Sunday, October 25, 2009

One of those weeks

Thank God it's finally Sunday and I can put this week behind me. At least Friday was a great day, because I can't say much for the rest of the week. Let's recap: worked at CM on Monday, mixed glazes, boring. Fired a bisque on Tuesday, too fast for Earthenware, organic matter stayed behind, fired an 04 on Wednesday, unloaded a bunch of shite on Thursday and glazed some Raku ware, had a lovely day in Seagrove on Friday (TGIF), then Saturday, oh Saturday, should have stayed in bed. Woke up to the phone ringing at 8am rainy morning when I could be sleeping, Wesley's drummer calling stranded with no way home at his girlfriend's house, and I don't know why this is our problem! Except they were supposed to have practice at 9am and nobody bothered to let Wes know, again this is rainy 8am Saturday morning. So I got up, and loaded the kiln for a couple of Raku cycles because I promised a bowl to the Orange County Rape Crisis auction and don't you know the first bowl I made for it cracked, so I made two more just in case. Well, as soon as I fired up the kiln it started pouring rain, raindrops fell on my glaze and my glaze doesn't like raindrops so the new bowls look polka dotty and yes, there is another very tiny crack in one of them. Why is this the way, when you promise a piece to someone and there is a deadline?!?! Also, I was supposed to leave for the Octoberfest sale at Saxapahaw by 2pm, car was loaded when the rains let up and as soon as we got ready to leave, of course, torential downpour. So, I'm not into doing outdoor festivals in pouring rain, I just went back in the house and had a pity party! Then, just so I could be sure my head would explode I started looking at photos online of Japanese shino and pots by Lisa Hammond, who I love, but who doesn't make handles as nice as Brandon:) and I started thinking how nice tenmouku and orange shino would look with my turqoise Raku. Can you say A.D.D. ? So it's Sunday morning, my dog is sitting here chewing himself to pieces and licking those parts only dogs want to lick, I am having some tea in my new Dean and Martin mug and Gerry turns 50 tomorrow so I am going to bake a cake today and start all over tomorrow. With what, I have no idea! I do have a Raku class starting on Thursday and I know most of them so that is something to look forward to. We will be making at the Artscenter in Carrboro and firing here. Cheers everyone, thanks for your kind words of support this week, and oh by the way, did you see that Deb Woods from Mudpot blog is back amongst us? Welcome back Deb!!

9 comments:

Judy Shreve said...

Oh Tracey - I have hit that wall so many times! And my absolute frustration usually sends me off into a great new direction -- so in the end, hitting that wall usually has a positive outcome - unfortunately not immediately -

If I can share any tips with the earthenware, please email me. I am now mixing terra sig surface treatment with the glazes & slips. I started down the earthenware path last spring & I'm still not where I want to be - but each firing seems to get me closer -- the failures as well as the success have a lot to teach.

I don't think anyone is ever completely happy or content -- we all want more successes - but isn't that what keeps us working . . .

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks Judy! Much as I love the feel of the earthenware I have been throwing and I love the look of the clay body, I'm not sure it's exactly the look I am after. My taste leans so much towards an Asian aesthetic and unfortunately I want a copper blue/green glaze, can't put that inside my bowls, but I don't want another color liner, so I may move on.
I'm rethinking tenmokus and shinos, back where I first started :) should have just stayed there! I know I am sticking with this Raku turquoise, it's beautiful, just have to find a complimentary functional path. Thanks for the sympathy, I do remember when you started your earthenware testing, brave girl!

Hollis Engley said...

Sometimes, Tracey, you just have to go hide in a corner and let the day pass. But I think you know that already.

Tracey Broome said...

Hollis, you are so right! You gotta know when to do it though, and I just never can find the time :) Today is the day though, we have been blobs on the sofa today watching an old Beatles documentary and now I'm off to the store for veggie stew fixins.

SUSAN WELLS said...

I love to see these potteries Tracey. Beautiful buildings and inspiration for my fantasy studio addition. Postponed my firing until the 7th of Nov...wanted a bit more time for some new vessel ideas- the weather hasn't been so great either. Can't wait to visit on the 6th. Happy Birthday to Gerry!!

Tracey Broome said...

SUSAN! I'm glad you postponed, I told Meredith I was feeling guilty not coming out to help kiln sit with you. I sent you an email also.

cookingwithgas said...

with the exception of Friday--- next week can only get better.
It is all a learning curve.
I am sure you will go after and get what you want out of the clay and glazes.
Just keep stepping forward.
Let's hope for some sunny days!

Judi Tavill said...

Tracey...
I have been meaning to comment here for ages but 1/2 the time, I am reading on my blackberry and its very hard to get the comments to post...so just know... I AM WATCHING AND LISTENING.... I am quite jealous of your ability to go check in with other potters and their spaces...it's so great...I have the love/hate thing going on with glazes and I FEEL it... One thing I am learning with all of my own(other) crap is just to be mindful and breathe...and feel the moment...even if it is in the POURING RAIN....just a thought.

brandon phillips said...

you need to start gathering a brickpile...give it a year or two. when it's big enough we'll get you a nice redux kiln built. patience.