Jay Jasper's Blog, page 127
July 30, 2020
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!
Last week’s “Pillar of Atlas” did not make it through the last round, but a new competitor has appeared to now take on last week’s 2-week in a row winner: “Phoenix Reborn!”
Read on to hear their 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.EvangelinePhoenix RebornWebsiteSubmit
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’.
Phoenix Reborn$80
This raku vase’s name was chosen by Mandy Lewis-Houston during , who explains it as follows:
I would call it “Phoenix Reborn” for several reasons. First is a little on the nose since it’s Raku and forged in flame. The second is because, if I read your blog properly, this is the first work you have finished since your sad loss. Lastly because July has been stupid hot for almost everyone everywhere so this could be a lovely harbinger of cooler times since it’s out of the flames and hopefully so are we all.
Thank you so much Mandy for your touching suggestion. I am really drawn to this name and feel like she has captured the essence of this piece on many levels. You can check out Mandy’s artistic works on her website here.
You may read more about my recent experiences that caused me to choose this particular name here – “Working Through Grief.”.
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!
July 29, 2020
On The Wheel Wednesday – Harmony
Is a
Counterpoint
To Chaos
The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.
Rabindranath Tagore
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!
July 26, 2020
This Week At The Studio In Photos
Overlooking the ocean during a hike on the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
Working on a store
Looked to the sky for Comet Neowise
Defying gravity on the pottery wheel!
The haskap harvest is nearly done for 2020!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!
July 25, 2020
Saturday Sneak Peak!
1but it’s not quite time to share in full!
2but In the mean time
3please enjoy these close-ups!
4Which is your favourite close-up?
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!
July 24, 2020
Studio Update
It’s been a strange year here at the studio, but it seems we have all finally come to terms with the impact of the pandemic. We are fully stocked with all of the supplies we need and the place is a hum with much pottery activity.
I wanted to give everyone a few updates on current and future activities.
Vase of Dreams
You can participate in this community based art project! Share your dreams for a better world and let’s unleash our collective intentions for a ‘better than normal’ post-pandemic world. You can learn more about this project and share your intentions here, before we fire this piece early next week.
Giveaway Update
Some of you may be aware that we are currently offering an opportunity for you and all our readers to win some great items. All you need to do to enter is to subscribe to our newsletter, which will automatically enter you in future draws.
Enter today, as the draw is fast approaching.
We only need 8 more subscribers before the draw.
Christmas in July Sale
We are pleased to offer a selection of our Christmas items at a reduced price until the end of July. Why shop last minute when you can save now? Reduce the pandemic shopping stress. You can see our sale items available here.
More in Store
As many of you know, I have been working on turning an old garage into a studio space. Part of this plan was to make a portion of the space for showing my work and for people to stop in by appointment, or for specific shopping events. Little did I know that we were on the verge of a pandemic!
In the spirit of hope of Covid free times, I am continuing on with this plan. In September, I hope to be able to take all of you on a video tour of the studio and shop.
A Gust of Beauty
During the month of August, we will be offering a special sale on select raku vases. If you have been contemplating buying one of our one of a kind works of art, keep your eyes opened for a blog post early next month!
It’s also been a very hot summer in these parts! Stay cool everyone!
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!
July 23, 2020
Thursday Throwdown July 23, 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!
Last week’s “Gossip Girl” did not make it through our inaugural round, but a new competitor has appeared to now take on last week’s winner: “Phoenix Reborn!”
Read on to hear their 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.The Pillar of AtlasPhoenix RebornNameSubmit
The Pillar of Atlas$80
The quest to regain their former glory must have been irresistible. The possibility and lure of power called out to the Titans. Most of all to Atlas, for he would eventually become leader of the rebellion.
Sadly, he was no match for Zeus. He and his Titan rebellion were defeated.
Zeus was often most clever and quite diabolical when handing out punishment. As leader of the rebellion, Atlas would receive a particularly harsh sentence – to hold up the sky! Some say the sky was placed directly on his shoulders, but in other accounts it was placed on two pillars he would hold in his hands.
But the story would not end here. Few people knew the location of Atlas, but a certain demigod who happened to be a son of Zeus happened to pass by Atlas. Perseus would eventually use the head of Medusa to turn Atlas into stone. Some say it was because Atlas refused to grant him hospitality, which would have been difficult because his hands were full.
Others say it was an act of mercy to alleviate the suffering of Atlas and end his cruel punishment. The Atlas Mountains are the remains of this once proud rebel.
Phoenix Reborn$80
This raku vase’s name was chosen by Mandy Lewis-Houston during , who explains it as follows:
I would call it “Phoenix Reborn” for several reasons. First is a little on the nose since it’s Raku and forged in flame. The second is because, if I read your blog properly, this is the first work you have finished since your sad loss. Lastly because July has been stupid hot for almost everyone everywhere so this could be a lovely harbinger of cooler times since it’s out of the flames and hopefully so are we all.
Thank you so much Mandy for your touching suggestion. I am really drawn to this name and feel like she has captured the essence of this piece on many levels. You can check out Mandy’s artistic works on her website here.
You may read more about my recent experiences that caused me to choose this particular name here – “Working Through Grief.”.
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!
July 22, 2020
On The Wheel Wednesday – Gravity
We Must Remember TO
Brace From Our Foundations And Push
Up Toward the sky.
May your dreams defy the law of gravity.
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
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!
July 19, 2020
This Week At The Studio In Photos
The garden is exploding with the summer heat! 
We fit in a few raku firings this week!
A bit of magic from one of the firings – Raku Vase – Hippolyta’s Girdle!
Someone has found the catnip!
With more rain recently, the broccoli is really coming up great! You all know you’re eating a flower right?
Hastas la vista, baby!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!
July 18, 2020
This Magic Girdle Will Leave You Breathless. Here’s the skinny.
But in case you cam for a ‘hot pic’, please see below:
The raku process. Sometimes too hot to handle. Princess Admete wanted it, Hercules laboured for it, and Hippolyta almost never took it off. Today’s vase story tells the tale of an ill thought out gift, Hercules charms, early woman’s liberation, and a wedding.
The cause of all of this?
A magic girdle.
Most people would not even consider a girdle as a gift for their daughter, particularly if you are the father. At best, it’s creepy and a little insulting, at worst it’s a great way to let your patriarchy flag fly. I think Hippolyta’s father Ares could have benefited from the help of a personal shopper.
Ares gifted his daughter this ‘magic girdle’ as a symbol of her ‘dignity’, which is really ancientspeak for virginity. Not cool dad!
Perhaps Ares could have appreciated some Spanx!
‘Phew, now I don’t have to suck in my stomach’Needless to say for someone’s whose name means ‘let loose,’ a girdle was not a great fit. I am sure she was waiting for just the right bra burning-esque moment to liberate herself.
Raku Vase – Hippolyta’s GirdleThat moment would come when news of a visitor started spreading around the Amazon kingdom. He was handsome, he was a hero, he was Hercules, heartthrob of the ancient world. It wasn’t too often that such an eligible bachelor was so close.
Hippolyta decided to visit Hercules on his boat. She was so impressed by him that she gave him her ‘magic girdle’. It just so happened that retrieving it was his ninth labour. This was very convenient for Hippolyta, because she finally got to take off that allegedly magical, constricting girdle.
This is where the real magic began. Hercules, in a good mood because he thought his David Lee Roth like charm won the day, introduced her to his friend Theseus. The two fell in love and would be later married.
Maybe that’s the magic of the girdle.
The only was to find true love in yourself and others is to take the thing off – If you want to.
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!
July 17, 2020
Get It While It’s Hot (Outside)!
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 July so get your orders in while you still can!
Christmas Trees in July
$75
$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!
