Trimming mugs is really hard when snot is running down your face, just sayin....

I loved our time in Costa Rica, but since I got off the plane 9 days ago, I have been getting sicker and sicker. First it was utter exhaustion that went on for days, then the razor blade feeling in the throat, voice disappearing and now I am a complete and utter mucus factory.
Here are a few of the utterly beautiful vistas from Costa Rica.

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Orchids everywhere!

Mountain Lion in a Refuge Center at La Paz Waterfall

I am utterly shattered, but trying to keep on target with production.  I have lots of little bits and bobs, but I really need to have a new good selection of mugs, butter keepers, garlic pots, salt shakers and serving pieces for all the shows I have now booked myself into. Glad to be accepted, but I need to produce some stock to make it all worthwhile.

I have just applied to Etsy Made In Canada Day, know that I will be at Homespun in Carlyle, Sunflower in Yorkton, Manitoba Fibre Festival and Brandonès Big One....its a little overwhelming to put it all in one sentence. Yikes! Spring means I am still making some fairy houses, mushrooms and more goodies to spur on the imagination as well as some plant pots for the deck and garden.

Fall madness! Making, stocking and selling

For all of us in the maker population fall is a wild and frenetic time.  I took some more stock into our beautiful Pop Up Flash Boutique. Tomorrow I am taking turquoise plates and leaves over to Exchange Uporium. Check out our Pop Ups if you are in the downtown or Exchange district, they show how artists collaborating can make beautiful things, and the money stays with the creators. It is our time to crank it out, and keep on smiling from now until December 31st. We usuallly make 50% or more of the years income during this period of time.

 I feel like I am throwing and trimming mugs in my sleep. So....I thought a few goblets would be nice to change it up. Here are some photos of the process taken by my Mr. G, a little shaky, but still give the idea.

smooth it out, keep it steady

trim some more, and hope they come out in one piece on Thursday!

In High GEAR

What, how did we get to the end of October, I cannot speak.  So instead I will throw and trim for all the upcoming shows, sales and orders.  Yet again, it is hard to know how busy I want to be.  Halloween is a big deal at my house, someones favorite holiday.  He was my little photographer yesterday in the studio, so forgive a bit of blurriness, we could call it an artistic interpretation.

Lots of sales, but next is Hot to Shop at the lovely Dalnavert Museum, a first time event, but Tammy Vogel the organizer is really promoting, so I am hoping for a stellar sale!

St. Boniface Hospital Science and Craft sale, November 14th 10-5pm.  Kids will be in school, so easier for me and hopefully some of the shoppers.  Kiln is firing up some tests today for a new store and one of my soapy Louise friends of SoGa soaps.

fingers on the clay guiding the trimming tool

 

My own kind of Gala

tonight I was supposed to go to the Empty Bowls Gala, but I dashed home to trim a few mugs, and just felt so happy I thought , why would I want to be anywhere else.  I don't think I am becoming anti social, but quiet time in the studio is something I don't get very often.  I liked having an hour with just the cups to concentrate before a little fellow came home to be fed.  Here are some of the results...

More mugs with a few new design variations

wine tumblers as I am running low

My sharp dressed man ready for picture day

a prototype shaving mug for Louise V, of SoGa

Labour Day Labours

Labour may not be the right word, unless it means work in your happy place.  I got a good start this morning, and am now waiting for things to dry enough to be trimmed.  Here a few samples, that may leave you scratching your head as to where I am going with these pieces.