Pottery, Digital Divide + Interesting Videos

Two vases - one from 2019 and one from 1997

Thank you so much everyone for the support of my ceramics. On Thursday, I added 32 new pieces of pottery to my website and in a flash they were all sold. I was overwhelmed and definitely encouraged that folks wanted to support me and my work. I got quite a few notes from people saying they wanted to purchase but everything was sold. That is a good problem to have I admit. I wish I could make more and make faster but it's just not possible. I'm a one woman business and my time is split in many ways. My 100 Day Project has really helped to keep me focused on my ceramics. Although I haven't posted 100 Days in a row, I'm keeping it up even if I have to miss a day or two because of other commitments. 

All this said, this brings me to the digital divide in rural America. Ever since people have been working from home (March 24th in Massachusetts), our internet has gotten slower and slower. I can barely stand to write a blog post or newsletter nor look for interesting things to read and share. It makes it so difficult to compete economically and socially with those who live in cities and suburbs where there is fast internet. The phone lines that bring us our internet were installed in the 1940's. These lines bring us the connectivity to the outside world. 

The State of Massachusetts placed some kind of high speed 5G service at the Town Offices so I am back to sitting in my car to work again. In order to get my ceramics on-line (photos take forever to upload at our house) and to ship them via my shipping platform, I've had to go to the Town Offices. Not complaining (really) - just stating the facts. 

Julia, our college student daughter has been finding it very difficult to take on-line classes since her college has gone 100% online because of the Pandemic. She frequently gets bumped off her Zoom meetings due to the slow internet speed. Julia doesn't drive so she is confined to home unless I have the hours to sit with her in the car as there is no place to sit outside at the Town Office Building. Her personality and learning style is not one which melds with on-line learning so I really don't know what she is going to do this summer or fall. I know there are so many people in the same situation. We've just got to be patient and see how everything goes and the Pandemic goes on. 

I have recently enjoyed these two videos about two different designers' homes. 

Robert Kime from House and Garden UK

Johnson Hartig of Libertine's home on Quintessence

Here is one from the UK - cows going out to graze after a winter in the barn. Such joy in seeing them run. It's probably how a lot of folks are going to feel when they are able to start moving around in public again.  

How are you faring these days? What is motivating or frustrating you? I hope you all are well and safe and healthy. 

Thinking On This New Tile Project.....

Looking forward to this year, I'm thinking about this....

I want to make a tile backsplash for the wall behind my stove shown above. Last year my 18 year old propane powered stove/oven finally could not be repaired. I had to get a new one that fit into the same spot. I had a beautiful Thermador tank that I loved but this time around, could not afford the price of a new one. The stove I got is okay but nothing like that Thermador cadillac. I'm used to it now but it is "tinny" feeling and I know it won't last as long as the old one. I will say, it has good power -- even more than my tired old stove. The last one had amazing insulation and the kitchen didn't get hot in the summer. This one's insulation stinks and in the summer I barely used the oven because it really raised the heat in the kitchen. I'm not a fan of hot kitchens - except in the winter like last night when it was 16 degrees outside. 

I'm not sure what the tile backsplash is going to be yet but these photos have got me thinking. I will probably use purchased bisqued tiles and decorate them with underglazes. I will not put them on the wall permanently but will mount them on cement board and attach that to the wall somehow - like I did on the tile surround in our library. (Photo by Rikki Snyder from my book Crafting A Patterned Home available on my website at a 2 for 1 promotional offer now.)

Hope I can get to this project soon.