Jay Jasper's Blog, page 126
August 9, 2020
This Week At The Studio In Photos
In the studio, bisqued tumblers are reflected in the kiln and ready for glaze.
A blooming onion. (Literally, an onion in bloom)
Close-up of a new vase, Argus! More pics (and a story!) here
A sunny hello to end/start your week!
A sneak peak of a new video we are working on!That’s been the week here.
How’s your week been?
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.
We will draw later today and the winner will be contacted via the newsletter, so be sure to get your last minute sign-ups in!
August 8, 2020
This Milk Is Sour!
Today’s vase, ‘Argus‘ tells a story that could have been a script for the Real Housewives of Olympus! It tells the tale of betrayal, a jealous goddess, a many eyed monster, a beautiful reward and livestock. Okay, maybe livestock is not be a common feature on the ‘real’ housewives … YET!
A Humble Priestess
When your father is a cult leader and you’re a woman in the ancient world, your career paths are very limited. It seemed almost natural that Io would end up as a priestess in her father’s cult in Argos dedicated to Hera. She may have thought she was in the land of milk and honey, but all that would change when she was the one producing the milk.
A lustful God
When you’re an ancient god there’s so much to keep you busy. Watching down on everyone, maybe paying a little extra attention to the younger and prettier women, can sure get the hormones flowing. And Zeus wasn’t just any god. He was THE god. And when he saw young priestess named Io in a temple dedicated to his wife he knew he must have her.
You Know Your wife is My Boss, right?
We often think of workplace harassment as a fairly modern development, but Io would have valid reason to disagree. Io worked as a devoted priestess at Hera’s temple. Zeus was Hera’s husband. Do you see where this is going?
It must have been no easy task to say no to the head honcho god, but Io did. She refused him over and over again. Of course Zeus grew tired of this, so he convinced her father to throw her out through his Oracles.
Meanwhile, Back at Olympus
No one knows exactly how Hera found out that her husband was once again lusting and chasing after someone else. A mortal no less! I’d imagine she was sitting around with some of the other goddesses and one of them ‘let it slip’ that her husband was up to his old tricks.
Whichever goddess let the news slip, must have known that Hera could become viciously jealous. Hashtag #frenemies.
This ain’t the county fair!
Right then and there Hera would have summoned Zeus immediately. And knowing Zeus, he would take his time getting there, he must have had some idea what was in store. You know the other goddesses would wait, glued to their seats for the impending events about to unfold.
Straight away, Hera wasted no time once Zeus arrived. She demanded Io be brought before them. And once she was? Hera immediately turned her into a cow. Talk about Hera ‘milking’ the situation.
Rightfully concerned that her husband would not let this end here, she had her loyal servant Argus keep an eye or a hundred on the now bovine Io. Argus was literally a monster with 100 eyes, and the namesake of our vase.
If goddesses wore hair extensions, this is when Hera would flip her hair satisfyingly.
A womanizer gets a case of conscience
Hera was not wrong about Zeus not letting go of the mortal of his desire. Perhaps his role in the transformation of poor Io into a cow impacted his conscience. Or maybe it was he still hadn’t gotten the girl after all this trouble?
Zeus decided to send messenger god Hermes to kill Argus, which he did by enchanting him into a deep sleep by playing his flute and then smiting him.
But Hera knew! And prior to the smiting she had all of Argus’ eyes transferred to the tail of a peacock. She told all her friends it was to honour his loyalty and thank her friend.
Did I mention she had a chariot pulled by peacocks?
Next week on ‘As the Pottery Wheel Turns’
What is going to happen to our bovine friend wandering around trying to find her way back to Greece? Will she be able to retake her human form, or will she be relegated to a life making ice cream for the gods? And what of our Greek ‘adonis’ (no not that Adonis) Zeus? Will he help poor Io to restore her form and finally get the girl?
What do you think of this vase and the story that goes with it? Next week, Io gets her own vase, so be sure to stay tuned! And if you want to read more vase stories, be sure to check out our raku vase gallery! It’s full of them.
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
August 7, 2020
Contest Update!
You may recall that once our newsletter hits 300 Subscribers, we will be doing a giveaway. All those who have subscribed will automatically be entered in a draw to win the lovely prizes below.
A copy of our book.
Yoda Multi-Colour Print.
One piece of jewelry.The good news is that we have hit our goal! We will be doing the draw on Sunday so if you want to get in on it before then, now is your chance!
If you don’t win, don’t worry! We will be drawing again at 500 subscribers and you will be included in that draw too!
Subscribe by clicking here and entering your email address
Have a wonderful Friday, and enjoy the weekend ahead. Stay safe!
August 6, 2020
Thursday Throwdown August 6, 2020
It’s vase-to-vase combat like you have never seen before!
How it works: We share two vases and YOU vote which is your favourite! The winner will then move on to the next round to face another competitor!
UPDATE: In a very close race, your multi-week champion “Phoenix Reborn” has been defeated by Evangeline! What an upset! But the community has spoken and we must diligently move forward to the next battle.
Gorgeous Vases of No Contact Wrestling
The Series so far.
(winners in Italics)
Round
1 – June 16, 2020
2 – June 23, 2020
3 – June 30, 2020
Competitor One
Gossip Girl
Pillar of Atlas
Evangeline
Competitor Two
Phoenix Reborn
Phoenix Reborn
Phoenix Reborn
Former Glory: Phoenix Reborn$80
Read on hear this week’s two stories and don’t forget to vote for your favourite!
Who will this week’s winner be?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.I choose this vase as the winner.EvangelineOgopogoEmailSubmit
Evangeline$120
Evangeline tells the tale of a great Acadian love story that is a part of the local culture here in my home of Nova Scotia.
‘Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie’ is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In this poem he
follows her search for long lost love Gabriel, with whom she was betrothed.
Evangeline and Gabriel were separated by ‘The Great Upheavel’, also known as the Acadian Expulsion. During this dark chapter of English –
French relations in Canada, over eleven thousand Acadians were deported by the British.
Separated by the Acadian Expulsion, Evangeline and her betrothed would only be reunited in their old age when Gabriel, who was already very sick, would perish in her arms.
This work of fiction has become immortalized here in Nova Scotia, where you can follow the stunning landscape of the Evangeline Trail and explore the ancestral home of the Acadians! Nova Scotia invites you to
visit and explore our vibrant culture and landscape.
Maybe you will find your own ‘Gabriel’.
Ogopogo$88
The Ogopogo, also known as N’ha-a-itk (Salish), is reported to live in Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. Ogopogo is commonly described as a 40 – 50 foot long sea monster resembling the extinct Basilosaurus.
His mother was an earwig,
His father was a whale;
A little bit of head
And hardly any tail—
And Ogopogo was his name.
The name ‘Ogopogo’ is thought to have originated from a song originally performed at a dance hall in Vernon, British Columbia.
The First Nations people thought N’ha-a-itk (Salish) was a water spirit, a man turned into a monster for murdering a respected elder. It was said that the only animal who could tolerate his company was the rattlesnake.
Their fate is now in your hands!
Who will be your victor? Please scroll up to add your Vote!
We will share the winner (and new competitor) next Thursday!
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
Thursday Throwdown July 30, 2020
It’s vase-to-vase combat like you have never seen before!
How it works: We share two vases and YOU vote which is your favourite! The winner will then move on to the next round to face another competitor!
UPDATE: In a very close race, your multi-week champion “Phoenix Reborn” has been defeated by Evangeline! What an upset! But the community has spoken and we must diligently move forward to the next battle.
Gorgeous Vases of No Contact Wrestling
The Series so far.
(winners in Italics)
Round
1 – June 16, 2020
2 – June 23, 2020
3 – June 30, 2020
Competitor One
Gossip Girl
Pillar of Atlas
Evangeline
Competitor Two
Phoenix Reborn
Phoenix Reborn
Phoenix Reborn
Former Glory: Phoenix Reborn$80
Read on hear this week’s two stories and don’t forget to vote for your favourite!
Who will this week’s winner be?
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.I choose this vase as the winner.EvangelineOgopogoCommentSubmit
Evangeline$120
Evangeline tells the tale of a great Acadian love story that is a part of the local culture here in my home of Nova Scotia.
‘Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie’ is an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In this poem he
follows her search for long lost love Gabriel, with whom she was betrothed.
Evangeline and Gabriel were separated by ‘The Great Upheavel’, also known as the Acadian Expulsion. During this dark chapter of English –
French relations in Canada, over eleven thousand Acadians were deported by the British.
Separated by the Acadian Expulsion, Evangeline and her betrothed would only be reunited in their old age when Gabriel, who was already very sick, would perish in her arms.
This work of fiction has become immortalized here in Nova Scotia, where you can follow the stunning landscape of the Evangeline Trail and explore the ancestral home of the Acadians! Nova Scotia invites you to
visit and explore our vibrant culture and landscape.
Maybe you will find your own ‘Gabriel’.
Ogopogo$88
The Ogopogo, also known as N’ha-a-itk (Salish), is reported to live in Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. Ogopogo is commonly described as a 40 – 50 foot long sea monster resembling the extinct Basilosaurus.
His mother was an earwig,
His father was a whale;
A little bit of head
And hardly any tail—
And Ogopogo was his name.
The name ‘Ogopogo’ is thought to have originated from a song originally performed at a dance hall in Vernon, British Columbia.
The First Nations people thought N’ha-a-itk (Salish) was a water spirit, a man turned into a monster for murdering a respected elder. It was said that the only animal who could tolerate his company was the rattlesnake.
Their fate is now in your hands!
Who will be your victor? Please scroll up to add your Vote!
We will share the winner (and new competitor) next Thursday!
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
August 5, 2020
On The Wheel Wednesday – Curves
curves;
I only uncovered them.
– Mae West
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
August 4, 2020
Out of This World
On the weekend we shared a completed piece of pottery for a new project that we are working on.
You can see more images of the piece below.
In the coming weeks and months, we hope that you will join us as we boldly go where no person, or potter has gone before.
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
August 2, 2020
Get It While It’s Hot (Outside)! – Sale Extended for 1 more day!
For a limited time, Christmas trees and ornaments are on sale for $75 for a tree and $25 for an ornament! That includes shipping within the United States and Canada!
This sale lasts only until the end of
Christmas Trees in
SOLD
$75
$75
$75
$75
$75
$75
$75
$75
Summer Ornaments
$
25
$
25
$
25
$
25
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
This Week At The Studio In Photos
Our first sunflower of the season peeks out from behind a leaf to say hello!
In the studio, flowers from the hastas are right at home in this new raku vase
The corn is starting to form. Yum!
A sneak peak of a special project to come!
Doris watches over the garden and studio That’s been the week here.
How’s your week been?
Once we hit 300 newsletter subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelry for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered. Share on Twitter or Facebook to help the draw come even sooner!
