Unfortunately, I have to face the fact that it is now fall. With glorious sunny days and temperatures in the 80s this past week, I can almost pretend August lingers still and chill and frost are far distant. But October descends upon us (already!) and summer just teases; she has flown south already, and it is time to start planning for the winter. Ugh, I really do not like the cold!
Emerald green bead.
It has been a busy summer for me this year, with many new projects started, and some even completed! I tried my hand at making beads and buttons for the first time, and was fairly happy with the results. I turned some of my tile designs into little ornaments, which was a nice diversion. And I finally finished my Celtic knot letter tile set, my biggest accomplishment! But still, there are ungrouted mosaics lying around the studio, and an even larger selection of grouted mosaics that I haven’t come around to framing yet. I had planned to construct a table top with some geometric triangular tiles I pressed a while ago, but I still have not made the time. Plus, my beads and buttons, with which I had aspired to make jewelry, are sitting unused in various jars and containers, a guilty reminder of things yet to finish. Well, at least I am getting use out of my To Do list, and I will have plenty to keep me busy this winter.
Ceramic leaf button with transparent blue glaze.
Perhaps one of my first projects this fall will be to thoroughly clean my studio. It has been so hectic the past few months as I prepared inventory for a couple shows, that I have only had a chance to do cursory tidyings. My studio has become a bit chaotic, to say the least, and my supplies, bisqueware and finished tiles have begun to seriously encroach upon the rest of the house. Also, it is very important from a health perspective to keep a ceramics studio clean and free of dust. The moist clay and liquid glazes I use are considered non-toxic, but since they contain silica, breathing in the dust if they dry out can potentially cause respiratory problems and even silicosis. I have attempted to keep the dust to a minimum, but I admit that my floor could use a good scrubbing!
This mess of tiles will one day become an autumn leaf mosaic!
I am still looking for a couple holiday shows to attend before the year is out. Quite new to the craft fair circuit, I am not familiar with shows in the area that would be suitable for my ceramics. The two shows I attended this summer (the Moravian Tile Festival in Doylestown, PA and the Riverside Festival of the Arts in Easton, PA), plus my next upcoming show at Stahl’s Pottery (10/5) were recommended to me by members of the Potter’s Exchange, a pottery group in Bucks County, PA to which I belong. PAVendors.com is another show resource that I frequent, and I have been scouring the site for November and December shows in my area. Well, I guess we’ll see what I find!
Here’s to Autumn! May she bring the completion of projects begun, and inspiration as colorful and plentiful as the changing leaves.
Here’s to Autumn! May she bring the completion of projects begun, and inspiration as colorful and plentiful as the changing leaves.
Ceramic leaves: experiments with various glazes and underglazes.
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