pottery workshop day 2

Twas a nice hot and sunny day today, so I expected all the members of this group of young people to take advantage of the opportunity they were being offered, and attend the workshop in there numbers. As it turned out by the end of the session there were nine young ladies in attendance. I went over some of the activities from yesterday with the newbies....drawing exercises, history of pottery and pinch and coil method of pottery. The girls from the previous day were already immersed and almost completed, their drawing exercises by the time the new girls arrived at around 10.15am. I gave the new girls the previous day's activities while the other girls went on to complete pieces made the previous day. By the end of the session, the new girls with the exception of one, had caught up in terms of number of pieces made because I decided to work on two pieces at a time....in that way got got to get immediate practice on creating a pinch pot then using coils of clay to grow a pot and create a shape. Some weren't as happy as others, but for those who were boastful I cautioned them, that until the pieces survives the firing don't wast time boasting about their accomplishment. Pottery making is very humbling and they are already beginning to experience that.

teaching pottery again

For a couple months now this lady had been trying to talk me into running a pottery workshop for the young people in her group. Honestly, I didn't know much about the group and I didn't ask. I only knew that she had asked me before and after I submitted a budget there was some mind change. So this time around, taking time out my schedule to prepare a budget again seemed like a chore. I was also in recovery so I didn't want to overtax myself. If I was really honest, I would realize that I just didnt want to change my routine to accommodate teaching! One day, out of the blue, I started responding to an email she sent and the budget just came to me.....it just simply flowed! It's like my spirit said, you have done this before, you know what to do so just do it!

The workshop started today, and the young ladies who showed up today, despite the rain were quite enthusiastic about learning this new skill. I felt good and it felt great, imparting my knowledge of the craft to these young people. Teaching can be exhausting and it requires patience, but because it is creative everyone benefits including me! Today I taught a brief history of pottery, techniques in drawing which allows a person to see, as an artist does....to tap into their creative side...they were amazed at the drawing they produced, but the rushed through an exercise which was really meant to show them that will happen to the mind when it properly applied. I showed clay preparation (wedging the clay), pinch pot and coil methods.....quite a challenge but we kept practicing until..... By the end of the session all the particpants had created a cylindrical or bowl-like shape utilizing both methods. They will continue work on these pieces tomorrow!

The Potter's House, St. Kitts is mobile

Over the past few weeks The Potter's House St. Kitts has become mobile.


Since my last post, when I talked about the opening at Spencer Cameron Art Gallery on Independance Square, St. Kitts, this past few weeks has seen me braking down the shelves and deciding to meet my beloved customers where I love to meet them....in the marketplace!

For the past 7 years, I have enjoyed selling at The Marriott Hotel, in the craft market area, which is located on the ground floor of the hotel. We, the local vendors are allowed to sell on a rotation basis...we have different days on which to sell....I sell on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I also do pottery painting at 2pm on Sundays and Wednesdays. This will continue to be a mainstay venue for selling for The Potter's House, St. Kitts and the beautiful pieces I create.

I have also for many years sold my work in the craft market at Port Zante....I started selling pottery and jewellry at the Deep water Harbour where the cruise ships use to dock back in the mid to late 1990's down to the early 2000's, when we moved to Port Zante. Back then there weren't any buildings on Port Zante, some construction started shortly thereafter. Business was very good back in those days....at the Deep water Port and in the early days of Port Zante. Today, there is a plethora of shops but the discriminating buyer can still find us, the local craft vendor, in our market, tucked away between The Pelican Mall, The Post Office and the St. Christopher Heritage Society on the Bay Road, and Port Zante....It is called The Amina Craft market! I sell there mostly when a cruise ship is in Port. This I will be continuing also!

In the last year and a half, I added another location to my mobile selling spots. I sell on a Thursday night at the famous X's Shiggiddy Shack at Frigate Bay Beach. On Thursday night's the main feature is the bonfire and the fire dancer, who does a very sensuous and energetic dance while caressing his skin with a fire tipped stick...at some point he also eats the fire. The food there is also a major attraction since word spreads quickly about this sort after spot! This has proved to be a good selling spot for myself, Jenny and Milton who sells jewelry and other crafts and sometimes another vendor comes by selling cigars. I swim, watch the sunset and sometimes treat myself and my children to a nice dinner at X's. This is another spot where I hope to continue to ply my wares for as long as I can.

I look forward to meeting you there at some point!

Official opening at Spencer Cameron Art Gallery

Tis the season to be jolly...

Rosie, the owner of the Spencer Cameron Art Gallery, moi, Carla Astaphan of The Potter's House, Leonie of Glass Island, Leonie of Sugar Mill Gallery, Lorenza Southwell who manns the shop daily, and The Crafthouse staffer were all on hand for Rosie's traditional year end party and opening of the new initiative at this location. The permanent display of art, pottery, glass and other crafts at the old Georgian styled building on Independance Square, in Basseterre, St. Kitts better known as Spencer Cameron Art Gallery. The doors were thrown open on Saturday 12 December 2009 from midday so that friends and well-wishers, many of whom have been on Rosie's list of invitees for years could mill through the space, chat, enjoy, admire and hopefully buy the works on display. It was a fairly successsful activity. And many visitors gave encouraging words for the future of this enterprise, while others also showed their support through the actual purchase of pieces.

One of the main topics of discussion was the beehive which has developed in the roof of the upstairs of the building. It was been inspected by the local bee guru. There is a pane of clear glass over it, so there are no bees flying around....although a note has been posted on the wall to warn visitors.

An array of tasty h'orderves were served, along with popular local Chrismas drink of Sorrel, rum punch, wine and a tasting of a creamy liquer by a local company, Rams. There was also a cash bar.

The party ended at just about 6.30pm. An exhausting but profitable and enjoyable exercise!!!

The Potter's House display at Caribbean Home Expo 2009

At my booth during the expo.
Visitors to my booth appreciating the items.
A grouping of three votive candle holders in red,green and yellow with black designs.
The green vase
Incense oil burner
I played with a new design on a group of three plates various sizes.
nesting set of bowls

Oh great eyes! Vase red, green and yellow

I followed my instincts and decided to concentrate mainly on candleholders in three different sizes as a set. Thanks to an idea given to me last year by Lynn Nelson. As it turned out, my booth was next to a wonderful lady from St. Maarten who makes candles. She quite liked the pieces and encouraged her mom, who, like her owns a shop on St. Maarten. Between the two of them they took most of my pieces, especially the votive candle holders.

Caribbean Home Expo, St. Martin/St. Maarten

Tonight, I am flying to St. Maarten to attend the Caribbean Home Expo, 2009 which will open tomorrow, Friday 13th November 2009 at Sonesta Maho Beach Convention Center.

I am fully prepared, packed and ready to have a good showing at CHE 2009....well i.e. if all my pieces arrive in good shape.

The OECS_EDU office in Dominica, was instrumental in securing funding for their client companys who were willing to attend this expo. I decided to do the show on the heels of attending Expo Caguas because I am familiar with this show having attended the premier show in 2006. I found it fairly successful and I feel now is a good time to return. I made a few friends and contacts and it will be great to reestablish those links.

Here's hoping for the best!

Artists unite at Spencer Cameron Building, 10 North Independance Square

Rosie Cameron opened The Spencer Cameron Art Gallery, nearly thirty years ago with friend and fellow artist Kate Spencer. After a couple moves, Rosie bought a building at the heart of St. Kitts historic district on North Independence Square. At this location, a fine example of Georgian architecture which boasts a two storey wooden structure with a solid stone cellar, she has shown not only her work but that of many other local and regional artists.

Now, years after operating solely, she has decided the time has come to share this location with other artists and artisans. She first spoke with me about it earlier this year, 2009. We met quite a few times and honestly, at times I wondered whether this would work. In large part this would be a great move both on her part and that of the artists given the economic times facing the globe today. So using the well know mantra UNITY IS STRENGTH, we are forging ahead. We look forward to many of our visitors and locals, finding us there.

Rosie will continue to show her works of art on the top floor of the building.

Glass Island, who produces art using glass fusion embraced the initiative. Leonie, a former employee, now owner believes in the ability of her product to attract clients to its new location on the first floor at Spencer Cameron Building.

Sugar Mill Gallery, owned by local artist Leonie Warner-Young, also moved into a room nearby. Paintings, ceramics and pottery by Leonie, as well paintings by her friend Sally will be available.

Sandwiched between the aforementioned two, is yours truly, Carla Astaphan, who finally decided that The Potter’s House Gallery, at the beautifully finished pottery pieces it is known for, will definitely be a great addition to this venture.

The St. Kitts Crafthouse which produces a variety of craft will set up a retail outlet on the top floor next to Spencer Cameron gallery.

Well, with a couple spaces still available we may see an artist or two, maybe a small café at Spencer Cameron Building.

See you there!!

Carla Astaphan
Potter/ writer/Coldwellbanker Sales Associate