Monday, after the Potters Guild of NJ Fall Festival (show and sale). The pottery left unsold is in boxes in my gallery, to be unpacked and put back on the shelves.
It's a very good time to pause for radical shelf dusting in The Gallery Downstairs. Needs a floor mopping, too. But... maybe on Friday. So much to do before then, making pots, trimming them, teaching, blogging...
A show can mean a long day for me, and one where I am on my feet (my choice- there are chairs but I prefer to move around) and looking for diversion. I do love to talk about the art and craft of pottery. It's the teacher in me.
Once, one lovely gentleman asked me all about the kiln the wares are fired in. He was a chemist in his late 80s. He asked me very intelligent questions. I enjoyed that chat. He didn't buy anything. That was fine. Other people did.
Sometimes, it is someone asking me about commission work, because they like my work but I am not showing something in their color palette or a particular item. I've been asked for mustache cups, curling iron trays and butter keepers. I've been asked for sets of dinner plates and cereal bowls, or personalized honey dishes. This time I was asked whether I would make some of my birds as rattles. You know- what a great idea! Glad I had that conversation. It will add the dimension of sound to those birds.
My colleagues in the Potters Guild of NJ keep growing and improving in pretty spectacular ways. Here are just a few of the potters.
(Judy M., left, originated this show and has managed it for years. Beth D., right, is a big seller here, as is Judy.)
(I walked in and immediately began my shift at the wrapping table, with Mary, a new member. It's a big Guild- shows are a good way to get acquainted.)
(Su N. and Ellen M. never fail to make me laugh and have been doing so for some time now. That's one of Su's face jug people peeking over her head from on the shelf, unbeknownst to Su. These guys hate to be left out of the picture.)
(Linda G. and Carol P. were doing a shift at the money table. Even the work shifts have some fun in them, when done with friends.)
(For a newbie, my tablemate Tracy G. sold lots of good work, including soap dishes. He combined his daughter's handmade soaps with his handmade soap dishes for great gifts that really sold. )
(A love of antiques and a great hand with a glaze brush give Nancy a special, one of a kind way with plates and more.)
(Amanda K's cranberry and white glazed ware and ceramic jewelry were beautiful. That's Fran E. looking on from the back- apparently she coordinated her sweater with Amanda's pots... Fran is our monthly Guild meeting host at her beautiful studio, and Amanda is one of our potters who has grown as an artist by leaps and bounds in a short time.)
(Norma M. in front of her pottery. I kept wrapping up her work at the wrap table...Go, Norma, go!)
(Martha B.'s 2-part vase was too good not to photograph. It was one of many great pots on her table.)
(I had a good look at Barb D.'s goblet/vase/candle arrangements, which were right next door to me. There is always much to look at on her table, and plenty to buy.)
(Linda A. draws with brush and carving tools on her pottery. Caught here at work...)
(A close-up of the amazing Linda A. at work on a buffalo cup. That's dry, unfired clay she's drawing on with those gifted, practiced and most capable hands.)
(Diane S.'s work is to the right of her in this photo.)
(That's Debi R. on the left, queen of Topaz Cocker Spaniels and recent children's book author about a special cocker spaniel- can you spot the doggies in the photo? Playful pups are everywhere here. Seen with Debi, a browsing guest, aka my friend Nancy posing with an apple slice.)
Was it a lucrative day? For some. The Guild members collectively took in a good bit of profit, although some did great and others, just a little bit of business if at all. It's work, but good work. A fun day? For all, I think. Wish I took more photos of these artists! Maybe next time.