Turning Mud Into Gemstones

Pin Holes?

2012-01-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

Cone 6, electric firing......I've never seen a stone with holes like the one in the middle???

Off to a Good Start

2012-01-14T20:40:00.000-08:00

I expect since I started this on Friday the 13th that it will be a very good year! And we have two more Fri the 13ths to come (April and July). I find them to be lucky days.

We spent several days in Asheville and had a great time, exhibited at The Best of Our State on Friday and Sat and then were on our own on Sunday and Monday and then the gem show on Tuesday before we headed home. We had lots of fun, ate great meals and enjoyed ourselves.


Glazing three shelves of stones...some refires, some new

freshly fired

So now, this what is what I have been doing. Refires and new fires, getting ready to head into the new year, but with lot of new ideas and thoughts. Isn't that what we are supposed to be thinking and doing?

Cheers to a good year...I hope to find new ideas that will make my work new and vibrant and different. Thank you to all my wonderful and lovely supporters. I hope we can grow together this year!


Kiln loaded with stones and refires, those elements are a bit unnvering but ther came through and the stones look great!

The Best is to Come!

2011-12-31T10:04:00.000-08:00

The flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today..... may your garden of life be full and joyful in the coming year!

Birds, Bunnies and Bling

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

How in the world did it happen? The Celebration of Seagrove Potters is this weekend. I hope you'll come and see me!

The Potter's Palette

2011-10-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a while....sorry I have been so busy, travel, company, shows, stuff, life!! I am so happy to report that I received a beautiful merit award at the Artsfest Show in Winston-Salem. It is so nice to be recognized, especially when there are a lot of jewelers there. I was pleased that Nell Chandler also received a nice award for her wonderful jewerly.

I've had company (M&D!!!!!), and been out of town etc so have been remise in my journaling. It is so great to have family and friends here.

As a NC Pottery Center Board member and supporter, I am excited about another event we have coming up. A couple of Board members organized this event, inviting NC clay artists to submit a 12"x12" canvas in whatever medium they like. The event, The Potter's Palette, is on October 28 and details are here.

I also was asked to submit a piece. I have never worked with acrylics, never really done anything with painting, but once I tried it, wow, I love it! We'll see if anything else ever comes out. But for what it is worth, here is my very first acrylic painting and I hope that whoever takes it home finds it worthy of it's donation! (The image is much darker than the actual painting!) It will be a fun event, tickets are $150 if you want a painting, and $50 for "tag-alongs" or anyone just wishing to support the NC Potter Center. So if you would like to support it in a small way, buy a $50 ticket or come and visit and join, but please come and see us and enjoy the wealth that the NCPC has to offer.

Celebration 2011 Collaboration

2011-08-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Jugtown Pottery potter Pam Owens and Jennie Lorette Keatts of JLK Jewelry at Jugtown collaborated together on this piece for the Friday night gala auction of the Celebration of Seagrove Potters, November 18, 2011.

A large lidded jar mad by Pam Owens.

The lid is a ceramic collar with a copper forged top with copper and pottery turtles by JLK. Pam decorated the piece with all kinds of water creatures.

This is a one of a kind piece!

How Time Flies!

2011-08-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

It has been a month and a half since I last posted! We took a fabulous trip to Montana-Wyoming-Colorado for two weeks. It was so nice to leave the heat behind and enjoy the wonderful dry temperate climates. We even needed sweaters in the evening. It was great to see so many old friends.

The hiking in Grand Teton National Park was wonderful. We didn't see a lot of wildlife...just a two marmots and a duck. But on our drive out of the park we went through a buffalo herd.

August 11, was the NC Pottery Center's auction in Hillsborough at Leland Little's. It was a lot of fun and about 3/4 of the way through, a big bidding war went on over Takuro Shibata's pot, which brought in the highest bid of the night. If you are not a supporter of the NC Pottery Center, please consider becoming a member and supporting this wonderful museum.

Now time to get back to work. I will be at the Mint Museum's Potters Invitational on Saturday, September 10, from 10am-4pm. This is a wonderful show, showcasing NC's top artists. There is always an amazing display of ceramic works.

September 24, Saturday I will be at the Historic West End Artsfest in Winston-Salem, from 10am-5pm. This is a wonderful show held in Grace Court every other year.

Now I better get to work, something I have not been used to doing the past month!

Garden Critter Companion

2011-07-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

Still working on garden art for the Garden party at Jugtown July 8-9, 2011.

This fellow is 8.5" tall and 9" long.

The spiraled wire from his belly fits over a 36" long steel rod so that he can keep watch in your garden.

They're Back!!

2011-06-27T05:39:00.000-07:00


Brandywines, Black Crims, Linguisas

Needless to say we are eating a lot of caprese salad!

A Summer Garden Party

2011-06-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

July 8-9, 2011 Jugtown Pottery will be holding the Summer Garden Party featuring all kinds of things for and from the Garden. I am working on some copper garden stakes, Wes will have some plants and veggies (grown organically) from the garden, hopefully lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and herbs.

The last kiln load of planters and bird baths was amazing, I am pretty sure I am going to want to go home with some of them.

The sale begins on Friday from 4pm-8pm, and we will have goodies prepared from the garden and some fun beverages, plus all the great garden "art"! We hope to see you there!

Back in the Saddle Again

2011-06-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Back in the studio for a couple of days anyway! Working on some new ideas. Hope this one will be well received!!

Sterling silver, turquoise pottery glazed stone, 14K gold fill, labradorite

Multi-fired pottery cabochon in sterling silver, 14K gold fill, opal and amethyst.

And The Winners Are

2011-05-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Official Contest Drawers! Look at Ruru..he couldn't jump up there on his own but he tried (and I helped him). He is doing so well and this event was dedicated to him! Wes drew the names and Ruru purred. We had 12 names in the drawing and the winners are (and this was a truly pure drawing):

Necklace-Leslie
Sterling Hoop Earrings-Kathy, Michelle, Hal
Bunny earrings-Tami

I may need your addresses, so e-mail me jennie@jlkjewelry.com.

This is a pay it forward, if you have a blog, please do a give away like this. If not, then commit yourself to doing 4-5 random acts of kindness (above and beyond the ones that you normally do!!)

What a fun thing this is and I know you will all enjoy "paying it forward"!!! Keep it going, think outside the box!

Pay It Forward

2011-05-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was the receipient of a pay it forward event on Leslie William's blog. I have had so much going on in nursing Rusty back to walking, company, shows etc that I am now finally getting around to this! for those that followed Rusty, he can walk, can't jump up onto things, but he is doing really well. And his fur is growing back in, though he may not want it in this weather.

Pam and I just returned from a great trip to Dataw Island in SC where we stayed with wonderful friends, kayaked, rode bikes and had a generally fantastic time!

Here are the pay it forward items. Everyone that makes a comment on this blog gets their name put into the hat, and Wes will draw the winners. I'll give several days for comments. So if you want a chance at some free jewelry, just make a comment!

Sterling silver necklace with a peachbloom pottery stone and black onyx.

Hand forged sterling silver hoops (1" diameter)

Pottery cab earrings, sterling silver earwires

Pottery bunny cab earrings-sterling silver ear wires

Morning Garden Walk

2011-04-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks I have been consumed with caring for one of our cats Rusty. he developed two very bad cases of toxoplasmosis and gingivitis. Two awful infections that led to partial paralysis. He is making progress, though still unable to walk or support himself. He did pull himself along this morning for a tiny little ways. Thank you to everyone that has been sending good thoughts to him, they are working!

Coming in May, (once I have my two shows: Spring Days in Cary this Sat and Historic Rosedale in Charlotte on May 7) behind me and Rusty back on his feet, I will be doing a pay it forward give away. I won a beautiful Hawaiian hat band from Leslie Williams and now it is my turn! I'll post some images of iems that I will give away to 5 people chosen from a drawing of everyone that posts a comment on that posting. Part of my bargain with the universe was that if Rusty gets back on his feet, the first one will be a nicer piece of jewelry. So check back later in May!

I took a little walk around the gardens this morning. We are under tornado warnings and hope nothing comes this way, and our thoughts go to all those already affected.

Irises in the patio pond

The 3rd of the clematis to start flowering

These petunias in 3 colors are coming up everywhere! We have several hundred of them just in the pots!

Purple irises-the blooms over here are over 6"

All the rose bushes are flowering

Peonies getting ready to open up

Apple mint anyone? No? Then spearmint or lemon balm? All three make a wonderful tea, hot or cold! Massive amounts growing here!

And in the vegetable garden

The end of the second lettuce and spinach crop. This is from the February planting. YUM!

Lots of big asparagus, this is twice the diameter of my thumb.

Beans and squash. Wes started the squash, cucmbers and tomatoes from seeds.

Brandywines

Onions are getting big and round

A New Lower End Line Coming Onboard!

2011-03-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Bunnies made a debut in Hickory. These are also available in a sterling silver setting as a pendant for $36!

Springtime!!

2011-03-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

After last year's drought I was worried about some of our plants, but things are coming out like mad. Both bleeding hearts by the patio are in bloom.

The peonies are coming up

Daffodils are still blooming, we love these white ones

and I found one little violet. Wes says violets are weeds, but I love them!

What a great time of the year! I wish it could be like this for everyone, everywhere.

Hickory, Dickory, Show time!

2011-03-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Catawba Valley Pottery Festival is coming right up. I will be back after a two year absence and am looking forward to seeing familiar faces!

I picked up a new Nikon Coolpix yesterday. My Canon and Olympus are just a little too big to take along comfortably to shows. This is my first try with it. I think I'm going to like it!

Now despite fabulous weather outside, time to make some earrings from the freshly fired load of cabochons.

Folding Metal

2011-03-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

Cuff Bracelet, heavy gauge sterling silver, with patina and brushed finish.

My first go around with trying fold forming.

A Little Ruskinism!

2011-03-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

John Ruskin was the founding father of the Arts & Crafts Movement, a major social movement in England and the United States during the last half of the nineteenth century. The Ruskin Pottery was established in 1898 in a suburb of Birmingham, England. The founder, Edward Richard Taylor, followed the teachings and philosophy of John Ruskin and admired him so much, that he named his pottery in his honor. Ruskin Pottery was taken over by Edward's son, William Howson Taylor in 1912, and it was he who was came closest to Ruskins's ideals of arts and crafts.

In the early 1900's, the Ruskin Pottery began producing small round cabochons, which they called, "plaques" or "enamels". They were made for the purpose of using them as gems to be mounted in metal and wood jewelry. These varied in size from the size of a button to 3" in diameter. They became a major part of the pottery's output. The pottery also made tiles, hatpins, studs, cuff links, scarf pins, and pendants. All Ruskin advertising included "Ruskin Pottery, Enamels and Buttons".

Liberty of London, makers of pewter and sterling silver art pieces, started using Ruskin plaques in place of semiprecious stones. The semi-precious stones had become so expensive that they were no longer cost effective, and the Ruskins cabochons were relatively inexpensive and the colors so beautiful that they immediately gained popularity. These were all leadless glazes and many are similar in color to what I am achieving today with the glazes developed at Jugtown by my sister Pam owens.

Other pottery's such as Moorcraft, Minton and Kensington also produced ceramic cabochons, but they are rare to find.

Doesn't this look like one of my stones!! If you get to see the original Ruskins, they are a treat. I used to exhibit annually in Asheville at the Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, and had the opportunity to see many fine examples. It just amazed me how close the colors were to those that I have been making using Jugtown's glazes! You can now understand why I get giddy over every single firing!

Shades of Turquoise And Springtime on My Mind (and Lightbox)

2011-03-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

Springtime is in the air! Here is a preview of what I am working on. Some of these will be available at Hickory on the 25 and 26 of March at the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival.

sterling silver and pottery cabochons (turquoise with copper); adjustable 17"-20"

Large pottery cabochons in turquoise with cobalt & copper, linked by torch formed, reticulated sterling links; adjustable from 12" to 20"

Pendant in roller printed sterling, formed and forged. Peachbloom, reduction fired pottery cabochon with 2 5mm garnets. Pendant, 3-1/2" long

Pendant in sterling, formed and forged. Mingled blues and cobalt pottery cabochon with a 7mm created opal. Pendant, 3-1/2" long

Rainy Friday

2011-02-25T06:22:00.000-08:00

We had a fun, though way too brief, visit from friends from Atlanta. both incredible artists. Susan does pheomenal stained glass and Michelle is a clay artist. So I got a day off!!! Hopefully they got enough of a peak at Seagrove to come back soon and spend more time. And maybe bring our friend Kathy back with them too:)

I've been in a bird state of mind. Today it may be leaves though.

Sushi Making in Seagrove

2011-02-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

Who says there's nothing to do in Seagrove?? Many thanks to Hitomi Shibata for organizing a sushi making workshop at our house. George & Mayumi Yamazawa (and Mama-san) came from Durham to teach a group of use to make Maki sushi. Yamazawa-san owns Yamazushi Authentic Japanese Cuisine in Durham and has been learning pottery making in Seagrove with David Stuempfle.

A goup of us gathered to learn just how to make sushi rice and how to roll an authentic Maki roll. This was such a fun day, and it is not as easy as you might think it is.

We practiced pressing and pushing the rice on the granite and then moved on to trying it on the nori. What fun and enlightenment.

By the time we were done with our lesson we had many, many, many cucumber and tuna rolls. Everyone also brought an Asian dish to share as a potluck to go with the sushi. It was a feast.

I can guarantee I'll be making sushi for dinner at home. And I will so be looking forward to visiting Yamazushi. This is authentic Japanese food with a few exceptions for Americans (dragonrolls, etc), but don't be expecting any cream cheese in your sushi here! And go to the website and see what a wonderful menu they offer. What a great way to start off the week!

Spring is in the Air, but March will coming marching in!

2011-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

Boy is it difficult staying inside! It is so nice out there. We played in the paddle boat on the pond this weekend and that is just what I want to go and do today! But I am staying at the bench, the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival will be here before we know it. Well, I might go home a little early. After all you can find a lot of inspiration in playing with nature. Today I have been making bird themes...songbird pins and roosters too. They are in the tumbler and will have patina applied and stones set tomorrow. Pendant and pins have been my mode the past couple of days.

Oh, and how could I forget! I am doing bolo ties now too. I have had requests for them over the years and finally have done some. I will make some women's also. You think western wear will go over in NC??

I have a new look on my website now and I hope you will go take a look and let me know what you think of it. I also have an up to date page of jewelry currently available to purchase now.

I am hoping my new thermocouple will come. My kiln is loaded with stones I hope to be fitting into my Best of Kiln category. you never know till they come out though. It really stinks to glaze, load and turn on the kiln only to have it not work! So stay tuned for some hopefully really cool stones to be coming out to be new jewelry! Now I am going to look for some tutorials on making images go where you want them on your blog!

Craziest, Most Difficult Customer? Wanna Play?

2011-02-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

Anyone Want to Play? Tell your story of your strangest or craziest customer interaction??

I have one to beat the band (and everything else you can imagine), but don't want to play alone! If you'll share I will and maybe we can write a column or a book!

I have so many fabulous customers-friends out there. I am lucky to have not had many, if any, weird interactions and I LOVE my customers/clients/friends, and so you all will probably like this one or, at the very least, find it unbelievable.

Just a hint 56 emails! Let me know, this could be fun! Hide the names to protect the guilty too! Here or by email!

Some Tips for Your Silver Jewelry

2011-01-19T08:22:00.000-08:00

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and another metal, most always copper is used to make up the remaining 7.5 percent content of a sterling silver mix. Copper makes the silver harder, but gives it a tendency to tarnish.Tarnish is caused when your jewelry comes into contact with sulfur compounds, mainly hydrogen sulfide in the air. Other culprits that will cause tarnish are wool, felt, fossil fuels, rubber bands, latex gloves, rubber carpet padding, some paints and stains, and foods (eggs and onions and foods made with them). Tarnish formation is stronger in a humid climate, which is why why if you are at the beach your jewelry may tarnish much more quickly.

Store sterling silver jewelry in ziploc plastic bag. It will protect it from tarnishing

Add a small strip of anti-tarnish paper in your plastic bag to provide additional protection against tarnish. (I have them available if you need them)

Don't wrap silver in any type of tape, it can leave a sticky residue that is hard to get off.

Don't use rubber bands when storing silver, as they contain sulfur and that will react with the silver by leaving black marks that are extremely difficult to remove. Strong black tarnish marks are a bear to remove.

Keep your silver jewelry away from salt, bleach and other strong chemicals, it can corrode or tarnish it.
Don't use toothpast to polish your jewelry. It often contains baking soda which is an abrasive and will scratch your jewelry. This might be ok if your finish is a scratch finish, but if you have a highly polished piece, it will be damaged. Your best bet is to use a silver polishing cloth. If you have a piece with patina on it ("antiqued" or darkened places) the cloth will get the highlights and leave the patina. A silver dip will take it all off and you jewelry will look quite different.

Silver plated jewelry components are electroplated, with a thin coating of silver that is chemically deposited on base metal- a layer of silver so thin that it can quickly wear off with use. Many people that have problems with earrings and silver, have found that it is the nickel used in these inexpensive findings that are the problem. Always ask to be sure you are getting sterling or fine silver in your earring and necklace components, anything that touches the skin is subject to corrosives in the air and oils and acids in your skin.

Silver prices keep going up, now 650% higher (no not a typo!!) than when I started making jewelry in the late 90's, so take care of your jewelry and it will last a very long time!

A Resolution for Success

2011-01-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

One of the best ways to plan to fail isn't just to fail to plan ... You can also plan to succeed so thoroughly, so perfectly, so mind-blowingly that it is absolutely incredible ... and ... inevitably undoable.
Don’t resolve to succeed. Resolve to work at it.

Don’t resolve to know it. Resolve to think about it.

Don’t resolve to know it all. Resolve to learn more.

When you don’t meet with absolute success (and you won’t), remember that you weren’t aiming for absolute success ... You were aiming to learn more. That way, you won’t need to quit because you failed. You can just keep learning more, and that makes you ... a success.

An all-or-nothing mind-set is a fantastic way to abbreviate the whole process of setting goals and making resolutions. As soon as you see you can’t do it all, you can quit!

Instead, simply resolve to make one change and think about it, reflect on it, and go from there. You don’t have to do it all. And you don’t have to do nothing. There’s a lot of good stuff in-between.

Today I will bring all my paperwork up to date so that maybe I can go back into the studio to clean and then start making some more jewelry. The shows will start before I know it!

Happy New Year to all.

Ballantyne Magazine and a Teapot of Ours!

2010-12-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I have been too busy to post lately! I was excited to see Samantha's post about the article in Ballantyne Magazine that features pots of Seagrove including one of Bruce and Samanthas of Bulldog Pottery and one of mine and Pam's, as well as some of our neighbors in Westmoore, Michael Mahan and Westmoore Pottery and one of Whynot. Thank you Ballantyne, and thank you Sam for pointing it out!

Pam and I do collaborations, similar to the one above, on teapots, she makes the teapot and I do the handles and lids in sterling silver, forged, stamped, formed. We've done these collaborations over the years and they have been very successful and we appreciate all that have supported our efforts! It has been really a nice thing to be able to add my work to the teapots and I appreciate the magazine attributing the teapot to me, but it was a collaboration of both of us, not just me!! Credit must be given to all that deserve it!!

If I could turn pots like Pam, well wow. She is some thing and someone, so creative, smart, fun, interesting, and she is my BEST friend!! I feel so lucky to have my sister be my best friend, and to have someone like Pam be my sis! Life is good, very, very good!

It is cold here, very cold for this time of year and we have had snow-yippee!! Bring it on, but maybe wait till January. We have had the wood stove and fireplace going and the house has been very warm. Kitties in the morning like to stay close to the fire--this is less than 2 feet away from the fireplace. Chester has taken the pillow I made Bacchus, as his own, and Tasha has resisted leaving the heat to letting Rusty hang out above her. This is huge, she is a princess, but she is my princess!

Tis the season, be kind, be loving and make some changes and start the new year on a positive note!

Jugtown Pottery Holiday Kiln Opening - Dec. 4

2010-11-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Dec 4 is the Jugtown Pottery Annual Kiln Opening. There are lots of beautiful pieces from wood and gas fired kilns. I will be working all week to create some new pieces and more of my birds on perches.

The museum opens at 7am with hot drinks and refreshments. People come early to get a number for the line, then peek in the windows to start their lists! Doors open at 8:30!

Later that afternoon from 3:30-5:30pm the NC Pottery Center will host the opening reception of Collectors Eye, Series I: Seven Perspectives.

So come early, there are several other holiday openings Saturday including Westmoore Pottery, Chris Luther Pottery, Bulldog Pottery, Avery Pottery and Tileworks and Thomas Pottery and end up at the NC Pottery Center. The exhibit looks great!

Here are some images from the Jugtown web site.

Bird(s) in the Oven

2010-11-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

I started the day making more of my little birds, as all but one sold at the Celebration! But then soon Wes, Bacchus and I headed for Aberdeen, Southern Pines and I had the day off!!! Bacchus had a "spa appt" as Wes calls it, at PetsMart Grooming, for a bath and freshening up. He was not too happy when we left him, in fact, he jumped that gate to try to go with us, rather than into his "spa". When I go into Chakra's for my spa treatments, you couldn't pay me to back out. The difference between me and my dog!

We, then, went shopping to get ready for tomorrow, and this evening I have been preparing the food. But first I must give a plug to Fried Green Tomatoes in Aberdeen (1 south to 211, first left and down a bit on the left). We've been there a couple times and Wes wanted fried oysters in a big way (despite the fact that we are having oyster stuffing tomorrow). They aren't on the lunch menu, but the French (truly a French Chef) chef, Philippe Brainos, is so very accomodating and said "But of course", in a large French accent. So I ordered them too, with a double order of slaw (you get 2 sides). OMG, were they ever good, cooked perfectly (I worried after ordering if we should have requested lightly fired) and that is what we said about our first visit so if you are down in the Pinehurst area drop in here. Not a ton of atmosphere, but not bad-definitley run by a Frenchman and defintely serving great food! Plus they have a dinner menu.... if you get on their email list you see it weekly, and they have a back room for dinner that has a bit of a Moulin Rouge feel, well kind of, sort of, maybe if you haven't actually been to the MR in Paris ( I saw no scantily clad, fabulously outfitted women, but if you've been to the MR, you know you do have to pay the pretty penny to see it all). But it is a room one would feel at home in and perhaps think of as Parisian! And the food so far has been fabulous, and extremely reasonable.

Anyway back to Thanksgiving, I thought I might post some pictures of my preparation for Thanksgiving. Not many of us so if you are alone and needing a place, call me!

acorn squash to be roasted and drizzled with a vinaigrette made from the below garlic, pepper, cilantro, etc! Sounds yummy, hope it is!

Roasted garlic for the red mashed potatoes!

Naturally greens from the garden, arugula, and we have 4 different lettuces and baby spinach. All with tunnels to go over them for a year round crop of fresh greens, beets, turnips etc.

Jellied Cranberry sauce, I can't live without that and there are the oysters for the

GLUTEN FREE oyster stuffing or is it dressing, when you don't stuff it in the turkey?

Fresh natural, hormone, anti-biotic, etc free turkey is brining in cider, with some sea salt, sugar, smoked paprika, chipotle, ginger, clove and allspice.

And the neck and giblets are creating the stock for the gravy.

Part of this gallon went into the brine, but there is still about 1/4 of a gallon left for some nice warm cider tomorrow.

That is a bit of what we'll be having. I haven't cooked a turkey in a while and really wanted to do it, so I am at it full force! We stopped at Sandhill's Winery on the way home today (a great shop in 7 Lakes if you don't know it) and picked up a couple cases of wine, so we are set!

Now I just have to go wrap things up, make my notes and off to a nice night of snoozing and sleeping in!

Celebration of Seagrove Potters

2010-11-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

Shame on me no pictures, but I am sure that Samantha will have some more on Bulldog's page. Sam and Bruce are our resident behind the scenes photographer and marketing subcommittee for Seagrove! Many, many thanks for all the work that they do for our area. AND to my luck, they are my neighbor at the Celebration. Wow, what wonderful work they have (will try to remember my own camera tomorrow!!) and I am so lucky to count them as my good friends. If you don't know their work, check them out above. They do the most incredible work, the colors, crystals, images, surfaces, wow. Absolutely amazing, Sam and Bruce are incredibly talented!

What a great event so far. Thanks you to all that came by the booth. It was great to get to meet and re-meet people like Heather from our Facebook note and earlier Hermitage meeting, to so many faces and friends from each year. I love these events just for this reason, to see all of you and sometimes get a glimpse at earlier stuff I've done! And to say missing those of you that couldn't make it (Jeanne and Ben, boo... first pottery fest missed in a while isn't it? and thanks for sending word). And to all my new friends and customers. Thank you all so much!

I hope you can come visit the Jugtown Pottery Holiday Kiln Opening on Sat the 4th of December. Doors open at 8:30, (museum opens at 7am with hot drinks and warm snacks to keep you warm in between window peaking for your preveiws!) . Come stock up, and then doors open a bit later for holiday kiln openings at Chris Luther, Westmoore Pottery, Bulldog Pottery and Thomas Pottery. Go to this page to find NC Pottery Events.

Again thanks to all who came by , Ihope to get my web site more updated, thanks for looking at it and I'll keep at it! Any questions or comments??? Email me!! jennie@jlkjewelry.com.

Birds of a Feather?

2010-11-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

Celebration of Seagrove Potters.....this weekend! Sometimes I just like to try something different. I've done my pottery bird and chicken earrings since I came to Jugtown and thought about expanding on that and creating some year round ornaments. My test run putting them in the shop at Jugtown worked, first one sold within 2 hours! So I will have a selection of these birds this weekend.

Teapots

2010-11-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

Teapots by Pam Owens, lids and handles by me.

Art and Nature

2010-11-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

16 days....That is all that is left until the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. If you haven't gotten your Gala tickets, go directly to the web site and buy them on line!

I am working away on some new designs. Here are a couple that I have just finished. This is such a busy time of the year for all of us here in Seagrove, and of course all artists and craftspeople.

Yesterday morning our dog was at the pond barking like mad. Wes went down and thought he saw two beavers swimming around, and I joined him. Of course, Bacchus launched himself into the hyacinth filled water, the lab in him suddenly kicking into full gear. He swam in circles all around the pond, completely oblivious to the fact that these "beavers" were more adept in the water than he was. I was afraid he'd run out of steam in the hyacinth and go down. We finally coaxed him out and back into the garage. We were thrilled! Beavers eat water vegetation, and we have a ton of it! The water hyacinth is very pretty and horrendously invasive! (And people will pay $2-3 per plant for it, in nurseries.) We thought perhaps our answer to getting rid of it had come....two cool resident beavers to clean out the pond!

After a bit more research on line, after Wes saw them on the bank cuddling and noticed that they had long straight tails rather than big flat ones, we discovered that they were a pair of NA River Otters. That had been my thought when I first saw them swimming, they reminded me of the otters I watched in the Shed Aquarium, years ago. River otters are not vegetarians, they eat fish and sometimes small mammals. We had about 200 small koi put into the pond earlier this year (though we soon acquired a resident Great Heron right after, so there may not have been any left in there). I don't know if they got any koi, and I seriously doubt they wiped out our huge mole and vole population. They may not have been really keen on seeing 5 of us on the hill by the pond armed with cameras and binoculars, while they cuddled together, wrapped arond each other. I don't know what the deciding factor was, where they came from, or were they were going, but this morning as soon as it was light I went looking. No otters to be seen. We were thrilled though to have their 24 hour visit and hope that they'll be back to see us one day.

Home Again

2010-10-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

New England in October is always such a wonderful time. We drove up on the 10th and spent some time on Cape Ann before heading to NH. I love the New England coast and all the great seafood that goes with it. Then back to NC with my parents and Max the cat, and spent a week here goofing off.

Now it is only 4 weeks til the Celebration of Seagrove Potters with the Jugtown Holiday Kiln Opening following right behind, on December 4th. I have come back with my mind bursting full of ideas and now need to organize myself to get everything produced! Though it is hard not to head out for the yard and garden with this beautiful weather!!

With my mind on the Dunes at Crane Beach, off to the studio I go!

Back from the Mint

2010-09-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

Back from the Mint Museum's 6th Annual Potter's Market Invitational. Once again it was a great show, and the selection of pottery was outstanding. I had hoped to get some pictures of other booths but time was not available for that! I did get to visit with many potters and customers that I hadn't seen for a while, came home with a few pieces from Matt Jones and a nice order for the new Mint Museum gift shop opening in downtown Charlotte in a few weeks!

Anna King, Pam Owens and Jennie just before opening

This was my first time with my new booth set up. We have streamlined a lot of it, so we are much more organized, have a lot fewer "pieces" and a much better look. Lighting was not so good in the tent for a photo, it was overcast (which was great for temperatures for the day!).

6th Annual Potters market Invitational at the Mint Museum

2010-08-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

JLK Jewelry and Jugtown Pottery will be back at the Mint on Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission $10 ($8 after 2 p.m.)

Read the article in Carolina Arts Unleashed. Tom Starland always does a great job promoting the arts!

Participating potters for this year’s PMI include: Blaine Avery, Michael Ball, Tammy Leigh Brooks, Kyle Carpenter, Donna Craven, Jeff Dean, Stephanie Martin, Judith Duff, Kim Ellington, Steven Forbes de-Soule, Terry Gess, Bruce Gholson, Samantha Henneke, Becky Gray, Shawn Ireland, Nick Joerling, Daniel Johnston, Fred Johnston, Carol Gentithes, Maggie & Freeman Jones, Matt Jones, Matt Kelleher, Shoko Teruyama, Crystal King, Terry & Anna King, Eric Knoche, Sid Luck, Robin, Rob, Beth Mangum, Will McCanless, Phil Morgan, Ben Owen lll, Pam, Vernon, Travis Owen, Jennie L. Keats, Shirl & Jim Parmentier, Jane Peiser, Ronan Kyle Peterson, John & Scottie Post, Rob Pulleyn, Amy Sanders, Akira Satake, Ken & Connie Sedberry, Jenny Lou Sherburne, David Stuempfle, Hiroshi Sueyoshi, and Liz Zlot Summerfield
We hope we'll see you there, it is a fantastic show with top artists and a huge variety of beautiful pieces to take home.

New Rings and Things

2010-08-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Rings-the 3 on the left are adjustable, hand patterned sterling silver, pottery center cab, 14K GF on two and labradorites on either side of the center stone. Far right is sterling silver with a labradorite center stone.

Sterling silver rings with pottery cabochons.

Hand forged bracelet with center pottery cabochon from a recent reduction firing.

I have about 6 doves left from the Seagrove Potters for Peace sale-they are available to purchase at Jugtown or on my website http://www.jlkjewelry.com/.

8 more days!

2010-08-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Chinese Blue Dove Pendants for Seagrove Potters for Peace.

Beth Gore has done a fantastic job organizing this great fundraiser.

August 14!

Seagrove Potters for Peace-August 14

2010-08-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

24 potteries will hold a sale of specially signed vessels to help Greg Mortenson build schools in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan as a long-term solution to terrorism. (Sorry - no early sales!)

Each pottery will produce a unique item, specially signed for this event. The pottery will be for sale at the individual shops on Saturday, August 14 from 9am to 5pm. There will be no early sales, but any remaining items can be ordered by email or telephone on Monday, August 16. Some potteries will also have copies of Mortenson's books for sale.

I have posted my dove pictures earlier and will have a few more that are being fired tomorrow in Chinese blue!! I hope I glazed and placed them in good spots! They will all be avaiailable at $24 and there will be the option of buying a 16" steel neckwire with magnetic clasp or 16" satin cord with sterling clasp for another $6. the doves are clay with a sterling silver handmade bail on back. And they are stamped SPP and JLK.

Beth has done a great job on this, she is passionate and detailed and I hope you will stop in at Cady Clay Works. We also have a Facebook page and I encourage everyone with pieces to post a picture there and for you, faithful readers, to go have a look! And come and see us on the 14th! http://www.seagrovepottersforpeace.com/
The Randolph Friends of the Library will hold a community discussion about Afghanistan and Mortenson’s work on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at 7pm, at the Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Ave in downtown Asheboro, NC (about 12 miles from Seagrove, just off Hwy. 220). The discussion will be led by Dr. Jeff Jones, associate professor of Russian and world history at UNC-Greensboro. All ages are welcome. Copies of Mortenson’s books and a variety of pottery vessels will be for sale. Change will be collected for “Pennies for Peace”. Refreshments will be served.

For further information contact Beth Gore at Cady Clay Works by calling 910/464-5661 or e-mail to (cadyclayworks@yahoo.com) or (seagrovepottersforpeace@yahoo.com). Or you can call me too!

Volunteers

2010-07-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

We are fans of volunteers (well and volunteering for that matter) in our garden. We use organic and heirloom seeds so we can be pretty sure we know what we have or close to it! This must have come from seeds in the compost, because we haven't planted cantaloupe before. There are quite a few of them out there mixed in with some volunteer tomatoes and cucumbers. We tried it for breakfast this morning, yum! Maybe the rain we have finally gotten will help!

Now time to get down to business. I have had kind of a lackadaiscal attitude this month as far as working in the studio goes. Yesterday was my first day really working hard......... I got a wholesale order:) and the Mint Museum Potter's Invitational will be here before long. So back to work and new inspirations.

Seagrove Potters of Historic Busbee Road

2010-07-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

Here is our new rack card for the Historic Potters of Busbee Road. There are 10 shops along Busbee from 705 to right around the corner to Jugtown Pottery (home of the Busbee's). We got together as a group and recognized that we have a lot more to offer collectively for the shopper as a group, a wide variety beyond pottery,something for everyone when you visit the Potters of Historic Busbee Road! Not everyone coming to Seagrove is looking exclusively for pottery and we have options for them, as well as the pottery shopper.

We have a world class and renowned Blacksmith, Jerry Darnell (who is at John C Campbell School teaching this week), Jerry's shop has so much fun work, plus you can see the forge and talk to him and see what and how he does everything, talk about an educational visit! Wes and I love to stop by there.

15 +/- potters working at 10 shops creating such a wide variety of pottery that there is something for everyone. Several shops offer crafts, Jugtown offers a wide variety of American handmade work from wood, to glass, to textiles, candles, cards, books, and more, to metals, to me......Turning Mud into Gemstones, handmade stones set in sterling silver. Not the kind of ceramic jewelry that you find in many shops. My work is all hand done, set in sterling silver, hand fabricated designs that are one of a kind, quality jewelry made for a lifetime!

Cady Clay Works offers a variety of complimetary items to pottery and Westmoore Pottery has the most wonderful hand blown glasses that go so well with all their beautiful reproduction pieces.

All the shops offer something different. We have museums at Jugtown Pottery and Original Owens Pottery and one to open soon at Chris Luther's showcasing his family line of pottery. Check out our Facebook page and look for our brochure at the NC Pottery Center and in our shops when you come to see us, or email me if you want a larger copy emailed to you!

Need Earrings?

2010-07-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

I just set stones in a new batch of earrings. All sterling silver with pottery cabochons and semi-precious stones. They are in the shop at Jugtown and will soon be on my web site!

Weathered Bronze pottery cabs with amethyst and moonstone

Chinese blue with labradorite

Turquoise with cobalt with moonstones

Peachbloom with garnets

Weathered bronze with amethyst and 14K gf

Peachbloom with labradorite

Turquoise with cobalt, moonstones and 14K gf

Peachbloom with garnets

Doves for Peace

2010-07-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

First firing, after replacing thermocouple, no that was not the problem and replacing elements, yes that was it. Bottom one was shot though you couldn't tell from looking.

Next make the sterlling silver bails for the pins and order the leather cords that they will hang on.

http://www.seagrovepottersforpeace.com/

August 14, Seagrove, NC

Seagrove Potters for Peace-August

2010-06-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Turning Stoneware into Schools
Saturday, August 14, 2010 9am - 5pm

This is the second year that my neighbor, Beth Gore of Cady Clay Works, has organized this fund raiser to benefit the Central Asia Institute. This is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Last years fund raiser was based on Greg mortenson's book, "Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Journey to Change the World…One Child at a Time". This year's is based on his book, "Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan".

I do not make vessels, but am participating by making Clay Dove Pendants that are stamped on the back SPP (Seagrove Potters for Peace). There will be limited number porduced and they will not be available until August 14th at 9am! I had hoped to post some images of some of them, but my kiln pooped out on me and so I am waiting for parts before I can fire them!

http://www.seagrovepottersforpeace.com/ lists all the participants, and here are the details!

24 potteries will hold a sale of specially signed vessels to help Greg Mortenson build schools in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan as a long-term solution to terrorism. (Sorry - no early sales!)

Each pottery will produce a unique item, specially signed for this event. The pottery will be for sale at the individual shops on Saturday, August 14 from 9am to 5pm. There will be no early sales, but any remaining items can be ordered by email or telephone on Monday, August 16. Some potteries will also have copies of Mortenson's books for sale.

Where Did June Go?

2010-06-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Whew, June flew by! We drove Wes's mother back to PA after her visit with us in the beginning of June. We were right on the edge of Amish country and spent a couple of days up there. We went to an auction with Uncle Louie-a building supply auction. If only we had a truck and trailer with us. All kinds of stuff, the best was lots of reclaimed and recycled wood. Big, long (20+ feet) beams that went for under $30, 2x4's on a pallet at .50 each. Doors, windows, outdoor furniture, lawn mowers, insulation, pallets of rock, water storage tanks, you name it! This is the same auction we got our 350 gallon water storage tanks that will be collecting water from the roof of the new barn that is going up as we speak!

We stayed in Lititz at a B&B for a couple nights and went down to Intercourse and Blue Ball. What a disappoinment! It is so commericalized. The drive through the countryside was lovely, the huge Amish farms and gardens are something. We did come home with lots of cheeses, some Amish and some from a wonderful cheese and exotic meat shop we found in Lititz. Although only 3 days were spent not driving on highways, it was a great little getaway.

I do have some work available here at Jugtown. Also the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, The Artist's Theater in West Jefferson, freehand in Los Angeles and the NC Craft Gallery in West Jefferson all have gotten in new work from me in the past month. I plan to update my web site, which has been sadly neglected since I discovered blogging and facebook.

Stayed tuned to my next coming post about the Seagrove Potters for Peace. I have been working on my pieces for it and will do a post soon.

earrings available with various stones!

Lots of watches and bracelets are in stock now.

Shows and Galleries

2010-05-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Still here and making things! This is a teapot made by Pam Owens I did the lid and handle. Tea Time magazine was here on Tuesday and photographed lots of teapots for an article in 2011.

I have been busy at work and also working on computers. I lost my hard drive on my main computer so I am sporting a new laptop which I am loving!

The Grovewood Gallery in Asheville is going to be carrying my work again, so if in Ashveille look for it after mid-June. I am very pleased to be represented by them again.

Free Hand Gallery in Los Angeles is owned by Carol Sauvion, the producer of the Craft in America series that I wrote about last fall. They will also be carrying my work starting in June. So if on either coast please stop in their galleries. In Dallas you can visit Carlyn Galerie.

Next show scheduled is the Mint Museum's Potters Invitational on September 11th.

Looks like I'll have a busy summer getting things ready for all these! And if you are near Seagrove, stop in at Jugtown and say hi!

Going, Going, GONE April 25

2010-04-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

11th Annual GOING, GOING, GONE TO POTS
the fund raising auction for the North Carolina Pottery Center

Free and open to the public. Doors open at 3:30 with refreshments and live Bluegrass music.
The auction pieces are currently on display at the NCPC. Pam Owens (my sister) of Jugtown Pottery and I collaborated on the tea set. Donna Craven donated a 29" tall gourd bottle, Kim Ellington's pitcher and Michael Kline's wonderfully decorated piece. These are just a few of the many wonderful pieces and packages to bid on!

Over a hundred pieces of pottery, both contemporary and historical have been donated by potters and collectors that support the North Carolina Pottery Center. The pieces will be auctioned at 5pm, Sunday, April 25th by Leland Little & Assoc at the NCPC in Seagrove. You can ALSO place an absentee bid and/or view all the pieces here.

We also have a raffle for three great prizes. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.

Tickets are available on line

Golf Package
includes 4 rounds of golf at the Longleaf Golf and Country Club, One night at the Country Hearth Inn and Suites, a Gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse and Sagebrush Steakhouse and an Energizer bunny gift package

Umstead Hotel package
includes one night and dinner at the Umstead Hotel in Cary and a hand made picnic basket with wine and Cabot cheese.

Eco Package
includes 6 Ecornaments, a vintage strawberry planter full of live of herbs, a handmade Pottery Chicken planter and the NC Zoo family membership

I was appointed as a Board of Directors member in March. The NC Pottery Center is a wonderful museum showcasing the history of pottery making in NC, as well as offering education opportunities, a gift shop and much more. I hope you will check out the auction and consider becoming a member of this wonderful Museum. if you love NC pottery then this is the place for you!!

They Keep On Coming

2010-04-03T18:46:00.000-07:00

Horse manure, maybe that is the ticket! We have had some huge, and deliciously sweet asparagus. Planted last year, two year old crowns. Each day we go outside and voila, more asparagus for dinner yet again. Darn! We eat them raw in salads and cooked, they are just so good.

This gorgeous horse is just one of hundreds that we saw at the Fork Stables Horse Trials this weekend. Magnificent animals and riders. I really miss riding-grew up riding English, in the Pony Club and all this was right up my alley from way back when! Maybe one of these days I can try it again!

Wood Fired, Salt Glazed

2010-03-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Buttons from the groundhog wood firing on Thursday. These should add a new dimension to the bags!

It's In the Bag

2010-03-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

I intimated earlier this year that I was working on a new idea. This is phase one! I have made a series of tote bags using reclaimed upholstery sample swatches for the exterior. The insides are lined with the upholstery samples or a heavy cotton duck lining. The handles are woven cotton. Right now I am using the tassels on them, however this morning I applied various oxides to a variety of stoneware buttons that I made. They are being fired in the wood (salt) kiln here at Jugtown later this week. These will be used on the bags. The bags show are approximately 9.5" tall x 11" x 7."

I didn't know that I would like sewing! It is a nice break though from the chemicals and sharp edges I work with in jewelry making each day. I will post some of these on my web site for sale and will have them at some shows with me.
Don't forget the Annual Fund Raiser for the North Carolina Pottery Center is coming up next month on April 25th! Many loyal potters from around the state are donating pieces to help raise funds for this wonderful museum located in Seagrove.

They will be auctioned by Leland Little Auctions & Estates, and will be available for viewing soon on his web site, auctionzip.com and the NC Pottery Center web site. I had a chance to see some of the pieces the other day, and there is a great selection. You don't have to be present to bid in advance, which is the great thing as this is being promoted nationally, so spread the word and take a look!!

Hope to see you at one of my upcoming shows!

NCPC Going, Going, Gone Auction

2010-03-10T10:53:00.001-08:00

Coming right up, April 25! The annual fund raising auction for the NCPC (NC Pottery Center). Pam and I collaborated on a tea set that we are donating. This year the North Carolina Pottery Center is partnering with Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd (LLAES). In addition to an outstanding selection of contemporary and vintage pottery, the auction will offer pottery related items, such as books, posters and photographs. These items will be available for viewing on three web sites www.auctionzip.com, www.ncpotterycenter.com and www.llauctions.com which will offer national exposure of the items, artists and the North Carolina Pottery Center. The new expanded preview period, which opens later this month, also provides an option facilitated by LLAES, Ltd., for absentee and advance telephone bidding for persons unable to attend the live auction. The doors open at 3:30 and the auction starts at 5pm. Come out and bid on some truly wonderful pieces and support a great museum!

then I made this:

Contest, but it is about you!

2010-03-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

I have been focusing on my Facebook page too much lately, then decided to update my web page but my web host doesn't seem to be able to work with me, time to change hosting companies. I am switching from Frontpage to Dreamweaver, which I hated when I started doing the www.CelebrationofSeagrovePotters.com web site, then got used to, and then started really liking it so switched www.NCPotteryCenter.org over to it. NO problems! So let's think about my own site. Got it all set and ready to publish, doesn't work with Dreamweaver and what they gave me as specs. time to switch Hosting companies. Stay tuned and hopefully my web site will be changing somewhat and getting more up to date!

www.NCPotteryCenter.org will also be changing as I have been appointed to replace a former board member and so will be (hopefully!) going on the Board next weekend!! The NCPC is a great organization and I will be so happy to be adding what I can to their BOD. If you are not familiar with it, please visit the web site, come to Seagrove and visit the NCPC and see that it is truly a museum of great importance. We, in Seagrove, are so very lucky to have a museum of this caliber located in our little town of many pottery makers, and oh yes, Seagrove is the largest community of working potters in the US, so maybe it all is just fitting as it should be!

Celebration of Seagrove Potters was a great endeavor, took many hours each week and I have loved my involvement in implementing it. Time has come to let others take over and move on to other things! And one can spread one's self a bit too thin when one is volunteering time on something that one really likes doing! (Note to self, remember that!)

Now onto another topic that I just posted on my JLK Jewelry Facebook page. If you aren't a fan and are on Facebook please become a fan and a friend. Following is a post I just did on Facebook. I would love to see some comments here! I know that there are at least a couple of you reading this. And yes, marketing myself better must become a priority this year, well at least make the list this year!

OK JLK Jewelry fans, I'm thinking we ought to have a contest for a piece of jewelry. I'd like to build up the number of fans on my page, but those of you that are already fans ought to have at least 2 entries or more if you can bring in more fans in this contest. So tell me, is there something you'd like to see me do?

I know a lot of what I do is one of a kind... so give me some ideas on how we can do this....create a one of a kind to enter to win, you design it-I make it (this could be fun best design gets made and won-this could become a series!!!), I make something and post it. I am open to ideas so post them or email me at jennie@jlkjewelry.com, but I would sure like to get something going soon!!

I know a couple of people look at my blog, so please leave some comments or email me privately at jennie@jlkjewelry.com. I'd like to do this contest both here and on FB, but I want it to work for those that want to win something and that like my work. Plus this will help give me inspiration, and maybe get me past my leaf fetish.....more pix to come on that subject!!!

10 Things That Make Me Happy

2010-02-24T06:56:00.000-08:00

Laurie Abela tagged me to list 10 things that make me happy:

-my husband
-making jewelry
-my family
-my kitties and dog
-playing with clay
-growing things in the garden
-cooking
-entertaining
-our home
-getting new orders

OK, now you are tagged, list 10 things that make you happy!!

A Nickels Worth of Silver Info

2010-02-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Silver is a precious metal, as is gold and platinum. I use mostly sterling silver, which is an alloy of silver. Silver (.999 or pure) is a bit too soft to hold up to a lot of wear, though I do use it sometimes in the bezels that surround my stones. Sterling silver is silver which is alloyed with another metal (usually copper). 925 is a mark you will see on sterling and means that 92.5% of it is silver and the 7.5% is copper.

I have had a number of people tell me that they cannot wear sterling because they are allergic to the nickel in it. I buy my silver from reputable suppliers that use copper as the alloy. So if you buy my jewelry and have a nickel allergy, you won't be affected.If you do have a silver allergy you might be able to wear surgical steel, but be aware that some surgical steel does contain nickel.

Plated silver is a very thin layer of silver over another metal, usually brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) or copper, which saves money over using pure or sterling silver. You should use caution with any jewelry that is plated and not wear it while sleeping, swimming, showering (or bathing), or in activities where you might sweat. I do not ever used plated silver in my work.

Nickel silver is also used for some items. It is silver in color but contains NO silver. It is usually an alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc

Many countries, require silver to be marked with the level of it's silver content. In the US they do not and if you do stamp it as sterling, you are required to include a “hallmark”, which is a registered trademark or name of the person making the item. This is very expensive and is the reason that you do not see sterling silver stamped on my work, and that of many other jewelry artists. But rest assured that it is sterling silver. And I do guarantee my work should you have any problems down the line!

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!

Snowy and Slippery Saturday

2010-01-30T09:05:00.000-08:00

4" of snow and then sleet and now 25 and snowing very lightly. I was hoping for about 14" of snow! Oh well. It is pretty out. We took Bacchus out for a walk (all decked out in his NH winter outfit) and went over to Jugtown, so that I could take a shot for Nancy.

Nothing like a big (huge) pot of green chile on a cold day, and lots of food for the birds.

Reduction Fired

2010-01-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

Here are some pieces that I have been working on.
Several of the stones came out of the recent reduction firing, some in for the first time and many in for the second time. Those are the ones that really look nice. Too bad I am not a better photographer!

Several of these will be going out to a gallery in SC this week. If you are in Greenwood, SC stop at Hands Gallery for a look!

Let the Gardening Begin

2010-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

I got my order of seeds from Peaceful Valley last week! Even though we have quite a few seeds in the garage, I couldn't hold back on the ordering. I bought some different lettuces, Tatsoi, another chard, beets, carrots, eggplants, tomatoes....

The jasmine has started it's flowering, right on schedule out in the sunroom and it's beautiful scent inspired me to start the plantings. So far I have Italian eggplants, Sweet Red Bell Peppers, Brandywines, Amish Pastes, Jalapenos and Nardello peppers planted. We had such a wonderful success with the red peppers last year that I have enough seeds to fill a field, so we will be doing a heavy planting of them this year. I am going to try to start some leeks soon too. I think we will be sowing some seeds outside utilizing the tunnel that the lettuce is in. It is doing great, and the arugula and broccoli are looking good too! We may have enough broccoliettes to have dinner for two!

And we have a big bunch of this stuff. It comes up each year when the cilantro starts its winter push, and seems to masquerade as cilantro.( When I first saw it, I thought it was cilantro.) Can anyone tell me what it is??

And I am back at the bench making jewelry! I've had several orders to fill and hope to soon have some new items to show here. The first show of the year will be in April in Norwood, NC. I will be at the International Horse Trials at a beautiful horse farm, b&b. More on that soon! I've opted not to do the Catawba Valley Show for the first time in 10 years and I think this show will be an excellent replacement.

Stop the Madness, I Want to Get Off

2010-01-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

This is a departure (to start off) from my regular topics, but one that many people don't pay attention to.

It's January. Do you know where your thyroid is? This is from http://www.thyroidawarenessmonth.com/.

Your thyroid is actually your master gland of metabolism and energy. January is thyroid awareness month, but every month should be. I know, being a hypothyroid suffer.

My friend, Susan, told me about the web site www.stopthethyroidmadness.com after I realized late last year that I was feeling really tired and out of sorts. I thought it was all the hours being spent on the Celebration and trying to fit in some jewelry making on the side. I've been on Levoxyl for years, letting my Doctors tell me if my TSH was within range and prescribing my dose. After spending a LOT of time perusing this site I pulled out my lab results and discovered, yes my TSH was in the "normal" range, but my FT3 and FT4 were no where near the bottom of the normal range. Well levoxyl is a T4 synthetic only. Can't produce FT3? Then you are probably feeling bad, and you would be AMAZED at the range the symptoms can take. I learned how important it is to be your own health advocate with these things, especially as many Drs., including endocrinologists, are not all that well trained on things.

I have a fantastic Doctor that works with me and knows the research that I put into this. I told her I wanted to try Natural Dessicated Thyroid. OK! Prescribed a dosage that ended up being too low (by about 1/2), but WOW, even with a low dose I felt a lot better within a day. A day!! Then two weeks later, most all the US pharmacies ran out. But, not to worry the pharmacy could compound me something similar (so they said, but all synthetic something). 4.5 weeks later: I'm feeling like I was feeling last fall, icky, crabby, tired, vision off, foggy brained, fat(ter and fatter), unfocused. Turns out, I, like many people didn't absorb any of the expensive compounded stuff for over a month.

Talk about some bad numbers, did you know your TSH (normal range 0.5-3.0) can go over 75. My Dr. said you can become comatose at the levels I was at-I almost felt that way. What to do, still no NDT in any of the pharmacies.

Thank you again for the web sites and facebook's Save Natural Thyroid. Canadian pharmacies have plenty of NDT, and everyone says it is like the original Armour. Back to my Dr., worried she'll say no, not Canada, but as always she was right there for me. So now I have a new script on the way. I can't wait! It was magical the difference that I felt (and Wes immediately saw it too) when I started NDT. I might feel really good again and it has been quite a few years since my FT3 and FT4 were in a normal range. Hopefully once the brain fog lifts new things will be coming fast!!

I do have new ideas though and am working on them. Stage 1 in a totally new endeavor worked pretty well, so progressing down that road. No announcements yet but hopefully by Feb.

Wes and I have lots of ideas for the garden and new endeavors there too, now that he will be retiring this spring. Stayed tuned to that one too!

2010, buzz words are FOCUS and progress on JLK Handcrafted (Jewelry and more) and the garden! So, stop all the madness of 2009, I'm getting off that crazy roller coaster, this is a new decade and a brand new focus for me!

New Year's Day Gardening and Ideas

2010-01-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Wes and I decided to try an experiment in the garden. We built this tunnel over our lettuce patch on New Year's Day. We also did a more make-shift one over the Swiss chard. In anticipation of this week of cold weather we wanted to see if we might be able to prolong our produce harvest. I looked in this morning after two nights in the teens and the lettuce looked great. So did the Chard.

I harvested the baskets on New Years Day. Arugula, cilantro, daikon and turnips.

I am slowly breaking back into work, starting with phone calls and editing and uploading holiday photos! I've got lots of new ideas for many things I would like to accomplish this year and add to my line this year and so will be working on my business plan as well. Time to turn my focus back to creating my work.

This year I hope to do some different shows. I have been invited to do a show in Dunwoody, GA in May. The producer of this new event created and produces the Norcross Art Fesival. These shows are by invitation only so I am looking forward to exhibiting there, as I have long wanted to do a show in Atlanta. I have also been asked to set up in the beginning of April at a large International Horse Trials event not too far from here and a beautiful stable and B&B. As I have done some equestrian jewelry in the past that will give me another new outlet for ideas!

I have some other ideas percolating as well incorporating other media than clay and metals, or should I say adding another media to those. I need to test my skills and buy some equippment first though on that front.

So here I sit at work, plotting out the future as Tasha and Chester lounge behind the Jotul (the best gift they could ever have received) and Bacchus takes a snooze. Our pets are not spoiled, not at all!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had and continues to have a wonderful holiday season. It is always wonderful to spend time with family and friends and our trips to NH are always the best! We have our good friend staying at our house taking care of the kitties while we enjoy time with our family.

We always love the first dinner in NH! There were quite few of them so it was a multi-night dinner!

Bacchus got to take his first out of state trip and he has been so good. He is sporting his sweater that we got for him as temperatures were single digit. He also got a coat to go over it! I think he is enjoying his holiday more than anyone as he has been spoiled rotten, as is evident below as he and Max check each other out! I hope Santa was good to everyone and that the New Year will bring all you hope for!

Two Weeks Left

2009-12-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, the time flies by!! It is hard to believe after so much prep work all year the Celebration of Seagrove Potters AND the Jugtown Holiday Kiln Opening are past. I've just posted some new items on my web site. I had to cut off the special orders and will continue with what I have in inventory. And i need to think about some shopping myself. A fun task I must say!!

These are on my What's New to buy page should you be looking for a last minute gift. And for those that might want a miniature jug necklace there is just one left at Jugtown.

Jugtown Holiday Kiln Opening and Carolina Arts

2009-12-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

Tom and Linda Starland have been supporters of Seagrove for a long time, through their Carolina Arts publication, which covers the Arts and events in the Carolinas.

They were a media sponsor for the Celebration of Seagrove Potters, for which we are very appreciative! Tom has written a several part account leading up to and following the Celebration. Please read his account of it here.

Jugtown is holding their annual Holiday Kiln Opening on Saturday. They have a wood kiln that was just fired, so you know there will be special pieces! People come early (some by 5am!!) to line up and get numbers. The museum opens early with coffee, tea and some tasty treats. The fireplace will be going and it is a nice social start to the morning.

I will be making up some of the miniature pot necklaces for the opening, fresh out of the wood kiln! Today I am going to focus on birds in silver with pottery since I have been doodling birds while being put on hold on various calls. Hopefully something good will come from it and you will see them on Sat!

Celebration of Seagrove Potters

2009-11-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters was a success! I tried to speak to as many of the potters as I could, as did others on the Steering Committee. Everyone seemed to have a very good show. It takes so much work to put on a show of this caliber and there is a group of people that are dedicated to it and put in so very many hours for weeks and months prior to the event.

Pam in the Jugtown booth, we share a 30' space.

My booth, you can't see Wes but he is talking to Tommy Edwards on the left. I don't know how I ever did shows by myself. Wes is a great salesman, body guard and husband, and not in that order!

Bonnie Burns, Great White Oak Gallery, is the Volunteer Chair and coordinates all the wonderful volunteers. We have a huge number of people that come to help us and it would not be possible without them.

Mary Holmes, wife of potter Michael Mahan coordinates all of the infrastructure and legalities that need dealing with. She definitely has her hands full.

Ben Owen the Chair of the Event is here. Unfortunately my camera card had an error after taking lots of photos and Ben was in that group. Samantha Henneke came to the rescue with a new card for me to try, and so luckily I was able to get a lot more photos.

Susan and Tim Greene. Susan and I Co-chair the Publicity and Marketing. Susan works close to full time on this event making certain that all details are covered.

Anna King and Fred and Carol of Johnston & Gentithes

Ed, Samantha and Gloria Henneke, Bulldog Pottery

We had 600 people at the Gala on Friday night

The crowd was a buying crowd for sure.

Our food vendors on Saturday and Sunday were great-it is so nice to have a selection of food, including a vegetarian option!

And a handsome group of very talented potters:

Blaine Avery, Avery Pottery and Tileworks, Jeffrey Dean, Dean & Martin Pottery, Chad Brown, Chad Brown Pottery.

Here is a link to more photos of the COSP 2009. Stayed tuned for an even better COSP 2010!!! And if you would like to help out, let us know. We need lots more people helping us to plan the event.

Thank You to the Art on Main Jurors

2009-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Art on Main celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.

They gave a Best of Show, First for Art and one for Craft and 2 Honorable mentions. My work got an honorable mention for fine craft.

Oops for leaving the glass cleaner in my photo!

58 booths were set up along Main St. The weather was nice both days and people were out all day. We stayed in a wonderful B&B, The Waverly Inn, on Main St so we could walk to and from the show. Made new friends, great breakfasts and social hour. Highly recommended as a great place to stay in Hendersonville!!

Best of Show went to a photographer Clay Thurston who does remarkable photographs.

Obayana Ajanaku received the first place for his jewelry.He does wonderful work with mokume gane.

Time to restock for the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. Hope to see you there!

The Gardens Loved the Rain!!

2009-10-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

I took these this morning when I was outside with Bacchus and Rusty! The flower gardens still have a lot of color and everything is perky and dew drop covered!

The vegetable garden is more than thriving! There are two lovely eggplants for tomorrow night's vegetable stir fry, the peas and new cucmber are flowering, red peppers are still coming in at a rapid pace. Several rows of a variety of greens are getting big, some TOO big already. And how about that asparagus stalk at the end of one of the asparagus rows. Tempting to pick that one!! And now 37 days until the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. If you haven't gotten your GALA tickets, click here and buy them on line.

NCPC Fundraiser & Thanks to Those That Truly Care

2009-10-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all that came to our party. We hope you enjoyed the night and
thanks for supporting the NCPC! It plays such a vital part of our community.

We had lots of food and beverages. As a compliment to what I had prepared we had some help: Meredith Heywood brought a pesto cheesecake and sweet tea, Bonnie Burns supplied bruschettas and corn salsa, Ikuko Hussy (Skoshi) brought her famous rum cake and sesame cookies, and Susan Greene brought a wide array of freshly baked desserts.

I am hopeful that we raised over $1500 for the NCPC but the total is not yet in!

Look What You Can Do With Paper!

2009-09-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

It is so gorgeous out today, you can fall in the air.

So I have been making some cuff bracelets. This is one of my favorite textures. Crumpled up paper pressed into sterling. Takes many passes through the rolling mill to get the results, but I love the softness and randomness of it.

And I am still in my animal cut out mood, so am doing some earrings with little kitties on them. I like the ones with the cat (or some kind of adornment) better than the ones without. What do you think?

Animal Art

2009-09-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for ArtsFest in Winston-Salem on Saturday. Hope to see you there or in Hendersonville the following weekend!

Coming to a City Near You!

2009-09-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Sterling silver, patina, Chinese Blue pottery cabochon, magnetic clasp.

I will be at the Mint Museum in Charlotte on Saturday at the 5th Annual Potter's Market Invitational. Hours are 10am-4pm, admission is $10.

On September 26, I will be exhibiting at the West
end ArtsFest in Winston-Salem. Grace Park in the Historic West End neighborhood of Winston-Salem; A one day festival of the finest visual arts, entertainment and food. September 26 10am-5pm.

Then the next Friday, October 2 - October 4, I will be in Hendersonville at Art on Main.
Friday, 10/2/2009: 3pm - 9pm
Saturday, 10/3/2009: 11am - 9pm
Sunday, 10/4/09: 11am - 4pm

And of course: November 20-22, 2009 in Seagrove at the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. Buy your Gala tickets on line, as they are not sold at the door! A catered affair, live jazz, early shopping, the Collaborative auction where you will find pieces created together by two or more artists. Artists that do not work together on a regular basis, which makes the pieces very collectible and valuable!!

Craft In America and the NCPC

2009-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

Wes and I, on behalf of JLK Jewelry, will be hosting a Fund Raising Party in October for the NC Pottery Center in conjunction with the upcoming airing of Craft In America which features Jugtown and Mark Hewitt. Bonnie Burns, Susan Greene and Meredith Heywood will be helping us with this event. It will be by invitation and we hope to be able to contribute a nice amount to the overall pot. Parties will be held all over the state.

If you would like to join us in supporting the NCPC, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at jennie@jlkjewelry.com or make a note in the comments. The NCPC will be offering Memberships for the donations made to attend, with Potters being offered a special rate for membership. I am in hopes that we can enlist new memberships (at the regular rate if possible!!). We will have an evening with a wonderful selection of food and beverage and the viewing of the show.

The NC Pottery Center is an amazing museum located right here in Seagrove. Visit their web site at www.ncpotterycenter.com. Their exhibitions change several times a year and with every new exhibit is a nice artist reception, which many of us in Seagrove and beyond take advantage of. The NCPC provides a place for potters and the public to study old and new pottery, offers educational opportunities and much more. It is such a huge asset to our community and we hope you will join us for some fun, give freely and help raise money for such a worthwhile institution!

A Big Headed Turtle

2009-08-19T07:20:00.001-07:00

The things we see around Jugtown. I was heading up to the shop this morning and saw this little guy by one of the kiln shelters. I got Trav to identify him and hold him for me. What a big head for such a little guy! Trav relocated him to the water garden as he was a long ways from water, given his size, though his speed through the grass was something. He is a very young snapping turtle. I looked but didn't see any other family members around.

Leaf Fetish Continues

2009-08-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

I have really been on a leaf making binge in my jewelry lately. These are some I've had in mind for a long time and finally hammered them out. Comments are appreciated as I try out these new designs! I am trying to build up a lot of inventory (HA!) for my upcoming shows: Potter's Invitational at the Mint Museum on September 12; Artsfest in Historic West End, Winston-Salem on September 26; Art on Main in Hendersonville, October 2-4 and the Celebration of Seagrove Potters in Seagrove Noveember 20-22. Check out the web site www.CelebrationOfSeagrovePotters.com as I have been adding potters photos and the collaboration pieces will be posted as they come in.

Fresh From the Oven!

2009-08-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

I just love it when they open the reduction kiln! Refires and new fires! Except for a couple jumping together these all came out great! Now what shall they become in life?

16 Inches

2009-07-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

OK, this is my last tomato post! But this one I picked this weekend is 16" in CIRCUMFERENCE! I will miss having fresh tomatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner come November! I think I won't miss skinning, de-seeding, chopping and freezing them for a while though. That has been a job!

I think I cut up too many tomatoes. A 16" diameter tomato, now that would be something to see. But I did get a couple of responses:)

Now onto making jewelry!

Miss Frog

2009-07-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

Miss Frog, who lives with two other frogs and two fish in our patio pond has become an inspiration for me after she posed so fetchingly (see prior post). I drew her on some poly-shrink and baked it to become the center of the pendant of this mixed media necklace, Contemplating the Frog pond.

This piece will be on exhibit (and for sale) at the Randolph Arts Guild for their upcoming show Art Couture, Wearable Art. August 4-28 with an opening reception on August 4 from 5:30-7:30. Their card is posted below!

Sipping and Selling on Saturday

2009-07-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in the mountains where the weather was fantastic! It was 50 degrees on Saturday morning. This was my first time at Winefest. The big tents were set up right next to the north fork of the New River (2nd oldest river in the world!!) People started checking in around noon for the afternoon festival that ended aobut 5:45.

Gayle Winston is the owner of River House and a wonderful hostess. The restaurant has great food and the setting and ambience are very relaxing. If you want a retreat to the mountains near West Jefferson, make a stop there www.riverhousenc.com).

One tent housed the wineries and with your green wrist band you got a glass and unlimited tastings. They were also selling wine by the glass and bottle, which I think everyone paticipated in! What a way to do a show. Beautiful setting, cool weather, sipping wine with your customers all day! Great music by several different bands.

Warren and Brenda with Wes, were our hosts for the weekend and each morning Warren had a fire going in the fireplace, in the middle of July!!

and when we got home, more tomatoes!!!!

Winefest Preview

2009-07-15T08:59:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of the things I've been working on to take to River House for Winefest on Saturday.

Tomatoes and Basil

2009-07-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Yum! We've been getting tomatoes! I have been freezing them for our winter soups and things. Too hot out and boy do we ever need rain! So do your rain dance!!

And this just passed the Wes approval test, though I think it is more Garlic Basil Pesto then basil pesto. I went overboard with the great organic garlic! Wes says I need to eat more garlic since I seem to be a feasting ground for all kinds of unknown creatures!

New stuff

2009-07-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

lots of necklace pendants just waiting to be made! These are a couple of the new items I am preparing to take to Winefest and my upcoming shows! More to come soon!!

Buy Me, Buy Me!!!

2009-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Friday evening and Saturday 8:30-4:30 I will be set up (as will Pam and Travis from Jugtown Pottery) at the Best of Our State at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst. Celebrate North Carolina’s unique music, history, humor, art and storytelling. The marketplace is open to the public and is located just outside the Grand Ballroom. So if you are in Pinehurst on the 4th of July, stop in and see us. Here is a new cuff bracelet that I will have along with me!

Fish Pond Companion

2009-06-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

This cute fellow lives in our patio pond with the two fish. Isn't he gorgeous? Wes and I love to sit out there in the evenings and he often makes an appearance. I saw his smaller friend on that rock last night. Everybody needs a companion that loves them.

Attack on the NC Department of Cultural Resources

2009-06-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

You may have read my letter below about the loss of the NC Pottery Highway Heritage Trail. Today I received this letter. As it is addressed to friends of NC Pottery and Craft, I felt that I would like those that may not have read this to be able to.

The Department of Cultural Resources has done a fantastic job of working with the arts in NC. I was and remain thoroughly impressed with them since moving here in 1999.

Dear Friend of North Carolina Pottery and Craft:

Since early in my tenure as Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources, I have been engaged in a variety of ways with our State’s wonderful pottery tradition – one which I and my staff prize – including exploration of steps to help this robust and lively industry grow and thrive.

As you may know, the Department had contemplated bringing the N.C. Pottery Center under its administration, to expand the state’s folklife resources. For a variety of reasons, including budget constraints and dissension by some potters in the Seagrove area, we elected to withdraw this initiative.

Recent allegations about the Department and its staff have been made by Mr. Phil Morgan and Mr. Don Hudson. Some of their e-mails have been widely circulated to you, to the community, press and elected officials.

I take this situation very seriously, including the damage done to the reputation of staff and of the Department. My staff is responding to the frequent requests for numerous documents, correspondence, grant applications and reports, primarily from 2007-2008. Some requests we cannot fulfill as they are beyond the Department’s scope of authority, yet we have been unable to effectively communicate this fact to them.

It is important that these matters be resolved. Therefore, I have requested that the Office of the State Auditor take a look at the allegations. A copy of my June 24th letter to State Auditor Beth Wood is attached. If there are issues that need to be addressed, we will take appropriate action. We will fully cooperate with the Auditor’s investigation and look forward to the Auditor’s assessment, and the opportunity to put this matter to rest.

We in the Department of Cultural Resources are charged with the protection and promotion of our state’s cultural resources. We are committed to working with you to help the pottery industry and its communities thrive.

Sincerely,
Linda A. Carlisle
Secretary, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources

Why Do Things Look So Good in the Dark?

2009-06-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

I took some photos outside this evening. It was/is absolutely gorgeous out, below 80, low humidity and I sat out on the patio and sipped a Jamison's after a good dinner from the grill. This is how the weather in Seagrove should be every summer night!!

Ruru (aka Rusty) has made this his home. He has been on some homeopathic treatments for the past few days to stabilize his system and tonight I think he tired to tell me it is working. Just have to follow him around in the morning and see where he stops to do his biz!

The fishes kiss Bacchus when he drinks from the pond, but somehow they know to go low when Rusty goes for his drink! Above Wes and Bacchus are loving the nice evening weather.

Look Mom, no weeds!!!

New work going to Greenhill Center for the Arts in Greensboro tomorrow! And hopefully some to my website next week!!

NC Pottery Highway-Great Opportunity Lost and a Letter

2009-06-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

Recently the NC Dept of Cultural Resources announced an intention to develop a Heritage Trail, the North Carolina Pottery Highway. Highway 705 was designated by the state as Pottery Highway, as it is in the center of the birthplace of NC pottery. A meeting was held. Susan Greene, Ben Owen and Ed Henneke joined by phone expressing support and gratitude for a project that would help to bring more people to our area. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Museum of Traditional Pottery and Sanford's Mayor and Chamber of Commerce. There were many negative comments expressed and as a result the NCDCR issued the following. So now another great project is tabled.

Each trail builds upon North Carolina's excellent reputation as home to artists of unparalleled quality and distinction and rich living traditions. The goal is to stimulate cultural travelers and residents to discover unique and authentic experiences, contribute to the creation of jobs and spur economic growth.
While there is strong support for three trails, there is dissent about the North Carolina Pottery Highway. That trail is about the outstanding pottery and ceramics traditions of Randolph, Moore, Montgomery, Chatham, and Lee counties.
There are some enthusiastic supporters of the North Carolina Pottery Highway who see it as a means to boost tourism and help market pottery. However there is not basic agreement on fundamental project components, such as appropriate name and whether or not there should be kiosks, informational panels, or maps.

I have a letter that I have written as an open letter to Sanford (which as you probably don't realize is 50 miles from Seagrove) about their incessant need to be a part of Seagrove, rather than drawing on their own history and standing on their own. This was edited at Jugtown.

This letter is addressed to those in Sanford that have worked so diligently to ensure that Sanford is considered a part of Seagrove.

Both communities have a history of pottery making with the Owen/Owens, Teagues, Auman’s, Craven’s, Luck’s and Coles’s working in Seagrove. The first recorded potter after the settling of NC by Europeans, in the Seagrove area was Peter Craven recorded in 1750. There has been an unbroken link of pottery made continuously in the Seagrove area since then. This is what makes the Seagrove area unique. Some of the early family potteries continue operation today. It is important today that communities try to build on their history and heritage. Seagrove has the long standing tradition and has continued to build upon it creating a set of boundaries that surround a 15 mile radius. Two potteries in the Seagrove area remain in operation since they were started, Jugtown since 1917, Original Owen’s has operated since it’s founding in 1895 by James Henry Owen and Ben Owen Pottery since 1959. Many other generational potters are carrying on a long standing tradition such as Sid Luck and Fred Teague, while others are starting a new family generation of potters such as the King’s. It is important in preserving authenticity and cultural heritage for generations to come.

Lee County’s history of pottery making stands with North State Pottery, operating from 1924-1959 and AR Cole Pottery. The Coopers, who opened North State, had a close working relationship with the Ceramic Engineering Department at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Some of the Owens family members from Seagrove were recruited to work there such as Walter, Elvin and Jonah Owen. The economic conditions during this period were such that they needed to find work. AR Cole moved his family to Sanford in 1934 and opened Cole Pottery. It continues to operate today under Neolia Cole, his daughter. A.R. Cole’s son, Foister Cole operated a Pottery in Sanford from 1977 until his death in 1991. Sandy Cole, granddaughter of A.R. Cole, and her husband Kevin also operate North Cole Pottery in Sanford.

In creating a cultural heritage tourism draw to a community it is important that the authenticity and historical aspects of the community be preserved and shared with the public. Seagrove has an ongoing tradition that the community is intent on promoting and preserving. Hosting a large pottery festival does not automatically make a town a pottery mecca for more than the hours of the show. Only 9% of the participating potters were from Sanford, the rest from all over NC and three other states.

Sanford has two historical potteries, one of which is ongoing, and a group of potters today carrying on the traditions. Do Celia and Neolia Cole consider themselves to be Seagrove or Sanford potters? I think that this is an important question that your community should address, because though some may want to change history, it is what it is. There are roots that developed from the pottery making community of Seagrove, which helped to develop the pottery heritage in Sanford, just as there are roots to the potters from overseas, however that doesn’t make them a part of any overseas community. Build on your history, be proud that you had potters come to your area and start businesses and that there is a tie to such a well known community. But considering the geographic diversity, one would ask why the community wants to ride the apron strings of Seagrove, rather than promoting your own heritage and history. Why is there a strong intention to confuse the public into thinking that it is not a 50 mile distance between the two towns? Brick making has a strong historic and current aspect of the town of Sanford, which perhaps would tie in well with the history of the pottery making in the early 1900’s in Sanford.

Rain and the Garden

2009-05-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

The sun is peaking out after a healthy rain last night. The garden is bursting forth with all kinds of beautiful things!

Greggii Sage, verbena, Russian sage, mullein pinks

brand new patio garden settling in after a couple weeks

Fox Glove, Malva, Cleomes, Verbena, Apple Mint, Spearmint, Campanula, Rudebeckia, New England Rose

AND THEN TO THE VEGETABLE GARDEN!

the end of the spinach row and the Egyptian Onions behind it

Swiss Chard (more) coming on really well with (24) tomatoes behind and around it! And that sunflower is a volunteer from last year's garden row and the stem is already almost 3" in diameter!

Squash (2 kinds here) with the Daikon behind it in the raised herb bed. I put that in too late and it is flowering and the daikons are only about 3-4" long and quite spicy. Will try again for a fall crop though! It is blocking out all light from the basil in there, though there are another 45 plants throughout the garden, mixed with all the other crops! Pesto time is here! Wes is an avid gardener and the garden will never be big enough to suit him I don't think!

New raised herb beds. Both parsley's took to it well,and the dill too! Oregano is on the end and the tarragon sprouted but didn't make it.

Asian Cucumber almost ready to be picked!!

And here come the asparagus. Those will be hard to watch for two years before eating! We'll see how disciplined we are next spring when all those purple shoots come out!

Bracelets

2009-05-26T12:31:00.001-07:00

Etched sterling sweat soldered onto another piece of sterling with pottery stones. Two in back are men's large (8"+), 3 remaining fit 6.5-8"

Watches

2009-05-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

These are the watch styles I am currently offering for orders and I hope to continue adding to the line. I will also continue to do those one of a kind watches as well! These are available with any of my stone colors in them.

On another note, my molds from Hitomi's mold making class are drying. I am anxious to try my tile mold out. It is a bunny in the garden. I will probably need to pickup some clay especially for this and Takuro at STARworks Ceramics has just the one I need! So maybe one day soon I will have some tiles available in addition to my jewelry! And maybe those boxes I was talking about. I did make a few but then got stuck with doing some glaze experiments for them and running out of time for "messing around"!

Happy Memorial Day weekend. The weather looks great for an outdoor weekend!

(here is one of the reasons I was too busy to make many glazes, I had rock to lay!)

Tuesday morning

2009-05-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I went to STARworks Ceramics for a plaster mold making workshop with Hitomi. It was excellent and I learned a lot. I have made a couple molds in the past, but nothing like this! Lots of little things I didn't realize!! Takuro or Hitomi put some pix on their blog http://starworksceramics.blogspot.com/. I was really pleased with how my two molds came out!

Now back to the bench. Trillium Gallery in Little Switzerland is expecting a selection of work from to be sent out by Friday and the Green Hill Center in Greensboro has devoted a window case to my work. If you haven't seen the current show it is well worth it. We went for Tom Suomalainen's on the 1st of May. He and Wes were neighbors years ago and it was nice for Wes to reconnect and me to connect with Tom. We look forward to his visit to our home! It was a wonderful exhibition and his installation is really amazing. Even better after you hear his talk and the opera that went with it!

One more big bracelet. I am having fun with these. OK time to make some watches!

What Would Happen If We Ate These?

2009-05-12T05:42:00.001-07:00

It has rained heavily here, and this is what I found under the orange tree this morning. Only thing is, the orange tree is in the sunroom?

Rosedale-The Art of Craft Jewelry Preview

2009-05-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

The New Big Bracelet

2009-05-05T12:56:00.001-07:00

Sterling silver, hand patterned and layered, with a turquoise with cobalt and copper pottery stone.

Some New Styles

2009-05-01T09:38:00.001-07:00

another new watch style

What's Growing in Your Garden?

2009-04-19T12:21:00.001-07:00

Well the Celebration is behind us. Many happy potters gave us nice compliments as did many of the customers.

Now I am contemplating just growing a garden (period)! Parley, dill, oregano, tarragon and cilantro are up and growing in the new brick raised herb beds in the veg garden. Along with tomatoes, radishes, daikon, spinach, beans and onions.

100 baby basils are growing in their little pots, soon to have some new homes here and there, as well as 55 red bells and a couple of Swiss Chards. And again this year my linguisas sprouted-I seperated them today into their own pots. Gloria and I are going to do a trade, as are Pam and I!

The big azaela lived through the construction, though smaller than it used to be!

The clematis are beautiful on both sides of the fence. And for you water hyacinth issue followers....that is part of the pond in the left photo. Nothing like last year, but, alas a ways to go! And the deck that the "happy hour" will soon take place on!! Hummingbirds have emptied that feeder already!

And my beautiful purple columbines never fail! Next to the Asiatic lilies that I transplanted when the carport came down last summer. Multiplied by many.

We are so pleased that so many of the plants came back and are coming on strong. Spring is a great time! Wes and I are into our next outdoors project which we have really been enjoying working on together. More on that soon!

Another New Watch

2009-04-10T11:39:00.001-07:00

Sterling silver, hand patterned with ferns.
2 8mm turquoise stones
Double toggle closure
7.5"
$170

Celebration of Spring in Seagrove-Part One

2009-04-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

The first part of the Celebration of Spring in Seagrove is done! The firing at the NC Pottery Center was Saturday. Samantha has a great documentary of the day on her blog http://bulldogpottery.blogspot.com/ if any of you haven't read it. Sam has been our "official photographer" for this and also she does all the postings for our events.

Takuro and Hitomi deserve a huge thank you! They helped me understand what I needed to do to organize the firing and create the firing schedule. Hitomi has fired the kiln more than anyone and understands it best. She was a team leader with Chad on loading the kiln and she and Takuro were the leaders for the final shift.

Morning crew lead by Fred Johnston with Scott Thomas, Susan and Tim Greene and Eck McCanless. they started about 4:30am! Susan and I are Co-Chairs for Publicity and marketing. She worked closely with the printer and our flyer was mailed out to almost 13,000 people. If you didn't receive one and want to be on our mailing list go to www.CelebrationOfSeagrovePotters.com and sign up.

Ben Owen III stopped by mid-afternoon at a point where there was a lot of uneven heating going on. So he went to work helping out until we could get Takuro and Hitomi back.

Takuro, Chad, David, Michael, Alexa and part of Susan

At 6:30 we had a pot luck dinner (Bonnie Burns chief organizer). I don't know why I didn't get photos of all the great food. We had all kinds of things from venison to spinach salad! And a great turn out of potters and friends in the community. A week from today pots will be unloaded, the kiln cleaned and everyone that had pieces in the firing will select a pot to donate to the NCPC annual auction on the 18th. Plan to visit Seagrove then.

Pick up a map and the listing of kiln openings and special events (or print it from our web page). After a day of shopping with the potters you cn return to the NCPC for the auction at 5pm. Don't forget though, the silent auction will run from 2-4pm so a stop in there to bid should be in thep lans as well!

New Watch Style

2009-04-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

First go round with a new style of watch.

any thoughts??

Hickory

2009-03-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

This was my 10th year exhibiting at Hickory. WOW! It is so great having Wes with me, not only to help set up, break down and as my husband (not in that order), but I get to run around on occasion and snap some photos! Attendance was good and people were buying although I definitely sensed a different buying pattern.

Here are some photos of our friends! I have a couple more but the internet is not cooperating with me today!

Tyler and Sherry (Caldwell-Hohl) -Tyler came down to help them set up!!

Sherry and Bill-their work looked great!

Naomi (Bandanna Pottery) -Michael was busy with a customer. Naomi and Michael make wonderful work.

Ed and Bruce (Bulldog Pottery) with our mutual customers and friends Jeanne and Ben (Hi Ben and Jeanne!!!!!) from Ohio. Bruce had the most awesome covered jar. I hope it went to a good home and wish it had gone to mine! Not to snub Samantha, all their work is really outstanding and if you haven't seen it you are missing something amazing.

Our good friends Benjamin and Bonnie Great White Oak Pottery

Daniel Johnston with one of his masterpieces. We got a couple things from him, but not on this scale unfortunately! We love Daniel's work and as you probably all know he is a great guy!

Maggie and Freeman Jones (Turtle Island Pottery)-don't know where Molly was but she did come by the booth and we had a nice chat. No more cat's up the tree, I hope that that is in our futures!!!!

And the booth minus anyone to sell the stuff!

A Nice Taste of Spring

2009-03-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

Wes and I got back from a quick trip to Savannah! We were going to meet a friend who had to cancel so we decided to go anyway. Sat we stopped in Beaufort, SC for lunch and then went on to Tybee Island for the night. Of course it was overcast but not rainy, and Sat was cool. Good thing we brought some sweaters!

What we didn't know was that St. Patrick's Day was so big in the Savannah area. The second largest celebration in the country, as a matter of fact! All the fountains in Savannah were green. Everyone was wearing green and all the bars were wide open. From Friday till St. Pat's Day you can buy a drink and take it with you. Felt like we went to New Orleans! People are really into it down there. We got to Tybee during the parade so it took forever to get to our inn. We were greeted by the inn owner and he treated us to a glass of wine while the parade ended up (highlight: the Budweiser horses). We had a great dinner at Sundae Cafe. It looks like a dive in a shopping center but the food was fabulous!

Sunday was a beautiful day in the high 70's, just slightly cloudy. No need for sweaters today! Our room looked over the river and River Street, but was far enough away that we had no noise! Plus it was the peak of azaela season. I wish I would have taken some photos driving down Victory Drive-beautiful homes and flowers!

We had a great brunch on the River, wandered around town and the squares. Dinner was at Vic's on the River. Again another great meal! Giant scallops with an adouille risotto and oysters Rockefeller as an app-yummy!

We love vacationing! Monday we took our time driving back. Spent the morning buying things in Savannah, then stopped in Waltersboro at the antique shops and artisan center. Even though it was only 3 days, it was a great get away.

So Happy St. Pat's Day and if you are really into it, book your room in Savannah now for next year!

And then it was spring

2009-03-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Monday I posted snow pictures and birds in the snow. Today I am posting bird earrings, new idea and boy does it feel like spring out! Not sure how these will do, commentary is welcomed!!

I got an order from my web site yesterday for 5 pairs of earrings, all the same. I made them up, tumbled them overnight and finished them this morning. Then I entered the credit card-invalid number, next I phoned- invalid phone number. Oht oh.Google shows there is a person of that name, living in that city with the same area code and zip code. I even got to have a look at the house thanks to google (nice looking house BTW)! So I emailed, we'll see. Why would anyone take the time to order 5 items, enter address and cc for nothing? Well that's what I'm hoping anyway. Doing too many things at once and switching numbers around. Been there, done that! We'll see.

Upcoming Events

2009-03-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

I will be participating in both of these.