Friday ramblings

I know, it is not Autumn anymore. I took this photo last fall and just never used it for anything. I wanted to take a picture of the Dwarf Iris that are in bloom in the garden but it was raining. Maybe tomorrow.

When I went to dinner with my friend Lisa last week, she mentioned joining Facebook. I took the time a couple of days ago and signed up. There are people there that I have not seen for years!

I wish I had a nicer photo of myself to post, but all I have is the one my nephew DragonBen took last August. (Although he just took the one I have here now (in the purple shirt) last Thursday, so I cahnged them both here and on Facebook!)

Speaking of DragonBen, at age 9 he has been selected to represent his school for National Youth Art Month with his work included in a county display at the Anderson Arts Center Warehouse! We are not sure which piece has been entered, it was submitted by his Art teacher. We go to the opening reception on Sunday afternoon. We are not sure how many from each school there are, but the show has work from grades K - 12 all across the county.

I have hit a small creative block. I had an idea for decorating my porcelain and stoneware pieces, and I nearly obsessed about finding disposable eye-droppers. Then a friend got me some droppers from work and I cannot get my mind around just how to do what I want to do. I am not liking what I see in the unfired pieces. It is frustrating me.

I need to find someone who can make my models and molds for me... I can do it, but I don't have the tools and equipment available here. I can provide drawings... But I cannot afford most model & mold makers pricing (well worth the price, just out of my meager budget).

Enough of my ramblings... if I can take a photo at the Arts Warehouse, I will post it Sunday night or Monday.

Oh, and this week I was nominated and appointed as the Secretary of the Pendleton Area Business Association for 2009... all in about 2 minutes.

Photography

I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about this morning... I just knew I wanted to post something.

When our bead club had it's 'meeting' this past Sunday, it was mentioned that I need to work on my photography... I agree! Any suggestions from my faithful followers? Any suggestions from my not-so-faithful followers, or even anyone who just happened upon my blog.

I'd prefer to have constructive criticism.

I know I have to be better about taking photos, and that sometimes they are fuzzy, but what else? I'd start a poll, but I don't know what kind of answers to give people the option, so, if you;ll just leave a comment or two, that would help me immensely.

I don't have any photos to share this morning anyway... I haven't taken any of my 'stuff' lately.

I now yeild the floor to your comments...

Happy Birthday Regina!

Today is my youngest sister Regina's birthday. She and her hubby and munchkin all have birthdays within the next week... whew!
The photo is just a file photo that came on my computer, but I wanted something...
It is raining this morning (we need it!) but Spring is in the air. The robins are flocking for their trip North, the daffodils and crocus are blooming, the Redbud and Forsythia are also. And on those mornings without rain, the birds singing outside my window sure sound like Spring.
I had dinner with a friend the other night and she keeps encouraging me to come to the Wednesday night gathering of the Electric City Shag Club. They are a great group of people and I am seriously thinking of going. I just cannot go for a couple of weeks because of prior obligations/plans. No, I have not signed up for lessons... but it is not out of the question.
It is hard to believe that February is more than half over... what happened to January?

Keeping busy

No photo this morning, just checking in so you know I didn't fall off the end of the earth... ; )

I have been busy casting and trimming the new Stoneware collection. Since I only have one set of molds, I will cast until I have depleted my supply of stoneware slip before switching back to the ebony porcelain.

Thanks to a friend's help, I will be trying some new decorating ideas. A short time ago, I was someplace and I saw a package of disposable plastic eye droppers. At the time, I looked at them and thought 'neat, but I don't need those'. Well, now I have an idea (which came to me in the middle of a sleepless night) and it requires the use of the droppers. Do you think I can remember where I saw those droppers? NO! I have looked everywhere I can think of. Maybe they were at Highwater Clay but just not in their catalog... They were not at CVS, not at Publix... I can only find them on line at REI, Scouting Supplies, Ward Scientific and other sites like that... Luckily, a friend that is a nurse happens to know that they don't use them at work but they keep them from kits and such. I get some of those today so as soon as I can, I will PLAY!

This Saturday is Valentine's Day. Even if you don't have a sweetheart, let someone you are close to know that you appreciate them.

** Just to let you know, I got the droppers my friend picked up from work... they should be perfect for what I want to do. I am not at that stage of production yet, but I am anxious to try my idea! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (Although it still bugs the heck out of me that I cannot remember where it was I saw those...!)

The New "Stuff"

Introducing...
The Stoneware Collection from Higgins Design Studio!
Pictured here is the Sake Bottle & Roly Sake Cups with the Chocolate glaze. The stoneware is called 'Grits' by the manufacturer. I used to use it a long time ago for bells and mugs and vases. The Ebonyware overtook the scene. Lately, I have had requests for something more 'earthy'. I like the Grits and all, but am still searching for a slightly darker speckled stoneware slip to use... what do you think?

The second photo is the Chocolate glaze on the Ebonyware. I am not a big brown person, but I really like the way this looks. The photos of the Crimson and Ironstone didn't come out too well. I'll have to do a photo session with those to add to my photo library.


The show is going OK. It is not a really big show for me, but I do have repeat customers and I do enjoy the people there. I cover my costs and I make some extra, plus have a great time while I am there.