A Winter Cold...

Well, a winter cold on top of my allergies has kept me out of the studio!  However, I am feeling better and I am off to Marjon Ceramics in Phoenix on Saturday for a clay hand building workshop with Sandy Luehrsen.

After the workshop, dinner at sister Melinda, Walter and friends Lisa and Phil.  Then I will leave early Sunday morning to get home before the worst of a winter storm!  Lots of rain then snow Tuesday & Wednesday...  With the three weeks of 70 degree weather in February (above normal!), my poor fruit trees have started to bud and we will be down to 17degF next week!  I have to figure out how to blanket my small trees to prevent damage.  Always something to do and it if often not my art!!!

Making the poppies - The Tower of London Remembers

I first saw the Tower of London poppies installation on the Ceramic Arts Daily website.  What an amazing project.  At first I did not realize the purpose of the installation or that each poppy represents an individual who died in. first world war..



I have been inspired to create my own (much smaller of course) poppy installation. to install along side my live wild flowers.  I will use the native California poppy  which is orange and has a slightly different pedal configuration.  I will use two rows of two pedals instead of three.  In addition, I think I will spray paint instead of glaze.   I am hoping to get started this week.

New Studio Glaze Station

After about a year, I have replaced my small glaze cart, which did not move very well when filled with the weight of the glazes, to a large glaze cart which has much better wheels and can hold a maximum of 250lbs!  I will be able to easily roll in and out of the studio.  This will be very convenient once I start to spray on glazes.

small cart

I will re-purpose the small cart...

Goals - "Join the October 2, 3 & 4 2015 Studio Tour"

After reading the application and the requirements for the 2015 Studio Tour, I am delaying my participation until 2016.  I have been feeling a lot of pressure to participate in this event, but I am not really ready.  I have too many things to prototype in the studio and too many home projects that I have set aside.  I just don't have enough time to get pieces made and photographed by the application deadline date...

I have to remember that I am retired and should not feel stressed to complete anything!  I am certainly keeping busy.  Earlier this week I removed weeds and applied mulch to the grape vineyard.  I planted a cherry and a pear tree in the orchard.  Yesterday, I spent 6 hrs volunteering with Master Gardener activities and tomorrow I am hosting for 3 hours at the Prescott Center for the Arts.  On Friday I should have some time to devote to the studio...