Festival in the Clouds

This weekend it was time again for Festival in the Clouds in Alma. Sunshine, music, and pottery sales! Here's a tour of my setup....

My lovely booth mate, selling her cute concrete rhubarb leaf impressions

I should have gotten closeups on my appetizer trios!

Food and water bowls for pets

I like how the green glazes look together

Flower mugs

 

An eternal favorite - beer stein coffee mugs

I also had bike plates and stackable mugs - blue, pink, and white glazes

My friend brought a wildflower bouquet that divided nicely into two vases

See anything you'd like to own? Email me! I have a new address: iris [at] wildirisclay [dot] com. I also have a new website! There's still more work to do, but the essentials are up at wildirisclay.com. Let me know what you think of my new look. I always enjoy feedback.

Speaking of which, I've had a request to do more photos documenting pottery in progress. I will try to do that! Meanwhile, a quick before-and-after:

A couple of weeks ago, while doing a throwing demo, a sweet little girl named Zoe was glued to my side, watching closely while making requests: mug, bowl, jewelry holder, large vase. She also drew me inspiring shapes for more pieces she thought I should make later. What a great kid!

After glazing, here they are in my booth in Alma.

Happy Summer, everyone!

Spring Stroll

Hello, Spring! The weather is sublime today. We enjoyed a peaceful two-mile stroll behind the house. I love this springtime weather - a little too warm for my sweater and hat (even with my wet hair from the shower), but still refreshing; the snow holds up well enough under our weight so we don't fall through very much, and we also enjoy the sounds of rushing water as it runs down the mountain. We cross streams here and there, most of which will disappear by summer.

 

 

 

Vlad's sweater is much too thick for summer. I think it's time for some serious tufting to rid him of extra bulk and insulation!

 

I've been spending quality time over at Instagram recently. Come find me for regular photo updates @wildirisclay (www.instagram.com/wildirisclay). Piers has an account, too, @pierspeterson (www.instagram.com/pierspeterson).

 

Arts Alive!

Saturday night was the Grand Re-Opening at Arts Alive Gallery in Breckenridge. I appreciate all the people who came, it was a packed house! Here's a photo from much later in the evening. (I like when my display looks a little sparse, thanks for buying my pottery!)

Flowers, Birds, and an Elephant

I recently made a lovely custom butter dish using inspiration from a photo provided by my client.

Here's another custom piece, an elephant teapot (thrown on the wheel then altered).

A new assortment of flower mugs for the colorful Breckenridge shop, Magical Scraps:

I'm starting on a new set of mugs that will feature endangered whooping cranes. Yesterday I sat on the couch with my puppy to sketch some shapes.

 

And now to leave you with something silly....

On Saturday, in Frisco, there was an event called "Mardi Paws." A Mardi Gras mini parade for dogs! I had a good laugh seeing that many owners coordinated their outfits to match the pups.

 

Snowy Valentine's Day

Vlad wishes everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! 

The snow is at least as high as his bench

I've been busy making work, glazing, shipping, dealing with bills, etc. Time's been flying by. It's mid-February already?!? 

I have two photos of new work to share: one piece that's drying slowly in the studio and the mugs I packed up and shipped out earlier this week. Then I have to get back to firing my kiln and finish glazing a very cool butter dish...

Custom elephant teapot

Travel safely, dear snowflake mugs

And now my favorite: Photos sent to me from happy customers. Thank you!! I love these very much. Keep 'em coming!

Vlad says MUAH!

Catching up

Monday morning finds me in a good mood, enjoying a cup of coffee. I woke up to my weekly email from Step Forward with Katie - this week's theme is "Practice Makes Perfect," reminding me that I reinforce my habits and beliefs, for better or for worse. I prefer "for better." So today's post is filled with cheerfulness and pottery and I hope it sets you in a good mood, too.

Happy windswept puppy on the mountain behind our house

Today I have three packages of pottery to mail. Thank you for buying my work on Etsy! I have three reviews so far and they are phenomenal! I appreciate these kind people for taking the time to share their feedback.

Enjoying a final moment with a lovely serving platter before I pack it up

I'm on a tight schedule finishing pieces for the Fairplay Bazaar this coming Saturday. I'm impatiently drumming my fingers, waiting for my kiln to cool so I can enjoy the newly glazed work inside! And there's another kilnload of pottery to fire tomorrow.

How time flies! Taking a moment to remember the brief but beautiful autumn...

I have to teach two pottery classes this week since we rescheduled last week's too-close-to-Thanksgiving class. I can't wait to see my students again and soak up their dedication, curiosity, and enthusiasm. For our latest project we made mugs and I'm really impressed with the handles they pulled. Great job, ladies!

Brand new potters at work in the Breckenridge Arts District

Onto custom work. I looooove custom orders and the opportunity to really crank up my creativity. These are quick pics, unfortunately with a low-quality camera, but I have to share anyway because I love these pieces!

Yes! Another planter - happy swimming koi fish to inspire serenity and peacefulness

 

This is my interpretation of a request for a "girly" design - bouquet of lilies, roses, irises, tied in a pretty bow

Time to glaze some mugs. I have four ballet classes to teach tonight and time is running short!

Have a creative day ~