Crowded long tables

We've all attended some banquets, feasts, or large group dining!

 
Holly Jolly sales room, 2017 December. This shot is looking over the top of my display towards Pat.
These photos from a few years back show a crowd that gathered one evening to look at long tables spread with - yep, pottery!

And some of our potters do more sculptural things, like Dori English's display in 2017.

 Here's Fred with his whimsical wares.

Freida made sculptures like purses out of clay that year.

And Sally had different kinds of trinkets.

Suzie and Carie had more functional pieces...to get ready for a banquet, right?

I have Crowd-a-phobia.  It' otherwise known as Enochlophobia...

... known by different names such as Ochlophobia and Demophobia. As the name indicates, this phobia consists of an irrational fear of large crowds and gatherings of people. Enochlophobia is closely related to Agoraphobia (which is the fear of and desire to avoid situations wherein one believes s/he may be subjected to incapacitation, humiliation etc).

Actually I avoid going out most nights because of having cataracts, which make driving a bit difficult...glare of oncoming headlights particularly bothers me. And I hate how cataracts influence my life, such that I avoid driving at night often.

This week's Sepia Saturday prompt photo shows many men, each with their own bottle of something liquid and probably alcoholic, eating in a crowd.  Come on over HERE and see what other bloggers have come up with following this theme.

Cathy Babula's pottery

 My partner in our booth, Cathy, had a green table cloth.

 Cathy Babula's exhibit, before the customers arrived at 10 am.

I think she sold around 1/3 to 1/2 of her pottery.  She was very happy!  And tired. She had been sick for a few days, and was really pushing it to just be there.  But the pottery was beautiful!

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!

Market share

I don't often post my pots here...but thought I'd share what I took to the market this morning.  Latest pots have already been here, so there may be duplication.  But I'm feeling like sharing my work.  After all, it's for sale, and I want to find its just right forever home.

Selling at Tailgate Markets

I have some good friends who also sell their pottery and clay creations with me at Tailgate Markets every Saturday during the summer (in case you haven't been reading my blogs for a while and don't know that.)

Early last Saturday morning was chilly in the shade, but it was delightful by noon.

One little girl had to check out the "pocket dog" being carried by a Harley riding red haired cowgirl.

We call ourselves Mudbuddies, and aren't too organized.  We like that.

This may be the wrong kind for gardeners, but a lady bug landing on one of Cathy's bowls made me think of good luck.

That week in between holidays

Some take various presents back to exchange, for size, color, fit, taste, or just the fun of choosing another version of the gift.

Some take advantage of the sales the day after Christmas.

As always, I avoid the stores.  Especially on the days everyone else goes to them.

Remember I'm an introvert.  And maybe even anti-traffic, anti-social, and certainly anti-spending.  I chose these opportunities to read a book.

Fall 2012 Blue Ridge Parkway

Just because there are bargains on things I don't need, I still don't need them.

I'll probably be cleaning up stuff anyway.  Or going for a ride and walk and taking more pictures  if the weather is nice.

My family is still visiting, so I'm doing whatever they chose to do just to spend a few more precious minutes with them.  Yesterday we drove up to Bakersville in cold rain to see Crimson Laurel's great collection of good pottery.  Then we swung around Penland while it was closed, just so an out-of-state person could see what the layout looked like.

Today, if the weather permits, the young ones will go hiking with friends.  I will be free to do something on my own...but want to be available whenever they get back from their muddy pursuits.  I'll let 'cha know what happens!

Catch up Monday

You've had those weekends, where your whole life is externally focused, away from your normal existence at least.  A different reality.

I've been a traveler frequently,
And I've had my share of retreats, coming home and not having my feet on the ground for days...and most of the time I'd return to work too...wonder how that worked for me.

This weekend was the Cottage Studio Sale (if you've ever seen my blog before, you probably are sick of hearing about it by now).  But it was very pleasing to experience.  And definitely worth all the trouble.

Here's a post on Alchemy of Clay (my pottery blog) about it.

The Cottage Studio Sale success

So now I'm doing laundry.  Changing the bed.  Taking my personal things back out of bins and closets where they hid during the time my "public self" was open to guests, and the public actually.  Nobody came to my door that I didn't know.  But I was prepared.  I was hopeful.

In a couple of weeks is the big "East of Asheville Studio Tour."  I'm not part of it this year.  Maybe another time.  It lasts all weekend.  And is definitely a public tour.  I have friends taking part in it.  I will consider doing it, because there are no potter's studios in Black Mountain listed this year, besides one which is a retail shop.  That's incredible, with all the potters around. 

Hope this finds you enjoying Mon. Oct 1.  Rabbit, rabbit.