A day off from pottery, the studio, responsiblity.

It has been a very hectic and intensive summer. Our peak sales time up here in the northwoods is last week of June thru the first 2 weeks of August. Then, a brief flurry over Labor day weekend, then deadsville till Cranberry fest weekend in Eagle River on the first full weekend of Oct. Other than going to art and craft shows, or going to visit my daughters I am usually working. Sometimes you hit a wall. I found myself having difficulty making a coffee mug, so decided to take a day off and vanish from the studio.

Last week Thursday I called up to the Crystal Lake campground in the Northern Highland State forest, learned there were some lakeside campsites avail. for that night. Quickly I tossed a tent, chair, swimsuit, wine, food and other misc items into the truck. Grabbing my current book and a cooler I drove up the 11 miles (!) got a site and since I couldn't set up this early (10:30am) I at least had a home for the night. It is a blessing to be in the northwoods already.
Off to the Plum Lake library, drop off, pick up and then to Hazelhurst to the Quilt Cottage Quilt shop. Pure bliss, looking and touching and talking to the shop ladies. After an hour of this, I made my purchase and headed up to Little Creek Coffee shop in Woodruff for a delicious lunch. Oh yay! Try the 3 cheese toasted cheese sandwich with salad and a dark roast coffee.
By 1:30 I was back at the campsite, which was empty of the previous campers, fully set up and ready for a walk. Then, down to my beach and a swim. The balance of the day was spent reading and relaxing. Crystal Lake is non-motorized, so wonderfully quiet. And with no homes on the lake, very clear since no leaching sepics or chemical runoff from manicured lawns.

At 4 I went up for a glass of wine and crackers and cheese to take back down to my chair. A little gopher tasted my wine I think, which he didn't like, but he liked the cracker crumbs!
An easy supper cooked over the fire, more reading and wine, then bedtime. It was quiet and perfect. I was back home and at work by 10 the next day. Not too bad for a little battery recharge.

Enjoying grandkids in the pottery studio!

Amanda brought Anna and Andrew up north for a few days. At 2, Andrew now can somewhat be let loose in the work area. Anna will spend hours out there working at her own table, using slabs of clay to cut out shapes. It is so good for them to explore. And what a blessing to be able to share this with them. The hummingbirds where flying thru the studio too, which really got the kids laughing. I even got a bit of work done, although slightly hindered by having to wear a glove on my hand that has the stitches in it. The doctor said to keep them "clean and dry" not easy with my job!!

Oh baby, it's hot, but it could be worse!

I must apologize for disappearing from this blog for too long, the summer is upon us, as they say, and work becomes my major focus. I put aside most things to be out at the studio working. I check emails, etc, but quickly.
The extreme heat over the past week or so also takes it's toll on us. My studio in summer is out in the middle part of the roofed in area, so no A/C for us. Barry will go out early early and work til it gets too warm for him, then he vacates the studio to the shaded areas near the house. Yesterday afternoon even I admitted it was "too much" and when the sun started beating over the area I work at (about 3pm), I got more ice water and filled the grandkids wading pool, positioned it in the shade where I could still watch the studio, put my feet in (ahhhh)and relaxed and read. Very few customers leave their air conditioned cars to shop in 96+ heat.

I posted a pic of the inside of the kiln, since many people have no idea what an electric kiln looks like inside. Mine got new elements and thermocouple last Sunday afternoon. It is a brutal job, stressful cause if you make a goof, it stops you dead again. I replace the elements yearly, since as they age, resistance increases and slowly the time for glaze firing increases. I think I would like to consider switching to gas reduction next time I move or find a bigger studio to work in.

The gardens are surviving the heat, although we were really glad for the rains this week as the rainwater we collect was gone. Now the barrels and buckets are full and everything is happier.
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy the short time of summer.

fun in Neenah

Last week while in Neenah we went on Friday to a wonderful coffee shop in downtown Appleton called Brewed Awakenings. Fantastic coffee, sandwiches and gelato made by them. Definitely a place to take your time at. It is located at 107 East College Avenue in Appleton.