As Long As You Need Me...

Today, in the midst of being stressed about a messy house, spending money on supplies when I'm trying to MAKE money, and various other personal issues, I decided to finally make a piece which has been in heart my and on my mind for almost a year, now.

One of the biggest motivators for me to get into clay was my first daughter, Amber. For her first Father's Day present, we made Jim a gift of polymer clay handprints, and it was then that I realized I wanted to work in clay. It took a couple more years for me to realize it was ceramic clay instead of polymer clay, but that was the moment that spurred me to where I am now.

And she was a milestone for me in so many other ways, as well. She was not the calm, "happy" baby I had seen on TV or read about. She required either my hubby or me to carry her most of the day, bouncing and walking, and facing her outward. The rest of the time she nursed. I didn't know it at the time, but she led us into the idea of "Attachment Parenting".

Fast forward several years later, and as I sat in church one Sunday, my youngest daughter clung to me while the rest of her siblings, including her twin brother, left for Sunday School. For a second, I felt guilty, as if I was "spoiling" her (though I knew I wasn't, the feeling still crept in). But then as she wrapped her arms around me, I knew that being there for her in that moment was more important than trying to push her independence on her. I knew that for now, she just needed me to hold her - for a little bit longer. And I promised to her, and my other children, "I will hold you, for as long as you need me to."

And so this project is not just another sculpture to me. Like the pregnant couple, or the couple in labor, this piece has my heart all wrapped up in it. The words of my promise are inscribed on the bottom, and I hope they touch the heart of another mother who knows that this time with her children are short, and that holding them just a little longer if they need it, is something she will never regret.

I hope to make several pieces along this line - moments I've shared with my children, in time for Mother's Day. Here, then, is the first:

Fare for the Faire

Today I had the privilege of opening the kiln after a high-firing. I haven't done as many of these due to the cost and length, so I'm always a little nervous as to the outcome...

Today it was a good opening :)

I was experimenting with some items to sell at the medieval faire in June this year, and here's the results!

Here are the dragon egg shakers after the smoke firing. I absolutely LOVE them! They have speckles, and swirls, and just some great contrasts on them.

And what goes better with dragon eggs than little dragons? These guys are adorable!

I hope to make several more of these by the time June rolls around.

And here are my skully mugs!

Another view of the back and handles.

Here are some castle mugs I made based on a recommendation from last year's faire.

In order to prevent dribbles through the gaps at the top of the castles,
I create spouts to funnel the liquid right to your mouth!

I also added a couple more items to my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63644792/pregnant-belly-sculpture

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63645552/spiral-belly-sculpture

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68536232/twin-mama-heart-pendant

Eggs, Eggs, and More Eggs!

I ran out of my stoneware clay. I thought there was one more bag left, but it turned out to be my sculpture/raku clay instead. So with the little bit of smooth stoneware, I decided to delve into egg-making.

These are actually for the medieval faire. They aren't fired, yet, and I will be smoke-firing them for a blotchy/black/grey sort of look. Perfect for "Dragon Eggs"! As a bonus, they're actually shakers - or maracas.

If I find that enough people like the finished idea, I might try selling some on Etsy, as well. But for now I'm building up stock for the faire so I don't look at amateur-ish as I did last year!