Family Heirloom 2

I took more photos of our ceramics studio time today.  I think they pretty self explanitory.

 And it wouldn't be complete without Ringo the ceramics dog eating his ice cream treat. So cute.

That's all! Thanks for following us on this journey.

xo,

Suz

Life's a gift. Open now.

Making Heirlooms

Bob and I are about to go to our 4th Saturday morning pottery studio together. We signed up to take this as sort of a "date" activity. Neither of us had thrown a pot since high school or college. Bob and I love making things, specially making things together.  We have a list of items for our kids we are going to make.  After making our first pots we realized Bob would use his strength and size to throw the biggies. I am ornamenting and glazing, and making the smaller pieces and slab work.  Below he is throwing a "Buddy bowl." One of two for our dog "Buddy." I made a sugar and creamer and glazed all our other pots.  Covered serving dishes are next on Bob's list.

The place we go to is in a woman's home. She is a professional ceramicist, and teaches out of her studio which is attached to her house.  We are greeted every week by "Ringo" the dog.  He is our teacher's shadow, as Buddy is mine.  We are served tea or lemonade half way through our morning in mugs made by Marlese our teacher. Ringo is given doggie ice cream that he licks right out of the container.  Most of the time he sleeps.  Ringo is clearly part of the studio.

Ringo taking a nap in the shop.

We are making very practical items that we plan to use for holiday meals. We hope that our kids will use them for their holidays, and their kids also.  It's fun to actually MAKE family heirlooms.  I think I would have loved something my Mother or Grandmother made with their own hands.   However, I do have some of the family silver, which is pretty spectacular.  So I'm not complaining. :-)
I sort of picture my daughter and son sitting down to Christmas dinner long after we are gone and serving the meal out of these handmade heirlooms.  Besides being really relaxing. We both leave very happy and satisfied with our progress. Off we go!

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

Snow in the Desert

-2 degrees this morning.  I thought I had given up this kind of weather after moving to New Mexico. But I guess not.  I type this to you in  Uggs, wool fingerless gloves, and my hat from the Italian Knifemaker's Guild.  Buddy wanted to go out at 6;30 this morning.  One of the smoke alarms in my studio was beeping every 60 seconds.  Unreachable even, by our tallest ladder...it's making me crazy(ier).  Our high in Albuturkey will be 10 today.

All complaining aside, I've been busy making new items and sending out meteorite hearts.  That is this year's Valentine hit.  Here are a few pieces that are in my new shop: The Polkadot Magpie on Etsy.

Expect more Mid Modern designs for jewelry and flat art.  As well as steampunk additions of ornamented skulls.

It's Black History Month, and I am not sure what a "dropper" like me who has 1.5% black is supposed to do this month.  I made a treasury on Etsy in honor of Irma.  She used to say: "you have the nappiest hair for a white girl!"  She was a housekeeper for my family.  I loved her to pieces. She would bring me 45 records of R&B music from her neighborhood record store.  That's pretty old school, right?  I used to listen to "urban contemporary" music on the radio.   She braided my hair in corn rows, much to my parents disapproval.  I ate beans, greens and rice with country ribs like there was no tomorrow when my parents were away.  And she turned me on to Gospel Choir music.  When the whole "African American" term became fashionable to say instead of "Black"...I asked her what she wanted to be called. Her response was slow in coming and finally she said: My Grandparents were "niggers," my parents are "colored," I am "black," and my children are "African American."

To this day when I am feeling a need for some uplifting I put on Kirk Franklin and am known to say: "time for Church!" Here's the link and a photo of an item I really want.  I forwarded this listing on Etsy to Bob...but I doubt he will get me a doll.  She reminds me so much of Irma.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d48696c318c8eeff6f6e266/irma

"Nadine" from Old World Primatives on Etsy.com

Gotta go cut out more meteorite hearts.  I'm almost out. They were on the front page of Etsy this morning and well, you know how fantastic that can be. Over 400 views until it sold. Amazing.

Each day is a gift...open now. 

xo,

Suz