digging out to dig in...

It was quite a weekend - 2nd Saturday continues to have growing lessons, all of which make the next one even better, and it continues to give me the opportunity to meet and talk to some very cool people, both vendors and the neighbors and visitors who come to see us. Each month, we grow, in all sorts of ways and directions, and I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Sunday was a beautiful day to be in a live market, and the steady stream of people going by and through the booth was complimented by a lovely breeze that always had me grateful and cool! This was my first Big Crafty, and it was great to be a part of such a creative and eclectic group of artists, and to talk to so many folks from near and far - not only about my work, but about the joys and benefits of the live market experience. Thanks again to Brandy & Justin for putting together and running a superb event - if I'm fortunate to get into another, I'm planning a booth bud so I can get around to see more of the other Crafties, but you'll never hear me complain because I was too busy to leave my booth!

Fellow potter and friend Anthony did turn up right at the end and gave the most appreciated help in taking the booth down - it was a smooth day from start to finish, so much so that I didn't even notice how exhausted I was until I was at home! Seemed like it was the long-awaited exhale from the past month of production work, firing cycle, show prep and the events themselves.

So Monday was a bit of catch up and easing back into a new cycle of work. I also welcomed new assistant Brittany, who jumped right in to help me clear out some of the hurricane that hit the studio last week. She even got a little time to get on the wheel too!

welcome Brittany!

So yesterday through this afternoon has been slow unpacking, more hiking with the pup, dittering about town and coming down from the firing-into-show cycle. Next up is to sort out the production list for the next cycle: mugs for Izzy's, back stock for Roots, Sparrow, Clingman and the ChoLo. But the bulk of the next cycle is dedicated to a new and exciting venture. More about that when there's more to say ...

Also on the docket is preparing for a one-on-one workshop next week, that I'm very excited about. More on that soon too...

feelin' the love, claiming the power...

Yesterday I closed the studio so I could participate and vend at the Women's Business Conference, sponsored by Mountain Biz Works. I attended last year, just days after I found out I had been approved for my start up and was about to sign the lease on my studio. I stayed up till 3am printing info with my new address, I was so excited! This year I admit I'm excited again, not the least of which is because I'm still here!

The theme and message that I kept picking up through all the keynote speakers, breakout session and even in random chatter with other attendees was INTENTION. Living intentionally, re-training your mind set to truly from your core let your intentions lead the way - focus on what you want, not the need. My friend and GO mentor Jane led the breakout I attended, and she gave a quote (my apologies for not remembering the original quoter) that I may put on the wall: "Fear is just excitement without the breathe." Keep breathing.

Right up my alley, yet as I was just telling a friend and client, it seems to be something I have to keep reminding myself. In one exercise where we were asked to list a 'hope', my initial response was 'enough', which I initially thought was 'enough'. But I was reminded by said friend and client that perhaps I should be focusing on 'abundance', as 'enough' might just be what keeps me chin deep in water, wondering if perhaps there's a leak in the roof, and abundance may actually allow me to grow. hmmmmmm.

We were a group of about 200 extremely smart, talented, motivated and inspirational women. It's hard to maintain negative energy or a feeling of isolation in that kind of company, and I can still feel the buzz from all that power sharing!

I also vended in the Member's Market, and made some wonderful contacts that I'm looking forward to expanding in the coming weeks. And my table had extra good juju as it was the first 'official' day for my new assistant, Lily.

Lily is a student at UNCA with just enough clay experience in high school to know she wants to know more, which is the kind of person I like having around the studio! She also graciously agreed to spend the day with me at the conference, allowing me to step away from my table for the break out session and to chase down people I wanted to talk with. It was great to see the conference through her eyes, and hear her own responses to the questions posed among attendees. I'm so glad she was able to be there to get her own inspiration - I'm looking forward to watching her become a young entrepreneur, and I'm very happy to have her join the studio!

Having glazed and fired right before the conference, then glazed and now waiting to fire again, the studio looks a bit like it was ransacked. So today is cleaning, sorting and packing pots for delivery and shipping, and taking inventory on materials so I can get back to the 'do' list. Most of the last two and next kiln are for commissions, but I hope to have new work of my own to show soon, so stay tuned!

more welcomes and other studio news

The welcomes continue, although Teva got in and out without me getting her picture (and she even cleaned the sink trap, which would have been such a great glam shot!). I'll get her next time she's here to do her own work.

But I did manage to get one new face logged!

Katie S (we have two Katies, if you're keeping count) joined the
studio last month and is getting her own 'art therapy' after
a day of counseling others

And in other studio news, yours truly was filmed for a web-based 'documentary' that's being produced at the website Our Next Thing, which chronicles the adventures of people who have made career changes and subsequently great life changes. Greg and Brooke were wonderful to work with, and made chatting incessantly about myself actually seem relevant! It never occurred to me to take out my camera and document my own documenting, so you'll just have to wait for me to get a copy of the trailer. But here's a shot from our first interview...

...soon to be featured on a website near you!

And a special shout out of thanks to Dan & Jael from the Chocolate Lounge for coming over during the shoot to take part, and to Heather Tinnaro for also hanging out and being extremely gracious to throw beautiful bowls for the camera (that are now designated for Empty Bowls). My friends rock!

In other exciting studio news, I've finally taken the Etsy plunge! I've only got a few things listed, and while I should be putting the studio back in order from the film shoot, and getting back on the wheel to start on mugs for the Chocolate Lounge, I'll be on the Etsy site soon to add more items. You can check out the page at a link somewhere over on the right side of the blog.

OK - cleaning up the studio and throwing some mug bases before I have to go home and start sorting things for the yard sale (right - if you're in Asheville, check out the yard sale listing for details and come on by!). peace.