H E L L O 2 0 1 5

love my new calendar for 2015

last month was super busy for muddypotts, therefore, i gave myself permission to not feel bad in the least about neglecting my blog. although, i did miss telling you all about every little sale i had near and far, the amazing show that we saw at crimson hilt in denver, and about my new arctic cat that my love got me for christmas! 

a new year can mean so much to so many. for me, its always meant a fresh start to being healthy, physically and spiritually, swearing off new debt, trying to lose those ten pounds that just won't disappear no matter what i do, making more meaningful art and becoming a more serious artist...well those things are always in the back of my mind, but i have so much to look forward to this year. i have no regrets of last year either. last year was one of the best years i've ever had. and this year will be no different...big changes are happening in 2015! and all i can say right now is....we're SOOO excited!!! 

hello 2015!!! so happy you're finally here!!! 

growin' like weeds ii

grown like weeds planter

inside

drain dish

Dandylions + Lemons

dandylions and lemons 

Last week I made this print using my dandelion bowls. You can find it on RedBubble. And if you really like it, you can get it made as a pillow, tote, or cell phone case! 

                                             

You can also find the original bowls in my shop, HERE...

dandylion bowls

dandylion bowl

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are off to a great start for the week! ~ samos

Fresh from the Kiln

chocolate monsoon mug

red pod vine planter

Spotted Kaleidoscope mug

a muggy day

a drying mug

big handled mug

another drying mug

G O L D + S P L A S H

© samos 

© samos

© samos

P O T T E R Y: p a c k i n g + s h i p p i n g

As an artist, I'm always concerned about the delivery of my work to its final destination. After all, I put my heart and soul into creating it and want my clients to be happy with their investment. 

When I first started shipping pottery, I did some research and tried different ways to ship my pieces. This involved double boxing them which was quite expensive. When I started working in wholesale, one of my clients was put off by the cost of shipping and told me how she shipped her fragile pieces. Since then, I've stopped shipping everything in two boxes, but still use my fair share of bubble wrap and newsprint. 

I have a large order of plates going out today and thought I would share my process:

wrapping the plate

I prefer to use the large bubble wrap and order it and my boxes from Uline. 

the wrapped plate

all twelve plates wrapped

I am currently waiting for my large boxes to be delivered this morning and it's throwing off my day a bit. So I may end up packaging these guys up in two 12 x 12 inch boxes instead of one 
18 x 18 inch box. But for the sake of this post, I'll go ahead and demonstrate how I pack my boxes. I like to use new corrugated boxes and newsprint or recycled packing material.

first layer of newsprint

 I line the bottom layer with crumpled newsprint and then place the first item in the center. 

first piece 

I surround the piece with the newsprint so that the edges of the pottery aren't touching the sides of the box or another piece of pottery. Don't pack too snug. There should be a little room for shock absorption in the event the box is dropped. 

protected with newsprint

 I always include a handwritten thank you to all my clients and enclose a business card. Lately I've been making my cards. I think its a nice added touch. 

handmade thank you with a business card

almost finished

If you're a potter, how do you ship? I'm always open to new and improved ways to do business better! 

Hope you enjoyed this lengthy post on shipping pottery and a little insight how I sell my work. 

Have a wonderful weekend! ~ samos

pots + plates

herb pots 

big Be Brave planter

glazing Dandylion plates

New Work

be brave planter

growin' like weeds planter

celestial blu soap dish

orange ladybug planter

celestial blu bud vase

new work @ muddypotts

ladybug vase 

green and white bubble planter 

miami splash planter

orange and white bubble planter

Savor Your Life

a new book by Robin Norgren

Do you remember awhile back when I mentioned another collaboration I was invited to work on? Well, if not, don't worry. I may have been keeping quiet to surprise you. SURPRISE! What an odd word once you see it in type...hmmm. (grin)

So my dear friend Robin told me about this project she was working on and wondered if I'd be interested in going in on it with her by providing images of my pottery. Of course I was totally honored she'd even think of me and extremely excited to be part of her new project, a book called

Savor Your Life: 100 Days of Words and Actions to Deepen the Way you Live your Life. 

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone and not just because my friend wrote it and you can see some of my pottery...that's only two reasons to buy it. No. Seriously. Robin's words are very genuine and will touch your soul. 

Open Sky: MuddyPotts

A couple months ago I started selling my pottery on another e-commerce site: OpenSky.

If you haven't stopped by yet, I welcome you to do so today for a special FREE SHIPPING offer! Use the coupon code: firstdayofspring and have your new muddypotts piece shipped for nothing! 

Day Old Pottery

Usually I say they're fresh out of the kiln. When they are. Today these pieces are a day old. Kind of like bread at the bakery, only I don't recommend eating them...

MiaMi Planter

Be Brave Planter

Yadro + Orange Bowl 

Red + Black Pagoda Bowl

Black on White Vase

InSpiRed by Friends Near and Far

bisque ware

Every now and then I get into a non-creative funk. I usually disconnect from GOD, family, friends...Its not intentional, it just happens. Then I'm overcome with guilt for being the way I am and have to hit bottom before I can change my attitude and get back to being ME. 

A few weeks ago I decided to put MuddyPotts on vacation until March 17th. I haven't been throwing due to some physical pain I'm trying to work out. Today I've decided to bite the bullet, do what I can and move forward. 

I have been inspired by several artistic friends. One being my dear friend Robin Norgren who always finds a way to face the fear and balances her creative life with the fullness of her family life. She is currently working on another book, Savor Your Life, in which she has so graciously asked me to be a part of. Another inspiration is my friend Kelly Thiel. She was recently honored with one of her sculptures published in a book called 500 Figures in Clay Volume 2. 

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I saw the Modern Masters exhibit at the DAM. How can I not be inspired surrounded by such talent? So instead of riding the so called soap box, I'm off to the easel to pick up my brush and paint. If it is another month before you hear from me:

 I promise it's because I'm busy painting, sculpting, and glazing pots. ~ samos

waiting for color

in the studio

my somewhat clean wheel

I went to bed last night anxious to get some work done in the pottery studio. So first thing this morning, I cranked up the heat, put my apron on and started throwing.

drying

and this is what needs glazed this afternoon...

bisque ware