Slightly Off Center

It was the best of Markets...

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Mothers Day weekend, lots of mothers and daughters flooding Saturday Market, looking for the perfect gift. Lots of them decided it was pottery, mine specifically. Mom collected it. Mom got one as a present last year. Mom specifically came down to Market to find me. Guess that makes me a mama's boy?

Had a three-generation family stop in-mother, two daughters, each of whom had a baby under a year old. Mom is a long-time follower of my work and my web presence--she even knew my teddy bear by name! (Susi, for the record.) Daughters bought her a stick butter dish, and she came back and bought herself a fox covered pitcher. Boy baby, carried by mom, was mellow and happy; girl, in her stroller, less so. I came out with Susi when she started fussing, waved and danced and booped her nose, which brought out quite a nice two-toothed smile. When we retreated to the booth, she started up again, so I came back with a picture of a teddy bear for her (this spring's postcard), which she thought was quite all right. Grabbed it in her little fist and rolled off happy.

Two of my three new regular couples came in today. The ones who'd asked about raccoon mugs last week came in first--recognized because he was wearing a multicolored raccoon sweater. Didn't have a raccoon yet--still waiting for firing--but did have a panda, which they immediately snatched. Then went back-and-forth over whether they should also get the panda cookie jar. He very specifically did not ask for it, while making puppy eyes the whole while. They finally bought it, and a packet of Denise's collage paper, that she plans to embroider on.

The other pair, who I remember largely because he's got a red beard and braids his side-locks, viking style (I'm slightly face-blind) stopped by to pick up a duck stew mug. They also asked whether they could get a salt and pepper set that was both dogs, rather than dog and cat? Certainly; I'll even check to see if I have one in brown as well as black, so they can tell them apart.

And I because I'm also kinda name-blind, I finally thought to ask names, so I could write them down. Chris and Emily, Devin and Leilani. (Cian and Dora were here last week.)

Had a nice visit with a potter from Birmingham, Alabama. She's shop manager for a pottery studio, makes and sells her pottery too. Asked her to follow me on Instagram, so I can return the favor and see what her work looks like as well.

And then there was the woman who stopped in to chat, very familiarly, I knew I knew her from somewhere. Admitted I didn't remember her name--Sara, last name familiar, was she on my mailing list? Oh, you probably remember me as Bananita Sluginski, she added. The 1993 Slug Queen.

Had a plague of these little critters all day, in my wrapping paper, on Denise's books, on my arm. Brushed the last one off of the tablecloth during take-down. Did a Google search on this pic, and found literally dozens of folks asking, What are these things? Turns out they're ladybug larva. Glad I didn't squash them.

Another spectacular sale day, including some bigger pieces this week. Two $50 cookie jars, a couple of pitchers, a squared baker. Plus a slew of mugs, some pilsner glasses, pie and dessert plates. By closing, I was just a shade off of last week's total, a bit over $1000. I'm out of duck and orca stew mugs, chickadee and hummingbird painted mugs. Good thing I'm firing this week.