'It Shoulda Been Me' Revised

Woke up this morning
It's Christmas Day
I opened the cupboard
to put Kline away
and right there in front
Just happened to sit
In all of its glory
An oil spot Britt

'It shoulda been me
instead of the Kline
It shoulda been me
While you reclined
It shoulda been me
Full of Christmas wine'

Then came a rumble
from way in the back
Things started to tumble
and started to crack
A Sheehan and Copus
were charging ahead
It was hard to focus
When one of them said,

'It shoulda been me
instead of the Kline
It shoulda been me
While you reclined
It shoulda been me
Full of Christmas wine'

Now Sheehan you know
you're better for brew,
Theriault is for lemonade,
Tinnaro is too
Britt is for chocolate,
coffee and tea
A Tanner for soup,
or stew with no beef

But when I'm reclining
And drinking my wine
Nothing compares
to the feel of a Kline.

December 24th

'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through my house
were Rosie's Hanukkah presents
a toy bone and mouse.

And on one of the tables
next to her toy bone
was a cup of Mike Kline's
of my very own.

A Britt, a Tanner,
a Flannigan-Bond,
a Theriault, a Tinnaro,
and the list goes on
of potters whose cups
I have at least one.

But though all the cups
all equally fine
somehow none can compare
to the feel of a Kline.

They each have their form
their whimsy and glaze
They are evenly thrown
and garner high praise.

But tonight as I sit
In my chair and recline
Watching TV
And drinking my wine
The wind is howling
The cheescake divine
Some how nothing compares
to the feel of a Kline.

Merry Christmas.

Dug Out!!

No, it's not baseball season yet. Far from it, But, I am out of the house and feeling very very lucky and grateful that I was safe and warm. So many were without power and heat, as well as being stuck.

Went to the studio today, and only lost one pot to drying too quickly.

I've had some time to think about creating a line of work. Trying to create a signature of my own that will carry through the various pieces of Judaica is challenging. I could figure it out it I were creating a line of dishes and jugs, vases, etc. But something that will carry across the entire Jewish calendar...I don't know. Needs some more thought and some input from someone more experienced than I.

I have several motifs that I've been using, two color palates each for high fire and mid fire, however, none is appropriate for all.

Any input on this topic will be appreciated. Might be a great topic for Clay Club.

Snow Days

Well, I am snowed in with about 8 inches against the back gate and in my patio. It's beautiful and I wish I could get the good camera out of my car and take better photos.

These are from my phone and the charger is in the car. My car is up to its pupic (belly button) in snow and my 100 year old tree may be sporting its last snow. She must come down soon.

No Furthur!!

Yes, it's spelled correctly. I didn't call on Friday at 10 am like I should have and the FURTHER concert sold out in minutes. I am bummed. My ex-husband's second ex-wife (I'm No.#1) and I were going to go together. I wanted to yell, "Let Bobby sing!!" one more time. Anyone out there with extra tickets, I need two. We didn't invite wife #3...she's not "ex". (resisting the temptation to add: yet. I do wish them well.)

I am hoping to get photos of my new work done. I am still reluctant to take them myself, even though I have take two or three sessions on "Photography for Potters". I am hoping JT will let me hire her once she feels better. I always seem to be three to six weeks behind in planning. Hanukkah will be over on Sunday, and I don't have my Hanukkiyiot (Menorahs) photographed and on the website. Not good. I need to have JT on retainer.

I've also started a 2010 calendar to send out to synagogues and to friends for the New Year. Next one will begin in September for the Jewish New Year. I didn't even think about it until this morning.

If anyone reads this, and knows how I can get the wood from a 100 year old tree processed for a wood kiln, let me know. My Silver Maple has to be taken down. I should take photos, but the camera is in the car and I am in the warm house.

More later...

Children of Abraham

It's so nice to find out that my music is still being played and heard out in the world. My congregation in Santa Monica recently performed my "Children of Abraham" at their annual event with the Muslim community, and I got word that someone from Women in Black organization in the UK heard it on Rhapsody streaming, and wants to include it in an event there are participating in regarding Middle East peace talks. I am honored to have them use it. You can hear it at:

http://nellepingree.com/music.html

Stroll

Let's just say, this was not my best couple of days for commerce. So, we move on. I was, however, invited to participate in a three day All Judaica Fair in Moriah, IL (close to Chicago) during Judaica Arts Week. This is, Apparently, a very big deal. So, head down and punt, I say.

Photos this week, ETSY, next week. There's more than one way to punt.

Sicko

So it's three days before the River Arts District Stroll. This is a big deal for potters and artists in the area, especially the November stroll (so close to the holiday season). The only thing is that it is also cold and flu season not to mention STRESSFUL!. So, of course, I have a sore throat, a bladder thing and my BP is 168/90...NOT GOOD. Two of my important pieces didn't get in the kiln, even though I paid for them to be fired. Dean's work schedule has changed so I have to take him to work on Saturday at 3pm and will have the baby until 10pm. AAAAHHH!

Calm, I am calm. I am the light, I am the calm.

Objects of Virtue

Found out today that my Seder Plate for Tu B'Shvat will be part of an exhibition in Walnut Creek, CA.

Objects of Virtue
Bedford Gallery
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
Opening Reception
December 2, 2009
6pm to 8pm

New Stuff???

So, I have been avoiding the wheel for about a week. I was frustrated by my lidded pot assignment from Becca Floyd. The pots were pretty nice, but I couldn't trim the lids without disaster. I ended up with jars with no lids and that was just unacceptable, so I stopped for a few days. But unable to stay away from the clay, I started "Women of the Torah", my mini gallery of ideas for larger pieces, if I ever learn how. So far, there are Naomi & Ruth and Hannah.

anyway, back to the wheel tomorrow.

Echo Gallery Opening

Tonight was the gala opening of the Echo Gallery in Biltmore Park. It was extremely well attended, and not just by the usual suspects. The food was delicious and the art was beautifully hung and placed. Even in the pouring rain.

The diversity of artists and media makes this a very special gallery and I hope everyone does well. Judging from tonight, they should. Unfortunately, the only photo I took was of two of my favorite potters, Lori Theriault (part of the Echo Co-op) and Heather Tinnaro (a guest artist at Echo).

Hardlox

Hardlox Festival was a really good day for Oy Clay!!! Pottery. The cold kept a lot of people home, but those who came were really in the spirit. Lots of music and great food. And the best part was having two of my dear friends from Santa Monica walk into the crowd. What a surprize!!! Here we all are at breakfast on Tuesday at Tupelo Honey Cafe.

I heard from Beth Tzedec about the Ritual Cup Awards, and, while I did not win the clay prize, my cup did sell, so that is a big thing!!!

Finally, this was the weekend Aly, Dean & Sophia moved into their own apartment. I have my house back and they promised they would come back and clean. Hmmm...?

I'll let you know about that.

Oy Clay!!! Pottery will be at Hardlox

(adjacent to the Grove Arcade)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2009

11 AM - 4 PM

Asheville's place for Judaica in clay.

Making Stuff

So, the work is drying and will be ready for my Thursday bisque. Wonky Pots, Hanukkiot and mezuzzahs are pictured here, together with my new wheel and the inside of my little, cluttered studio. I am having so much fun!!!

Rain

Yes, rain. Good...bad. Paradox!!! Green pastures, woolly worms & slugs; river rafting, floods. Mud, mud, mud!!!

Wedding Cup Revisited

Ok, so here is the photo of the Wedding Cup, Beloveds, made for the Blessings & Innovations: Celebrating Ideas in Ritual Cup Design, at Beth Tzedec's Reuben & Helene Dennis Museum, in Toronto, ON.

Thanks to John Britt for the photo.

Wedding Cup

This is my Wedding Cup, Beloveds, for the invitational "Blessings & Innovations
Celebrating Ideas in Ritual Cup Design" at Beth Tzedec's Reuben & Helene Dennis Museum, in Toronto, ON.

Photos Speak

Arthur, Carolanne, Carole Marie, Jill, Peggy & I (not shown) with the Glaze Guru Geek and our tiles.

Day 3

So today was a much better day. We got our Cone 10reduction tiles and mine were very nice. Penn State shino with various colorants. To experience the wide variety of results from each base glaze was actually thrilling. Can't wait for the next reveal!!!

Glaze, Craze, Shiver and Dazed

Day 2 of the Workshop. So it was my assignment to make 1000 gms of a glaze, the receipe of which was given in 100 grams. EPK 30, Silica 20, Gertsley Borate 50. Just add a "0" to each. Easy peasy, right. Can we say, "Senior moment"? 40 tiles missing 450 grms of Gerstly borate. Not good.

But what is good is that I have been accepted to participate in the 2009 Hard Lox Festival, which is the annual Jewish Festival in October. This makes me very happy, and I will be back at the wheel on Monday.


Who is the Birthday Boy in this picture???

Drama

Well, the last two weeks have been high drama in my life. Throwing, bisque firing, glazing & glaze firing my first 1/2 kiln have each had their own little dramas attached. I will photograph the results and I am happy with most. My Kiddush Cup for the Bet Tzedek show in Toront0 would have been better with one more attempt, but time has run out, so photo tomorrow, FedEx on Wednesday.

Now my Sophia is sick as is Dean, her dad. The doctor has seen them both and we are hoping they will be okay soon.

Aly has taken all of her GED tests and will get her certificate in 2 weeks. She is feeling good about herslf and I am very happy and proud of her.

Currently, I am taking John Britt's Basic Glaze Chemistry and Raw Material workshop and driving back and forth. Today was the first day and I am exhausted, but what a great workshop.

I now have my very own potter's wheel, thanks to a very sweet Brady, who is moving to New Mexico and sold me his year old Thomas Stewart Legend for $400. It is in my studio at Odyssey and awaits a Shehechianu (blessing for the first time).

I must sleep now!

handles and 2nd Saturday Market

Last Sunday I was at John Britt Pottery with others learning about handle pulling, pushing, throwing and building. In 3 hours I made 1 good handle, and it wasn't even on one of the 14 vessels I brought for that purpose.


Yesterday, Oy Clay!!! Pottery (I) was part of the 2nd Saturday Artist Market hosted by Crazy Green Studios (Lori Theriault) in east West Asheville. It was a very hot day, but there was a small steady steam of patrons, who spent some money. It was fun making new friends like George and Noel in the Glassworks booth, Anthony Devito in his pottery booth, The Asheville Jugglers and others. This little market is growing and the word is getting out. Be there in September!!!

Cutest Dog Competition

Bele Chere P.S.

Forgot to mention seeing Kari Weaver Hopkins at Bele Chere, looking great, selling her fabulous pots and having fun. Didn't have my camera with me when she stopped by, but, take it from me, she looked great.

Bele Chere

What a trip Bele Chere was this weekend. Lots of people, music, food. Loved it. I wish I could have gone to all of it. But made many friends, connections and even sold some stuff.

It was all good!!!

(From top left: 1) Laurie McCarriar, Naomi Diamond Rodgers & Barbara Perez; 2) Phil DeAngelo; 3) Naomi and Robert; and,
my little corner of the tent.

Digital Photo Class with Joy Tanner and John Britt

I am so glad I took this class again. I think, for the mechanically impaired, two times - a must. And lunch is worth the price of admission. Boo was there, and the turkeys came to visit, along with the ferral cat who John has adopted. I am glad to say that, contrary to a prior post (see "Burnsville, NC" post of 6/16/09) John was not a turtle. Now I cannot be sure he wasn't one at the time of my prior post; however, I can say that, at least for today, the curse has been lifted.

My Lovely Wonky Pots

While doing demonstrations during stroll, I hand built about half a dozen wonky pots. People stopped by and wanted to know where they could get some finished ones. Anyway, They came out of bisque this week and today I started painting. Tomorrow night I'll clear glaze them and fire them on Monday. I think I may have happened upon something. People came into the studio today and ordered two.