jenniethepotter

Hey you. I've moved!

2010-03-02T11:41:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone who follows the blog via blogger. I've moved shop and all my current posts are integrated with the website. Please update your bookmarks and links accordingly! See you there!
www.jenniethepotter.com

Stay Tuned

2010-01-10T12:14:00.000-06:00

Once again, this picture has little to do with the text below, just a little Lil eye candy.

I want to let everyone know I'm transitioning to a new site. The website, in it's previous incarnation, no longer exists. I am changing how I sell my work and the new site will reflect that. Previously, customers placed an order on the website, the site generated an order to me, and I made the order. This process took anywhere from two to four weeks to complete depending on how many orders were pending and proximity to a show. We have a wee little home studio and do not have the space to keep a large stock on hand. This model seemed to work best for those wanting to purchase pots from me. With a new babe around the house my studio work has changed dramatically. Instead of a regular studio schedule where I was in control of my time I now have a little one who dictates our days (and nights). Sometimes the stars are aligned and I can accomplish studio tasks during her brief moments of rest, or when a grandparent offers babysitting. Too often though I feel like I'm drowning in expectation and become overwhelmed when I am unable to get into the studio because my energy and efforts are needed elsewhere. I love my new role as a mother and needed to find a solution to always feeling behind in the studio, while balancing my desire to spend time with my beautiful daughter.
So, with the help of a dear friend we've decided to implement a different plan for purchasing my work online. The new site will be largely blog based with commerce run through etsy. It's the easiest solution, and hopefully one that gives us more control of the look and feel of the site. (The old site was functional - but did little to reflect my personality) I will continue to make pots and when I have an adequate supply I will post those pots on etsy. Once ordered they will ship within the week, as the pots will be made and ready to ship. I will give advance notice of this to those who sign up for my email list so you'll know when you can peruse the newest work. I will be posting the update time and details on the blog too. All of this will be accessed through the www.jenniethepotter.com web address. Over time I hope to create a pattern of these "updates" and should be posting where seasonally relevant ie in time for Mother's Day, Christmas etc. Anyone "needing" pots, buttons, jewlery etc for a special occasion (or just 'cause) can contact me directly and we can arrange a special order. I will continue to make work for shows and will be maintaining a calendar of upcoming events at the site too. Those of you who have purchased work at event know there are many designs and motifs that did not appear on the website but were available in person at shows. Depending on the kiln, there should be more of those pots popping up for sale outside of shows too.
So, be patient as the hub and I dive into this new experience of building our site, and stay tuned as I unveil the new stuff. It's bound to be good!

Thanks 2009

2009-12-31T10:11:00.004-06:00

The end of 2009 is here and just like everyone else I'm looking back on what the year has brought. It was a huge year here. Most notably the arrival of our sweet little Lillian. What a joy! She's the apple of our eye and some days our faces hurt from smiling so much!
The year also brought some of the greatest shows ever for the business. I traveled far and wide to attend shows. (Oh, MSP to Portland and back again at 34 weeks of pregnancy how I remember the edema) I am SO fortunate to have some of the best roadies around. You may have run across these folks if you visited me at an event. I really couldn't do what I do without them - especially when I was pregnant with Lil! Here's a shout out to all the roadies. They are some of the most generous, talented and kind-hearted women I know. Go visit their blogs. See how varied and talented they are. Meg, Amy, Heather, Gretchen, Lara, Hannelore, Chris, Lucinda, and Dawn. THANK YOU!!!! I am greateful to have such a supportive "care circle" as my brother in law would say. One of the people who is integral to the business, but who is rarely sighted at shows is the dear husband, as he's at home holding down the fort. Words cannot express how lucky I am to have you by my side on this great journey. ( Insert more mush here, I could go on and on and on . . . )
One of the great joys of doing what I do is meeting the people who purchase my work. I know it has been said before, but it bears repeating. The community of fiber folk is really unparalleled. I am lucky to have found a wacky niche where I am amongst "my people." I love watching new faces discover my work and old faces return.
So, cheers 2009. You were a great year! Bring it 2010!

Muppet Baby

2009-12-19T11:00:00.001-06:00

Lil has a new snowsuit. It's so cute I had to share.

Just When I Thought the Finish Line was Near

2009-12-15T22:26:00.004-06:00

I received a call from a friend this afternoon. I had four (4!) cups to add handles to, paint and carve for the last of my Christmas season orders. "Hey, did you know you're on the Yarn Harlot's Blog?" Alas, No, I did not. Check it out.
Awwww shucks, she said I'm nice. My Mother's SO proud.
( And would like to remind folks that I custom make my orders and am finally taking my much deserved maternity and holiday break starting Friday. I figure I might as well roll them into one!)

One More Holiday Sale

2009-12-11T10:36:00.005-06:00

I'm participating in one more holiday sale. Tomorrow. There will be wonderful prints and lots of great sewn stuff, in addition to a few pots from me. It's a house sale located at 413 Stryker Ave in St. Paul. We'll be selling from 11-4pm. C'mon by and say hello and maybe finish off that holiday shopping list!

No Sleep 'til No Coast!

2009-12-02T12:24:00.003-06:00

Ahh the life of a self employed new mom whose husband is in nursing school. Stunning how little can be accomplished these days. Our dear babe is three months old today! She is a great baby in SO many ways. She's smiling and laughing now. She recognizes family and friends and greets them with a stunning gummy smile. Naps are no problem, and sleep has been great. Until Thanksgiving. Seems as though the holiday didn't sit well with her. Might be the food, all the new people, or the interruption of her routine. Whatever it is we're suffering a bit of a post holiday hangover here. We've reverted to the sleep schedule of a newborn with short fits of sleep followed by fussiness. This sleep change has been difficult because it came after a week of nightly 6+ hours of uninterrupted sleep. Having a taste of normalcy makes this all the more bitter. A pow wow with her Dr. and advice from friends and grandparents gave us some ideas to try and fingers crossed we are on our way back to where we were. In the meantime each time I wake in the middle of the night I think to myself. "No. Sleep. 'til No-Coast*"
*want to hear the original?

Soups Done!

2009-11-09T08:56:00.003-06:00

Lil' Potter was a great help in the kitchen. She made sure the counter didn't float away!
Here she is overseeing the abundance of veggies donated for our soup.

Last Friday we held our third Empty Bowls in the Powderhorn area. The week was filled with last minute details and soup making. The vast majority of our soup materials are donated. Food distributors, farmers, and local gardeners donate surplus veggies and supplies. We look over the donated food and design the soup plan around that. This year squash, leeks, potatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms and onions were in abundance. Many, many people came to the park to help with our veggie prep, and most of the food was cleaned and diced on Wednesday evening. One person single handily diced a fifty pound bag of onions. I sauteed thirty pounds of mushrooms, YUM! We make many, many batches of mirepoix and then soup making is easy on Friday! Then menu included curried lentil, black bean chili, minestrone, potato leek, squash, and tomato basil. All the soups were vegan, except for the potato leek which was SO much tastier with cream. (isn't everything?) Thirteen hundred handmade bowls and approximately 100 gallons of soup and we were able to raise over $20,000.00*! Yippee! (*you can still donate . . . go here )
If you weren't able to come this year mark your calendar for next year - it's always held the first Friday in November! Many thanks to the following businesses who helped make this year's event possible with their generous donations! Classic Provisions, Co-op Partners, Equal Exchange, New French Bakery, and Peace Coffee.

Now What?

2009-10-24T19:42:00.004-05:00

(This picture has nothing to do with the post that follows. It is quite simply a beautiful picture of the wee potter)

Most people mark time by the months of the year or holidays. I mark the changing of seasons by the events I attend. The trip East for Rhinebeck is always a monumental event. By far the largest event I attend, I'm always nervous I don't have enough pots - or the "wrong" ones. Add to that a newborn and this year Rhinebeck was a big question mark. Somehow I managed to get four kiln loads out after Lil was born. My mother and friend drove the truck loaded with Rhinebeck booty to NY. (Thanks Mom!) It's a LONG, but beautiful, two day trip. While baby potter and I flew from Minneapolis to Albany and drove two hours to Kingston.
The weather forecast was grim. Rain was expected on both Saturday and Sunday. Luckily we escaped rain on Saturday. It was overcast all day and we were too busy to worry about the weather. On Sunday it rained, but magically our little grove of trees kept us from getting wet. Lil was tucked away in her stroller under many blankets. When we got cold we just put our hands in her seat. Really, do you need an excuse to hold a baby?
Now that Rhinebeck is done I start to think about the holiday season. The next event for me is Empty Bowls. I have 200 bowls to finish for the event. (just thirteen days away . . . ) Last year we had 1200 bowls and we ran out around 7:00pm. We hope to have enough bowls this year - maybe 1300 or so, and plan to end the event two hours earlier than last year. If you plan on attending - I advise you come early to get the best selection.
After Empty Bowls is one of my favorite events of the year, No Coast. Not only is it ten minutes from the house, it happens to be attended by the best vendors in the cities. I can polish off most of my holiday shopping in one place. We've decided to take a year off from our home sale - so plan to come to the Global Market for No Coast instead. Now we transition from fall to winter and the year will be over before we know it.

Living Large

2009-10-15T14:05:00.000-05:00

Big day today. First plane ride for baby potter. She's loving her spacious hotel room. A little beauty sleep is in order before her Rhinebeck debut!

-- Post From Lil

Studio Baby

2009-09-29T14:40:00.001-05:00

Busy, busy! I'm having fun being a new mom. I feel very fortunate to have a mellow, happy baby. She's been happy to spend time with me in the studio. I strap her into her bouncy chair, turn on my audio book, and we get to work. With Rhinebeck a few weeks away - so all the studio time I can get is helpful!

Light Brite

2009-09-12T22:42:00.001-05:00

Here at Casa de Lanners we've been busy. After a long three days at the hospital we were released at 9 pm last night. Mild chaos was our first night but our first full day was great. Our wee one has an elevated billirubin so she's on a billibed ( a light box ) to help her body process it. Every available oppertunity she's strapped into a blanket on top of the lights. I can't help but sing the jingle to Light Brite everytime I peek at her.

The wait is finally over!

2009-09-09T09:43:00.001-05:00

It's a girl! 7pounds 7 oz. Delivered at 6:12 this morning. 9/9/09! Happy Birthday baby Lanners!

Return from the Summit

2009-08-16T06:10:00.009-05:00

It's been a crazy ride 'round here the last few weeks. I stopped teaching my ceramic classes the first week of August and left two days later for Portland. This show was nerve wracking. I worried I wouldn't get enough finished in time, I wouldn't sell enough to make trip worthwhile, and frankly we worried about having a baby in Portland. Unknown quantities are always scary, but especially one three days journey away and while I'm 35 weeks pregnant. All of our worries were unfounded. The husband and I worked very hard to get kilns loaded on schedule and we actually left EARLY. We arrived on Sunday and spent the beginning of the week with old friends and family. On Thursday I transferred to a hotel and the event began. It was a whirlwind of activity. The market place had rather long hours so most of the time I was at the booth meeting many wonderful people. After hours I was able to spend time with old friends and see a little bit of Portland. There were many outings to Voodoo doughnuts. I think I might have consumed my doughnut quota for the year in a matter of days. The event ended on Sunday and my dear husband and wonderful friend packed up the booth while I went off to the luminary panel. It was the perfect end to the event. On Monday we began the long plod home. It took three long days and I'm quite sure I won't be doing that again soon. Now that we've returned I'm trying to get all the special orders finished from the event and get ready for the baby.

Special Note:
If you were at the event and were unable to get one of the limited edition Sock Summit mugs I am taking orders for the second run. The mugs will be slightly different and will be marked as second editions. If you are interested in getting on the list please email me at jennie(at)jenniethepotter(dot)com

Darn! I left my canteen in the truck.

2009-08-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

Mr Lanners and I left Minneapolis yesterday afternoon for our great roadtrip to Portland. We made it to Jamestown, ND. Mmmm. Nothing says breakfast like a crockpot of gravy.

Buttons, and stitchmarkers

2009-07-24T11:03:00.001-05:00

These little bowls contain hundreds of buttons and stitchmarkers. Today they will be organized and glazed. I've arranged for studio help this week so I can throw some last minute pots while these are being finished! Hurrah!

Head down

2009-07-23T07:42:00.001-05:00

Why hello there blog. How ya been? Me, well I've been busy. Head down making pots for a big event in Portland. Lots of the standard designs, some fresh new ones, and even a limited edition for the event. Gotta go. Today's goal 100# of clay transformed into mugs.

Edible Mitten

2009-07-02T08:51:00.000-05:00

I took a break from the studio and visited a farm near Stillwater for some berry picking with friends. Turns out I'm a mutant magnet, finding triplets and bivalves that look more like an Everlasting Gobstopper than a strawberry. I was trumped by my friend Gretchen who found a mitten.

Six Foot Tall Ears of Corn

2009-06-16T20:36:00.001-05:00

I'm in Ohio for Knitter's Connection. My mom travels to the area often for work. She brought me to an outdoor sculpture in Dublin, OH. Built to honor the area's agricultural background, these concrete ears are over six feet tall. Cool.

Glazin'

2009-06-13T17:08:00.001-05:00

Last kiln before Monday's departure. After they finish the first, bisque, firing I inspect and clean up each pot. I then wash the pots and give them one coat of clear glaze. Now they are ready to go into a kiln that slowly ramps up to approx. 2200 degrees F. Then I sit on my hands and wait for it to cool down to a reasonable temperature to open it and unload. Every kiln is like Christmas morning. I'm hoping to finish glazing and loading quickly so I can go play with the hub!

I'm in Knitty!

2009-06-10T15:04:00.003-05:00

The new Summer issue of Knitty is out. In addition to all the great patterns and articles you'll find me! There's a wonderful little write up about my work with lots of great photos. Check it out! I'm blushing right now . . .
Thanks Knitty!

Little Things

2009-06-09T17:27:00.002-05:00

I've been deep in the studio getting ready for Knitter's Connection. (next week in Columbus, OH) In addition to pots, LOTS of pots, I've been making lots of stitch markers (above) and buttons (below). It's the little things that are the vacuum of my time lately.

Bear Bag 101

2009-06-03T11:11:00.005-05:00

After I posted yesterday Mr. Lanners' Pottery spotted our bear on an outfitters website. I know your thinking, how could that be the same bear? Well the photo was taken at another entry point just a stones throw from where we were. When the bear entered our camp area we scared it off only to hear it visit the only other camp area on that lake. The bear then returned, we scared it off again, it revisited our neighbors and then we heard it throughout the evening making the rounds of the other camps. The BWCAW is SO quiet you can hear people hooting, hollering, and banging pans from many miles away. The sounds continued into the evening and each time were farther and farther away.
I thought you might like to see what a bear bag looks like. Hanging the bear bag is one of the highlights of BWCAW camping. Finding the perfect tree set up is more difficult than you'd think. You need two trees with low branches close enough to make the rope configuration work. The US forest service recommends the bag is hung over 6 feet off the ground and at least 4 feet away from the nearest branch. We use our Duluth Pack for our bear bag placing all our food, trash and anything remotely smelly inside. (Think toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant) As the bear bag has your food in it - the hanging is generally done after dinner which means night time. Many a good laugh has resulted from the hanging of a bear bag, and to date no serious injuries. The hoisting of the bag generally includes the use of a paddle to gain an extra few feet of loft, while the other person is pulling the rope at the base of one of the trees. Once the desired height is achieved the other rope is pulled taught to get the bear bag away from the other tree. The goal is to have the bag suspended in the air out of reach from critters. The sound of the rope being uncoiled and the adjoining thump of the bag hitting the ground generally wakes whomever is still asleep in the tent and signals that coffee or tea is going to be ready soon.

Extended Vacation

2009-06-02T07:59:00.001-05:00

It's been busy round here! We're juggling all the usual stuff along with baby stuff. We did manage to escape for one last trip to the BWCAW. One of the highlights of this trip was a visit from a lone black bear not once but twice. It was difficult to sleep - a side effect of supporting another human life. It made coming home that much sweeter!
Beside my own pregnancy I have a few other friends who are expecting. While I haven't started knitting for our babe- I've gotten to try my chops at some patterns that I'm sure I'll knit for ours!

Shepherd's Harvest!

2009-05-07T14:12:00.002-05:00

I'm SO pleased to be home. My first trip to MDSW was a success, albeit and exhausting one! I met so many wonderful people and saw many new vendors and products. The weekend was soggy but folks still managed to come out despite the rivers of mud on the fairgrounds. Our drive back was through multiple weather systems with small windows of sun. I was assured the weather at home was supposed to be rainy too - but we have lucked out with the most beautiful spring weather ever! Luckily I'm able to enjoy it as there's no time to make anything in the studio before the show.
This great Spring weather comes just in time for Shepherd's Harvest this weekend. While our little festival is no where near as large as some of the other festivals across the nation it is OUR festival. This is the best opportunity to meet the lamb and wool producers along with local artists and craftspeople. Please take some time out of your busy Mother's Day schedule to come and check it out. It's sure to please!
I just learned of a last minute vendor addition that should be added to your must see list at Shepherd's Harvest! My dear friend Chris of Briar Rose Fibers is making the trip from Michigan. You probably won't see her on the website or listed in the brochure as she just agreed to come on Monday of this week. Please stop by her booth and give her a hearty Minnesota welcome. I'm very fortunate to travel to festivals all over the country and I can honestly say there is NO one who produces fiber the way she does. Nor will you find a more caring and thoughtful business woman. I'm fortunate to have a large part of my stash devoted to her fiber and now you can too! Lately I've been groovin' on her BFL for spinning, but I must be honest and say I have two sweaters in progress with her fabulous fiber. It's late notice but she has a special discount in honor of their 5th anniversary. Check it out here.
See you this weekend!

On the road

2009-05-04T14:22:00.000-05:00

Homeward bound from an amazing, and wet, first time at MDSW. My roadie is driving now so I have time to play with one of my new toys!

-- Post From My iPhone

1604

2009-04-28T07:16:00.001-05:00

In the hopes of increasing my updates I downloaded a new application. This is a test. This is also what the kiln looks like the day before each and every show I do. It's at 1600 degrees on it's way down to room temp. I should be able to load these pots into bins sometime this evening!

Newest Project

2009-04-23T16:06:00.005-05:00

As pointed out recently at a show I'm a sporadic blogger. I've been hard at work trying to prepare for my early season onslaught of shows, and blogging has been thrown to the wayside. Not having any experience at Maryland Sheep and Wool I've been nervous at the quantity of work necessary to make my first showing a reputable one. So I've been living in the studio and going to teach, not much else. Well, there is one thing I've been doing too - although biology is taking over for that one. My summer schedule is topped with our first child due in September. Mr. Lanners' Pottery and I are thrilled - and a wee nervous at my busy summer schedule. Fortunately I have the greatest support system around. My family and friends are jumping at all the opportunities to help me in the studio, drive to, and work with me at shows. If all goes well, the little guy or girl will be making it's fiber fest debut at New York Sheep and Wool!

Six to Eight Weeks

2009-04-05T18:44:00.003-05:00

I know it's been ages since I've written. I have been subterranean in the studio, nose to the grindstone, trying to get as many pots done as possible. I have three short working weeks left before I embark on my maiden voyage to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. By most accounts the largest event of it's kind in the US. The week before I leave I have the Minnesota Knitter's Guild Yarnover event and the weekend I return from Maryland our local sheep and wool festival is held, Shepherd's Harvest. Production has been steady - but you never know what will be the most popular piece from one show to the next. I'm hoping to have enough of everything - hence the six, sometimes, seven day work week. I'm still nervous about having enough, I guess that will never go away when you make you product from scratch.
All this underground work has me dreaming of spring. It's always a funny thing here in Minnesota. Folks get all excited and start to pull out the shorts when the temps rise into the mid 40s. Then when the weather turns and gives us a dusting of snow people complain about the never ending winter. It's only the beginning of April - our last "average" official frost date is MAY 21st. Solid Zone 4. For the non - gardeners out there that means six to eight weeks before plants can be safely planted without fear of killing them. So, time to break out the seeds and start thinking about spring, and, GASP, even Summer.

One last thing before I mosey on back to the studio for an enchanting evening of painting. My good pal Dawn posted about how we can pay it forward as makers. A challenge, if you will. She waves the carrot and I totally ate it. If you're interested in doing the same follow the directions below! Thanks to Heather for starting this part of the chain, and writing the original manifesto with minor addendum courtesy of yours truly.

On to the fun and games!

The first five (cinq) (cinco) (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (No refunds... no exchanges!!!!)
2. What I create will be just for you, with love from me.
3. It'll be done this calendar year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! It will be handmade and may be any medium I choose. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange...or awesome...or lovely!
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note/post of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to it.
7. Send your mailing address if you don't live close to me! Feel free to email your mailing addy to jenniethepotter at gmail dot com.

Sheep Herding circa 2009

2009-03-18T14:22:00.002-05:00

This You Tube video was SO great I just had to share it . . .

This is almost . . .

2009-03-09T21:24:00.002-05:00

an entire day's worth of buttons. Making these little buggers is a time warp on par with falling down a Ravelry rabbit hole. Except you have all these little pretty, colorful shiny things to play with when you're done! Now, to sew these on to cards!

The Neverending Shetland

2009-02-19T16:50:00.005-06:00

A few years ago Mr. Lanners' Pottery confessed he would like a sweater, especially if I hand-spun and knit it. While at our local sheep and wool festival we looked at the fleeces submitted for judging. He chose a dingy gray Shetland fleece that won best in breed and we were off.

I dutifully checked out Aldon Amos from the Textile Center library and set off to scour this fleece. Having a basement devoted to dirty stuff I thought no problem. Two hours later I had enough. I commend those who scour and prepare their fleeces. I personally could not merit the time spent on that part of the process when I have steadfastly proclaimed knitting and spinning a hobby. All this lanolin and poo was seriously cutting into my knitting and spinning time. So the fleece was bagged up and it sat undisturbed in our camping closet for a year.

In the mean time I began to attend many festivals and saw people purchasing fleece and dropping it off at a wool processors booth. I asked around getting the opinions of friends and festival goers. I finally remembered to bring it along on a trip and at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, in September 2007, I gave the Shetland, an alpaca, and a Lincoln/ Corriedale blend too, to Zeiligner's Woolen Mill. Dropping it off at a festival saved me shipping one way and I also received a discount. As I was busy making pots for my holiday season I totally forgot about the fleeces I had sent for processing.

Early in November a large box arrived and inside were the fleeces wonderfully transformed into clouds of roving. This dingy gray Shetland, can you tell I was originally a fan?, Mr. Lanners' had chosen had been transformed into a beautiful silver roving with traces of black scattered throughout. The box went into a closet as there were pots to make and shows to do. Another shameful year passed where I did not spin this fleece. Rest assured the husband was supplied with a different sweater and a few pairs of socks in the interim. That all brings us to 2009.

Traveling to festivals and shows one accumulates a fair amount of stuff. Especially fleece and pretty roving. I've decided this is the year I will spin some of that buried treasure. I have dutifully started with the Shetland. Almost four pounds of the stuff. It is never ending. I am easily tempted by other shiny objects, five projects on the needles currently, and have committed to spinning at least once a week with a friend. Kind of like the gym - but no particular attire required. So far I have managed to spin and ply six skeins and I'm guessing I'm 2/3 finished with the bag. Oy! This fleece is an absolute joy to spin and the processing was well worth it! Here's a link to the Shetland Sheep Society. Smirslet, Gulmoget, Bersugget, Gesundheit! (seriously THE best names for markings and colors!) Ours is a Musket.

Fresh Pots

2009-02-06T08:23:00.002-06:00

As usual I'm unloading a kiln the day I travel to an event! These brand new pots were just born this morning. In honor of Nancy Bush being the keynote at the Janesville Knitter's Guild I made some special sheepy sock cups! If the stars align and I get accepted as vendor at the Sock Summit there will be gads more of these! Now off to pack the truck!

Bohus Weekend!

2009-01-26T20:13:00.002-06:00

I just spent the most glorious weekend at the Swedish Institute! On Saturday I attended the showing of, "Bohus Knitting- from Relief Work to World Success" This was followed by a Q&A from the documentary filmmaker Kjell Andersson. Did you know Bohus began it's life as an economic development project for the wives of unemployed quarry workers? After the film I wandered the exhibit. Possibly the largest exhibit ever seen anywhere outside of the original Bohus Stickning shop, over forty pullovers, cardigans and hats were on display. Unbelievable!
In the afternoon I attended a lecture with Solveig Gustafsson, the Master Dyer behind the Bohus kits. She has painstakingly recreated the colors used in the original Bohus Skickning patterns. So far she has cracked the code of over 27 designs. Her work has been lovingly translated into English by Susanna Hansson.
Today I participated in a six hour Bohus class taught by Susanna Hansson. We were given a tour of the exhibit during which we talked with the curator at the Institute responsible for the display. With white gloves we were allowed to fondle the sweaters on display! Needless to say one or two sweaters were turned inside out to determine construction methods. Unreal!
In six hours I managed to accomplish this. My brain is buzzing with all the knitting goodness!
If you live anywhere near Minneapolis, make a trip to come and see this exhibit! It's fabulous!

Gauge (@(#$%)%*)

2009-01-10T14:34:00.003-06:00

In my excitement to begin my long awaited post holiday Aran I neglected to find a gauge swatch I knit with my Black Water Abbey yarn last summer. "I think I knit that on a size 7." I cast on with with an 8 to have a loose cast on edge.( Mistake number 1) I was so focused on making sure my stitch count and pattern was progressing along properly that I forgot to switch needles. The stitches were loose, " This yarn will bloom a bit with washing, I'm fine." Alas last night I had a dreadful feeling, "This seems way too large." I threaded cotton yarn through the stitches laid the beginnings of the sweater on top of a nicely fitting Aran sweater I happened to be wearing. Four inches people. Four inches too wide. Boo. Today I have re-knit a swatch which I am going to properly wash and dry, thankyou very much, and I have a husband ready to help me rip out my knitting! Oh, yes, I knew better, but I still knit on anyway. Silly Jennie.

Today I stood on Lake Superior

2009-01-02T17:46:00.008-06:00

We visited the dunes along the lake before coming home today and the waves from a churning Lake Superior combined with sub zero temperatures has fuzzied the generally distinct line between land and water with a solid coating of snow and ice. The result is a beautiful and slippery concoction. So for a brief moment I stood on what is generally water (a good fifty feet from actual open water mind you) on Lake Superior. I wanted to take pictures of the mini ice chunks in the water but couldn't get close enough without making us both very nervous!It would have been silly (read stupid) to knowingly tempt fate by walking out farther than where I was.

Here are the humongous rocks at the shore of Lake Superior covered in frozen lake water. A particularly big storm must have been raging for the water to splash all the way up there and cover the rocks. This picture is in front of the US Army Corps of Engineers Maritime Museum which has always been closed or too crowded on previous trips.

It was perfect timing and we finally got to see the museum. If you want to see a movie about the taconite industry circa 1980 complete with rockin' sound track I highly recommend it. Who knew iron ore pellets were so compelling?! There are highly detailed models of boats that have traveled throughout the history of the twin ports. Grain, salt, limestone, ore, and more - each has it's own dock and boat design. Steam engines, a real pilots house, and some of the best views of the harbor complete with ship manifests. Bonus, it's really warm in there too!

This last picture is of the little tug named "Bayfield" at rest in front of the Duluth lift bridge. I Couldn't post about Duluth without the bridge, and who doesn't love a tug?!

We have the coolest shaped state

2008-12-30T10:00:00.006-06:00

The husband and I are leaving on an impromptu trip to the north woods for a little r and r. The radio mentioned record snowfalls in the Duluth / Superior area and we figured we should go check it out! Lake Superior is stunning in winter and we intend to travel along the shore and go where the spirit takes us. The skis, boots and snowshoes are packed and ready to go! The holidays were great, three in all and we are looking forward to spending a little quiet time. Oh and he's driving so there will be some knitting too!

Stand By Me

2008-12-17T09:43:00.002-06:00

A friend dropped this in my mailbox this morning and I thought I would share. Made me smile. The world can be such a beautiful place.
More information on the project can be found at their website.

Last Day For Holiday Orders!!!

2008-12-15T05:44:00.003-06:00

Today is the last day I will be accepting pottery orders* for holiday shipping. I make each order after they are placed online. The throwing, trimming, painting and carving takes a few days to complete. Then there is are a few days of firing too. The boxes will be shipped later this week and, fingers crossed, should be in hand before Christmas. I'm planning on making a few "extras" - but just a few. Any orders placed later this week will be made after Christmas. So, if you have been thinking about ordering but have been sitting on your hands . . . go order.
* The clay pendants are exempt - as they are all finished and ready to ship. Friday is the last day to guarantee shipping in time for Christmas!

A Little Preoccupied

2008-12-13T11:09:00.002-06:00

I've been a little preoccupied with life lately and it's been brought o my attention that I neglected to post the hours for our holiday sale. We're open from 10 - 5 today and 12- 5 tomorrow. My friends have brought many goodies over! There's prints, felted woolen items, hand spun yarn, and pots. If you want our address or directions you can email me at either jennie(at) jenniethepotter(dot)com or info(at)jenniethepotter(dot)com.

Goodbye old friend

2008-12-08T12:13:00.005-06:00

May he frolick in a land where there are peanut butter rivers.
Rest in Peace Theo. You were a good boy. We miss you terribly.

Many yogurts were consumed to produce this post.

2008-12-06T06:01:00.005-06:00

The week before a show is crazy 'round here. I'm hard at work making the last minute pots and juggling the kilns. Mr Lanners springs into action and helps in the studio and makes sure I'm properly fed and watered. As I've been busy preparing for three shows this week, I thought I'd show you a photo, or two from the studio. On the left is my table - messy, messy. I blend commercial and homemade colors to make the pigments for my work. I love the process and can't help mixing new ones. Consequently I have a vast collection of yogurt containers and each color has a "flavor" associated with it.
The picture on the right is of a glaze kiln all loaded and ready to start. This kiln is full to the brim - perhaps an inch to spare in some spots a few millimeters! This time of year I love the busy kiln schedule as the residual heat from the 2200 degree firings make the studio toasty warm.

No Animals were harmed in the making of this post.

2008-11-30T13:02:00.013-06:00

It's taken forever (insert photo shop angst here) but finally the knit texture pendants are up on the website. So far I have eleven colors available - in four shapes and sizes. All have sterling silver findings and come with a sterling silver chain. They were a BIG hit at Rhinebeck - and hopefully this holiday season too!

Mr. Lanners' Pottery decided the animals would make appropriate models.

One was more cooperative, and photogenic, than the other. Guess who?
Mr. Lanners' Pottery would like to know which made a better model? The winner will receive wet food for dinner!

Our House Smells Like Pie

2008-11-27T08:03:00.007-06:00

I love to bake, especially pie. This year I tried something new. I mixed a variety of roasted squash to make the base for the pumpkin pie filling. After roasting I used my handy dandy food mill to get a smooth even consistency. I placed this mash into a cheesecloth lined sieve and pressed out the extra moisture.

To the squash puree I added the sugar, maple syrup and spices and placed it on the stove to blend the flavors. This mixture was SO yummy - I don't know how I will ever buy it in a can. Check out these squash. Can you see the beads of moisture? The smell was so fresh and sweet.

We have a family get together of twelve adults and we like our pie so a second pie is necessary. I generally make apple - who doesn't like apple pie right? Bucking our "tradition" I decided to make a pecan pie instead.

At the suggestion of a friend I added chocolate chips and bourbon. I sipped and baked - it was a wonderful respite from the studio. And our house smells like pie. I cannot wait to try them. Is it time for pie yet?

Mark this!

2008-11-25T15:02:00.004-06:00

I've got some new projects coming out of production and into the marketplace soon.
I've been taking pictures - see? I'm curious to know - What do you think about these markers?

Shows!

2008-11-18T11:48:00.003-06:00

I've been meaning to post about the upcoming holiday shows and finally here it is!
The first week of December will be busy, busy! I'll be participating in both the No Coast Show at the Midtown Global Market on Friday and Saturday December 5 and 6th.

On Sunday December 7 I'll be at the Uptown VFW for the Handmaiden's Craftmas show! After a short five day recovery there will be one more opportunity at our annual holiday sale at our home in South Minneapolis, December 13 & 14. My talented friends and husband will have plenty of fun handmade gifts to tempt you with. Pottery, prints, hand felted pretties, and homemade cookies.

(Psst . . . if you would like to know where our holiday show is send me an email and I'll give you the address! info(at)jenniethepotter(dot)com)

Almost $20,000!!!

2008-11-09T16:31:00.003-06:00

Holy Cow!! We made over 85 gallons of soup - curried lentil, potato, minestrone, black bean chili, and squash. We cruised through 11 dozen baguettes, 75 # of jasmine rice, and 60# of carrots. With over 1300 bowls to start, we ran out during our dinner service! When faced with paper bowls people still donated and enjoyed a meal with their neighbors and generously donated! Almost $20,000.

$20,000!!!!

Just think of how many people that will feed!! AMAZING! Thanks to everyone who came - and to those who sent their good wishes! I'll keep you updated on where the $ ends up!

(If you want to donate please see our website!!!)

Triple Rock Rocks

2008-11-06T16:03:00.006-06:00

I've been a busy bee getting everything together for our Empty Bowls event. It's TOMORROW from 11 am until 9pm (or until we run out of soup). We are prepping and cooking in a small park kitchen with two non commercial stoves and two refrigerators.
Last night we realized it was going to be too warm to store anything outside.
One of the many benefits of living in a cold climate - a porch can be magically transformed to a giant icebox, overnight.
So we needed cooler space - pronto. Our knight in shining armor was the Triple Rock Social Club. They decided to use their powers for good and donated some much needed cooler space to our 15 gallons of black bean chili and mirepoix. I urge those of you in the cities to go forth and have a beer at the kindest little punk rock bar in the cities! After you come to Empty Bowls, of course!

Number 68

2008-11-04T16:55:00.001-06:00

We got in line at 6:30 am and we were numbers 68 and 69. Yeah! Democracy!

Home!!

2008-10-27T17:41:00.006-05:00

View Larger Map

My trip was amazing! I was able to visit with many friends and make many new ones too! Since I've been gone for almost two weeks I have many stories and pictures to share. So I think I'll parse them out over the next few days, or weeks. I took the long way home and boy was it worth it! Minneapolis to NY and back via Toronto. Check out the Google Map for a condensed version of my adventures. I am going to be getting back to business and my routine tomorrow.

Today I had the pleasure of spending the day with some great kids - we played a game of Monopoly to the end. I was trying to make the game end and stopped using a "strategy" - I won - go figure.

Greetings from Staten Island

2008-10-22T09:38:00.002-05:00

Hello there. I've been uploading pictures from my phone for the past three days only to find they aren't posting on to my blogger site. Poo. I'll be sure to update when I get home - so you can see all the fun adventures I had bopping around NYC with my buddy Hanne. She lives out in Staten Island so it's a short ferry ride across the Upper Bay to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal - essentially Wall Street. There was a sign outside a pharmacy that was advertising a 20% discount on antacids. Fitting, no? We tramped all over town visiting crafty shops and bakeries. Yum, Yum. Now I'm getting ready to head north and visit some old family friends before I head across the border to visit Toronto!! I'll see if I can't fix the remote blogging problem - if not I'll be sure to track down an internet cafe.

Howe, Indiana

2008-10-16T04:56:00.002-05:00

I finally made it. A little behind schedule but the truck was packed and I started the drive to Rhinebeck! I flew through WI - stopping only to pick up a gift for my friend Lara who has recently relocated to CT and will be my assistant in the booth at Rhinbeck. If you like sugar cookies may I recommend the Norske Nook of Osseo,WI. Pillowy soft and very yummy. I managed to save some for the intended recipient. I was able to tune into the presidential debate and was pleasantly surprised to hear all three of the toll booth attendants in IL also listening. I had to pinch myself when I made it through Chicago without any traffic. Seriously. Then on to Indiana and I ran out of steam. So here I am in the breakfast room of the Holiday Inn Express off of I-90 in Howe, Indiana. Mysteriously the parking lot was full of dulies and powerstroke diesel trucks. This morning I have met their drivers - all corn fed American men. It's kinda like sitting in a school cafeteria with the linebackers from the football team. Today I will drive to Toledo and meet up with Chris from Briar Rose and we will begin our caravan to Rhinebeck, NY!

2008-10-09T08:02:00.003-05:00

Seriously busy 'round here. With now less than a week before I have to leave to get to Rhinebeck I'm tempting fate and pushing my skills to see how many pots can be produced in our little basement studio. Every surface is covered with pottery in some form. Unfired green ware, freshly thrown, bone dry, glazed, painted- clay is quite literally taking over the studio. Caffeine seemed an appropriate picture as it's consumtion rate has spiked in recent weeks. That and molecular models are cool. The troops have been called in and I have a support staff that is dutifully helping me make more than I ever have - ever. Yeah for friends and family!
Gee, I hope it's enough!

Dilly Lovin'

2008-09-21T16:49:00.005-05:00

Today I took a brief break from the studio to make some pickled vegetables. This year I'm skipping cucumbers and just focusing on what we all went nuts for last year. My mom stopped over and in a wee three hours we were able to can dilly beans, carrots, onions and garlic (mom calls this potpourri) and a new endeavor pickled brussel sprouts. As I'm a fan of all things veggie I figured why not? Looks like yum to me . . .

Theo was a help, as usual, laying down in the kitchen in the only free space unoccupied by either an appliance or a human.

Arboretum

2008-09-18T08:27:00.005-05:00

After a soggy weekend in Chicago I returned home on Monday and promptly crashed, hard. Renegade was great, despite the weather, but the hours were a bit long. I understand the show wants to have people stick around for the bands but really who shops for crafty goods until 10pm?
On Tuesday I spent the afternoon with my favorite grandma at the arboretum. I highly recommend taking a bus with twelve seniors on a field trip. Friggin' hilarious. The group dynamic is very reminiscent of a sixth grade play ground. Except with walkers, canes and semi functioning hearing aids. "Agnes, AGNES?!!" The weather couldn't have been better - not a cloud in the sky. The flowers were beautiful and one of my favorite plants was in abundance. (Never underestimate a good sedum!)
There was so much strolling and chatting that I neglected to take pictures of my favorites. I did manage to get a picture of the coolest use of a gum ball machine ever.

Can you imagine if these were at rest stops across the nation? Oh! The trees we would have!

Yeah! Renegade!

2008-09-13T14:02:00.001-05:00

First it rained. Then we got a flat tire. Then it poured. Now it has stopped raining and (fingers crossed) people will come! Stop on by booth 188! I an sharing with my pal *Biggie.12 - 10pm Sat and Sun. Division and Wood , Chicago.

Early morning kiln birth

2008-09-05T13:08:00.001-05:00

After a misfire yesterday, I unloaded a kiln destined for Wisconsin Sheep and Wool in the wee hours of the morning. Then I drove for five hours and set up!

The Great Minnesota Get Together

2008-08-28T17:58:00.008-05:00

Wall of honey, jams, and jellies

We're quite proud of our state fair here in MN. ( Second largest state fair , thank you very much) Mr. Lanners and I like to head out to the fair early and catch all the animals before they're tired from the throngs of humanity. An early morning at the fair was not possible this year so we settled for late afternoon. After four hours of driving back from the Madison area and a half an hour at home with the animals we headed off to six hours of walking (and eating) at the Great Minnesota Get Together. Here are a few of my favorite things from this year's fair.

This is what a "novice" ( ages 5 -9 ) pig showing looks like. Twelve pigs and their young handlers circling around the judge. Friggin' adorable. Best ten minutes spent in an animal barn this year!

Bundt Pan = "Ethnic" Baking

And the winner of the creepiest mannequin displaying a knit ensemble . . .

And most ballsy - oops busty - floral arrangement . . .

Seriously? That won a ribbon?
Watch out novice floral arrangers of MN there might be some fresh blood next year. . .

Home Sweet Home!!!

2008-08-26T02:25:00.002-05:00

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Finally after a nearly two week hiatus I am finally home. From Minneapolis to Milwaukee, Milwaukee to Allegan, Allegan to Milwaukee, Milwaukee to Madison, Madison to Kohler, Kohler to Shaumburg, Shaumburg to Rockford (oops), Rockford to Milwaukee, Milwaukee to Madison, Madison to Minneapolis. Makes my head spin just thinking about it.

Mr. Lanners fixed it!

2008-08-22T19:22:00.002-05:00

We have been experiencing technical problems with emails to the jenniethepotter site. If you have emailed me and had it bounce back please resend your email! It should work now . . . he fixed it!

YUM!

2008-08-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

The periodic table of Chicago style hot dog condiments. When in Rome . . .

WOAH!

2008-08-18T10:50:00.002-05:00

Why hello there! I'm currently in the greater Milwaukee area. Google maps directed me to the closest Internet cafe and it's inside an Aveda beauty school - go figure. I have no idea where to begin to recount the happenings of the last week. I've been swimming ever since I received the fabulous news. I have been removed from the wait list and am now officially a vendor for the New York Sheep and Wool Festival aka Rhinebeck!!! ( I'm not yet listed on their site - soon I hope) I found out while I was waiting for my last kiln to cool for the Michigan festival this past weekend. Needless to say there was much rejoicing! My buddy Dawn was my roadie for the Michigan Festival and we had a fabulous adventure! I'll post more about our adventures when I can plug in my camera. Now I'm off to see if I can't get my bangs trimmed . . . serendipity, no?
PS - I'll be at Stitches Midwest this weekend !

Dude, I'm a cheap date

2008-08-07T20:22:00.003-05:00

This, my friends, is what happens when you have a lot of pottery to get done and you still want to spend time with your honey.

Hot

2008-07-29T06:51:00.000-05:00

It's summer, finally hot and sticky and I'm firing kilns twice a week. That makes for a steamy house- especially since we do not have central air. If the dog could fit in the window he surely would.

Spinning

2008-07-24T10:12:00.003-05:00

("Arctic Char" purchased in Juneau Alaska this spring!)

Seems like an appropriate title for this blog entry. I'm running all over the place lately. I've been making pots, firing kilns and traveling almost every weekend. I participated in the Midwest Fiber and Folk Fair this past weekend in Crystal Lake, IL. I wasn't a huge fan of the venue change and the attendance was down from last year. I did get to visit with some friends and see many familiar faces! While there I was asked to share a booth at the upcoming Stitches show. Add another event to the list! Which reminds me . . .

July 26th Schoolhouse Press Knitting Camp Marshfield, WI
August 2& 3rd Powderhorn Art Fair Minneapolis, MN
(Powderhorn Empty Bowls will also have a booth!)
August 15 -17 Michigan Fiber Festival Allegan, MI
August 21 -24 Stitches Midwest Schaumburg, IL
September 5 - 7th Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival Jefferson Co, WI
September 13 & 14 Renegade Chicago, IL

Oy!

Camp!

2008-07-17T08:38:00.003-05:00

Just in time for show and tell at camp I finished the February Lady Sweater. (I used Mission Falls 1824 color 030 - barely into the 13th skein.) I'm please with the finished garment - just looking for the perfect buttons!! I'm thinking big wooden buttons - or maybe horn?
Good thing I have to be a vendor at a fiber festival this weekend! If you are in the Chicago land area (or are up for a road trip) c'mon and visit with us. The second Midwest Fiber and Folk Fair looks like it will be great. I'm going to be teaching a beginning sock class - and I get another road trip with Mom! I'm looking forward to visiting with everyone. Stop by and say Hi!

Happy Birthday!

2008-07-05T08:41:00.003-05:00

Five more monarch butterflies out in the world . . .

I'm a joiner

2008-06-27T19:49:00.009-05:00

So I looked at my schedule for July and said to myself - yeah I can join a few new Ravelry groups. I jumped on the Tour de Fleece bandwagon and in a late night Ravelry worm hole I found the HHHH handspun fiber swap. As long as I'm spinning every day for about a month I might as well share that joy right with a total stranger, right?

For my HHHH swap pal here's my Questionnaire. . .

HHHH Questionnaire

1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself? I've been spinning off and on for two years. I'd say I'm still a beginner - but an advanced one!

2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)? Mostly 2 ply.

3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?

Both - I love my drop spindle and have a new Louet wheel that I'm still getting to know.

4. What are your favorite fibers to spin with? Anything you don't like?
Soft wool mostly. I love a silk wool blend. I'm not big on mohair.
5. Who are your favorite ~~crack dealers~~ fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?
Hmmm - I do most of my fiber shopping at wool festivals. I love Blue Moon.
Here's an etsy link, or two. (I could really make this list go on, and on)
6. What kind of fiber do you want to try?
Sea silk and more wool blends
7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
Nothing specific - just technique refinement
8. Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?
I dabble in the dye pot.
9. Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?
I do have hand cards - but I prefer prepared fiber.
10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?
Mostly look at it. Occasionally I'll add handspun to a project as an accent.
11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
I don't have a "proper" wpi tool - I just use a ruler.
12. What colors "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm pretty easy when it comes to color. I love unexpected color combination -having said that -not a lot of yellow ends up in my stash.
13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
Just wound off some alpaca. Yum!
14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
Pottery and knitting - someday weaving.
15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
Environmental Stewardship. Consuming locally.
16. Do you have an online wishlist?
Nope - maybe I should . . .
17. Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn, patterns and books? Nope
18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have a fairly extensive library and am fortunate to have a fabulous textile center to borrow titles from. I subscribe to Interweave Knits and purchase Spin Off at my local needlework shop.
19. When is your birthday?
August 15
20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?
Umm . . .
21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?
Generally MN summers are humid and sticky - so far this year has been pleasant and comfortable.

Favorites
favorite painting/picture(link): Impossible question. There are just too many. I adore wood block prints. I have a new found love for Jackson Pollack.
Candy: Chocolate
Food: Anything Ethiopian or Indian - If it's spicy and legume based I love it!
Drink: Coffee and Tea
Movie(s): Casablanca, Waiting for Guffman, Everything is Illuminated
TV Show(s): Lost, Six Feet Under, Deadwood
Book(s): Anything by Elizabeth Zimmerman, David Sedaris, Edward Abbey, or Isabelle Allende.
Guilty Pleasure(s): Izzy's Ice cream.

Lanners' Home for Wayward Animals

2008-06-27T14:49:00.004-05:00

Our babe's have flown the nest. There were five eggs laid, but only four babies survived. I tried to catch the first flight - but missed it. Here's a parting shot of the final four finch babies before they abandoned their chateau on our porch.

Finally it's summer so we have officially started the monarch nursery. Here's a picture of the voracious colons in action. We have 12 cocoons and at least another 20 caterpillars in the nursery. Each day we check our milkweed for new babies - saving them from the birds that love our backyard. We're hoping to have 50 monarchs this summer!

Midsummer

2008-06-24T06:55:00.006-05:00

The American Swedish Institute held it's annual Midsummer celebration a week ago and I've been meaning to post pictures of it here. The Nobel prize ceremony gowns of the queen of Sweden were on display inside. ( If you have a princess obsessed little one in your life take them to this exhibit!) Outside there were performers, games, and crafters. I've never seen a voluptuous Nisse before. Or a fiddle processional. Oh! How I love my people.

Pug

2008-06-12T16:29:00.003-05:00

To most a pug is a small dog. To a potter a pug (mill) is a lifesaver. Today we recycled 500 pounds of clay for Empty Bowls at the South High ceramics studio. A pug mill has a large auger that mixes the clay before extruding it out in a long tube. (Think Playdough dough factory or spritz cookie press. ) The clay program at Powderhorn produces a fair amount of "waste" clay, abandoned after sessions or neglected, that is unfortunately thrown away. We took that "waste" clay and recycled it into perfect workable clay for our project! Yeah!

PS - The oven has been temporarily repaired! In a stoke of genius Mr. Lanners took the igniter from the rarely used broiler and placed it in the main heating element. Presto! The oven works and we've ordered a replacement igniter for the broiler. A service call would have run us about $136.00 - the part was $20.00!

Stove Repair 101

2008-06-09T15:17:00.004-05:00

Our oven is broken. As DIY folks we decided to look into fixing it ourselves.
Here's a gem from the Reader's Digest How to Repair an Electric or Gas Range.

Hello again . . .

2008-06-07T19:55:00.002-05:00

Hey there, hi there, ho there! I've been having great difficulty getting back into the swing of things. The cruise was fabulous! I keep meaning to blog - but somehow always manage to postpone it. What's the best way to get back in the saddle? Get back on the horse, silly. So this post is just that. Hi! I'm here and life's been pretty normal. No big news to report. Just making pots, gardening, biking, and just generally enjoying the beautiful MN summer. Check out our newest neighbors. Some frisky finches decided a lantern on our back porch was the best location for a nest. We're calling it the chateau.

MAY DAY !

2008-05-04T06:49:00.002-05:00

If you're anywhere in the TC metro and have nothing to do today get over to the Powderhorn neighborhood and attend the May Day Parade! In The Heart of the Beast Theater puts on an wonderful show. Powderhorn Empty Bowls will be on the south side of the building from 2 - 5 pm conducting our second annual bowl-a-rama. This year we have eight potters and 600# of clay. How many bowls could that be?

Buzy Little Bee

2008-05-02T20:09:00.004-05:00

Check out my fabulous worker bee! (It's me ma!)

So - the last time I posted I was working on the Icelandic yoke. Gasp! It's been finished for weeks now. I fully documented the steek and sewing but haven't had the time to put together a proper post. I promise I will soon.
Things have been busy here at Casa de Lanners. I'm getting ready to go on a fabulous cruise with my mom. Next week - ALASKA! We're so excited. In an unfortunate springtime MN accident my mom fell and broke her leg on a patch of ice. It has modified our plans a wee bit, as we will now be traveling with a wheelchair. Good thing we're on a cruise. You can't get more wheelchair friendly than a cruise. It promises to be great and I will post updates. Promise.
Between now and Thursday I have gobs to do. Many pots need to be completed to fill my bins for Shepherd's Harvest and Art A Whirl *. Oh, and in addition to the mom in the wheelchair I'll be towing a suitcase of mugs too!

* I'll be on vacation - but my pots will be at both events. My wonderful husband and/or brother will be filling in for me while I play with my mom. Please say hello if you stop by either event!

Yoke and YO

2008-04-14T09:00:00.003-05:00

Hello, I am a very messy icelandic yoke sweater. My sleeves have just been added and my yoke has just begun. Please overlook my naughty bits that are showing.

The MN Knitter's Guild held their annual Yarnover event on Saturday. It was a long day - started as usual with a kiln being unloaded, priced and packed in the wee hours of the morning. The day was grand. Many familiar faces stopped by and said hello. I was able to catch up with many friends and acquaintances. Three years ago YO was the first event I sold the sheepy pots at. I was nervous about the new endeavor and was pleasantly surprised at the response. ( cue oscar music . . . ) MN knitters are so supportive - Thank you! I had another wonderful event and I am so appreciative of your continued support! You're awesome!

I spent most of Sunday goofing off. I have a galvanized bucket next to the chair I knit in that is supposed to hold whatever project I'm knitting on. Over the winter it became the remnant bucket of project yarn. I swear the stuff multiplies when you're not looking! I spent the better part of Sunday morning reorganizing and winding the yarn that was in this bucket. I actually located ball bands for most of it and put it back in the closet it's supposed to live in. (I'd like my gold star now, please) It felt good to get rid of the old and make room for the new.
Speaking of new . . . the above picture is my latest project. I'm calling it the Alaska Sweater as it is intended to be ready for wearing on my spring trip with my Ma. I met a friend yesterday afternoon and made some excellent progress. Only two more decrease rounds to go - and then bring on the steek! I'll be sure to post the fun bits.

(PS -If your name's Barb, or you know a Barb that was at YO -you forgot your package! Please contact me to retrieve it!!!)

Tomten! (the directors cut)

2008-04-03T17:21:00.010-05:00

This is the second Tomten I've knit and the first for an adult. What follows is a brief run down of the project. I picked up the yarn at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool show from Chris at Briar Rose. ( Insert gushing sigh here)
Every time this sweater was pulled out in public to knit I ended up giving out the website. The colors are gorgeous and the yarn was a delight to work with. I used approximately 10 skeins of Beth Ann. Using a US size nine needle, I alternated between skeins at the end of every row and ended up with a few small remnants. I over estimated how much yarn I would need to complete the project and have a few extra skeins in my stash. I'm sure to come up with something to do with it on Ravelry. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

My source, the indispensable, The Opinionated Knitter (page 42 - 43). (Insert another gushing sigh) I used the same numbers for my sweater as written in the directions for the kids version. My blind following resulted in a sweater that was a wee too narrow for the Scandinavian shoulders I possess. By the time this revelation had sufficiently sunk in I had already knit both sleeves. Poo. The thought of ripping back to what amounted to the very beginnings to adjust for the necessary width made me cringe. So I knitted on - sure I would come up with a solution - or gift the sweater to a smaller person in my life. In the end I decided to add a button band of sorts across the whole front edge of the sweater. This had the added benefit of adding much needed length to the collar.

The collar features some fancy mitre work. Another bit of EZ genius. I decided the collar would be mostly open and put the mitre on the inside so it would be visible when worn. For a reference check out pg 84 of The Opinionated Knitter. I decided early in the construction of this sweater that the closure would be a zipper, a first for me. For some reason I thought it would be tough. Guess what? Not that bad. The sewing of zipper was a bit futsy. Totally worth it in the end. I followed the online tutorial I found here. The basting was absolutely necessary. I decided on a double separating zipper so I have the option to wear it just closed in the middle for that jaunty single button across the chest look. I picked up some lovely grograin ribbon that I will sew on top of the zipper band at some point. Here's the sweater inside out showing my basting stitches for holding down the zipper while I hand sewed it on.

The whole sweater perimeter is finished with a two stitch I-cord. It makes for a lovely finish for the garment. After I knit the additional girth with the pseudo button band I cast off in I cord. I then cruised around the bottom of the sweater picking up stitch and making the cord. I added an extra non attached row of I-cord to get me around the corners nicely and grafted the two stubby ends together using Kitchener stitch. I have no idea where I started or ended now that I examine it. I was able to hide the stitches for the zipper inside the I cord making the hand stitching nearly invisible. I fear the bottom edge may be a bit too tight - but I can always change that later.

Yummy garter stitch goodness. Heavens it's tasty and expeditious!

Spring is approaching, despite the dumping of a few inches this week. I find my Tomten the perfect weight for walking the pooch, counting the robins, in our balmy 40 degree weather.

April Fools

2008-04-01T08:30:00.002-05:00

On Sunday it was 50 degrees and beautiful. This morning I shoveled.

Tour O' the Midwest

2008-03-28T09:52:00.007-05:00

It's the time of year where I'm checking my mail box and wondering when I'll know what my summer season will bring. Last year was a bit hectic participating in an event almost every weekend. This year I have resolved to be home more so I can have a sane summer!
What follows is a list of the events I know I will be participating in this spring and summer. Mark your calendars!

MN Knitter's Guild Yarnover Hopkins,MN April 12

Shepherd's Harvest Lake Elmo, MN May 10 & 11
Art-A-Whirl 2008 Minneapolis, MN May 16 - 18
our gracious host Sue Christensen
Design Fiesta Minneapolis, MN June 7

Schoolhouse Press Knit Camp 2.75 Marshfield, WI July 10 - 14
Midwest Fiber and Folk Crystal Lake, IL July 18 - 20
Michigan Fiber Festival Allegan, MI August 16 -17
Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Jefferson, WI September 5-7

I will add to this list and re-publish as I firm up some other dates!

February Baby Sweater - in March

2008-03-14T10:13:00.004-05:00

Oooh how I love this little sweater. I could go on and on about my love for EZ, couldn't most knitters? This little gem was gifted to my good friend Elly for her first due in early June. The mom to be was wearing the same color shirt at the shower - it was perfect. I knit this in barely over one skein of Elsebeth Lavold's silky wool, color #23. These two particular skeins had been sitting in my stash waiting for the perfect project. The color and drape was perfect. I'm guessing I'll knit many more of these as another couple we know is expecting a little girl!

Buttons!!!

2008-03-12T10:59:00.003-05:00

Two in one day? I had to share . . .
Look what's up!
It's just the beginning . . .
Whatdaythink?

I (heart) MN

2008-03-12T08:40:00.003-05:00

Up there in the center of the flag you'll see a hardworking farmer. Surprisingly enough he isn't depicted wearing shorts.

Yesterday the temperature here got up to 49 degrees. On my drive to teach last night I saw cars with windows rolled down, a convertible with the top down, and my first sighting of shorts this spring. When I pulled into the parking lot the park was inundated with folks playing soccer. Soccer playing on the snow/ ice- not just one game but multiple games. Today the weather has rain in the forecast! Yippee!

Madison

2008-03-10T09:11:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend I traveled to Madison to be a vendor at their knitter's guild event, Knit- it.
Volunteers from the guild were there to help the vendors unload (and then re-load). Many classes were offered and each attendee had name tags with their lunch and class selections printed on it. I love to talk to the folks that stop by my booth and the guild was kind enough to print some great opening questions right on their name tags! "Lily Chin lecture, Cobb salad and Steeks?! Is there a better way to spend a Saturday?"
I had a grand old time and met my first Craft Lit listener. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the people that will use the things I create. When someone buys one of my pieces I am being invited to come into their home and become part of their routine. I am overjoyed when I meet a customer who shares the value of a handmade item. These moments of mutual understanding are what give me the fuel necessary to work solo in my studio. Thank you!
I am finishing up my applications for the summer and will post a list of upcoming shows soon!
I'm also knee deep in some website work right now - good stuff on the way! I'll keep you posted!

Fire and Ice

2008-02-20T22:23:00.004-06:00

That is what happens when a burning building is doused with water in subzero weather.
Maxwell's a great 12 table bar - I worked there in college. Home to the greatest wings in Mpls. Looks like it will be a while before Mary can make me one of her famous bloody marys.
(No one was harmed - hopefully the owners will rebuild- that corner has been a bar since it was built!)

Argh!

2008-02-03T17:09:00.001-06:00

I seem to be experiencing some computer problems. I have had a few people tell me recently that they are attempting to email me @ jennie(at)jenniethepotter(dot)com and the emails are bouncing back. I asked my web guy to look into it last week. He did, and supposedly resolved the issue. Well, it appears as though there is still some problem lurking out there somewhere. In the meantime if you are emailing me and it is bouncing back - please use my hotmail account - jenniethepotter(at)hotmail(dot)com. Gracias!

PS - thanks to those who have taken the time to let me know of this problem! I would have no way of knowing without your efforts.

DUD

2008-02-03T04:45:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, an event is a total dud. I have been very lucky, having more success than failure, until this week. I did an event that was mind numbingly bad. The event was brought to my attention by a reputable and lovely shop here in the Twin Cities. The pitch was promising, " an independent crafters pavilion, " that "showcases locally made goods." A small group of crafters paid our fee and crossed our fingers hoping the event would we good, after all how many events are there in February? The show, alas, was not good. We were intermixed with a bizarre group of vendors retailing what can be best described as snake oil. I sold a whopping total of 6 pieces in two days. Five of those were to other vendors who were sharing the same sinking ship. (I think they were pity purchases) I'm not taking it personally, or soliciting pick me ups. ( I know I make beautiful work) I'm writing this in part to vent my frustrations and in part to be honest about what it is like to be an independent business woman. Not all sales are sunshine and lollipops. On the bright side, I met some lovely folks and got an awful lot of knitting done! Oh yeah, and I have plenty of stock for my next show. Here are the stats:

Make Out Goods
Sunday February 10th
10am - 6pm
James Ballentine VFW Post 246

2916 Lyndale Avenue South

Minneapolis

612.823.6233

Brrr

2008-01-26T07:55:00.000-06:00

It's been a wee bit chilly around here lately. Theo has been protesting his walks. A few days ago while on a walk he took turns holding one paw up off the sidewalk. So - his walks have been short. Perhaps he needs some slippers for his cold paws? Cold paws? Check these out.

(The slippers formerly known as Fuzzy Feet)

The husband's slippers have finally gone too far. The mild whining about the cold chill on his feet must be put to an end. I've offered to patch the old ones. This is just my own procrastination. I love the results of the Fiber Trends Clog Pattern but dislike following a pattern line for line. Pressing forward I have finished two clogs and need only to make two more soles to attach to the bottom.

I tried to sew leather on a pair of these last year and after much swearing and thumb mutilation I gave up. After washing, maybe I'll do some "cleansing breaths" and try the leather bottom thing again. Patience little grasshopper. Patience.

(Pretend there are two . . . )

Check it out!

2008-01-18T18:21:00.000-06:00

I was going to originally blog about my procraftination. (procrastination via craft)
I made myself a spiffy new apron with old jeans and overall remnants I had laying around. Theo was hamming it up for the camera. Here's a closeup. Yes, one of the pieces is sewn on backwards - I kinda like it that way.

Very Gee's Bend, No?
( I have an awful lot of these remnants - perhaps a duvet cover?)
I was sidetracked by an email about this. Cool!

Pot Shot

2008-01-13T11:43:00.001-06:00

Onion Jar
Originally uploaded by jenniethepotter

A view from the top of the newest onion pot.

What I did on my Christmas Vacation

2008-01-06T11:34:00.000-06:00

The lead up to the holidays were a blur of late nights in the studio, shows on the weekends and last minute gift knitting. As usual my heart was bigger than time allowed and many presents were unfinished at Christmas. I gave up the ghost early and just shrugged it off knowing full well they could be finished on our post holiday vacation. On the 26 th the Mister, the cat and the dog, and I piled into the car and headed up north. We spent a blissful week in a wonderful cabin. I read, knit and took naps. Gluttonous. I also did a fair bit of snowshoeing on the lake. I finished four of the unfinished projects. It was lovely.

No coast = no sleep

2007-12-02T13:19:00.000-06:00

Friday and Saturday was No Coast Craft-O-Rama at the global market here in Mpls. ( Had I been a responsible blogger I would have posted before the event - but I was so busy getting all of my pieces ready for the show that everything that was not urgent was neglected.) When I left the house to set up for the show on Friday at 12:30 I left a kiln at home cooling at a balmy 950 degrees. Procrastinate? Me? Never? I worked like a fiend in the weeks prior to the show. I made many familiar designs and tested some new designs as well. Above is a shot of a new sewing motif. The new designs sold well - there will be more made for my next sale!
( And sometime this century they will make it on to the website - really - I promise they will! Does anybody want to come and photograph my work for me?)
Mr. Lanners and I have been like ships passing in the night with my studio schedule lately. I'm up and working while he's sleeping and I'm off to bed while he's still working. Busy days for both of us means we sometimes eat together before we run off to do something urgent. So today, at the top of my list - make a great dinner, and dessert, that we will sit down and enjoy - together - with out interruptions. The menu seems fittting after our first great dumping of snow. Bowl food alwalys seems appropriate - makes you want snuggle up with your bowl and tuck in for a good meal.
(Then tomorrow it's back to pots, pots, pots, pots . . . )

Update . . .

2007-11-21T07:57:00.000-06:00

EB was a great success! We sent out press releases to every news agency in the cities and got ZERO press coverage. Seems incongruous to have those two sentences back to back. Word of mouth brought over 700 people who purchased over 1100 handmade bowls. We raised over $10,000!!! We still have corporate matching gifts coming in so we hope the total to exceed $12,000! ( EB also applied for a grant that we will soon find out about . . .) For a first time event, started by 5 people, I'd say we were pretty successful! I have run into so many people who were wowed by the event. It was absolutely amazing to see all of these people there! At the dinner service I was coerced to address the group. Being totally overwhelmed by the response I said something witty, no doubt, and then began to tear up. I cried in front of a gymnasium full of people. The emotion was real and I still get shivers when I think of the response by that community to our event. Thank you. If you attended, Thank you, if you did not, please come next year! November 7, 2008.

Bowls, bowls, bowls, bowls . . .

2007-11-06T06:58:00.000-06:00

Five Powderhorn folks got together and decided to host an empty bowls. Our goal is to promote art, feed the hungry and promote the common good. Potters make pots, cooks make soup. People come to our event, choose a handmade bowl, make a free will donation, and enjoy a soup meal. Attendees take home their new bowl which reminds them there are bowls, in our neighborhood, that need filling. We turn around and give the donations to organizations that directly feed the hungry. It's a beautiful circle. Think globally, act neighborly!

It's early on Tuesday and I've been knee deep in bowls for a while now. This Friday is our Empty Bowls event! THIS FRIDAY!?!! There's so much to do. We have had wonderful businesses donate supplies for our event. Those donations need to be picked up. Pots, and pans, veggies, tablecloths, bread, butter the list goes on. Meanwhile I'm juggling finishing 150 bowls. The kilns are running and I've thrown them all, I just have to trim them and glaze them, Oh My!
Please come! There will be 1,000 bowls to choose from, wonderful bread, nummy soup, and beautiful people!

Friday, November 9, 2007
11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Powderhorn Park Building
3400 15th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Who are these lovely ladies?

2007-10-28T11:12:00.001-05:00

On Thursday evening I went to the Barnes and Noble at the MOA to hear Laurie Perry read from her new book. Sweet, charming and friggin' hilarious. Afterward I had the fine pleasure to go out with Annie and Laurie.

I had my first awesome blossom, it was two for ones, and the ladies . . . priceless.

Soggy Vacation

2007-10-24T08:31:00.000-05:00

We returned from our annual vacation thankful for long underwear and gortex. It rained. And rained. And rained! The plan was to paddle and portage our way through the BWCAW like we do every year. This year we didn't get our act together to come up with a week to go until late in the summer.
By then the only week available was last week. Mid October in Northern MN. We watched the weather reports daily, even hourly in the days prior to our departure. We were optimistic, and we tried. It was too miserable. So we paddled out and camped nearby until that too was soggy. The dog, in his fancy neoprene vest, took to sitting near the car, pleading for us to go home. After four days with approximately 8 hours of non rain ( not sunshine), we decided to drive home early.
Leaving our campgrouond we encountered many downed trees. On the drive home we heard reports of road closures along the shore of Superior. Gale warnings too. Our bed was so cozy. I think the dog will forgive us.

Next year we will be going to the BWCAW in early September.

Vacation?

2007-10-15T06:51:00.001-05:00

I've returned from my weekend in Chicago. ( above you'll see a mouth watering description found somewhere in Wisconsin) Yarn Con was a nice small event. It was great to see some familiar faces and spend the weekend in Chicago with my new amiga. Franklin Habit was there taking photographs for his 1,000 knitters project. I sat for him and nervously knit, we'll see if I make the cut! Shannon Okey was also there signing her books. She was lovely, and she went home with a mug, felt school temptress. I found what might be the greatest knitting project bag ever - it's coming with me everywhere. I had a lovely dinner with friends and got my Chicago fix. It is nice to visit every now and again. After a wonderful weekend and lots of driving I have finally reached the day I have been looking forward to all summer. VACATION DAY!

Today Mr. Lanners and I will be going up north for our annual BWCA trip. The weather forecast is changing by the hour - we can only hope that the latest projections for rain are wrong. The pup got a brand new neoprene vest, in case it's really cold. We have packed many layers. Even if it's chilly it will be fabulous! Check out a map of the BWCAW - we'll be leaving from the end of the Gunflint trail departing from Seagull lake. The two of us a canoe, a blaze orange vested dog and some Duluth packs. Here's a teaser from last year. See you in about a week!

A Day at Misty Meadow

2007-10-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

After waking up very early to unload a last minute kiln, I saw the sun rise in my rear view window as I drove to Misty Meadow Farm. MM is located about 45 min west of my house. I was quickly out of the city and was in rolling hills - with fall all around. Red sumac, yellow birch and golden maples lined the way. It sprinkled off and on in the morning, but by 11 am it was a clear picture book perfect beautiful fall day.

The shearing started at 9:00 and lasted until about 2:00 I spent most of the day skirting fleeces. These were by far the cleanest fleeces I have ever skirted- a testament to the wonderful shepherding. It was wonderful to see and feel the difference of all the fleeces. Icelandic sheep have two layers to their fleece, the undercoat was incredibly and surprisingly soft! MM had 47 or so Icelandic sheep and the variety of color was amazing (i love Moorit)! Judy and Tom were so gracious- I truly enjoyed every minute. It was the perfect fall day!

Finished Object (!?!!)

2007-10-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been feeling my knitting stash is the land of misfit toys. There are single socks, hats, sweaters, even a shawl that are all at some level of abandonment. Somewhere along the line I became disillusioned with the yarn, the stitch,
pattern or eek! my math was off.
( I just realized I have to rip back 10inches of a sweater back because silly me forgot to make sure I had enough uninterrupted stitches on either side of a cable panel to account for the arm hole decreases )
These ufos are in boxes and bins in the spare bedroom. I am slowly bringing them to light to decide their fate. Frog or fix? I hope to weed through the ufos to have a clean slate of knitting in the future. Besides, what feels better than a completed project? In that spirit . . .

Here's the first Tomten I have ever knit. I used Canadian Regal, purchased at Meg Swansen's knitting camp this summer ( 2 1/2 balls of the main color and barely any of the contrast color). The sweater was knit off and on throughout the months of August and September. I love the result - it was too hot to have the recipient try it on for a photo shoot. Soon enough it will be cold and the sweater will get worn!
In a fit of embroidery fever I made a onesie for my newest nephew. I heart french knots.
Fun, no?

Feelin' Green

2007-10-02T21:53:00.000-05:00

Here's what I did today . . .
The weather was overcast and drizzly all day. I couldn't seem to focus on much - I had some major A.d.d today. Some beauties were painted and carved. I have a few shows left and should be stocking for the holiday . . .

This bowl, and many others, will be at the Misty Meadow Icelandic sheep shearing this weekend. Beautiful Icelandic fleeces will be available to purchase, freshly shorn, and Judy's stunning felt work too!
Stop by on Saturday!

Chicago!

2007-09-18T22:07:00.001-05:00

Anyone up for a road trip? I have been accepted to Yarn Con in Chicago! The first ever fiber festival in the city! Join me at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse on October 13th, 2007 Check out the website for details!
Also, I totally spaced posting this ( sorry Windy City Gals! )
If you are going to be in the Chicago land area . . .
Three great class offerings!

Arnhild Hillesland, a native of Norway, specializes in two color knitting and she will be teaching three classes during the weekend of October 19-21, 2007 presented by the Windy City Knitting Guild (WCKG).
Friday night October 19 - Slide Show on Traveling and Knitting in Norway 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday October 20 - Mittens the Nor-Way 9am-4pm - Make a traditional Norwegian mitten using 5 double point needles.
Sunday October 21 - Sweaters the Nor-Way 9am-4pm - Make a mini-cardigan with all the details of an adult sweater working with double point and circular needles and learning her technique for stranding carrying both colors in the left hand.
This weekend workshop will be held at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston, IL.
For more information including the registration form please visit the WCKG website

It sounds like they may have to cancel the offerings if there aren't enough people who register - Show the WCKG some love!