A watched Pot

They say "A watched pot never boils" and I think this is very true. My kiln is still too hot to open so I can't check to see how my mud and glass bowl is coming out. Normally opening my kiln is like Christmas (especially with a glaze firing) but today I have more anticipation, speculation, excitement and even a little stress. LOL. Silly me. Like I said in my last post, I have been wanting to mix mud and glass in a piece. So this is really exciting for me. If it doesn't come out how I envision it that's ok. It's a starting point. I will figure out what went wrong and adjust things on my next try. Maybe that is the most exciting part. Learning from the mistakes and trying again.

Well maybe in a couple of more hours I will be able to open the kiln and see how it turned out. Wish me luck!

Mixing ceramics and glass

I was at an arts and crafts fair several years ago and saw a potter that incorporated glass into her pottery. I absolutely loved the look and have wanted to try it every since. Went to try it a couple of times and just chickened out. All the voices in my head were like "your gonna ruin a perfectly good bowl, you don't know what you are doing, just glaze it and get on with your life" UGH!! Well I finally told the voices in my head to "shut up". So yesterday I took a perfectly lovely bowl glazed it and added glass. It is now in my kiln and whatever happens....happens. I must say I am really excited.

Sometimes you just gotta do it. Don't question, don't look at all the possibilities of what could or could not work out. Just do it. And I did. Tomorrow I will open up my kiln and see what happens. Either way I will let you know and maybe even post a picture.

Have a great day.

Blue Burgundy Treasury

Two treasuries today. Wow!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6d2d45cf9f8eef42be83ba/blue-burgundy

Teaching Jewelry Making Classes

Besides my regular job and making jewelry and pottery I am now a jewelry making instructor. I will be teaching the fundamentals of jewelry making. Crimping, stringing, wire wrapping, wire crochet, knotting, etc. I've had a couple of classes so far and they have been a blast. One thing I have found is that I never get tired of learning and sharing new techniques or new methods of creating. I find myself learning from my students while they learn from me. Creativity truly is a facinating and wonderful thing.
There was a quote I learned years ago, not sure who it was but it said "Everyone is my superior in that I can learn from them" I believe this. If you give any opportunity a chance you can learn from it and from the people you are involved with. And probably make some great friends along the way.

Passionate Pink Treasury

I was so pleased to be included in this Passionate Pink treasury courtesy of on fire for handmade by misspercillapomeroy. So many pretty pink items. Check out all the wonderful artists that were also included.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6d125808768eefa4f28b59/passionate-pink-courtesy-of-the-on-fire

Linda's fern bowl was included in this new treasury from CherishedSaints on etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d5a9ea36fa86d914d821dc1/the-orange-and-the-green

Cherished Saints is a collection of silver religious saints and icons, new and vintage (from France, Italy and other worldly places). Many include a bit of history and an 18" sterling bead chain. know that you're helping horses from being slaughtered as 10% of each sale goes to: http://www.newenglandequinerescues.com

Check out her shop at www.cherishedsaints.etsy.com

A good way to stop procrastinating.

Eating the Frog

03JAN2011No Comments

by hmorrowin Marketing

I can procrastinate with the best of the best procrastinators. I have projects that I have procrastinated doing or finishing for YEARS! However, you probably believe that I do more than the average bear. I do, because I eat my frogs.

Many years ago I read a business book by Brian Tracy called “Eat that Frog!” It was 21 ways to avoid procrastination and get more done. It was an easy read, so it didn’t end up in the pile of business books I still have yet to read. His theory is that if you write your “to do” list, you do the thing that you want to do least first and all the rest will be easy. You eat the ugliest frog first.

So, this is what I do. I make a “to do” list the night before or first thing in the morning and then figure out the thing I want to do least and do that first. It’s not a perfect science – I sometimes will do the thing on my list that is going to be the most challenging – even though I might enjoy it, because once I have that done, the rest will be easy.

For instance, writing this article was on my list along with laundry and unloading the dishwasher (two things I really dislike doing). Not to mention the really fun things like going and throwing some clay. So I got up and started writing first. I enjoy writing; however, this is going to take a lot more time to do than laundry, plus it has to be sent to my awesome proofreader (my Mom), so she can get it back to me in time to post it on my blog and write my eZine.

Another way that I get things done more efficiently is to lump the tasks together and until I am doing that task – I do not think about it. A good example is paying my bills. I try to pay them only twice a month, so when I am not paying them – I am not worried about how they are going to be paid (as it serves no purpose). I learned this technique from Eckhart Tolle in his interviews with Oprah. He talks about how we spend so much time worrying about something that needs to be done, so we don’t get other things done when we should.

The final technique I am going to share today is the use of a timer. I use this technique when my time is truly limited and yet I need to get something done. I figure out how much time I have to allot to the task and then I set the kitchen timer. I usually do this for getting housework done. It works well as it allows me to focus on only that task – no reading email, checking facebook, etc.

Now, about the things I do procrastinate. I tend to procrastinate on big projects that have no end in sight and this is because I have not found a way to break them into smaller projects that are more achievable. However, I do not beat myself up about these projects. I know they are there, if I ever find the time or figure out how to task them down, they will get done. In the meantime, I eat the frogs I can.

How do you keep yourself from procrastinating what needs to be done?

© 2010 Heather C. Morrow. All rights reserved

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it:

Heather C. Morrow, owner of Pottery Daily, helps emerging artists express their true value and get paid what they are worth. Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your art. For your FREE audio go to www.marketandsellyourart.com.

Putting yourself out there.

Read this blog and had to share it. Definitely worth the read. I know most of us had the same thoughts about getting our artwork out there.

Putting Yourself Out There

6th
September 2010
0 Comments

I was a production/directing theatre major and as part of my education, I had to go out on stage. One time I was sent out in a full beard as Polonius in Hamlet, but that’s a story for another time. I hated being on stage, because like 90% of the population, I had stage fright. What if the audience thought I wasn’t good enough or I forgot my lines? I much preferred being behind the scenes doing everything from props to directing. Of course, deep down, I hoped that someone would “discover” me. But how could they? I was not stepping into the spotlight to be seen.

I guess wearing the beard on stage did change my perspective, because after you’ve done that – you can pretty much do anything. Somewhere along the line I realized that in order to be discovered I had to step out from behind the curtain. I also learned that it was easier to be me “on stage” then to try to be a character. Please note the word, be. Like, “to be or not to be, that is the question …”.

Hiding behind the curtain or keeping your art stored away for someday when you are “discovered” does not serve you. You have to get not only your work, but also yourself out there to sell your work. If a potential customer knows you, they are more likely to buy from you.

I can hear the excuses (see below). I’ve made the excuses, too. However, if you want to “be” a successful artist, you have to stop making excuses.

• My art isn’t good enough! It’s art and with it comes art critics. Some people are going to love it, some are going to not be interested in it, and in some cases, some people will hate it. Get over it. People are entitled to their opinions and for every one person who has something negative to say, there will be 9 people who have something nice to say and some who will even buy your art.
• I don’t have enough inventory. Less is sometimes more. I always think I won’t have enough to fill a space and I have more than I can use. Remember this is about stepping out onto stage, not necessarily about selling something (although it would be nice). You cannot be discovered if you are in your studio full time.
• It’s too much work to sell. Yeah, it can be work; however, it can also be fun – if you let it. Talk to your potential customers; find out what they are shopping for. Maybe it is something you left back in your studio and you can meet their needs. Or maybe you’ll get a commission.

If you are already doing arts & crafts shows or your work is in galleries, look for other opportunities to display your art work. What local businesses in your area have shelf or wall space that you could fill? The more your potential customers see of your work, the more likely they will buy from you.

Get online; at minimum have a store front to send people to. Etsy.com or other targeted gallery sites like PotteryDaily.com are a low cost way for customers to reach you.

It’s time to turn the spotlight on and step out onto the stage . . . remember that you will not be discovered waiting in the wings.

© 2010 Heather C. Morrow. All rights reserved

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it:

Heather C. Morrow, owner of Pottery Daily, helps emerging artists express their true value and get paid what they are worth. Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your art. For your FREE audio go to www.marketandsellyourart.com.

posted by hmorrow
Filed under: Uncategorized

Fall into a new season

While the calendar still says summer the last couple of days say "falls a comin". I must admit I love the fall. The cool crisp air, the change of colors on the trees, having to wear a nice soft comfy sweatshirt. But with the fall comes the holidays and the big push to get products in our shops that say "It's the holidays!! Buy me." I hate the holidays! No that's not right, I love the holidays. I hate the stress of the holidays. So much to do so little time. Trying to figure out what my customers will want to buy. This year I'm going to do this a little differently. All my family and friends tell me just to make the things I love to make. Don"t try to figure out what the world wants. I love making pottery. I love the feel of the clay and that moment when it's the clay that tells me what it wants to be. There is a zen moment that happens to me sometimes when I'm working on a piece. It's the quite that I don't notice until a couple of hours have past and I realize that I have worked on a piece for this long and it is just right. Not sure how it got that way, but it did. And I am happy. So this holiday season I will be making things I like for my customers to enjoy and hopefully want to own.

Treasures in Blue Etsy Treasury

Just found out we were included in this treasury on etsy. Want to say thank you to CatKeeper from Nothern Sea Glass for including the Starry Night Cityscape plates in this lovely treasury. Stop by and visit her shop she makes beautiful jewelry from sea glass.

Link to the treasury is : http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c5a5fbfed528eefc6d8234a/treasures-in-blue

Handmade Spark - Doublemuse

Handmade Spark - Doublemuse

How to make a clay pottery salt pig salt keeper on the wheel

Teddy Bear Art & Craft Festival

Well things went pretty well at the Teddy Bear festival. Except for having to shut down a little early because of Tornado warnings in Litchfield County. Sales were a little low but I think it was the type of festival. Geared more toward doing things for the kids. (i.e. face painting, sand art, teddy bear parade, etc, etc, etc) Sometimes you just don't know what to expect from an arts & crafts fair. Will I do this festival again next year? I'll have to think about it when the time comes.
I was approched by a woman who is in charge of an Art Faire in Litchfield (yes the same litchfield with the tornado warnings) she asked if I was available to do their Faire. Told her I definetaly would. I haven't done an arts & crafts show there but I know it's a more artsy community, so hopefully I will do well there.

Father's Day weekend Linda and I will be at the Monroe Congregational Church Strawberry Festival in Monreo, CT. This is our first 2 day show! Kinda excited. We've done shows in Monroe before and have always done well. We'll see, I will keep you posted.

It is such a perfect day today I wish I could just take my wheel and clay outside. I think my perfect studio would be open and with lots of windows to let the light just shine in. To be able to throw and still feel like I was outside would be a dream come true.

There is something about a day like today that just makes me more creative. Me and the dogs, Mia and Tagen hang together in my studio (aka the basement) as i throw or do my slab rolling. Oh I can't forget Misty, one of the cats. She has a thing for my sponges. Don't know why but she is always stealing them and bringing them upstairs. There is also Morrison, another cat, but he doesn't come downstairs because Misty won't let him. I guess she wears the pants in the family.

So as I sit here typing this blog I'm really thinking I should go out onto my deck and just do some sketching of pottery I will create in the future.

Yep that's what I'm gonna do. You all have a great day.
Talk to you soon.
Rosalia, Mia, Tagen, Misty. And Mo

Trying to get back on track.

I'm finally taking the time to sit and check out all the blogs I haven't been able to catch up on. Then realized just how long it's been since I blogged anything.
I think I could use some advise on how to take the time to stop and blog. I love the idea. Social networking is awsome. I know I have to put in the time but I just haven't found that perfect time to do it.

So my question is: When do you blog? In the morning? I go to work at 7 am. Afterwork? Laundry, vacuum, dust, cook dinner. Not working for me. After dinner? I've been up since 6 am. My brain is fried.

Do you set a time to do your craft, whatever it is you need a block of time to do it. I do find time for that. I love making pottery. Creating something from a lump of mud, then firing it. The best part is that moment I open my kiln after a glaze firing. It's like Christmas.

Anyway any ideas about time management? I could use some advise.

Networking

Well I've spent the last few days networking with many other artists who have shops on etsy, twittering, Facebooking, Blogging. I have almost 50 fans on my Facebook fan page. Thank you everyone. I am hoping to get many more. I am really impressed with the number of fans many of my fellow etsyians have. Staying hopefull that many fans equal many sales. I have come across so many talented artists it it truly overwhelming.



I will pick and choose those artisians that I especially like and share them with my friends, family and customers. Hopefully they will do the same.



I know the networking end of things is so important and yet it is my least favorite process. I love being in the studio and just creating. I know if you don't network no one will know who you are and no one will find you and then you have no sales. Grrrrrr!



I am going to set up a shop with Art Fire and a couple of friends said I should give e-bay a try.



I'll let you know how it goes.



Well my muse is calling me. I think she wants me to stop sitting at the computer and start glazing the pieces I made the other day.



Have a Wonderful Valentines Day.

Testing to see if I can post from my phone

Throwing clay on a snow day.

Well it's been snowing all day. Didn't get as much as the weatherman expected but it was enough to shut down the town.

So I spent the day down in my studio throwing clay. Came up with a couple of items that have potential. I find when I've been away from the clay for awhile my muses get a little quiet. Had a hard time getting started and deciding just what to do. When I get stuck like that i start to look through old magazines, art books even catalogs to get me inspired. Once i get past the artistic block then throwing or even the slap work comes flowing.

I guess sometimes it's just a matter of doing it. Even if I don't like what I'm creating it's ok. Somehow when I get passed the "what the heck did I make" to "ok not so bad" I am satisfied.

It's just a matter of taking that first step. That first handful of clay or those beads and findings and just letting it decide what it wants to become. Most of the time I'm happy. And on those times I'm not....well there's alway tomorrow.

Sheffield Pottery road trip

Linda and I went up to Sheffield Pottery yesterday. (Linda and I have been friends since high school. Our kids practically grew up together. She makes pottery also as well as all the crocheted items in our shop. But just like me pottery is her first love.) Picked up some fresh clay and some new glazes. This is definetally my favorite road trip. We get so much inspiration when we go. They sell alot of pottery made by many of their customers. I wind up just browsing and getting some good (i hope) ideas. Sometimes you need to really take a look around you to see the things that can get your creative juices rolling. Granted I do have my muses but sometimes they slack off.

I have been wanting to make some ceramic pendants for awhile now. So I picked up some new glazes that I think will look really cool. I will post them asap.

I've been trying to really promote Doublemuse now that 2010 has started. I hope with the help of all my friends, fans and family this will be a good year for my business.

2010 Bring it on!

Ready or not the new year is here. Hope it finds all my family and friends well and happy.

Several months ago I became a Pamper Chef Consultant (love the products, have for years) to maybe bring in a little extra income. Unfortunitally between my regular job at Michaels Arts and Crafts, The Pampered Chef Consultant gig my Doublemuse business got a little lost. So it's decision time somethings gotta go. I really just spread myself too thin. So I decided that Michaels had to stay. Making pottery is my real love so I just cannot give that up. So I think the Pampered Chef might have to go. Unless I can sell enough through my website. www.pamperedchef.biz/rosaliainthekitchen.com.

I can now return to my pottery (and jewelry making). I am thinking about wall pockets. They seem to be pretty popular now for putting flowers or greenary in. Also I have been wanting to make ceramic pendants. I have several designs in mind that I really would like to try.

For me this weekend will be a pottery making weekend.
My muses are calling me. Good night all!

Have a wonderful and safe New Years Eve!