and spend $10.00 for a blooming onion and a soda and then say they love your pottery but can't afford anything. Both purchases will stay with you forever.One will eventually make you feel guilty, one will bring back memories of meeting an artist and learning how something beautiful is created from the most humble materials.

This post is not really about selling or not selling well but rambling is what bloggers do. What I really wanted to talk about is not how artists enrich our lives but courage. The courage it takes to make your way in the world by inspiration and perspiration without a safety net. My wife and I are blessed (well, blessed by 30 years of hard work) with a retirement income and access to affordable insurance. I can sell pots or break pots and still get by. I am awed by the determination of all the potters, painters ,and pickers out there that struggle year after year with their success or failure riding on their next show.Their talents are dependent on a market that can be crushed by something as common as traffic problems or bad weather.

I have had two potter friends beat colon cancer in the last year. Neither had insurance. They beat cancer but not the healthcare system. They will carry the debt forever. Another friend fell on the ice and knocked herself out last winter. No insurance, no doctor visit. Suck it up. Tough it out. It will probably stop hurting eventually. Yet they continue.Other friends make their sole living from shows and kiln openings. They have minimal insurance and pay $600 a month or so for coverage.That's out of their net, after the show fees, travel expenses, clay, and utility bills. That's a lot of pottery folks. Yet they continue. Most drive old cars or trucks that they cannot afford to repair and live where they struggle to keep the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Yet they continue. Some are trying to pay off $100,000 educations with $12,000 incomes. Yet they continue. With all the risk and all the uncertainty, they all continue. They continue to enrich our lives and enhance our happiness.

One of my friends has been a "successful" country potter for over 30 years. Success means she has paid her bills, not that she has become rich. She makes gorgeous pots but that in itself is not enough. Strangers find their way to her Gallery/Studio and friends leave. I love to see her greet the public and watch them leave with an armload of pots. I really feel that they are paying for the memory of the day and the pot is a reminder of the warmth and hospitality they felt when they were there. Because they like that feeling, they return later for a booster shot and become regulars. They may not know that we feel as good as they do and maybe that's why we continue.

CBS had a segment on the Early Show this morning suggesting that people would gain more happiness if they shifted their discretionary spending from buying " things " to buying "memories" and experiences. I know a lot of people who can hook them up with both.

Thanks for listening.

The Tale of the Two Headed Kitty

Not a lot of pottery stuff happening this week. I've been finishing up the drywall in the studio and teaching a kids class at Middletown.The drywall work is hot and heavy so with my 60th birthday fast approaching, I'm just doing a little at a time.Most of the kids in class are 2nd and 3rd graders who have not learned to follow 2 step instructions or work independently.That about sums up pottery for the week.


In other matters, Gus, the feral cat who lives in our house, allowed me to take a picture of him worshiping his buddy Ed. In the 5 years he has lived here he has always run away when the focusing light came on. Maybe in 2 or 3 more years he will let one of us pick him up.

Finally, I made cherry wood chicken in the smoker again and added fresh sage from the garden. Just put it on the grill skin side up and smoke over charcoal and some small pieces of cherry wood for a couple of hours.Fantastic.Glad that first time wasn't a fluke.

Tour De Darke County

Today I took a day off from pottery and went to Darke Co.Ohio with my brother Norris. There was an Antique Farm Power Show at the fairgrounds in Greenville. Rain was forecast and tho we drove through some, the weather at the show was fine.Lots of popping, banging and smoking tractors and stationary engines were lovingly restored and a treat to look at. A slideshow is in the right hand column of the blog. We also stopped at the famous Maid-Rite Restaurant for a loose meat sandwich. It's just browned ground beef, onions,and maybe a little sugar on a bun.We were not too impressed but locals packed the place. They all also stick their gum on the wall outside.Local culture, go figure. Last stop was Bear's Mill to see some lovely pottery and a water powered mill with lineshafts and flat belts running all the equipment. They also had specialty coffees and baked goods. Nice place to stop.

The show at Centerville was very hot but I did ok. It was mainly a parade and festival crowd instead of art lovers but they bought enough that I may try again next year.I'm heading to Bellevue Ky. tomorrow for Second Saturday. I don't expect to sell out but it was worthwhile last year and the truck is still loaded from Centerville.

Belt and Suspenders

(click on picture to read inscription)
They're not taking any chances.