Episode 14: “…Creeps at this petty pace from day to day….”

Greetings from the world of Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio.  My last entry was over a week ago.  Since then, progress has been negligible. I am still unable to enter the studio as I await the second application of tile and grout sealant.  Today the electrician came and moved the 220 line up from my kiln’s basement location to the new studio location.  This is progress; however, I won’t be able to fire again until the kiln also is moved. I hope Greg the Builder sees fit to come and apply the second coat of sealant so the move can take place.  Also, Phil heroically drove here in the bitterly cold weather this weekend and applied the baseboards. He was going to come back and take care of the pantry door and make the adjustment for the differing floor heights, but three days ago the starter on his car died and we haven’t heard from him since. This entire scene is disappointing and frustrating to me.  Arnold said the work would be done in eight weeks after the first digging was done, and that was late August. Everything should have been done by the end of October.  It’s hard to keep a routine going, harder still to have concentrated, dedicated work time with the disorder and uncertainty surrounding the construction project. I don’t think I’ll be able to have anything new for the January Gallery Night and Day. I had thought this Turtle Woman blog would be relatively short, brisk and optimistic in tone, setting forth an example for others who are contemplating an addition, as well as documenting the steps in the creation of my studio.  To my faithful followers, thanks for your patience.  I appreciate your comments and suggestions! I look forward to the day when I will use this blog to announce an studio open house.

This is the sight at the foot of the stairs. The effort to complete the cement walk was too little, too late. Our parking slab access, as well as our trash receptacles, are beyond the fence in the alley and are inaccessible.

Today the electrician finished the installation of the line of 220 current.

The kiln will be placed here.... Someday....

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio: Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a t...

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio: Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a t...: "On Monday, November 28, the electrician came and installed the light fixtures and the baseboard heating unit. Since then, this week’s progr..."

Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a tile floor)

On Monday, November 28, the electrician came and installed the light fixtures and the baseboard heating unit. Since then, this week’s progress has been slow and steady, as the tile was fixed with adhesive and the grouting process has begun. Gina has been doing the tile work while Greg the Builder did some exterior work, digging a small pit into the frozen earth around the porch extension and bringing in a long slab of cement which I think is intended for cutting up and placing in the walkway.  Unfortunately, our luck with Mother Nature did not hold—the steps and path are not accessible for me and the porch isn’t finished, although there were several days they could have done this. (Greg said that some workers were supposed to show up but didn't. I thought there would be a pool of eager workers, given the economy....)  I wish they could have done that exterior work before we had our first significant snowfall. I don’t think I’ll be able to take the garbage out this winter unless we have a melt and they work diligently. (Just think what my kitchen will smell like by Spring!)

Taken a couple days before Thanksgiving, this is Phil working on the porch.  He thoughtfully created a place for lawnmower storage and was responsible for the exterior painting, as well.  It seems that Phil can do just about any step in the building of a house. I wish he could have returned to finish this porch project, but I think he was sent over to another project. The porch really is almost done now, except that it is partially unpainted and a couple more spindles need to be installed.

Here is a chance to admire the glowing ceiling fixture, the partially installed tile and the partially finished table that my son-in-law Mike is refinishing for me as my Christmas gift. He made some progress on it over Thanksgiving, but because the heat wasn't installed yet, the stain adhered to the top rather than permeating the wood. I'm hoping he can come to Milwaukee for a "workation" soon so this work table will be ready for clay by the time the studio is done.

I love the tile, made by Seneca Pottery in Attica, Ohio.

Here is Gina at work installing the tile.

Friday night was "Christmas in the Ward." The array of sculptures were awaiting transport last Thursday. The sculpture of Rumpelstiltskin leaping over a fire is my newest one, just out of the kiln Thursday morning. I was thinking about how the miller's daughter carelessly bargains away her future for the present, promising her firstborn if the little man would spin straw into gold for her. Fortunately, Rumpelstiltskin is a game player and when the miller's daughter becomes queen and has a child, he gives her three chances to guess his name; but people are not always as lucky as the queen.

Here is where we are now with the floor.  The tiles are in place and have been treated with sealer and the original grout has been placed.  I admire Gina's skill and stamina, since it has been a very long week with this.

(It's now December 5, the evening of St. Nicholas. I want to remind you to put your shoes out for St. Nicholas' visit. I hope nobody gets a lump of coal.  George doesn't know it yet, but in the morning he'll find two boxes of the liqueur chocolate cherries from Trader Joe's. All our Milwaukee friends are invited to stop by for a first-hand look at the studio....and George can share his chocolates if there are any left!)