As winter draws to its close down here in South Florida, the storms settle in and it's still just chilly enough to be comfortable in a sweater with a hot cup of tea.  It's the perfect weather for throwing in my garage-based studio, and I can't pretend I don't absolutely love it.

I have not been feeling strong enough to throw clay very much this week, so I've only got one new mug in the works, but what a test run it is!  I'm overjoyed to introduce this beauty in greenware.  She's got 24 hours to cure before I can risk moving her to the kiln studio, but I'm fighting my way to make sure I go for my open studio time this week.  It's the last week of clay for this season, and I've been too sick to attend my open studio time all semester long.

My body does the best it can, and I will not add shame to the burdens it ferries.  But also, I will be pushing this week, no matter what.

Would you like to meet the greenware goddess responsible for these decisions?

"Sacred scarab in the sacred clay.
Sacred songs sung in sacred ways.
A jeweled excess slips between the storms
and bonds together lovers' forms."

~ pea flower tea

 

What a spectacular way to kick off the upcoming month's theme of rebirth and renewal.  I can't wait to see how far I can push the boundaries of these designs! I have bees, butterflies, dragonflies, cicadas, and more waiting in the wings.  Of course, we aren't through the first test yet, but I've got a really good feeling about this.  Here's to the hope.  The kind that floats.

March is just around the corner, but as you can see, I'm starting the pottery ideas this week.  I'm looking forward to pushing my skills by using found objects as texture and trimming tools, incorporating a variety of insects, and experimenting with some new (to me) glazes I haven't ever tried before.  They will, if all goes well, be a part of the pottery shop launch.

So... we have to talk about that shop launch.  The goal for launching by Valentine's Day came and went.  I'll post an update soon about the reasons why, but for now, the shop opening is being pushed back to late March.  I'll just keep pushing along until, finally, we launch.  I'm so close, and I'm very thankful to each of you for your continued support and your patience.

For now, let's just prepare to explore nature together in the coming month.  I'm hoping to go on my first-ever moss hunt to get more inspiration for my clay designs, and I promise I'll post photos of the best mosses we find on social media.