Celebrating A Few Good Things
Thanks to Ruth Ayres at DiscoverPlayBuild, for beginning this Saturday tradition, to reflect upon the week previous, and to celebrate something, or some things special to you personally. It's a good time reading what others share. Tweet at #celebratelu.
I receive e-mails from a potter I met years ago and sometimes attend his shows if they are close. Last Saturday, after I published my post about my writing group, I went to a small showing where this potter was selling his art.
One of the reasons I like seeing what this man has to show is that he's such a learner, always trying a new look, new kinds of texturing and color. My "everyday" dishes are pottery that my husband and I have collected over the years, just shopping, gifts from others, and on vacation. I love that all the pieces differ: dinner and salad plates, serving platters, small glasses and lots of bowls-eclectic and full of color! This day there was a craft show close by. I enjoyed looking at all the beautiful things others had made, the jewelry, the knitting, the art, and loved re-connecting with my potter friend. He told me he has estimated he's crafted over 40,000 pieces in his career, and continues learning new techniques. And, almost immediately I felt drawn to one of the plates!
This potter explained that this is the only time he has created this plate because it was a two step process, and more difficult to obtain that inner pattern plus edge smoothness. First, he rolled a slab, and used a piece of iron rebar (those bars that are laid in concrete) to create those lines, and turned the iron so the lines would go back and forth. There is a bit of a texture-not smooth. Then he had to build a kind of bowl around the textured center slab and curve it just enough to create the plate's edge. Can you see?
It's quite wonderful to remember the stories of some of my pieces of pottery, although I don't remember all of them. That might be a post for another time! Today, I'm just celebrating a new plate and a nice conversation with a gifted artist!
I hope you all had a wonder-filled week of small celebrations!
Talking to artists about their passion always inspires me! What a beautiful piece of pottery. I love that your everyday dishes are a collection of mismatched pieces. That makes me smile! Every piece must hold a memory or tell a story...what a wonderful thing to bring with you to the dinner table every night.
ReplyDeleteGreat conversation, and much fun to re-connect! Thanks Michelle!
DeleteWOW! Love this--people's passions always amaze me too. What a great story to go along with a gorgeous piece:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Franki. I do enjoy seeing what others like to create!
DeleteThis is gorgeous! And how fun that you will think of this story every time you use it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, I will! Thanks Carol!
DeleteWhat a beautiful piece - my aunt is a potter and I love all of the items I have of hers around the house. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteTerrific about your aunt, Katherine, especially nice to have those kinds of pieces. Thanks!
DeleteI collect pottery, too, and especially because I meet the potters and talk to them about their pieces, their lives, their art. I love having art in my home that connects me with others. Let's go to a craft show together sometime. Meeting you has made it to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteWe really seem to have a lot in common, Margaret. I hope we can meet sometime, maybe I'll travel down south… Love that you collect pottery too-so special to think of the hands that shaped the pieces!
DeleteIf your dinner table could talk, imagine the stories it would tell. You have added a lovely piece to your collection and written a beautiful story. I used to be a quilter before I began teaching and this story has just given me an idea...need to go write it down before I forget. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the dinner table could tell a few stories, Leigh Anne. So happy this story connected to another idea for you!
DeleteThat is one great plate! And what a good eye you have for something unique. I love looking at pottery and wish I had the talent.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be lovely to be able to make one's own, you're right! Thanks, Elsie-maybe someday?
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI love the eclectic nature of your dishes. The stories lurking around your table are such treasures. What a lovely new addition. I can see why you couldn't resist.
Ruth
Thanks Ruth-it did catch me immediately!
DeleteBuying pottery can become addictive, getting pottery with stories is irresistible. I think that having an eclectic collection is more interesting than having everything just in one style.
ReplyDeleteYes, having all the same was not what we wanted, hence we began collecting. Thanks Terje!
DeleteBeautiful! How fun to talk to the creator about the process. It gives the plate so much meaning.
ReplyDeleteHe is quite an artist and I feel lucky to have had this connection, Liz. Thank you!
DeleteLove this plate! Stories to go with your pottery... must make for interesting dinner conversations. All of us have a story or two, if only our objects could speak.Perhaps we'll have to give them a voice.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fun project, Ramona! For students, too!
Deletei enjoyed this post. as someone who tries not to have so much stuff, i appreciate hearing the story behind the things people decide to have in their life.
ReplyDeleteI too love not just the pottery but the story behind it. As I clean and declutter this 3-day weekend, I keep what has a story behind it and pitch the rest! Stuff with stories is in a class by itself!
ReplyDeleteThanks Earl and Anita. It is about the story, I agree, and this time, makes my purchase more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed toward the end that you love remembering the stories behind your pottery because I was imagining that would be really special as I read your initial thoughts. Here's to all those special memories! I would imagine that even those that you can't quite remember the story are special knowing that it was something that you and your husband did together and collected over time.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Amanda, so true. We had so many good times together. Thank you!
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