Sunday, November 29, 2009

A New Start

This is the first week since Edan "graduated" as apprentice from the studio, and I have a plan to give myself some discipline with his absence. I've put out a call for a new apprentice, and I hope to find someone to start in the spring.

My plan is to get some new work designed and on Etsy. Etsy is getting flooded with new sellers, and its getting harder and harder to be seen among the tens of thousands of people making stuff. Some of it is very high quality art, and I am happy to be seen alongside their work. Besides that, it is up to me to get seen out there. Maybe I could start using adwords at Google to see if I can move some work that way. It's all about conversions. . . .
Hello! It's been forever since I wrote, I know, but I've had a real problem getting these entries to post to the blog because of my other blog. So this is a test to see if it works!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

New Kiln load


I unloaded the kiln on Thursday, and it was a very good batch of pots. The colors are very vivid and full of energy. On the left you can see one of the large jars that I finished.
The formal shapes begged for some loose poured glazing, and I couldn't be more happy with the results. The Computer chips are in slots in the sides. The jar is close to 2 feet tall.
In the background you can see Edan, my apprentice, working on a large pot. He has learned to throw large forms, and he has learned VERY quickly. This is one student who will surpass me in ability. I love having his energy around, it helps me to be more creative and energetic.

These are some pieces that I am creating for a client in California (San Diego). The piece on the left is my creation, the pewter piece on the right is the item that I am replicating. The glaze on my piece still needs some work, but The shape is coming along. The "beaker" on the right is a replication of a 16th century Italian measuring beaker that has stamps impressed on it as an official certification of it's accruacy. My replications of the replication are in porcelain, and they are used for floral arrangements. There are 5 different sizes for the company events. What fun!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Working

It's amazing how much work is coming my way now that I'm back in the studio. And it is a real pleasure to be working with my apprentice, Edan. He's got so much to offer, and so much energy. It's fun working with someone who is finding direction.

The studio was closed down for a few months because I wanted to focus and develop a plan around my new company, Inspiring Connection. www.InspiringConnection.com I've got a much better start on that, so now I'm back in the studio and filling orders. Thanks to Kentucky Artisan Center @ Berea for the substantial order to restock. Any of you who want to restock or to place your holidays order, call me soon to get in the production schedule.

Below is an excerpt from my InspiringConnection blog. I include it because all arts and their challenges are an integral part of what comes through my clay works.

After a generous evening of musical instruction from a kind, generous, and incredibly talented friend, I was discouraged. I realized that this friend had intended to help me, but my goal was to show that I was a good musician on my own. He gave me a wake up call that I was not a musician of his caliber, and that my desire to be included was a bit ambitious at this point in my learning curve.

The fact is, I had not aspired to that level of performance until I had begun to play with other musicians in public. This was quite the stretch for me, way out of my comfort zone. But I pushed myself, set aside my fears, and jumped in with both feet.

I was stroking my ego with the positive response, and feeding my joy with the simple pleasure of creating music with the synergy of other live musicians. What a blast!

I can feel the correction to my ego after last evening, and I know that this is a small bump in the road. I am determined to see where I can go with the musical talent that I have been given. I have decided to let my own light shine. Let the chips fall where they may. And I will focus on the joy that I derive from the experience.

Larry

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Back

HellO!
Finally I've gotten a new blog account, because Google decided to delete my old one!??
I'll be back soon, this is a test.
Larry