Friday, February 4, 2011

this week

I feel like a lost a bit of my motivation this week.  I know that the root of this is that I worked so so hard last year, and since Gary was hired on his contracting job as a full time employee with benefits, I felt like I could finally take a little break.  So so much relief at my house- I just can't even tell you how relieved we feel.  But a little break became no-motivation to work week.  I threw a little, trimmed a little, fired a small kiln-load in which two big bowls blew up because they were, alas, still not dry.  Alas, alas.  Glazing is always hard for me to start, but there's no point in making pots you aren't planning to glaze.  So I've glazed, babysat the men who are installing our wood stove, and strangest of all, I waxed the floors in the dining room, living room, kitchen, and bath.  I'm not sure what wild hair got into me.  They look good, but ahem, I'm still glazing.

Thank you, thank you for the teacup love.  More are coming. 

This pile of bisqued pottery is the first half of a dinner set that a local customer ordered.  It's a set of 8, so I made 10 of everything to give a margin for error.  The plates were the biggest stress point for these, but I threw 2 at a time over a few weeks and they turned out well, I think.  They're smaller than commercial dinner-size plates, maybe 9" in diameter.  Luncheon or breakfast sized.  I still don't plan to make plates as a rule, but it was really nice to get these done.

Today I have an acupuncture appointment, more babysitting workmen, more glazing, hoping for no snow, and hoping to go to an art opening tonight.  Tomorrow I'm going on a silent day retreat.  I'm excited about that.  Excited about quiet?  You bet.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

3 comments:

Sarah-potterknitter said...

Plates are always the hardest on my body. Harder even that things twice their weight.
Wondered if you'd ever tried throwing standing up? I switched over for back reasons, but I found it helped my arms and shoulders too.
For one thing I move around a lot more between pots. Instead of wedging a batch and sitting down to throw, I weigh out the lumps then wedge one at a time right before throwing each one.

amy h said...

A silent retreat day sounds absolutely wonderful to me!

You've had some stress for a while -- you deserve some slow time.

I've never tried plates -- they scare me. I second the standing throwing idea. Since I'm only a beginner, I decided to start my set-up with standing throwing from the get-go so I'd be used to it. My body is much happier at home than it is when I throw in class, where sitting is the only option.

Mama Urchin said...

I'm so thankful over the change of job situation and jealous of that stove.