thursday already?

The week has flown by. I've been taking my time with things- getting my kitchen back in order after having my cabinets painted last week, throwing a little, compiling notes for my college class's annual alumnae news magazine, attending a book party for a friend, packing and shipping, you know, staying busy.

My hope for today is to start throwing more egg cups like these above. I've had several requests for other colors, including the speckled turquoise of the egg vases. I did place an order from Casey's, including some wooden eggs to help me keep the size of the cups right. I bought one for display, so that I won't have to beg an egg from other vendors at the market, and one for the studio for sizing purposes.

Somehow, with the kitchen's disarray, my throwing time was decreased- I still managed to make things, just not the volume I'd hoped. Saturday should be my throwing day so that most of the things that I needed to replenish for the market will be ready to fire on Monday. The bigger things I'm making are for the June home sale. I haven't set a firm date, but it's nearing. I'm thinking perhaps the last weekend in June for my local friends and customers.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

first day

first day
Originally uploaded by Bridgman Pottery

Over the past several weeks I've been mulling over life, work, my priorities, and how best to achieve what I want, long term, what my family needs, and how these goals work together. In the end, everything boiled down to the fact that I tend to have too much on my plate. Too many responsibilities (self-imposed, I'm just that way) pulling me in too many directions. I realized that in five years I'd like a happy family, a happy home, and a happy career as a potter.

After much reflection and a hard look at our finances, I decided to focus my attention on pottery and my family. Yesterday I resigned from the best job I've ever had- with a clear conscience and a light heart. I loved teaching at the museum. Love working with kids, especially fourth graders. My salary was more than adequate, the hours were good- when little boy was in school- but when I was working teaching I could only take care of my family. The job was seasonal, but I didn't have time to work on pottery like I felt I needed to. When I go weeks without having my hands in clay, I feel like a part of my life is missing.

So this means that pottery is a business- I've had a business license for almost a year, paid sales tax for almost 8 years, paid self-employment taxes for 8 years. Last year was an excellent year- my pottery income matched my teaching income. I was so so fortunate to have wonderful customers and friends supporting me.

This also means that my family will have to make a few small sacrifices. Gary and I both drive cars that are over 10 years old. Happily, but it will remain that way for longer than it would if I were bringing in a regular paycheck. I've had fun with etsy- buying from other sellers. I'll have to be a little more careful on that front. But little boy will be starting our public neighborhood kindergarten in the fall- it is in walking distance from our house. And I'll have much less driving to do, which will help reduce expenses somewhat.

This is a big step for me, but I'm excited about the potential- both in terms of growing my business and making a less-harried life for my family.

So today, on my first day of full-time self-employment, I made some ladybug pottery (haven't applied the bugs yet), trimmed some pottery from last week, and have a few pieces to pack and ship out. It is time to develop a new routine!

Thanks for helping me make this decision- your enthusiasm for my pottery and kind comments over the past year has really helped push me in a good direction. I'm excited to see what the future holds!

market season

honey pots
Originally uploaded by Bridgman Pottery

My first day at the 2009 Memphis Farmers Market was excellent. Really, really excellent. Beautiful day, happy customers, happy friends, good brisk sales.

I know I've told you before about Peace Bee Farm, my very favorite honey people, and I believe I mentioned Richard's blog, Peace Bee Farmer. Richard, Rita, and Wes Underhill will also be at the Memphis Botanic Gardens farmers market, which opens this Wednesday, April 28. They will be carrying a small selection of my honeypots! I'm really excited because the Wednesday market reaches a different segment of Memphis and I'm just not able to do both. Also, I'm excited because I just love the Underhills.

I hope the rest of your weekend is just wonderful- I have been awake since 4:45 this morning, and I am looking forward to a short nap before the evening begins.



** Sunday morning edit- if you're looking for honey dippers, there are a variety online, but I get mine from Casey's. They have lots of cool wood items- toys, waldorf and montessori-style children's utensils, toys, and, um, components (for lack of a better word). Great prices, they take paypal, and I want to say that they're all made in Maine, but I can't back that up 100%. I'm going to make another order from them for my Catechesis atrium soon.

different application

different application
Originally uploaded by Bridgman Pottery

Not to stir the pot anymore, but what do you think of this? This is a little bowl- actually much bigger in diameter than the egg vases, and shorter- that I made for a friend who loved the egg vases but wanted a salt cellar for stove-side salting. I only made the one. And I discovered that I'm slap out of this blue glaze. Time to order more.

I'm in the Delta Pecan spot this weekend at the Farmers market- West side, to the South of the entrance, I think.

Work to do, work to do. I bought copper wire for my herb markers this morning- I actually bought the electrical supply company out of their #10 bare copper wire and will have to go back for more in the next week or so. I ordered an entire 500 foot spool so that I won't have to keep going back and bugging the nice older men and electricians wondering what the heck this gal is doing. Actually, the guys who work there all know about the markers and said that maybe they'll try their hand at copper-wire craft too. Spread the DIY life!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Earth Day

To celebrate Earth Day, I give you one of my favorite hymns, written by Folliot S. Pierpoint in 1864. This photo is one I took in the Old Forest of Overton Park, a 342 acre (though its wooded acres are rapidly diminishing) park in the center of Memphis, TN, a mere stones-throw from my house. I hope, no matter where you might stand on the politicization or trendiness of "green" issues, you might go out and enjoy the beauty of this spring day today. We are stewards of this earth, and we need to take good care of it. Have a beautiful day, everyone!


For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.


Words by Folliot S. Pierpoint, 1864

egg cups

Is it any surprise with my love of all things bird* that egg cups would be floating around in the back of my mind? I made these a few months ago and just got around to glazing them. I have a half-dozen more ready to be glazed, but these two are the prototypes. They're also intended - and have been since their creation- as birthday gifts for my sweet friend April. I thought they would work not just as egg cups, but as little vases for spring blossoms. The second set I made is slightly smaller, which is good, because these are a tad too big. That egg on the left- it is HUMONGOUS. Almost duck-egg-big. Not quite, but almost.

Happy Tuesday! And happy birthday, April!


*A few weeks ago when my son's godfather, Tom, was visiting, we were talking about chickens and birds. I mentioned that I wanted chickens again (alas, our yard is too, too small) and he reminded me that his daughters called me "Chicken Melissa" years ago, not because I had chickens (which I did eventually get a threesome of chicks), but because I wanted them. I had forgotten all about that.

MFM 2009

Yesterday was the first day of the Memphis Farmers Market. It really was like a country church old home day. Lots of hugs and good wishes and squeals and "good to see you"s. Have I told you about my MOST favorite vendor? It is Jim Tanner, my "goat cheese man," from whom I buy my eggs. I didn't hold out much hope that I'd be able to get eggs yesterday since I didn't get to the market until 8 and Jim usually sells out by 7:15. You can't imagine my delight when he opened up his egg cooler (It is easily 3.5' to 4' long) and it was still full. Last year I'd make a point to get to the market before 7 (when I work the market I arrive at 6, when I shop, 6:55) JUST to be sure I'd get eggs. I asked what had happened- one customer "blamed" the rain. Jim's simple answer: "I got more chickens."

Jill and Keith, my "favorite" farmers in charge of Whitton Farms were in full force with their veggies, flowers, and transplants. I got baby garlic in my CSA bag and impulsively planted them all last night before the rain started, in hopes that I'd be able to finish the season with good heads of garlic. I was just tickled to learn that my favorite honey producers will now be at MFM EVERY week. Richard and Rita Underhill of Peace Bee Farm are such wonderful people, and Richard is blogging about honey and their farm at Peace Bee Farmer.



Lastly, well, not lastly, but for *right now*, my friends Guion and Jeremy Benkin have started a great little company called Re-Hy. They recycle glass bottles into lovely drinking bottles, dish soap dispensers, and cruets by adding etched designs and metal tops. The Benkins are lovely people (aren't all crafters, really?) who are so excited about this venture. They, like me, will be at the market periodically.

My first week at the market is this coming saturday. I am excited and have a lot of work to finish up. It will be a busy week this week, but a good one, I think. I hope you all have a beautiful Sunday and a beautiful spring week!