All cleaned up and ready!
I know. It’s exhausting. But it’s almost over! Then the next thing it will be Black Friday and American Thanksgiving, then maybe we can take a break from our neighbours to the south and get onto more important things — like the state of my studio! Look at that … even the floors are clean. Isn’t that a reason for celebration? And, students are back. I’ve always looked forward to that with both excitement and trepidation, but this time around I’ve got such a nice bunch of people — might even ask them to come for dinner!
All dressed, waiting for the firing!
And, I’m soooo busy. The work is done for the next wood firing this weekend. I’m letting the pieces sit glazed, hoping to pick up some crystalization. That’s supposed to aid in carbon trapping (don’t I sound like I know what I’m doing? Don’t be fooled.) and I’d like these to sit on the counter in my new kitchen so it would be great to have some crawling & carbon along with the usually shiny shino. I’m trying to think of some way I can do a small wood fired kiln … but I’m told I wouldn’t get the same results. Might have to go to the International Ceramics Festival in Britain. There’s always someone there doing a demo. I could get some inspiration, and a trip of course!
I’m going to have a decent selection of wood fired pots for my Open House (November 26 and 27), along with some other things that I can’t wait to show you. The kiln gods have been smiling! Terrie MacDonald of Terradolus Pottery and Charles Funnell of xudedesigns will be joining me for my Open House too. We’re showing my art work and Terrie’s fabulous fabrics, along with Charles’ amazing jewellry, upstairs — and the studio/showroom will be filled with pots. Libations will be served as well, of course … Will start preparing and decorating next week. Guess I’ll have to start baking too!
I’m really looking forward to things settling down a bit over the next month or so. The news mongers will have to find other things to get hysterical about, of course, but I think I’m going to load up my ipod and skip the newscasts. I’ve been looking at the way I’m using time over the last week, and I’m pretty sure I can add a couple of hours to my day if I’m more careful about the ways it’s getting sucked up! Trying to create the time for some structured meditation practice, and to do the exercises I need for my back and neck. It’s amazing how time and mind space can fill up with nonsense that has absolutely nothing to do with daily activities. If anyone’s interested I might start a meditation class on Monday nights or even Monday afternoons. Will see how that develops. I’m having great fun getting ready for the retreat in March!
Sleeping under the desk at my feet!
Hope you’re having a great day. I’ve got a puppy at my feet as I write this, so my day is just grand! What could be better, eh?
Be well,
Susan McD
The music today — doesn’t match anything in the post. Notice the mandolin?
