The past year has opened up new and incredible possibilities and ideas for me. An unleashing of a new creative flow. It started with a class, a pottery class. I found it through the Medicine Hat college and decided I needed a new and fresh outlet, so I signed up for the 9 week course, little knowing it would alter my way of thinking and change the course of the year. I love clay, the feeling of it between your fingers as you mould it into something new and sometimes unusual. The calming and relaxing effect it has. I learned much over the course of those 9 weeks, and after they were done, let this new skill lie dormant for the next several months. Then, as my creativity burst forth once more, along with my desire to continue pursuing those skills I already had, came the desire to continue with pottery and hone this new skill.
Thus, this past August I joined our local pottery club at the Cultural Centre. There I became surrounded by experienced potters and their plethora of casseroles, sets of bowls and mugs and other beautifully crafted pieces. Not being my best friend, the wheel was completely avoided at all cost and I decided to challenge myself with slab work and hand building. What could I create using this technique?
My friend Christy, brought me to a women in business conference, where I was inspired to start selling my pottery and paintings, to venture forth and write more books and turn a thought into reality. I said a little prayer, asking God to help me create in a way completely unique to what others made. To help me stand out with my work. To be different.
I began making trays and bowls, flat platters, wall hangings, and I even ventured forth and created a mug, all with hand-building. My dear friend Stephanie, had also given me the idea of pottery jewellery, so I ran with that, and they all turned out quite lovely. Then came this idea. Christmas was coming. Why not try to sell some of my pieces. Could it really be possible? Only veteran potters sell their wares, and I had been doing this a mere couple months. Who could possibly want my "out of the box" pieces? Then I remembered my prayer, and scared though I was, I took the next step. Hayden, who was also venturing out on a new limb of art, had decided to take part in the craft Co-Mingle and encouraged me to continue making pieces to sell. So I did. I aimed for the Medalta Heritage Christmas event which was a few weeks after the co-mingle. I got excited with my new wares and the night before the Medalta event, I excitedly went to the studio to unload my kiln after it's final firing. Sadness fell upon me at the sight of many of my pieces. Warped pieces were everywhere, much to my dismay. A valuable lesson learned....at an untimely time. Still, there were good pieces which had survived, so I decided to take what I could and fly with it.
Before the show dawned, I had to find a name for my new venture, and it had to be unique, catchy and ultimately...me. After searching and contemplating for many days, Galathilion Earthenware won my heart. It took me right up to the night before the show to settle on a name, as names are so important to me. This one I fell in love with, and was pleased to make my own.
The day of the show dawned, and we packed up our wares, Hayden's wood pieces, my pottery and my paintings, and off we went. The day was so wonderful, selling many pieces to many wonderful people. I realized, looking around, that my wares were completely unique to all the others, using a contemporary look. People seemed to like that and commented on it. My painting, also, were completely different, using bold colors and abstract ideas. All around, it was a great day, for us both.
I then started a facebook page, and due to this, have sold some more pieces, and then my mother so wonderfully has put up some of our art and my pottery at their restaurant, which as resulted in another 5 sales! To my wonder and amazement, this idea, planted in me by God, is beginning to take off! I'm running out of pieces and must once again begin inventing. I have more ideas in my head and am excited to see them come to reality.
Thus, Galathilion Earthenware is born, and though flying on still very young wings, wobbling through the air, has indeed taken flight and will, to my hope, only grow stronger. Feel free to check out my facebook page for more details and pictures.
Even in this crazy Christmas season, stop to hear the whisper and taste the sun.
till next time
Our booth set up at Medalta
Some of the necklaces
Christmas Ornaments
