I finally unloaded a much-delayed kiln-load this week and my much-recovered husband was able to resume his role as my pot photographer.

The work that has waited the longest to be fired is that made by my visitors from Austin, Texas back in October. Their very varied collection of tiles have all turned out well, so now I must pack those up and hope Canada Post doesn’t charge an arm and a leg or take too long to get them to their owners. There’s also Mara’s wheel thrown garlic pot with a hand built lid. I think she’ll be pleased, and by now may well have thrown more in her pottery class in Austin.

Next to be taken out of the kiln were tiles painted by TriCity Potters Gay Mitchell and Myrta Hayes. Myrta came by yesterday to collect her two delightful tiles (underglazes on bone dry red clay) and also took Gay’s leaf-design tiles down to Gallery Bistro. Gay’s show opens there tomorrow and the tiles will be part of the display. That was the incentive to get the kiln fired…

‘Ebb & Flow’  Gay Mitchell  Nov 23 – Dec 23, 2016,  Opening  Saturday Nov 26  11am – 3.30pm,  Gallery Bistro, 2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody BC   604 937 0998

You might remember that when Gay and Myrta were here for a day I had a great time playing with the surface of seven tiny pots that I’d thrown off a hump and then trimmed previously. It was one of those ‘I wonder how this will look?’ times. Now that they are finished with my clear glaze, contrasting with the terra sigillata-coated lower part and foot, they are cheerful and certainly colourful. I like them! Unfortunately my arithmetic is pathetic and I over-estimated the shrinkage and the little guys are too large to be the egg-cups I’d intended! So now I have some pretty shot glasses, condiment holders, spill holders (for aromatic sticks), who knows?

I took a handle-less cup which I’d painted in a similar fashion in to the Gallery of BC Ceramics today and Carita says I should make some more.

There’s also a small painted bowl which I intend to donate to Port Moody Arts Centre for a fund-raiser next Spring. Again, I was playing with the application of my slips. Sometimes it is satisfying to have no plan in mind and see what results.

A big step for Alan was to come with me in to Granville Island today. Eight of my new jugbirds were delivered to Circle Craft Co-op – they were overdue for a delivery. In the Gallery of BC Ceramics I left a couple of mugs for their December fund-raiser and I enjoyed seeing Sarah Pike’s show. Her quiet, expertly constructed tea-pots, mugs and pourers are elegant and satisfyingly glazed. But more about that when I download today’s photos.

Al and I had lunch in the market, he checked out the Indian Art Galleries on and just off the Island and I took a quick visit to ECUAD’s Student Sale. Raider Marlene Madison has been organizing that event and encouraged me to check it out. I remember selling some of my student experiments at this event quite a few years ago.

Tomorrow I’ll post photos of all the new jugbirds. Some of them will be sent by Greyhound courier to Eclectic Gallery in Victoria as soon as I can get them packed up.