...and some of her whimsical cats, many of which were born from our barrel firings in the Clayworks parking lot.
Amy's yunomi presented especially well with weathered wood that her father lovingly donated to the cause.
In the background, you can make out a few of my birds in the booth next door. Not the most picturesque setting as we were set up in front of offices. But the building awnings, coupled with our tents beneath, gave us extra relief from the blazing sun and 90-degree heat. (As well as the rain that came later overnight)
Here's Amy, happily wrapping the first sale of the day on Saturday. Good to see her raku and yunomi find a new home.
Sales weren't what any of us hoped. But I have to think that the enervating heat coupled with the current economy were to blame. We tried to do our part to help leashed pets passing by our booths that looked in need of hydration. Their owners could always buy a lemonade or other libation. But after seeing several panting pups, we donated a bowl (and a crudely designed sign) to the cause.
Despite less than stellar sales, there were wonderful moments throughout the weekend. The Shops at University Place are situated around a large man-made pond, its banks draped in weeping willows. You can rent a paddleboat to get some exercise and feed the many waterfowl that call University Place home. Or you can feed the birds from the many docks that line the lake. I took a break to get a libation of my own and was lucky enough to see this grouping of birds. A little girl was tossing bread to them from the dock.
The presence of the blue heron surprised me. I've never seen one take bread as a treat. I later realized he was making his own fish sandwich. First he gets bread from the little girl, then he catches his own fish. Ingenious!
Herons are gorgeous birds. Though we see them quite often at Storybrook, we never get this close.
There are no swans at Storybrook either. So seeing this one was a treat. I've heard that many people believe swans will keep Canada Geese away from ponds. But that's not the case at University Place. All waterfowl seem to get along quite famously. Here's a swan close up.
I may not have sold a lot of birds this weekend (three found a new home) but I did enjoy good friends, good food and some nice moments with Nature. Many thanks to Roger for hosting the event...to Bad Dog for providing dinner for the vendors...to the Wine Vault & Boardwalk Billy's for their sponsorship...and to Amy & Cindy for sharing the booth next door. 'Twas a good two days. But I can certainly use a good night's rest.
8 comments:
your pictures are great! Reminds me I really need a new camera. Fun weekend... Off to rest. :)
Sleep, gal, sleep. RX- 10 hours minimum. :) Thanks for a lot of memories.
Oh my goodness, what wonderful photos you have of the blue heron and the swan, but especially the blue heron with the fish. I am truly in awe and amazed at that one and the other with the heron and two ducks. You need to enter them in a photo show or something. We have so many heron around here and I just love them but to see your wonderful photo so close is really a treat for me, thank you so much. A pond with weeping willow along the banks is idyllic to me, what a sign that must be.
Cindy's cats are too cool. I love you birds and especially Amy's shot of the two in the planter with the one looking right at me, what sweet couple them make.
Leave it to you to provide water to the dogs, what a wonderful gesture, sometimes folks don't realize the needs of their pets.
Sorry your sales were a bit down on what you had hoped for, but... those are beautiful photos of the birds. I particularly like the one second from last. The graduation of light on the water is lovely and is a most effective backdrop for the heron and the passing Canada Geese. Terrific photo too of the white swan.
Your glazing ideas (in reply to one of my comments last post) for your Canada Goose sound really interesting. I know what you mean about "being fond of the natural clay body", it often does seem a shame to cover it up.The atomizer spray technique is one I've never tried as yet, but I'm sure it should do the trick (I usually dip, pour, or brush glazes). (Regarding the bowl..., sorry, it does appear to be the one I sold! Thanks for your interest though, it would have been nice to have sent it your way.)
can't believe the shot of the heron with the fish... too bad the sales weren't more.
Great shots. Sorry things were slow in sales but looked like fun time, except for the heat.
I love the doggie drinking fountain.
Hi Linda --- I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos. I couldn't believe my good fortune at being so close to that fella. On Sunday he was perched on the deck, with me standing 2 feet from him (sans camera darn it!) So the sale was a winner in my book...just for those few magic moments spent so close to the blue heron!
As for the dogs, I'm a sucker for all creatures great and small. I can't even kill a spider.
Do hope you are fully recovered now!
Hello Peter --- The sales weren't what I'd hoped for but the event was a good one overall & I'm optimistic about future shows at that particular venue. The photos were worth it for me. I'm pleased you enjoyed them. Your favourite is mine as well.
The goose goes into a bisque this Thursday, along with many small birdlets and some cave art pieces. Lots of glaze decisions ahead. (Oh joy, oh rapture!)
I'm delighted that your beautiful bowl sold. I'm sure there will be another beauty waiting for me somewhere down the line. :)
Hey, Jim! Glad you stopped by. Silly me, but I almost didn't post the shot of the heron with its supper. That fish was still quite alive as it traveled down the heron's throat. So were the other 3 I saw it gobble down. Voracious appetites they have.
Max --- 'twas a fine time spent with fine friends! When are YOU going to do a show? :) Being the photographer that you are, I really appreciate the "great shots" compliment. Looking forward to meeting Will tomorrow!
Cinder --- You know me...and I know you. You would have done the same, my dear.
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