PAULA J. BARRY

I have been having a great time creating several different pendant designs.  Its been a fun distraction from my usual work.  I think distractions are very important in the creative process.  Some great ideas come about when you least expect it….you just need to pay attention.  I know I am only just beginning to see the possbilities using porcelain to make jewelry.  I need to start with techniques that I am familiar with, and go from there.

Tonight some friends came by for dinner and we discussed design, art, and marketing…it was so much fun hashing over all of the wisdom in the room.  As we know, there is no certainty in the art/craft world…but its fun to pretend that we have some insight on the workings.

I have taken some photos of the interesting combinations created this evening using more than one of my new pendants as a piece of jewelry.   I had limited myself to thinking that one pendant should be used for each piece, yet my friend saw beyond the limit I had made for my work.  Its not perfect, but it is an example of how communicating and getting input from others can push us in a direction we least expected…

I love it….this is so much fun.

arrangement of pendants

The Squanacook

yet another idea

I had a pretty good glaze firing yesterday. My sgrafitto work and some new experiments came out great. I have done enough shows to be heard at least during each event..”I wish I was a jeweler” I am so envious of jewelers. Their work packs up into one or two boxes and is light weight, unlike pottery. So, I am trying my hand at making pendants. Some glazed, some are going into the rock tumbler for a different effect. So far, so good.

I am in no way implying that I am a jeweler, gosh no.  Some of my best friends are jewelry makers.  Silver smiths, beaders, and metal clay artists.  I have such respect for what they do, and I love their work…I could never imagine myself  creating such delicate work.

My pendants will most likely be just that…pendants, that I can put a jump ring and a cord through, and hope they look alright.

new work headed for LNHC Littleton gallery

Cat and Nine Tails

First attempt at pendants and beads

  2009 was a great year.  I spent time working on a so-called  business plan.  Part of this plan was the creation of a web site that I would be capable of maintaining.    Honestly, there are times that I feel as if I hadnt used my brain for much of anything since high school…. a very long time ago.  So, figuring out this website/blog was very good for me…..lol.

  In 2002 I jumped into the art/craft world with both feet.  I joined a local art group, the Dunstable Artisans.  This changed my life in so many ways.  I was now, for the first time in ages, connected with artists.  At this time my family had just gotten a computer, and my children patiently tried to explain email, windows, and the internet to me.  They were incredibly patient……  For those that know me well, know how diffficult it is to teach me something new.  My kids take after my husband when it comes to patience.  It took a great deal of patience to teach me anything about the computer. 

  Since joining the Dunstable Artisans, with their support, my pottery skills improved and continue to improve. I became president of the organization and am now on the jury and standards committee (good grief) .  My work continues to improve and I am so excited about my latest discovery.   I became courageous enough to apply to the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.  This organization is the oldest craft organization in the country and I am thrilled to be part of it.  It did take a few attempts to jury in all of my work, but it was such a thrill to be accepted.  It had been my top goal since discovery pottery as an art form…..  there is another story here, for  another day.

  With out my customers,  friends and family, I would not be as successful as I am today without the support….thank you all.

  Currently I am working on some new ideas.  With great anticipation, these pieces will make their debut at the League of New Hampshire Craftsment Fair, in August of this year.   I plan only on doing three shows in 2010.  The League show, the Dunstable Artisans Show, and the New Hampshire Potters Guild show.   I am currently teaching workshops at my studio in Townsend and in Nashua NH. My children are grown and do not require the attention they once did… So why not!  I can find balance between exercise classes, art and a part time job….why not!  I am an artist, and always will be, first and foremost.

  Thank you all, my support, my heart.   2010 will be great, my art will be great!!!  Why not!