We are almost there!

 To say that 2020 has been crazy is a vast understatement.

I did finally get some angels fired with the new glazes, as well as some of the old favorites. BUT, various kiln problems with all 3 of the kilns I have running resulted in some disappointing results, as well as some that were fabulous!

I was able to make most of it work, despite the firing challenges.

Now, to get the kilns repaired and up and running again so I can hopefully get the desired results from some of the new specialty glazes.

Here's to a MUCH better 2021 for one and all!

New glazes

 Some friends asked me what I wanted for my birthday and Christmas. I am not usually good about coming up with a list. But this year, I decided I would ask for some help in purchasing some new glazes and new jars of some of my favorites.

Here are just 4 of the new ones I received. My birthday isn't until the end of the month, but they decided to get them to me early so I could use them for my angels before then.

Thank you for my gift! I love it!

First goal reached!

 I had tried to make 6 angels a day, but that got derailed with other obligations and exhaustion. My ultimate first goal was to have 48 angels by the beginning of November. THAT goal was reached! (Now I just need to fire and glaze and fire and add gold/heads/halos...)

Moving right along

 I have tried to make at least 6 angels each day. I missed yesterday because I was at work until 9:00 PM waiting for FedEx. I won't get started on how fed up I am with their driver for LYING about attempting to deliver yesterday afternoon.

I am please with the angels made so far.

Some friends gifted me some new glazes for my birthday and Christmas (a little early) and I am eager to try them out!

Back in the saddle

 This year has been crazy, although I don't need to tell anyone else that. 

I have been keeping busy making #boredombuster kits for work, but my personal creative mojo has been lacking. The only show I participate in as an artist has been cancelled. That leaves me without my largest outlet for my angels and other pottery. I understand completely and respect their decision for the health and safety of everyone. As a result, my drive to create was lost for months.

That being said, I started creating angels yesterday!  It felt soooooooo good to get my hands back into the clay. (Both physically AND mentally!)

Today, some friends gifted me with some extra money for my birthday & Christmas to buy some new glazes. Some I am re-stocking what I have used lots of, but there are some new ones in the order that I am excited to try!

Here is a blurry photo of the first few angels from yesterday. More will be made today. I have challenged myself to make several dozen before Thanksgiving.

May you all remain healthy.

I will be selling these angels at our store as well as through personal contact.

Farewell, fly high Meg.

I received news yesterday that a dear friend had passed away suddenly. Meg was not just a customer at our store, she had become like family to me.

It hit me hard, like a belly flop off the high-dive.

I am sad that this world will no longer have her smile, laughter, and zest for life.

Where is the time going?

What a crazy time we are living in right now!

So much has happened since I was last here to share. States all over the country shut down just about everything in hopes of keeping the COVID-19 virus from spreading too fast to too many people.
Our schools here in SC were closed the week of St. Patrick's Day. The restaurants, gyms, hair salons and other "close contact" businesses were not too far behind. They closed retail businesses on April 7th. We worked in the store, with appointments for curbside pick-up as well as shipping that week. We then took Good Friday and Saturday off before Easter. Starting that Monday, we spent a week working from home, filling orders and meeting customers as needed. The state allowed us to re-open on April 21, but we decided that we would limit our days and hours to 4 hours a day for 3 days a week. The numbers are still too high for comfort. Yes, they are probably not accurate, but still, neither of us wishes to be responsible for one of our high-risk family members contracting the virus because we did not follow our instincts.
Just this week, we decided to add one day (still 4 hours only). Restaurants, gyms... are all open again, and attractions were able to open this past Friday.

What we did to help with people who suddenly were needing to find things to do at home was to make up kits for creative things. Most have been greeting card kits, but we have done a simple beading kit as well as face painting on a cloth mask. Each are only $3.00! check them out on our Facebook page or our website.
As of yesterday, we had sold over 575 in 2 months! I spend my working at home time cutting the parts and assembling these kits. The living room has been taken over!

Other than purchasing a much needed new tablet on amazon, most of the stimulus money that I have spent (which is only about half) has been spent with independent businesses. I purchased masks from two friends who have Etsy shops. I purchased beads from an independent bead shop. I buy takeout meals from independent restaurants. I was a strong supporter of the Shop Local/Shop Independent movement for a long time before all of this hit the fan.

I hope whomever happens upon this post is doing well. I am grateful that at this point, I do not know anyone personally that has been diagnosed with the virus. I do know people who have had friends or family members that have.

Be safe. Be well. Be respectful of others who may deal with all of this differently than you do.

Keeping Busy in Uncertain Times

Here we all are, in the midst of a viral pandemic COVID-19. Our schools (including colleges and universities) here have been closed for 2 weeks and are closed at least until the end of April. All bars are closed, restaurants can only do take-out, curbside, or delivery. (It has forced some to temporarily close.)  People are encouraged to self-isolate, keep a minimum of 6' between, wash their hands, don't touch their face... stay home as much as possible. The big art festival (43rd Annual Spring Jubilee) has been cancelled. Parks are closed. The governor has said no social gatherings over 3 people. Things that are unheard of in my lifetime.

We have not been mandated to close our store. We try our best to practice social distancing while in the store.

We decided to offer some creative outlet for families suddenly forced to be at home. And we made up a few varieties of greeting card kits. We sell them for $3 each and they have been a big hit! Right now, we have Easter cards in the mix, but we will be adding Mother's Day cards next. There are also some all-occasion types.

They have been extremely popular and I spent a few hours this morning, here at home, cutting parts for more kits.

We have shortened our hours at the store starting tomorrow, but we have had very good business, thanks in part to the card kits (Boredom Busters AKA Virus Card Kits) and to virtual shopping for customers and either curbside pick-up or shipping.

I also took the hose and rinsed the pollen off the Equinox. I know more will be more there when I get ready to go to work tomorrow, but I got a lot off today.

May you and yours remain well.

My heart breaks again

My dear sweet Rocky is gone. My heart breaks for his human mom & dad.

He was a big fluffy bundle of personality and I had a deep connection with him while taking care of him when his parents were out of town.

I will miss you sweet Rocky.

Thinking too much...

It is February again and the dreaded Valentine's Day is just 2 days away. How I wish I could just hide away from everyone and suffer in silence.

I do have family and friends who love me. I know that. But I feel so alone this time of year, I have difficulty seeing all the couples laughing, snuggling, kissing...

By Saturday it will all be over!  That is something to celebrate!

On another note, I have received the application for Mistletoe Market 2020. I am applying again and hoping the jury will approve my entry. I just need to get the kilns fixed so I can make some more pieces.

Speaking of fixing the kilns, I have a potter friend who will come by and see if he can diagnose what is ailing the kilns. I am grateful for the friendships my creativity has forged.

OK, now I need to stop thinking too much and get back to doing.

PS - I survived! It wasn't as bad this year as last.

Family

As many know already, life changes with aging parents. Mom passed away over 8 years ago and Dad has been aging gracefully, until a about a year ago. At that time, he started becoming noticeably more unsteady on his feet. His knee replacement (Knee 3.0) of the replacement knee he wore out 5 years ago, never quite healed to his satisfaction and he has had discomfort in it since. He used a cane occasionally if he was walking on uneven ground or going to be on his feet for a while. Now, he uses it whenever he leaves the house.

Last week, he had a TIA. He bounced back pretty well, but now there is the follow-up appointments my sister is taking him to, and we take his BP daily. He is doing well, but it definitely starts to sink in that he will not live forever. I know, I really never believed he would, but still, his mortality becomes more apparent.

He called yesterday and said he was at a local park... my heart skipped a beat. Then he finished the sentence to ask if I could come home and help him take the groceries into the house. The man I always went to for opening the jars now comes to me. I was thinking in that split second that he had a medical emergency or a car accident. Yes, he still drives, but only relatively locally, and NOT after dark.

I am ever so grateful that he is still with us at 88 1/2 years old and that he has a sound mind. I hope he is still going strong for several more years.