in the studio

Good morning!  Here is a rare peek into my studio.  I put in a massive amount of time last Friday with a friend who helped me clean it out and clean it up.  Pottery is dirty filthy dusty business, and after I was so sick with the flu and upper respiratory issues (I was a little afraid that I had pneumonia, so I had a full workup and chest x-rays done, which, thankfully, gave me a squeaky-clean baseline), I've been super-conscious of keeping my environment clean- clean food, clean yard and home, clean studio.  The biggest risk potters face is inhaling harmful clay dust- think coal miners and black lung.  I mix some of my glazes from powder and always wear a mask when I do that, but I have been less careful about keeping the dust down in the studio.  I have a shop vac with a HEPA filter, but I'm also being more vigilant about wiping everything down after working.
This is a large but awkward space- long and skinny with a stairwell in the middle.  One large window on the west end, and dark dark paneling (and plastic "woodwork" trim??!!) that I've started painting a nice light bright palest sky/Scandinavian  blue.  So far I've primed all of the woodwork and painted the alcove where my wheel is, (right where that rolling pin and scraper are hanging), the window wall, and almost to the end of the railing woodwork on the opposite side.  Miles to go, but it's a start.

I've also been playing catch-up production wise.  This week Natalie made herb markers (it's planting time!), fern platters, and templates for me, and I threw mugs, tumblers, and egg cups.  My center of gravity is off, somewhat, since I elevated my wheel on blocks.  I have to re-learn how to throw higher, but my back will thank me.

We also got baby chicks this week and I've been going a little crazy making chicken pottery.  It just makes me giggle every time I look at the pieces in production.  But fear not, I am not abandoning bees!  I'm just exploring my inner nature nerd a little more extensively.

Hope you all have a good weekend.  I'm taking a field trip to the bee yard with my bee mentor and attending a chicken party.  Wishing Saturday's activities could span 2 days instead of packing it all into one.