2014: Create

That's my word for the new year. I used to do this every year, but I think it's been more internal over the past years, as there always seemed to be too many things to keep up with to focus on just one word. Without dwelling on the 'looking back', which has its place and benefits that I know are often lauded at the end of the year, I choose to stay looking forward. Although I will say that the past year was one that really felt like it had movement, and I'm grateful for every moment, and for every person with whom I had the privilege to share any moment. All so good.

Onward, and for 2014 I choose Create. When I think about all my intentions for the new year, I see this word in many facets. It's not just an idea to make more work, although that's definitely on the list. I can create more work, but I will also create better work. I will create deeper relationships. I will create new opportunities. I will create a great balance in work and life. I will create good new habits. See what I mean? I invite any and all to pick a word and join me. Once you do, you'll be amazed at how you start to see things in terms of that word, and what kind of domino-effect it can have on your thinking.

"Create" print by Kelly Rae Roberts. I found it in a gallery downtown the day I picked my word. I actually saw it in many forms that day, and finally chose this piece to celebrate my intentions.

Lovely enameled flowers my friend Anne gave me because she thought they'd go nicely with my 'create' sign. Looking at them in different arrangements is already giving me ideas to create new designs.

"cheer" banner by Holly deSaillan. I love these so much - she also made me a studio banner in clay, and this picture doesn't do justice to the collage layers of each piece. I love it so much, I'm having her make me one for my word, and while it's unlike anything I make, it's already been an inspiration. And to create cheer is a good goal any day!

'nuff said.

Fall and Holiday Shows

The crisp chill of fall with a few hints of winter are in the air, and I've been in a flurry in the studio getting ready for a series of seasonal shows. Come see me at one or more of the following events, and not only can you satisfy your need to support American-made artist entrepreneurs, you'll also find some darn nice pottery!

Saturday-Sunday, November 2-3, 2013:

A most gorgeous time of year to drive through scenic views in Weaverville and Barnardsville, and see beautifully hand crafted works in stunning home studios. I'm thrilled to return as a Guest Artist at the lovely home studio of textile artist Susan Webb Lee. We're at ##26 and #27 on the map.

Sunday, December 1, 2013:

Join me and my favorite Booth-Partner-In-Craft, Holly de Saillan (of holly de saillan clay & mosaic) as we deck out our table with holiday spirit and piles of our lovely clay creations!

Friday - Sunday, December 13-15, 2013:

An intimate indoor holiday market in downtown Asheville that will feature 44 vendors with fabulous handmade craft, food, and natural products. Not-So-Secret-Discount: show me your ticket stub to any of the Christmas Jam events, and you'll get 10% off your purchase!

Saturday, December 14, 2013:

  Of course you can always find my work in the Gallery at The Village Potters, but you might also like to know about our Holiday Sale on Saturday, December 14! 

Monday, December 16, 2013:

Lori takes a day off!! 

The Big Gumbo Trade

Rabbit Bowl

A few months back, in the heat of the summer, a lovely gentleman from Louisiana and his daughter visited us at The Village Potters. The gent, Emile, had a mission: he wanted a ceramic bowl to feed the rabbits that lived inside his chicken pen. He had been "all over, lookin' for a good rabbit bowl"! His daughter was sure we would have beautiful work, but that he wouldn't want to pay our prices. So I asked him how much he wanted to pay, and he said, without hesitation: $3.

Pictured above is one of my bakers, and he liked it a lot, in spite of the fact that it had superfluous decoration (my coneflowers) inside the bowl. In our conversations, we also learned that it was his birthday that day, so I offered him the baker for his rabbits as a gift. He kept asking me how much it would cost in the gallery, but I didn't see any point telling him as it was definitely more than $3 (it's a funny thing, isn't it ... I'd rather give it away than take less than what I deem it to be worth!).

He said he wished he had something he could give me in return, and talk got around to the wonderful gumbo that he makes with those chickens, and how you just can't get good Andouille outside of Louisiana, or good file, so I told him he could send me some gumbo! He has family who live in the area, so I said the next time he or any of them come near, he could send up some gumbo. After he left, several of my studio mates commented that I was not likely to see any gumbo.

Flash forward: I arrive at the studio today, to this lovely delivery of his Chicken/Andouille with File Gumbo:

I was so sorry that I wasn't there to greet his daughter and send my thanks back personally, and unfortunately, she left before anyone could get any contact information from her or for Emile. So if anyone knows Emile Kugler in Louisiana, please send him my sincere thanks from Asheville, along with a message that he was indeed correct: this is the most delicious gumbo I have ever had, and I feel like I came out way on top in this trade!

Gumbo Bowl

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!