How can it already be mid September? There was definitely frost on the deck tabletop this morning, but we still need some "growing season" since the dump trucks have been rolling in all day with topsoil and we're still thinking grass seed and bulbs. Any of you master gardeners out there think it's too late for that?
Oops -- this blog is supposed to be about pottery, not seeds and bulbs. I am getting back into the studio just a tad. Did a handful of what were going to be mugs, but didn't get back to them in time for adding handles, so they'll be small tumblers and bowls, instead. Made a good "warm up" activity. Keith put fresh water in the Cink buckets; the water was stinky from just sitting too long. She's good to go, now!
Yesterday there was some cleaning to be done in the studio since seven-year-old Hunter had his first wheel-throwing experience Labor Day weekend; with too much water, too many tools, and a heavy foot on the pedal, the evidence of his clay experience was pretty extensive. Nothing water couldn't remedy, but I didn't know wet clay would spray so far! We'll probably go back to hand-building for the young clay enthusiasts, although it was fun to see him try to take charge of a spinning ball of clay -- and he obviously enjoyed himself!
Had three ladies out from Anchorage and Eagle River today for lunch and to visit the studio. Since Willow Creek Studio on the Parks Highway has gone to its winter hours, open only on Saturdays and during special festivities like Winter Carnival and the Iditarod, there will be pottery available for purchase in my private studio. For those who like to touch and feel what they are purchasing, as I do, it will be an option to the WillowAK website still in the plans. Will try to do a studio open house before the holidays, too. If you'd like email notification of such an event, please send your email address.
Knitting tomorrow with the Willow women who get together on Wednesdays to knit. Last week I took a naked, wooden Pinocchio to begin knitting new duds for him. That was a quick project and he now lives in Anchorage with grandson Noah. If memory serves me well, Pinocchio had been a story-time prop for many years in my mother's kindergarten classroom.
Well, the dump trucks left and the dozer just shut down. Nice to have peace and quiet back. Hope the rain stays away until this dirt work is done, then it can return to help us keep grass seed wet, wherever that gets planted.
More pottery talk next time -- I hope. By then I should have a series of new work underway.
 |
| Hunter -- test driving the wheel and tools |
Yesterday there was some cleaning to be done in the studio since seven-year-old Hunter had his first wheel-throwing experience Labor Day weekend; with too much water, too many tools, and a heavy foot on the pedal, the evidence of his clay experience was pretty extensive. Nothing water couldn't remedy, but I didn't know wet clay would spray so far! We'll probably go back to hand-building for the young clay enthusiasts, although it was fun to see him try to take charge of a spinning ball of clay -- and he obviously enjoyed himself!
Had three ladies out from Anchorage and Eagle River today for lunch and to visit the studio. Since Willow Creek Studio on the Parks Highway has gone to its winter hours, open only on Saturdays and during special festivities like Winter Carnival and the Iditarod, there will be pottery available for purchase in my private studio. For those who like to touch and feel what they are purchasing, as I do, it will be an option to the WillowAK website still in the plans. Will try to do a studio open house before the holidays, too. If you'd like email notification of such an event, please send your email address.
 |
| New knits for Pinny -- who lived most his life in kindergarten |
Well, the dump trucks left and the dozer just shut down. Nice to have peace and quiet back. Hope the rain stays away until this dirt work is done, then it can return to help us keep grass seed wet, wherever that gets planted.
More pottery talk next time -- I hope. By then I should have a series of new work underway.