Updates! “sort of”

I am still in the learning curve. Including the part with allocating and organizing time. Little stuff seems to eat my time. So scheduling blocks of time for pottery. Could be learning it, practicing, making, or writing, or just doing. It’s strangely satisfying to be able to get the necessary things done and the nonsense. I can’t really blame the pandemic, using time wisely hasn’t been a strength of mine. According to spell check, neither is spelling. Here are some pictures to show this is a pottery blog and here is an announcement. The Central Maine Clay Artists, CMCA, are doing their pop up shop inside another shop. Monkitree has graciously invited us to show and sell in there. They are in Gardiner Maine, on Water Street and will be adding us later in November! The pandemic has changed our plans but not canceled them!

Some of the items you will see at Monkitree!

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Learning curve

I am now in the beginning phase of this website. I have blogged, now I am trying to promote my pottery. Please excuse the hiccups was I walk through this. Thank you!

ditchlillypottery@gmail.com

Maine 04345

Catch Up!

via Catch Up!

Catch Up!

Hi! I haven’t been on in awhile and have to update my sites. The pandemic has been an interesting experience. It meant I had time to work on a few new ideas and some different clay. It also meant a lack of energy. However the group i am in is going to start an online sales site and needs a link. This one seems like a good one so here goes! Here are some pictures of what I did manage to get done, enjoy!

works in progress!

Catch up and Resolutions

via Catch up and Resolutions

Catch up and Resolutions

While late to the game, I did make a resolution for New Year’s. Nothing especially fancy or heavy just a simple idea. I would not manage my time better, I would use it better. It has been a stop and go deal but I am getting better. I get to work a little earlier and when I am home I seem to get a little more done. Pottery as a business and a fulfillment, does require time being used wisely, or at least better. What can I make that sells, how do I make it so I can sell it at an affordable price and still pay myself? What can I make that I like? Many questions, And I am slowly answering them.

Now that spring feels more here than there, mug season has started. I was able to make enough mugs for this show and start a new design. I did alright last year, but it was time for a new design. I was right!

I also find that using time better also means looking around and learning about my area. Even interacting in new ways and just learning to enjoy myself, frugally of course but not have every moment geared toward Getting Something Done. Sometimes that is more wasteful than just letting things be and learning from them. some pictures of course of things I am doing or have done.

There was a fundraiser earlier that was a Christmas Tree fire with cocoa and bring your own mug. How can a potter refuse? Then earlier I had a good harvest of apples and grapes that became a nice jam for Christmas. Also I am working on some garden sculptures and lamps, and my new mug design. A lamp I fitted with a new shade to help it fit in better in my living room. Enjoy!

Another Update

via Another Update

Another Update

Hi! I’m trying to be a little more disciplined about posting. Happy Summer for you I hope. It’s been interesting as always. The water pump is acting up again, this time it’s the pressure switch. It was the check valve and part of the pipe before. I really should have everything replaced but the bank said no. So hopefully the repair will buy some time. I had to replace my car also. The water pump chain ( a theme here?) broke and when chains break in cars they don’t coma back very often. At least not a second time. But the new car is a hatchback, so I can see out the back window and packing for craft shows just got easier!
I also have a square app now. I can take credit cards!
The Farmer’s market is working out so far, I don’t go every Saturday. Family and the fact people will buy eggs and lettuce every week, but not pottery does make it necessary to ration my appearances. I did the Mt. Vernon sale again. I did better than I did last time, and that one was pretty good. I do love how people react to my work. The shows are extra money and good feedback. I get to socialize a little too.
So, some things are going slowly but still going, forward momentum! I am getting better at making plates! Goblets are also a good learning curve, still need to weigh out my clay but getting more consistent in size.
Finally, some photos of what I have been doing.

from the Farmers Market

Catch Up!

via Catch Up!

Catch Up!

Summer is here,not officially but here enough. Winter and spring have been gray and cold. Spring was a little gentler with longer days and notes of hope. I am finally doing more work in the studio. When it’s cold I don’t like going to my cellar to work. Not too crazy about it when it is damp.

Add to that the usual financial stress of one paycheck and unexpected expenses,it’s not depression, but it is depressing. The mug sale was a little pick me up. The local schools all received a nice check from our group. I didn’t sell as many mugs as I have in the past but I made average. Time to update what I make.
The “nice” thing about having the car die and needing replace it? The “new” car is a hatchback that can help my daughter move and hold what I need for craft sales. So, scramble to buy a car and then register it. My family and friends have been a BIG help! Grateful to them all!
I was able to make the Farmer’s market this year. The sales did help with groceries and other needs. Every bit helps. The market was the pick me up I needed. I made some money, my work was appreciated and I was able to make some trades in addition to sales. And the weather was good!
Now on to some challenges. I am practicing with plates and low wide forms. Also learning not to keep every thing I make. Not everything I make is precious! But some of it is 🙂 Some works in progress!

work in progress

from the Farmers Market