Merry Christmas

A little late, but I have been enjoying my time with family this holiday season.  :)  We had an amazing Christmas!  Aside from the adults (myself, my fiance, and my cousin who is visiting) all getting sick throughout the week, I would say that Christmas couldn't have been better.  Our tree may have been a little slimmer than what we wanted; but thanks to the future in-laws, that changed when they came up Christmas day!  But in reality....Christmas isn't about what you get, or how much is spent.  It's about the magic that happens during the season and spending time with family.  It is my favorite time of year!  I hope you enjoy our Christmas pictures. 

 

New Traditions

Sitting in the living room alone tonight while my fiance has been in bed for hours, I'm left with late night television and my thoughts.  2012 has been a hard year for a lot of reasons.  I am forever the optimist...always finding the silver lining in every situation.  My fiance and I are looking for a home closer to where my son lives with his father to make things less difficult for my son (Side note - my son lives with his dad due to my health.  long story short.  One of these days I'll get more in depth with the explanation...).  But looking for a house that works with what I need as far as accessibility (need to be able to get around in the wheelchair), and what my fiance wants as far as land, and being in a good school for Caden...and still trying to find something within our price range...HA.  NOT happening...  But then things started getting busier with my business.  Ya know the saying that when one door closes, look for the open window??  Or something along those lines...This may be it.  Patience is not my forte, but I may need to embrace it for this house hunt.  My business is growing in popularity and sales...perhaps the increase in sales and exposure is the window that opened up for us for finding the right home...Silver linings in every situation...  :)

Along those same lines...I was speaking to a friend of mine that made one helluva suggestion.  I am thinking of starting a limited edition ornament for each month, that will only be created during that specified month.  I have a few ideas floating around...but would LOVE your suggestions.  What kind of limited edition ceramic ornaments would YOU like to see??  I was thinking of an edited version of the Mayan Calender for January 2013...We survived the apocalypse!  :-D  Looking forward to your thoughts!

TTFN

Riddled With Grief

 Today has been an emotional day for many.  My heart aches and has broken for the families affected this morning by the horrific actions of a single man.  My 10 year old son, living with his father in Massachusetts, is thankfully safe and sound in the arms of daddy.  I wanted nothing more than to grab him in my arms and hold him tight.  I am at a loss for words.  I had so much I wanted to write and discuss, but none of that seems important today.  I am consumed with grief, depression, sadness, and great emotional turmoil.

I have a great desire to create with my hands this bleak night.  Clay is a wonderful outlet for all emotions.

The photos I was going to put up today will get put up tomorrow.  Tonight, take time to pray to the God(s) of your faith, tell your loved ones you love them, and hug your family a little tighter tonight.  Be thankful for the blessings in your life and send positive and healing thoughts to those affected by the travesty that occurred today.

From Raw Clay to Finished Ceramics

Happy Hump Day!!

I get a lot of questions as to why it takes so long to get a custom order done.  People don't understand that turning raw clay into a finished ceramic piece takes a lot of time.  The more intricate a piece, obviously the more time has been spent.  So, I figured I would give you a run down on what it takes from start to finish.  :)

Chaos VS Order

Good evening to all! 

Man is my sleep schedule all FUBAR!!!  I haven't been falling asleep until sometime between 0400 and 0500 in the morning and waking up after 1400 (2pm)!!  OY!  Today was no different.  So while everyone else is getting ready to eat supper, I'm gearing up for my lunch.  :)  Damn insomnia...if you can call it that.  Once I fall asleep, I stay asleep for the most part.  So I don't know if I can call it insomnia.

FINALLY was able to wrap some Christmas presents that I had ordered online.  Made me a happy camper.  Seeing something under the tree.  It's not much, but it still put a smile on my face.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Christmas???  :-D  Now, I'm impatiently awaiting for the rest of my goodies to get here.

Through some networking, I have come across several blogs in recent days and have noticed a theme amongst many of them.  They have a schedule of postings, so to speak.  On Mondays, certain topics are discussed, Tuesdays might be to highlight treasures they've found or treasuries...etc.  What do YOU think of that kind of set-up???  As readers, do you like/prefer blogs that have a set schedule of postings, or do you like the random tidbits and posts?  Let me know in the comments section!  Would love lots of feedback on this one!

Sunday Musings

Happy Sunday!  Anyone else out in the cyber world, writing blogs and not watching football?  I'm sitting here in my chaise, in front of the fireplace, talking to you all while my fiance watches his football.  I love our Sundays...they work for us!  :)

A ceramic colleague friend of mine, Mark Campbell, started a contest on his Facebook page last week.  He asked us to submit our favorite photos, and a group of judges (not him) would judge on the best photo.  He would then take that photo and use it as a decal on a vase that he made and gift it to the winner.  You can see the contest HERE.  I entered a picture of me and my punkerhead.  <3  This photo was taken over Thanksgiving this year.  He is my pride and joy!!!  He lives with his father most of the time due to my health.  It sucks.  But, we make the best of it! Needless to say, I did not win the contest this time around.  The competition was steep!  There were lots of great photographs submitted. 

I get asked at times why I am so friendly with other ceramic artists and potters when they are my direct competition.  We each have our individual talents and pieces we enjoy making.  Mark is very talented and does some amazing decal work.  I, on the other hand, have no desire (nor the proper equipment) to begin doing decal work.  I like making my small, handmade pieces.  The detail is what I enjoy.  While I know I will probably never be able to make mass quantities due to this level of detail and personalization; it is what I enjoy.  AND I can do it even when my legs choose to hate me that day and hurt like hell!  heh  By speaking with and collaborating with a myriad of potters and ceramic artists, we all take what we can from one another's experiences.  We help one another to become the best we can be.  It is the camaraderie I miss now that I am no longer in the military.  We may never meet in person, but our virtual relationships are true and impacting. 

You can find Mark's Ceramic business on Facebook and Etsy.

My Punkerhead

Today, my punkerhead earned his yellow belt.  I am SOOOOOO proud of him!  My only regret, is that I was not there to witness it myself.  However, thankfully his step-mom and I have a good relationship.  She took videos and pictures of the testing for me.  He knew his forms VERY well and broke a board using a front kick!  If only words could describe how proud I am!



HE DID IT!!!!   His first testing...from white belt to yellow belt.  <3

Busy Working...Could Really Use Some Christmas Elves!!

The last few days have been CRAZY busy!  Trying to get all the custom orders I received for Christmas done and mailed so they actually arrive in time to be put under the tree.  I've been making LOTS of ornaments.  I'm working on a custom ornament now that I'm actually pretty excited about.  It's VERY detailed, but if I can make it work...it will be exquisite!  Don't worry...I'll post pics here. :)  But with all this over night business, I haven't had much time to work on Christmas present for MY family...So I'm still heavily in production mode!  Can you believe Christmas is only 22 days away?!?!?  OMG!!  Where did the time go?!?

 Lots of new goodies pulled out of the kiln and listed on Etsy last night and today...Here's a sneak peak!

I've been doing LOTS of hand building and not as much work on the wheel.  I'm really loving what I'm coming up with though....Especially the fused glass ring holders!!!  REALLY love the way the purple flower and the fused glass turned out..  BEAUTIFUL!!

Well, I guess that's enough procrastinating for today...time to get back to work.  Really does make me a happy camper though.  People LIKE my ceramics enough to buy them for themselves or as gifts.  I'm helping bring in a little extra money to help our family...You have no idea how much of a boost that can be to someone who cannot hold a regular job.  I have to be able to work on my schedule, which is never predictable.  Just last night/this morning...I stayed up all night and finally fell asleep at 0800 this morning!  Slept for 4 hours...and now here I am!  So anyway...being able to bring in a little extra money by doing something I absolutely LOVE is amazing...

Well, I guess I shall get back to work now.  :)  Thank you all for "listening" and participating in my endeavors!  <3

TTFN

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

November 29...and the first "real snow" is on the ground.  The once green and brown ground is now covered in white fluffy stuff.  All day, as I worked in my studio with clay in my hands, I couldn't help but open the curtains and watch the slow, graceful decent the snowflakes were taking today.  I was never one that really cared for snow until recent years.  I hate being cold and having to put on cumbersome layers of clothing just to stay warm.  My sister Andrea helped changed all that.  She taught me to cross country ski 3 winters ago.  I won't be able to ski this winter due to my legs, but I can remember the simple pleasures being out in the snow gave me.  The chilly nose to nose kisses I use to have give my son when we would play in the snow building snowmen.  This year, Justin and I are going to figure out a way to get me up to where he is cutting our Christmas tree down.  I am taking my iPad with us.  I have Skype on it, and we plan on involving my son, Caden, in cutting down our tree...all the way from Massachusetts (where he lives with his dad and step-mom right now).  :)  Can't wait for all 3 of us to get our tree, to get it set up, and to decorate it together.

 No matter how much I've always disliked the winter, I have always LOVED Christmas!!  I love the magic of the season.  The magic of Santa and his reindeer; the elves and their toys.  Where acts of random kindness and stories of Pay It Forward seem to fill the media air waves.  The smiles on people's faces as they unwrap their goodies.  "Kindness and goodwill towards men".  :)

After several full days of creating, I am getting ready to start a bisque kiln and let the kiln work its magic for the evening.  In the late morning, early afternoon, I shall begin my crazy afternoon of glazing like a mad woman to be able to start a second kiln tomorrow night...the "glaze kiln". 

Well today has started to off to be a GREAT day! Aside from still feeling miserable (been battling an upper respiratory infection the last several days), I checked my mail on Etsy to discover I have been featured in a blog!! She sent me some questions and conducted an "E-interview" just yesterday! I wasn't expecting to be featured so soon! SO EXCITING!! PLEASE check it out and share Kelly some love! www.kellystahley.com/2/post/2012/11/jsb-arts.html Well, my honey just got home with the mail...and I have several packages I need to go through, unpack and inventory...and then I need to get to work in the studio. LOTS of custom orders to work on! Thank you to all who are patiently waiting for their order! TTFN!

Cyber Monday

Good afternoon to all!  I cannot believe today is CYBER MONDAY!!  Where did this year go?!?  It has definitely been a very crazy year full of never ending roller coasters.  My health has had its ups and downs, I started my little pottery business on Etsy thanks to the prodding of my wonderful then boyfriend, I got ENGAGED!!!!!, we moved 4 hours north to be able to live on a single floor home...goodness.  Makes me tired just thinking of it!

My fiance and I, the night we got engaged.  <3

I am continuously embracing Social Media.  It has had such an amazing impact on my outreach, networking, and all that good stuff!  You can find me all over the place!


Pinterest : pinterest.com/jsbarts
Facebok : www.facebook.com/jsbarts
Etsy : www.etsy.com/shop/jsbarts

Twitter : @JSB_Arts
Webpage : www.jsbmaine.com

I am running a sale today until MIDNIGHT.  Enter HOLIDAY15 into the coupon code at my Etsy store, and receive 15% off your entire order.  You can see a sampling of my work all throughout this entry..  :)  Hope to see you there! 

As Porky Pig would say "That's All Folks"!  I have photos to edit and clay to play with.  :)

TTFN!

I had started a blog on iPage, but it didn't allow people to subscribe or follow it.  I wanted to have that ability.  So here I am! 

I promise there will be more to follow.  Until then, please visit www.jsbmaine.com for more information on me, my story, and my ceramics.

TTFN my friends!

Shawna
USA (ret)