Day 75: Mug Swap?

Some days the thought of getting old terrifies me.

 Some days, I think it will be fucking awesome.

This elderly woman told me yesterday that her prescription medications cost an ungodly amount (imagine that), and that she was going to go talk to her doctor because she's sure the pharmacy tech messed up her deductible. She then said she was going to "raise hell" about it. I lol'd on the inside. I hope I'm that feisty when I get to be her age.

I put in my two weeks notice at Walgreens this past weekend (that elderly lady makes me think I'll almost miss it) so that I have more time for art. I got on the wheel again today - not doing too great, but better than MASSIVE FLOP DAY. I just need lots and lots of practice, and to get back into some kind of habit.

I was drinking out of a manufactured teacup today, and feeling a bit guilty about it. For some reason, I rarely drink out of my own cups, but I love using other people's - I just don't have many because I'm too broke to buy other people's art.

Then I had a brilliant thought - why not do a mug swap? I could use the practice making mugs and cups, and I really want some handmade mugs in the house that were made by other artists. So here's the deal - if any ceramicists out there want to trade with me, give me a holler, and we will swap. I think I'll make my goal 20 mugs - that's 20 trades. The first 20 people to hit me up will get a mug in exchange for one of their own. I will document the whole 20 mug making process here on my blog, from start to finish (so you know you're not getting some half-assed cup I made 4 years ago in beginning ceramics!)

In closing, here are some kick-ass mugs to give you a little inspiration.

Via Gizmodo

From Dovetail on Etsy

From Stepanka on Etsy

From metamorphosesofclay on Etsy

The INDIEana Handicraft Exchange

It's 3 am. I just submitted my application to the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange 2 seconds ago.

Whew!

For those not familiar with the Handicraft Exchange, it's basically Indianapolis' answer to the Renegade Handmade Craft Fair in Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco. Amanda Tafflinger went this kick ass, non-grandma craft fair in Chicago and thought "Hey! We need one of these!" and started organzing the Handicraft Exchange here. I've visited nearly every event they've held since it started, and have endlessly drooled over all the amazing crafters, artisans, and other handmade vendors that have been at each event. They blow me away every single time.

It has been my dream to be one of those vendors and sell my ceramics at the Exchange, but I've put off applying because it just seemed too intimidating every time I thought about it. This year, I finally bit the bullet, got my tax ID and business permit, and submitted the app.

This is what I sent in:

"Lori Leaumont is an Indianapolis-based ceramic artist originally from New Orleans, living with her husband Nicholas Manuel, their 2 obese goldfish, and their 5 cats. She specializes in wheel thrown and hand painted porcelain pottery, as well as upcycled ceramics. She publishes a ceramic and daily drawing blog at 15paintedcups.blogspot.com, and sells her ceramics and prints at her Etsy shop, fanfareandfooaraw.etsy.com. You can contact Lori at fanfare_and_foofaraw@yahoo.com."

Think I have a shot?

Drawings tomorrow, I promise:) Maybe even new ceramic stuff, since I just got my 6 lb sample of Matt and Dave's new mid-fire porcelain, The Coup, in the mail today. Can't wait to test it out!

Day 68: Practice, practice, practice

This is what happens when you don't get on a the wheel for a few months. I am determined to throw something without flopping if I have to go through 50 lbs of clay to do it.

FUCK!

(I have to remind myself to breathe. Getting pissed just means my pots get progressively worse. I can't even center properly right now. I feel like I'm in beginning wheel throwing.)

I get really angry at myself when I can't do what I have in mind to do. I'm not sure why, but I seem unable to tolerate my own mistakes.

 I got this thrown, but the rim is kinda wonky, and it's way too wet. I'm afraid it's gonna collapse too, but hopefully if I let it sit for a minute, I can say I made at least one thing today.

I have until 8pm, then it's off to work. Looks like I'm gonna have to devote myself to some daily throwing time if I want to get back to where I was.

Day 67: Neurotic artist, blah blah blah

 

Tomorrow I'm taking the plunge and applying for the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange. Honestly, I don't think I have a snowball's chance in hell of getting in, but I gotta try sometime, right?

I am SO NERVOUS. 

I've got a tax ID, and Fanfare & Foofaraw is registered as my business name. Can I really pull off doing this as a job?

Wish me luck, guys.

Day 66: Work in progress

I started an official entry at work, but consuming pizza got in the way of finishing it. Instead of finishing it when I got home, I decided to work on the lineart for my Three Ninjas/Spiderman drawing from Day 56. Jason flipped out over it, so I offered to make a finished version, which he's going to use as an album cover.

OMGZ I FEEL LIKE A 12 YEAR OLD - I ALWAYS DREAMED OF DOING COVER ART!!! SO FREAKIN' PUMPED ABOUT THIS!!!



Ahem.


Here's where I'm at so far:

 

Man, I am really slow with the pen tool. But I decided, after seeing the vector version of my Pugs Rock design, that I should really learn to do digital lineart to make my designs look a little cleaner. My hand is just not that steady, and my inking looks like crap! Not like I'm gonna be a professional inker for Marvel or anything (I'm still a ceramic artist, after all). I'd just like to be able to make cleaner looking art.

Wish me luck - I feel like by the time this is done, I will be a Photoshop inking/coloring MASTER. Or at least I'll be a little faster at this. If anyone has an expert tips, please let me know!

Day 65: March in the Pugs

Today my husband Nich and I ran our Fanfare and Foofaraw ceramic table at the Kentuckiana Pug Rescue "March in the Pugs" spring fundraiser, selling "Pug mugs" and bowls. We sold out of nearly everything, so we had a pretty good day. (We treated ourselves to a bottle of raspberry wine as a reward. After this blog post, I intend to polish it off.)

You would not think I'd be so tired from just sitting at a table and watching pugs flip out all day, but I am EXHAUSTED!

The pugs at the Pug Celebrity Kissing Booth, waiting to pucker up.

This is Romeo, one of the most genteel old gentleman pugs I've ever seen in my life. I was totally in love with his wrinkly salt and pepper face:D

At the end of the day, the pugs shared our sentiment - everyone was POOPED. (No pun intended).

 

So this is the top secret design I created for this year's KPR shirt. The screenprinter did an amazing job converting the original to vector art (and made my artwork look so much cleaner and more professional than my original!) I am really proud that people are walking around with my mohawk pug on their shirt:D

If any one is interested in a t-shirt (they come on white shirts, as well as grey long sleeved sweatshirts), let me know, and I'll give you the KPR contact info. All the proceeds go directly to the dogs, so if you love animals AND have always wanted some of my art, this is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY! DO NOT PASS IT UP! 

It's a good cause, so I hope you buy a shirt and save a pug. I'll be flattered, and a sick or needy pug will get the love and care they so desperately need. Check out the Kentuckiana Pug Rescue website for more info on these awesome people:)

IndieVISUAL Day 63: VIDOODLE

 

  

  

Maddy is the creator of the IndieVISUAL Journal challenge (in other words, she's to blame for this whole mess). She posted her first YouTube video today. After some grumbling, I got up, got a pen, and doodled my little heart out for exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Check out Maddy's video here, in which we learn that Maddy's accent is ADORABLE, and why you should join the IndieVISUAL challenge even if you're a bit late to the game.