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. 



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.