Thursday, September 17, 2009

New Space, New Work


Other than a few mugs, the gravy boats/batter bowls above are among the first pieces I've made here in Austin. I'm adjusting to a bunch of new variables and hopefully by next week I'll have actually figured a few things out.

This is the first new space I've worked in for almost 12 years. I'm a creature of habit so it's going to take me some time to get used to the new surroundings. Seriously, I have I think 8 or 10 of the same gray t-shirts that I've been wearing for the past 3 years. You can find me either in jeans and one of those t-shirts or shorts and one of those t-shirts. I can and do dress up on occasion but for everyday outfits...it's that t-shirt...or perhaps a 9 year old standard ceramics supply t-shirt given to me. That could be genetic, my dad has been wearing khaki's and a blue oxford shirt since 8th grade and on my mother's side, my grandfather wasn't exactly known for his fashion sense and often wore mis-matched suits to the office.

Needless to say, it's going to take me a little while to get used to the new creative surroundings.
It's a great space but I'm trying to get used to it. I'm getting used to a commute across town instead of downstairs and down the hall. I'm trying out some new clays including, the blogosphere's newest sensation, Porcelain for the People.

So...new clay, new studio, new studio hours....it's a lot for this creature of habit. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all works out. Better get back to work.

Oh...and I left my foot pedal for my Soldner Wheel back on the Cape. I'm missing that more than most things that I've forgotten. I've been throwing on my Brent, which for 12 years I've used for trimming. I'm going to call a friend and see if they can find the pedal in my studio and ship it down so I can have one thing feel normal here.

7 comments:

abigail said...

mismatched suits to the office? awesome.

buck up little squirrel, in a few months you'll feel like you've never lived anywhere else.

darren Prodger said...

Are you seriously considering spending $1 per pound for clay?

Bruce Christopher said...

I picture the poor forgotten pedal, alone in the center of a quiet and empty studio. Clay dust, hastily swept still covers the floor. A few broken fragments of pots and a few unwanted tools are here and there. Fleeting Fall sunlight filters through a dim window, casting long shadows. The pedal calls to you... and in the middle of the night, 2000 miles away, you awake.

Matthew Katz said...

Darren,
The question I have for you is how much work do you loose and do you know how much that costs you? Every piece you start that does not make it off the wheel or out of the glaze kiln is another few dollars that you just spent on that box of cheaper clay. We believe that your time is more valuable than your clay.

Our clay is not as cheap up front, but what we offer is peace of mind and quality that other clays do not. Our clays are engineered to perform, both on the wheel and in the kiln. We believe that this pays off in the end. We have put unprecedented time and effort into scientifically researching our clays and using state of the art mixing that no other manufacturers does or can do.

We hope you will give us a try.

-Matt- Matt and Dave's Clays

Keith said...

Thanks Abigail. Yep...nobody ever said anything since he was the boss.

Darren, Maybe.

Bruce, I think you've just volunteered to search my messy former studio, find the foot pedal, pack it up and ship it down here...or even deliver it!

Matt, I do like the clay so far and agree with what you wrote...that said, I'm not sure that I love the delivery through the USPS. Time for some distributors soon I hope, or perhaps figuring out how to ship freight to customers for larger orders.

Matthew Katz said...

We are currently contacting retailers, trying to get the clay out out there. It is by far the best method.

We absolutely can and do ship freight direct for the customer purchasing 1/2 ton or more. Of course with some serious cost savings in clay price and shipping.

The USPS is not an ideal method, but we find it extremely effective for a few reasons. a) To ship that box of clay through traditional methods would cost 4x the USPS. b)It allows us to get our clay to anyone in the county; we have sent clay to people in AL and HI for the same price. c) It gets the clay right to your door.

Unfortunately the single greatest percentage of clay prices is shipping. If you are buying it retail or though the mail.

Glad you like the clay : )

Ron said...

I can totally relate to the tee shirt thing. I've got these 2 red (now pink) tees that I wear all the time. My friend Julie calls them my 'pottery uniform'. Nice to see the pots, look forward to many more from Austin.