Hello!!

Well… I am a bit behind on my monthly blog post! Good thing I set my own deadlines, right?! I have had quite a busy schedule since mid-August, at one point juggling 5 part-time positions. Starting in October, which is already next week, my schedule will become more predictable as I will be spending more time in my position at Bitter Root Pottery. I will be stepping away from my Paper Source position, but am grateful that this job helped me get back into the workforce after being unemployed/self-employed at the beginning of COVID. It has definitely been an adjustment getting used to my new schedule and trying to find and make time to work on Sakai Harts & Crafts projects. On top of all these changes, my pottery wheel broke! I was finally able to get it fixed and was able to throw at home for the first time today in weeks. In hindsight, it was probably a “good” time for it to break as it was so incredibly hot I wouldn’t have been able to sit outside in the heat anyway!

In terms of my biz, there have definitely still been some highlights, despite the chaos and slight setbacks. First off, my mom is a sewing machine… literally! She made 119 kids’ face masks to donate to the Venice Family Clinic!!! The box of fabric I sent her weighed in at over 5 pounds. We’ve now sewn a total of at least 780 face masks during the quarantine for the shop and donations. Additionally, we’ve made some upgrades to our standard rectangle masks! By we, I mostly mean my mom as I am still on a sewing hiatus since I clearly can’t even find enough time to make pottery! The new batches have wire in the nose bridge to allow for a better fit and beads to adjust the elastic. (The beads are easily removable if you don’t need them!) New masks include the last of the palm tree and wave fabric along with a small and limited run of Halloween masks! You can check out these kids and adult Halloween masks here!

I have completed a handful of custom orders that included a Totoro mug and bowl set, dorm room decorations, a honeymoon journal, and graduation cards. To see more photos of these pieces, you can check them out in my portfolio. I am still working on a handful of custom orders, that were put on hold due to the heat and broken wheel, but will get back to them ASAP! I am already almost at my max for custom pieces before the holidays, so if you have a request make sure you reach out soon. 

Together, we raised $30 for the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in support of their fire response fund. It was a small donation but anything is better than nothing! I have also shared some ways you can support those affected by the wildfires on my giving page. Additionally, this little friend is still up for grabs on my Art for a Cause page. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to CFSCC. 

I’ve added a few new items to the shop, including a fun gardening journal! I’ve been enjoying using mine. It’s been harder to find time to putz around in the garden but still an important part of my weekly “me time”. There are also a couple of little pots available for now until I can do a bigger ceramics update! I am hoping to have more of a shop update by the time I participate in my next virtual event with Mart Bar! Join me and other small business owners/artists as we share about our crafts on Saturday, October 17th! Click here for more event info.

Lastly, I was interviewed by Voyage LA Magazine as part of a series called Hidden Gems that highlights local businesses and creatives.  My article can be found in the West LA Section, but you can also read it here if you haven’t already checked it out! Shout out to Jackie, an artist friend of mine, for nominating me! She has her own small biz, Jim and Buns, and makes super cute stickers, shirts, and plushies.

I think that about sums up all my updates. If you made it through this whole post, I am thoroughly impressed and grateful that you enjoy following along with me. Take care, happy fall, and don’t forget to make sure you are registered and ready to VOTE!!!

- Michelle