Amy Manson Pottery

Dispatches from the Potomac!

2012-01-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl Challenge 2012

2012-01-10T11:44:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! Just wanted to touch base and let you know about a fun project that my ArtSquare hand building class is taking part in. It is called The Super Bowl Challenge

The SBC 2012 was created by metalsmith Wendy Edsall-Kerwin. She makes amazing metal artwork: bowls, jewelry, wall pieces and more! Her work is beautiful and we used one of her bowls as our "inspiration" piece in our Tuesday morning class. The challenge was two part: 1. make a bowl for the SBC and 2. translating Wendy's inspiration piece into clay. I will keep you posted with photos of the finished products! Lots of fun and experimentation!

You can find more information about Wendy Edsall-Kerwin at
http://www.hammerstrokeandfire.com/

and more information about ArtSquare Ceramics Classes at:
http://www.loudounacademy.org/ceramics_new.html

Work Play Work

2011-10-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

WORK WORK WORK! Getting ready for the Catoctin Holiday Art Tour and trying to replenish my inventory from a couple of great Fall Sales this season. I am so thankful for such wonderful supporters of my work and mostly I am thankful that I have the "privilege" to work at what I love! Ok...short but sweet, I must get back to the wheel! Pictures to follow!

Catoctin Holiday Art Tour

2011-09-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

So jazzed! We had our first meeting to organize the Catoctin Holiday Art Tour. It is going to be November 12th & 13th and will feature wonderful artwork in multilpe mediums: Painting, pottery, jewelry, photography fiber, and much more! I will be back "North of 9" at Art At Garden Corner Studio. This area "North of 9" in the lovely rolling hills of the Catoctin Mountains is a hot bed of artist talent. The tour will be an excellent way to shop and buy local art for the holidays, but also to see the studios of the participating artists. Bring your camera and be ready to enjoy a day of touring, shopping, wine tasting and more!

The website is under construction, and you can find us on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catoctin-Holiday-Art-Tour/255452404487998

Hand building Classes this Fall!!!

2011-08-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Alrighty! It is that time of year and I am getting really excited to teach my Handbuilding classes this Fall!

Most people have no idea what hand building with clay means. They think it's something reserved only for 'artist'. Or, they think it's limited to sculpture and anatomy.

All of the 'Paint your own pottery' shops have confused the public to what the word 'pottery' and 'ceramics' truly stand for. Paint your own pottery is nothing more than glazing a 'fired' piece of clay from a mold. It leaves little to the imagination other than choosing a color and painting someone else's idea. The joy discovered with creating your own ceramic work of art is so rewarding. Whether you're 6 or 85 years of age, IT'S FUN!

Hand building is one of the greatest pleasures in working with clay. You don't have the technical demands of the pottery wheel, which can be quite unforgiving to some who try it. We show you how to take a simple slab of clay, drape it over, under, or within a form, and instant success. The rest of the process is left up to each person's creative imagination. Supplied are multiple texturing tools, stencils, books, and other treats which assist you with a playful creative expression.

You can come and unwind, sit quietly or share laughs with other students while creating your art. The choices are endless. You will be assisted with working with multiple techniques such as coiling, slab roller, extruder, molds, and some serious glazing options.

Come play with me at Loudoun Academy of Art, ArtSquare this Fall on Tuesdays from 10-1pm...Starting September 6th!!!

http://www.loudounacademy.org/ceramics_new.html

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Amy-Manson-Pottery-at-ArtSquare.html?soid=1106246342636&aid=85gah9TPYbI

2011-07-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Amy-Manson-Pottery-at-ArtSquare.html?soid=1106246342636&aid=85gah9TPYbI

So Excited to be the guest artist at ArtSquare in Leesburg for the month of July! Come on out, it is a great day trip to see all the resident artist studios and their great work!

2011 Western Loudoun Studio Tour

2011-06-13T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well I am coming up short on words to describe this past weekend. It was absolutely amazing! I was a guest artist on the WLAST tour and my host was Art At Garden Corner Studio. Jill Evans-Kavaldjian is a talented print maker and painter and basically a really good bean! I had so much fun preparing and working with Jill and I cannot thank her enough!

The tour started Saturday AM and it was so wonderful to meet so many people and talk about and share my pottery with others. I had such great conversations and had fun seeing people get excited about all the amazing talent in this county! We had a steady stream of people all day and it just flew by! Art At Garden Corner is an idyllic setting and folks were so pleased to see the great art but also walk through the gardens and enjoy the beauty of the setting!

I actually had to come home and pack up some more work to bring on Sunday! Sunday started a little more slowly so we had a nice chance to ease into day 2. We needed it because we proceeded to get slammed with people early afternoon. We had such an interesting crowd and we met some great folks. We had a couple from Connecticut and another from New York. I met a ton of talented people actually from right there in Lovettsville. Chris Cooley, a Washington Redskin Player and potter dropped in and he was so nice.

It was truly just an outstanding day and I am so thankful to share my work and ideas and thoughts with so many people! I think Jill and I thought of a 100 new ideas to work on and I am so excited to get back to the studio and fill my orders and get cracking again!

But I have to admit, today I think I am going to rest!!!

Thank you all who came out on the tour and thank you for supporting local art. Last but not least, thank you to the WLAST committee for all of their hard work and support!

Super Busy

2011-05-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

Whew...it has been a LONG time since I have posted. I have been very busy preparing fo the Western Loudoun Studio Tour. It is fast approaching and then I have a couple of summer shows following. I have been trying to get my etsy shop up and going and stocked as well. The last few months have been a whirl wind of creating work and firing, glazing, etc. I have really had to look at my studio space with a critical eye and get more organized in my studio practices. Watch out...one day you walk into the studio and realize your are DOING THIS FULL TIME! I have dreamed and worked and worked, and seem to have lifted my head up to realize this is it! It is an amazing feeling to be doing what I love and making a "go" of it! I am definitely still working out the kinks...trying to manage my teaching vs. creating schedule, and keeping Joel and the girls on the front burner!

Wish me luck!!!

Spring Bling

2011-02-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

Whew! I have been running the kiln daily...can you see the glow in Leesburg!!! I am so excited for the Spring Bling Art Show at Ida Lee on March 5th. I have some new work and I am anxious to see how folks respond to it! Come on out!

Pottery Classes

2010-12-30T08:30:00.001-08:00

Almost a new year and a new session of pottery classes. Sign up for pottery classes for a New Year's resolution! Step outside of your comfort zone and try something new! It is so fun!

The Old Furniture Factory in Round Hill, VA
www.theoldfurniturefactory.com
Home of the Round Hill Design Center, ceramics and pottery demonstrations and classes, and Blue Grass Jam Sessions. Round Hill Arts Center founded here by Carolyn Kruger and Wallace Johnson.

Pots and People

2010-12-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

I worked out at The Gateway Gallery all day yesterday and was fortunate enough to sell several pieces of my pottery. I left at the end of the day so excited and feeling very connected to my community.

When you sell work at a gallery, you more often than not, do not get to meet the people who buy your work. When you sell directly at Art Shows and Festivals, you meet and speak with every single buyer. I love this connection, and meeting the people who admire the work enough to purchase it. I love to hear why they like the piece, or who they plan to give it to, or where and how they plan to use the piece. Sometimes, they even share, what recipe or food they plan to serve in the pot - How yummy!

I met everyone yesterday, spoke with them in depth and loved hearing the stories of who they plan to give the piece to, and why they were drawn to that particular pot. I chuckled to hear one lady explain why she planned to give a porcelain bud vase to her daughter. The vase has an intentional bend to the left as it swirls to the top and she said it was "perfect for her daughter because she likes everything a little off kilter!"

How joyful that the woman "got" my intention in bending the top of the bud vase, making it perfectly imperfect! And how wonderful that she could relate it to her daughter's personality!

Reflections

2010-12-09T13:41:00.001-08:00

I read a great article today about looking back at your creative business year and taking stock of your achievements, goals,challenges, etc. Where you are today and where do you want to go for the upcoming year. It has been an interesting exercise.

I have so much to be thankful for and it has truly been a transforming year. This time last year, my husband was unemployed in the worst economic job market in our time, and our family faced extreme uncertainty. I was working for someone else making their art, not mine and things looked pretty bleak. Well, we hung in there with a lot of prayer, hard work and some tears here and there, but we have found ourselves at the other end of that dark tunnel looking up at bright skies.

I am making my work again, teaching, and getting involved in the arts community. I have made some wonderful new friends and feel truly connected to some really great and inspiring people.

I do have some big projects and goals for 2011. I have to get more organized and be better about follow through in order to achieve these goals. I have to put myself "out there" which always involves some successes but, inevitable rejections as well. I have to fine tune my equipment and glazes and re-focus on my "voice" and what I want to convey through my work. Most importantly, I have to slow down and focus on quality work.

I continue to find so much inspiration from teaching, and hope to continue my adult and children's classes. Self-discipline is ever at the forefront of my mind. I have to harness my energy and make it work for me so I can work smarter and regularly. Having a studio in my home is such a blessing, but as anyone who works from home knows, you have to be very self regulated and not get distracted.

I am very excited to get up and running with my website and online sales. I am hopeful, some of my old clients from Charlotte, and South Carolina, as well as some of my old Ohio friends will better be able to access my work. The phenomenon of social media has done so much for connecting people and I feel that 2011 is going to be a great year in regards to the increased interest in local handmade artisan work.

Whooo.... Looking forward to 2011!

Scary Pots for Halloween!

2010-10-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am very happy with my new (old) glazes! In particular I am thrilled with the skeleton bowls! The glaze is firing a bit more red than it used to, but I like it! I am working on a huge set of handbuilt and texturized platters and serving pieces that the glaze will "break" over nicely! I can't wait to get them fired. In the mean time Joel is helping me replace the heating elements in my kiln and I am going to ask for a little help from my friends on this one....It looks super easy, but believe it or not, I have never done it before!

I am so jazzed about this beautiful Fall weather and I am working working working on some new ideas! Pictures to follow...

Gateway Gallery Harvest Table

2010-10-14T04:51:00.000-07:00

This is is going to be a great event at the Gateway Gallery in Round Hill Virginia! Come on out to Round Hill for live entertainment, wine tasting, hot cider, weaving demonstrations and beautiful Harvest Table Art! October 15th 6-9pm WE WILL BE COLLECTING CANNED GOODS FOR LOUDOUN INTERFAITH RELIEF FOOD PANTRY ALL MONTH!

...yes I have been in charge of planning this event with a great comittee! Come on out to see the gallery- it is beautiful!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104483839615224

2010-09-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in FOREVER! I have been busy working on my Fall/Holiday work! Sneak Peek...Go to Gateway Gallery in Round Hill, VA for more!!!!

Art Square Clay Camp

2010-08-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

I had a very fun and busy week teaching a children's clay camp at ArtSquare -Loudoun Academy of Fine Arts. The kids made some amazing work and I have my kiln firing as I speak. I will post some photos of the finished pieces when I head on over to ArtSquare tomorrow! The great folks at ArtSquare are going to promote an adult "getting started with handbuilding" class and then hopefully get me on the schedule starting in November! I need to stir up some interest in the time between!

Patience

2010-07-13T05:21:00.000-07:00

I am being reminded of some very important lessons this morning. I have opened the kiln to find little chunks of clay embedded into all my glazeware. Apparently, I have had an explosion...the cone pack I put in to check my kiln temp was the cause. I was hurrying to load the kiln before out of town guest came and whamo...a whole load of work down the tubes. I have not unloaded the entire kiln, so maybe there will be some salvageable work near the bottom. I am reminded that hurrying through anything in this life is a recipe for disaster. I need to slow down and think things through a bit more and not rush to the finish line. Isn't this so true with life as well!

Now on the positive side, I got some great test tiles out of this kiln load and I am on my way to some decisions about my new work. Next week is a down week for the girls and I (as in no house guests) and I can work SLOWLY to remake the pieces I lost today and get a good start on my new ideas!

I am selling a good number of pieces at the Gateway Gallery in Round Hill, VA and I will hopefully have some new work to display in a few weeks....but I am just not going to rush it -lesson learned!

Gargoyle demo

2010-06-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

I finished up the gargoyles from the children's demo at Round Hill Art Center. They look so GRUESOMELY cute! I fired them in the kiln, painted them with tempura paint and when dried, washed it off with water and a toothbrush and finished them off with a glossy spray enamel. I cant wait to get them back to the children!

Slow Food and Handmade Pots...any ideas or thoughts?

2010-06-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

I read this article from Laurie Erdman today and it absolutely sums up my latest idea percolating about a class or an actual event centered around the art of the table, handmade serving vessels, local potters, local food and their inherent interrelationships. Any ideas or thoughts? Making notes and brainstorming...more to come!

“Yukkuri, tanoshiku” - slow down, enjoy it!

http://laurieerdmanpottery.com/2009/06/05/pottery-and-slow-food/

Wood Fire Pottery

2010-06-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

I have gone over the mountains and through the woods today, and I ended up off a gravel road at Wood Fire Pottery. I met Shawn Grove and Bryan Mattraw! They have the juiciest pots ever and a lovely studio! I dearly wanted to purchase a pitcher, and after handling and petting it for a while, I reigned myself in and purchased a sweet little cup and spoon for my morning coffee ritual. They wood fire their kiln and the vapors and ash from the wood add to the color and texture of the clay and glazes. The word that comes to mind is "Juicy"...nice thick rimmed vessels with almost an orange peel look to the glazes. Very VERY Nice!

My NC inspirations

2010-06-17T18:59:00.002-07:00

Oh.....to see the work of my heroes and inspirations! Please see the wonderful works of Piedmont Ceramic Artists - Adrienne Dellinger, Julie Wiggins, Amy Sanders, Joy Tanner, Terry Gesss, Nick Joerling, and all the rest! What a blessing to have "grown up" in the Carolina Ceramic tradition!

http://www.piedmontcraftsmen.org/artist-select.php?mid=1

Favorite website

2010-06-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

My ABSOLUTELY favorite Website!

Amazing work!

http://www.akardesign.com/art/

Energyxchange

2010-06-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.energyxchange.org/about/energyxchange-story

FYI!!!

Love Birds

2010-06-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Bird Production has begun!!! I am making a large number of love birds for my niece who is getting married this Fall. I am making a set for the cake topper, and multiples for the reception tables. It is such a joy to make these little guys-(talk to me after about 20+). They will be glazed in blue and orangish glaze when completed. I plan to make these sweeties all summer long, when I have some spare time or need a break from the wheel. What great inspiration my niece and her fiance are providing! Tweet Tweet!

Centering

2010-06-08T05:39:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning to a crisp coolness that was absolutely delightful. I got Joel off to work and the girls off to school and ventured downstairs to open the kiln. I am so happy with my new glaze results and cannot wait to make some more work! I have unloaded the kiln and have done a quick 20 minute yoga routine. I feel so loose and relaxed and I am reminded of the importance of breathing, stretching and opening and quieting my mind. I am reminded of the wonderful book "Centering, in pottery, poetry and the person" by MC Richards.... AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ...Enjoy!

http://www.upne.com/0-8195-5190-2.html

Gateway Gallery Co-Op

2010-05-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am heading out to Round Hill to work at the Gateway Gallery. I have joined the cooperative and have some of my work displayed in the Gallery. I will post some pics of all the beautiful work that is available in the Gallery Shop!

http://www.thegatewaygallery.com/

Appetizer trays completed!

2009-12-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

Pulled these little ladies out of the kiln yesterday! I did not quite make my goal of 2 per day until the week before xmas, but do have a few to sell this weekend for the Nutcracker performances at the Franklin Park Arts Center!

Appetizer trays

2009-11-24T15:34:00.001-08:00

These are the funky appetizer trays drying!!! Love em!

2009-11-24T15:20:00.000-08:00

I unloaded the kiln today and had some happy surprises. I am very pleased with the dinner set I made and was happy to see a few other nice results. I was slightly dismayed with my new glazes and will have to keep experimenting with them. I am so excited about the funky appetizer trays that Mark Hewitt demonstated in his teaching video on ceramic arts daily online. I have made several already and I know what everyone is going to be getting as christmas gifts. I can easily make 2 in about 20 minutes! If you have taken any of my classes, you know I like quick and easy projects "for busy moms"! We are leaving Thursday for Yorktown and Jamestown for our Thanksgiving journey to the Wash's. We are so thankful to be spending our holiday with good friends. Happy Thanksgiving everyone...Enjoy!

butter dishes etc.

2009-11-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

Just made a couple of these...Interesting concept. I kept getting the tray too big. We shall see if shrinkage makes it more reasonable. It looks really big.

Classic American Butter Dish
by Keith Phillips

Throwing both parts of a butter dish at the same time may sound impossible but Keith Phillips found a way. In his step-by-step how-to project, he shows how the efficiency of the process delighted him almost as much as the finished piece. Which part will delight you?

Dinner set for a friend

2009-11-14T06:44:00.000-08:00

I have just finished throwing a wonderful (if I do say so myself) Dinner set for a friend in Charlotte, NC who is fighting Breast Cancer. I have made a large lidded casserole and 4 bowls and I am going to send them to my friend Lisa who is on the "meal ministry" at our church. She is going to serve the meal they make in the set. I hate that I cannot be there to help this family during this tough time, but, hopefully she will know that we are thinking of her and praying for her!

Art Trot and a Plethora of Potters

2009-10-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have been working madly getting my Home Sweet Home pieces ready for the Plethora of Potters exhibit at the Red Rooster Gallery in McCormick, SC... I am very happy with the way they turned out. I had originally thought I might not glaze them and leave them with just the wash, but I tested one and really liked the finished glazed product. I am going to have a tea set there as well, but that will be it as far as functional work. I thought it would be a good idea to exhibit something a little different than the rest of the "pack". We are enjoying beautiful Fall weather and the colors of the trees are absolutely amazing. I made a trip to Mannassas Clay this week and they are mixing up 2 new glazes for me to try out. I toured their studio, gallery and glaze kitchen and was most impressed. They have a wonderful space and of course, much like the North Carolina ceramic arts community, were so helpful and open to sharing ideas and recipes, etc. I am still sticking with my earth tones, I found a nice celedon and a very nice earthy brownish/oatmeal color glaze as well. I am excited to get started on my next few projects!

Chris Cooley Charity

2009-10-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

I saw this wonderful article on the NFL Sunday show this morning. This football player is a potter and is donating his work to support his charity. Wonderful! WWW.cooleycharity.com

Charityworks Green House

2009-09-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have been busy immersing myself into GLASS! I worked this weekend at the Capital Home Show and learned a ton about the products SGO offers. I was able to meet a few clients and some contractors that SGO works with.

I am really excited about the Charity Works Green House (Oct. 10th - Oct 30th). SGO provided the kitchen countertop and backsplash...I am anxious to see it and see if the exposure brings in any new business. There is a great article about the house in Washington Spaces magazine. http://www.washingtonspaces.com/

Now, my plan of action is to work my new part time position, run errands, grocery shop etc., get home before the girls get off the bus, help with homework, and then make a piece or two of pottery before dinner and bedtime festivities begin! If it sounds busy, well, it is! But I am positive it can be accomplished! I find I am more productive, when I have more going on...we shall see.

In the studio, I have been making a set of square plates with a wonderful swirl design stamped into the clay. I am starting on bowls to go with the set. I STILL have not sat down at the wheel...I think I may be procrastinating. It has been so long, I am going to have to get back in throwing shape! http:www.charityworksgreenhouse.com/explore_index.htm

WORKING!

2009-09-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

I have not had a spare minute to post, but I am finally sitting down and relaxing! I have been working! The studio is up and fully running and I have taken on a part time gig! I am busy making my work and working as a studio coordinator for a wonderful decorative glass company in Sterling, Va. The coordinator position kind of fell in my lap per craig's list and I am really enjoying it! It feels great to be busy and the owner is very nice...I hope it is a good fit! I helped her set up her booth at the Capital Home Show this weekend at the Design Expo in Chantilly - drop in and see the display or check it out online SGO Decorative Glass of Loudoun and Western Fairfax - There are some wonderful products!

I have been busy hand building and have not found the time to sit down at the wheel...Next week it is a must! I am hoping to have a holiday home show or take part in one that I have heard about here in Leesburg! I have to really get cranking though to have enough inventory for the holidays and to send down to the little gallery in South Carolina where I have been selling my work! But right now, I am sitting back with my feet propped up, enjoying the cool weather and free time! Cheers!

Getting the studio set up

2009-09-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. The girls started school today and I already have the studio unpacked. The kiln is set up, but I have to wait until Thursday for the vent system to go in. I am ALMOST there! I will try to post some picures of my progress!!!

Gardens of Delight

2009-06-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a wonderful little nursery called Gardens of Delight http://www.gardensofdelight.info/

It is a family owned business which is run now by the daughter. The Mother started the business in the 70's and now lives in Blowing Rock, NC. She restores and manages the gardens of some large estates and businesses in the Boone area. The plant selections were really interesting...not your run of the mill Hollies, Daylillies, and Monkey Grass you see in all the large "super store" nurseries. They had a wonderful selection of Shade plants and bushes which are wonderful for Woodland shade gardens. The prices are pretty standard (no super deals) but fair and for the selection...I will pay it! They have 2 sweet dogs that "man" the front gate and nice garden shed of gifts and ceramic pots. There is a BBQ place next door...could be trouble! It is a beautiful drive to get to this location, located in the beautiful area of Waterford and Paeonian Springs, Virginia! Just lovely!

Glenfiddich Farm Cookery and Pottery

2009-05-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Had a great time last night...the farm is a converted barn and the food was wonderful! Great people, great food, great wine, great time! I am excited to go back out today and meet Richard Busch. This is an interesting article about him:

http://www.womenhomebusiness.com/success/glenfiddich.htm

Glenfiddich Farm Cookery and Pottery

2009-05-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I just registered for a cooking class at Glenfiddich farm Cookery! I spoke to the owner and she squeezed me in tomorrow evening for the 6:30pm to 10pm class. Joel and the girls are going on an Indian Princess Weekend and I am foot loose and fancy free. Olwen Woodier and her husband Richard Busch own Glenfiddich farm Cookery and Pottery- www.glenfarmcookery.com and www.glenfarmpottery.com. She teaches the cooking classes and her husband has a pottery and gallery. I just had a wonderful conversation with Olwen (she has a great British accent) and I am going to go back on Saturday to meet her husband and tour his pottery studio. We spoke about the summer kids pottery camps she offers and the Round Hill Arts Center.

I really am most excited about the class! The meal we will be cooking and learning about is: ASIAN FLAVORS – Ginger hoisin chicken & peppers in lettuce cups; Thai basil poached salmon fillet; Cilantro rice over shredded greens w/ mango dressing and peanuts; Caramelized fresh pineapple w/lime sauce.

I was browsing through a wine country brochure and found the info about taking a cooking class and stumbled upon the pottery information....could be fate!

We are here!

2009-05-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

We have been in NOVA for about 2 months...we are settling in nicely! I absolutely love the little town of Leesburg and the surrounding countryside is beautiful! I feel so fortunate to have landed in such a wonderful community and neighborhood. I am working on getting the studio set up and have met with the Loudoun Fine Arts Academy about teaching in the fall. I am very hopeful! They connected me with an electrician who pulled up on his Harley...I almost forgot about the Kiln and wanted to go for a ride! But I stayed on point and he is going to set up my Kiln and Venting system and improve the lighting in the "cave". I have a LARGE unfinished room in the otherwise finished basement that is going to be the studio. It already has 2 walls of built in shelving. Apparently the previous owner was a master gardener and flower arranger...that space was where she worked and kept her tools.

While on the gardening topic...I am having so much fun watching all the beautiful perrenials pop up and every day is a great surprise...I am slightly worried about Maintenance if you know what I mean...I think this garden and yard could be a full time job in and of itself!

I get teased about being a lady of leisure....my Arse! I am working my tail off! It is fun, I have to admit! Ok....off to garden. I will post when the studio is up and running. Meanwhile, I am getting lots of inspiration from nature and filling up notebooks with ideas!!!

Finally moving

2009-03-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

We are going folks! We are moving on April 4th! We have found a lovely home in Leesburg, Virginia! More to follow....

love this song!

2009-03-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

Soup on Sunday!

2009-01-13T18:46:00.001-08:00

http://www.hpccr.org/latest-news.cfm?hpid=38

check this out!

Waiting

2008-12-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

I am waiting...waiting for the house to sell, waiting for Joel's flight to get in, waiting to know our future. It is easy to get frustrated but I know it is all for a reason and I have to find joy in the process. I just received a wonderful Christmas letter reminding me of a few important things..."that although our family [and country] has had enormous change in 2008 both exciting and unsettling at the same time; that it is comforting to view our shifts as manageable relative to the rise and fall of kingdoms, the discovery of new worlds , and the brutishness of prior epochs."

It is important to see the joy in every day, every change, and every minute of this waiting!

smart guy, that Roy Dunbar, CEO Network Solutions, LLC

facebook is addictive!

2008-11-23T18:58:00.001-08:00

"When one door closes..."

2008-11-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

I just found out that my piece titled "When one door closes..." was chosen as the gift for the honored guests of the RAIN When One Door Closes" art exhibit /auction hosted at Myers Park Baptist Church. Around 120 people came to view the film "For The Bible Tells Me So" and participate in the silent auction. They raised over $2700 for the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN)!

My friend Charley wrote, "the Welcoming and Affirming Fellowship chose to honor Fran and George Kerr for their decades of advocacy for LGBT justice issues by dedicating the evening to them AND presenting them with your beautiful piece. The WAF chose your piece because it spoke so poignantly to their work of opening doors. So we collected donations from members and presented ever $150 to RAIN for the piece with more to come in."

I am so honored!!!

Moving to Virginia

2008-09-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ok its a done deal...We are moving to Northern Virginia! House is on the market, trying to find replacements for my teaching gigs and I am fairly excited! The girls are on board and Joel is so happy with his new opportunity. The area we are looking at is Louden County Virginia and we really like the town of Leesburg, VA. We shall see. The area is big time Vineyard and Horse country and is just beautiful. I am hopeful to find a home with some land and "studio" space. Wish us luck, I will keep our progress posted.

Could it be nearing the end of summer already?

2008-08-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready for my fall classes and a workshop that I will be giving at the Levine Jewish Community Center in September. I am going to teach the seniors group at the JCC and I believe 2 handbuilding classes. I am also booked to do a Menorah workshop as well in November up in Davidson at the Creative Art Exchange. Busy, Busy... I have decided not to do the Fall Barn Sales this year. It was a hard decision... It is always so much fun and a great way to catch up with friends, but I just don't have enough inventory - bottom line.

We just got home from a great weekend in the mountains and we are all refreshed. We are going to head up to Ohio next weekend for my Grandmother's funeral. She went very quickly and will be missed by her entire family. It will be great to see everyone in Ohio and introduce the girls to my distant cousins. Then we have one short week before school starts! HOOO HAAA! The girls are excited and I am almost ready as well... I enjoy my summers with the girls so much, but can tell they are ready to get back to friends and to more of a set schedule. I am ready as well to get my new teaching schedule going! Ahh, the end of summer is upon us...there is a cool crisp tinge to the air this morning and it does make one start thinking of cooler days and crisper mornings and all those wonderfully colored leaves!!!

summer summer summer

2008-06-23T14:07:00.001-07:00

I taught my first kids class last week at Charlotte Country Day School and it was a blast! I had 10 great kids and the time just flew by. This week is vacation bible school and the kick off was today. The girls are having a wonderful time and I am teaching the art component. I cannot wait for a week with "nothing" to do! We are full swing into swim meet season and the girls are doing great and I am itching to get back to the wheel... Just a couple more days... I have been sketching and I have my glaze recipes and ideas for fall down pat!

On a sad note, my grandmother is failing...she is at home in Florida with hospice coming several times a week. She has lived a wonderful 92 years and we are sad, but also hoping she will not have to suffer. It all happened very quickly and she has had a great year of travelling from Ohio, South Carolina and Florida visiting great grandchildren and others who love her so much. The girls in their ever optimistic outlook, were not sad just excited that she was going to see Great Grandpa Skidmore soon in heaven.

Summer

2008-06-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

OK...I am truly mortified...I apparently wrote down the wrong time for my meeting at the JCC. I showed up 10 minutes "early" to find the group already in progress... if they only knew how obsessed I am about being on time. I am sure I turned 3 shades of red. eeekk! It was so great to see Fran and get her insight on her classes. She has a great file folder that she is going to copy and have available for all of the instructors. I am sad to see her go. She is going to be missed by so many people.

Maggie had swim team today, and Kate and I went hiking while she swam. We had a great discussion about sun beams and frogs. Afterward we all went on to church to work on some VBS decorations. THEN.... we took Maggie to Occupational Therapy...what a day! She listened to Carulli and was wired for sound when she came out. Apparently, the music is very rhythmical and structured and very predictable. It is supposed to help her attention, and organize the body through time. It is helpful for those who seem unconneted to their body and have difficulty with midline organization and integration of their R/L sides of the body...whoah... I am going to journal her activities tomorrow and note any differences. I need to listen to this when I throw clay! I will report back.

It's Hot

2008-06-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Last day of school for the girls. My kiln load partially worked...I got the surface finish I was looking for. Just a few more tweaks and I am ready to roll! I am meeting with Fran Brown tomorrow at the JCC for a quick training session about the studio. I ran some errands (those best done without the girls) and I am ready to go for summer. We are going to have so much fun and I can't wait for the down time. If you call teaching clay camp and VBS for the next two weeks down time! It will still be a nice change of pace from school! YIPEE!

Teapots Across America: A Juried Exhibition - Red Sky Gallery Exhibitions

2008-06-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

Teapots Across America: A Juried Exhibition - Red Sky Gallery Exhibitions

I almost forgot!!! June 13 - August 13 2008

I have a miniature porcelain teapot that was selected!

Summer

2008-06-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

I am going to have to get better at this.....since I last posted things have been very busy. I have interviewed for some teaching positions at the JCC and am very excited to teach some workshops over there this summer. I can not wait for school to finish for the girls on Tuesday and get into our summer routine ( ie. NO ROUTINE)! I have a kiln firing right now as I write and it is a test batch for a new glaze I am trying out. Wish me luck!!! I have a million ideas percolating....I just need some time to get working on them. We have been spending our evenings at the pool for swim team practice and the girls are making their way slowly but surely. I am very proud of them as this is not an easy task...especially for Ms. Maggie. It is actually much like an OT session... very challenging. She is my new hero, I must say. She is the last one out of the pool most times and she doesn't let it get her down...she just gets right back at it. She is VERY tough and has an amazing way of not comparing herself to the other kids her age and of not getting discouraged. She has set some personal goals and that is all she is focusing on... I pray this lasts. She is truly a special child.

new place to buy art

2008-05-19T09:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.boundlessgallery.com/p/amansonpottery

I have some of my pots on this site!

2008-05-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am rocking this tech thing! Check out....
thedb.com/amymansonpottery

2008-05-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

Ok...so not getting much work done, however the tan is looking good. I went to the pool with some girlfriends. Just got home and hopped on the bike, I got halfway out of the neighborhood and the tire popped. So I can say that I worked out today... walking the bike home. Bummer. I did load the plaques into the kiln for bisque firing. I am supposed to go to my friend Mike's house and drink some wine and watch the race, but first I have to go take some pics of the girls babysitter...its prom night. AGHHH! I vaguely (and I do mean vaguely) remember those days!
Peace.

Here she goes!

2008-05-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Whoa! I have a blog...That was relatively painless! Now what?

The kids and joel are heading out today for an Indian Princess camping trip. I will have the whole weekend to work and play! I have been drying plaques that I am making for Sharon Elementary Storytelling Festival. They will be given in the thank you gift baskets to each of the storytellers. I will post a picture when I am further along in the process! Good day.