Studio Assistance

Snuffles the wonder mutt was very helpful in the studio today. There is enough clay on her to think she was an active participant in pottery making, but her role was mainly nudging my clay covered hands to pet her while I tried to make some things. A little gray hair on her, but mostly B Clay.



I did actually get a few things thrown, including several bottomless pieces that have been made into oblongs and will later have a slab bottom and handles attached. Oblong pieces are always fun to make.

Now - I've got to go give my studio assistant a little treat for being so much "help" today.

Have a great New Year's Eve everybody!

Upcoming Event

January, 2011 is my three year blog anniversary. At the risk of being like a teenager and celebrating the anniversary of every event, I'm going to be holding a Blog Anniversary giveaway.

Watch for more details after the January 1st.

Deep Sigh

I must admit to breathing a huge sigh of relief today after delivering my last custom order for the year. This nice collection of garlic keepers came out of the kiln this morning and were quickly delivered to the shop to be picked up. We celebrated this annual milestone by having an adult beverage and going out to dinner. Woo hoo!!!!

With that being completed, I hope to take the next couple weeks off before getting into a new cycle of throwing, trimming, firing, glazing and re-firing. About 80% of what I produce each year is thrown from January to March. I stockpile tubs of bisque pieces which I rely on during the summer when I'd rather be doing summer things. It's just a process that works well for me.

Then poof - before you know it, it's Spring. The Bluff Country Studio Art Tour is upon us and my busy season begin.

Have a Merry Christmas everybody.

Alternative Gift Registry

Some of you might be familiar with this website, but for those of you who aren't, I'd like to tell a little about a site I've become familiar with this past year - Alternative Gift Registry.org

Decades ago when I first got married, everybody registered at the local department store for all the china, crystal, flatware and household items they wanted and needed to set up their new household. Back then, people were much younger when they married and frequently had not lived anywhere but their parents homes before getting married. Well... fast forward several decades (wow, am I old or what??).

More people are getting married older after living on their own for quite some time. They've got all the household items they need and in many cases each spouse has a full household. This is where Alternative Gift Registry come in. Their focus is on allowing people to register for the things they really want, need and value rather than yet another toaster or blender and in doing so encouraging people to be more environmentally and socially conscious.

Operated by The Center for a New American Dream, they help people live the American dream, but in a way that ensures a livable planet for current and future generations. Their message isn’t about deprivation. It’s about getting more of what really matters—more time, more nature, more fairness, and more fun.

As an Etsy seller, I've come to enjoy this site, because it allows people to register for anything, including my items on Etsy. Gone are the days of having to register just for the things the local department store carries. It's ideal for anyone interested in local or handmade items.

So, if you're getting married, expecting a baby or having some other gift receiving event, check out Alternative Gift Registry to set up a unique registry for the event.

Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival

The 8th Annual Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival began yesterday in Mankato. It's one of the few indoor shows I do each year so it provides an opportunity to display things differently and decorate a bit differently for the holiday season.


The weather certainly is not helping since a snowstorm has settled over the area dropping several inches of snow over the freezing rain that started last night. Up to 12" are supposed to fall by the time this storm is over and the wind is supposed to pick up blowing the fresh snow over the flat prairies that surround this area. Rather than driving the 60 miles back home each night, we've opted to get a room in the hotel adjacent to the Mankato Civic Center where the show is being held.


This show has lots of fun artists attending, live music throughout the day and wine sampling. The snowfall may reduce the buyers attending the show today, but at least there we'll have some fun.

Well - the show starts in half an hour so I suppose we should make the short skyway trek to the venue.

Be well.

Bad Blogger

I've been a very bad blogger lately. It's been several weeks since my last post and I need to just jump back in or I'll keep putting it off.

This weekend I'll be at a really fun show/sale in Mankato called the Goldsmith Reunion Fine Art Festival. The show has some fabulous art by dozens of even more fabulous local and regional artists. In addition to art available for any price range and age, they have live music through out each day by various vocal and instrumental artists. Each artists booth offers chocolates to nibble on while you browse and Morgan Creek Winery is available offering samplings of some of their finest wines.

It's an awesome event and I hope you can take some time away from your pre-holiday preparations to see some of the amazing locally made works the artists have to offer. See you there.