9th Annual Pottery in the Park 2010

What have I been doing for a year.

Work, pottery and more pottery. You thought I was going to say work didn't you. Well, there has been a lot of that too. But pottery is my sanity and work is my insanity part of life. So now that it's the end of August, we're in full swing preparing for one of our big events at the studio. The 4 artist workshop is the other big event. That was in April. I didn't get to attend that one because I was getting back that weekend from visiting the Folks. But this one coming up is going to be good (I hope). A lot more artists are participating that have in the past. Our pottery studio is the sponsor of the event. We also have the Glass Club joining us again. The Rock Hounds is also joining us again, but in a much bigger way. They are having their own "craft" fair & joining our weekend. This will draw in another crowd of customers. And joining us for the first time is the Art Club who has painted canvas' & sculptures. All this is my way of introducing you to the 9th Annual Pottery in the Park presented by LMRA's Pottery Studio. Come and join in the fun & creative artwork & functional pieces the 2nd weekend in October. Saturday October 9th & Sunday October 10th - both days 10am - 5pm. There's some much to see (and buy). There'll be wheel & handbuilding demonstrations (I like doing the demos). You can purchase a bisqued vase for $5 or $10, glaze it yourself and then we raku fire it for you that day. You'll need about 2hrs to get a completed raku vase. We can also give you a tour of our Pottery Studio (I like doing that too). There are free rides for the kiddos, free admission & free parking. So that means it's free to walk around & see all the great stuff. There's other art besides pottery (but we're the main medium), jewelry (I also have wire jewelry), glass work, stained glass, 2D art, possibly some yarn art (if I can talk a friend into it) and of course the Rock Hounds will have their rock & jewelry suppliers. I got to design the post card again this year. I haven't received it yet. I only hope I get them before our Sept meeting for the studio. We'll be addressing & stamping 1300 postcards. We have some mailing list, that's for sure. I've been posting on any & every Event Calendar I can find and what's on my long advertising list. And see the back of the postcard.

I hoped it has that "fun" look. The front has most of the info. I was hoping to convey that more goes on at our studio than just making stuff for ourselves. We donate bowls to Tarrant Food Banks Empty Bowls. (I also enjoy helping on the event day to at Will Rogers) Also this year was our first studio wide contest. Most of us made teapots. The winner is on the postcard too. Next year we're making casserole dishes for the studio contest. See, pottery has been a big part of my year.

Pottery in the Park

It's come around again...Pottery in the Park. We're at the 8th Annual one already. But then again, I've only been associated with it since last year. I'll attach the flyer (if it shows up). This year, I'm taking pictures of the event. Look at this cool postcard. It's not my pottery, but it is my work. I got to take the pictures & design the post card. I'm rather pleased with the outcome.

Come join us, like it says on the post card. We'll be raffling off the "Toad House". It's the center picture. I've got lot's of jewelry this year. Hope to see you there!!

It's Been A While...

I'm still here. It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been so caught up in the Facebook whirlwind, that I've neglected this site. On with the good stuff.

I'm Back from Brazil

I want to tell you up front, I / we did not starve. This is breakfast. My favorite meal. Look at all that fresh fruit. We ate 3 times a day. The sun rose at 6am (7am-breakfast) & it set at 6pm (6pm-dinner) and lunch was midday. But it's what we got to do in between the feasting that's really amazing.

FYI - I'm going through fresh fruit withdrawls. Because now I have to prepare it myself, I'm not eating it.

This is from the first village we visited after picking up several people in Parantins (pronounced: Pair - un - cheens). They held their 4th Anniversary Church celebration until we got there. The church I went with on this trip, BTBF Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, has adopted this river - Manuru & travels to the villages each trip. They helpped start this church. So we attended their celebration. Pastor Levi (la-VEE) in the left green shirt spoke & several people sang. Food prep & serving on a large scale.

Soccer, volleyball & waterballoons were played by all. With the last of the waterballoons, a target was pointed out. He was hit good.

Other Things I'm Passionate About

Ok, so you know I love clay. That one's pretty obvious. Well, I also love serving the Lord. He's given me many things. Mainly the gift of serving others.

Soon, next Friday, I'm going down to the Amazon in Brazil on a mission trip through Amazon Outreach. It's mainly a medical mission other than sharing the gospel. But since I don't have medical knowledge (other than my opionion), I go and help with the kids & Women's ministry. Not so much running with the kids anymore, but more so with the ladies. This will be my 5th trip. We travel by boat on the river. We are one of the biggest boats on the smaller parts of the river.

This Saturday, we're getting together to pack our checked bags to fill with the donations we've collected. All our personal stuff will be in our carry on. I'm excited about leaving next Friday. It's a 10 day short term mission trip.

Large Piece Workshop at LMRA

On Saturday July 26th, I took a workshop on how to throw large pieces. The pictures shown are: throwing one big lump of clay, putting 2 or more thrown peices together & the coil method. I tried it after the workshop - the large lump of clay. The two times I tried, it didn't work out to my satisfaction. But I'll try it again the next time I'm in the studio.

I'll get Paul's last name & post it when I remember what it is. This was an all day event. The goal of the workshop was not to throw as large as Paul did. But to encourage us to throw larger than we have in the past.

Saturday Events

I got some more clay. So I'm off to the studio to make more stuff.

Come Play with Me

Come join me at the studio I play at - LMRA Lockheed Martin Rec Area in Ft. Worth. It's a great facility. There are 10 electric wheels, a slab roller, 2 extruders, a pug mill, 3 electric kilns, a gas kiln, 2 raku kilns & glazes for cone 6, 10 & raku. You only need to supply the clay. This is where I am on the weekends.

These are the ones that sold at the show (I've sold a couple since then). All sales are going toward my mission trip to the Amazon. Check out the trip at www.amazonoutreach.com.

Barbara got these 2 - lg & sm Daisy bowls.

Beth picked up this one. Along with many pieces from other artists.
The tall vase on the left is the one that Jenn bought.
Adrienne got this one to match another bowl that's slightly bigger & same color glaze.

Pottery Show/Sale Results

Here are most of the pieces I had at the show. We had a great crowd on Friday night. There were 2 other gallery receptions & a theatre production that brought in the people.

Pottery Sale

Today & Saturday is my pottery sale at Ft. Worth Community Art Center. I'll use the sales from this show for my Amazon mission trip in Aug.