Post Pennsic Report

Hello Folks!
We've returned from Pennsic with much less pottery than we took there and a bit more money. This makes me (and my borrowed truck) happy, because money is much easier to transport than pottery. Also: generally more useful when attempting to acquire things like yummy coffee drinks and, oh, you know, dog food.

So, anyway, i thought you might like to peek behind the scenes a bit. This is what the booth at Pennsic looked like when i showed up on the Tuesday of Peace Week. (my trusty minions Rob and Panda set up the tents for me... and left a very artistic trail of empty cider bottles for added decoration)

 And this is what the booth looked like the afternoon of the next day. The caption could be "who thought bringing this many pots to Pennsic was a *good* idea?"

And finally, this is the booth all nice and set up at last. I'm impressed by myself!

Sorry, i don't have any pictures of the booth at the end of War, but trust me, there were alot of empty spaces where pots had been. This was gratifying. Thanks to everyone who helped to make our takedown much easier than our setup.

So, that happened. And now, a week later, i've done almost all of the Pennsic laundry and am in the midst of my annual freakout over the start of the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Rob and Panda are setting up the booth as i type, so i've got to go make more pots to put in my nice clean non leaking booth.

Next week: pictures of steampunk and henna pots, both of which will be available Opening Weekend of Maryland Renaissance Festival. Which is August 27 & 28. I gotta go make pots.....

eBay Fire Sale is now live!

As usual it has been a hectic July, but this year much more hectic than ever... Two hopefully unique events have conspired to increase the already abundant stress in my life.  First, my truck burned up on the way to an event in May.  Luckily, only pottery and possessions were destroyed. No people were harmed, at least physically.

Second, I moved myself and my studio 340 miles northeast to a lovely farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This move created the usual chaos and upheaval that any major relocation of personal and professional life does, and required a great deal of assistance. In the course of my move I discovered a plenitude of my own pottery which i had hoarded and stashed over the course of my 25+ years as an active studio potter. There are various examples of my own work which I kept and used, or displayed in my home. Some are prototypes unlike anything else, others are examples I liked too well when they came out of the kiln to sell at the time. My friends and new neighbors who helped me with my move suggested while packing some of these pots that perhaps I could release these items in a one time fire sale to make up some of the income lost from the fire.

We decided to use an auction format on Ebay, as some of the Newgrange pots especially are quite rare. If you purchase one of these items you will be helping me to do what I love, to wit: continue to support myself by making and selling my pottery as well as funding the occasional purchase of chocolate pastries and delightful coffee drinks.

We currently have 30 items listed and live on eBay, with another 40 to come in the next few days. Hopefully you'll find some pots you can't live without, and will shop and bid, early and often.

Here's a link to a lovely Newgrange Cereal Bowl, but be sure to check out all the great pots we've got up... too many to link to here, sorry.

Spring Flings!

We're gearing up for an ambitious Spring World Tour here at Dancing Pig Pottery!
I've got a new-to-me truck and lots of pottery and i'm setting out to conquer the world!
Well, that, or sell some pottery across the mid-Atlantic region. Could go either way.

First up: April 15, 16 & 17 2011 10 til 5 each day we'll be at the
Spring Studio Tour and Open House at Art of Fire in Laytonsville Maryland.

We're making a special spring appearance at Art of Fire, setting our tent up on the lawn and giving y'all a preview of our spring line of pottery. Lots of new stuff, fresh from the kilns.
And Tuatha will be setting up with us! Come get your Mother's Day shopping on! (or better yet, bring your Mom and maybe she'll buy you some pottery too!)
(alternatively, bring your straight, single male friends who might want to date a curvy potter who laughs alot & has brain, opinions & moxie: i'll trade pottery for dates. I'm totally serious y'all) (trade pottery for dates=the matchmaker gets the pottery upon successful completion of the date)
But i digress. We're hitting the road and selling pottery. Come shop with us, early and often: here a link to our full calendar


Hope to see you (and your eligible bachelor pals) soon!

last in person shopping opportunity of the season!

Just wanted to take a quick moment to let you know that your last chance
to buy my pots in person this holiday season is happening this weekend. It's a
wonderful Holiday Open House in Laytonsville MD (northern Montgomery
County MD) at Art of Fire's Headquarters.
This is a great good time in a peaceful, beautiful location- Art of
Fire has a gallery in a converted dairy barn and they're making glass
all weekend long, plus there are two visiting artists in the gallery and
a wonderful assortment of handmade glass and ceramic gifts for sale.
Dancing Pig Pottery and Tuatha are set up in the garage next door. We've
got lots of pottery and wonderful handmade Celtic Gifts as well as hand
turned wooden pens and other beautiful gifts for scribes from my pal
Randy, a MD Renn Fest friend who's just starting out in the crafting
world (meaning his prices are great, come take advantage of him!)

All of this shopping is happening in a peaceful pastoral setting, far
from the maddening crowds at the malls. If you love giving handmade
thoughtfully crafted gifts, this is the place for you to shop. As an
added bonus, this is just one stop on a Studio Tour of great artists
scattered across the Maryland countryside. Lots of yarn, fiber, pottery
and other arts can be found- it's an awesome way to shop in a
responsible, sustainable way.

Please tell all of your friends and pass this along: do your friends a
favor and let's all stay out of the malls and big boxes this holiday
season!

Holiday Open House and Studio Tour Dancing Pig Pottery at Art of Fire
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
December 10, 11 & 12
10 til 5 each day
directions
questions? call us! Art of Fire: 301-253-6642
Dancing Pig Pottery: 304-377-1952

This year, let's take a break from the big boxes. Shop locally and
sustainably for your holiday gifts! Your favorite potter will be very
grateful if you do!
Wishing blessings and holiday bounty for us all!
~Virginia

Come Buy Great Handmade Pottery for the Holidays!

Hello Friends & fellow Potheads:
I don't know about y'all but i've had a very traumatic fall. I won't bother you with the details- if you want them you should come to our Holiday Open House this weekend & next & i'll fill you in. And if you have any straight, single, self supporting male friends who might be into fat tattooed freaky freak potters, please bring them with you!

If you don't want to know about my personal drama, come anyway & BUY POTS!
We'll have lots of them, along with wonderful Celtic Loot from TUATHA & of course, there's all the great stuff that ART OF FIRE has in their shop as well.

All of this is happening this weekend and next at ART OF FIRE's HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE and STUDIO TOUR in Laytonsville Maryland (northern Montgomery County, not too far from Olney)
FRIDAY SATURDAY & SUNDAY December 3, 4 & 5 and December 10, 11 & 12 from 10 til 5 everyday.

We'll have hot cider, cookies, a warm welcome, a barn full of great pottery and Celtic Loot, all handmade & perfect gifts for Celts and anyone else with great taste.
Can't hardly wait to see you there!
PS if you need directions or other details, don't hesitate to call 304-377-1952 or email pig {at} dancingpig.com