Jay Jasper's Blog, page 89

Libraries: Making Shhh Happen!

As part of National Library Day

ISBN thinking about being an author and wanted to share that my first book, ‘A Potter’s Dream: Myths & Legends‘ was purchased by the Strathcona County Library! Thanks to the staff at the library for adding my book to your hallowed halls!

Thinking about this geeky kid who hid in the library and got lost in the stacks.

That kid never imagined their book would be in one! One library today, who knows how many in the future! No holds bard!

If you’re not booked with too much other reading and want to get your hands on a copy of my book, you can do so here! But if you are just here for the puns that is okay too! You can subscribe to our newsletter here for more of them and to keep up to date on all the goings on in the studio, special events and offers.

And if you want to encourage your local library to get a copy, send them this link!

A big thank you to libraries everywhere!

Transitions

One of the More curious times in the creation of raku pottery

Is the change that occurs during a glaze firing. Beforehand, we set up the firing scenario to be in the best possible situation to reach a certain result, but once the kiln and reduction containers are closed

it is up to the fates.

It is with this in mind,
that we bring you “Transitions.”Get the full story – Demter’s Sacred Grove

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to make sure you don’t miss any of our videos!“If it scares you,
it might be a good thing to try. “

– Seth Godin

Pandemic Check In

It’s been well over a year now that all of our lives have changed

That the world has changed and seems further away than ever from things getting back to normal. It’s been a hard year for us all.

Here in Canada, things have gone from bad to worse with the variants. Fuelled by continued air travel, a lack of vaccines, a lack of distribution of vaccines, a lack of information, and a sense that pandemic rules only apply to certain people.

A second birthday in our lockdown and now we are cycling through more holidays. They have the Easter bunny even wearing a mask now. Maybe they are afraid of a bunny born variant?

I just wanted to share with everyone that I am struggling with the mental health aspects of feeling isolated, a fear that things are heading in the wrong direction, and I am very worried about those who will die and suffer. And not just from covid, but also from delayed medical procedures and mental health issues.

And like many others, imaginary lines have separated our family from those we love and we are starting to wonder if we will ever see them again. But we soldier on, hoping for that magical time to arrive, hoping that the families and friends we miss so much will be okay. Hoping you are okay too!

Here are a few tips that I have found helpful in dealing with the ‘third wave’Limiting my news consumption.

I am finding that there is so much fake news out there, that the situation is constantly evolving, and that there is so much arguing and hate for different opinions on social media. It’s good to unplug from that.

Keep moving.

It feels hard to keep the inertia of life up when it feels like life is on hold. It’s easy to pull a Peg Bundy and sit on the couch and eat bonbons, but it’s much better to get outside. Be in nature. Walk, hike. If you can’t get outside there is always youtube. Yoga and working out have consistently helped my mood, as much as sometimes I don’t want to do anything.

Keep dreaming.

Don’t forget that the best way to keep hope alive is to keep your dreams alive. Some things may have to be on hold for a while longer, but keep working on the parts that you can.

Doing pottery/making art

Putting energy into creating rather than consuming has helped me to keep moving forward.

Reach out in whatever way you can.

To friends, to family, to those who are struggling. We may not be able to solve the pandemic individually, but if we all reach out to people we can make it a little more bearable. And that’s what it’s all about, small actions that will hopefully add up, keeping the essential part of humanity, for at heart people are meant to be together.

Stay safe and be careful everyone! Do what you need to protect yourself and each other.

How are you doing during
this phase of the pandemic?

Please share any tips you might have for getting through this in the comments below.

And if you need a little good news …

We’ve reached our newsletter subscriber goal to add a vase to our prize package!

So if you want to win a free raku vase, a mug, and even more pottery pieces, sign up today! The more people who sign up, the more prizes I will add for our draw at the end of the year!

Mugshot Monday

“I wish you a tea and jammies kind of day.”

– Jonathan Lockwood Huie Mug 11 $35
Shipping Included in US and Canada

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.

A Vase For You! (Yes, For Real!)

It’s spring time here in Canada and everything is coming up green (well it was until the snow came back again today, but it will be gone shortly!)

As I start to plant seed starts for the garden, my mind remembers something else I am trying to grow! Our pottery giveaway! But I can’t do this without your help!

Our ‘Great Pottery Giveaway’ items so far: A Mug for your drinks! A cute little turtle!

We need your help to increase the prize pool! All you need to do is sign up for our newsletter here! As we gain subscribers we will be adding items to our giveaway basket, and at the end of the year, one of our subscribers will win the gift basket.

I’d like to add one of our signature raku pottery vases to the giveaway.

We’ve reached our target for that stage and I am making the vase to show you soon over video! More will be added as more people sign up!

Why sign up?Automatically be entered into this and other pottery giveawaysAn inside look at what we are up toAdvance notification of sales and special offersA first peak at new workWatch our small little art studio grow and inside tips on how we are doing itYou might be the winner of what I hope is a great pottery haul!

So do not hesitate, sign up today! The odds are better than the lottery, so tell your pottery loving friends and please share!

Thanks for your consideration and I hope you have a wonderful week!

And let me know in the comments what colour of raku pottery vase you would be most interested in us including in this prize package!

This Week At The Studio In Photos

The flowers are/were peaking out! It was a Good Friday for a cocktail! After last week’s fashion hatred, Chairman Meow is taking up a new role The Ultimate Easter Egg!
The Brahmanda
$138
Shipping Included in Canada and US
Finneas is again shocked as we are back in the snow on Sunday once again!
That’s April in Nova Scotia!That’s been the week here.

How’s your week been?

Life Before Pottery

Or Life B.P. – as I often call it There was painting! If you like what you see in this post, you can see more of my work here!

I am still team pottery all the way, but painting was my gateway drug to creativity!

What is your favourite creative medium to work in, if you have one? want to win a free raku pottery vase of your own?

– click here to find out how –

The Ultimate Easter Egg

I have a confession to make. 

I like eggs.  Scrambled, fried, eggs benedict and even the cosmic egg!  Maybe you have figured out what I had for breakfast!  You might be wondering what a cosmic egg is? 

The Brahmanda
Available – $138
Shipping Included In US and Canada

Click here to see more paintings like the one in the background of this photoThe cosmic egg

Or world egg is a common mythological component of many cultures and is usually involved in a creation story.  “The Brahmanda” is the name of this raku pottery vase.  The Sanskrit term Brahmanda is derived from two words – ‘Brahma’, the Hindu creator diety, and ‘anda’ which means egg.  Not only is the idea of a cosmic/world egg a part of Vedic mythology, it is common among many other cultures and civilizations like the Norse, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Egyptians and even among modern scientists.

Modern science has resurrected the concept of the cosmic egg.  Our version of this ancient myth is that all the mass of the universe was compressed into a gravitational singularity prior to the Big Bang.

I find that this vase has a very galactic feel to it, with it’s hues of blue and metallic, and textural components.  What story does this vase make you think of?  Or what does it remind you of? 

This vase, and many others, are featured in our first book
“A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends.”

You can see more of our vases here.

It’s A Good Friday!

For a cocktail One of our tumblers

3 Magical Effects of Raku

One of the things that I love about pottery is the magic of raku.

It is a real game changer.  The kinds of effects you can get from this process are unlike those you can get from conventional firing techniques. You can learn more about how we fire our raku pottery here!

As an added bonus, the effects are unique and one of a kind to each piece.  While you may be able to reproduce a general overall effect, you can not reproduce identical pieces.  You can click on any of the titles of these raku pottery vases for more information

Fractal Magic

The patterns of the cracking on the glaze is very magical and intrigues me.

Fractal Magic

Diana’s Hunt

I find that using certain reduction materials can cause some very interesting multi-coloured textural effects.

Diana’s Hunt

This vase has many things going on!  Hues of red, purple and blue that almost give this vase a landscape quality!

A Horse With No Name

You can check out more cool one of a kind raku effects on other vases here. 

Which of these raku pottery vases is your favourite?

want to win a free raku pottery vase of your own?

– click here to find out how –