Amazing Thunder Storm

The Summer Weather Continues

   Last night after another long day making beads and throwing ceramic vessels is was great to sit and watch the most amazing thunder storm over the fens, black skies raced across from the west heading off to the coast, bringing with them some huge claps of thunder and very heavy rain, what a great end to the day it was.
   This morning it was another early start for me, this last month sleep and I are not the best of friends and to be honest I can't wait to get up in the mornings, watching the clock all night drives me mad and if I can't sleep I'd rather be up and about using that time. Today is a ceramic day for me, once a week I try to get a whole day working with clay, I've been working on my pot throwing in the evenings as you know but I try to use this clay day to trim bowls, make ceramic beads and yes, put in a few more hours on my wheel, it seems to be working and as I've stated before the hours I'm putting in are really helping to improve my skills.
   On the lampwork side of things I've been enjoying making the first few sets ready for the displays here in the barn and of course beads for both the etsy and ebay shops. We were hoping to have a bonfire yesterday evening on which we could burn some of the rubbish collected while emptying the barn ready to paint, the weather of course put that plan on the back burner so I hope maybe tomorrow we will be out there watching the flames. We still have a small section of roof that we need to felt, but touch wood we should be able to get that finished off next month, we just can't afford to do it all at once so we have to be patient, of course it would be nice to be able to take a week off work and get the roof fixed, the barn painted and displays cleaned and looking fresh and tidy, but that isn't possible for us and all we can do is get done those jobs that cost nothing and manage those that need money when we can, I must say it does mean it takes a lot longer but you do appreciate it more when it's all sorted, I guess if any customers do visit then it will just look like a tidy little barn to them, but to us it will mean a few months of hard work and going without to afford it, plus of course it means that we will be warm and dry while working this coming winter, yes I have dreams of a small wood burning stove sitting in the corner keeping us warm and new glass racks holding the many glass rods we work with, but hey dreams are good, they keep your mind working and your heart wishing.
   Well I guess it's time for me to get back out there, this morning I'll be trimming pots, bowls and egg cups that were made in the last couple of evenings, I hope once again to be listing pieces this Sunday. I also have wind chimes and ceramic beads to make after lunch so all in all a busy day for this bead maker but one he will enjoy I'm sure.