Tuesday, April 6, 2010

A new workspace and I can't stop making pears



Thank you, sun, for blazing through the clouds this morning. I can now wear one tee shirt instead of three, reassure myself spring really is here, and take photos of my new claywork space.



A whole five foot worktable thats deep enough to allow me room for making larger pieces. Above which I've arranged some old plates and some of mine too. And a clock I like, which does not work, but reminds me not to fritter time away.

I can stretch out here, roll out big slabs to make things like this fourteen inch platter fresh from the kiln. A country lady with her donkey, rabbit and stripey stockings.


I don't have to scrinch in my elbows. And more than one spoon at a time!


A long bench to store clay, tools and works in progress. Can you see the boquet of lupin to the right? I risked jail time for that bunch of flowers. My mother informed me its against the law to pick them. I hope she doesn't drop a dime on me.




(Scene of the crime.)

See what I mean about pears? My sister and I decided this morning they are one of the most beautiful shapes in nature. Here they are drying on a shelf under a sunny window, which I can open when the afternoon sun hits. This was a bit of a motherlode in terms of time and sweat equity (Mostly my husbands), but I can't wait to arrive here in the morning, put on music and turn the lights on, one by one.
xx
julie


Look what Nina did with a couple of my simple bird charms..........
Isn't she amazing?









juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

40 comments:

Erin | Bygone Living said...

Your work is so beautiful... I love it!! (especially those adorable spoons) ♥

lilylovekin said...

I love your new pears and yes it is a lovely shape. Thank you for the tour of your new work space and a glimpse of things to come. I saw your bird necklaces in "real" life and they were just lovely. Nina and your work compliments each other wonderfully. Lorrie

Unknown said...

Just so love the pears!! Just so want to touch and stroke them - what is it about their shape??
I do wish the sun would visit us - so damp and soggy here!

Vicky x

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

I love the ladies stripey socks...so cute! In fact, I love just about every dang thing you create. And you and Nina make a wonderful artistic team! xo

colleen baptista said...

Oh, to have such a work area. I love your pears, I need one!!!. The charms from Nina are beautiful , you both compliment each other nicely.

Anonymous said...

Love the pears! Love the spoons! (would be happy to eat with any one of these or ...even better, drizzle honey from them out of my honey pot! MMMM!) Love the comment about your mom dropping a dime on you! LOL on that!
xx Nancy

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

wow...you really did a do-me-over.

looks great..love the new header...and OMG..that teeny tiny acorn cup. who is that? darling.

and i laughed out loud on the jail time for lupines rap you're facing...

the pears are WONDERFUL..so are those spoons..so kitchen-y and farm-y...love the large platter with the lady and the donkey...

and Nina..well, what can i say. she is amazing...her necklaces are wonderful..and that BLUE ACORN...OMG ! perfect...

all wonderful, dear....as always..

d.a.t.f.
donkey at the farmhouse

Anonymous said...

Oh! Forgot the best part! Love the new studio space and love, love, love the Julie/Nina combo Items!
xx Nancy

Unknown said...

Your work is amazing. Congratulations on your new workspace, I am greedily hoping this means more in your Etsy shop! Your pears are gorgeous and I cannot wait to see the "drying shelf" items...thanks for the peek.

nina said...

oh, my. all so lovelyyyyyy!!!!! xxx

Unknown said...

The pears are sweet as can be and Lorrie is right yours and Nin's work is a perfect marriage!! and is that one of her sisters eggs as the acorn base Oh how collaboration!!!

Wish on a Whisker said...

Hi Julie~ I always love seeing all the things you are up to! Love seeing your new work space, too! I love the idea of a clock that doesn't work. I will have to be on the lookout for one! Thanks for the peek into your world! ~Mandy

Claire said...

Congrats on your new work space Julie and a big thankyou to your hubby for his time and effort.
Can't wait to see what fab things you will be creating there.
Love the old clock on the wall, I am sure if it was working it would be able to tell some wonderful tales as well as the time.
Pears, mmmmmmm, yummy we are just finishing off the last of the summer crop and yes they are deliciously sweet and juicy. Can't decide if they are my favourite summer fruit or nectarines and peaches.
Love your work as always and Nina's work is amazing too. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us, always look forward to your posts.

Anonymous said...

Julie,I wish I could meet you. I am a potter too and day job doing hair! Your posts bring me great joy as well as your pots!!!Patty

Librarian said...

Some people say creativity does not need a particular place to thrive. But it is not exactly hindered by such a lovely workspace either, is it! :-)
The strawberry spoon looks like something I could give my mum for her birthday. She loves this kind of thing!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for you wonderful comments! Patty, what kind of pots do you make? My email is
jkwhitmore@hotmail.com
xx
j

Dreaming Woods said...

your workspace is wonderful Julie, i wish lots and lots of inspiration!
It is wonderful to see where your beautiful creations come from.

Delila

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Lovely to have a glimpse of your new workspace Julie and a peek at your latest work - and plates on the wall.

Your birds with Nina's additions are so pretty. Bye for now, Lesley

Laura said...

oh my goodness! beautiful work. i LOVE the pears:)

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Lovely and inspirational workspot,
so much beautiful fairytale pottery that will be born there!
The pears of yours look so delicious, I want to eat them!
Love
Becky

cabin fever said...

Julie!!!

Imagine - I go to Newport for 3 days and come back to all of this!!! Your new workspace is wonderful, as is all of those awesome new pieces: LOVE the pears, the spoons, and those Nina pieces. What a creative collaboration.

Can't wait to see what comes out of that new studio next!!!

Xoxoxo Liz

dear dear said...

the pears are darling and what a wonderful space~ i would love to have those windows!
oh i love Nina's work too, just lovely!!

Mozart's Girl said...

Hi Julie! Thanks for visiting my blog, I've seen your comments many times at Kary's & meant to check you out...SO glad that I have now, everything is just beautiful here! And I so agree about pears...they are the perfect shape, fit in your hand so snugly...
Must visit you on Etsy now! Glad you liked the butterfly, he was truly gorgeous. Alice sends her love too (she's pottering in the garden right now, enjoying the sun!) Have a wonderful weekend! Rachel xox

Mary Wadsworth said...

Julie Your work fills me with joy!
Thank you for sharing, the pears are beautiful:)

Mary

jaz@octoberfarm said...

what a great space! do you do pinch pottery or do you also throw on a wheel? pottery has been one of my passions over the years but i am much better at pinch than i am at throwing! i love your spoons! i told kary it is almost time to start working on halloween stuff. it is barely 5 months from the beginning of september. tempus fugit!!!

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Dear Joyce, I love to pinch, and hand sculpt, I have a wheel and have to move it into the new space.
Can't wait to throw again. You should get some clay and get pinching!
xx
j

Lori ann said...

I love your creations, everysingle thing. And how lovely a new workspace! You are so lucky with the beautiful light coming in the windows. I would want to be in that
space too.

I had to laugh at your wildflower "theft". I understand why there is a law and at the same time I don't. There is more than enough to reseed and in a week or two they'll be gone back to the earth. I pick one of each that i find everyyear to press. I really love them.

xo lori

p.s are those teacups (and acorn one) available at Birds of a Feather? I'll be in Cambria in a couple weeks! I LOVE them.

A time to dance said...

you are right...i never thought about it before but you are....pears are beautiful...and so are the things you make...love from skye...

Pat said...

Oh, LOVE the spoons!!! Then, there is also your new work space...I love it too...the blue flowers against the dark walls with the empty frames...just my kind of thing, my friend. I'm wishing you many happy, blissful hours there!! pat

And, YES, love what Nina does too!

susan jenkins said...

Love,love,love the pears! Especially love the one with the bird nest, wonderful.

Didn't your new studio come out great? Love!

xx sis

Joy said...

I just love your work. I got a kick over the 'scene of the crime'. Reminds me of when I (innocently) picked myself a bouquet of wildflowers in a state park---the park ranger sternly informed me that what I did was not allowed.... >gulp!< Well, now what? Can't put them back... I like the shape of the pear also.

Vicki Boster said...

Hi Julia -
I would like to talk to youabout a "little project" - can you please email me privately? My email address is at the top of my right hand side bar on my blog.

(I could not find an email address for you on your blog~~~)

Vicki

moondiva said...

Julie, just discovered you via Nina's blog. Your rabbit mug was identified in a comment to today's post. My Mother loves rabbits and roses...well she is a garden queen in east TX. I noticed in your Aug 6, 2009 post a cup with a moth painted on the bowl and a rabbit for the handle. Please email me if you have time and tell me more about it. I'm looking for a Mother's Day gift.
Blessing and health, Deborah

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Moondiva,

I couldn't find your email on your info page, but I'm afraid I won't be able to make the cup in time for mother's day. I just looked at the calendar. Mother's day is hurtling forward at the speed of light!
j

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

The pears are wonderful, esp. the cottage one. Absolutely gorgeous!

Carolyn

andrea said...

I just discovered your blog :)
Your work is really charming!

Ruostevilla said...

How happy I am of finding your beautiful inspiring blog! Saved on my favorites. Love your delicate paintings - and the donkeys!

Barbara said...

All very clever and interesting. Are the donkeys wild I wonder or have owners but are allowed to roam wild like on Dartmoor here.

just jody said...

your pottery is absolutely wonderful! i visualize the crone that is me in the shape of your pears... with my stories written in your hand.........

Doll Drops said...

What material did you use for your counter tops? :)

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
Donkey with green paw