A Baby Named Levi and Some Other Updates...

As most of you already know, I had a little boy name Levi on August 9.  This would explain my great hiatus from throwing, making, creating, posting, selling.... etc. Hopefully I will be back in the studio very soon! I will have limited time there, so I will probably not be working on many custom orders, but mostly wholesale and show work.

Now... on to a Baby Named Levi...

This is by far one of the hardest things that I have ever done.  I am speaking for both my husband and I when I say that. When you read this, many of you will think, " Well duh, didn't she know that going into it?". I did know that it would not be easy, but when people tell you that you will never be prepared, they are so very right. I will spare you the gory details of his birth, but let me just say that it was very scary and I feel so blessed that Levi and I were both ok afterward. I did end up getting induced and had him without the aid of any pain meds (not so sure that I can do that again... but hey, I did it once...). Once he was born we realized that he was not getting any nourishment from me and had to supplement with formula for a couple of days.  We went to lactation specialists and ultimately ended up working with an occupational therapist.  We now see our OT every week to work on Levi's mouth, his muscles, and his ability to just eat.  He has made huge strides and now will even latch on! Honestly, we had given up on that idea, but it may be a possibility with the help of these wonderful people that have been placed in our lives. We are still working up to breastfeeding and are mainly feeding him using this handy "special needs bottle" made by Medela. Levi is gaining weight and seems to be staying awake longer which tells us that he is in fact making improvements! Yay! Other than the eating issue, Levi is a very healthy, happy, adorable little dude. If you follow me on Instagram, I apologize for the abundance of baby photos and lack of pots!

Next, Some Other Updates...

Farm Fresh Fair 2016 is right around the corner and we will be there among some other amazing makers! The Farm at Rabon Creek is such a neat place to go, especially for this event! Who doesn't like a farm with donkeys and chickens as well as handmade goods all around?? Am I right? (Secretly, I really want to live on this farm!) But anyway, Farm Fresh Fair is September 17 10am-5pm and September 18 11am-4pm. If you would like any extra info on the event, you can find it here. Come by and say "hello" at our booth under the covered stall area! This will be Levi's first big appearance as the Oak Leaf Pottery baby and he would love to meet everyone!

I am also excited to say that we will be participating in Crafty Feast again this year! Crafty Feast will be on December 11 from 12- 6pm at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, SC. This is our second year participating and last year we had an absolute blast! I am super thrilled to be a part of this event!! There are so many wonderful makers who participate, as well as amazing coordinators. This is not an event that you should miss! Find the information for the event here.

Thank you to everyone who reads my incredibly random posts and who puts up with my lack of punctuation skills. (eh-hem... thank you, Dan, for pointing that out on several occasions...) We really appreciate all of your love and support!!

Some exciting things have been brewing...

So first of all, I should apologize for my lack of presence on the blog and other social media.  I have been a bit less active online and much more active in the studio.  

One of my most exciting orders that I have been working on is for Hub City Tap House in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  First of all, let me just say that the guys who run this tap house are amazing.  The day I decided to walk in with my prototype beer mug I was SO incredibly nervous.  (I'm sure I had broken out in my red nervous rash all over my neck...) The Tap House had just opened recently and my husband and I loved the place so much I thought, "How cool would it be if these guys would use or buy my beer mugs?!" So I made a prototype, brought it in (all crazy nervous), and they loved it! They were so welcoming and excited.  I couldn't have asked for a nicer group to work with.  So a month later I had delivered their first round of mugs and they sold out like crazy! I am now working on their second order :) This has been such an amazing opportunity and blessing.  I couldn't be more thankful! 

I am also now working with The Urban Planter in Spartanburg, South Carolina which is another wonderful locally-owned shop!  I love to support local and really this notion didn't hit me until Dan and I moved to South Carolina.  Paul Desmond, his wife, and mother own and run this great little place together.  They make beautiful terrariums, fairy gardens, and their focus is live plants, so if you want a beautiful, lush, green arrangement that will last and last- they are the people to talk to!  This has been so much fun and I have been expanding my work to include air plant holders, hanging succulent pots, and fairy houses!

The other fun shop that I have been able to get some work into is Urban Digs in Greenville, South Carolina.  I feel in love with this little hip shop the moment I walked in.  Amy, the owner, has some great finds there- from ceramics to plants, jewelry to retro house wares- this is one neat place. Not to mention, she has the sweetest shop dog, Mattie! 

Green Springs in downtown Seneca, South Carolina is another fun shop that has been selling my pots. I recently supplied the owner with another batch for her many holiday shoppers. The store is quirky and vibrant and features nearly 20 potters and seven glass artists.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have met these people.  I am so thankful for their support as well as all of the people who I have met at all of the crazy festivals I have been participating in!  Thank you to my Oak Leafers - you know who you are! ;)

Ok... So one last bit here.  As a "Thank you" and a "Merry Christmas from Oak Leaf" I am giving away a set of three of my slab trees.  You may have seen this posted on Instagram and possibly Facebook already, but for those who have not- please LIKE us on Facebook to be entered to win.  That's all you have to do.  No strings attached.  No lie. Just Like us :) I will be announcing this TOMORROW, December 1! Hurry and enter! I am already working on my list of names to pull from!