I'm ending the week on a positive note- I finally tackled a few more things that have been hanging over my head (namely accounting), and got caught up, thanks to help from a friend.  It was seriously a daunting task.  I know that this is something that's supposed to happen weekly or monthly, but sorting receipts has been the very last thing on my to do list, never to be crossed off.  And then it got out of hand.  Mounds and mounds of shipping receipts that I couldn't even imagine trying to record and sort through.  Mental block hit, and this last week I had the brainwave idea to get Kat to come in for help.  She helped me pack all the boxes to send to Anthropologie (they have arrived! not online yet) and she really is a wiz at being organized.   So, along with finishing up all my local shop orders, I feel as if I have a handle on things once again.  More or less, that is.  Until I realize that I don't actually have anything ready for my holiday shows... all in due time. 

I'll be in the studio this weekend with a bunch of 14 year old girls.  Our niece is celebrating her birthday and I offered for them to come to the studio while it's still bare, to do some making.  I have a feeling it's going to be full of laughs and giggles.

Have a great weekend!

green to yellow

I'm trying to get myself geared up for my 2 up-coming shows, and I must admit that it's hard to think about Christmas and holidays with this kind of weather. We are probably due in for a bunch of rain soon, but in the meantime, it's been lovely during the days, colder at night, with only a hint of frost.  The apples are starting to turn sweet, and we are going to have to get a hold of some more soon. 

I always find that fall feels like a good time to hash out new designs and ideas that have been stirring while all the other production has been going on.  Although this year my designs are getting more complicated and less efficient in the glazing department.  Glazing a kiln-load of work is taking me a whole week, when it used to take about 3 days, partly because I'm working through design ideas, but also because my process is just that- slow.  This does not bode well for me when it comes to wholesale orders.  I feel the pressure of needing to get the work out faster and smarter, and even cheaper.  It's an interesting thing to think through- how much wholesale (ie double the amount of work) can my business sustain.  I'm sure there are some good formulas out there for how much direct sales/wholesale/e-sales is a good mix- it would be interesting to know what that should look like. I guess finding the 'perfect formula' is somewhat subjective, but it would be at least nice to know.

Saying goodbye and hello

We celebrated my grandpa's life this past weekend and, as sad as it is to say goodbye, it was a meaningful time to think back on a life well-lived.  My grandpa has passed along many gifts my way- I still play his violin that he gave me years ago after he stopped playing.  Not only did I inherit some of his actual paintings, but his gift of making (pottery, painting, carving) is something that was passed along to me.  For people who truly lived off the land, raised 6 children, and were faithfully and happily married for 66 years, my grandparents have left a remarkable legacy.  My heart is with my grandma, who just moved into 'town' and into an apartment this week- so many changes for her all at once. 

Speaking of family, we also got to see my little nephew again.  It had been a couple of months since we had seen him and in the meantime he's been walking and talking.  It didn't take him long to warm up to my boys- his cousins.  By the end of 2 days he was running back and forth between them with arms wide open, smiling and laughing and saying 'hi'.  What joy!

Along the ride

How are you, dear readers?  I hope well!  

I've been really thinking things through lately.  You know, thinking and planning the next leg of my journey.  It's hard not to get through a massive order, complete a project I didn't think was possible a year ago, and not wonder what will happen next.  I've been thinking about if I could take on more, or if I need to re-think the whole process of my production again.  It's been a good time of soul searching, talking to people and other ceramic artists and mostly, trying to wrestle with some big questions about the how and why I do what I do, and what I want to do next.  

I guess I feel as though there is a little clock ticking in the back of my head.  It seems pretty obvious that for me to keep this pace up would mean eventual burn-out.  To expand my studio and to take on staff would move what I do into manufacturing and managing, and that's not really where my heart is either.  I really like that I have a 'studio practice' that allows me to make work that is affordable for people to own. I also love that I created a method to re-create my designs into collections, however I'm not using traditional manufacturing methods that would speed this process up.  It still takes me about 3-4 days to glaze a kiln-load of work.  Full, long days of many steps and lots of attention to little picky details.   The reality is, that it's costing me a lot more to produce what I make then it used to.  My time has become more valuable and I'm not entirely sure how to reconcile this with what will come next. 

I don't have any deadlines.  Nor do I have a guidebook.  I'm looking at different ceramic artist's careers and thinking about what I like about what they seem to have.  And then I'm shifting that into whether that fits with my work and career path.  Such an interesting and difficult career path to be on, being a maker and designer these days... there really is no 'right' way, is there?

Ponies and grapes

It's the season of bounty and we are gathering, making and storing for the winter now.  My boys are at the stage where they are eating more then me and seem eternally hungry (ie asking what supper will be while they are eating lunch).  I don't buy all organic all the time (too expensive!), but am conscious of where my food comes from and how it was grown.  It's such a tricky balance where it seems like a luxury to afford what is good and wholesome for hungry boys.  And this fall I'm trying to think as creatively as we can to make healthy, relatively inexpensive meals for our family that both satisfy and nourish their growing bodies.  Part of this includes going directly to the farms or farmers to buy our food. 

 The grapes in the vineyard behind my parent's place aren't quite ready yet.  Last year was a bad year- mice had nibbled away at the roots of many of the vines and there hadn't been many grapes, so we felt like we missed eating these grapes.  This year it looks like a bumper crop, except that we need about a week of sun to ripen the rest of it.  We'll be making grape juice and then also grape jelly out of these grapes that lasts us for about a year.  It's so amazing to be able to make and bake out of what grows around us, isn't it? 

And the ponies were just an added bonus.  How cute are they. 

It's the friday before Thanksgiving weekend and I'm at home today, catching up on all things computer-related, with my mind spinning and my body slowly starting to decompress from the last 3 months.  It's been an intense period of production for me: I shipped and dropped off over 500 pots this week!  That's a lot of pots for my 2 hands (with a bit of help from a couple of other hands here and there) to make in my little 300 sq ft. studio, and as you can imagine, I'm asking myself how I can possibly keep this up and where I can possibly go from here. I had a really significant conversation with an amazing ceramic artist this week and am processing some much-needed insight into what a career as a ceramic artist in today's day and age can truly be.  Mind-boggling actually!

The day Steve Jobs suddenly passed away was also the day my 93.5 year old grandpa passed away.  His passing was sudden, and yet not sudden.  He had fallen and ended up in emergency.  He seemed fine and he was himself, but he had a bit of pneumonia.  No one seemed alarmed and so he had told my grandma and parents to go home, have some dinner and come back later.  And an hour or so later he had passed away.  Just like that.  Of course we all would have wished that he was surrounded by his family.  That we all had been able to say 'goodbye'.  That's the part that's hard. 

I'm due for a good relaxing weekend off from the studio but I'm anticipating being back here a little more next week, now that things have calmed down a little in the studio.  Have a great weekend!

A day of design

I managed to get to a 'design double feature' on Saturday with Amy- we attended IDS West and then headed over to Anthropologie for the Design*Sponge book launch.  It made for a great afternoon and evening- apparently we weren't the only one's who's schedule managed to fit in both too- Janis from Pinecone Camp has some amazing photos of both events on her blog!

There were some booths that stood out to me- if you click on the photos it will link you to their websites (except for the 6th image, which I forgot to get a card from).  It was also nice to meet Zoe from Fleet Design, a ceramic artist here in the city who's path I hadn't come across yet, while also checking out a couple of furniture designers who have studios upstairs in the building from me: Kurve Studio, by Enrico Konig and Kurt Dexel. 

The Design*Sponge book launch was also a good evening connecting with people as well.  I did manage to get my book signed by Grace herself and highly recommend the book!  I ran into the duo behind Banquet who design such lovely prints, stationary and other paper goods- there really are a lot of talented people here in Vancouver!  Too many to mention without sounding like I'm name dropping- when really it was just lovely to meet them all.  It's not very often that I get out to these events with life and family and the studio keeping me so busy.  It reminded me that my 'role' as an artist and maker is more then just making and then selling my work- it's also connecting, not only with customers, but with other makers, designers, artist, photographers, and bloggers.

This week my big shipment of work leaves the studio- the packing is almost complete! I can't wait to have my studio back to 'normal'.  I'm also looking forward to taking much of Thanksgiving weekend off to celebrate birthdays and our anniversary, along with spending time with family! 

Mountain top wedding

Ok so I have seen a few phenomenal-looking weddings on photography blogs and websites before.  You know, amazing photographers with stunning photos of over-the-top gorgeous brides in stunning settings. 
Well we pretty much checked it all off the list with this one. Mountain top resort: check.  Gondola ride for the guests, checking out the resident Grizzly Bear below as we head up to the top: check. Stunning bride with amazing dress and veil arriving in a helicopter!!: check.  Ice-wine martinis and appies on the patio overlooking a 360 degree view at 8000 ft.: check.  Ok that's probably enough of a check-list, but needless to say, we had quite an amazing time at the wedding of one of Dean's former skate club kids.  Dean even got a temporary permit to perform the wedding ceremony so it was pretty special.  And we got to hang out with some friends from Calgary who also left their boys home with the grandparents.  So, yes.  Good memories for sure!

Something fresh

Hello!  It's been a busy few weeks at the studio and I'm at the stage where I've just had to put my head down and 'get 'er' done (sooo close!!)  Things are coming along, but to be honest, I'm tired.  I got hit with a cold this week and it's taken the wind out of my sails.  I haven't had time to take photos or blog lately, mostly because things have just been all about getting back into the routine of fall, packing up orders, finishing up new orders, trying to complete old orders, and wondering how a day can go by so fast with so much left to do. 

For fun I thought I'd switch up the stripes on my vase in the last firing, just to see what I thought.  It might be something I work with a few of my glazes- I also thought I might work on some colour pairing instead of the white.  That's the one thing that's great about my glazing method- I'm never limited to things being one way, even though I admit that once I find a way and a combination that works, it can take me a while before I'll be willing to try something new.  After pulling out hundreds of these vases from the kiln this summer I've been ready for something 'fresh' to lay my eyes on!

We are heading out of town for a wedding this weekend.  It's up in the mountains, about an 8 hour drive from Vancouver.  We won't be taking the boys (thank you Grandparents!!), but Dean is involved in the wedding so it will be busy but possibly a good little break for both of us.  I'm hoping to get some much needed rest so I can start feeling like I have the energy to get back to finishing all the work I've started all summer. What a good feeling it will be when it's all finished!

21 Pop Shop

I'm just popping by to let you know about a Pop-up Shop for the SF Art and Design Show & Sale that my work is part of!  A few weeks ago Lauren & Derek from The Curiosity Shoppe in SF contacted me to say they were curating this Pop-up Shop  (called the 21 Pop Shop) as part of the event and asked if I could be involved!  So I'm thrilled that the work arrived in the nick of time (literally!) to be part of the shop!

Here are the details if you are in the San Fransisco area- it sounds like it's going to be an amazing show! 

SF20/21: san francisco art and design show & sale

september 16-18, 2011
festival pavilion at fort mason center

open to the public - show hours
friday & saturday: 11am - 7pm
sunday:  noon - 5pm

admission $15 - includes show catalog and re-entry

featuring 30 premier national and international exhibitors presenting decorative and fine arts from all design movements of the 20th century.

I'll be posting very randomly over the next 2 weeks.  I'm currently packing up my huge order to be shipped out, starting another order that is over-due for a local shop of mine and trying to keep all the balls of family, school and life up in the air in the midst of it.  Something had to give and it's been my blog- hope you will understand.
Have a great weekend!

Hello!  Just popping in with a few instagram pics for you- if you would like to follow along, I'm under 'dahlhausart'.  I have a theory that instagram will be the new twitter... I much prefer following people visually then following people's tweets.  And an image is worth a thousand words, isn't it?

I've had a busy week, getting the boys back to school and working at the studio.  I'm almost to the packing stage of this large order so the end is in sight! I'm off to buy boxes today, I loaded possibly the last of the glaze firings yesterday, so my head and body are starting to come down from all the work involved, which of course means I'm struggling with a bit of a head cold. I'm hoping to be able to sit back and relax this weekend and really enjoy the last bit of summer this weekend!

Hope your weekend is great!

summer skies on the shore

I've been looking through the photos I took this summer and noticed that I took a lot of 'sky' images against the backdrop of the ocean.  Photos of skies and sunsets never seem to be quite as amazing as being there in person, but somehow these are the images I want to keep in my mind as we head into the school year.  It's with a twinge of regret that I head into fall.  Perhaps it was that the summer seemed so short this year with the weather in July being so cold.  Most likely it's that my kids are getting one year older, things are getting busier and more complicated.  Nothing is staying the same, but is constantly changing and moving like the tides in the ocean and the movement of clouds and sun in the sky.  The rhythm of fall is going to be starting up again, and the swift tide moving towards the end of the year is coming much faster then I could imagine.  I just want to soak in the beauty a little longer...

Atomic Ranch: Cool Stuff!

My work has been featured in Atomic Ranch's Fall 2011 issue!  It's a magazine of all things mid-century and modern, so it's amazing to be highlighted, considering a lot of my inspiration comes from this era!
I've been receiving some lovely emails from shops and readers of the magazine and while I don't have a lot of work currently available, I do take pre-orders via email (heather@dahlhausart.com).  I have a lot of new work currently drying out on the shelves, getting ready to be glazed over the next couple of weeks, so thank you in advanced for your patience!
I've had such an extremely busy couple of months creating work for some amazing retailers and a pop up shop, as well as sending work to a set design for a TV show, all things I can't wait to share on my blog very soon! 

Embracing the gold within

Just in time for the golden hues of fall, I'm  managing to embrace this colour with a few finds from the thrift shop.  I couldn't resist the sunny pattern of this enamel plate, which fits rather well into our kitchen.  It's one of those things about our place that I wouldn't change even if I owned the house... our kitchen, that is.  Albeit an odd layout, with a very small eating area, I love the cheeriness of the tiles and golden counter.  I'm sure I would have cringed at this colour in the 80's but I can't quite seem to get enough of it now!  So much that I also bought this blanket for the kids bed.  Whenever I look at it I think of a summer cabin- it kind of has that feel and look to it, like it belongs in someone's cabin.  

Perhaps it's because it's mis-matched and a bit odd. 

Well, here's to the weekend- the long weekend!  School starts next week and I have a bit more to do to get the boys ready, lots more to work on in the studio and I'll be saying 'goodbye' to Sarah, my summer studio intern.  I'm sad to see her head back to school- she's been amazing in the studio with me this summer!  Her enthusiasm and hard work has made this massive undertaking all the more do-able.  I really couldn't have asked for a better assistant for the summer and wish her all the best this year at school. She's got big plans for her career: with her hard-work, attitude and talent, I have no doubt she'll make it happen! 

This Charming Wedding

I'm always excited to catch a glimpse of my vases in action! This week  I received a lovely photo from one of the owners of the Green Room, a shop that carries my striped bottle vases in Courtney BC, on Vancouver Island.  This is from her wedding (congratulations Cortney!), photographed by Crystal Clear Photography, with re-finished vintage furniture by Gabriel's Attic (also available at the Green Room)! Such simple and lovely styling, don't you agree!