Spring is springing very quirkily this year. There's no placid progression. We get blossoms...and pounding rain that knocks them off the trees. A warm day, then three chilly ones. First thing this morning I needed gloves on my brisk walk, the air felt like late fall. That's what we get for living where the seasons change. We get...change.
In the studio, that alternate reality space, I put the bisque kiln through its motions twice this week, bringing me a pretty big load of pieces to glaze over the next week and fire over the next two weeks. Because bisqued pots can touch each other or even be stacked in the kiln, but glazed pots can't, I will have three kilns full to glaze fire.
This part of the job- glazing- is a big slog. I just bite the bullet and do it, because the results are usually worth it. It beats the heck out of my hands, which will be like sandpaper even with judicious use of Working Hands, my recent healing balm purchase to help with the rough mitts. You just can't have lotion on your hands when you glaze. If you handle the bisqued ware with it on your hands, you make spots where the glaze says, "Nuh uh, not sticking here." And though I may wear disposable gloves through parts of the process, other parts require touch. Just the facts of the job.
I'm not showing work with my guild at their twice a year show and sale this weekend in Mountainside, NJ, at the Presbyterian Church on Deer Path, but if you want to see lots of good pots, some pretty innovative and some quite classical, the church is straight up Deer Path (New Providence Rd exit) from Rte 22, and the hours Sunday are 12-5. (They are there 11-5 Saturday as well.) You can find some interesting and happy purchases there if you give it a chance, in all price ranges.
I'm going instead to visit an NCECA friend in Long Island at her potters' group meeting, for a change. This is my time to meet people and talk talk talk clay. Pot on!