70 Days until Christmas -- or in my world, 63 Firing Days

That's right -- only 63 firing days left until Christmas. With today's strugging economy and everyone pinching their pockets, it's a very good time to give personalized gifts. Because of the anticipated holiday rush I'm going to implement a couple of things at the studio --

1. If you want a large platter, bowl, plate or other large special order item -- do it early! The cut-off date for firing those large pieces is December 15th. I don't want to be hard-nosed about this and if I can fit in a large item with a regular firing after that date I will do my best, but no promises.

2. If you want a personalized, special order item please order before December 1st. I pick those up in greenware, clean and fire to bisque here at my studio and will need time to do this. These are the cutest pieces (I want a few for myself!) -- just see for yourself...

There is a Jesus, Mary and Joseph figurine that stands about 10" tall, a very cool Tom Turkey, a sweater wearing reindeer that would look cool with your family name across the front, Mr. & Mrs. Claus with their hound dog warming their butts against a roaring fire, and two different sizes of snowmen that can also be personalized. There are very cute ones with Ravens or Redskins written across the front, just add a scarf in the team colors and what a cute home decoration or gift this makes!

There are plenty of holiday items on the shelves -- but these are definitely special.

I've also finished all my convention pieces and have fired everything -- just waiting for the kiln to cool down this afternoon so I can get the last two pieces out. Here's just a few of the pieces that are done and class schedules are being updated daily (the snowman plate up top is also one of the pieces).

The coffee cups are a sponge and water color technique, the crane plate is made dimensional using baby powder (can you believe that!?), and the snowman plate is just a cute design that takes quite a bit of time to create all those stars. A stamped coffee tumbler and crackle butterfly plate will be coming soon.

Now -- that's the official business...is anyone else out there watching TrueBlood? Makes you want to date a vampire, doesn't it? Well, I'm hooked -- I actually started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series on the plane heading to convention. I didn't realize until after the first episode that the books I became hooked on were the basis of this series (not to mention I'm hooked on the Twilight series too!). Anyway, it was a fun surprise and now I spend my Sunday nights waiting for the next episode (thank goodness for On Demand too).

Take care and hope to see you all soon.