Pottery, rum and pepper sauce at Caguas expo 2009

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/11531

The season is fast approaching

The season is fast approaching. Am I ready?

We are in October and the visitor season, i.e. cruise ship and stayover visitors will begin the seasonal trek to these islands, escaping the wintery cold of the northern hemisphere, to enjoy sea, sand, sun and lots of fun. We the islanders, who depend on that time of year to put much needed pennies in our coffers, have been preparing avidly for this time. The hotels, restaurants and bars have been doing maintenance work, their staff has taken their summer holiday to return revived for another hectic season. Taxi drivers and tour operators are ready, artists and artisans would have been producing as much stock as possible. This is the island's time to make revenue.

Yesterday, I had an interesting discussion with one of my fellow vendors in the craftmarket at the Marriott. We were talking about the pending season and our readiness for it. Personally, I feel like I'm ready but still I am nervous as to how ready I am. Do I have enough raw materials to sustain my production this season..... I have yet to place my order for clay and glazes from my normal suppliers. I do have a reasonable supply...but, what will happen if I get a huge order. I have already received an inquiry for a price on an item of which, if I get the order, I will have to produce 650 pieces...(I am envisioning getting this order, it will be a first of that size..oui bon dieu! as we say in Dominica...but I will get it done, thankfully I already know a few persons who will be able to help me produce...thanks to the St. Kitts Crafthouse for hosting a pottery workshop this past year, a couple people are have done well enough on the potter's wheel to help me produce, if needs be, also I've decided I will order clay through The Crafthouse thus saving myself some of the hassle) I am also looking at what I currently produce and what new items will sell. I am wondering do I have enough of the items that do in fact sell? To help me I am going to make a list of things I need to make this week. This is crunch time for me. After the expo last week in Puerto Rico my mind is full of new ideas. I've just completed a sketch for an item a potential client in Puerto Rico asked me to do. I first have to create a sample. Yes, I tend to work well under pressure, so first thing tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn and at intervals through out the day, I'll be on the potter's wheel, then I'll do some handbuilding and press some masks. Oh, yes I must do that, press some of my masks (I use my own original molds). I had an inquiry yesterday for masks. Two wonderful ladies came to my table at the Marriott, it turns out they own a number of stores, including one in St. Kitts. Each store carries a different type of merchandise. They are interested in my tribal masks for a store in the northern Caribbean..and yes, I am out of those right now, I have no idea how that happened...guess I had some good sales for masks and relief carving over the summer.

So did I say I am ready.....I am NOT!!!! I feel nervous, anxious and frightened but it's a feeling I recognise... I have felt it before so I know what I need to do....I'll just do it!!!

Expo Caguas in Puerto Rico (cuopm link)

http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem.asp?articlenumber=1005&post200803=true

Expo Caguas in Puerto Rico

I am here in Puerto Rico about to rush of for the opening of the grand Expo Caguas 2009. I'll keep you updated. Got to run!!!

So it's day 1 of the Expo Caguas here in Puerto Rico. I rushed out earlier (actually this morning) because the bus was here to take us to Centro de Bellas Artes Center. The Potter's house is part of the OECS contingent of manufacturers displaying products here at the Expo.

Upon my arrival in PR yesterday, we were taken to the Center and I immediately did my booth setup. I had packed two boxes of some of the work I produced over the last few months. I think it was a good cross section of work from both myself and my partner. I was a bit afraid that I would have a skimpy display but as it turns out the space assigned to me was much smaller than I anticipated, or should I say what I expected.

Today was generally interesting. The opening ceremony was short and impressive. The Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis is also here. Actually we sat almost next to each other on the flight over to PR. He and the Mayor of San Caguas visited all the booths immediately after the formal opening ceremony. He seemed very impressed with my booth set-up and my work in general. He happily showed me off to the Mayor...something about being St. Kitts famous Potter...

I met with a Puerto Rican Potter who is doing some fantastic work. I will post his website later and say a bit more. Right now I am going to have a well needed soak in the hotel pool, then I amm of to a reception where the SKN Prime Minister is to give a feature address. Just decided to stop at the PC to share here!!

Carla

Spencer Cameron Art Gallery Building, St. Kitts

Spencer Cameron Art Gallery Building

The new home of The Potter's House on 10 North Independance Square, at the heart of Basseterre's historic district. You will find our alley type gallery sandwiched between Glass Island and Sugar Mill Gallery. The formal opening is yet to be decided but we have opened our doors for business. I give thanks!!

ready...set...go

Okay. I am writing tonite to ease my way to punching these keys to say something which may or may not make sense.

In the last week I have had to opportunity to spend time glazing pottery. I had two successful glaze firings which I did up at The Crafthouse. Yes St. Kitts has a place to 'fire' up pottery. So.... having moved house and studio, I didn't have to worry about getting my work completed. In the weeks prior to moving, I made as much pottery as possible. I think I did about two bisque firings before leaving my old studio at Camps. I knew from past experieince that moving would lose me time getting my kiln set up. At some point the idea hit me to call the GM at The Crafthouse and ask about the cost of firing a kiln load. The price was quite affordable. Then I had another brainwave.....why not take all the bisque pottery to The Crafthouse and do the process of designing and glazing the pottery there. So I did! I spent three days designing and glazing the pottery, to fill the two loads. I am so relieved that I now have some new pieces to show. I must give thanks to a little lady from Canada, who came to visit the island and somehow found me...she said she has read 'all' about me...so I guess she read this blog too....anyway 'Jewel' thanks for the time you spent assiting me and for the new designs you were able to add to my existing collection. Now I am set to go! I sell again, to produce again, to be creative!!!

A new beginning

I woke up this morning to the beautiful site of the sun, shedding it's first light over the horizon. Looking at the powerful glow of orangy red and bright golden yellow against the cloudy early morning, gave me a burst of energy to carry me through the day. I have been able to enjoy both the sun and the moon in their glory. Nature is doing it's thing without being asked, it's always on time and always perfect. Can I accomplish that? To woke without being asked. There is much I need to accomplish today. It's the first day of the new academic year. Baby Stara is donning her crisp new uniform for the very first time in her life. She is entering nursery 2 at the Mcknight daycare. Kande, my 12 year old is off to 2nd form at the Washington Archibald High School. The batteries in my camera died so I have no photos to show of how gorgeous they looked at this time.

I will have time on my hands to begin setting up my gallery, The Potter's House at it's new location - Spencer Cameron Building - on North Independance square in Basseterre. But first, I have had no access to internet since I moved and I do hope that it will be installed soon, I have so missed checking my emails and blogging.

I am looking forward to getting back to making pottery. I'll continue to share with you as much as I can.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support.