Start of a New Cycle

 Point of view vertigo...

Looking in the damp box tonight.

It's good to feel the push of a new work cycle.

 This is working towards a build-up of a whole kilnload of the good stuff... this time it's going through cone 10 reduction. Armed with a newly cut swarm of stencils it's time to get busy.

Still a lot of question marks with this load... Much of the uncertainty is dealing with current firing logistics. I'm trying very earnestly, to be happy about crating up my greenware to take to another kiln. The best reason so far has been that the situation makes me more actively cull though what leaves the ware boards and ends up in the kiln.

Surface Interrupted

Like most potters, I live for the gems that come out of the kilns.

One of my major problems is that the surfaces that I enjoy exploring are surfaces that are...

well, a bit crunchy.

 These are 4 works that came out of the last kiln load underfired... The longer that I look at and handle these though, the more I absolutely love them as they sit. The unexpected edges engage the hands as they are handled and visually I enjoy the look of an object that looks like it's been stressed but now appears relaxed.

Personally, I can relate to that.

Knob'N'alls and AgateWare

I've taken a working week off to get projects moving forward up in the test garden at Delta Community College. I've had students tearing down fences and digging out Bermuda patches in prep for building new walking paths and beds.
Gardening is a sport...

Aside from all the exercise, I've spent a frustrating amount of time this week also trying to organize my inventories and get a few items posted on my Etsy.

You'll probably recognize a few...
There are knob'n'alls that Ron Philbeck had us all making this last Febuary...
Here in Northern California we are fortunate enough to be able to refer to them as "Stash Jars", but I still prefer "Knob'n'all".
And there are also a few AgateWare yunomi that went up too.

On that note, here's a video clip from the not-so-distant past.

My Little Wooden Bitch

Pardon the crassness, but I’m Dutch so I'm guessing it’s ok…  

 My relationship with this little darling has been an developing problem over the past 8 months. Since we met, I’m constantly finding myself looking for reasons to pull her out for a quick round about.

 Pop up out of bed in the morning… push the kids to the door at a generously early hour knowing that once they are dropped off at their new school (private happy dance) I get to explore the acoustics of downtown Stockton at 7:30 in the morning… (This might not be a good idea, but hey, a vibrant downtown thrives on character). If I skip playing downtown, then I find a reason for an 8:15 coffee break on the neighborhood street corner. I gotta get it in because it’s a good long wait until I get to spend another 15 minutes with the case open again. 

After just 2 weeks of picking the kids up from school, I’ve gotten into the habit of loitering just down the street down from their school for another quick round. Hey… the parking space is paid-up for 30 minutes so a once through will happily burn through another 15 minutes free and clear then it’s back to sitting on my hands until after homework is done for the kids and then it’s up to the park for a good solid stint of 30 to 90 munities of tackling new passages. Mmmmmmm…

Why am I feeling guilty about this?

Vignette

I was clearing the computer off and thought I should pin this up on the virtual cork board before it gets lost...

This is my Mom and Dad with my 2 critters,
Gotta love those Golden Moments.