A few pictures from today’s sale. #pottersofbluesky #pottery

A wonderful glaze firing today. I’ve been working on melding my carvings with my glaze combinations. These feel right. #pottersofbluesky #pottery #wheelthrownpottery

New design in my herb stripper bowls. In the cooling phase now and the waiting begins. #pottersofbluesky #pottery

In 2019 my husband and I were very busy running a small business along with my teaching job and my pottery. When we exchanged cards that day, we laughed at the irony that we would pick the exact same card for each other.

I’m playing with some new ideas. I love my glaze combinations but they mask my carvings. I’m hoping the two can live happily side by side. #pottery #ceramicart #wheelthrown

I hid from the world for the afternoon. I’ve got lots of my work stained/underglazed and waxed. Ready to begin glazing. #pottery

I’m at a public sale this morning in my hometown. #pottery #ceramics

I’m learning to throw large plates. This one is the largest but my foot is too small. There’s always a lesson to be learned. #pottery #wheelthrown #potterystudiolife

If your corner of the internet is a home for every queer heart, let it show. Repost if #LGBTQIA+ folks are welcome here. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🎆

Sunday I chose to hide from the ugliness of our world. I just couldn’t “people” anymore. I wound up turning the bowls I threw Thursday evening into berry bowls, herb stripper bowls and one lonely dip/snack/egg beater bowl. #pottery #handmadekitchenart

Have any of you heard Karoline Leavitt today? I don’t as a practice listen to her but I came across a press conference. She sounds panicked and scared. They are spiraling. #Departmentofhomelandsecurity #Minnesota

I had caregiver hours tonight so I could get in the studio. Didn’t feel creative with everything happening. Hung a new pegboard for my texture tools and set up my Dremel work area. #pottery #chasingmypeaceofmind

Got all of the finished work polished and displayed. Now to get making more great stuff. #pottery

Off to a good new year! Just before the holidays the hinge broke on a hall bench. As dinner cooked I enlisted my friend’s help to repair the hinge. We rejuvenated the bench finish and tightened the coat hooks. Then we cleaned up my late husband’s Dremmel and he taught me how to use it. #widowhood

Each year I at my work to “see” how it’s changed, grown and improved. I really like the way I’m starting to blend my glaze combinations with my carving. I stumbled upon a “warm white” glaze combination that feels subtle and warm. I’m still learning how it behaves on vertical vs horizontal surfaces.

The cookie jar with the stuck lid finally released! From the freezer to warm water three separate did the trick. That’s and lots of loving taps with the wooden handle of my hammer. #pottery #ceramics

Cookie jars. So pretty but so much yet to learn! The first two have lids FIRMLYstuck! The next three the lids released with a bit of tapping. The last one- the lid released with tapping but I wasn’t prepared and the rim broke. #pottery #potterylessons

My coffee hour guest. #redbelliedwoodpecker #winterbirds #birdwatching

My high school pottery teacher was experimenting with macro crystals and computerized kilns in the 70s. I found this vase by her on eBay. Originally sold in 1975. She told me I got a bargain. I knew I got a treasure! I’m visiting her next week, she’s 92 I think. @pottery

Yesterday’s dawning and hoar frost.

I’ve been working with closed form teardrop sculptures and altering them. I thought I may have pushed the second one too far but I like the shadows it casts. @pottery @sculpture @alterredclay @wheelthrown

Getting a lot of snow today. When I’m not shoveling I’m finishing some work in progress.

Feeling cynical and sad… Is it possible the national guard troop and the individual in Butler PA were “sacrificed” for political gain? The mere thought makes me physically ill. I don’t want to believe this is part of our world yet I know evil exists.

I sell my pottery at a little city market close to my home. We just moved indoors for the winter and I put together this promo mosaic to help my advertising. I think it came out pretty great. @pottery @wisconsinpotter @ceramics

Pottery… I had a great day throwing 50#s of clay. I almost didn’t post as I’m struggling with the politics of our country. The throwing brought me a peaceful respite to here it is…I hope you find respite as well.

Northern Lights in Southeastern Wisconsin.

I’m in Northern WI this weekend which is pretty red. I found the protest and was happy to join them! #nokings

Yesterday I escaped to the pottery studio for 6 hours. I spent the 1st 4 hrs throwing. Then I attached a handle to a mug I made earlier. Then I got lost in carving on a sculpture. I found peace. My friend already commented on the piece and I thought her words were prophetic. #pottery #claysculpture

Moved drying pottery first this morning. Then a friend stopped by to switch out his cars. Very cool cars!

And I’m back in the studio! Medical restrictions lifted (cataract surgeries). Caregiver at the house for me son. SIX glorious pottery studio hours!!!

I finally have a dedicated packing and shipping area. A $40 industrial stool from 1963 and a brand new workbench fill the corner. The shelves are on their 3rd incarnation. The boxes are full of recycled packing materials. TV area for my son’s entertainment. #pottery #potterystudiolife #barnstudio

Back to selling this week. I have one more week before I can get my hands on the clay again. I’m going a little crazy. Yesterday I worked on paperwork! The horrors! #pottery #potterystudiolife.

2nd cataract surgery complete and patch removed. 20/20 distance vision and I may not need cheaters for reading. The world is looking gorgeous (as long as I hide from the news).

This is the back of my loft studio. The separating wall is made with recycled barn door and porch boards. I’m hoping to make shelves to hold more finished work on the right wall using more barn wood.The right side is a mess of used packing materials. It will be shipping/photo area. #pottery

Seven days out from cataract surgery. My distance vision in corrected eye is outstanding. Can’t play in the clay for about a month yet. Cleaned and organized more in the studio today. #pottery #potterystudiolife

Out of the kiln at 9:30 this morning and sold along with a coordinating fruit bowl by 7 tonight! #pottery

Then there’s the one that got away… Name that expletive…

The less glamorous parts of pottery…fun phrases. I’ve stained some bottoms and waxed others. Now to wipe back the stained bottoms and wax them too. Then to tape off a few before glazing everything tonight. #pottery #potterystudiolife

My ancestor, Peter Rhodes read The Declaration of Independence to the good people of Allentown, PA from the steps of the Zion Reformed Church on July 8, 1776. Later he would be instrumental in the hiding of the Liberty Bell. Remember the fight our ancestors fought. Fight on!

There have been two hawks hanging out here since the hay was cut. The other birds alert each other when they’re near. I’ve been reclaiming more of the abandoned apple orchard which seems to have mostly black walnut trees now. I break the mower or get it stuck at least once a week. #farmwidow

Fancy feet added to large bowls. Overthrown closed forms waiting for more finishing. I’m so grateful for the snippets of time I get in the studio. The news is worse than my worst fears and spiraling too fast. #pottery #potterystudiolife

Sitting on the porch with coffee before I have to “people” today. #peacefulmoments

Evolution of a cookie jar. #pottery

If I try really hard I can pretend things are okay. Even the birds are distressed this morning. They know the dangers the presence of the red tailed hawk presents. They’re busy warning each other. I wish humans did better at this. #war #nokings

It was a good day in the studio! #pottery

The trees are happy. I need to stake them but that can wait a day or two. I’m loving my new “remote” water system. So much better than fighting with 200’+ of hose. #plantatree

So… I’m officially “older”. I’ve had to curtail my pottery making and sales schedule due to cataracts surgery. I’m not thrilled about the restrictions but it’ll be worth it in the long run #pottery

They say planting a tree means having hope for the future. Today I planted three quaking aspen. A future aspen grove for my five week old grandson. This farm has been in my late husband’s family for three generations. I’m preparing for the next two generations at least. #keepingpositive

I found this in my memories from yesterday. I created the picture from work I had thrown and the thoughts that go through my head as I do. Yesterday was a really bad day due to everything going on in our world. I think today will have to be a studio day. Time to heal. #pottery #selfcare

I facilitate an online grief group on Mondays. We steer clear of politics as a rule. Today I broke my own rule as I am heartsick over LA. To my surprise everyone one of us feels the same. Looks like we’ll all attend Saturday’s “NO KINGS” events. ❤️ #nokings #immigration