This week I'm a potter (sort of)

Potters make things.
A "sort of" potter has to sell things.  Actually I'm considered a "hobby potter."

I still have to get rid of what I've made.

All my relatives and friends have their shares already. Unfortunately they got things when I was still just returning to clay, so now they politely say no, and they may have even thrown out the heavy mugs, plates and bowls (and oh the soap dishes!) that I gave them.  I have gotten a bit better over the 12 years I've been retired from salaried work and doing a few hours a day in clay. (Incidentally, as I dust occasionally, wearing a mask to keep from inhaling it, I usually throw out one or more pieces of old pottery.)

So this week I'm working on packing up pots, writing tags (my handwriting is terrible these days) and listing an inventory (which at least can be on a computer.)  Then each piece finds a snug place in bubble wrap in a tupperware tub.  Then I cart (literally on a cart) it to my car and lift it inside.

And tomorrow I truck on down the road with my friend potter, Cathy, and we go to Shelby NC.  I went with her (as customers, not showing) to another pottery show last December.  We looked at what was for sale, shook our heads at some of the amateurish wares and prices, and had gaping mouths at the beautiful things that were also on display.  I may not be a pro, but I have learned what "the market" is like after my years of going to various sales venues.

We actually both decided not to try to go to that market, even though it's indoors and at the peak of the sales season for Christmas.  When a show is not juried, there may be lots of range of abilities displayed.  This one we're going to this week is also not juried. But I was invited last year, and now they're also inviting Cathy.  Her web site must have given them enough information they thought she'd be competitive with the other artists.

Having done a craft fair at the middle school here last December, I have decided that the "art" of arts and crafts, is the side I'm going for.  It's a bit steeper to identify as an artist, but at least there won't be competition from so many other hobbyists. That's why I've rejoined the Red House (Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League).

And I also made the choice several years ago to no longer do outdoor shows.  My bod is at it's 77th year, and just doesn't like the setting up and taking down aspects of tents and tubs of pots and tables.

Anyway, I'm 2/3 of the way finished pricing and packing.   I need to disassemble the shelving unit and then pack them all into the car by the time I meet Cathy tomorrow afternoon and pack her tubs and shelving into the car, and we drive the hour and a quarter to Shelby.  That sounds doable!