Moo Cards.......

I decided about two weeks ago that it was time to get some new business cards. I had purchased my old cards at Staples and after a busy summer I was running dangerously low. So, while browsing about on Etsy, I discovered Moo. I had looked at their cards before and had shuffled them into the back of my mind like I do with a billion other thoughts everyday. So after taking a look at their website and some of their designs I was hooked. I placed and order and received my cards about 9 days later. When I opened the padded envelope that they were mailed in I discovered that they were packed into a great business card holder, and there was even a coupon included for my next order.

The best thing about this company is that you can put your own photos on your cards, and Moo allows you to use as many photos as you want (if you order 50 cards, you can use 50 different images). I used the same photo on all of my cards this time.

My point of all of this is, the next time you decide to order business cards, defintely definitely give Moo a try. They rock, hardcore.

One of my many dream studios

Originally uploaded by Old Chum

i spotted this photo on etsy's blog................

This is exactly the kind of studio i would love to have. This photo combines my two favorite things in life, ceramics and creative building. I am still staring at this picture...............

A Life Update

So i just got home from work, and i decided that i'd jot down a quick post as an update to what's been happening in my life recently. This summer my landscaping and contracting business absolutely took off, to the point that i was working like 10 hour days 6 or 7 days a week! Finally, we finished up the season right around Christmas. After such a busy season we still have half of this upcoming season booked solid. But i've decided that as busy as i've been, i still need my creative outlet. While we were working i didn't step foot into my studio for almost five months. That was pretty hard for me. So i have already decided that this season WILL NOT be as hectic for me. We're hiring two full time employees this season, effectively organizing our time and focusing our efforts on one job at a time as opposed to trying to run multiple jobs at once.

Hopefully, in the end, this will mean that i can balance my landscaping business right along with Eoff St. Studios. I've been throwing like crazy while things are slow that just in case i don't get a lot of time in the studio i'll have a good stockpile of pots built up to last me through the busiest times of the season.

I've also, in my very limited spare time, began working on a few chairs that i'm refinishing. But i will save them and their progress for my next post, which i promise will not be in 9 months. In case you're wondering, the picture is one of the projects we completed this season. This was only phase one of this prject!!!

A Local Collaboration............

I am a huge advocate of buying local, anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that. So when I was approached last week by Paul of Island Lights Candle Co. of Wheeling, WV about a collaboration of our two products, I was definitely interested. And after seeing Paul’s products, I was convinced.

I’ll admit it, I know absolutely nothing about making candles. I know even less about soy candles, but Paul gladly offered up a wealth of knowledge about his process and products. Soy candles are green (always a plus), the materials are grown in the U.S., so they support American farmers, they burn cleaner, longer, and cooler than paraffin wax, they hold their scents better, and the wax almost completely burns away when the candle is gone.

So we sat down and came up with a list of my pots that would be great to pour soy candles into. For now, we’re keeping it limited to a few different vessels, mostly large and small mugs, tumblers, and small cylinders, but our list will hopefully grow to include lidded vessels, bowls, and other products. The really great thing about this collaboration is that after you burn the candle, you can throw the vessel in the dishwasher and use it everyday for your coffee, tea, or whatever you’d like.

The scent list that Pauls has is quite impressive, he has recently started an Etsy shop, and I will put a link to it here as soon as he has it up and running. For now, you can purchase out collaborative pieces through my Etsy shop.

Well………I’d better get back into the studio.

It's Been a While

So I just realized that I've been neglecting my duties as a blogger. I've had a pretty crazy week and a lot has happened. The handsome fellow that you see to the left is my dog Caesar. This week I took him to the vet after I discovered he was bleeding and after an exam I was told that he has a tumor which may be breast cancer (which is rare in male dogs). So tomorrow morning at 8:15 am I'm taking him in to have his tumor removed, as long as there is no cancer that has metastasized to his lungs. Hopefully, everything will. Caesar, even though he's almost 14, has been the model of perfect health. Just last year I was told that he has the heart of a 7 year old.

On the business side of things, this month has been crazy. Business has skyrocketed allowing me to live like a relatively normal person. I've picked up a few spots in which to put my pots and I've decided on the markets and fairs that I'm going to be attending this season (stay tuned for a list!), and I've decided on a budget to put forth for advertising purposes. Now all I have to do is crank out a whole buttload of quality work over the next few months to keep my stock up. I've started making a few new forms in the studio, I'll be sure to post them up here once they're finished and I've tested them to make sure they're not crap. Anyways, until then, stay dirty!

My Stuff!!!!!

Just a quick post. I figured I'd write a quick note to let everyone know that as of March 1st, you can find my pottery at Artworks Around Town in the upper market house of Centre Market in Wheeling.

You can also find my work at the Wheeling Artisan Center on Main St. in Wheeling.

Over this next sale season I will have my work at different sales around the east coast and midwest. I will definitely keep everyone who reads my blog updated.

Oh and I was recently on the front page of Indiespotting, a web site featuring handmade stuff. it's pretty sweet. Definitely check it out!

http://www.myshoppingconnection.com/indiespotting/2009/index2.php



Now check it!!!!

That Wheeling Feeling

I was thinking about one of my many businesses today (I juggle my time between my pottery, a landscaping/ contracting business, and the billiards business I inherited from my father) and I started thinking about all of the great resources that we have in the small city that I live in. And since I just talked about local businesses in my first post, I decided that I would take this opportunity to make a list of my top ten favorite local businesses in Wheeling, WV.

Just a heads up about this list: there's really no rhyme or reason to this list. It is comprised of local restaurants and businesses that I frequent or see as being an asset to our community. These businesses aren't listed in any sort of order, and none are favored over others. So.....here we go!

1. Good Mansion Wines (95 14th st.)

This wine store is the ONLY place in Wheeling that sells wine exclusively. They have an amazing selection, and the building is an incredible Victorian-style Mansion. On the whole, the store pretty much rocks. The owner, Dominick, is incredibly knowledgeable and he employs a few really cool people at the shop. Here's the web site if you want to check it out:

http://www.goodmansionwines.com

2. Later (or Later Alligator, as many call it) (2145 Market St.)

This restaurant belongs to my friend Mitch's mom Susan. Susan is an incredible woman. She and a handful of other people restored the building in which her restaurant is located, and they did an amazing job. Not to mention the fact that their food is incredible. They focus mainly on crepes, but they have great sandwiches also. All in all, this place is great. Definitely check it out if you can. On a side note, the small windows at the top of the storefront were designed and patented by Frank Lloyd Wright.

3. Ye Olde Alpha (50 Carmel Road)

This is one of Wheelings oldest and busiest watering holes. This bar rocks. Hands down. That's all there is to say about it. Oh and they have really great food, large beers, and tons of dead animals adorning the walls. Check them out online at:

http://www.yeoldealpha.com

4. Crone's Clothing Store

Crone's could easily be one of the oldest businesses in Wheeling. They opened their doors in 1908 and they exclusively sell men's clothing and their tailor is absolutely the best. Unfortunately, Crone's was recently forced to relocate to the new shopping center outside of downtown due to the fact that they were about the last retail store in the downtown area. Still, these guys have been doing great work in Wheeling for a really long time.

5. Jebbia's Market (2600 Chapline St.)

So you know how every town has that really great market where you can get really fresh produce and great deli stuff? Well, Jebbia's is Wheeling's answer to that market. I shop here every week. You really can't beat their deli. They've got great stuff and REALLY good prices, as well as the world's best chicken salad.

6. The Salsa Cafe (56 Carmel Road)

The Salsa Cafe was opened by a lawyer and his wife who moved back to Wheeling to open his restaurant after selling burritos in the streets of Washington, D.C. The food at this restaurant is amazing. The burritos are huge and they have more hot sauces than you can shake a stick at. They also have about a thousand other great things on their menu.

http://www.honesttogoodnesssalsacafe.com/

7. Lou W. Nau Hardware (69 Edgington Lane)

This hardware store is by far one of the best in Wheeling. The guys at this store have helped me out on more than one occasion and they carry some seriously hard to find parts. There are a lot of OLD houses in Wheeling, and when you need a replacement part, this is the place to go. And their prices can't be beat. I've saved a lot of money shopping here vs. the local home improvement superstore.

http://louwnau.doitbest.com/home.aspx

8. The Wheeling Artisan Center (1400 Main St.)

The Artisan Center is exactly what Wheeling needs more of. It is an amazingly restored old building on Main St. that sells the work of local artists (including myself), craftsmen, and food producers. They have an amazing space and the people are great. They also have an amazing Celtic festival here every year where they serve some amazing beers.

http://artisancenter.com/index.html

9. The Towngate Theater (2118 Market Street)

The Towngate Theater is owned by the Oglebay Institute which is, in and of itself, an amazing part of Wheeling. The Towngate puts on theatrical productions and shows indie films from time to time. The admission is super cheap and they put on some really great shows. This is a place to definitely check out if you're ever in Wheeling.

http://www.oionline.com/theatre/index.htm?get=Towngate%20Theatre&nav=Performing_Arts&subnav=Desktop_Faxing
http://artisancenter.com/index.html

10. Sasseen's Diner (2147 Market St.)

Sasseen's is one of those diners where everyone goes for lunch. They have great food, really cheap prices, and a great atmosphere. They have the best burgers in downtown and their hoagies are enormous. There are seriously a thousand things I could say about this place. It would honestly be easier for you to just go and eat there yourself. Definitely definitely check it out.

Well that's it. Although there are a lot of other great places in Wheeling. There has been a serious movement here recently to revive the downtown area. So hopefully in the next few years we'll see some more great business open up. Until next time!!!!!!!!!!!!