How Did I Miss May?

​I blinked, and suddenly May was over. Here we are in the second week of June, and I can't believe how quickly time has passed. Missouri goes from below freezing to the sweltering days of summer in just about two weeks. This spring has been one of the rainiest on record, and I know everyone in the county is feeling the effects. My market at Long Row Lavender turned into a muddy mess. Despite the rain and wind, we had some dedicated supporters come out to back the local artists. 

My mom had her first experience assisting at the market, and it was quite an entertaining sight. If you've never seen someone lose a battle with a roll of paper, you certainly missed out! However, by the end of the day, she figured out how to wrap ceramics and create beautiful packages for our patrons. Even though she might hesitate to volunteer again, she stepped up when my sister, my usual assistant, couldn’t make it.  Overall, it was a fantastic show. Lavender Row was a wonderful host, and I made enough money to buy a new batch of clay for the year. 

As for my old barn, the rain is still causing problems. With a leaky roof, it’s not wise for me to move any equipment into that space for a while. On a positive note, progress has been made with the installation of new lighting and some electrical work. At least now we can see what we’re doing while making plans. In the meantime, the barn has become a storage area for farm equipment, garden supplies, and scrap wood. I’m not upset about it, I embrace this phase, knowing these essentials are steps toward future progress. This summer, my goal is to finally stain the window treatments and get the building power-washed and painted. Will it happen? That depends on if it stops raining long enough and if I can persuade my teenage niece to help me.

New work will flourish as the barn continues to undergo transformation, and preparations for the next show are already in motion.  Initially, I had a show scheduled for July, but the host—who shall remain unnamed because I enjoy their venue—canceled. This might actually be a blessing in disguise, as I was two weeks behind on several forms. This extra time will allow me to create enough items for my website and for the shows I plan to do in the fall. I may even squeeze in a summer market, so be sure to check back and visit my events page for updates. Thank you for stopping by to see what’s happening at Riverside Pottery's Old Barn!