Transitions

 

I will be making gratitude jars, as well as fkit cups and this is why: 

53 years ago, after an apprenticeship with a production stoneware potter, I went to a 5 week workshop in Grass Valley, CA. There I learned about clay materials, glaze materials, and fire. We hand made brick for the kilns, processed locally found materials for glaze, clay, and split wood to fire. It had been my intention to continue that way of working with clay.

Life gets in the way. 

Freeman was making dulcimers when we met, then when Molly was born, our second child, the pottery was doing well and he decided to help with that. He was tired of sanding wood. 

With Freeman's help we made a living making the useful and decorative blue flower and dragonfly patterned stoneware pottery for many years, using an electric kiln because that is what we had. I then discovered antique art pottery and began creating works inspired by what I had been seeing. Periodically, over the past 50 years, we did find and collect clay, crumbling granites, and interesting wild dirt from all over these mountains. Several animal sculptures were made using these wild materials but I was not known for this work. 

It takes a hurricane to get me back to my original intention?

As you know, I’m relocating because my studio is damaged. I need more reliable utilities and most of all need to be closer to my helpful children. I ain't getting younger and my husband has Alzheimer's which explains why he could not help make plans for our future. I thought he was some kind of stubborn hillbilly mule or an outcast establishment rebel but he really just could not get his brain to keep the cogs moving and make a plan or stick to one. 

It is really hard to realize that I have to do this... 

make decisions without him. 

It makes me feel very alone, even though he is right here. Recovery is slow going. It is hard to realize that 8 months have gone by since the storm. Every day I work at managing my energy to try and get my momentum back. Post natural disaster stress is a doozy! Will I be able to create like I did? Probably not, but I feel I will be able to create what I want in ways I never have before. 

During all this, a potter friend...like potters do...hands me some clay. REAL clay...right out of the ground.... and tells me I can have what I need. I’m grateful for my little blue flowers and dragonflies, made with manufactured clays and glazes. That line fed my babies and built my life for 40 years. I’ve had my hands in clay since 1968 and now I have the opportunity to revisit my original inspiration of working with locally found wild clay.

And I’ll be doing so in a new and beautiful, light filled, studio/gallery, all with the help of my friends and family and you. 

The gratitude jars are a small covered jar with an animal or plant on the lid. The jars are intended to hold thoughts of the things you’re grateful for. I invite you to start a gratitude practice with me. Write down things you are grateful for and store them in these little jars. I’ll start: I am so very grateful for your support. 

So what about the fkit cups? These are also rooted in gratitude. Fkit! Quit worrying. Let go. Accept things for the way they are, work towards your dreams…and be grateful for what you have.

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Soft Opening of the showroom!  POSTPONED!!!

The studio build is still ongoing but I have a few new pieces that were made in my living room and I completed work that was in process when the storm hit. I am inviting you who have supported me for a special preview of the showroom before I reopen for regular hours later in the summer. Please join me to celebrate the progress so far! We are all excited to welcome and thank you in person.

 

Thank you, 

Maggie Jones

 

        During the storm a large tree landed on the corner post of our studio. It cracked the concrete floor/foundation and the windows have shifted, showing gaps and broken frames. Over two weeks later, the tree was removed, but insurance has called the studio a loss. 10% of the maximum does not help repair or rebuild. I did not lose equipment or inventory but we had to move everything away from the damaged corner and it is a mess.

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         Hurricane Helene left our home without power or water and no form of communication. No cell or internet in this remote section of SE Buncombe County.

 

        With Freeman's Dementia, he is unable to plan ahead or see the giant picture. I am having to make decisions without the husband I have known and relied on for almost 50 years. He gets blindsided by things that happen even after I have told him.

 

         I need to move our home and studio to our showroom where we will have more reliable utilities and better access to assistance. We are lucky our children are close by and this move will make it easier for everyone. I am grateful that the showroom has power, water, and internet, but there are renovations needed to make it livable. It needs remodeling to be changed from a sales venue to Home. We now have heat. Windows are old, no storm windows, no kitchen cabinets etc. So many details.

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         I have a small workspace and gallery at Arrowhead gallery and Studios now, and will soon start small projects there.

 

            My blessings to all.

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   Sincerely, Maggie Jones

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