Jay Jasper's Blog, page 65

This Is What Happens When You Are Serenaded By A Prince Or Symbol, While Making Pottery

A happy musical Saturday! Purple Rain $122
Shipping Included in US and Canada
This vase is In honour of
the incredible artist Prince/Ƭ̵̬̊ Purple RainWhat Music are you listening to today?

This Queen of Heaven is Higher Than Bill Clinton

Raku vase “Mary J. Vase” tells the tale of a ‘Queen of Heaven’, aromatic offerings that were not only sure to delight her, but also her adherents, and a long history of others who also enjoyed such offerings, including a United States President. And in case you have not yet figured it out yet, the ‘J’ stands for Jane!

Mary J. Vase – $226
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(not actually) Meanwhile In Mesopotamia

Often considered the cradle of civilization, Mesopatamia birthed Ishtar – considered the ‘Queen of Heaven.’ Ishtar was worshipped across the land as a healing goddess and as a primal spiritual figure. Her popularity would transcend several civilizations, including the Assyrians and Babylonians.

Even ancient Egypt would fall under her spell and worship her!

But what was that magical secret to her popularity?

UnLike other gods,

Worship of Ishtar required ‘high’ tribute. Her favourite offering was a certain aromatic herb that is thought to be cannabis. It is said it not only has healing properties, but it could also turn your eyes red, and incidentally get you high (and probably gave you the munchies!)

You can see more of our raku pottery vases and read their stories here If you are making an offering to Ishtar, you may need these.Perhaps When former United States President Bill Clinton was asked if he smoked cannabis, A better answer than “I didn’t Inhale” would have been “I was just making an offering to Ishtar. You know, I am a strong supporter of religious freedom …” “I’d have to be high to believe that one Bill”. George Washington cultivated hemp, and some believe he was the first President who may have inhaled. Celebrations of Ishtar live on today

but mostly without the aromatic offerings.

Indeed, one of the main holidays to honour her happened each Spring Solstice and featured flowers, painted eggs and rabbits.

Sound familiar?

Just make sure if you choose to participate in those aromatic offerings you don’t eat all your children’s Easter candy.

Actually Meanwhile – back in Canada

Cannabis is totally legal, but now offerings are made to our Prime Minister by way of tax revenues!

What did you think of today’s raku pottery vase and our story? Let me know in the comments below!

If you have other comments about this post or cannabis in general, just keep in mind the words of another famous Mary J!

If you would like to get your very own raku vase – for free –
click here – also more stuff too!

Your Personal Invitation To Healing

Life does not stop during these strange times

Though the perspective is surely changing. With the world shifting each day, I am able to see more clearly those things which are truly important to living the life I want.

I am taking this time to reflect on the kind of life best lived for me (don’t worry, pottery is of course in there) and personally, helping with healing is part of that best-lived-life.

In 2019

I was contemplating how I might integrate my own healing into my artistic process and how I might involve and possibly help others with their healing. After contemplating this for sometime, I came up with the concept for ‘The Healing Vase’.

My concept is to allow the process of raku and the flames of the reduction process to act as a healing tonic for grief and pain, for myself, for our world, and for all who to choose to participate in this process collectively.

The Healing VaseI would like to extend an invitation to you

Join the Healing Vase project for 2021.

I would love your participation in healing together. I welcome you to

Visit the project page and add your Wishes for Healing for the current year.

Thank you and I hope you are keeping safe and well in this time of increased difficulty.

Namaste,

The Alchemist

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for updates and announcements related to this project.

Sneak Peak!

More Tarot Mugs are coming! In the meantime,
please enjoy these close-ups! “The Fool” Mug
$48
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“The Empress” Mug
$48
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“The Sun” Mug
$48
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Which is your favourite close-up?

Enter to WIN your own mug here (and a vase and more too!)

Tired Of Waiting For The World To Be Different? Try This

This vase is named after a mythical city

Located in a mystical valley and enclosed by the Kunlun Mountains. This place has been immortalized in writing, film, television, music and now in pottery. Maybe you have heard of it?

Jem and the holograms journeyed there, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow woke up there in ‘Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow’, resorts have been named after it, Stevie Nicks named a solo album after this place and Scooby Doo (Shaggy too) found it!

Shangri-La Shangri-La
$96
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This mythical utopia

Is considered to be an earthly paradise where the inhabitants age very slowly and are practically immortal. People here are fabled to live hundreds of years beyond an ordinary lifespan.

Shangri-la, much like the Garden of Eden is representative of a paradise hidden from today’s society. Something that many yearn for and seek, but few find.

Perhaps one day our global family can create Shangri-La on this Earth and this myth may become reality and we can all live in a utopia of our creation.

Shangri-La was also one of the pieces I included in my exhibit, ‘The Myth of Family’ at the Oxford Riverside Gallery. You can learn more about this exhibit and my process creating the art work for it here. Be sure to watch the video which includes footage of throwing on the wheel, firing, the venue and the pieces exhibited.

What do you think of this raku pottery vase ‘Shangri-La’? Do you think that such a Utopia can exist on Earth?

You can see more raku vases and read their stories here.

Pit Firing – What Do You See?

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.”

― John Lubbock, The Use Of LifeLike looking at clouds,
Are there any images
that you see in this vase?Pit-Fired Vase 88 – $88
Shipping Included in US and Canada

See more pit-fired vases

On The Wheel Wednesday

“And the seasons they go ’round and ’round And the painted ponies
go up and down. We’re captive on the carousel of time. We can’t return we can only look behind From where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game. – Joni Mitchell I hope you may have a peace-filled Day

Interested in a raku vase but not sure where to start? Try this

Owl Show You Flowers

“Happiness held is the seed; Flowers at the StudioHappiness shared is the flower.” Floral Owl – $75
Shipping Included In US and Canada
– John Harrigan

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

Proud Grandfather Finds Innovative Way To Celebrate Triplets (Do Not Recommend)

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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According to Irish legend . . .

A race of giants, the Fomorians, were said to be among the early settlers of Ireland. They even had their own king, Balor. Balor was no ordinary giant king, as he was also the god of death.

Balor would have been an unwelcome patient at an optometrist’s office. He only had one eye. Imagine the frustration of trying to fit a pair of glasses for him. This would be the least of the eye doctor’s problems though, as whoever was caught in his gaze would die instantly.

The Eye of Balor is included in our first book of pottery and mythology

Learn more hereFortunately, giants weren’t big on seeing eye doctors.

And Balor kept his single eye closed until this terrible power was needed. Maybe he had a cool eye patch?

According to the prophecy, Balor would be killed by his own grandson. What was a giant cyclops to do? Imprison his own daughter in a crystal tower of course! That way she can never have any babies and the prophecy would be thwarted.

A crystal tower apparently does not make a great prison. Cian, a minor god was able to find a way into the tower and Balor’s daughter found her self with child not long after. Imagine getting pregnant with triplets from your first sexual experience? That is what happened to Balor’s daughter, Ethlinn.

It seems she had terrible luck.

Balor heard about the birth of his three grandsons – But rather than passing out cigars he threw them into the sea.

One boy Lugh was able to escape his watery grave by finding refuge with Manannan Mac Lir, the god of the sea. The prophecy finally played when Lugh led the Tuatha De Danann (a race of Irish gods) into a battle where Balor would meet his fate.

Death by removal of his one eye.

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! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here.

Mugshot Monday

From a New mug series! “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” The Lovers Mug – $48
Free Shipping Included in the US and Canada
– Nat King Cole, “Nature Boy” lyrics

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.