Current projects and a little bit of drama

In conjuction with working on regular inventory and gallery orders in the studio, I've recently had some great special commissions. I'm just wrapping up one for the Arts and Science Council here in Charlotte. They're currenly in the throws of their fund drive, and commissioned me to make the gifts for the chairpeople of the drive. The first picture is the poster created specifically for this year's drive, and I was to design the gifts based on it. So, here are a few getting glazed, 2 finished pieces and small stacks of the finished product.

For me, no commission would be complete without a little bit of drama. While these are technically due next Wednesday, I gave myself a due date of this Friday, to make sure everything got done in time. I always make extra, just in case something happens that's out of my control (or I just plain mess up!). Well, they ended up ordering extra at the last minute which ate up my "just in case" pieces. Of course, as I opened the kiln yesterday, this was the face I made when I discovered that 3 pieces had major glaze snafoos:

Then I realized that I had enough time to remake the extras I needed...Here I am making more trays. Watch out for that belly! Yikes.

Yummy site....

I was rummaging around on the internet this evening, waiting for dinner to finish cooking, and I came upon this great site that I know is going to be completely distracting to me: http://www.reprodepot.com/

It's a website that features all sorts of goodies, but my favorites were the selections of fabrics of all sorts. I'm kinda a fabric freak and use a lot of different designs as inspiration for much of my work.

This swatch especially caught my eye. I swear I had a jumper or something in this pattern when I was 3! Oh, the memories.

Oh, things kids say

Wednesdays are usually a bit exhausting for me these days. I start off by meeting my friend Julie in the morning at the gym, doing the eliptical machine while reading smut magazines and chatting. Then off to teach class at Clayworks, tutoring at an afterschool program, back for a few hours of work in the studio and then back to Clayworks to teach an evening class.

I got a great little post-tutoring boost of energy today because one of my little students said something really funny. We haven't discussed the fact that I'm pregnant, so, I guess she was just trying to have my back on this one. As I got up to leave today, Tori gave me a hug from the side, looked up at me and said, "Miss Amy, I'm sorry. But your belly is gettin' kinda big." In other words, start focusing a little more during those workouts! Oh, the humility kids can create!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

....would you be mine, could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor? Oh yes, today marks the 40th anniversary of the first national broadcast of Mr. Rogers on PBS. I don't know about you, but in a family that didn't grow up on tv, this was one of the few shows we were allowed to enjoy. There was a great clip on NPR this morning, featuring good old Fred speaking to us adults, saying that he likes us "just the way we are." I think that's a sentiment that's easy to forget. Here's a link to a tribute to Mr. Rogers, recorded a couple of years ago on NPR.

Another reason it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood is that I've begun to notice a lot of plants have started to bloom. It doesn't quite feel like time for spring yet, but the dogwood trees and daffodils around here don't seem to care. We have some beautiful winter rose bushes right outside our front door that are in full bloom:

In the studio, I've been working on a couple of specific commissions, which are just about finished. While I enjoy creating something a bit different, I'm anxious to get back to making some of my "regular" work for some upcoming shows. In March and April, I'll be the featured artist in the Cabarrus County Arts Council gift shop, so that'll be the next project I'm working towards finishing.

V-Day

While I'm no culinary expert like my good friend Ron, I sure can work wonders with some box cake and sprinkles.

And, of course, we had to eat our dinner (I mean, pre-dinner snack) on some special plates! Awwwww. Look how sweet Brian is eating his cake.

I don't mean to get on a soapbox, but I will, being it's the day after cupid's rampage. While no marriage is perfect, many people say that it is hard work. I feel incredibly blessed that being married to Brian is quite easy. Not only do I love him, but I really like him too. So go have some cake if you love someone (this can include friends, family, a presidential candidate or animals over 5lbs)!

Oh yes, it's true!

Many of you already know this, and I don't know why it's taken me so long to post: but, yes, Brian and I are going to have a baby. This is the first picture we've taken of the whole process, so I thought I'd put it up since my belly's finally poking out. I'm a little over 5 months along and due in June. We're very excited, and not finding out if it's a boy or girl. A little while ago I thought it'd be funny to have a blog contest on naming the baby, but was a little scared of what may turn up. My dad keeps saying things like "Clay" if it's a boy. Yeah right.

Anyway, things are going well in the studio. Last week many of our Circle of Eight participated in the "Treasures of the Earth" show in Shelby, NC. The opening was fun- lots of people and great food. Tomorrow is the grand opening of Lark and Key, a new gallery in NODA that Julie, Jen and I are in- it's beautiful. They promise to have lots of people and great food there too (is there a pattern forming here?)- and a DJ. Should be a good time!