Jay Jasper's Blog, page 49

Wine And Poetry

It’s Saturday night

And we are enjoying sampling the homemade wine that we are about to bottle. This year was grape, elderberry, rhubarb and black currant.

It’s been a good wine year!

This year our red wine made from grapes came out exceptionally well! It’s a bold full-bodied flavour that has made juicing countless bunches of grapes feel very worthwhile. So quite happy about that.

The rhubarb is, as always, is an easy hit; the black currant is like a sweet candy; and the first-time-to-make elderberry is – ironically – pretty young and probably needs to be combined with another wine to be more enjoyable.

Our favourite of the wine goblets. More can be seen here
Turquoise Rising Goblet
$68
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We also recently came this beautiful poem

That we found both relatable and touching. Dwight is a great fellow creator and it brings our hearts joy to see a poem about pottery. You can see more of his work here.

Alchemist’s Creations by Dwight L Roth

We are just squishy pots of clay
spun and shaped by the master
Starting out as greenware
Aged and dried in the sun
Young and vibrantly smooth …
But we’re not finished
Till baptized in life’s colors
Full of toil and troubles
Only to be fired in life’s kiln
Aged // glazed with experience
Hardened with love’s beautiful finish
Yet, some struggle so hard
that their final hardened glaze
is crackled raku, tried by fire
still beautiful in its own way…
The Alchemist loves them both

Painting: Dwight L. Roth

100 Reasons To Be Hopeful

I have recently been contemplating new art projects

That I would like to start in 2022 and have been thinking about the things that are important to me and how I might be able to add a little light to a world.

If I may, I would like to get your feedback on another project that I would like to start in 2022. Here’s the idea.

These days, it’s rare to get much in the mail other than bills or flyers. I know when I receive a little package, letter or card of a personal nature it really brightens my day.

For this project I would like to create a simple postage friendly talisman that I can mail out to people who want a little more hope in their lives or want to share some hope in the world.

The idea would be that I will send out one of these clay creations to a person that requests one, and an additional 1-3 of them for the receiver to send out to one or a few of their contacts. In this way, together we can send out a little brightness and hope all over the world.

I am thinking through some of the details of this project.

The design of the talisman, setting up a webpage where people can leave hopeful messages to the recipients, and including a map, so we can see where in the world hope has been sent (only the city would be used as the location marker on the map). Maybe we will run across Carmen Sandiego! (sorry for the obscure reference).

I would love to get some feedback on this idea from you and hear what you think!

Do you like the idea for this project? Is it a project that you would participate in? Do you have any suggestions for this project?

This project would be totally free for people to participate in. I plan to put in $100 for postage costs to kick off the project, and may even leave a few of the talismans in various places.

You can subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this project and more details of how you can participate.

Those who are regular readers of this blog may be familiar with the Healing Vase project. This is a project that is open to anyone looking for healing, for themselves, others or the world, or who are looking to let go of things. You can still get involved, before we fire that vase on December 21st of this year.

Wishing you all a great day!

When Self-Love Goes Wrong

Our vase story this week

The raku pottery vase ‘Echo‘ is a cautionary tale not to ignore an ‘Echo’ in the woods, or fall in love with a gay, unknowingly asexual man, the broken hearts this may cause, and of course – as per usual in most stories involving the gods – a tale of revenge gone terribly wrong.

But at least there were flowers!

Echo
$112
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It’s not Easy being beautiful

It can be hard to feel compassion for all the pretty people. But sometimes they have rough times just like the rest of us!

Take Narcissus for example.

When he was born, his mother Liriope was awestruck by what a handsome baby she had birthed, much like most mothers. Of course she had big dreams for her son and thus consulted the seer Tiresias who predicted he would have a long and happy life, but only if he never discovered himself.

Don’t play that annoying game where you repeat everything someone says

Like any good mother, Liriope took the words of the prophets seriously. She sheltered her son from self-reflection and banished all mirrors from their home, always keeping a close eye on her son. But no parent can keep their eyes on their children 24/7, as much as they may want to.

One day, Narcissus was walking in the woods alone and was spotted by a mountain nymph named Echo who fell deeply in love with him and decided to follow him. Like part of a bad ‘knock knock’ joke, Narcissus, who sensed someone was following him called out ‘Who’s there?’

Echo, of course parroted his question back to him.

After this went on for awhile, Echo revealed herself, and tried to embrace Narcissus. Unfortunately for her, their romance did not flower, and he soundly rejected her.

Mighty Aphrodite is a real Dear

Aphrodite witnessed this rejection of Echo and vowed revenge. One warm day when Narcissus was hunting, Aphrodite turned herself into a deer and lured Narcissus to a pool of water to drink from. When he went to drink, he gazed upon the most beautiful reflection and fell hopelessly and madly in love – with the handsome man staring back at him.

He was unable to take his eyes off the gorgeous man staring back at him. And after sometime, upon further reflection, he realized his love would not be returned and the heat of his passions consumed him and all that was left was the flower that bears his name today.

Echo witnessed this tragic end, and heart broken, she eventually faded away, leaving behind only an echo.

What did you think of our vase story this week and our raku pottery vase ‘Echo’?

You can check out more of our raku pottery vases and their stories here.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter for a chance
to win a raku vase and pottery gift pack here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bury Your Darlings

Sometimes the best things come only after the fire has burned.

While the pit is now full of water and ice, this fall saw our third attempt at pit firing pottery.

Pit firing is the first method that humans used to fire pottery almost 30,000 years ago. It was considered a great milestone in the development of civilization to have pottery as a tool, and something that has has shaped our species from then on.

Prepping the pit before the firing begins

With such an interesting story behind these pieces, and their ethereal smokey qualities with small splashes of textures and depth, pit-fired pottery makes a welcome gift for someone who likes unique and eclectic pieces.

I find looking at them is a relaxing experience akin to laying on my back and looking at shapes in the clouds.

This vase came out of the ashes
of this year’s firing. $ 93
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Opposite sideWhat do you see in the piece?

Check out our selection of pit fired pieces here and see how it is made here.

$125
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What is something you like to do to stay connected to your history?do you enjoy pit-Fired Pottery?

Sign up for our Newsletter to sign up to win a raku vase and more!

The Star

~ A new series of mugs I have been working on ~

“When the Star card appears, The Star Tarot Mug
$44
you are likely to find yourself
feeling inspired. It brings renewed hope and faith and a sense that you are truly blessed by the universe at this time. I am working on other mugs like this which are based on the tarot.

What do you think of this new mug series?

More mugs can be viewed here.

If you don’t see one for sale in the colour you like,
please contact us and we can work with you directly.

Blackest Friday – Wedded Blas(phemy)!

This One Time, At Bane Camp

Hephaestus, blacksmith of the Olympian gods (and he honoured by the Hephaestus Forge raku vase), discovered his wife, Aphrodite, goddess of love, having an affair with Ares, the god of war. He became enraged and vowed to avenge himself for Aphrodite’s infidelity by cursing any lineage of children resulting from the affair. Aphrodite bore a daughter, Harmonia, from Ares’ seed. Harmonia grew up and was later betrothed to Cadmus of Thebes. Upon hearing of the royal engagement, Hephaestus presented Harmonia with an exquisite necklace and robe as a wedding gift.

In some versions of the myth, only the necklace is given. In either case, the necklace was wrought by Hephaestus‘ own hand and was cursed to bring disaster to any who wore it.

The Necklace of Harmonia may have cursed it’s wearer, but thankfully I did not make that.

But I did make this, and I hope you might like it.

Parenthood Pendant – $28
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made with love (not curses) by us here at The Alchemist’s Studio, THe Parenthood Pendant celebrates those parents who love their progeny while also remembering to not put never-ending naughty no-nos on them.

(Sorry for the language, Hephaestus) More Jewelry including a Copper-coloured Parenthood Pendant can be seen here.

Read the full story of this vase
$94
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You can help me reach one of my goals for this year and win some great pottery in the process! I’d like to increase my subscriber base for my newsletter. All those who subscribe, will be eligible to win a ‘Great Pottery Gift Basket‘ I am putting together. The more people who subscribe, the more items I will add to the basket.

You can subscribe to my newsletter here, and see what is already included in the gift basket here! And don’t worry, I only I send a newsletter out once every few months, so you’re inbox won’t be filled with spam!

Gobble Gobble Goblets!

Happy American Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate it!

Here in Canada we have our Thanksgiving a month earlier, since our growing season ends a bit earlier here in the north!

I had an occasion to be thankful in the past week

When I opened my kiln after a successful firing and these beauties emerged:

Gentle Red Goblet
$68
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Turquoise Rising Goblet
$68
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You can see a few more of my new goblets here

and more will be on the way soon! Goblet Throwing Day!what do you think of these goblets?and What is something you have been thankful for recently?

Win your own raku vase here by signing up for The Great Pottery Gift Basket!

A Few Of My Favourite Things

Happy Thanksgiving to all
those who celebrate today.

Hopefully this day will give you even more reasons to be thankful!

The act of creating is
one of my favourite things

And something I am grateful for year round. It helps bring me peace and comfort all year long, even when things get challenging or difficult.

And these are some of my favourite creations!

Space – infinite possibilities for gratitude Cosmic Mug 1
$44
A Morning On Mars
$120
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Cosmic Owl
$75
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My curves

I blame holiday feasts for my own curves, but the curves below are calorie free and for that I am grateful:

Njord’s Fjord
$ 124
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Venus and Adonis
$170
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Mother of Dragons
$240
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meditation White Buddha Bust
$95
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Blue Buddha Bust
$95
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When the holidays get stressful, like they sometimes can, or one is facing challenges in the regular course of life, meditation can be a great healing restorative salve for the soul.

My Morning Coffee

Nothing like a cup of joe to wake up in the morning! I love these mugs for keeping my coffee hot and me cozy as I wake up.

SeaMoss Mug 1
$44
Real Housewives of Athens Mug 1
$48
Aqua Mug 1
$44
Which of my favourite things above would you say is your favourite? and What are some of your favourite things that you are grateful for?

Proud Grandfather Finds Innovative Way To Celebrate Triplets

Think you have issues with your daddy?

This large vase, called ‘The Eye of Balor’, tells the tale of an Irish giant, a prophecy, his captive daughter, some serious control issues, a late night rendezvous and a whole lot of famillicide!

The Eye of Balor – $288
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But the story definitely
does not stop there!

Click here to read more about of The Eye of Balor

You can learn more about our work here at the studio and
what we are all about in just one minute.

Check out our introductory video and subscribe to our youtube channel!

Owl Show You The Cosmos

“When you look at the
stars and the galaxy, Cosmic Owl – $75
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you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.” Home among the stars~ Kalpana Chawla

Click here to see more owls or
here if youd like to get a vase of your own for free!