Earthquake Aftermath

Phil Rogers pitcher

As everyone already knows, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Virginia on August 23rd, 2011. My husband and I were at the kitchen table at the time... we stared at each other for a moment, as the rumble got louder, I yelled "earthquake" and ran outside with Chris following right behind. Oddly, our old dog, Katie, didn't bat an eye and I had to jump over her to get out of the kitchen.

We didn't have a lot of damage. Of the three shelves of pottery inventory only 3 things broke and, as I always say, "I can make another one!"

Not so with the pottery displayed in the dining room... these were pieces I've bought over the years that, to me, are irreplaceable: a Phil Rogers pitcher, a sculptural vessel made by Annette Hansen, and a bottle made by Fran Newquist.

We collected as many shards as we could and they have sat on the dining room table all this time... Chris got me several different types of glue/epoxy/cement to try to mend the pieces but I haven't been able to bring myself to do anything about them. Finally, Chris started to glue the Phil Rogers pot... It was not easy and the joins seems very "iffy."  I would just like to be able to put the pieces back together in order to keep them... I just can't bring myself to throw them away!

Sadly, I can't find any photos where these pieces are visible intact... Here they are...

Annette Hansen Sculptural Vessel

Fran Newquist bottle

Embracing the Opportunity

Last time I posted I was wondering what to do about all the orders for yarn bowls. I have since decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and accept, with gratitude, the opportunities that this presents for me.

So, I am thrilled to announce that my yarn bowls are now carried by The Red Thread in Warrenton, Virginia, and by The Memory Tree Yarn Shop in Monongohela, Pennsylvania. I am particularly grateful to Terry and all the work she has done on my behalf to get my bowls into The Memory Tree, and to Wendy for steering Karen and Barbara (from The Red Thread) my way.

As I started making more yarn bowls and communicating more often with knitters, I have come to better understand their needs and improve on my design.

I have also realized that the pieces I make that include some sort of carved design are a very big hit. It had already happened with the lamps and now the yarn bowls. It gave me idea to use the same type of carving for my berry bowls and they've also become a hit.

Yesterday I received I precious  "appreciation" photo from a customer who bought one of the Starry Nights Lamps for her newborn's nursery. This photo really touched me. It makes me very happy, and at the same time, humble to be a part of people's lives in this way.


So I'll keep carving lamps, yarn bowls, and berry bowls!