This week has been crazy busy. I've been recovering from a show that cleaned me out of a few of my best selling pieces and I've been frantically working to replenish for my next show in Mentone, Alabama this weekend. The annual Rhododendron Festival is always a wonderful show and it just so happens to be held in one of my favorite places in the world. There's some kind of magical energy that mountain puts off into everything around it and it gives me peace every time I'm there. If you have the opportunity to visit, come out this weekend and take part in the festival. I'm finally taking a breather from rolling out clay to upload some pictures of some of my neighbors from Homestead Hollow.

I will be in space 23A at The Rhododendron Festival...come by and see me!

SPRING has SPRUNG...a leak.

Well.....the 2013 show season has arrived and has been dismal for me so far. Last weekend I exhibited at a show in Valley Head, Alabama (Art at the Barn) and have just finished drying out last night. I'm only being slightly facetious here. It was like trying to exhibit in the shower. The rain was ridiculous and there were only about 11 artisans who decided to brave the elements and stick it out. After all was said and done, the booth rental and expenses were covered and the only damage done was a slightly irritated and rain-drenched 11 year old boy (my son) and all was repaired with a stop by Mcdonald's for a milkshake...amazing how sugar filled dairy products can totally change the demeanor of an unhappy child. Fortunately, the show has been rescheduled for June 29th so I am looking forward to going back. Under better weather conditions this show is a great one to exhibit or attend.

Soo...this week I've been preparing for a show in Springville, Alabama (Homestead Hollow). And hey, guess what the forecast is??  RAIN. But, onward I march....oh, the life of an "artist", and I use that term loosely when referring to myself. Maybe "starving artist" would be more fitting, however judging by the size jeans I am having to squeeze into lately that moniker may not be appropriate either. Anyhoo...Homestead Hollow is normally a great show for both artists and attendees alike. There is a $7.00 gate charge so for the most part the customers in attendance are serious shoppers who admire handcrafted works (no lawnmower parts and nuts and bolts lying on tarps on the ground here). I will try to post some photos of the show sometime after the weekend, though I'm unsure how many I will be able to take as I am, once again, exhibiting at this show alone with no help.

So on to my newest stuff.  I've created a new necklace featuring inspirational word pendants. It can be worn with just one or with several pendants for a totally different look. This particular set is earthenware clay and finished with a gray gloss glaze.  Here's a couple of pics:

Got a couple of new crosses as well...check these out:

Simple but to the point. I can't think of a better piece to put the words BELIEVE and TRUTH on than a cross. These are both created from earthenware clay as well and the cross is clear glazed and strung on a leather or polyester cord. 

Well, that's about all I have to share at the moment. Check back in the coming days as I will be posting a video on bead creation for those of you interested in making their own ceramic beads. Thanks for visiting and God bless!