Making new friends at the Anacortes Arts Festival in August, and my booth set up.
Firstly, I just want to thank everyone who supports me in any way, large or small. Sales are awesome, and I appreciate that extra boost, but so many support me in between, during, and after. I had a random buyer contact me recently who had purchased a mug from me this summer during my best show ever at the Anacortes Arts Festival just to let me know how happy it made her and that she just wanted me to know. That’s the little extra bit of “income” that makes me feel like my work matters – and who of us doesn’t want to feel that?! Other folks randomly bought something off of my website then wrote to tell me how much they love my products. It’s the combination of all of these things that make me feel so lucky to be able to be living my dream of being a maker. It’s what I envisioned for myself back in the 80’s taking my first ceramics class in college and dreaming up designs for teapots and cups. So THANK YOU each and every one of you for making my humble dreams come true. I could not be doing this without YOU.
Secondly, so much shifted this year- I created my final mosaic commission for Talent Maker City in Talent, OR along with community members’ help, sold off almost all of my mosaic making supplies, and focused in on my ceramics. I did my largest number of shows, markets, and pop-ups yet- from Medford in Southern Oregon up to Anacortes in Washington State. I joined up with some friends to start showing at The Memory Den‘s “Artist Alley” to allow me to have a local retail presence in Portland.
And I started showing and selling my things over on the coast in my first ceramics gallery, Mossy Creek Pottery outside Lincoln City, OR. Oh, and I moved house (I’ve got windows again!) plus got 3 new studios mates during all of it!
One of my 3 new roommates and his sweet ol’ dog Bailey
One of my 3 new studio mates, ceramic artist Sarah Chenoweth Davis, with Tess (who adores her)
So it’s no wonder I’m feeling a bit worn out and ready for a rest. Hopefully this slow time will allow me to assess and move forward towards an even better 2026. I’m still making almost daily in my Buckman studio to restock and get a head start on the new year. I’ll be applying to tons of shows, old and new (to me) and I really hope to see some of you there. Making connections during shows is one of the things I love the most. My work is meant to bring a little bit of joy into your everyday life. Whether with a fun cozy bowl for soup, a mug for your morning coffee, or a tiny animal sculpture to make you smile as you work away at your desk, it’s the human connections of handmade objects that make art and craft so important in our lives. I’ll keep creating with your support!
Have a Wonderful Holiday Season and fantastic New Year, and I’ll see you all soon I hope!
A full beautiful rainbow out our front window in the Overlook neighborhood after a recent storm. it was so much brighter and more vibrant in real life. Oh, and I love being able to see things out the window again!
Stay tuned for a “Fresh Loaf” in the New Year!