2016-02-19 - Friday - Catching up with friends

I've been enjoying using Periscope lately, watching and chatting with friends far and wide.

This week I've checked in with Michael Kline, Adam Field, Will Baker, and someone I haven't chatted with for a long time: Angela Walford.

It was great catching up with Angela in her new studio in Seppeltsfield, South Australia. We had a nice chat about pots, obvara firing, mutual friends, and of course, Doctor Who.

Angela and I met online several years ago while blogging. A bunch of us connected via blogger and had a great time sharing ideas and stories around the world. When Facebook came along a lot of us went there, then Instagram. Some of us have gotten back to blogging and it's a nice change to the rapid-fire rhythm of Facebook.

In 2011 Angela came to Shelby, NC with Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew (now Fitch) for a great workshop. It was wonderful meeting everyone IRL (In Real Life) and we all had a great day. There were so many great memories and one was Angela and I discussing Doctor Who.

I can't recommend Periscope enough. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones is wonderful.

In video.

In real time.

Wow.

I forgot to take a screenshot during the scope
so I had to get one from the replay.

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Saturday - Another British invasion

Playing catch up again...

Saturday we (Becky, Kim, and our friend Ann) went to Shelby to attend a workshop featuring the talents of Hannah McAndrew and Doug Fitch at the Cleveland County Arts Council.  Hannah lives in Scotland and Doug in England.  It was a wonderful experience and made even better since their friend and our other blogging buddy, Angela Wolford came all the way from Australia to accompany them.  It was a magical day and it was like we had rock stars in our midst.  There was a surreal quality about it since we have all been blogging together for several years and we finally got to meet face to face.

Doug and Hannah did demos for most of the day and had us all spellbound by their talents and techniques.  They showed us how they throw their forms and how they decorate them and kept us laughing all the way.

We had a great lunch and watched the Isaac Button film while eating.

Then it was back to the workshop and more wonderful forms and decorating.

After the workshop we all went out front and took a picture on the steps and then it was on to a great dinner at the Pleasant City Grill.

All too soon, it was over and we had to say goodbye to our faraway friends and bid them safe travels back home.

A big thanks to Hannah, Doug, and Angela for visiting us and to Ron Philbeck for making it possible.

The demo stage with Doug and Hannah working away.

About 35 people attended.

Doug making a puzzle jug.
It's steaming because he just blasted it with a weed burner.

Doug and Hannah intent in their work.

Puzzle jugs require a lot of work to make them puzzling.

Hannah decorates it beautifully as Doug looks on.

Becky was soaking it in.

Almost finished.

Ta-da!

 A short break.

 

Susan, Jane, Becky, Kim, and Leon at lunch.

Back to work.

Robin and Kim look on as Doug quick-dries his jug.

Same jug with neck and handle added.

Great thumb chock and spiral.

Robin and Jane (in foreground) at Pleasant City Grill.

Ron and Becky.

Doug, Andrew, and Brad.

Gay came all the way from Texas for the workshop.

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