We are very excited about the Holiday Gifts & Accessories/Sept-Oct issue of Retailing Insight Magazine! One of the J. Davis Studio Dragonfly Raku Ornaments is included in the Editors Pick Holiday Décor Section.
Retailing Insight is a trade magazine for business owners of body-mind-spirit gift stores and centers, providing expert trade and business advice. They may be geared to the trade, but the magazine has lots of articles with good information for us all. And the magazine can be read online for FREE!
It’s time to switch gears and get ready for the busiest, but the most bright and joyful time of the year. Let the winter holiday season begin! In this issue we will find ways to stay on track during the holidays, and how to budget and purchase for the season. The articles include -
Full of the hope and attitude that she could change the world, Brené Brown, became burned out from her job as a social worker early in her career. Becoming nasty to those around her she felt were not as busy as she was, her friends took notice, intervened and convinced her should could not take care of others if she did not first take care of herself.
She came to realize she was burned out, but how could she slow down after having such a full schedule she wondered.
Burnout is prevalent in today’s world. With so much information literally at our fingertips, we are immersed in society’s messaging that makes us feel we are not doing enough with our time. And in our free time, we are learning how to be more productive with our time.
Brené is now always on the lookout for burnout. Desiring to live in the present moment to savor her time with family and friends, and aware she doesn't like herself when she's tired and resentful, she works to protect her mind, body and spirit.
She points out that simply getting enough rest is not the answer. She knows from experience that once you've built your reputation and life upon hectic schedules and lots of activities, slowing down can make us feel unproductive, or worse yet - irrelevant.
To successfully prevent burnout, we must dare to change the way we define our self-worth. We must realize our loved ones care about us because of who we are, not for what we do. We know we will be happier when we stop trying to please everyone, but it’s hard to have the courage to stand up to the fear of imperfection.
"When you stop living on stress and adrenaline, you may feel emotional, spiritual and physical discomfort (it's not unlike putting out a fire—the smoke makes it hard to breathe for a while). But that discomfort is worth it if you can finally get calm and comfortable in your own skin."
~ Brené Brown
To prevent the burnout, Brené suggests these 3 things:
Preventing burnout requires us to have as much compassion for ourselves as we do others. It is not easy to muster that courage, but it is essential if we are going to truly care for those around us.
]]>Raku pottery begins just like your everyday pottery – wet clay is molded by hand, dried slowly, fired, cooled slowly, then glazed, and finally fired a second time. For normal pottery, to prevent breakage and glaze defects, it is critical a kiln cool slowly after firing.
But a Raku firing is not normal. Imperfection is the treasure! In the second firing, as soon as the piece reaches a certain temperature, and the silica glaze begins to melt and flow, long metal tongs are used to pull the red-hot pottery from the kiln to initiate an extreme thermic reaction.
Then to push the alternative technique even further, in addition to the thermal shock, a chemical reaction is introduced by placing the piece inside a lidded container filled with combustibles. The flammables immediately burst into flames and the lid is shut quickly to cut off the air supply.
Inside the closed metal can, the frenzied flames lick and flail wildly in search of air. In a desperate quest to stay alive, the fire encircles and swaths each piece drawing air from the glaze. As the fire burns out, fluid smoke and lack of oxygen leave behind an unpredictable surface with delicate, colorful, and one-of-a-kind iridescent patterns.
After a short time, the lid is removed, and the smoky embers and fiery artwork are doused with a spray of cold water to still the chaotic chemical and thermal reactions.
The Raku firing process at J. Davis Studio is meditative and requires mindful focus. When performed mindfully, there is little, if any breakage. The intense and labor-intensive procedure produces an organic, earthy and rustic splendor that only trial by fire can create - not unlike the imperfect treasure that's often hidden within us all.
Over the years, the painter’s studio evolved into a gallery that represents and encourages an appreciation of the arts and the significance of protecting our precious environment. The Ansel Adams Gallery offers a unique selection of books, American craft, fine arts, alongside a remarkable collection of Ansel Adams original photographs.
The gallery has a staff that includes climbers, photographers, hikers, and dog lovers who have a deep affection for Yosemite. They will help you find a perfect memory of your trip to one of the most breathtaking places on earth.
Read more about the 114 year history of the Ansel Adams Gallery, purchase original photography, history and reproductions of his famous works, as well as sign up for one of their many photography workshops and classes on the Ansel Adams website.
]]>Our hearts are heavy thinking about the toll of this year’s weather related disasters. Whether it’s hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, this year has been brutal.
If you are one of ones hit, please know our hearts are with you.
Twenty five years ago, John experienced a fire in his uninsured studio at the hands of an arsonist. We know how devastating it is to your mind and soul to witness something you’ve worked so hard to build, in ruins.
Our daughters served in AmeriCorps NCCC. Michaela helped victims rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, and Hannah and her team were deployed to New Jersey just hours after Hurricane Sandy left her path of destruction. As parents who told our girls more than once, “Come home,” John and I are so very grateful they refused our pleas. AmeriCorps is an extraordinarily program important for so many reasons.
To everyone, we want to help others raise funds for food banks, and Humane Society locations in distressed areas, as well as for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERFPlus.org), a non-profit that helped John get back on his feet back in 1992.
Please let us know of silent auctions for these kinds of fundraisers, so we can possibly donate our handcrafted goods. We know it’s a tiny drop in the vast bucket, but these auctions allow us help raise more funds than we could afford to give on our own.
Please feel free to pass along our contact info or email us with the information.
With love and gratitude,
John and Robin