A collection of mugs

Here are some mugs I made for a special order... that pale pink is new... I really either need intense deep color or even paler color...
Boy am I picky... Still developing glazes...

WELL...No real glaze results yet... but...

I have completed some custom orders...
This 6 person sushi set:













It includes:
1 Large Serving platter,6 personal plates, 6 noodle/rice/soup bowls,6 dipping bowls, 6 chopstick rests, 1 soy bottle and 6 prs wooden chop sticks(they are purchased-I did not whittle them!)Wrapped and ready for Fathers Day!
and this custom vase..(I fired it THREE times to get the texture and glaze variations to make any sense to me!

















et voila!

STILL

Well...there is STILL nothing really new for this post...
I continue to develop test amounts of glazes and see how they react to each other... and just after I pull together 5 more... I think of another scenario to try....I have all of that bisque ready to fire and I just can't bring my self to just use the glazes I've been using when the opportunity for a new palette/or subtle texture(matte with glossy) variation is a possibility... I know I won't sell much during this time but I just HAVE to keep playing.... I've thrown a bunch of new mugs and some little bud vases(to give as teacher appreciation gifts) so... I'm getting closer. but not yet.





















There is a whole other post about who I am...in the retail world... artist vs potter(or both)that we've been discussing in our Etsy Mud Team forum but I just can't do it now. That will need to come at a later point... However....as I feel really reluctant to go down the wholesale route...I am curious what my fellow artists/potters have to say about the various selling venues...so feel free to comment. Perhaps my next post will fill you in on where I'm coming from...

Gettin' Ready...

So... I've been plugging away at some commisions...although I was pretty useless the 1st part of the week... rather FLUISH!!!!

I bisque fired a bunch:
















And glazed a bunch(note the scraped and reapplied kiln wash on the shelves...that's truly a favorite activity...NOT!):

















And now I'm "GETTIN' READY" to make some new glazes with this boatload of mason stains that I bought and had... DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect miracles.... But I sort of have some ideas... and then comes the application.... so I want to test some in this Glaze firing.... so this kiln will WAIT...Until I am GOOD AND READY!

ALS: Lou Gerrig's Disease.... A little off topic.

My friend who was diagnosed with ALS 2 1/2 years ago,Pam, showed me photos yesterday.
She had an opportunity to spend 15 mins with Jane Fonda after her Broadway performance in 33 Variations . Pam told me that she and Colin Hanks(Tom's son) spent a half hour and Jane was crying at the end. Jane Fonda wrote about Pam in her BLOG. Please click on that!

If you know me, I bring her up quite frequently because since she was diagnosed, it has been a huge part of our (me,mike,our kids) lives as we have spent a great deal of time with the family... and continue to see them quite frequently. It's been a huge part of our existence and has definitely had a huge impact. The boys are 6,almost 10,12 and 14 and the 2 older ones have a "band" with my son, Jake.(They are very close friends)

Jake who is now 12 1/2 has taken on the role of educator and fundraiser for the cause ... He is currently raising money and awareness for ALS Research with a bike ride that he has spearheaded (it's a national event...his part is local)with the help of his "mentor" Michele Dupree! You can learn more and donate HERE.
If you prefer to send a check, please write it out to ALS-TDI and email me for the address! jtceramics@aol.com. I'm trying to give Jake a little "help" here...
Jake has written essays about Pam and ALS and he has also writen music that is about Pam... I can't begin to tell you how fired up he is about this...

Years ago...

Here we were for Halloween one year...I think Sam was about 5 months old so Jake(in the photo) was almost 4!
Pam's an Angel... I am the WITCH!(shocking, I know)




















Here we are on a ski trip years later She is pictured with my 2 boys:





















This was 2 years ago this coming summer...She is in a wheel chair and her breathing was going...









When you check out Jane Fonda's blog. You will see photos from Wednesday.

This disease is horrific.
Enough said.

Here is to a great new year on Etsy!

Cheers. Well I may as well treat this as an opportunity for freshness. In my work and my life. Centering the clay AND becoming more centered and present. Ok. That's the plan. Are you in?

TODAY ONLY!!!!

Today is my 2yr ETSY-VERSARY!
10% DISCOUNT TODAY ONLY!
Monday APRIL 27th
(also my mom's bday!)
See shop announcement in MY SHOP!

For example:
This was $250...save $25.

Schmapp!

I was asked if they could use the photo of my teapot when you click on Baltimore Clayworks...
Check it out...:

First click on baltimore on the map...then arts and entertainment... and then the photo slide show on the right shows it...Hey...
I'll take all the help I can get...right?

Do you ever get that feeling?

You know... it's time for a change?

I have this concept to try something new with my work and in my head...it is the greatest thing... so I start playing with it and I think.... what is the big deal???
Stay focussed..develop glazes... my forms continue to evolve... but I wonder if the "fashion" thing makes me feel like...ok...new season...new look...
The thing is... I really don't want my work to become a PRODUCT... I guess all object are... but it is also my art and that's ok...Right?

Ugh.

TWO Great features!!!

I am so excited about these cool features:
first Sandra of "Re Bop Shop" and her ETSY SHOP
featured me on her MELLOW TONES BLOG!








AND THEN.... the fabulous artist
"Cinnamon Soup" who is in HAWAII tweeted to me that she featured me on her Cinnamon Soup BLOG she does great work as well which can be found on her website
and her Cinnamon Soup ETSY SHOP !

How cool and nice is that????