Hello dusty old blog, it's been a while

I've been making TONS of work and not finding much (any)time to blog.

If you're interested in following what's going on in my studio come find me on facebook! Easier to post pictures over there and quick updates for me.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Monica-Pharr-Ceramics/149863885091498?notif_t=page_new_likes

Thanks for all of your support!

Glazing time!

Bottoms are waxed, black underglaze is applied, pots are washed. Now to start dunking in clear!













My kitchen island is the perfect measuring tool, what fits on the counter will fit in the kiln.

Hope to have some lovely hot pots out of the kiln sunday morning and shipping my custom orders and trouble coffee co tumblers off on monday.

it's been a few weeks

So Hunter is growing so quickly and I've been wrangled back into making work for Trouble Coffee Company. I really like making wares for them, but I get stressed out over the smallest things.

I'm working on a bunch of 8oz to go tumblers (for espresso shots?)and then soon start up on Latte mugs and saucers.



Other happenings:

Custom order wedding plate. I probably wouldn't have taken on this project if it weren't for a friend. It's drying out slowly right now and hoping it makes it in time.


Brooke Noble sent me a tumbler the other day and in return I'm making her some whiskey mugs. Bowling Whale and Octopus. ;) (this might be one of my FAVORITE custom items ever)






new plate


Getting geared up for art walk, will probably have a bunch of whiskey cups and nesting bowls. Pics of those later!

Oh and what's a blog post without a little bit of hunter. (18 months tomorrow)

more custom orders

These were a custom order 11 teabowls to match the one he bought a few months ago.







I had made a few berry bowls as well and this was the only one to survive.





and bowls for a sea turtle society's auction.

mugs and plates

and here's hunter having an ice cream party.... 16 months old yesterday. Time is flying!

Whitney Smith is my hero

http://whitneys-pottery.blogspot.com/2011/04/cost.html


"I keep a blacklist right next to my bed and his name is on it."

Besides having one of the best blogs on the internet, she's so open and honest and wish I could/would write more like her.

tuesday funday

working on working out this layering glazes thing and thinner lines

and a 6 person dinner set. (bowls, plates, cup, serving bowl)


wish I were at NCECA though. So close yet so so far. It's a 4 hrs drive... but with an attached 15 month old it's just not going to work out. We are at the height of separation anxiety, I'm lucky to pee alone without a meltdown from Hunter.

new ideas floating about, test tiles and pots

and then some ideas floating about in my noggin.
I'm trying to explore ways of applying color and my drawing style

I think the layering of colors in a painterly way is a pretty decent breakthrough. Adds depth and space. The pictures don't exactly do it justice since the colors I chose to layer are so pale anyway... but I'm pretty excited.





Here are some that didn't look so great. This was the white engobe over clay body and then translucent glaze over it. The translucent glaze is just flat and thick. Perhaps thinner... but the layering underglzes in the above tiles worked so much better.

The (motherhood) balancing act...

So no surprise that I don't get to work as much as I'd like to, and I have to turn down many custom orders to work on one person at a time. I just don't have the time. I think about sending Hunter to day care or pulling all nighters but reality is I can't do either.

Hunter is 15 months today and I thought it would get easier with time, that I would get used to it, find a routine/rhythm... ha... ha? Little man pulls fast ones, he's like a ninja. He's hit the major separation anxiety stage, which is exhausting.

Good news: I can sketch and lay out plans while playing with him.

Bad news: I'm not in the studio making.

Good news: my sketch book is full and it is exciting stuff.

Bad news: I'm not making.

and on top of everything we are **thinking** about having another baby. I'm so torn. I love being a mom, I want my son to be a big brother and have someone to grow up with. I see larger familes and know that the pay off would be great... just have to give up my art for a little bit.



Jen Mecca, Judi Tavil, any other moms out there.. When were you able to find a balance? How did family planning and your desire to make work out?

Sweet Melissa

I'm having a DMB weekend and love this song. Also decided to get my hair cut and eat ice cream instead of making pots today in hopes of being refreshed and making better pots tomorrow.

sounds good right?

my plate!!! on plate a day

http://aplateaday.blogspot.com/

stoked!

new list above my wheel

SLOW DOWN.


PEOPLE CAN WAIT FOR EXCELLENT POTS


2 great pots are better than 6 mediocre ones.


Lighter.

It's okay to say no. Sometimes it's even fun.


Remember to sleep.

Clean up your space. – CLEAN SPACE = HAPPY SPACE= BETTER WORK



I have felt so rushed since November. I was getting sloppy and heavy handed. Jake brought home some tacks for me (and chocolate- good man) so I could post this list above my wheel.

out of the kiln and straight to first street gallery

My meeting with the gallery was at 1... The kiln was still at 350 degrees at 12:50. So I didn't get much time with these pots.



Jake calls this one gimpy. I <3 gimpy.


knitting bowls







I kept this one for myself, might enter this yunomi to a yunomi show coming up.





and then enter this one to a show at Mudfire.





So now to clean out my studio and start over.