Thursday, December 23, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

It's almost Christmas, are you ready? It's going to be crazy busy for us with family and possibly a snow storm coming, so I thought I would take time this morning while the house is still quite, all are nestled in their beds (I just love that phrase!) except me. I know a bunch of the moms out there do this, you get up way too early just so you can have that quiet time to yourself in the house before everyone is up and making noise and needing to be fed. You do, don't you?
This is the time of year when we all are pushed just about to our limits, financially and mentally. Yesterday was my day for baking cookies, which I do not do well, and they were not too pretty. Tasted great but looked very sad. It felt like trying to fire a new glaze, adjusting the oven temps, changing the way I put them in the pan, etc. clay and baking are so similar, don't you think? Well, we ate them and they were yummy, so all's well.
This is also the time of year when I start to think about the new year to come, what I hope to accomplish, try to set some goals, and look back over the past year. I had a really good year this year. I was published in a couple of magazines, including Studio Potter, I was published in 500 Raku, very exciting, I got into my first juried exhibitions and sold the work I had in them, I won second place at Festifall, I opened an Etsy shop and had sales my first week, I met lots of fellow bloggers at the Clay and Blogs show and I have been invited to have a solo show at two places already for Spring 2011. I feel great about these accomplishments and I am starting to think about where I want my work to go for the coming year. The first week in January, I am going to look for a building for a studio, no one wants to give me a grant, so I worked my ass off this month and saved enough money to at least make a dent in the cost. I have several show applications sitting on my desktop that I need to send off, I am going to take the room that has my wheel in it and set it up as a photo/Etsy/art space so that I can pack and ship for my shop, sketch, maybe paint, photograph my work and have an organized space to work. We will reclaim the deck for eating and grilling, and hopefully I will be able to produce a lot more work. I have been so limited with the amount I can produce this year because of space constraints. I want to do more mixed media and I think the barns want to have more surface treatment, so I am going to work on that. I also want to go back to throwing larger vases and platters for Raku, and I think I will leave the functional work to those that do it really well. I don't do it well, I have yet to come up with a form and a glaze I like for cups and bowls, and there are plenty that do it better.
Lots to think about for the new year, I want to have a successful Etsy shop, I want to have work in a few more galleries, and I am planning on applying for a few more shows and a studio tour.
So in closing, for 2010 I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that read my blog, thanks for your words of encouragement and support, thanks for your tolorance of my ranting, and thanks for sharing your triumphs and struggles, your families and your art with all of us. I wish each of you a very happy Christmas with your families and friends and best wishes for 2011. I may or may not be checking in next week, we have a lot going on, so we'll see if I find the time. If not, see you in the coming year!!!
ps: that is Wesley with the real true Santa in Greensboro, NC. Gerry did a story on him one time, he IS Santa.

9 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

It has been a great year for you- well deserved I might add.
Next year- could be even better!
And look at that baby girl! Good grief Charlie Brown adorable!

And I loved being up before everyone else- it was my time!

Linda Starr said...

Have a relaxing time, what a cute photo.

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Merry Christmas Tracey!
I used to have a lovely dining room with a huge farm table. Well, that table just worked out great for shipping and sorting, and storing supplies. I'd like to have a separate building for everything, so I certainly do hear you on that potter sister.
Congratulations on your great year!
hope 2011 is even better.
xx
julie

Judy Shreve said...

Merry Christmas Tracey -- I hope you have a warm wonderful holiday with your family. Congrats on all your achievements this past year -- and it looks to be a good working list for next year! YAY

Peter said...

Yay, I knew that Santa was Real... and now you have a photo to prove it!
Merry Christmas Tracey, and a Happy and Wonderful New Year.

Matt Grimmitt said...

Merry Christmas Tracey, hope you have a good one.
All the best.

Acácia Azevedo Studio Pottery said...

May you have the best of Christmas this year and all your dreams come true!

Anonymous said...

hi tracey, merry xmas and i personally don't tolerate the ranting, i look forward to it. peace to you and yours

Trish said...

Great year indeed, Tracey! and great post...
thank YOU too, for your interest and words of encouragement to this new blogger from north of the 49th and west a bit :)...such fun reading your blog and learning about your work..
YOU have inspired me.
Have a fabulous, busy, fun time with family and friends and I look forward to a new year of cyber sharing! Merry Christmas! Trish