Productive Day!!

 Today I came to the realization that my sleep schedule is finally getting back on track!  I'm going to sleep earlier...but I'm not sleeping the day away which makes me a happy camper!  I woke up at 8 this morning, enjoyed a couple cups of coffee in my mug that Mark  Campbell made for me.  I LOVE being able to look at my baby boy's smiling face every morning, and every time I drink something hot.  This is my GO TO mug, for sure!!

Once I woke up, I got to "work" and started rearranging my Etsy shop.  It needed some early spring cleaning!  Now the sections make much more sense and items can be more easily found.  Added some new items that I am quite proud of.  (You should check it out..www.etsy.com/shop/jsbarts)

And to end the day on a bright note..I threw 3 of the most beautiful bowls!!!  I can honestly say that they are the BEST I have ever made!!  I had intended on making a couple of soup bowls for a non-profit event, Empty Bowls.  But I soon realized that with 2 pounds of clay...the bowls turned out to be a little larger than a soup bowl.  More like a really large salad bowl, or a small serving bowl.  Regardless, I'm pretty proud of them!!  I'm slightly disappointed that I can only sit at my wheel for 20-30 minutes at a time before I need to take a break for at least an hour (due to my disabilities).  But, as I hone my skills, I am able to produce more pieces that are better quality in that time frame. 

Trimming a bowl

 I've had to redefine my definition of "productive".  I want to continue to make with my hands, and pump out as many of the ideas I have running around in my mind.  But I know that my body will retaliate and I will not be able to create on the wheel for days.  A slow and steady pace is one that I need to learn to embrace more than what I do.

At any rate!!  Today has been a good, productive, and a-ok day.  Even health wise..it's been ok.  Not great..but not bad either.  :)

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.