sniffles

A lousy summer cold has kept me in bed today.

Outside it was beautiful!  All sun and blue and breezy.

The last full day of Spring.

There were moments of recline, when my mind 

started planning the day's adventures...

but when I rose my body thought otherwise.

Instead, a day spent 

mindlessly searching through Ravelry,

with tea and plenty of naps.

xo, j

saturday

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did, but people will never forget

how you made them feel."

-Maya Angelou

A great voice is now silent.

My new cereal bowl is filled with warm feelings

for the friend who shares its sister.

xo, j

toshiko takaezu

above the studio sink 

toshiko's hats

view of the kiln rooms

Sorry I've been away so long, my job consumed my life

for the last month but now I'm ready to take back control

and make time for myself again.

Today was the Spring Open House at Toshiko Takaezu's

studio in Quakertown, New Jersey.

My two favorite Jenn's and I loaded up the car 

and headed out on a adventure.

The studio was full of beautiful pottery and interesting people

and we came home with more than our share of mugs and bowls.

A wonderful day spent with dear friends.

Hope everyone is well, I've missed being here.

xo, j

snow day

Another day of snow,

how fortunate that it is all mine.

Willi Singleton cup

the hot tea melting a ring in the snow.

I finished a pair of gloves.

Next time I will carry the twisted knit stitch 

up the middle finger.

xo, j

small ceramic bowls

I love collecting small bowls.

Here are three that I purchased at the Takaezu Studio open house.

They all nestle easily in cupped hands.

The two larger pieces were made by Bill Baumbach

and the little yellow one by Maxwell Mustardo.

Bill studied with Toshiko and Max is a second year student at Alfred.

How I miss being up to my elbows in clay!

toshiko takaezu

Today I had the great privilege of once again visiting the home

of American ceramicist Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011)

 I met Toshiko after a lecture event at a local college many years ago.

I'm a very shy person at public events but I knew there may never be another 

opportunity like this so I mustered my courage and walked up to introduced myself, 

telling her what an honor it was to meet her and how much I admired her work.

She smiled, took both of my hands into her own, looked me

straight in the eye and told me I must come and visit her.

That's how I first found out about her open house events.

Toshiko held annual open house events to sell her 

own pieces as well as showcase the work of her current apprentice.

I'm so glad the tradition is being continued by the current owner, Don Fletcher.

The blue orb under the baby grand piano stole my heart...when I rounded

the stairs and came upon that view it took my breath away.

Toshiko kept her loom by that window,

I was told it was donated to Penland after her passing.

It's always been a dream of mine to attend a summer workshop there.

To be able to touch and hold the pieces that are generally 

off limits at any museum was such a treat.

Inside many of her works are small clay balls 

which rattle and sing when the piece is gently shaken.

What an amazing day...

I'll be sure to visit again for their winter event.