Bowls and Bowls and Bowls

Hello again!  I took this pic on my iPhone as a gallery I'm working with wants a picture of me.  I kinda like it that it's not all light and that the light isn't all on me… life is full of mystery, isn't it?
It's been forever since I've blogged and once again I have no good reason for such.  I can tell you what has filled my days though.  Making bowls and making bowls and making bowls and….
adjusting to transition at work
beginning a new class at Duke (auditing)
reading!
running… running and running (it also helps my back and posture overall when I throw at the wheel).
And then there was Christmas and I was gone for almost two weeks.  It was good, but exhausting!
And tonight I'm home and just watched our President give his State of the Union address.  And now there's a snow day tomorrow.  I'm THRILLED about this.
I'll fire my bisque kiln and read and maybe go running in the snow?
It's been a week since I've gone running and I'm a bit stir crazy.
Am fighting a bad cold so that may not happen…

Above:  Bowls drying…
Below:  finished bowls, all of which headed to Christ Church, Charlotte's Good News Shop.
Hopefully sometime soon I can begin to make more forms.  First have to get some inventory!  If only there were more hours…

They want some more for Valentine's Day so tomorrow I'm doing a bisque firing with some- and this batch has quotes that are tailored for that day.  It is great timing for a firing because although the kiln doesn't give a lot of heat, the garage is 42 degrees now and will get just a bit warmer tomorrow.  :)
Quotes on bowls:
One quote is from Mary Oliver, one of my favorite poets!
"Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed."
Yes, I'm still here and although I don't post much--- (I do post more on my 'Amy Huacani Pottery' Facebook page)
I am blessed.

A Wonderful Surprise!

 This was it.  First heard about this picture and few words from friends on Facebook published on the front page of the Carolina Living Section in the Charlotte Observer on Sat. Dec. 7.  It was a surprise because I had no clue about this and unfortunately, didn't have much inventory.  Quickly learned of the interest in folks purchasing bowls and well, realized there's no way I can make more by Christmas with the commitments I have on my calendar.  I did have a dozen or so at the GiftShop at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte which was the original contact and got the story to happen in the first place. So, later today I'll go buy some more clay and begin to make some more bowls for delivery in early January.  People have been contacting me on Facebook asking for bowls- and so I have just a few left.  It's been a fun whirlwind which has inspired me to make more and more bowls…. and pottery in general.

 Meanwhile, this is my remnant and proof of my visit to Tracey Broome's studio.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I finally made it there!  Had to wear this the next day- it's simply beautiful and I love it.  And well, I have lots to learn in the picture taking category so it's best to go to Tracey's blog here to see great pictures and pottery.

 A few remaining teabowls that are glaze firing as I type.  Will spend the rest of the day in the pottery world- buying more clay…. and updating my etsy store adding a few pieces to it.  Also need to organize the paperwork and business part of all this.  Even so, I must say that I absolutely love all this!  If only I could do it full-time.

Two remaining bowls that I have…. for purchase.  They're firing now.  Have to make many more of these in the new year.  I remember one of my instructors saying….  the more you make of one form, the better you are at making other forms.  I've found this to be so true.  It already takes lots less time to make bowls than it used to.  Thanks for reading and your patience in me being away for awhile.  One of my goals over Christmas is to update this blog.  Thanks too for all your comments!

For Now

 For now I will be making the familiar forms.  I sense some new forms or new surface designs in the future, but for now this is the one.

Well, and this one too.  I have a few Christmas commissions to make and will get those done this week, which is cutting it close to have them ready for Christmas, but if I throw them and have them etched before the end of the weekend, I can fire them in enough time.  Thanks again for all the kind words in my last post.  I'm ready for a New Year!   Thanks for reading…

Long Time Away

 I really can't explain it.  I've taken a break from pottery and Peter, your comment saying that you hope I'm okay is so thoughtful.  thank you!  I'm okay.  Allergies which have been horrible at times (and I try to take as little medicine as possible), and trying to contemplate about things, well- it's just been quite a fall.  I've also taken up running which has been good, but oh, going on a 40 minute run takes time!  There are times I wish I could return to life as a child, which was oh so wonderful and so easy.  Life can be quite the challenge.  I don't know what I would have done these past few months if I couldn't run.  My longest time:  1 hour 8 minutes-- that was on a mountain road of Western NC.  I felt like Forrest Gump.  Only stopped because it was dark.
And well, I moved this futon into this new place in my small house, and a friend gave me the bird feeder that you can see near the window, (and it really is squirrel proof) so I've been reading lots and watching the birds and just relaxing.  Discovered that juncos are the latest new kind that have visited the bird feeder.  The nuthatches are among my favorite too.  That means 15 types of birds in all, including some regulars to my suet feeders.  This is my new favorite thing- to have a gentle quiet morning waking up by spending hours here.

 I have managed in the past few months to make almost one kiln load of pottery.  Need to glaze a few more pieces my nieces and nephews made today and I'll glaze fire this one on Monday.  Am also wanting to try new things, but what?  Haven't settled on the 'what' yet.  I need to practice making mugs and find a form I like in that.  Yet handles?  So hard to make and I don't like the mess of them.
I must say too that I haven't really missed being at the wheel too much, but I know when I return (hopefully later today) I will probably think to myself….. where have I been?
These two small tumblers are test ones.  Base glaze in a greenish celadon and then wax resist with the simple words and then a bluish celadon sprayed on top.  Each have a word written on them in two places.  Time and the kiln will tell!

It still hasn't hit me either that Christmas will soon be here.  Of course, I'm not ready but what will be will be.  I must say I too get tired of all the $ spent.  It has been a tough year with the passing of my grandmother and the transition in jobs.  

And not much exciting has happened lately, except for last Monday.  I decided at 6 pm that I would go to the Tennessee Lady Vols vs. North Carolina game in Chapel Hill.  Didn't have a ticket; didn't know where the arena was.  Just got in my car after running and a quick shower and left wearing orange. 

I turned out to be so lucky. Found free parking in the street and then walked up to the arena and saw a couple holding two tickets.  They even sold me one for $10 and it was ON THE FRONT ROW virtually under the basket.  I was astonished and so happy for the good.  Some background: In my final year of graduate school at UT, I went to every home game.  Ended up scoring many of the games on paper-- which was great fun and an excellent way to keep focused.  I so miss being at the games; it's like entering another world.  Love cheering the players on and well, almost losing my voice.  Look how close they are!  And I love to people watch….

This game was incredible.  Tennessee won!  I've so needed good luck and I hope it continues. 

I wasn't dressed like this guy at all- UNC stuff from head to toe.  This pic shows how close I was to the floor though!  Interestingly, the arena wasn't near full… 

Thanks for reading.  Hope I don't stay away long this next time…