Penny Sanford Designs

Meshack, come home, sweetie!

Remember I told you that a power surge or strike of lightning came in and zapped three of our four kilns back some months ago? The smallest kiln was burned out completely.

The twin kilns, Shadrack and Meshack (first two kilns I bought for the studio; they are identical) both were hit, but we got Shadrack back earlier in June.

Well, this weekend, Shadrack stopped firing properly. It shows indication of a malfunction in the switch (recently replaced) and in some elements.

This means that we cannot fire any porcelain until we get a working kiln back.  We have Big Bertha, but she takes a day to warm up, a day to cook, and a day to cool down. She is a only an option of last resort.

Tomorrow, Gordon takes Shadrack to the Kiln doctor and picks up Meshack. Hopefully Meshack will settle right in and fire perfectly until we meet the deadline for the pineapple brooches just after the Fourth of July.

This is so typical of normal "complications" we face when we have any deadline. After 16 years in this studio, I am much better at handling what many would call a total disaster, but this has been a learning process.

Oh, my, have I learned the hard way how to keep working the problem. DO NOT GIVE UP is part of my DNA.

That sticktuitiveness actually gets in the way of discerning what God wants me to do in life. Many times He has had to pry my locked, cold fingers off of something (relationship or creative pursuit) before I would stop trying to make it work. 

As I share with you the changes underway in this studio, I'll tell you more about the "bumps in the road". Why?

During this ongoing journey of transition, it has helped me to read about others who have struggled and struggled to evolve their business That is what I hope to share on this blog... encouragement, even when the circumstances cry "disaster".

Some good news today:  Miss Dollie is back at work after missing work all of last week. She was knocked down by a white van in the Walmart parking lot in Grenada Saturday, June 21, injuring her shoulder.

Miss Dollie is not 100 percent, but she can do the first steps on preparing the raw porcelain for me to finish. Last week, Gordon and I had to step in and do more for Mama and Unc...things Miss Dollie does so faithfully and without complaint.

It did mean we had less time and less energy for the porcelain, but we still made good progress.  We Worked the Problem.

We are watching Miss Dollie closely to be sure she does not re-injure her shoulder by trying to do something that her shoulder does not need to do yet. Miss Dollie has taught me so much about faithfulness and loyalty through her example here, and I want to honor her by protecting her from re-injuring her shoulder.

This weekend, Gordon and I watched some program about oil well drilling, "Black Gold". What struck me was how familiar it seemed.

All three drill sites had everything go wrong. If it could break, jam, or malfunction, those guys experienced it. Each delay cost money and threatened to shut down the job.

Through the whole program, I caught myself thinking this phrase, in a mental mantra,  Work the Problem. "Yep, Work the Problem, Guys".

It helped seeing others encounter a hard-to-explain cascade of challenges, leaving only the option of Working the Problem.

I feel strong and positive tonight. It is a new week, a new set of challenges and a new set of opportunities to make something good come from this journey.

Time for bed and a little help falling asleep. One has to get plenty of rest during times like this.

What I'm Really Doing

For something different, I thought I would let you have a peek inside my work day, in the middle of this really big, looming, humongous, leering deadline to which I have referred often in the past few months.

A peek today, a peek tomorrow and so forth.

I'm sharing this with you while I wait for a burst of energy to do a third session of porcelain to put in the kiln and fire tonight.

Working with "green" or raw or unfired porcelain is like working with an unbaked pie crust. It is very fragile and can crumble if I look at it wrong.

I have a "Three Breaks and Stop" rule. After I've broken the third piece in a work session, I have to stop until I am more rested, calmer, or have better control of my hands.

Since starting this studio in 1992 and since introducing my line of original sculpture in 1996 (Christmas ornaments, jewelry, vases, tile, statues), tens of thousands of pieces of porcelain have crossed my work tray.

I go through tools at an amazing rate. Note the ends of the tools in the second picture. The large tool is relatively new. The almost-worn-to-a-nub tool has been used for a month or so. Try to picture wearing down a hard metal sculpting tool against material with the texture of an uncooked pie crust.

You see, I am the last pair of hands to work on every piece that comes out of this studio. I decided early on that if my signature was on the piece, then I wanted to have put in time finishing that piece.

I collect stuff that carries an artist's signature or logo...but the last time that artist ever touched that line was when the original was finished. More on this area of conversation later. I will be asking for your thoughts and opinions.

For tonight, I'll just share the work setting today.

Today I spread an old quilt on the bed, propped up a BUNCH of pillows, positioned a flax pillow in the small of my back, put my work tray on a big 37 inch square pillow in my lap, covered with old towels, and started sculpting tiny details on each of these Spirit of Hospitality Pineapple brooches.

This is a special commission for 600 brooches for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The deadline is the first week of July. This project started 16 months ago, and it has been a nail-biter. 

The Penny Sanford Porcelain studio is in a transition phase. We have more requests for special commissions than we can do, and we need to transition to a custom manufacturer to free me up to create more original art.

I'll be sharing this bumpy ride with you in future posts. You too will be saying, "what ELSE can go wrong?" Well, oodles, I promise, some of it genuinely funny!

Two intense work sessions today, propped up on my pillows, with Elvis sleeping against me, his head often propped on the work tray.

In his second picture, he is playing Peep--Eye with me, opening those beautiful big brown loving eyes from time to time, just to check on me. I love you too, my little man.

Lillibeth snuggles with one of her toys in the last picture. She and Annie usually log as many hours as Elvis "assisting" me with the porcelain.

It is dusty, messy, tedious work, and I love it. 

If I've not sculpted for a week, for example, the act of sinking a tool into the clay or the raw porcelain is still a fresh, exciting experience.

So back to the porcelain. I'd like to complete seven more brooches tonight, giving me a total of 20 in the kiln.

It is slow work. Right now, it is taking me 20 or 30 minutes PER brooch.

More behind the scenes to come...

Sculpting Frenzy; Aching fingers, hands and arms

I adore these intense times of sculpting. 

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, my hands were in a frenzy, barely able to keep up with where my mind was directing the sculpting tools.

A bull terrier, a Westie, multiple pineapples, another magnolia, a flag, a musical instrument piece, a historic church, "The Last Cotton House" (an exhibition piece)...have all emerged from the porcelain clay this week. 

Honestly, I credit God's inspiration and direction for intense creative times like this week.

I wish I could show you what I have been working on...but not yet.  The introductions of these pieces are October 6, October 15, December 1, February 2008, April 2008 and July 2008.  Lots of behind-the-scenes work to be done between now and those release dates.

Hubby Gordon has been rubbing my fingers and hands and forearms tonight. All this sculpting is like running a long marathon for my hands!

You know those "good" aches and pains from accomplishing a challenging task? Yep, that is me tonight...exhausted but happy.

Musing With My Muse about Muses

I ADORE days like today!

I really got into a new sculpture that I am doing for the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.  This was one of those creative "zones" that I have always described as "My Muses are Musing".

Today my Muses were Musing about Muses! 

The organizers of the fast approaching 2007 awards of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters wanted an award that would stand alone as a work of art and would hearken to the organization's logo.

Mississippian Terry Simmons created the MIAL logo based on a detail from a 1497 painting by Renaissance painter Andreas Mantegna (1431-1506), entitled "Mars et Vénus dit Le Parnasse," or "Parnassus". This painting is in the Louvre, and it is viewable online here.

One of my favorite aspects of a challenging new commission is the research.  In my Bible-Belt upbringing, my teachers did not spend much time on Greek Mythology.

Now, my head is spinning with images of Muses or Graces from great artists through the ages.

Here is where you can learn more about the 28-year-old prestigious juried award program for Mississippians who have achieved in the arts.

The winners for 2007 are already posted on the MIAL website, so I guess it is not a secret.  Morgan Freeman and Bill Dunlap are two of the eight luminaries who will be receiving one my sculptures in just a few weeks!

I've only shown portions of the sculpture here because the piece is about 50 percent completed.  After the June 9 Award Gala in Greenwood, I will be able to show you the entire sculpture. 

This country girl is quite flattered and honored to be a part of this organization that honors Mississippi's greatest resource....our writers, musicians and artists!  Here is how you can join MIAL in their noble mission.

Sold Out!

I just received news today that the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has completely sold out of the Liberty Bell Brooch that I was commissioned to sculpt for a fund-raising project.

Wow!  How flattering!  Apparently the recent article in the American Spirit Magazine caused a run on the porcelain, and the NSDAR sold out completely yesterday!

The Liberty Bell Brooch and the Liberty Bell Ornament are still available from the Studio: 1-866-894-5558

The Liberty Bell Brooch is $20; The Liberty Bell Ornament is $25. (plus shipping)

Dogwood Drama

YIKES!  I've spent several hours trying to give birth to a banner for this blog, and it is STILL not right!  Hubby, H-E-L-P!

Here is one of my favorite photos that Gordon took...I think it was last year.  I just love the smallest dogwood blossom being the bloom that is in sharp focus. 

You know, Gordon is the photographer of many of the photos you have complemented on this blog and in my Flickr photostream.  I always put his name on his photos (cause I am so proud of his talent!)

Photography has just been a hobby for Gordon, but he has a natural talent that is just blossoming! More and more of his photos are beginning to be published, so we may have to start a site soon just for his photography!

Gordon has been re-photographing all of my porcelain designs for a remake of my website that is underway.  Hopefully in a few months, we will be unveiling the fresh new look!

Here is the Dogwood Nature's Angels ornament and brooch that he shot today, which prompted the theme of today's post.  This has always been one of my favorite designs, and one of our top sellers! If you are interested in one, you can email me.

So while I was looking around for that favorite dogwood photo, I found this candid shot Gordon took of our Rescue Siamese-mix Rosalie on HER counter in the studio.

You read that right:  HER counter, HER window, HER nap basket, etc...

She is yawning after her meal of real tuna and cat food, a tummy rub.  Princess Rosalie is settling down for a nap on her personal heating pad that stays warm for her 24/7/365.

The other basket is filled with dog toys, and the glass canister is one of three filled with different dog treats.  Yep, it is a rough life to be a pet on this farm!  HA!

Lovin' that Lilac!

Wow!  Our lilac bush has strutted its stuff this spring! We planted this as a little bitty slip about ten years ago, and now it is taller and much wider than me!

This big beautiful shrub came from a little start we bought from a charming old country woman who had such a green thumb! 

Her yard was covered in upside-down glass quart jars, all incubating heirloom varieties of roses and other flowering shrubs.  She is gone now, but that is a happy memory.  I wish I had taken pictures!

I am lovin' lilac in such a big way right now!

A little Google-time has taught me that the clusters of itty bitty individual flowers is called a panicle.  Hmmnn....how can I work THAT into a conversation today?  *grin*

Lilacs are native to Europe and Asia.  There are only about 20 species in this plant family.

This pale reddish light purple blue flower is one of the old varieties.  This color lilac, according to the Language of Flowers, represents First Love.  *smile* 

This particular variety has a very soft, subtle fragrance that you can barely smell unless you bury your nose in the panicles, so it is wonderful for centerpieces where food is served!  (Wheee....I've now used that new-to-me word in a sentence today!  LOL)

Lilacs bloom on old wood, so pruning is not really advisable.  That is good to know 'cause we wanted this to be big and bushy on this west side of the old farmhouse. 

(Translation:  we don't get around to pruning our flowering shrubs and peach trees every year, so we have a style of  "natural exuberant growth"!  HA!)

Here is the Lilac ornament I sculpted last year. 

I've had numerous requests to make a Lilac brooch.  Maybe I can squeeze it in this year.

So MUCH is going on in the studio right now, and I can't talk about any of it.....yet!  Exciting times! 

The washer is ready for another load of clothes, so I must run.  It feels so GOOD to actually FEEL like doing house work!  Happy morning!

The Happy Penny Award!

I am tickled pink! 

Today I noticed two fellow bloggers who have put a link to my new blog in their list of recommended blogs!

Wow! I am flattered and honored!  Honored, especially, when I see how creative these two ladies are!

I think this is the first time I have made anyone's "Favorite Blogs" list.  That makes me feel SpEcIaL! 

Thanks, Sunshine and Anina!  I want to send you each a little Happy Penny Award...one of my new Sewing Lady brooches (that can also be worn as a necklace!)

Just email me privately with your mailing address, and I will get one of these little hand-made porcelain pieces to you this week.  Tomorrow will be my first day back in porcelain since this silly flu grabbed me three weeks ago, so it will be later in the week before your Happy Penny Awards are ready to ship!  (I need a little icon for this award.  It will most probably surface again!!! *grin*)

By the way, Back Forty Quilting in Port Gibson, MS, and The Stitch Niche of Gulfport, MS, are the latest shops to carry this new Sewing Lady piece!

New Sewing Lady

We're off to West Point, MS, today to give a program on Forensic Genealogy.

Here's a peek at one of my new sculpted designs, The Sewing Lady.  You can tell the size of the brooch as compared to the small vintage wooden spool.

The Sewing Lady was inspired by an old photograph of Mary Pickford (Silent Movie Diva) sewing between takes on the set of "Sparrows", 1926.

If you are interested in one of these hand-made brooches (that can also be worn as a necklace), just email me.  Hubby Gordon has not had time to put this piece on our website yet.

Penny's Pink Perspective

Feeling all Pink and Purry.  Perchance it from Photographing Piles of Porcelain on Pink today?  Perhaps working with all Perky heart-shaped Porcelain today? 

The Pounds of heart yo-yo Praise has decidedly Put me in a Positively Pink Perspective. 

Penny the Purry Pink Pampered Porcelain Princess.  (Help, I can't stop!)

I am overwhelmed and delighted you like my free pattern and tutorial.  WOW!  I am rather taken a-back from the response!

Many pink-tinted thanks to Craftzine for choosing my novice tutorial to share with the world!  Crafty Beats also touted the heart yoyo toot (tutorial).

Now to share some background on my original line of porcelain ornaments and jewelry.  The first Nature's Angels were released just before Christmas, 1996.  "Maple" and "Oak" were my first two designs.  (Another time, I will prattle about the inspiration to sculpt an original line of porcelain pieces when I had never sculpted before!)

The concept is that G-d is always around us, sometimes in the presence of His Guardian Angels.  So when a tree does a shimmy, leaves fluttering, branches swaying....it might be the wind, but it may also be your Guardian Angels moving around.

The journey God has taken me on in the last 15 years (since I opened my studio, Penny Sanford Porcelains) has been so amazing.

Of all the honors and experiences and blessings and opportunities, the most rewarding and fulfilling gift from God has been my husband Gordon. We are embarking on our fourth year of marriage. 

I can't tell you how marvelous it is to be blogging and editing photos while Gordon is across the room working on one of our websites.  His terrific geeky computer skills are the perfect compliment to my artistic pursuits, making our collaboration something only G-d could have authored.

 

I'll continue to Post some Pink eye-candy throughout the evening as I Purr along P reparing for tomorrow's Power Point Presentation in Port Gibson.  (pink grin)