A Busy Fall

So, I have been busy. 

At the end of September Hurricane Helene came through our area and left her mark. 

Fortunately, the tree uprooted in my yard (that fell over the street) did not hit the houses on the other side of the street. And, neither my house, Terri's house, nor the store had any damage. 

There were trees down all over town, most of them uprooted. BIG oak trees, and at one time there was no way to get in or out of town. We all were blessed that as bad as it was, it was nowhere near as bad as the mountains of North Carolina. And there were places in South Carolina that were hit worse than we were as well. We knew we would have wind and rains, 

but never expected to have such strong winds for so many hours.

We lost two days of business because there was no power at the store. 

Terri and the store were without power for 2 1/2-3 days. 

I lost almost a week of production time due to having no power at my house for 6 days.

However, I was able to continue to create enough Gnomes and Friends to stock my booth at Mistletoe Market at the Anderson County Museum the beginning of November. 

I had a great show and have brought most of the remaining angel & gnome stock to the store. 

My booth at Mistletoe Market.

Limited Edition Christmas Gnomes in the background.
Penguin and Polar Bear ornaments, and Black Bears.

In between, I had house guests (my sister Regina & her husband Matt, as well as my brother Bill) who were in town for a surprise 70th Birthday celebration for my sister Sue. 

(Brother Rick also came to town but stayed at my nephew's house.) 

Sue's comment when she saw Bill & Regina the first time was "It's not nice to surprise old people!"

The whole family that was here including Sue's children (Bobby & Karen), son & daughter-in-law (Matthew & Shelly), grandchildren (Blake, Logan, Cara, and Sawyer), and grand dog Tic, Terri's husband (Rodney) and son (Ben), Rick's wife (Alice), his dog Wrigley, Regina's husband  (Matt), Aunt Celeste, and Betty (Dad's friend in his later years).

While everyone was here we took to opportunity to place Dad's ashes in the columbarium with Mom's. This was something that Terri and I did not want to do with just the two of us, 

we wanted as many of our siblings to be there as possible. 

Dad in the car on the way to the church's columbarium.

Dad on the kitchen counter wearing his Elon cap that Rick gave him and Mom's crab hat giving him a hug. The urn was designed by my father-in-law Wally Higgins and made by my sister-in-law Laurie Higgins Lang.

At the beginning of October Terri created a scarecrow display for Scarecrow Season in Pendleton. Those scarecrows are only 12" tall! The title of her display was "Fairies of the Garden".

Faeries of the Garden

Now we are prepared for Christmas at the store. And, I need to get my house listed for sale again...

 

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.

My Dad's 85th Birthday

Yes, my Dad is turning 85 on August 15, 2016!

If you are reading this and want to send my Dad a birthday card, 

his name is Bill Earl and you can send it to him through me.  

My address is PO Box 173, Pendleton, SC 29670

I just thought this would be fun to see where the cards come from.

Thank you!

A little rambling goes a long way...

Mom is home now, and she is gaining strength.  Today is a little slower, because of the chemo side-affects kicking in.  But there is definite progress.

I have been exhausted these past couple of weeks.  I wasn't always able to go to visit in the hospital, because of either preparing for the show I went to last weekend, or teaching a class.

I am extremely grateful for my 2 older sisters helping to keep Mom company, as well as taking care of Dad.  I usually ended up being the one holding down the fort at the store.  

A Wire-wrapped Pendant I made - inspired by my late friend Lucia...

My niece and her husband came up for the weekend to visit as well, at one time we had 9 people in the hospital room visiting!  I am very lucky that the large family I am a member of is very close-knit.  We come together whenever we are needed.  Not always physically together, but definitely we are there for one another.  

While I was at the show, I met some new people and had a great time with some of my show friends.  I get so much satisfaction out of doing shows.  Making the pottery is my go-to activity when I need to creatively re-charge.  

Part of my booth on Saturday morning...

The stoneware display

Tomorrow I get to spend the day teaching a Calligraphy workshop.  I am trying to instill in the students the need to practice their pen-strokes, drawing the letters and not being worried about whether theirs looks like mine or the one in the book or not... consistency is the ultimate goal.  And we even get to have lunch from The Village Baker!  MMMMMMMM - MMMMMMM - GOOD!

I tried to call my FIL yesterday to wish him a Happy Birthday, but the line was busy... I tried several times... and again today... busy signal.  I hope he knows that I love him and wish him many more birthdays to come (he just turned 85!)  My great-nephew also had his birthday yesterday... I can hardly believe he is 2 years old already!  And he is as adorable as his parents!

In a little over 2 weeks, I turn 50.  I am more than OK with that... age has never bothered me.  But, I was wondering if I should celebrate this mile-stone in some special way (other than having family here for Thanksgiving).  And if so - how?  Any ideas out there?  I can't promise you I'll be able to celebrate in the suggested way, but I am curious to hear what you think.  And please... keep it clean!

OK - enough rambling... off to take care of some pottery and other things that need attending to.

The Larger Handle Mold is FINISHED too!!

This handle needed to be about an inch longer than the handle on my original mug.   Otherwise it might not be balanced when the mug is filled with the beverage of choice...  Not wanting to deal with the fragility of carving a new handle, out of plaster, from scratch, I press molded a handle in the smaller mold, then press molded a smaller section and spliced them together.  I used my modeling clay for this process.

The model set up to pour the waste mold

The waste mold with modeling clay keys added

Once I had the waste mold made, and added some modeling clay keys, I was able to set up the coddles and cast the first side of the working mold.

ready to pour!

Then, I had to wait for the modeling clay to cool off after casting the first half of the mold.  The heat from the curing of the plaster caused the model to deform when I removed the waste mold... So we went out to eat for Dad's birthday...

Not too bad... needed a little more work before casting the second part of the mold...

Ready to pour part 2!

this is what the poured side looks like while it is curing!  Almost like watching paint dry...

Waiting to see what the mold looks like... patience!  I don't want to open the mold too quickly, the plaster might not be hard enough... breathe!

When I finally opened it, I noticed some air pockets inside... but they are patchable... and I just want to get a few mugs out of this to see how they work...

OK - it isn't a pretty mold... but it'll work!

Then I strapped it all together and put in in front of the fan to dry... With all of the humidity, I don't know if I'll be able to cast tomorrow evening or not... time will tell...

The set of molds for the larger mug!

And here is a photo of Dad's gift all wrapped this morning...  (A little bit of color to the post, plaster is kind-of boring looking...)

The Larger Mug Mold is FINISHED!!!

Despite the heat and humidity, I persevered and finished the mold for the Large Mug...

Measured & marked carefully... secured model to the coddles.

First, There was a lot that went into making this mold... I have taken some step-by-step photos to walk you through it.

Making sure the coddles meet tightly...

Adding the last side with the model attached...

After I had the box made for the plaster to be cast in, it was time to pour the plaster....

The plaster was slowly added to the water and allowed to slake for a few minuted before mixing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gently mixing the plaster so as not to introduce any bubbles...

What happens when the plaster is mixed too long... it gets messy!

I don't know where to look in that storage unit for all of my formula sheets to know how much plaster to make... so it was trial and error.  My first pour (besides being too thick) was not enough, so I needed to make more to top it off.  This part of the mold was a waste mold part to help set up for the actual working mold parts.

It cleaned up pretty well!

 After pouring that, I needed to cut some keys (registration) into the waste mold so when the working mold is finished it will fit together properly every time.

The waste mold with keys all set up for the next pouring.

Again, I sealed the surfaces with release and set up the coddles once more...

The new mold part - looks fabulous!

And the pair of working mold parts - FINISHED!

I won't show you the pouring of the second working mold part, it looks pretty much the same...

Here is the completed mold with the model showing them off for us!  

The mold all strapped together and set to dry.

I made my mark!

What to do with left over plaster :~)

Now my mold is complete!  Yay!  I just have to finish the handle mold today (it dries faster) and I can start casting.  

Please, don't put any visions in your head of me doing a happy dance, it isn't a pretty sight!  Which is why I only do one when I am alone!

And, for those of you who know that you NEVER pour unused plaster down a sink without the proper settling tank, what do you do?  I just poured it out on the ground and picked it up after it cured and threw it away!

And, as a side note... today is my Dad's 79th birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

Brrrrrr! (And a link to a give-away)

We had some icy/snowy weather here this weekend. I was doing a small show for the Electric City Shag Club in Clemson.
Though it is only 4 miles down the road, I ended up staying there, not knowing what the road conditions would be like. Thanks to friends for making sure I was safe.
The show went OK, about the same as I did last year, and, considering the economy, that is a good thing. I really enjoy this show, there are so many wonderful members of the Electric City Shag Club and other Shag Clubs in the Southeast. It is so nice to see the familiar faces each year and I have made some good friends.
Now it is time to get some much needed rest... just waiting for my laundry to finish drying...

About that give-away...
February is my younger sister's family's 'Birth Month' celebration. She, her hubby and their Munchkin all have their birthdays in February. They celebrate every day with a small gift in the pockets of a wonderful quilt. She is doing a Birth Month Give-away on her blog, just stop by there to see how to enter. She has a photo of the quilt on there, it is so bright and colorful!

I hope to have some photos of some fun things coming up later this week.

Is it June already???

I cannot believe how fast the time goes.

I have a batch of stoneware that will be firing the end of this week... I am being extra sure that they are dry from glazing before firing them. I don't have a deadline looming, I just want to get some stock made.

I am getting frustrated with the Ebony Porcelain company... I am looking for updates as to when it will be available again... nothing. I leave messages on the voice mail and send emails but no reply. I think I will mail a hand-written letter this week.

My current goal is to cast Stoneware product until the end of the month of June and then start making a small selection of Terra Cotta product.

I need to make things to fill the void of the Ebonyware...

If anyone out there knows of another source for a cone 6 black casting porcelain... please... let me know... I am having withdrawal symptoms, I have used it for nearly 20 years!!!

Birthday wishes to all of those with June Birthdays... you know who you are... I am trying to be better about sending cards... I make lots of them, but send very few.

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?

A step back in time...

This old photo/slide was taken on my birthday. (The label on the photo from my sister says 1970.) We were at my grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. To my right is my younger brother Rick, and to my left is my younger sister Regina.

I'm not sure if that was the year I had a pumpkin pie for my birthday cake, complete with a Santa Claus candle that had 'walked' to the middle.

One of Rick's artistic talents is his expertise with lighting and sound. He was always such a ham growing up, we thought he'd be on stage. He ended up preferring to be back stage.

Regina's creativity spans several media. Her most recent focus has been more on the quilting end of the spectrum, although her beading and rubber stamping are not far behind. Most of her time is spent with her 3-year old son.

There is more to their creative sides, but I have more molds to empty and some finishing work to do on other pieces.