Potential?

Since starting this blog (and my other family-oriented one focusing mainly on my two beautiful little girls), I have received numerous compliments on my writing. This pleases me to no end. It excites me because along with the million other things I hope to do in my lifetime, I have a secret desire to write. I think I have a children's book or two in me (so I could do illustrations as well), as well as a novel. Hazel Richardson, my writer friend - you can google her - said something I found to be really interesting once. She said her stories play out like movies in her head and the work comes in trying to capture it as it's happening. Though I found it intriguing to think about having little movies play themselves out in front of me, I don't think my process would be like that. I imagine mine to be more auto-biographical, only not - if that makes any sense. An expression of thought, emotion, and feeling...something that would, on one hand, be inherently personal; but on the other hand, would be true to everyone, as we are all the same when we take off the social masks that we wear and leave behind the identities given to us by others. It would be about finding a connection. After all, isn't that what art is all about?

If only there were more hours in a day...

I would:

• make a new bag for Spring. I've been thinking of using some reclaimed leather - maybe from an old coat from the Salvation army or some other thrift store.
• finish the duvet cover I started ages ago. And finish painting the dressers I am re-doing. My bedroom needs some TLC!
• clean my bathroom properly. (sigh)
• pick off all the stickers on my furniture and walls.
• catch up with some friends - you know who you are.
• spend more time teaching Kaia how to ride her tricycle.
• be prepared for Sabine's first birthday tomorrow (I love you Bean!)
• spend some time sketching ideas for my show coming up in July to get the thoughts moving from my head into the physical realm.
• read a good book.
• carve some wooden spoons.
• get back into yoga and start meditating more often.

Going solo.

I've been booked to do a solo show at a gallery in Hartland, New Brunswick over the month of July. That means in only two short months I should have enough work to fill a gallery space on my own. That means I need to be working on this now, (or should I say yesterday?). The only problem is, I've still got pottery orders to fill. Three to be exact. I had only one, but have since received a re-order (already!) for work that was sent out only a week and a half ago, and I've also picked up another gallery (I'm feeling the love from Halifax!). I keep telling myself that all this interest is not a bad thing but if I'm not careful - meaning I absolutely cannot take on anymore work - I am quickly going to get in over my head. There truly is nothing more I can do short of giving up on the few hours of sleep I get at night and well, that's just silly.

Charlotte Lane...yum!

I've got some work on it's way to Charlotte Lane in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. This is actually a restaurant and craft gallery and it looks amazing! I will definately have to plan a little trip around southern Nova Scotia this summer to check out all these shops.

Bogside Gallery

Another order out the door! This has been a tough month but when I look back and see what I've accomplished it gives me a great feeling. Bogside Gallery is located in the Hydrostone Market in Halifax, NS and now they carry a great line of work from Greenwood Pottery!

Love from Love, Me

Here's a little post about my (and a friend of mine's) work at Love, Me Boutique in Halifax, NS. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and tired today - yes, even despite the beautiful sunny weather - so it was a nice treat to see this and it has given me a little boost to get on with a late night ahead.

http://lovemeboutique.wordpress.com

Edgewater Gifts & Gallery

My biggest order is up and out! And do I ever feel a huge surge of relief...that one was really stressing me for awhile. The experience was worthwhile though. I now have a better idea of what I am capable of when considering my other two little commitments that keep me busy so much during the day and into the night; I have a better idea of how much I can realistically produce with the limitations of the size of my kiln; and, I have gained a much better perspective on how to load my kiln with various pieces (which things to try and fire together, etc, to maximize the space). Whew. A little breathing room is great.

So after all that work, everything is gone to Edgewater Gifts & Gallery in Miramichi, New Brunswick. I had hoped to deliver the work myself in order to check out the gallery while I was there. It's a funny thing to have work in stores that I have never seen myself - and I'm curious!

This gallery won an award at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show for 'Most Outstanding Retailer' so I was extra excited when I got an order from them. And, I know a couple of other great artists who have work there so I am super proud to be one of them now. Yay!

Creative Dream list #6-10

I've been thinking of adding to this list for awhile. Of course, it's all been in my head for ages but like I said before, sending it out into the universe is the way to make things happen. And again, these are in no order of importance! Creativity is a spontaneous act!

6. To get my Etsy shop up and running - I really think this would be beneficial to me since I've been so lucky to have my work be so well received. And, selling things for their retail price (meaning I get paid what my time is worth) sure beats all this wholesale work I've been doing. Which leads me to...
7. Sort out a means of photographing my work from home. This means setting up some sort of space designated for photography where the lighting is good and I can get professional results. This would enable me to update my portfolio, start selling online, and...
8. Get juried into the New Brunswick Craft Council. This is coming up soon so I really need to be looking into this now.
9. To refinish the old dressers I've got for my room and to repaint the walls. It's such a mess because I never have the time to spend on it and it sometimes it gets really overwhelming. I want to create a retreat for rest and relaxation!
10. To get the rest of my orders completed and sent out on time and to get some really interesting work done for my solo show coming up in July. I am already starting to feel stressed for time so I really hope for this to fall into place over the next couple of months.

I think the first thing on my next list will involve some free time and a vacation!