It just keeps spinning.

The world, that is. Everything is moving so fast and there is no time for anything right now. Not even creating.

Last week we sold our studio and retail space. It was a good thing - I was feeling overwhelmed and getting further from my dreams. Having retail hours made me feel trapped. We have been unable to to shows or travel. We have not been away for a weekend in a long, long time.

So, we decided to sell and it was so much work! But finally, we made it to closing and kissed our kiln goodbye. We went to buy a new kiln and GASP!! It takes 4-6 weeks to arrive! Now we are fixing up our home studio space and waiting.

In the mean time, we have entered the Etsy Mud Team's Salt Shaker Challenge. As with all EMT challenges, it was pretty open ended and the entries came in the form of salt cellars and salt pigs, stopperless salt shakers, and traditional salt and pepper shaker sets. Our entry is above. It is a stopperless shaker that was thrown on the wheel by me, carved by Alex, and then glazed by me. I love it! Below are all the entries.

To vote, click on the picture to be taken to the voting page. Your vote will automatically enter you in a drawing for free pottery. If you do not have an Etsy user name, just put NONE in the field for Etsy ID. Good luck! To all of us!

Love and Chocolate

The only thing better than being in love is when the person you're in love with brings you chocolate! Love can be intoxicating or stabilizing. It can make you fly or give a firm foundation. Love is the best gift, and often the only gift, we can offer. Chocolate is a close second.

This handmade tumbler, sadly, is not made of chocolate. It is, however, created with love in our studio; it is wheel thrown and glazed in a chocolate brown with a sweet red heart.

New items are still being added to the Etsy Love Challenge. Here a a few more favorites. You can click the photos for more information or to visit their stores.

Jim Bridgeman of Bridgeman Studios has a whole line of these amazing ceramic balloon hearts.


This cut paper art from Crafterall is so sweet.


Everything Lesperance Tile does is worthy of talking about.
This tile is no exception!

Front Page Honors

Yesterday I saw a forum thread on Etsy about the awesomeness of the front page. Naturally, I had to go check it out. It was a grouping I curated! I have had items on the front page, but I was more excited to see artists I admire up there because of my treasury. Several items sold and I felt wonderful all day!

Where's the time?

I have been trying my hardest to figure out how to get more hours into a day, but so far, nothing is working. I have custom orders lined up. I tape the invoices to the wall behind my wheel, and I am running out of space! I have tea sets, sets of bowls communion, sets, and huge fruit bowls to get done. On top of that I have monogrammed ornaments to paint, baby plates, and Christmas platters to paint. And I still need to keep finished pottery on my shelves for shoppers.

It isn't even November yet! Next month will be even crazier! I am so grateful that many of my customers are beating the rush this year. It will help me not feel so frazzled over the next 2 months. Don't tell anyone, but I already find myself looking forward to January!

I chose the Raven Magnet for this post because of Poe's penchant for pointing out that there is nothing more threatening then one's own mind. The most terrifying of ghosts is our own conscience. Or in my case, my own "To Do" lists.

EMT Autumn Challenge

The Etsy Mud Team's Autumn Challenge is under way! The Autumn Challenge invited Etsy Mud Team member's to create ceramic pieces inspired by autumn. Some artists relied solely on autumnal colors, while others featured leaves or gourds in their work.

There is an amazing group of artists participating. All voters are entered into a drawing for ceramic magnets made by EMT members. The artist receiving the highest number of votes will receive a pendant made by Ginny of GinPins. Please vote at the EMT web site.

Just Silly

If you feel the need to claim your territory, these magnets will get the message across! Coffee mug sets available with the same message!

Etsy's Front Page!

It went by way to fast, but we were so excited to land on the front page of etsy yesterday! Alex's newest drum got over 100 views while it was up and so many people were surprised to learn that etsy has wonderful handmade musical instruments.

The only sad thing - one of those items is a cheap import! Ugh. Sort of sullied the whole event.

Concoction Cups and More

If you're thinking pottery needs to be fun and take itself a little less seriously, you need to check out the etsy potter with the shop named Ceramica Botanica. Most of the works are One of a Kind and so incredibly imaginative. From concoction cups to salt and pepper shakers, snake mugs to fly bowls, you'll find many things to add beauty and fun to your life in this shop.

Clay Collage

I've been playing with layering clay in a way that imitates collage. This is first piece out of the kiln that uses that technique. I love the depth and contrast of this piece. It gives me such a peaceful feeling.

It began months ago with the carving a a cylindrical bamboo stamp. I rolled out a thick coil of clay and let it harden to leather hard, carved in the pattern repeat, and then fired it so I can use it over and over for years.

I also carved the raven stamp using a similar technique, but the raven is carved into the end of the cylinder instead of around it. The raven stamp is my newest stamp and I think it will be a favorite.

So the piece is assembled from two pieces of clay that are rolled and stamp, cut or torn. They are joined then fired. Glaze is carefully applied and the piece is returned to the kiln. I could not decide whether this piece should be a magnet, brooch or pendant, so I will let a buyer decide.

All This For FREE!

These are all items that are free with a purchase from participating Etsy Mud Team Shops. Check out the Etsy Mud Team Blog for more information. Click on a photo to visit the participating shop.

Etsy Mud Team Buyer Incentive Sale

August 27 - August 31
Visit any participating Etsy Mud Team shop listed below, look for the "Buyer Incentive" items, make a qualifying purchase and get the incentive item for FREE!

Purchase requirements may vary from shop to shop. Please check each shop for details.

Ant's Pottery
Averly
Bailey Bowls
Blue Sky Pottery
Ceramica Botanica
D Gordon Pottery
DK Pottery
EarthElements
GinPins
Into the Fire
Jessica Sharrah
JMN POTTERY
Judy B Freeman
KHPhillips
Montezuma Mudd
MudPuppy
NKP Designs
TR Pottery
Vegan Dish
Vessels & Wares

Photos show two new pendants just out of the kiln. Not yet available in my shop.

Smokin'!

Incense burners, that is! Just out of the kiln and ready to smell up the house! And now, our incense holders come with hand dipped incense samples from Dreamland Incense.

Green and Gold Feathers

Just out of the kiln, the glaze effects were unexpected on this mug. The feathering within the green drip is so stunning and the bamboo glaze below it has never let me down. It is available is our etsy store.

I Could Make THAT Myself!

"I could make THAT." I hear it all the time. I could say it a lot of the time and it would be true.

However, owning the handiwork of another artist is an honor. When I hold in my hands someone else's creativity, talent, and dedication, there is a clear connection between our spirits. I might be able to duplicate the object itself, but I cannot duplicate the joy it brings me to hold in my hands the coffee mug of another potter.

When I wear my Bina Geyer earrings, I am connected to a wonderful woman who lives across an ocean from me. Every time I place a spoon on my David Posner spoonrest, I am reminded of the workshop I took from him and all the knowledge he shared with me. When I bathe with my Shine Your Hiney Soap Company soap, I can feel the love that Diane puts into every bar.

Just as my children connect me more closely to my Creator, these works of art and outpourings of self connect me with their creators. Many times I could duplicate an object, but I could never duplicate the love that went into it.

We're FAMOUS!

We are in Craft:Magazine, Volume 4.

We were chosen to appear in Etsy's two page ad!

But there was a small typo....

The drum actually costs $750.00!!! So funny!

Stamped Teal Hand Drum

This amazing ceramic drum is a creation of Alex LaPella. The body is stoneware and was thrown on the wheel, then the design was stamped into the body while the clay was still damp. After trips to the kiln for bisque and glaze firing, Alex fabricated the steel rings to fit the drum, wrapped them in fabric, then strung on a goat skin head. Like all of Alex's drums, it is tunable and the head is replaceable. We NEVER glue on a drum head, so our drums can be tuned no matter the environment. Watch for this drum to appear in our etsy shop.

Blossom

A blossom stamped into the thumbrest defines this potbelly mug. Just listed and already SOLD, this little beauty is feeling the love. Don't worry, there will be more to come.

Today is the day I replace the wiring harnesses and relays in the kiln. I have had a few misfirings and it is a job overdue. Hopefully I can get it done quickly and do a little test fire. I am anxious to get the misfired pieces back into and out of a working kiln so I can dance around the studio in excitement again!

Potbelly Pleasure

A caramel potbelly mug is the perfect pairing for your morning coffee. The potbelly shape keeps your coffee or tea warm and the side is bumped in inside the handle so your knuckles don't get burned. Buy it here.

Super Soft

These burp cloths are the best I've ever seen! Even the cotton backing fabrics are silky soft! A super sweet baby shower gift from Heart Stitches. And she'll customize them to suit you!

Swirly Love

I love opening up the kiln on a glaze firing. This pendant's colors were so unexpected. The silvery sparkle where the glaze pooled is something I've never seen before. I hope I'll be able to replicate the results on something like a plate, but there are no guarantees.