Better Late than Never

It has been a while since my last entry but I will try and catch you up.  Today the weather is fine! I threw pots yesterday, and with this misty-rainy warmer weather, I can leave the pots uncovered to dry (I hope!!!) The dry weather up here makes it difficult because the pots dry too fast and crack in the process. I am still adjusting. I didn't think much about it when I lived in Long Beach, but now everyday is a learning experience. But everyday is so different from the next!

I did a "show" last weekend in Redondo Beach. My truck has a canvas cover and lets the elements in a bit. Because it snowed, then rained, my set up shelves got wet. They warped. When I got to the show Saturday, I could not use half the boards for my display. WHAT??!!?? It was very stressful, so I left Sat. night and took it all with me to see if we could fix the problem, but no luck. I didn't come back on Sunday and I am sorry if I missed any of you. It just wasn't working for me.

Well, back to work. I am trying to catch up on everything I make...it has been slower than normal due to weather, etc. I really like to make pottery!

Out of Clay.....Ready for Home Show

Woke up this morning to 1 inch of white. I think it is snow, but have not been outside yet. My hands are frozen and I am still in my pj's.

 

I am temporarily out of clay. I am going nuts!  I have other stuff to do but I hate it when I have no clay.  I will get some this Saturday at Aardvark when I drive down to Long Beach to do my Home Show at my daughter and son-in-law's house.

 

Meanwhile, I will load the truck. But not today. No way am I slogging down my steps with 75 pound boxes while there is white slippery stuff all over. I hope it is gone by tomorrow, no matter how very pretty it is.

 

The dogs won't go outside. It must be so cold on their bare feet! I should get doggy snow boots, but they would just chew them up.

 

See you Sunday!

HOME SHOW

My first show of the year will be a Home Show. It will once again be at my Daughter Carly and son-in-law Aaron's house in Long Beach.

February 19th
10 am to 3pm
6808 E Mantova St.
Long Beach, Ca 90815

Show will take place in the backyard. Just come on back.

If you have questions email me at sandykreyer@aol.com

Hope to see you there!!

Check back regularly for more upcoming show dates and to find out what I am up to.

Cold, cold weather.....and stuff

Some background, so you know why I am so surprised with the weather..
I moved to Crestline from my home in Long Beach last June. I had lived in Long Beach my entire life (with short exceptions). Long Beach has an average temperature of 72 degrees all year. I had never experienced a major change of seasons. Crestline, being at 4500 feet in the San Bernadino Mountains, has seasons. I am living through Fall now. It is beautiful, all the leaves dropping and the smell of wood fires in the air. It is way colder than I am used to. I had to buy long underwear!!! Last night, it was supposed to snow but did not, at least here in the Valley of Enchantment (where my cabin is).

Because I am used to even weather, I am having trouble with my pots drying. It is much dryer here, so I have to cover pottery with plastic so it does not dry too fast. When it is really cold, I guess I have to put a heater in the Dungeon (my studio has earned this nick-name) so pots will not freeze when drying. I found this out when I threw 10 dinner plates and 6 of them cracked all the way across! I was stunned! I hope I can figure out how to dry them successfully soon...this gets expensive! My hands also freeze. They are always in water, whether throwing pots or painting them. This makes it a little slower going. I can't use (yet) my large gas kiln, there is really nowhere to put it. I am using a very small electric kiln. It works, but I can't make as much pottery as I used to. This frustrates me a little.

My dogs keep digging out of the yard which they never did in Long Beach. I have to stop working and chase them around until they are back in the yard. Stella and Dave have developed a taste for paper and eat my bills...Layla is being very good except when she gets out.

I just finished my HOME SHOW at my daughter Carly and her husband Aaron's home in Long Beach. I had a good show and enjoyed seeing some of my old customers. And I got to spend a day and night with my daughter!!!!!

This Saturday the 26th I will be participating in the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday. This is the first year I have participated. It is an event to promote small businesses encouraging shoppers to shop small and shop local this holiday season. I am offering 10% off all etsy orders on Saturday ONLY. To redeem this offer use coupon code SBS2011 when checking out.

My last show of the year is December 10 and 11 in San Francisco at the KPFA craft fair. I am looking forward to it and then I plan to concentrate on some very big pots!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!