New Year's Resolution

The calendar year is nearly complete. This amazing 2012 that started, for me, as a Federal employee with few hobbies, and almost no spare time has become one in which I can truly say I have begun to  'Grab the Brass Ring'.

I retired on May 31st, and having already applied for a business licence, I opened my life's dream of a Pottery Studio on June 1st. By June 2nd I realized how much I needed to learn to get this up and running as a profitable business, or at least one I could take a weekly paycheck from.

I have always admired artists, Potters or Clay Artists in particular who actually make a living with their art. This has been and continues to be my intent with Flying V Studio. I am now a Clay Artist and Sole Proprietor of a business and I have much to learn. I have taken so many business classes and workshops now I nearly forgot I was a Potter. I have taken so many phone calls, read so many books, and RSS feeds and self-help advertisements about promoting business on line and the iceberg still looms.

It is now New Year's Eve, hours before 2013 is here and I have much to do in the studio to fulfill my lengthy list of 2012 Resolutions. Not the least of which is clean the studio after the home show & sale 3 weeks ago and inventory glaze components. But alas.

I can be such a procrastinator when there are things I really do not care to do vs. the 1,000 small things I should do but probably aren't so important they can't wait a bit. And so here I sit, writing and balancing my checking account, drawing the Dream Pottery Pieces I will someday make, eating the last of Santa's cookies, entering information on forms for Jurying, sorting docs for tax prep . . . These things never end. And yet I am HAPPY.

I am busy and happy making Pottery and all that goes with it including a new list of Resolutions for the new year. Here comes 2013 and that Brass Ring is still very firmly in my hand. I so hope this New Year is Happy and Blessed for you all and that your Brass Ring is within your reach.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

 

 

We wish you the Merriest, the Merriest

Flying V Studio is taking a few days to enjoy the Christmas Holidays and we wish all of you and your families the most wonderful season ever.

With only a few hours to go until Santa comes to eat milk and cookies, I find I have completed all the critical items at home. The house is decorated inside and out, and the tree is lit and covered
with ornaments from many years' celebrations. I have baked for weeks and filled the freezer with everyone's favorite cookies. I even mailed out the Christmas cards that have been forgotten many times in the past. I have even (finally) completed my Christmas shopping, wrapping and placing beneath the tree.

Nutcrackers spanning 4 decades

Earlier this month, my Sweetie took me on a short trip to enjoy the lights and sounds of Christmas, Las Vegas style. We stayed at my favorite hotel - the Paris ! It is by far the most Romantic place we have ever vacationed and I am so enjoyed spending time together.

the PARIS - Las Vegas

When we returned it was time for all the Tucson traditions. Zoo Lights at the Reid Park Zoo, and of course Winterhaven.

Winterhaven

Santa at the ZOO

 



Now it's time for dinner, and then the short drive to Church for Midnight Mass and the wonderful sound of Carols being sung by the Choir.

 

I do so hope you are enjoying the sights and sounds Christmas this year.

Our Hearts Are Broken

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
YOU ARE INVITED TO

Kathryn Ann Falk’s

FLYING V STUDIO

ANNUAL HOLIDAY  POTTERY SHOW AND SALE

COME FINISH YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH US. WE'LL HELP YOU FIND JUST THE RIGHT
POTTERY TREASURE
FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST.

ONE DAY ONLY

DECEMBER 8, 2012   Saturday 8:30AM – 3:30 PM

 

 

DIRECTIONS: From Golf Links & Wilmont     South on Wilmont 0.5mi

East on Stella one block    South on Nastar to the 2^nd left onto Wolfhead

Wolfhead curves right and becomes Whistler

8^th house on the right: 3382 S Whistler Dr         

LOST?? Call 520-906-5721

The Holiday Season

  It is the Season of Giving and the Season of Being Grateful.

 

Many years ago a friend shared what she calls her GRATITUDE ALPHABET. This has become an everyday practice for me that I recite as I walk my requisite mile each morning. It often changes each day as something or someone will come to mind or touch my heart. I keep in mind the saying "What if you awoke tomorrow with only those things you THANKED GOD for today". I thought I would share my 'A' for today.

 

I am thankful for ART

Art surrounds me and makes me feel alive. I see the Lord's hand at work through those gifted with the ability to create and capture the beauty that is everywhere. Without these amazing Artists we may forget that which we saw only fleetingly or never saw at all except through their eyes.

 

Through the years, I admit I have collected a few works of art through purchase, gifting and even a few pieces willed to me by the artist herself.

I have Framed Art -

photos taken by my incredible cousin, Gina Cormier, an Award Winning Professional Photographer


 

 

As well as a great collection of silkscreen prints,
and a memorable charcoal caricature drawing of my parents' home in Phoenix from the late 70's.













I admit there are quite a few pieces of Pottery in my home and garden including this RAKU piece from a local Clay Artist I admire -

 

And . . .

I have many other works of art including prose and poetry by well and not so well known artists.

Books old and new grace the shelves. I treasure my 1899 copy of the complete works of William Shakespeare, a 1938 copy of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a signed foreward from Lionel Barrymore and a new book called True Leadership by my Sweetheart's son, Paul 'Vinnie' Venturella.

And I could, of course, go on about the handspun shawl I've had forever and the few pieces of antique Furniture
But . . .
What I really wanted to share is the idea of Thanksgiving; the very need for my soul to state that which I am so grateful for as I take my mile hike each morning at 6am. I recite my Gratitude Alphabet from A to Z often discovering many things for one letter and none for another - X and Z are tough ones. And when I am finished there is indeed a sense of Peace and of knowing I have named those things I really wish to awake with tomorrow.
 





GIVING THANKS

A friend recently asked me to make something as a Christmas gift for his recently married daughter. He had decided on colors and size and sentiment but wasn't sure how to fit it all together. As he told me of the joy he held for his daughter and son-in-law he began to cry the tears of a greatful father who's baby had now grown to a lovely woman.

The request for the gift reminded me of the quote - author unknown -

"What if you awoke tomorrow wih only those things you THANKED GOD for today".

 

This photo shows the result of the 'Attitude of Gratitude' I observed in my friend.



WINTER WEATHER WEEKEND

THANKYOU  -  THANKYOU  -  THANKYOU

THANKYOU ALL

 

      It was great to see so many friends taking advantage of the cooler weather by coming to the       ST. FRANCIS' de SALES HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE this past weekend. Many shoppers were seen at the hats and slippers booth, a sure sign of the weather turning wintry.

 

 

The TUCSON BOYS CHORUS arrived Sunday afternoon bringing musical Holiday Cheer to both Vendors and Shoppers - these guys are GOOD.

 

The Flying V Studio booth was visited by many friends both "old" and new who came by to catch up on the latest news and plans for the upcoming Holiday Season. We were honored to help many friends select items for those on their Christmas Shopping list and some even found treasures for themselves.  

Thankyou all so much for choosing to visit us at the St Francis Holiday Boutique. We know you and your friends will enjoy the treasures you found while shopping with us.

 

FLYING V STUDIO's BOOTH 

A MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON TO ALL

 

 

 

 



ST FRANCIS' HOLIDAY SHOPPING BOUTIQUE

ST FRANCIS de SALES' HOLIDAY SHOPPING BOUTIQUE

 

A 2 DAY EVENT

 

SATURDAY   NOVEMBER 10, 2012

3PM to 7PM

 

A  N  D

SUNDAY  NOVEMBER 11, 2012

8 AM to 3PM

 

OVER 40 LOCAL VENDORS !

 

A N D

 

THE TUCSON BOYS CHORUS will be PERFORMING LIVE at NOON on SUNDAY

 

THERE WILL BE FOOD  -  a JUMPING CASTLE

SHOPPING and FUN

Admission is FREE



New addition to the Studio

Often when attending a Workshop, the items used by the Presenters are sold.

This was true of the Shimpo Workshop I attended last week AND I was lucky enough to purchase the new 'ergo' Shimpo stool. But the best part - the presenters, Karen Wise and Yosuke Koizumi were gracious enough to AUTOGRAPH the stool for me. YEAH !!

 

 

Karen Wise

Yosuke Koizumi

A great Workshop by Shimpo Ceramics

I recently attended a great Workshop at MARJON'S CERAMICS here in Tucson. They hosted the Shimpo team of Karen Wise and Yosuke Koizumi who demonstrated Throwing on the Shimpo Whisper (ooow SO quiet) and carving.

They brought their skills -

Karen Wise - Shimpo Ceramics

Completed works of Karen Wise

Yosuke Koizumi

Completed works of Yosuke Koizumi

 

 

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

St. Francis de Sales HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

                            DATE / TIME:
                                      November 10 at 3:00pm until 7:00
                                      November 11 at 8:00am until 3:00pm

LOCATION:                                       St Francis de Sales Church                                       1375 S Camino de Seco; Tucson, Az 85710                                     This is a 2 day event -                        Saturday 11/10/12    3:00pm to 7:00pm                        Sunday   11/11/12     8:00am to 3:00pm        It's time to do your Christmas shopping for everyone on your list       - especially YOURSELF -

 

BIG NEWS - HUGE - HUMONGUS

FLYING V STUDIO is now on ETSY
 

  MY shop FlyingVstudio is open!

 

                                               http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlyingVstudio

THANKYOU ALL FOR COMING OUT . . .

Thanks to everyone who came out this past weekend to the Tucson Womens Club Fair event.

You are the reason we do it. Seeing everyone enjoy our Handcrafted items as much as we do brightens the whole day.

 

Flying V Studio's Booth
 

My friend Cathy's booth

Flying V Studio's Booth

 

 

COME ONE COME ALL

Plan to spend some enjoyable time at the

 

 5th ANNUAL TUCSON WOMEN'S CLUB FAIR

 

6245 E. BELLEVUE

TUCSON, AZ

behind Wilmot/ Speedway TRADER JOE'S

 

SATURDAY

OCTOBER 20, 2012

 

VENDORS GALORE

Pottery, Craft items, Food, Jewelry, Books, Housewares, Collectibles

 

Flying V Studio

will be inside

We'll see you there

A Visit with Friends

Lynne and Elaine checking their progress



I visited friends recently as they were firing their gas kiln and painstakingly logging all pertinent information. They stopped for a bit to show me their studio and enjoy a refreshing drink by the pool. Thankyou Lynne and Elaine . . . I enjoyed our visit. (And thanks for the loan of the books too)

FLYING V STUDIIO - HANDCRAFTED POTTERY
Booth at St Mark's

These pics are from the St Mark's show this past Saturday 10-06-2012. 

The top pic, and the right side of the bottom pic of course are both Flying V Studio.