Canisters and canisters

I've been working on large canisters for the last few weeks.  These were thrown several weeks ago.  I threw the lids upside down and then trim and turn right side up to add the looped handles.  Some jars got little looped handles on the sides as well.

This is a 6-7 cup capacity jar.

This one will hold 4 cups

This will hold 5 cups

I've been getting a work out throwing 4 lbs of clay at a time to do these large jars.  I usually throw in the 1-2 lb range but it's nice to stretch myself as an artist to see if I can do it.  I love to make jars of all sizes.  They are so handy to have around and beautiful, too.  Dress up the kitchen or bathroom with practical storage.

Sciatica hurts!

I've been sitting on the sofa recovering from back surgery.  Diagnosis: sciatica.  I went from a bad back getting regular pain shots to endoscopic surgery for bone fragments pressing on the sciatic nerve. I had a wonderful surgeon. Hopefully all the little bone fragments are now gone.

 I've never felt such pain!  And I've had my share of pain. Lots of orthopedic leg pain, migraines, neck pain, blah, blah, blah. My back pain started seriously a few years ago and responded to chiropractic treatment, physical therapy etc.  When those weren't effective anymore, I started on injected steroids last year and that seemed to be working great until January. I'm usually the kind of person that just works through pain but this was unbearable!  I went downhill pretty fast and was fortunate to get into see the surgeon and scheduled for surgery in a matter of days.

But now I'm pretty much confined to the sofa either sitting or lying down, mostly lying down.  I just can't do much more than shuffle around the room.  But it's only been a week, right?!  I'm going to get through this.

I was fortunate to have finished some commissions before all this started and my sweet husband is helping me this weekend to pack this pretty canister set. I had the nicest customer to work with on this.  She was so very understanding of my situation!  I just love my customers!

I deactivated my Etsy listings so I wouldn't have to worry about selling but I'm going to start reactivating slowly.  Maybe I'll be back in the clay in a few weeks.  I may have to do some hand building for awhile till I get my strength back enough to work on the wheel.  But I'm going to really start paying more attention to my back and working on my low back physical therapy exercises!

Kiln opening

This week's glaze load was a mixed bag of good and not-so-much.  2 good yarn bowls and some lidded jars.  A large magnolia and commissions were good.

Yarn bowls and reglaze of a egg dish

Lidded jars and cruet with lid

Magnolia

This is a commission.

But I had 3 large lidded jars, garlic keeper and honey pot that the lids stuck and I broke the pots trying to free them.  That was a lot of work to lose. Oh well, the broken pieces will become mosaic pieces for a lamp project sometime.  I've got another load firing tomorrow.  Leaf plates and platters.  Keep your fingers crossed!!

Sales dust and customer service

 OK, I'll admit it!  I'm an Etsy addict.  My computer is on all the time and I'm checking all day everyday for the sale I just know is coming.  If I go for more than a week without a sale, I start to panic.  I need to remember to just breathe and let the universe turn.  

Little turquoise jar

Large hand built bowl

I still get so excited when a sale comes.  Especially like this one from yesterday.  A repeat customer.  A 2 times repeat customer!  That makes me feel so great.  That someone liked my work enough to come back again and again. Customer interaction is very important to me and I try to have good communication with all my customers. It may be online but still personal as if that buyer was walking into my studio. I'll pack these pieces up with care along with a thank you note today and send them on their way to find their place in the world.  

So the sales dust fairy visited me and I'll spread the dust to everyone......