Finding Some Old 'Friends'

At this point I'm almost like an antique which has led many lives.

Much like the old phrase, "butcher, baker, candlestick maker," I've been an artist, painter, potter, mercantile keeper. I don't usually dwell on the past, but recently found two of my old pieces of pottery at thrift stores. Also a piece I had saved for myself in a long lost tote.

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Finding my own pottery in Chicagoland thrift stores really shouldn't be a surprise---for a period of roughly some 30 years, I sold my hand-thrown pottery and porcelain jewelry (15 years) at art shows through out Chicago and neighboring states. I made thousands of pieces each year, some utilitarian and some OOAK art works.

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I remember this was one of six experimental pieces in this series. In the 80's I had been doing lace impressed terra cotta wall pockets and then switched to the stoneware pockets glazed in white in the 90's. These sold very well, and I tried to incorporate the lace into the pottery, but also make it sturdy enough to use for serving. All my pieces were utilitarian, dishwasher safe, and lead-free glazes.

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One thing about making sculptural pottery is 'problems.' Heavy applications of clay to a thrown piece adds stress and must be done on very wet pieces. Clay has memory and when it is fired--will do funky things--reacting to pressures placed on it in the wet state. Shapes sometimes go back to what happened during the forming process. Warping on smooth edges and rims wasn't uncommon.

I combatted these issues by using a 'grainy' clay that gave more room for expansion/contraction, rather than a 'tight' smooth stoneware clay.

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Back in the 90's the pink/white shabby chic look began---I took advantage of this and produced a wide variety of garden pottery in pinks, blues, greens under white. Roses I found to be a particular problem as they were too dense to dry at the same rate as the piece. Their edges came out naked and crispy, despite the three coats of underglaze and my thick white glaze. I quickly abandoned the roses for sweet peas. 

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I did this plate in 1991, like I said it was an experiment, all 5 different shapes sold at the first show. (One was a total kiln failure and discarded. Trimming on large platters was avoided, as it added to additional stress on the piece while firing.

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Moving forward two years to 1993, this piece I kept for myself.

In 1991 I began working with sweet peas, calla lilies, and underwater sea shells. 

I would cut out serpentine areas of a wet shape and then apply the tendrils, flowers, and leaves or shells and octopus tendrils...These were mostly done browns under white.

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I always loved this teal blue glaze with cobalt overtones under the white glaze. The soft greens were made by using a strong dark green underglaze. Under the white semi-gloss glaze all the colors had the softer tones that were being used in home decor at the time. I loved it for the blue.

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1993 Stoneware Sweet Pea bowl. Notice the finger ridges bathed in the white glaze.

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Found in a thrift store, this little cutie is one I produced in mass. Pink/blue/green kitchens were 

popular in Country America in the 1990s. I produced canister sets, lamps, dishes, children's dishes, just about anything you would use in a Country Home. I had a booth in a Country Sampler store and sold well, until they brought in imported mass produced ceramics. I down-sized my huge booth and eventually left. So, much for made in America.

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The handles were produced by a guy in Texas. I would order grosses of three different sizes, and was constantly running out.

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Selected pieces of this line including lamps were sold wholesale at the Chicago Gift Show. The first day....I wrote 10K in orders and was promptly throwing up in the bathroom. That was a lot of orders to fill in two months and there was still 3 more days of the show. But, it supported my business during the slower months of February, March and April.

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Where did my inspirations come from. Probably my love of my Danish heritage and Danish porcelain. The vintage vase is a Royal Copenhagen vase of a lighthouse on the North Sea. Hand-painted on porcelain in dreamy soft colors....this must have been part of my journey.

I was injured in the early 2000's and unable to throw anymore. 

Sadly, I kept only a few pieces of my own, thinking I would always be able to make more. 

Now, finding even the humblest piece, is like finding an old friend. 

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

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Eyes and Sight are precious!

One of the reasons I haven't been around BLOG-Land lately is I have had a problem with my eyes.

It started probably a few years ago, having problems threading needles, squinting with one eye closed, and then the other one----? Trying to read for extended periods of time. Driving--seeing street signs.

Why don't my glasses work?

Why do they keep giving me the wrong prescription?

You know--squint, is one or two better? 

In December I had a  young guy do my test, ...definitely fresh from school. I repeatedly told him I couldn't see the images

 or saw two lines of images when he could bring them in focus. 

When finished---the prescription--was no change???? 

Doctor's suggestion DRY EYES---heat packs, drops, etc. etc. 

Like a good girl---you know the 'good girl' syndrome----from the 50's ---"shut up and do as your are told!" So I did, I did the hot packs, drops, vitamins, allergy drops, wet drops....ugh!

I've worn glasses since my 40's. Then 10 years ago--tri-focals, which never really seemed to work. 

I lived in the house with my prescription readers designed for close to about 5 feet away what I called my computer glasses. And, really only wore the tri-focals when driving or out in public.

Nothing ever seemed to be truly ---IN FOCUS!

Like those of a certain age---?70's?, one hears of night driving issues. How about every intersection looking like a Macy's Christmas display? Halos and multiple images...and then it got worse.

I started not being able to read street signs, until on top of them. I began taking backways, and non-busy intersections, sometimes hard to do in Chicago suburbs.

While, my Ophthalmologist had been totally on board for checking for glaucoma and screenings for diabetes, she wasn't involved in the testing for my glass prescriptions. Finally in May, I asked if I could have another 'eye prescription' check---because I wasn't comfortable with the 'no change' in prescription. And, I thought I really needed new glasses. 

The ophthalmologist asked a series of questions. 

Did I see Halos?

Did I have Trouble reading or double images?

Were there issues of Night driving? 

Did I have a Sensitivity to bright lights, sun?

When I replied, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and I said, I saw two stop lights with one eye and three to four with the other making sometimes six lights with both eyes open.

(It's not really a good idea to close one eye when driving). 

Also, I had problems with the overhead light on my stove, way too bright.

Her eyebrows went up. Immediately she immediately made an appointment for me to see an eye surgeon because she suspected I had cataracts.

An eye surgeon??? I worried it might be something worse....I waited for the appointment.

At the eye surgeon, after 3 hours of testing and a thorough exam---

they said, I HAD CATARACTS in both eyes. Surgery dates were set and detailed directions for drops and list of return visits.

 My first laser surgery was on the worst eye, June 19 and now 3 weeks past, I'm seeing well with  distance, but my reading focus will be different. So I am back to squinting for distance with one eye, but, no multiple vision in that eye.

The next eye will be done on July 5th. and then after three weeks, I can be tested for a new prescription and new glasses.  This post was a struggle for me to see and type. But I think this message is important. 

If you have any of the SYMPTOMS above--speak with your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, NOW!

All the opinions  in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

I have use public domain photos for this post.

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

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Midwest Gardening 2018 Part 2

 Part 2---Looking good!

Our side yard is a long strip of concrete ten foot wide with a three foot garden bed on the east end. It gets lots of sun as it is on the east side of the house. 

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Part 1 ended with our colorful dragonflies on the fence and

 I had added an OLD enameled chair for a planter. 

Despite our 90 temperatures  now---the Tiger Lily has not yet bloomed, 

but the orange blossoms will be welcome. 

Purple Russian Sage is another perennial in the lower left.

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This side of the house is also a working garden, partially with a little fence to protect our Eggplant and Red Lettuce. We have Squash and Pumpkins mounded here and there along the fence which has green fencing added for climbing. 

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We did buy Lettuce plants, but I will add seed as soon as these are eaten. It's so wonderful to have fresh greens 12 feet from the kitchen.

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Our Spring record rainfalls for the last two years forced these bushes to grow huge around the back porch. My Fairy and her pond have been displaced. I will have to find another spot for her. The wooden base she has sat on for 8 years had to be moved as it totally disappeared under the bushes.

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I moved the box of green wood over to the corner of the patio---and now it lifts and protects my pots from the constant hoses being pulled across the deck. 

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The vegetable garden itself is my hubby's domain. Here we have tomatoes, peppers in pots and Swiss Chard. We have eliminated the weed barrier and the mulch this year, and are crossing our fingers we won't have drought. We are sticking close to home all summer, so watering will not be an issue. We eliminated the old lattice which had been up since 2009, and was the remnants of my Art/Craft/Antique shop in Volo, IL, which I closed in 2008. 

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The entire garden is fenced now with a narrow mesh. We are still far enough into the country that Bunnies, Woodchucks, and voracious Squirrels and Chippies are an issue. These pics were all taken on June 14, 2008.  Our tomatoes were all started from seed, as were the peppers.

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Golden squash planted along the fence, you are seeing the older fence top rail. We have ladders and trellis that we will place when they are ready to take the area over.

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This is the overflow from the greenhouse of our seed grown plants. Family and friends are picking them up over the weekend.

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The Marjoram plant on the lower right is huge this year. We have seeds going and perennials. Everywhere are frogs that my family has gifted me over the years. 

The water trough pond is a favorite of the local birds.

 I have a stack of patio blocks placed inside to give them a place to stand under the shower.

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I'm so excited the climbing rose is blooming to replace the morning glories that terrorized the yard. Amazing the damage one package of seeds can do.  

We have Indian Corn and Fairy Tale Pumpkins planted behind here, Much of the green on the ground is from Morning Glory's self seeding. Lots of weeding to do.

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Up close the roses are brilliant. This was a cloudy day---taken around 10 am.

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This rose looked like it was dead there was so much frost damage on the canes. 

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Behind the Greenhouse the forgotten Chives blossom. No worries, I will cut them back and they will be fresh again in a month.

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The north edge of the yard, perennials, Tomatoes, Rhubarb, so delicious. The cart in the back left is full of cut grass destined for the compost pile.

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Center of the yard is a badly listing trellis, but birds are in both houses, so I just roped it to the Grand's play house. We will redo something in fall, since the birds still have at least 2-3 sets of babies yet to produce.

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Here's my urn on top of the well pump surrounded by Day Lilies. 

Can't wait for the color to come.

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Here and there we have planters with annuals. I still have a few to plant...but it's so HOT!

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I'll garden post again in a month, good or bad weather to see our progress or failure. 

Last year was fair to poor. But, today is another year.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

Sharing at these Ad Free blog parties-with ads not in the middle of the blog (I'm going to try and see if this is possible)

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KID FUN! LET'S PLAY!

It's not all Barbies and stuffed toys at our house. 

We are fortunate to have the Grand visit almost every Sunday, 

giving Mom and Dad some alone time and eager grandparents some kid (PLAY) time. 

"What should we do Grampa?" She's five now and a cross between Ms.Captain America, a pink teddy bear, and a pirate.

Pirates were HERE! Digging for gold in the Pirate's lair. 

We have always had a sand box for our kids, because it can become anything, 

and perfect for PRETEND!

We pull a tarp cover over it during the week, so it stays pretty fresh and clean. 

Somehow, those dirty PIRATES bury treasure in there. 

Sparkly rocks and Gold Dubloons!

Swinging from the yardarm.....ARGH!

Higher, Please!

Time to change the colors. "I want to help too, Grampa."

Horrible storms and wind have wrecked Old Glory, which will be properly disposed of. 

And, the JOLLY ROGER goes up over the ship deck. 

"AVAST YE MATIES, ARGH!"

Now for some proper sword play! Ring that bell, enemy approaching.

"UH, OH, Captain Daddy with a light saber sword. We're done-in!"

HAPPY FATHER'S Day to every Daddy and GrandDad!

Take time to PLAY!

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thanks always for visiting. 

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

Sharing at these Ad Free blog parties-with ads not in the middle of the blog (I'm going to try and see if this is possible)

Finding Silver Pennies

Amaze Me Mondays
Make It Pretty Monday

Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

Sandi