Potters Tour Pics...

The kilns were roaring that couple weeks prior to our regional Potters' Studio Tour. It was a good thing we were firing up the kilns because it was a good weekend! I believe everybody involved was a little concerned due to our tanking economy...would people drive out from the city and neighboring small towns to visit the 7 participating studios, much less actually buy the work?! After speaking with all involved, things seemed to be good...most of us only showing a little less sales than the year before.

The images above are of the front of Nancy's house...she showed her pieces on the side porch... the back door off the porch leads out to the studio where I was set up...

The studio and kiln are located just behind the house next to the garden where only the sturdy Amaranth was still standing after our recent frosts.

I was camped out in the studio all cozy and warm with the new corn burning stove heating up the place. Luckily, I clipped some of my big Dahlias before the frost came, because more often with me, I put flowers in my pieces more than anything else...unless it is a mug...I do love my coffee!

Our neighbors on the tour were right down the street...Smicksburg Pottery...a great little retail gallery with a nice studio attached to the back, complete with big salt kiln and terraced garden. Betty Hedman is the owner and main potter there, but these days Josh Floyd is a big presence there as well...Josh lives upstairs of the gallery and works there with Betty...that's him in the picture above. Both make great pots, and there was several other local potters' work on display there also. I made a mug trade with Josh as well as Nancy this year...I had to add to my ever growing mug and cup collection!

I wish I had taken more pictures at different studios but I didn't have the luxury of visiting others while so many people were stopping by our studio...which is a good thing...so that was just a taste of the tour...if you missed it...better luck next year...and if you stopped by, well, thanks!

So until next time...cheers!