Happy International Women's Day!

I'm wearing red in the Gallery today - our small business did not close to Strike, but we support those who did, and we are all grateful to those who are bringing business to our Village that is owned and operated by six fabulous women and one incredible man who has earned honorary womanhood for today. 

It's also very appropriate that International Women's Day falls in March, which is also my mom's birthday, and if you have my Monthly Planner, you know it's also the month I brag on her and feature her Chicken & Onions recipe, which is one of my all-time favorite dishes of food, ever.

My mom is my first and still favorite role model in life, and I think I must be living my life well as I think about the many, many incredible women that I count as the closest of friends, mentors, clients, collaborators, co-conspirators, and the truest examples of love and of what is good in this world. Much love to you all.

It's Big Crafty Time!

I don't get out to do shows much anymore. I love getting to chat leisurely with folks about my work and watch them find pieces they love - not something I get to do when I'm not in the gallery. It's fun, but it's exhausting, and happily my own gallery keeps me busy filling inventory, plus I have an eclectic mix of clients that grace me with many opportunities to design and make new work. 

That being said, The Big Crafty is a really, really fun show. Plus, it's here in my town, and a lot of other artist friends who I don't get to see much are likely to be in the show or attending the show, so it's a win all around. I get to see friends, plus spend the day chatting with folks about my work. 

Conversation Plate by Holly de Saillan

This year will be a bit different in two ways: my usual cohort and table partner, Holly deSaillan (clay & mosaics by Holly de Saillan), will be at The Big Crafty, but she's filling her own entire space this year, and I can't WAIT to see her new work! I'm still happy filling half a space, so I was thrilled when Angelique Tassistro (Fly Coop Studios) agreed to apply with me and share the space. And even better, we're right next to Holly!

Olive Dishes by Angelique Tassitro 

The other difference this year is that I'm taking the opportunity to try some new designs out on my work that I bring to the show. To keep myself from going too crazy, I limited myself to drinking vessels - in fact that's all I'll have at this show: mugs, tea bowls, tumblers and cups. I'll have a few of my current designs, but I'll also have a larger grouping of sgraffito and relief-carved pieces in new designs. Some will enjoy their fun at The Big Crafty and happily retire, but some will find their way into other facets of my work.

New work, new glaze, new firing fun!

I hope you'll come by and check it out - you'll only find it at The Big Crafty, or you'll have to wait and see if/how it shows up again!

The Big Crafty is on Sunday, July 12 from 12-6pm in downtown Asheville at the Asheville Art Museum. Vendors will be outside and inside, and you'll find me and Angelique inside, on the lower level, at space #48.

Sunday, July 7: The Big Crafty!

Where I'll be this Sunday:

Sunday, July 7 from 12-6pm

And the only thing more fun than returning to The Big Crafty is doing it with with a good friend! I'm very pleased to be sharing a booth with the excessively talented and lovely Holly de Saillan of Holly de Saillan Clay & Mosaic. Come and see us, along with over 100 other fabulous indie artists and craftspeeps.

conversation plates by holly de saillan

The Big Crafty happens this Sunday, July 7 from 12-6pm, downtown Asheville, at the Asheville Art Museum. Admission is free and in addition to a celebration of all things handmade, you'll find local food, beer, and some toe-tappin' tunes. 

new/more work in the 'smokey shino' glaze coming soon!

I'm loading the kiln today for some kiln-fresh goodies to show on Sunday - come by and see what's new!

smokey shino

smokey shino

A look at the new Shino application on some sake sets and bottles (above) and other new service/dinner ware (below). I moved recently, and because of a busy studio schedule I was lamenting not being able to just stay at the house and get settled. Be careful what you wish for - significant plumbing needed doing, so I've been at the house most of the week and will be most of today. Not able to really settle in until the plumbing is done, and definitely not able to tend that busy studio schedule! So I'll just look at the pretty pots and make longer lists of what's to come...

'starry night' and 'dancing brush'

River Arts District Studio Stroll This Weekend!

As the Kiln Cools...

Some new things that came out of the studio in the last month:

returning to an old favorite: personal sake sets

visualizing sumptuous dishes in my sumptuous dishes

little soldiers

It seems to be in the air, as many if not all of my studio mates at The Village Potters are also exploring new forms and designs. These pots are all cooling in a glaze kiln today, and tomorrow I'll get to see how they look!

swim with annie ...

I've often said that a lot in Asheville reminds me of my home state Vermont, which is probably why I've landed here so happily.

I think it's a nice mixture of geography, a bit of weather and the creative spirit, interest in social issues and community generosity that I see in both, and today's story is about one of my Vermont friends and what she's doing in her little part of the world.

My friend Annie isn't a native Vermonter, but she has adopted her community as if she were its first born, and champions many community activities as well as runs several swimming programs for kids and families.  If you're in the Burlington area and want to know more about swimming with Annie, check out her site: Swim With Annie.

On June 2, Annie will swim for five hours to raise money for medical supplies and personnel in the ongoing effort for relief in Haiti.  Here are the details:

SWIM FOR HAITI will take place at The Spa at The Essex between 4pm on Wednesday, June 2nd and 4pm on Thursday, June 3rd.

Swimmers will arrive and swim at any time of their choice, within that 24 hour period.

All donations go directly to the VERMONT MEDICAL RESPONSE TEAM, a local non profit which sends Vermont Medical personnel/supplies/support to Haiti for ongoing earthquake relief efforts.

Not only swimmers but water walkers, water joggers, lap swimmers, young swimmers, old swimmers, noodle swimmers, ALL SWIMMERS or anyone willing to step into a pool are welcome and capable of raising funds through sponsors.

Participants choose a length of time to swim and get as many sponsors in their category as possible.

15 minutes = $5 per sponsor
30 minutes = $10 per sponsor
1 hour = $20 per sponsor
2 hours = $40 per sponsor

There is also a swim duration called EIGHTY FOR HAITI
5 hours = $80 per sponsor

Jackie Bombardier and Annie Cooper will be swimming from midnight to five am and seeking EIGHTY FOR HAITI level sponsors. On Tap, in the former Lincoln Inn space in Essex Junction, was the first sponsor at this level and has set the bar for other businesses to step up and donate to this great cause. T.S. Peck Insurance has also donated to EIGHTY FOR HAITI.

Swim tips and pointers provided to anyone who asks, courtesy of Annie, Jackie and Sue.

For more information call Annie at 802-922-6700. If you are staying overnight from out of town, call The Essex at 802-878-8050 for hotel rates. 

I'll be adding to the sponsorship by sending a mug to five EIGHTY FOR HAITI level sponsors.  Not sure how many are left, so contact Annie if you want to sponsor!

And the parallels continue...

I learned recently, for instance, that Vermont tops the list of US state breweries per capita, with one brewery for every 32,698 people, and each of those breweries being a craft brewery.  very proud.

And then Asheville wins the online 'Beer City USA' poll.  The connection is strong indeed!