What's New

You may have noticed that the URL for this blog is no longer www.muddypuppottery.com.  The exciting part about the news is that I have launched a new website, along with an online store!  

I'm pretty excited about the new layout, so I encourage you to head on over and check it out.  Click here!

Prepping My (Online) Store

After a bit of an online hiatus, I finally was able to decide on a storefront.  It took a while to reassess my inventory and get them posted.

I posted on Storenvy for a while, and then did some more thinking.  I listed out some of the pros and cons of Etsy a few months ago, but wasn't sure about Storenvy.

What I loved: Customization.  Storenvy is highly customizable, and easy to figure out.  I had a lot of fun playing with the HTML code and making the page match my blog.  I was able to put an interactive tab on my Facebook page and easily spread the word about each product.

Less than awesome: Over the course of a few weeks, I discovered that the only traffic to my listing was traffic that I drove.  This would have been fine for some but while I'm still working full time, I depend an pre-existing community.

So, after some thinking and exploring, I have returned to Etsy.  Luckily, in my time away, Etsy has made some cool updates to their service. Next, it's time to work on some more pottery!

The life of a pot || Some things are meant to be broken

The conversation started at a recent arts festival.  A woman picked up a mug of mine and told me that she could see my personality in it.  We talked for a while about the relationship you have with something you've made, and how you put a little bit of yourself into anything you make.  More than your touch, you put your soul into it.

The woman asked if I ever thought about where my pots would end up.  Would they be given as a gift?  Would they be put on a shelf somewhere?  Would they be used?  Would they become someone's favorite?  The possibilities are endless.

I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now.  I realized that somehow in the end of every pot I make, it will be broken.  I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but whether it's in a week, a year, ten years or even a century from now, each piece of pottery will be dropped, knocked over, chipped in the dishwasher, or smashed by a clumsy husband (maybe I speak from experience...).

This is a good thing for us potters.  The relationship you have with a piece of pottery is like a friendship.  There's a level of trust you build, a fondness, and eventually an end.  But once that mug is broken, the search begins again for the favorite mug.  On the search you hold many mugs, imagining your favorite coffee blend, researching the hold of the handle, feeling the weight, and deciding whether it's well suited for you.  Once you find that new mug, there's a courtship.  The first time you test it out.  The trust you build that the mug won't splash your face or cut your lip.  The satisfaction when the mug has done it's job and has become your new favorite.  

What if no one ever broke another mug?  There would never be a need to make more pottery, and I'd have to find another passion. 

So when it all comes down to it, I'm thankful for things that are meant to be broken.  Just like in life with relationships with people, with every mug I make I have new learnings, failures, trials, and successes.  My hope is that my pottery will have a relationship with someone someday before it breaks.

Pottery and Festival Fun

I've been a little quiet online lately, but that only means that life has been wonderfully busy.  The hubs is off galavanting around the world, and I've been all over the place! 

I'm getting some of my pottery inventory together for one of the most fun festivals I've had the pleasure of attending, the Heart of Virginia Festival.  This festival has always given me great memories from when I was younger.  I'm from a small town in the middle of Virginia, and every year the town and surrounding counties throw a great party on Main Street and High Street, and have a huge fireworks show in the evening.  This year will be the first time in a while I've been able to attend as a vendor, and I'm really looking forward to showing every one at home what I've been up to. 

Lately, I've also been trying to make a set for our house.  I've settled on a really cool green celedon glaze on the white stoneware I've been using, and I've really liked it.  For some reason I accidentally glazed one of the bowls blue, but it kind of made me want to have a mix n matched set with blue and green!

One of the things I've been told is to always split one of your peices in half to see whether your pottery has even walls, the shape of the foot, and other information you can glean from the expereince.  Well, I've always been stubborn and not done this, but it seems that this dishwasher casualty forced me into this excersize.  Looks like I need to work on trimming the bottom of my walls so they are even with the rest of the walls!

To go along with the set, I've also been working on some plates.  It's been a while since I threw plates, so I'm a little nervous on how they turn out.   I had also forgotten how much trimming is left over when you work on plates.  After 6 of them, I had enough clay to make a few more!

Another fun project I tried was a side car salsa dish.  I think overall the design was a success, though the excecution could have left a little to be desired.  This particular one got  a tiny S crack in the big bowl.  So now, it will live a life as a guitar pick and tuner holder. 

Among all of the pottery I've been working on, I've really enjoyed doing the mugs.  Mugs are so much more personal than any dishware you use.  You not only put something you're about to consume in it, but you hold it, and put it up to your lips.  Using a mug comes with trusting the person who made it and to me, its a great honor to have earned that trust. 



Little Talks... in little notebooks

I picked up these fun little notebooks from Target the other day to try something new.

My goal is to try to keep a journal of the foods that I eat, my weight, and whatever other little tidbits I end up jotting down.  I think if I start to keep track of these things, I can really look back and see what I'm doing and what I can improve upon.  I'm sure little sketches of pottery ideas will end up in there too!

Speaking of pottery, I got this cute little bowl out of the kiln room the other day, and I must say, I'm pleased with it!  I think I would like to attempt a set for our house, and this celedon green is exactly what I want to use.  

Also, I got this cool little tip from Ceramics Daily.  Too often do I think something is a great idea and then immediately forget about it! This guy is doing some details on the bottom of the teapot lid to add some beauty to something so functional.  I love it!  There's nothing saying that something can't be functional and beautiful  right?

[source]

Happy Halloween!

I think the last of the trick-or-treaters just came through!  This is my first time living in a house with kids in the neighborhood.  I think we got lucky and bought the perfect amount of candy- 7 bags was enough for us to have 2 handfuls left over.  Now its beers and soup on a wonderfully chilly, post-hurricane evening.

By the way, check out my most recent favorite mug for the holiday.  I made it with a mix of light and dark clay, and I just took it out of the kiln room yesterday.  Btw, I totally stole the idea from an Instagram friend.  Her stuff is really awesome- you can find her here: www.mudqueenpottery.etsy.com

The search for my storefront | Pros and Cons of Etsy

The nice thing about a storefront is that it can sell your stuff when you're not able to be in front of someone talking up your wares.  When you can't go sell in person, how else are you supposed to make a living off of your hard work?  Or make room on your shelves for new works?!

So I've been toying with the idea of switching away from Etsy and using a store that can be themed to look like my website... Or even better look seamless.  I've been playing with Storenvy, and I think I like what I've seen so far.  It will take me some time to figure out what I think, but I might make the transition.

I've been with Etsy for quite a few years between Muddy Pup Pottery and KBratcher.  Here are the pros and cons of my experience with Etsy:

Pros:

• Social atmosphere. Etsy has a great social atmosphere where you can do an easy search and find anything you want.  People can link to each other's shops, find quite a bit of creative inspiration, and stumble across things you love.
• Easy to build.  If you don't have web experience, have no fear.  It's super easy to upload your pictures, write a description, name your price, and you're good to go!
• Emails.  On a daily basis I get a themed email from Etsy with products from around the site.  I love seeing what other people are up to.  I don't often get a chance to poke around, and this is a nice way to see what people are making without having to leave the comfort of my inbox.
• Following.  Etsy already has a great following and large fan base.  Most people have heard about it, and if they haven't, its easy to get hooked on.
• Consumer friendly.  If someone finds your shop, it's super easy to make a purchase.  They are very clear about shipping being separate for each purchase with each vendor, friendly with credit card transactions, and easy for PayPal users.  

Cons:

• Lack of customization.  Sure, they've added a page where you can inform your buyers about who you are and what you do, but there is so little room to make your shop look the way you'd like.  
• Saturation.  The market on Etsy is so saturated that it's tough to stand out.  If you have something that is really unique, you might make it through.  But if you do something that is easy for the general consumer to pick up and learn, you might be S-O-L.  
• Targeted.  Etsy is very targeted towards women.  If your shop is geared towards guys, you most likely will be making the most sales around Christmas.
• Expiration.  If you have a listing that goes up and doesn't sell, you need to pay attention.  After a bit the items expire and you have to go in and renew for a fee. 
• Cost.  If you don't have a chance to do much advertising and don't gross as many sales as you'd hope, you've spent $0.20 to list.  If it expires, you need to pay that to re-list.  If you do get a sale, they take 3.5% of the sale price.  If you pay into the advertising, that is another fee altogether.  $5 in a week will get you about 4,300 impressions.  I'll tell you, I see a lot more action on my shop if I just list a few new things, and that only costs me 20 cents.   

We'll see what happens.  I'll keep poking around and keep you in the loop on whether I switch over or not!  

Until then, keep on keepin on!

Moving Sale!

This weekend is going to become crazy moving madness time, and so I'll be shutting down my shop on Etsy for a few days.  For the next 24 hours, I'll have a promo code available in celebration: MOVING12 will get you 15% everything in the store.   

  

  

Woohoo!  Almost home owners!!  Can you tell I'm getting excited?  Last night we did the closing tour and today we sign the closing papers.  Crazy moving madness in 3...2...1...

Summer Shows and Inspiration

Excessive heat- they're not lying!

This morning I went out for a craft fair benefiting a local childrens hospital, and had a great time.  I'm looking forward to hearing how much they raised to donate to the hospital.  I've decided I'm going to skip tomorrow's show as it's scheduled to be even hotter than today.  I'd rather transfer my booth fee to a later month than pass out from heat exhaustion!

Today I met some really neat people and was able to help out a fellow artist in need.  Last night I got an email asking if there was any way I could help out by picking up some art work for an artist who could not make it to the show today.  At first this struck me as strange, but then I was filled in a little more and was glad to help.  This woman was on the run and had been relocated for her own protection.  The art she had been creating was made with what she could find- mostly acrylic paint and cardboard.  With such simplistic supplies, her works carried an incredibly deep and heavy meaning: she would never give up no matter how hard things got.  After looking at the pieces, it really made me realize how much I take for granted.  I'm so lucky to be married to such a wonderfully sweet guy.  I'm so lucky to have a job that I love, and hobbies I am passionate about.  I am so lucky to have a supportive and caring family and friends to hold me up when I need it most.  And my appreciation for a warm bed and a private bathroom is greater than ever.  Today made me have a great feeling of hope for this woman I have never met, but have been touched by her paintings.  All around, today was about supporting others in need, even if you've never met them.

I'm excited to do some shows later this summer... Maybe when it's not a bajillion degrees.  Most likely I will wait until after we move, but we'll see.  

Until then, I will be brainstorming on what I can do to boost my booth and make it look even better.  
What do you think?

Song of the hour: Warrior by Kimbra, Mark Foster and A-Trak.  I felt like this was an appropriate song for today, plus it's so wonderfully addictive!!

Craft Shows Galore!

This upcoming weekend is going to be a busy time!  Muddy Pup Pottery will be hopping in the car for 2 shows this weekend: Chili's Craft Fair and Second Sundays Festival.

CHKD- Annual Summer Chili’s Vendor Craft Fair

On Sunday, July 7, I will be heading to Newport News for the Chili's Craft Fair to support CHKD.   The event will have booths of artists all over the peninsula, plus a bounce house, craft station for kids, and a silent auction.  All proceeds are being donated to CHKD.

Second Sundays Art and Music Festival

On Sunday, July 8, I will be heading back to Williamsburg for a monthly Art and Music Festival.  This festival is a lot of fun- every month Price George Street is closed off and filled with artists, crafters, musicians and vendors.  

I'm really looking forward to both shows.  I always have fun wandering around other people's booths and talking to people.  There is always good company, good music and excellent gifts to be purchased!

Song of the hour:  September (by Earth Wind and Fire) by PomplamooseMusic.  Have you seen these two?  I love all of their cover songs.  So much fun.  Also, the puppet on the drum foot pedal definitely makes me smile.

Who is the Muddy Pup?

Muddy Pup Pottery was inspired by my wonderful pup, Cody.  He's the first dog I've owned since I was a kid, and he is my right side pooch.  He's definitely a mama's boy, and has to be as close to me as possible all the time.  Yes, that's right.  He has a mohawk.  Not always, but he just got a summer cut and we couldn't resist leaving a little bit on top just for fun. 

I got him back in April of 2011, and have been loving every moment of his wonderful fuzzy self ever since.  He's half Shih Tzu, half Yorkie.  We call him a Shorkie, though depending on the day he can also be a Shitshire Terrier.  :)

As for the pottery, I've been playing with clay long before Cody was a twinkle in his real mama's eye.  In college, I started as an Elementary Education major.  At one point I decided it wasn't for me and switched to Art Education.  After another semester, I decided I needed to pursue art and I didn't want to teach.  I started taking all the studio classes I could: Wood working, stained glass, jewelry making, drawing, photography.  I did well in all of them, and none of them were a challenge.  Then, I came across pottery.  It was the first class that I didn't immediately get the hang of it.  It was the first time I had been challenged in any of my art classes.  This is where my passion started.

In college, I couldn't throw round things.  I don't know if it was lack of sleep for 4 years, or a time crunch on getting homework done.  Or maybe it was the police standing over me saying "The building closed an hour ago.. You need to get out... It's not my problem you can't bring your homework home with you."  Or maybe I hadn't yet developed my touch.  Regardless, I began to alter my pieces and explore some really interesting shapes.

If you look at my work then and compare it to my work now, its drastically different.  I would like to say I am a better potter now than I was then, but I think my touch is just more developed.

Throughout the year, my goal for myself is to start pushing the envelope again.  Start playing more.  Don't be afraid to make something totally out there.  Looking back, the 2 pieces that were in the highest demand that I made were juice cups that looked like toilets and a serving platter made to look like a uterus.  Why not push the envelope a bit?

Song of the hour:  I Believe in a Thing Called Love by the Darkness.  Have you ever seen this video?  It's pretty ridiculous.  In an incredibly awesome way.