Celebration and Sadness

Well the Celebration is behind us. It was a fantastic show, however, our neighbors and friends, Chris and Lisa Luther lost their shop and pet dog last night in a fire. It was a devastating event to say the very least and how quickly things like that can happen. This community is quick to pull together, our Potters Relief Fund booth dedicated all sales today to them and first thing we manned their booth, pulled out our wallets and when Chris and Lisa came in, everyone was there to show them what they mean to us. There is a lot to be said about living in a small community and this one is close knit. If you don't know Chris and Lisa, they are really wonderful people and Chris is a hugely talented potter. I had wanted to buy some of his pieces for a while, and I got some beautiful ones today. And look forward to the new pieces that he will create, because I know they will be spectacular.

The Celebration was very successful and I am so sorry for Chris and Lisa that this had to happen. If you don't know them, please try to meet them sometime, you will be delighted. They are both kind, gentle and fun people, very special. And look for Chris's pots, because they really are nice.

Our Celebration was well attended, 5000 in a first year just "ain't bad"! We worked on a small budget but thought things out, stayed positive and optimistic, spent lots and lots of time on things, developed new friendships and many people worked together. Because this is a community that cares about its fellow artists, thinks of each other as friends and family, and wants to see each and every one of them succeed as business/artist/friends/partners, not as competition or taking business away from "us or me". It has been a great time of making new friends and relationships and getting to really know people and what they think and how they operate. How a community needs to operate, the good for the whole, not selfishness and just one business thinking only what is best for them. I, for one, have learned a lot about many people and made a lot of new friends. This has been all about unity and working together, not about competition and who can take business from who. So don't listen to the small amounts of negativity you may hear or read about, because it "just ain't true"!! The majority of Seagrove potters and clayworkers "have each others back", as Wes says. In the end, I believe, it was a win-win for all because now this community is more united than ever before. And I believe that the majority of shops feel that way too.

I think this event showed that that is exactly what this is about. This afternoon I even thought, well maybe I will go for Publicity again (BUT ONLY if my sort of New now, Good friend Susan and I are in it together, because we both think we make a good team and we sure can have some good fun together!! Ain't that right you classy broad!)

Celebration Success!

9:00am

We were thrilled with the turn out! Over 425 at the Gala on Friday night, over 4000 visitors came through the door on Sat. People had many bags in hand, compliments were readily available about our hard work, (and were certainly appreciated). It was a long day, and Susan and Tim, and Wes and I didn't leave till after 7:30 when counting etc was done, at least I hope she was right on my heels.

I guess we did something right!!!

We wanted to keep on going but the day got the best of us and quiet home time prevailed for the rest of the evening!

Today is the Day!

It was snowing this morning when I woke up! Although it stopped around 6:30, the barn roof is white and the hot tub cover is a pool! I think this is a good sign of the success of the evening ahead.

The Gala is tonight for the Celebration of Seagrove Potters. Set up was last night and booths are stocked and many kilns were still cooling. I'm off to work to try to make a few last minute items myself before heading up to help set up for the Gala.

Please check out http://bulldogpottery.blogspot.com/. Samantha is doing a great job with photo documentary there.

I hope we'll see you sometime this weekend!!

The Details on the Celebration

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters is being held indoors at the historic Luck's Cannery. There is plenty of off road parking and easy access. Follow the signs and park in the lots around the building and come on in where it is warm and dry to shop with the potters of Seagrove. Here are all the details in one spot. It is going to be cold this weekend, so we are all glad to be indoors where we'll be nice and warm!

SHOW HOURS

Friday, November 21
6:30 PM TO 9:00 PM Gala Preview
$35 - yes you can still purchase tickets thanks to our flexible caterer!!

Meet the artists and enjoy the opening night festivities of this fabulous new festival as you and your friends have the first opportunity to browse and purchase from the thousands of pieces, sip a favorite beverage and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, while enjoying the music of jazz band Lost Marbles. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to preview a select collection of one of a kind collaborative pieces. This is a first time venture, teaming Seagrove artists, to produce highly collectable one of a kind pieces. These pieces will be auctioned at 8: PM on Friday evening! Dress is casual.

Saturday, November 22
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
$5 admission at the door
Fundraising auction will be held at 4:00 PM

Sunday, November 23
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
$5 admission at the door

EDUCATIONAL TALKS & DEMONSTRATIONS

Saturday

9:45-10:30 Charlie Riggs

10:30-11:15 Sid Luck: Sharing early Seagrove pottery
history and families.

11:15-12:00 Mike Mahan

12:00-12:45 Terry Zug:
A talk on the significance of
preserve jars.

12:45-1:30 Eck McCanless

1:30-2:15 Jarod Zehmer

2:15-3:00 Pam Owens: A discussion of Early Jugtown
History.

3:00-3:45 David Stuempfle

4:00-6:00 Auction
An exciting auction of collectable pieces contributed by the inaugural Celebration of Seagrove Potters

Sunday

10:00-10:45 Craig Kovack

10:45-11:30 Jeffrey Dean

11:30-12:15 Randy James

12:15-1:00 Linda Carnes: McNaughton
A talk on the history of “cultured
cabbage” and stoneware jars.

1:00-1:45 Ben Owen

1:45-2:30 David Fernandez

2:30-3:15 Ray Owen: A discussion of Ray Auman and
the Auman Pottery.

3:15-4:00 Chris Luther

FOOD VENDORS

There will be a variety of food from Barbeque to Thai Food, including nachos and quesas, Phillly Cheese steaks, sausage, brawurst, burgers, biscuits and bagels and a variety of specialty beverages.


Kids Only Area where kids can try their hand with clay and a booth with Kid-priced clay objects for them to buy.

Indoor restrooms, door prizes and much more.


DIRECTIONS

The Celebration of Seagrove Potters will be held indoors at the historic Luck's Cannery on Pottery Highway 705. Located 1/2 mile south of the stop light in Seagrove, at Highway 220 and Highway 705 on the right hand side. There is ample off road parking around the buildings. The Celebration is being held in the building towards the back of the plant.



FROM CHARLOTTE: Take 49 to Asheboro and connect with 220 South to Seagrove. Exit 45 is the Seagrove exit, go left at the end of the off ramp. This becomes Highway 705, go to the stop light, straight through and Luck's is 1/2 mile down on the right.

FROM GREENSBORO: Take 220 South to Seagrove. Exit 45 is the Seagrove exit, go left at the end of the off ramp. This becomes Highway 705, go to the stop light, straight through and Luck's is 1/2 mile down on the right.

FROM RALEIGH: Take 64 west to Asheboro. ake 220 South to Seagrove. Exit 45 is the Seagrove exit, go left at the end of the off ramp. This becomes Highway 705, go to the stop light, straight through and Luck's is 1/2 mile down on the right.

FROM PITTSBORO: Go around the Court house in Pittsboro and follow the signs for 902, get on 902. (902 is a long winding road approximately 25 miles, just keep going straight). After crossing Highway 22/42, the road turns to Jerry Frye Road (also called Short Cut Road) and dead ends into Howard Mill Road.Turn left and follow Howards Mill Rd to Highway 705. Turn right (north) on 705 and go (9) miles to Luck's on your left.

FROM PINEHURST: Take Highway 211 north to Highway 705. Follow 705 towards Seagrove. Luck's Cannery will be on your left just before entering the town of Seagrove.

Musings, things we discard

I found a piece of sterling onto which I had fused some copper and then tossed it away as unusable some time ago. Monday it reappeared and I saw it in an entirely different light. Funny how those things happen, something different can seem so important that you easily discard one thing, when it really was something you should have worked on. Happens with all kinds of situations, doesn't it, what is important and what isn't. What to discard and what to hold onto in life. Interesting choices.
I incorporated this piece into a new earring and then spent some time trying to recreate the original. Can you guess which was the original!! I couldn't get it the way it was that day many months ago, but have found that I can work at it and get something that I really like. Hopefully others will like them too! I'll have them out at Jugtown and at the Celebration of Seagrove Potters where Jugtown and I will have adjacent booths. Many of us have spent A LOT of time working on this and hope that we will have a good turn out. There will be lots of different items there, and lots of similar items, but something for everyone. Oh and if you need Gala tickets, I can get them for you, $35 pp for tons of fun!!

Making jewelry

This means that I am finally making some jewelry! I still have to do my half of another collaboration and my auction piece, but today I have the day off from COSP!! Tomorrow I'll escort the UNC TV videographer along with Susan, for the piece they are doing on the Celebration. Stay tuned to UNC TV for our sponsorships and spots!

Can't wait to have time to try all the new ideas I have brewing! And to really load up my kiln and try some new combos!