Potter, Organic Farmer?

Okay, I can't decide.

I love my garden. I love my farm. I love my pottery wheel.

But right now, the studio is cold. My family is upstairs laughing at the Wii and working out in the exercise room. And me, well, I'm looking through seed catalogs and dreaming of Spring!

I've spent so much time immersed in pottery this year, my winter garden is nil and the chickens aren't laying and need attention. This picture is my garden in summer, and the beautiful garden shed that my husband built to keep my tender plants warm and my dirt loving fingers happy.

So, like every avid gardener, the seed catalogs that started pouring in last week have replaced the Christmas magazines. And now that new birth has occurred, I can move on to growing things! Playing in dirt in my garden and playing in clay, creating vessels, and spending time with The Potter growing the truly important things in life.

Pottery Chalice and Paten Sets with Ewer, Communion

My favorite forms! The lump of clay becomes a vessel of honor when used to share the body and blood of Christ in Christian service....

New Pottery Chalices Fresh From the Kiln:

If you recieved an email to check the blog for an update on your communion sets, let me know as quickly as possible which chalice you prefer. I have marked one that was made specifically for Ann as "sold". Let me know what you think of the new pieces and which one you would like. These were so much fun, thanks for the opportunity to create something for you!

Several of these are unsold, please contact me if you would like to purchase one. They are priced in order:

The 9" chalice is $32.50

The 8 1/2" chalice is $29.00

The 8 1/2" chalice marked "Ann" is $32.50

The 9 1/4" chalice is $35.00

The 9 3/4 chalice is $40.00

Click on the photo above to read captions and see closeups.

I love feedback....

When I shop online, I always look for ratings or feedback on the site. I love that Etsy has a place for feedback since you can't touch the pottery before you buy it!

Just this holiday season, I have hesitated to buy several things because of the ratings (one electronic item, one game). It is very helpful when shopping from a screen.

Thank you if you have taken time to leave a feedback for me on Etsy. I love knowing how you feel about your piece once it's in your hand. Here are a few customer comments:

Wonderful, wonderful quality. Light, yet sturdy. The outside is very much like a painting I have of the Appalachians. Thanks! davidisshoppingnow 11/17/2008

Very nice work. stephaniejourdan 12/06/2008

Super fast shipping and beautiful product! Thank you so much! cahotage 11/04/2008

Exquisite cup! Thank you for the beautiful work of art. I am using and enjoying it already. Thank you for the kind note as well. Willowroselady 10/04/2008

Robin is talented and wonderful to work with. psilovecupcakes 12/04/2008

Pottery Chalices in Progress....

Today is glazing day. Made easy because I have orders for particular colors and I don't have to decide (that generally takes as long as the process itself). I thought photos of works in progress would be cool. So, those waiting for communion sets will see yours in the bisqueware photo (top).

Then I thought, maybe works even earlier in the process would be interesting to some. So, my damp cabinet is full of greenware and I am adding photos of that as well. A set of the daiquiri glasses and one pitcher are special order pieces, but the rest is just me having fun! (Click on the photos for a close-up view.)

Now, I'm off to glaze everything in the Misty Forest combination (except the dogwood vase). The kiln should be lit by 2:00 and ready to open by late Sunday night or early Monday morning. Check back then to see your finished pieces!

Handmade Stoneware Pottery Chalice and Paten - Communion Sets - by Little Bear Clayworks

Wow, how personal communion sets are. I had a custom request on Etsy and started thinking about the possibilities. I have spent much more time on these in the past and now my mind is reeling with new stylings, engravings and appliques I would love to try. Footed plates, lipped, bowled, flat...it all depends on what the body/bread looks like to you. Is it wafer or loaf? And my years of Bible teaching offer so many inscription ideas that would be fitting and pictoral ideas that could be interesting. So, my studio list is growing as I type this, and I pray God gives greater inspiration. It's a good thing Alan built up my fire before he left this morning, and I worked up clay balls for a dozen wine glasses late yesterday...one more cup of coffee and I'm gone for the day! (To order any of these, or custom, sets visit my Etsy webshop by linking at the top right of this page.)

Emilie is holding the First Annual Handmade in Todd Holiday Market December 6th and 7th.
Thank you Martha for using one of my mugs in the poster for advertisement. Isn't the felted doll adorable? Those are one of my favorite things! Artists in Todd will have demonstrations and offer a great deal of items at super discounts for the event. And, Emilie has a large display of my pottery - just in case you're interested. Come and see!
A great weekend for Christmas shopping in Ashe County, and cutting down your Christmas tree at one of the many choose 'n cut lots. (Join the President and get your tree in Ashe!)

Alan's Urn

I love kiln opening day!
Alan requested an urn to throw his change in when he comes home. He picked his favorite color and pattern. How wonderful it is to open the kiln the final firing day and see that a special piece is blessed to turn out as planned. Oh, and I couldn't resist the chance to test the size of platter I could get on my shelves. (16 1/2 inches of green ware is the max - and this is it!)

Little Bear Clayworks Pottery for Sale at Buck Shoals Vineyard

I completed my new display at Buck Shoals Vineyard, on the Swan Creek Wine Trail. The Crater's were kind enough to clear a space for my pottery in their tasting room/gift shop and offer my work to their customers.
Visit their winery Wednesday through Sunday, check out the website link on the top of this page to see their hours.
A great time to visit our area is during the Vineyards of Swan Creek Christmas Open House weekend, December 6th & 7th. The wineries have Christmas music, refreshments and in-store specials. Check out this website: http://www.swancreekvineyards.com/events.html
One more way to have a happy holiday season!

Pottery Wine Goblets

Cool weather is here to stay. My husband finished the new chimney in the studio/shop in the nick of time and the fire is roaring! This week is the week for special orders. I've been in the studio throwing mugs and tumblers. (No wine glasses!)

Mugs, Mugs, Mugs

Crisp weather is moving in today...after days in the 80's (and 70's for most of the month) we are suddenly rainy and cool...expecting a frost Sunday night. So, I'm off to clean my garden shed "the shedmahal", as Maggie (my daughter-in-law) lovingly named it. Time to move the delicate plants inside. It is just so sad!

But, we get to celebrate with warm mugs of cocoa, mulled cider, green tea, and coffee. Nuzzling a warm mug in front of a crackling fire makes it almost worth the absence of green in the landscape!

Welcome, Autumn.

Pottery Throwing Obsession

I love this stuff, however, after building up for two shows - the extras have come back in and taken over my house. My husband doesn't care for that too much!
So, lots of pieces off to Emilie Enzman yesterday at the Todd Merchantile (a store, gallery and bakery on the New River near Boone). And the rest to be packed up for other galleries and shops in the next week. A few things made it to Etsy. But, I have to push myself to sell some of this out so I can get back to my wheel!

Pottery at Wine Festival

Another weekend show! Shelton Vineyards Harvest Fest was very laid back and relaxing, great music and free activities in a beautiful surrounding. We sold a bit and got great publicity...best sellers - anything in the Foggy Garden Series (not one piece left). Good friends and family made it an even greater blessing. So, now, I am working on gallery sales and custom orders...and unpacking all this stuff to redistribute.

Shelton Vineyards is a wonderful place, if you have a chance, stop in and visit ( I-77 North to exit 93, Dobson, NC)!

Pottery Wine Glasses

I love pottery wine glasses.

Wine just "feels" better when holding a well balanced pottery goblet!

And, every glass is an event in itself!

First Road Show

My husband and I, and of course, Gabe, had a booth this weekend at Great Grapes, Wine, Food and Art in Charlotte. The sale started slow, but ended well (once the wine flowed a few hours). One of my sisters joined us in the afternoon, and her husband a while later. The music was great and the people were fun! But, Gabe can't believe he has to do this again next weekend.