I'm in the midst of Holiday production...
Fortunately many accounts have been placing their orders early this year...
Of course by potter/clay standards 5-6 weeks is not a long time when you factor in making the pieces, drying times and firing schedules,may be some refiirng included .. it will be Dec. 1st in a flash.
My goal is to have all current rattle orders out next week...If the weather will cooperate...is that wishful thinking ?
Then i hope to get some time to make sculptures..

Animal welfare in hard economic times.

I've have a neighbor who belongs to Friends of BARC a group who volunteers at the city animal shelter...BARC is always in need of supplies and donations..
I've been considering designing a tile/plaque, easy to produce, from which a portion of the sales would be donated to different animal welfare organizations...i already donate, when i have extra funds, to the Houston Humane Society.
 During this bad economic time we are seeing a large number of pets being abandoned...if you cannot keep your animal please do not just shove it out the door to fend for itself..how cruel...take it to one of the many animal shelters .

kiln misfirings

I made the mistake of loading/firing a kiln while too tired...
who has not done that? we all  know the events that can follow.
 I had not looked to check that the kiln  was starting on LOW..
when it was time to turn up to medium i discovered it had been on High from the start..what to do...
 i turned it down to med for 90 minutes then back up to high..and said a prayer to all who would listen
this morning...good fotune...only one bottom blew out...with very little mess.... no big mess to deal with is a potters dream when disaster strikes...
and now we know...the rattles are very forgiving...onward to glazing today.
note to self...slow down ..pay closer attention..

Etsy and such

I am finally setting up a shop on Etsy. Listed as spiritedearth.etsy.com . It has taken some time only because i don't have a clue what i am doing on the computer.. however, it is really a wonderful site for artists, crafts people and anyone who likes handmade things.

Spirit Rattles

---

Hello	Bonjou
How are you?	Koman sa va?
How do you feel?	Vou san vou- mem byen?
What’s wrong?	Sa ena?
What’s happening?	What’s up? Sa k a prife?
How’s it going?	Sa tchob byen
I’m okay.	Mo bon And you.E to
Good-bye.	Adyeu
Goodday	Bonjou ( some say Bonjou when saying good-bye)
Allow me to introduce myself.	To permet mo entrodwir mo-mem
My name is Paul.	Mo pele Paul (or Mo non se Paul.)
What is your name?	Sa-ki to non?
I’m very happy to meet you.
Do you speak Creole?	To pale kreyol?
… English?… French?… Spanish?	langle, franse/ franswa, spagnol?
Yes, I speak Creole.	Wi, mo pale kreyol.
No, I don’t speak Creole.	Non, mo pale pa kreyol.
Speak slowly, please.	Pale dousman
Do you understand?	To konprann?
I can understand.	Mo fet konmprann
I understand.	Mo konmprann
I don’t understand.	Mo pa konmprann
Please.	Tanpri (or Si-to-ple )
Thank you.	Mersi
Thank you very much.	Byen mersi
Don’t mention it.	Parkwa OR Se pa aryen
I’m sorry.	Mo chagren
Be careful!	Pronga to
What would you like?	Sa ki to ole?
I’d like…	M’ ole….tanpri
I’d like to learn Creole.	M’ ole aprann kreyol tanpri.
I’d like orange juice.	M’ ole diji zoranj.
What do you need?	Sa ki to bezon?
I need…	Mo bezon…
How much is….?	Konmyen (Konmon)…
How much is the book?	Konmyen (Konmon) liv-la.
It is $5.00	Se senk pyas.
What time is it?	Ki le li ye?
It is 1:00.	Le enn er.
It is 2:00	Li de er .
Where is Main street?	Au lari Main?
You go straight ahead.	To ale drwart.
You go straight along this street.	To ale drwat anlon lari-sa-la.
You turn right.	To tourne drwat.
You turn left.	To tourne goch.
I’m hungry.	Mo manje.
I’m thirsty.	Mo swaf.
It’s hot.	Le fe cho.
It’s cold.	Li fe fre.