A winner and some recognition....

MaryAnn Carroll

As I sat down and got my hands covered in mud once again last night, I was thinking about what to write for today's post. We just got back from a short trip to Rockport, MA so my mind is a little out of the loop. I, as usual, had a million things running through my discombobulated head!! I could talk about something personal..... I have LOTS of topics....   I could talk about more on copper tubes. I could give my husband Bill a big kudos for his page and a half write up in our local newspaper about his wood-fired pottery and more so about what he did with some local clay from a mudslide in 1993 (You can read a little about it here).  or.... as my fingers began to cramp and the hours passed by, I thought about my friends at Beads of Clay. I have been a member there for over two years and they are a great group with LOTS going on all the time.

So, I got up this am, pulled out the camera and took a picture of what is drying from last night. This is just stage one of the process. I still have to smooth them, clean the holes, bisque fire, glaze each one individually and then glaze fire. This particular group will be going in the wood-fire kiln, which Bill fires up about four or so times a year. I am hoping to be able to make some more while I watch my two young granddaughters today. That should be interesting!

So.... here you have it.... Stage 1 - at least five hours just to get this far!

Beads of Clay, a group organized to promote the beauty of ceramic beads, also has a Professional Artists Team where you can find easy access to the numerous artists and their current happenings.

I've chosen a few to show here as a teaser..... You can find more by heading over to their blog and checking it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed!

Ktotten

MarlasMud

MarshaNealStudio

NKPBeads

YolandasClay

For more artists, click HERE.

And.... as for the winner. I will be posting that on the side bar tonight, so if you haven't had a chance to enter the double giveaway, you will have about 10 hours from now to do so. Stop back later on to see if you have won!

As always, thanks for supporting those who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn