Plate Class Session l Pictures

Coil and Slab Construction with abstrace pattern

Coil and Slab Construction, stamped bottom with fluted rim.

 

Coil and Slab Drop Method Construction

We had a great time at class yesterday and I’m looking forward to the color part of the workshop. Each student made three items and a few more will be made today. One made a water dish for her pup. I’ll publish the finished pieces when they’re fired.

I enjoy the silence of the participants working.

Needlepoint Lovers or Lovers of Needlepointers

 

I found and ad for Ehrman Tapestry in a magazine and their patterns of Klimt backgrounds enchanted me enough to go to their website and check it out. They have a delightful selection of forals, fruits, and birds. A large selection is on sale for $78.00 down from $96.00

You can also find designer scarves, kits for boarder patterns, panels, and rugs.

Simple Advice for Preventing Swine Flu

I happly survived the State Fair with out getting sick, something I was a bit concerned about because of the long hours and lack of rest. This simple advice came into my inbox and it made such sense that I needed to share it with you.

From Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are20the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to sto ck N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a d ay with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

Neti pots and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relati vely inexpensive….under $15.

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

The doc suggests you pass this on to your entire e-list..  You never know who might pay attention to it — and STAY ALIVE because of it.

Meet Virginia C Boone

96 year old Virginia Boone still works the 12 hour days at the State Fair's Village of Yesteryear.

Meet Miss Virginia C Boone, the most popular woman at the fair. She has been exhibiting her hand braided wool rugs since 1951 the year the Village of Yesteryear began.Her hands are amazing to watch as the deftly sew the braids together to make the colorful rugs. She did take some time off while raising her children, but joined us again when she was able.

She has had a stream of visitors, mostly young people who have been coming to see her since they were children. What an wonderful family she’s created over the years.

Braided Rugs

Last September at the Mountain State Fair, a multi-use building was named   the Virginia C Boone Mountain Heritage Center in her honor. The building will house heritage craft demonstrations during the fair and be used for other events through out the year.

Below is a rendering done by Carolyn Ann of Hendersonville, NC.

Virginia C Boone Mountain Heritage Center, Fletcher NC

Carolyn can be reached at 828-692-4179 or at edandcarolyn@bellsouth. net

Hall’s Originals

The paintings and portraits below are by the wonderful artist Robert Hall. Specializing in black country/folk art, his skills using pen and ink, oils, and pencils have been honed since childhood. The multi-talented man also does wood carving, sculpting, and  book illustrations.

He was hired to do work for the movie The Color Purple, commissioned by the president of the Kellogg Corporation, and has won over 90 awards.

Robert’s contact number is 910.532.2662.

I wish my photographs did his work more honor but I think his talent will shine through.

Serenity

Fireflies

Blowin the Blues

Village Silliness

Fooling around before the doors open.

First Prize

Every year the State Fair sends out a call for gardeners to create small garden plots based on several different themes. Here are some pictures of the first prize winner in the category of “My Favorite Garden” titled “For the Birds”. The garden was created by artist and graphic designer Mary Jo Stephenson and is a place to rest, watch and rejuvenate.

I have created this garden as a spot to welcome birds and where visitors can sit and enjoy viewing them and the scenery with its variety of shape, color and texture.

– Mary Jo Stephenson

If you’re in the Raleigh, NC area and want to see it in person “For the Birds” is garden number 36.

Single Shot Guns

Village Gunmaker with his first baby.

Village Decoy

One of my favorite artists to see at the Village is Vic Kirkman, decoy carver and teacher. His warmth and friendliness infuses the atmosphere with humor and in the closing days of the show he’ll duck call to the rest of us that the end is near.

If you fancy a class here’s his contact info followed by some pictures of his work:

Vic Kirkman Originals

5605 Groomsbridge Court

Raleigh, NC  27612

919-783-6478  

Email: marshduck@mindspring.com

Web Site: Vic Kirkman Originals

Welcome to North Carolina State Fair

I’m here at the Village of Yesteryear in Heritage Circle at the North Carolina State Fair, demonstrating my glaze techinque with along with several other craftsmen demonstrating theirs. Illustrating their skills are potters, tin smiths, boat builders, rug braiders, decoy makers as well as many other fun and creative craft techniques.

Lots of North Carolina natives never miss their yearly visit to the Village, repeating a tradition their grandparents started with their parents and grand children and that they are now continuing with their own children. After hearing several times last year, “This is my favorite part of the fair.” and watching the dedication to education that my fellow craftsmen exhibit, I belive the Village of Yesteryear and Heritage Circle are a very special part of the North Carolina State Fair and am delighted to be apart of it.

Tip of the day: Smitty’s Apples in Heritage Circle have an apple dumpling that is simply to die for. Have it with some homemade icecream and you have gone to heaven.       

So you’ll know it when you see it.