Just experienced my first tremor on this side of the country. Been through a couple when visiting LA and one when in Indianapolis a long time ago. Didn't think this part of the country had THOSE kinds of problems! Now I need to run to the studio to make sure nothing shifted in the kiln. What a new curve to throw into the mix. Hope everyone is ok out there.
Handcrafting Pottery in North Carolina
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tallying time and help for a question
I've gotten quite a lot of orders from wholesale galleries in the last month, so I am up to my elbows in clay, trying to sort all the pots needed, see what else I need to make and generally move them all from a state of dirt to a state of art exchangeable for dineros. During all this craziness, my husband (always the businessman) asked a pointed question on if this all was profitable. What a question!
Anyway, I decided I would tally all the hours and see how this all pans out with expenses, time, etc. I read an article in the last Ceramics Monthly or Pottery Illustrated on a clay person who had recently done this and thought I should do my own study for my own satisfaction. If anyone can remind me of which issue this was in, that would be great. I'd like to review it and it is probably in a stack somewhere.
Anyway, I decided I would tally all the hours and see how this all pans out with expenses, time, etc. I read an article in the last Ceramics Monthly or Pottery Illustrated on a clay person who had recently done this and thought I should do my own study for my own satisfaction. If anyone can remind me of which issue this was in, that would be great. I'd like to review it and it is probably in a stack somewhere.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Conversations with kids about clay
Kids say the darnedest things about clay sometimes. Over the past few weeks I have done some lessons for a summer camp and some private lessons and really enjoyed the feedback from the kids I spoke to and what they thought. Here's some of their comments:
"Wow. This is so cool. If you need help I could come and be your helper." Victoria, 11 or 12 years old. "I just love your leaves. They are BEEUTIFULLLL!" deep sigh...(Leaf shaped clay bowls)
"I can use my allowance to buy one of these, you can buy the other and maybe mom will buy this one for me." commented Vicki (a different one, but around age 11, ) on a visit to the gallery with her grandmother so she could pick out pottery for her birthday. This little girl wanted POTTERY for her birthday! Note: her grandmother bought one piece and she did use her own money to buy another, but mom had already gotten her a birthday present.
" I could come after school and help you out. I could clean up or help you make things. I can give you my cell phone and you can call me." Dean, just turned 13. And he did give me his cell phone number.
Besides being very sweet, these conversations were inspiring to me. They reminded me of the joy that clay can bring to others and how much kids are able and desire to help when they are excited about a subject.
"Wow. This is so cool. If you need help I could come and be your helper." Victoria, 11 or 12 years old. "I just love your leaves. They are BEEUTIFULLLL!" deep sigh...(Leaf shaped clay bowls)
"I can use my allowance to buy one of these, you can buy the other and maybe mom will buy this one for me." commented Vicki (a different one, but around age 11, ) on a visit to the gallery with her grandmother so she could pick out pottery for her birthday. This little girl wanted POTTERY for her birthday! Note: her grandmother bought one piece and she did use her own money to buy another, but mom had already gotten her a birthday present.
" I could come after school and help you out. I could clean up or help you make things. I can give you my cell phone and you can call me." Dean, just turned 13. And he did give me his cell phone number.
Besides being very sweet, these conversations were inspiring to me. They reminded me of the joy that clay can bring to others and how much kids are able and desire to help when they are excited about a subject.
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