The Wizard, not the Wand…

The Wizard, not the Wand…

Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Rainy day – perfect for crafting!

Housework in the morning. Whizzed round the house like the proverbial white tornado. Then a well earned break – aka Pottery session this afternoon. Wonderful. But where does the time go ?! I get so immersed in what I am doing, time seems to disappear.

Pottery. I cannot think of a better way to relax and ground my thoughts. Followed closely by Lino-cutting.

I was handbuilding some faceted kuri bottles. I made four before, and gave them to Grace and Mark – 2 each. They were pretty cool. I didn’t take a photo of the finished pieces, but I do remember how to make them, so decided that would be a great way to chill.

Basically, You scoop the clay out of the middles and make more bottles with the scooped clay.

Seven hours later, she looked up….

And Dave had worked his magic too. While I was working on these two kuri bottles, Dave was up the other end of the garage in the wood turning department! How romantic! He made for me the most beautiful toolholders, from an old reclaimed pallet and wooden dowels. Look!

Isn’t that something?! I have kept them in a huge industrial size yoghurt pot up till now. That works, but it doesn’t really give you a sense of Bernard Leach, or Hagiyaki!

This is more like it!

Chuckling to myself now. I remember a little while ago, speaking to our lad Mark, who lives in San francisco. He’s really into golf nowadays. It was his birthday, and I offered to buy him a special golf bat, or stick or club. His response was golden:

I’d rather book an hour with the pro, and have a lesson Mum. At this stage, it’s more about the Wizard, not the Wand...

Perfect response. That’s exactly how I feel about pottery now. I’ve got all the tools, all the wands. But this wizard needs a lot more practice!

Stay safe

Love and hugs

Barb xxxx

16 thoughts on “The Wizard, not the Wand…

  1. Dave’s done good! Had a lazy day, felt fine after my vaccination yesterday and then this afternoon I suddenly had to sleep – whether that was the jab or being awake at 4 a.m. on Friday I don’t know but all ok now I’m awake ! I did manage two quick men cards this morning just with some toppers I’ve had for years ! Golf and motorbike related. Have a good evening and keep on potting – the bottles look great. X

  2. What a fabulous gift from Dave! you two are so talented – obviously why you complement each other so well. Glad you’ve had a restful and productive afternoon.

  3. Beautiful . My husbands love is working with metal and I do wish it was wood. If Dave has a couple of weeks to spare he is welcome to come here and mend our Wendy House. Won’t take long but I have been waiting nearly 2 years !!!!! See you on Monday.

  4. Tool rack looks good – clever Dave. So much better to have the tools sorted. Makes crafting easier when you can find things.
    Fully agree with Mark’s comment. Wise man.
    Pleased you have been able to unwind with your pottery, the bottles look great.
    The sets of Tina’s embroidery plates arrived today. will have a play tomorrow.
    Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

  5. Looks like you both have had a very productive afternoon. Love the Kuri bottles & the display of tools.
    I need to catch up on yesterdays Moment of Clarity & Tina’s live FB session today – still busy helping to decorate our daughters house – crafting of a different type. Definitely not a 60 minute makeover !!

  6. Sounds like a perfect afternoon for both of you. I’ve finally got a few plants in pots in my garden, which is more mud heap than garden just now, but it’s a start! Now I just have to keep them alive x

  7. Great idea. I love that you both have magical hobbies to ease you minds after a frantic we. I’m sitting here chilling after a fantastical busy day in work watching the Eurovision with a well deserved glass of wine before the onslaught tomorrow but like you I’m so relieved to be really busy keeping myself and my working family in our jobs.

  8. Hi Barb,
    Well done to Dave for a job well done – looks really good. The pots are looking good too. Sorry haven’t been around for a while, I don’t know what it is, but I can’t get myself organised at all! Anyway better late than never and I will definitely try harder in future! Thank you for my Clarity birthday card – what a lovely idea, I loved it. Love and hugs,Alison xxx

  9. Hi Barbara what a perfect way to spend the day. The pots look amazing and so does the rack for the tools. You two are a perfect match. Enjoy your evening. Take care. Hugs xxx

  10. Lol. As long as no one gives you a broom stick, you’ll be ok! Glad you have both had a productive afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Hxx

  11. What a talented pair you are. I’ve been trying to sort my late SIL’s craft stash. What a lot she had. Hopefully I’ll be able to make someone’s day when I give them a gift 😍😍

  12. Hi Barbara
    Lovely rack that Dave has made I love to see old wood reused. When we moved to Somerset last year one of the first things we did was visit the Leach pottery in Muchelney. I have since met up with one of the retired potters when out walking it’s a small world.
    Enjoy the rest of the weekend
    Love
    Ruth & Jackie xx

  13. Dave’s done it again. He knows you so well. Love that you’ve had a relaxing but productive day. X

  14. Its lovely to be able to have a few hours of doing mindfulness for yourself. Mine is my crafting but because I too play golf which is wonderful; being outside amongst nature, it can be mentally and physically exhausting! – especially when the wizard is having a bad day in a comp! – it’s that no pressure loosing yourself feeling which is so good for us! (Unlike golf) which is why we must do that balance – Hope you get to do lots more tomorrow too! 😃xx

  15. Hello Barb, what a beautiful rack made by Dave for your tools, and wow those bottles are amazing. Glad you had a good day crafting. Love Mark’s response, must remember that one. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

  16. Love this post and all the care and love it contains. All about the wizard and not the wand, I’ll remember that x

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