Rules, Jewelry, Ceramics, Crafts, Business

"My new rules are few and simple: follow my interest; go as deep as I can; change the rules whenever I like."

-Alix Kates Shulman, from her memoir, "Drinking the rain"

I loved this line and quickly dog-eared the page and underlined the words so I can return whenever I want to be inspired by it. I happened upon the book at a community garden rummage sale in my neighborhood a few weeks back and have been reading it mostly while sipping my coffee sitting on a park bench early mornings before I must officially start my hectic but satisfying work days.

I love the early mornings, especially in my neighborhood. The only others around are the winos, a few dogs and their walkers, and the birds. I probably look like an odd street urchin, face and eyelids puffy from sleep still, pillow creases etched deeply in my face. My hair's severely messed so I just pull and tie the hood of my navy sweatshirt tight around my head to hide it.

At the request of my awesome and inspiring students I extended our 10-week pottery course to 12, so will meet this week and next. And I'm still toying with the idea of teaching a short pottery handbuilding summer term class for adults, and a children's week-long ceramics class. Honestly though, I think I'd be best to concentrate on my own pottery-making, and my jewelry-making and use the summer to create and launch www.rivervalleycrafts.com. I still behind the scenes am working on all my projects and the site, but only in small snippets of time here and there that I find because I'm increasingly, pleasingly busy with www.msgreenclean.com.

Handmade Ceramic Stoneware (Shabbos, Shabbat) Candlesticks, Glazed Blue, Pinched, Hand-carved

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go."

-T.S. Elliot

When I came across this quote a few weeks ago, I immediately thought of my pottery students having their first experiences with clay, and at our next class I read it to the students as their "lesson" for the night.

Understandably, they are dainty with the clay, not yet knowing all the ways in which they can move, control and manipulate the balls of earth--in their hands, with tools, with dreams--they choose safely, conservatively. They are afraid to make mistakes. Their first experiments are lovely, but not that far from round, thick balls.

I decided purposely, except for our first class, not to give them specific projects. I am constantly instructing them, of course, guiding them, showing them how to execute the ideas in their heads and hearts. My hope for the class was to create a safe, fun, supportive atmosphere. I wanted the students to be self-directed, to come with their own projects, to find the well of creativity within themselves. I didn't want to create a classroom of followers,mimickers, but wanted them to learn by the metaphor of working with clay that they are their own creators. I've purposely tried to recreate the atmosphere and experiences I had at the first pottery studio I went to years ago and with my first handbuilding teacher--the classes that turned me on to pottery and changed the course of my life.

Six weeks into our ten week course last Thursday night I knew I'd achieved my hope for the class. The studio was vibrating with energy and life. Our collective focus seemed complete, our attention one-pointedly concentrated around our work table. Everyone worked on their own projects. Their was lots of talk, lots of sharing, lots of laughing, lots of support and inspiration. I hopped from student to student the entire three hours helping, showing, guiding. Some were pinching, some coiling, some slabbing, some were glazing bisqued pots.

I was exhausted, satisfied, already looking forward to the next week's class.

Pottery, Handmade Pinched Organic Ceramic Bowl in Blues and Greens

Yes, yes, yes, so quite some time since I've posted and I won't say much here now...because I've got too much to do. Just want to let you all know I'm here and working away to get www.rivervalleycrafts.com up and stocked.

The pottery class that I'm teaching is going smashingly. I love my students and the challenges that instructing brings. The whole experience is positive and it's stretching me. I'll be teaching a summer course, and one again in the fall for adults. And it looks like I'll be teaching a class for children ages 8 to 16 this summer, and then fall, spring, etc...

I've just signed up for a summer handbuilding class at www.clayartcenter.org. I've not taken a course myself in years and am excited that we'll be working with low fire clays, glazes and firings. And if I can fit it in I'd like also to add an intensive clay workshop to my summer calendar, though I'm still researching the myriad possibilities. I definitely need to keep filling my inspiration and technical well, especially now that I'm teaching.

New York City, Northern Manhattan, Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem, Riverdale,Harlem Pottery Handbuilding Class, Spring 2008

I'm excited to announce that beginning Thursday, March 6th, 2008 I'll be teaching a 10-Week Pottery Hand-building Course in Washington Heights at the Cornerstone Pottery. The studio is located at 178 Bennett Avenue (189th Street, Manhattan). The entrance is at the back of Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church. Contact me at corimorenberg@hotmail.com if you're interested.

SPRING 2008 POTTERY Hand-building Course
*Serving the Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem, Morningside Heights & Riverdale Communities

DESCRIPTION:
Perfect for the beginner and those with some clay experience, a 10-week course that will explore ancient and contemporary pottery-making methods and techniques. We will cover pinch pots, coiling, and slab construction in order to complete many utilitarian and decorative works. All pieces will be glazed, fired and ready to take home by end of course.

DETAILS:
When: Thursdays, 6:45pm-9:45pm, March 6th - May 8th
Where: Cornerstone Pottery Studio, located at 178 Bennett Avenue (189th Street, Manhattan). The entrance is at the back of Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church.

Cost: $125 (this is the cheapest pottery class in all of Manhattan, a true bargain!!!)

Contact me: corimorenberg@hotmail.com

Handmade Ceramic Pottery Stoneware Mugs / Cups, Red Stoneware Clay Hand-pinched forms

Here are two items that WILL be for sale on the site as soon as I launch it. I pinched both of these handled cups / mugs from my favorite red stoneware clay and used two complementary blue glazes. They are lead-free, of course, and dishwasher safe. Launch of www.rivervalleycrafts.com is one day closer!

Patience

I know I may have given the impression that site launch was imminent, as in any minute or day, even...and it is. I am working on pottery, jewelry, knitting and crocheting as we speak.

Here are two items to come from the kiln recently that I will not sell, but they are just to let you know that I'm creating and will have many surprises to share with you soon. The image on the left is of a funerary urn for my dog Hudson's ashes, the one on the right is a shrine or reliquary I have hung on the wall in our entryway. Stay tuned...and be patient. There's more to come!

Site Launch Update

Oh, I'd hoped to launch rivervalleycrafts.com by mid-October, but looks like it will take into December.

I'm very excited to be expanding my handmade goods from when I called the business Cori M. Designs. In addition to gemstone bead jewelry, I'll be selling pottery and ceramics, including some beads and pendants and hand-knits, including scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, shawls, bags, purses, etc...

*Please visit the site until then to join the mailing list to receive updates and invite-only sales and previews.