Have you ever decided to clean out an area only to feel guilty that you should be doing something else? Maybe not, but I have! I just spent the last couple of days cleaning out my studio and the whole time I’m saying to myself “you should be throwing”. But I pushed through and got my space all organized. I decided to take my reject pots and break them up and use them as decoration in the garden. I threw out bits of dried out saved clay, donated some to my friend Dorothy (who has a pug mill and can reuse the clay) and reorganized the rest. I even found new clay I didn’t even remember having. I created zones for the different processes of making pottery. I even made a dedicated shipping area for my Etsy sales. It’s a beautiful thing! So yesterday I tried on my new space for size. It felt so liberating to be in a clean, well organized space. I felt at peace while I worked – even my work looked better. Ah – now to tackle my clothes closet!

I am finally getting a break from school and am in the studio again to work. I set up my “booth” because I needed some pictures of my set-up to send to the McQueen High School Craft Fair people,and realized I am frightfully low in merchandise! Next week is going to a have a mug day! I’ve been making some large bowls for pasta or salad, which is a lot of fun, but have been neglecting the smaller stuff. SO, on my to-do list for next week: 1. Make mugs 2. Make egg poachers 3. Make water decanters with matching cup for the night stand (ok, so that one is just for fun).
I’ve been listing some of my newer stuff on my Etsy store. I’ll be the first one to admit that my photos are not the best. I need to work on that.
I’m optimistic for this coming year. I plan on doing several fairs. I enjoy getting out there and meeting people and talking about my work. In May, I plan on doing Bark in the Park. Its a great community event that raises money for our local animal rescue. They have great dogs and cats looking for a great home. Plus its fun to spend the day in the park watching all the dogs.
I’m off to the studio to make some glazes! Have a great day!

As I’ve been preparing for the Christmas season – not just making pottery to sell but also looking what I’ll give as gifts, I’ve been surfing Etsy for the fun and unique.  Please take a look at my favorites. There are some really talented artists on Etsy!

I’ve just listed a pair of personalized mugs for grown ups.  I’ve made some as wedding gifts and they have been a huge hit! Who wouldn’t want something with their last name on it?

Giving a gift that has been made by human hands I think holds a special significance. There is something mystical, organic and beyond the ordinary in things made one at a time.  When I make pottery to sell, its not a series of motions I go through mechanically.  I take care in each piece I form thinking of not only its aesthetic value but about the person who might ultimately use this piece.  I know many artists who feel the same way about what they make.  Giving gifts that are made by an individual also gives the recipient a comfort in knowing how this was made, where it was made and what materials are used.  The Reno Artists Co-Op has as their slogan “Be Original – Buy Orignal” that I think sums it all up.

So as you are contemplating what you will give this year, because you know you will, think about supporting the artists in your local area or try one on Etsy.  You will not only be helping a small business owner, but more importantly you’ll be giving something that was fashioned by hand, not mass produced with unknown materials and processes.

After the divorce and some much needed maturing on my part, I went back to college.  But with two little girls, med school was definitely out of the question.  So I got a business degree, which kept me gainfully employed throughout the years and forgot about med school.  Funny how life has a way of making your path for you and then bringing you full circle.

So I recently went back to school to take some science courses to see if I still had it in me. Believe it or not, I did.  Now I’m not going to say it has been easy – quite the contrary.  I’ve spent countless hours studying the material, carrying around my flash cards that I can whip out when I have a spare few minutes and truly dedicated myself to learning as best I can.

This week I sent off my application for Physician Assistant school.  I applied to five schools hoping that one of them will see my potential and offer me a spot.  My daughters are in grad school now or will be soon.  We could possibly end up at the same school! Weird!

The pottery continues to keep me sane. Through the last year and a half I’ve come to depend on my time in the studio;  to be able to unwind or ponder over what I learned that week. I will forever be an artist, now I’ll just be an artist with a paycheck – hopefully.  .  .

I have the good fortune of having a daughter who is a very talented web designer. Well, I have two daughters actually, the other one is a very talented singer, but that’s another topic. My daughter, Diandra, has created one the finest website around. What does she want in return, you ask? Cookies. Just cookies. Of course, some of her favorites along with some surprises.  There is no way I could have ever done this on my own, and forget about being able to afford such a site (remember, I’m an artist, we really don’t have a lot of money).  I want to publicly say how much I appreciate all the hours of hard work she has put into this site. Within the next few days, it will be completed for all to enjoy. Thank you, thank you, thank you Diandra Mezta for not only being such a great daughter to do this for me, but for being such an incredibly talented person.