Thursday, January 21, 2010

Dr. Mecham - Faculty Distinguished Lecture

DR. JOHN MECHAM
- The Faculty Distinguished Lecture -

"The Waikiki Delicatessen:
the Beginnings of Big Ideas"

January 26, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Jones Auditorium, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC





An Exploration in Words and Music!


Each year one Meredith faculty member is honored by the Faculty Development Committee and the Vice President for Academic Programs by being chosen to deliver the FACULTY DISTINGUISHED LECTURE. The speaker is chosen for the excellence of her/his scholarship or research, and it is always fascinating to hear these presentations. This year rumors have it that we are in for some surprises. So who is John Mecham? (click to go to Meredith College's page)






RECEPTION TO FOLLOW IN JOHNSON HALL.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Wednesday Window



This week we had the main water line break.  The plumbers had to dig a ($4000) trench all through my flower bed.  They went right through the Peony, Iris, and Gerbera Daisies.  I cried when I saw what they had done.  But, I guess now I will have nice soft soil to plant some new ones!
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Commission: Oyster Platters

During the North Carolina Pottery Fair, this past December, John and I were asked to make some oyster platters.  I have to admit that I really did not know what an oyster platter was (ok, I could guess what it was), but wasn't quite sure what one looked like.  This man said that he collects them from all over the world and has a huge collection, but he cannot find them anymore.  Plus, he wanted some more modern pieces of handmade artwork.  John and I decided that we would make a few of them and let him take his pick.  And if he doesn't like any of them, that is alright, too.  But I love the challenge!

Before I started I made a few sketches and went from there.  I didn't want to look at any online because I didn't want them to influence my designs.  The first one I came up with is like a branch and each "leaf" will hold the oyster.

 I am going to glaze that in the green that we often use on our pieces.
 
The second is a true mix of oriental style combined with a Victorian flair (weird combo, but that is what it looks like to me.) This, piece will be glazed in a creamy white and then I will melt blue green glass in the circle in the middle of the plate.

I am very excited about these two.  I just hope they make it through the firing process!



Here are a few examples of ones that I found on-line.




So mine are very different from the others I have seen.  Plus, the man told me that they usually held 10-12 oysters, where most of these hold 5-6.  John has not started on making any yet (because he has been working on another commission for someone.)  I am not sure what he is going to do, but I am sure that it will also be very different.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Wednesday Window


For some reason I am feeling like this guy - paddling along, but not getting anywhere.  Maybe someone needs to give us a push.

(I took this at the NC Zoo, Oct 31, 2009)

Friday, January 8, 2010

Gumi-Gumi Island Giveaway

I wanted to post about this cute giveaway.  It is from Gumi-Gumi Island: Rainbow Project http://amigurumiandpizza.blogspot.com/2010/01/rainbow-giveaway.html#ixzz0brKLiQDS

FIRST PRIZE:
a personalized amigurumi from one of these patterns to choose from.
SECOND PRIZE:
10 dollars discount in her Etsy shop to use for purchase of pattern or completed amigurumi.
THIRD PRIZE:
a pattern to choose from.








Thursday, January 7, 2010

Reading everyone's resolutions.

I will have to be honest and say that I have really enjoyed reading everyone's blogs about their New Year's resolutions.  I am one of those that always set resolutions every year.  I am not very serious about them.  I never write them down and I never tell anyone what they are.  I guess I am afraid that if I do tell someone then it would be too much pressure trying to keep them and I would really feel like a failure if I didn't keep them.  I look at New Year's resolutions as just a way to re-evaluate myself. A week has past and I probably have made ten resolutions and probably have already broke most of them.  But that is ok, I am aloud to make up my own rules.  Maybe this year February 1st will be the start of my resolutions.

Probably the big one is always to save money.  By the 4th that one was out the window.  My son wanted me to take him to Walmart (which I hate - I hate shopping period!), but we went and I ended up picking up a couple items that I really didn't need.  One was a file box for my studio (that one is a little ok, but a cardboard box could have served the same purpose.  The second was a new Stephen King book, Under the Dome.  And then the next day I had to exchange a couple of Christmas presents at the mall.  I go there about four times a year (did I say I hate shopping?) But, once I was there I thought I should go in a couple of the stores and look around, since everyone was having sales.  I ended up buying a couple new tops and a dress.  Because I work at the studio, I never dress up, but I have a closet full of dresses.  I justified this one, because it was a summer dress and it was only $5.  I couldn't pass that up!

My shopping added a new resolution and that is to read the Stephen King book.  That one shouldn't be too hard, since I love reading.  It is 1074 pages, so it may take a while.

Of course, I always say that I am going to eat better.  I am allergic to a lot of food, so it is hard to make good food choices when I am out.  We stop at fast food restaurants almost every week when we are traveling.  My weakness is a caramel sundae from McDonalds.  You can't beat it for a buck.  I thought that I should try cutting back on those.  But yesterday I had to stop for gas and the McDonalds was right there.  I justified it by getting my husband a hot fudge sundae because he had been home all day working and needed a little reward.  Maybe I will switch gas stations....

My other big resolution is to "just do it!"  I blame my grandparents and my mother for putting off projects.  My desk gets filled up with little things that need to be taken care of.  Then when I want to work on something I have to make my way through the pile.  I also have a habit of setting something down when I should just take care of it right then.  I have been working for the past several days at making my way though the "To Do" pile.

As a artist, I want to save everything because I may need it for a project.  My husband had done some wine tasting and had a couple of plastic cups.  I took them thinking that they must be good for something.  So last night I made some Christmas ornaments out of them. Ok, these aren't designer ornaments, but they are like the ones my Gram made when I was little.  I actually have a snowman one that she made, which I just wrapped up with the Christmas decorations.  It was fun making them and remembering my time with Gram. But, from now on I am going to ask myself is the "thing" really worth keeping or is it just one more thing to take up space.


I just keep telling myself that I am happy with who I am.  I could use a little work, but what fun is that?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Wednesday Window





These are the best two kids in the world! I know that I have said that before - but I just can't get over how lucky I am to have these two in my life.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I took some time off to enjoy my family.  Wish it didn't have to end so soon.

A NEW blog - Faceted Journey - Using Tarot as a Guide

A NEW blog - Faceted Journey - Using Tarot as a Guide  I am trying to get things done, lol.  I have started a new blog that is dedicated to ...