Half Way There

As of November 5th, I’m half way through my ‘100 Objects in 100 Days’ project, and it’s proving interesting in so many ways!

Having to build new work every day is suggesting work methods that are making me more efficient. One practice I’ve started applying is keeping more accurate track of the time I spend in the studio and what I spend it on. It’s also pushing me to consider more closely what I’m making, why I want to make that particular thing, and how to build it.

If you know my work at all, you know I’ve always been a hand builder–working slowly, handling each piece a lot and refining it little by little–and I’ve always had a bit of antipathy toward throwing on the wheel. But with this project I’ve started throwing a lot more, which has been enlightening in some ways.

When you throw on the wheel you can complete a piece a lot faster–and that’s satisfying in its own way. But, I discovered that I was starting to make these thrown forms that weren’t anything in particular- they weren’t individual ideas, or unique in any way and that lead me to the realization that the wheel thrown form has to be the starting point for a more specific piece. Once it’s thrown, I have to pick it up and handle it, refine it my way and make it a unique and specific piece.

Another great thing that has come from this project is a collaboration with my sister Jeannie. She lives in Montana and makes these fabulous, high quality, artisan soaps that look and smell so good I want to eat them!  So, I made some soap dishes and shaving mugs that she will have for sale at her holiday fair and I will have some of her beautiful soaps to sell with my work at the Fairfax Craft Faire.

I feel very grateful for the accommodation and  encouragement of my family and the interest of everyone following along. Being public with this project has made me feel really accountable. So even though there have been a couple of times that I would rather have stayed home, I’m in my studio every day, which of course is one of the best things to come out of this project. Thank you all and Happy Thanksgiving!