Groundhog Blues Pottery Blog

Sugarloaf Craft Show in Oaks This Weekend!

Helen — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:57:09 +0000

Sugarloaf Craft Show in Oaks, Pa This weekend!

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/oaks/fall/

November 5, 6, 7, 2010

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

Oaks, Pennsylvania

How wonderful to be coming back to Oaks this weekend! It will be fun to see old customers and meet new, and introduce some new work fresh from the kiln.

How about a little chicken soup as the weather turns colder? It will be fun to serve it in this chicken soup tureen!

The tail is the ladle.

Chicken soup, anyone?

How about a fraggle of Frenchies? Great as a cookie jar or casserole!

Garlic has so many healthful qualities, and we have an assortment of garlic pots! Garlic dipping bowls, garlic roasting pots, and garlic storage jars! Both the garlic roasting pots (available in two sizes) and our garlic dipping bowls come with cards and recipes.

garlic rubbing bowls

Our microwave egg cookers, that we’ve named bagegglers, continue to be the perfect gift. At $10, they come with a recipe card and whisk.

I hope to see you this weekend! Next week…Hartford, Ct….

My kitten Nova tried to pack herself in a box so she could come with us, but we found out in time. She said she could pose for my sculpture demonstration, but we had to say no…….

Nova...

We’ll be demonstrating wheel thrown pottery and sculpture at Oaks. See you there!

Helen and AL Weichman

October Gaithersburg with Sugarloaf This Week!

Helen — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:38:17 +0000

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/gaith/october/

Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Gaithersburg this weekend!

October 8, 9, 10, 2010

Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • Open Rain or Shine

Come see us this weekend in Gaithersburg! Our booth is in building 6A downstairs in booth 48 in the hall, and our demonstration booth is outside the building. Al will be demonstrating wheel throwing and I’ll be sculpting some new sculptures.

I’ve been working on new teapots for this show…my favorites are Peter Pan Crow teapot and my new vulture teapot, who has bones in one hand and calcium pills in the other….you can’t get enough calcium,you know.

Vulture TeapotPeter Pan crow teapot

Peter pan crow teapot

Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium This Weekend!

Helen — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:57:28 +0000

Chicken Little Teapot

Florist Chicken

Peacock Teapot

October 1, 2, 3, 2010

Maryland State Fairgrounds

Timonium, Maryland

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • All Indoors

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/timon/fall/

Come see our new work at the Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium, Maryland this weekend! It seems like such a long time since our last Sugarloaf show in the spring, and I’m really excited to be seeing old friends and customers again!

Al has been working hard on making functional work…our new bagegglers have been really popular this fall, and a perfect gift, too! At only $10. each ,they come with recipe card and a whisk so you can start making perfect egg and bagel sandwiches right away. You simply whisk two eggs, place in microwave for 20 seconds, whisk lightly and microwave for another 30 seconds….and pop out two perfect eggs onto your toasted bagel…hole and all!

The bageggler!

garlic rubbing bowl

Our new Suribachi’s are popular with cooks, too….these Japanese mortor and pestles are great for grinding spices and herbs…or mint leaves for Mojitos! Rice bowls and our garlic dipping bows are also getting great reviews. We’re finding our garlic bowls can be used so many ways…not only for dipping bread, but with ginger and soy you can make a great sauce. Each piece comes with card and recipes.

And fresh from the kiln….my new Chicken teapots!

JIve Chicken teapot

Timonium coupon!

Helen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:59:48 +0000

This Saturday we will be taking part in the Foundry Day Festival in Boiling Springs!

http://www.ybcrafts.org/foundry-day.html

The historic village of Boiling Springs, PA will be the scene Saturday, June 6, 2009, of the 23rd

Foundry Day commemorates the fact that the village evolved from the iron foundry established on the Yellow Breeches Creek around 1750. The remains of the forge are preserved and can be seen at the end of the lake.

The juried festival will feature the original works of 100 fine artists and craftsmen of the

Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen as well as professional artists and craftsmen from throughout the country.

The event, running from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine, takes over the streets surrounding the picturesque Children’s Lake, spanning from the Memorial Clock Tower to the walking bridge. Admission is free. Free shuttles will be available from the Boiling Springs High School to the festival site. Handicapped parking is available.

The outstanding art and fine crafts will include fine art, pottery, furniture, fiber, jewelry, wheat weaving, handmade brooms, decorative painting, leather, enameling, woodworking, glass, doll sculpture, photography, and ironware. Entertainment will be ongoing during the festival including activities for children. A variety menu of food and drink will be available by local organizations and commercial vendors.

Foundry Day Arts & Crafts Festival. The juried arts & crafts festival is held the first Saturday of June each year in this quaint Cumberland Valley site by the Appalachian Trail.

Boiling Springs, founded in 1845, is home to a number of historic restored homes, a 1785 grist mill, and was a site for the underground railroad before the Civil War. While retaining the mill, and was a site for the underground railroad before the Civil War. While retaining the historic beauty of the village, Boiling Springs is home to small shops, art galleries, bed & breakfasts, summer theatre. Gerald W. Putt, national wildlife and nature artist, annual Duck Stamps winner, has his studio there. Edward C. Campbell, master violinmaker, international gold medal winner, is located at The Chimneys. The Village Artisans Gallery, located in an 1832 church. is winner of national gallery awards. Boiling Springs Tavern, constructed in 1832,originally owned by Anheuser-Busch, is renowned for its outstanding food and wines.

Allenberry Resort and Playhouse, located along the Yellow Breeches Creek for 61 years is

known for its excellent menu and professional theatre.

The festival is sponsored by the Foundry Day Committee, Inc., in cooperation with Boiling

Springs Civic Association and the Yellow Breeches Chapter, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.

For information go to

www.ybcrafts.org or yellowbreeches@gmail.com

Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium This Week!

Helen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:10:10 +0000

Sugarloaf Craft Festival

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/timon/spring/index.html

April 16, 17, 18, 2010

Maryland State Fairgrounds

Timonium, Maryland

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • All Indoors

What fun! I always enjoy doing this Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Timonium, Maryland! No concerns on fickle spring weather, since it’s all indoors, and there’s always so much to see and do at this show…….Al and I will be demonstrating wheel thrown pottery and sculpture, and there are demonstrations in wood carving, mobile making, paper making and stone carving! My friend Barry Leader demonstrates how he handpaints his funky and functional furniture, and where else can you see how traditional shaker boxes are made but here? William Richardson will be demonstrating how all weekend!

We have been really busy getting ready for the show. I really like my new bowl sets with a southwestern flair, and Al has made some great casseroles. I’m starting to think about parties on the deck with friends and family, so we’ve made some wonderful serving pieces. There’s something wonderful about eating from a stoneware bowl, isn’t there? It just makes everything taste better!

Print out this blog and bring it and we’ll give you 20% off any of our pottery!

Here are some discount coupons for you to use:

Groundhog Blues PotteryGroundhog Blues Pottery

And the kittens are almost three weeks old! Only two more need homes…. See you at the show! Helen

Sugarloaf Craft Show In Gaithersburg This Week!

Helen — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:45:16 +0000

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/gaith/spring/

We’re back in Gaithersburg this week! This is always one of my favorite shows…I get to see all my friends and old customers, and get to share all my new work! We have two booths…our pottery and sculpture will be inside, in booth 47, and we will be demonstrasting outside in booth D-4.

April 9, 10, 11, 2010

Montgomery Co. Fairgrounds

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • Open Rain or Shine

Directions: Follow I-270 to Exit 11, Gaithersburg’s
Montgomery Village Avenue (MD 124 North).
Turn right at MD 355. Turn right at next light
onto Perry Parkway. The Fairground entrance
is on the left.

Here are a few coupons for you to use.

Groundhog Blues Pottery

We’ve had a special event here at home, too! A stray cat followed our Saint Bernard home, and within a few days she gave birth to 5 beautiful kittens. It’s been a delight to watch them change every day, and slowly we are finding them forever homes. They are almost two weeks old now, eyes wide open and quite vocal! I can see they will be inspiring new cat sculptures.

What sweet babies! And their mother is so shy. Poor little thing; I am so glad she came in and found a safe place.

Lots of new work this week! The new kilns are really helpful in allowing us to fire new work…we have casseroles, colanders, and lots of large platters! A new burgundy glaze adds new dimension to our work, too.

Come to the show and stop to say hi! You’ll find amazing artists here in all media……incredible jewelers like my friend Arlene Freed, the wonderful leather work of Sue and Bill Baldwin, and the unusual forged bronze jewelry and sculpture of HVQ Byrd!

Next week… Timonium!

Helen and Al

Sugarloaf Craft Festival in Hartford This Week

Helen — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:57:17 +0000

I’m excited! Sugarloaf Craft Festivals return to Hartford, Connecticut this week and therefore so do we!

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/hartford/spring/

I really like the people in Hartford. They are not only really nice, but they understand how much goes into our work……all the years of training, the individual approach to clay, the nuances and humor we share through our pottery and sculpture. They are friendly and make this show so much fun to do!

Soft Coated Wheaten Jar

Boston and Frenchie Jars

We have new work to show this weekend. I’ve decided to make dog canister set….here’s an example. I decided to start with breeds that come in different colors, so Labrador Retrievers seemed a perfect choice.

Our garlic rubbing bowls have continued to be popular, and we have a great selection of glaze colors for Hartford. You just grate a clove of garlic on the grate section, add extra virgin olive oil, a little balsamic vinegar, some herbs and you’re all set to dip your favorite bread. At only $10 each, they come with descriptive card and make a perfect hostess gift.

Garlic Rubbing Bowls

And for a perfect gift for the man in your life, try our new Bagegglers! Scramble eggs in the microwave in a perfect shape for your breakfast bagels!

Once again, we’ll be demonstrating how to make wheelthrown pottery and how to turn it into sculpture. Our booth number 928 and demonstration booth D-4.

March 26, 27, 28, 2010

Connecticut Expo Center

Hartford, Connecticut

Here’s some discount coupons for you!

Sugarloaf Show in Philadelphia Area This Weekend!

Helen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:08:58 +0000

Oh, I love this show!! I’ve missed the old Tyler State Craft Festivals from the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, and now my Tyler customers have a place to come and see me……..and inside, safe from whatever weather nature throws at us!!

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals at Oaks http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/oaks/spring/

March 19, 20, 21, 2010

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • All Indoors

Here’s some discount coupons for you to use, too!

Groundhog Blues Pottery couponcoupon oaks

I am introducing some new work this week, too………a new style of dog cookie jar that I like a lot, and brand new… a bageggler…you can scramble eggs in the microwave in a perfect shape for your breakfast bagel! Lots of new glazes for our popular ikebanas in several sizes, too! We brought two old/new kilns this week, and we’ve been firing them day

and night to get ready for the show. Our booth number is 516, and we’re demonstrating both sculpture and wheel throwing in demo booth D10. Be sure to stop by and say hi when you come to the show! You can find directions on the Sugarloaf web site, linked above. Helen and Al

Bulldog Covered Jars

French Bulldog Soup Tureen

Sugarloaf and Groundhog Blues Return to New Jersey!

Helen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:14:35 +0000

This week Sugarloaf Craft Festival returns to Somerset, New Jersey, and so do we! Our booth numbers are 534 and D4. Once again we’ll be demonstrating wheel thrown pottery and sculpture.

http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/somerset/spring/

March 12, 13, 14, 2010

Garden State Exhibit Center Somerset, New Jersey

Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5 • Under 12 & Parking FREE • All Indoors

Here’s discount coupons for you to print and use!

Pottery speaks a universal language, doesn’t it? Over thousands of years and across all continents and cultures, people have made pottery for function and for art. Here in the Poconos, in our mountain studio, we’ve been working overtime to make some new and different pottery to share with you. Spring is right around the corner; as a matter of fact, it was such a nice day I put freshly thrown pots outside to dry today.

Spring means flowers, and we have a wonderful selection of Ikebanas for you! These Japanese flower arrangers make a few simple flowers into a work of art. Each ikebana vase has a pin frog attatched to the bottom. The pin frog pierces the stem of the flowers and allows water to be absorbed by the flowers much longer than in any traditional vase. From Wikipedia: Another aspect present in ikebana is its employment of minimalism. That is, an arrangement may consist of only a minimal number of blooms interspersed among stalks and leaves. The structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a triangle delineated by three main points, usually twigs, considered in some schools to symbolize heaven, earth, and man and in others sun, moon, love. and earth.The spiritual aspect of ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must during practices of ikebana. It is a time to appreciate things in nature, which people often overlook because of their busy lives. One becomes more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire one to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature which provides relaxation for the mind, body, and soul.

We’ve made ikebanas in all sizes, from the 2 inch minature, perfect for your work desk or side table, to large centerpiece sizes.

I love our new garlic rubbing bowls…….with the gift card included, they make such perfect gifts, and at only $10.00 they are just the item for neighbors, co-workers and others on your list. The wheelthrown pots have a ‘grate’ in the middle to rub a clove of garlic over, then you add extra virgin olive oil, some herbs, and perfect for dipping bread!

Hope to see you this weekend! Our booth number is 535 and D=4. I’ve got some great ideas for sculptures I’ll be doing this weekend…

Helen

Spring Shows! Owen Roberts Friends of the Arts

Helen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:51:24 +0000

After a long winter’s sleep, it’s time for spring, fresh breezes and fine craft shows! Al and I have hibernated long enough, and we’re ready to go!

This week our season opens with one of our favorite show. It will be great to see old friends and customers…and the weather forecast is for clear skies and warm weather.

This Saturday and Sunday we’ll be at the 30th Annual Craft Show at Owen J Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. For GPS, address is 981 Ridge Road, Pottstown, Pa. Hours are Saturday, March 6 and Sunday March 7th, 10 am to 4 pm. This is a delightful show, with wonderful craftspeople in all media, and all the proceeds go to establish art scholarships and programming for the students. http://www.ojrsd.com/community/foa.aspx?page=938

Cut and print this for discount on admission, and be sure to stop by and say hello! I have a great selection of ikebanas, chowder bowls and garlic dippers fresh from the kiln!

Next week we start our spring season with Sugarloaf Craft Festivals with Somerset Crafts Festival. http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/festivals/somerset/spring/

March 12, 13, 14, 2010 ,Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, New Jersey. We’ll be demonstrating our functional pottery and sculpture throughout the show. More on this next week!

Until next week….I hope to see you this weekend! Helen