Happy Samhain (say sow-wain)

It's the oldest holiday that I can relate to...much more than Christmas.  The roots seem closer to what it's meaning is...the celebration of/the learning about and accepting death.

I don't know who painted this, but I love it!

So kids get to be scarey, and scared.  So pranks have become very popular.  Entertainment is a laugh...because Charley Brown and the Great Pumpkin was never really believable, as Santa come to a nature theme.  Really now.  Nature started the whole theme. 

This is getting outside and running through your own neighborhood door to door, seeing what kinds of goodies your neighbors can dole out to the kids.  Seeing the loveable attempts at scareyness by the older ones, or the tougherr ones.  And the darlings who only want to be cute are so adorable.

OK, I do remember more my children's trick or treating than my own.  I don't remember ever going door to door myself, maybe because we didn't live in sububurbia until I was a teen, and much too old to do this childish thing.  I think my kids enjoyed making their own costumes, but we sure did purchase a few also.  Parties were so much fun, and there were great scarey ideas to help everyone have a chance to scream...how many activities promoted screaming your head off!  Not to mention the treats!  They often lasted till Christmas, well Thanksgiving anyway!

Back to Samhain's meanings.  The "dead" are closer to us "living" at this time, cause the saying is "the veil between the worlds is thinner."  Why would people through centuries want to have that connection to those who have "gone before" or "passed over" or "entered the other country"?  Well, honoring their lives makes sense...to think in our busy-ness about another person who is no longer busily going about life...to ponder their passions that led to our own existence, to forgive their mistakes that bent and changed their own lives.  To consider our own mortality.

So I hope you have a Happy Samhain today!  Boo!

Tailgate markets of Black Mountain

The Mudbuddies closed down our booth yesterday after a wonderful last market.  The rain was gone by the morning, so we had bright blue skies.  And a little wind.  The only real hardship was the fact that it was really cold.  So we know it's time to close up shop and head indoors.

I think there will be one more "Tailgate Craft Market" to be held Nov.19, not sure where yet.  So we will have one more opportunity to show Black Mountain our wares.

Barbara Rogers by Barbara Rogers :>+)

Our group of 6 potters has had fun and challenges this summer.  We mostly did well...though there were a few Saturdays that we grudgingly packed all the same pottery back into our boxes without a single sale.  If we knew how to avoid those days, we would all be much happier potters.

Then there were days like yesterday, and for the first time all 6 of us had sales.

Many days we would say, we're really just doing this for the fun we have sitting outside and talking to people. NAH!   Most of us need to sell something as well as have a happy time.  This isn't like a "hobby" for us.  We are seriously trying to do the best we can, in the directions each of us wishes to grow as craftswomen.  (Our subtitle name would be MudSisters if we needed one.)

Alchemy of clay - huge format

photo: Carter Smith

http://alexirvineceramics.blogspot.com/

I took a figure sculpting class from Alex Irvine last year at this time.  This year, just look what he's done! (with others)

Thanks to Clay Club for sharing this...another great blog for pottery info. 

Latest pottery

Post Script: Yesterday I posted 2 pictures of many labyrinths I've constructed.  I forgot to say, what's the difference between a labyrinth and a maze? 

A maze has the intention of getting you lost, with lots of deadends.

A labyrinth has the intention of taking you directly (turning directions of course) to the center, then back out again on the same path. 

So when I recently read about the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, I realized the story was written wrong, because that was a maze, not a labyrinth, which would get someone lost unless they knew about the golden thread.  In a true labyrinth, you need no thread to find your way out.  That's why it's an ideal journey for meditation.

 A couple of my raku sillies...just for the fun of it!

 This kind of like a pumpkin/squash bowl...who knows?

 Set of 4 mugs in matt bronze green, with some amber glaze sponged on for a rough/shiney effect.

I added a bit of clear glaze around the lips so there was a smooth touch for your lips as you drink out of them.

Labyrinths

The labyrinth from Chartres Cathedral...well, a copy of course.

A finger labyrinth of the Newgrange, Ireland (or Malta) triple spiral.

I wonder if this is where I could say the Matlese Triple Spiral?

Coffee or chocolate?

 The fun sculptures that line the streets of Asheville.  All tourists have to take a picture or two.

Even though I'm not a tourist, I enjoyed a few camera shots.

I've made coffee in both these pitchers...and now will try some chocolate....

I may have them around for a while, as they don't pour that great. 

 Something you don't find out till the end of the process. 

 I'll sell them as decorative art though!

Raku and rain

Raku ...fun until it started to rain.  It started out as a very hot day.  But the kiln just wouldn't get up to the right temperature...so we waited and waited!

If my friends don't want their pictures here, just let me know, and I'll pull them off.  They can be anonymous anyway.

 Beverages and snacks help make the waiting more enjoyable...plus just chatting with other potters.

 Yes, that's a temperature gun, which said the outside of the kiln was pretty hot.

The dog hair experiment about to be tried...you've probably heard of horse hair.

Tailgate Market party coming this week!

Don't miss the funTailgate Market fund raising "Pig and Pint" on Thurs at Pisgah Brewery.  $20 and samples of lots of beer and foods.  Silent auction, including one of my plates (value $30).

You can buy tickets for the party at:

Pig and a Pint: A Tasting Benefit Event for the Black Mountain Tailgate Market

www.brownpapertickets.com

Just saying you should definitely be there from 4-7 this Thursday.  You know I will be!

10 inch diameter. white clay body.

Varigated glaze with stamped design.