an early harvest

More tiles! I'm having so much fun with the new wall tiles. The new batch measures 4.25" X 2.75" each and are notched for easy hanging. I just listed them on my site and already sold bunches at the summer shows. I only made 100 of each and boy, that number was bigger than it seemed when I started this project! The next design will be a smaller batch, maybe 25 or 50.

This is Miss Marley wondering why I'm hanging the tiles on the tree! She is now 8 months old and maybe full grown?! We know she is mostly beagle but are waiting until she is done growing to see what else is in her - anyone see anything? She has long legs and can jump really high. I've been calling her a beagle-roo! Sometimes when she's all stretched out sleeping she looks like a kangaroo. She's 99% a super sweety and 1% a holy terror! aw, puppiness!

This week I am mixing it up in the studio to try some new things. I have out my watercolors and some dark brown clay, I feel some newness brewing in me.

Renegade, moving forward, honest!

This week was a blur! Last weekend I did the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, so I'll start with that!

Renegade was a really cool show - it was well organized and easy to do, which made things easier on us (myself and Steve) because we went up and back both days : ) It kept Miss Marley out of the kennel - Thank you to Steve's parents for taking care of her and all her puppy energy while we were gone all day. And thank you to everyone that came out in the heat to shop and say hello.

Admittedly it was not my best show but it was still exciting to be a part of the event. I think I am moving into a more high-end/ specialty category and indie shows can be a harder sell due to the thriftiness of most of the crowd. Surprizingly I did better than I thought but I think I'll give a few of the designer craftspeople type shows a go in the near future. I've had my fun with the indies but I just might shop them next summer : ) I am wondering how the other potter's did. Our craft involves so much time and process that it puts us in a different category than say someone selling screenprinted t-shirts, but, I love all those t-shirts and was thrilled to get a supermaggie t-shirt from them in person! A nice couple came by from the American Craft Council and quizzed me on why I'm not doing their shows - and then my dad mentioned a super great show that is done in Vegas and then the ugh's set in. I really should be doing those shows. But, will I enjoy doing them?

I've been at this full time since November 10th, 2006 so, I'm about 7 months into living the dream and it really is awesome. I thought I was going to do a 6 month review but I was so busy getting ready for shows and filling orders that I completely missed that anniversary, whoops! But 7 is a good number so I'll just do it now! This is the public version ; )

For the past 7 months I have been living the life of a potter. Each day I get up, do yoga, play with my dog, grab a cup of coffee and check e-mail, read a blog or 2 then head into the studio. I spend each day making which is pure love. I work from early in the morning to late at nite. My job is my lifestyle, my hobby and my livelihood. It's hard to draw a line and figure out when I should call it a day because I truly love being in the studio. I can take my pots outside to carve and glaze, I get fresh air and can watch the birds at the feeder. Last year I was stuck in an office building watching the clock (note! I had a really nice job that would have been a dream job if I didn't have a burning desire to be an artist and if anyone from ye olde job is reading this, I told HR. at the first interview that in 10 years I planned to be a studio artist and I did it in 8!) back to my days! I super appreciate how I am able to live my life, I am still finding my way and my peace with this. I am constantly thinking and creating new goals. I have a wish list that would drive any career counselor mad but plan to meet each and every goal. Somedays I feel like I am ahead and doing really well and somedays so far behind and clueless that I get really scared. I am guessing that every business owner has these feelings and that keeps me balanced.

So, its June and I'm designing Christmas ornaments! I'm also working on some one of a kind pieces and in July will overhaul my website. It's hard to look beyond that, but I am looking at shows and trying to plan out how to deal with the holidays - last year I was crazy tired and then lost Healy so it was a difficult season for me. I'm still toying with the idea of hiring an assistant, and as much as I love working from home, I am considering a store/studio space.

That's where I am right now, well really I'm heading into the studio to work on orders : ) but in general. Happy Weekend!

Renegade tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow is the big day, the Renegade Craft Fair!! I think I am 95% packed, just a few more items to organize and then we can load up! I quickly unloaded the kiln this morning and everything came out awesome, I forgot to take pictures but will once I am set-up tomorrow and will post lots of show pics. I have lots of bowls and quite a few vases and one new pattern. So, if you are in NY or anywhere close, be sure to stop by the Renegade Craft Fair and visit me in booth #7. It's a super great show and I'm sure you'll be happy you went if you do go! So grab your dad and head on out for a day of shopping! And don't forget Father's Day is on Sunday : )

xoxo, Linda

art for the cash poor show

Catching up! The Art for the Cash Poor show on saturday was such a good show. I'm kicking myself because I didn't shop. There was so much great art in the room and I only got to take a quick peek. Next year I think I might do both days since it was such a nice show to do. It was well attended and the room was great! I look hot in the picture because I just got set-up and had been running a bit late. I sold a ton of stuff but still have quite a bit to bring to Renegade this weekend and I have a whole kiln load of pageant bowls and vases that will be coming along too. I decided that my new line will be the pageant series. I am testing it out at the shows this month and once I am done the shows and rest up a bit I will make a big to-do about it on my site : ) Right now all I want to do is make big bowls and vases. I am practicing throwing bigger vases, something that I have a struggle with due to a neck injury from a car accident, dang that accident. Each time I increase the weight and size of the clay I am throwing its a whole new set of mussels I have to strenghten and somehow my neck and the supporting mussels are never strong enough. I think I need to take up swimming, anyone have a pool I can do laps in?

So, this week I am gearing up for the Renegade Craft Fair. To me this is the biggest of the indie shows and I am excited to be a part of it. I am doubling up with Leya from Curiousbird who does wonderful collages, patchwork pillows and she's trying something new with her baby bird line of bibs and printed t's. I've never shared a space before but, it seemed like a good idea after doing 2 other shows, and its less stuff to haul! I'll be scaling back my set-up but our tent will be packed with great handmade wares so you can get a t-cup from me and cute baby t from Leya! A perfect shower gift for any new mom!!!

ok, so I'm taking it easy this wednesday morning, i ironed my show table cloths and tent walls, played with marley and now I'm off to do a bit of cleaning then head into the studio to work on web orders. If I currently owe you a t-pot, I am making them today to ship out next week. It's on my schedule : )

life's a pageant

Friday! Oh my goodness I have another show tomorrow! Art For the Cash Poor in Philadelphia- put on by local art organization inLiquid. Don't let the name of the show fool you, there will be some amazing art at the show by some terrific Philly artist's and crafter's like me. Everything at the show will cost under $200.00, which is a fun way to get your work out there. For me, most of what I make is under $200... for now! Pictured is the new pattern that I sold out of last weekend. Unofficaillly I am calling my new series "Pageant" because the designs are carved diaganally across the surface, like the sashes the beauty queens wear! I am loving this color combination and it seems everyone else is too! I had serving bowls and vases and they all got scooped up on saturday. I have more in the works in the studio to bring along for Renegade which is next week, another oh my!!! Actually I am really looking forward to Renegade, there are so many crafter's I want to meet, I am hoping to do some walking around and just a little shopping : )

So this week zipped by, the beginning of the week I was so tired it hurt to breathe. Then we had to put new elements in my kiln, a first for us and a little anxiety came with it but for naught! It was easy to do, well, Steve did most of it and I assisted, so the initial firing went great and now I am back up and running. I think I got every single firing I could out of the old ones. It was slowing down over time and the last firing took about 20 hours to reach temperature which is just nuts!

So onto my weekly 3-3's.

3 colors I'm loving
1. kiwi
2. magenta
3. buttercup yellow

3 summer goals
1. re-do my web site
2. more new designs
3. take a break

3 things I want - for my studio
1. slab roller
2. another kiln
3. self mixing glazes!

Happy weekend! If you are in Philly, be sure to stop into the show on Saturday and say hello, there will be bands and music, the info is on the side bar to the right!

ASCB recap!

The Art Star Craft Bazaar was a great show, on saturday!!! There were so many people and all my worries about the new work were silly because I nearly sold out of all my new stuff. The Just Friends teacup is still a big hit and I had fun getting caught up with my crafty pals and meeting some new ones. Thank you to everyone that came out despite the heat on saturday and the rain on sunday. I am still recoving and need to unload and dry out some things so I will keep this short. So enjoy the pics of my display from saturday. Sunday's was completely different but, I didn't bring my camera due to the rain. Happy Monday!!!