Judy Elsley

I spent last week in San Antonio taking a five day class titled, "The Best of Both Worlds: A New Approach to Botanical Direct Printing." Yer what?

We were learning to use leaves from local trees to print directly onto cotton, silk and paper. Here's what a print on cotto...

I think it was Joyce Carol Oates who talked about having to act as a secretary to her own life when she returned from a trip. That's what I've been doing today. Last week, I took an intensive five day work shop with Jane Dunnewold, a rock star in my textile world. We w...

Today I went to a local second hand bookstore to buy children's books. Why? Because they disappear from our Little Free Library almost as quickly as the dog biscuits. It was so much fun to spend time selecting books for little kids and big kids. I ended up with a box o...

That's a very good question. I display some of the best pieces, use bowls and mugs every day, sell some, and the rest I give away. My pots make great birthday and Christmas gifts, and people seem glad to receive them. (Maybe they're just making polite noises?)

I also gi...

After 15 years of diligently working at the potter's wheel, I have finally made a six pound bowl. There are many potters who can throw ten pounds of clay in their first year of learning, but not me. Partly, I don't have the brawn or the large hands to muscle the clay i...

We put up a little free library a few years ago, and it's been a source of great pleasure. Our friend, Dave, built it in exchange for some pottery I made, and our neighbor helped us put it up. Then we were sock-bombed which just gave the library more character. At ever...

Once a month, Alan and I fill boxes of groceries at the local community food bank which we then deliver to home bound people who qualify for this service. Over the years, we've taken food to eight single women who live in the Ogden area. At our peek, we delivered to si...

I accompanied Alan to his church, the United Methodists, this morning for the Easter service. I'm a long lapsed christian, but I love his church community and their pastor, Reverend, Kim.

A number of women were wearing Easter bonnets, and they looked wonderful:

I particu...

Who doesn't love mashed potatoes? They're probably my favorite food. Today, in preparation for a family Easter dinner, I made a shepherd's pie (with chicken instead of lamb or beef.) I mix sauteed vegetables with the chicken, toss them in a sauce and then top everythin...

I've been working on a potter's wheel for about 15 years, and it's taken me that long to create beautiful and functional bowls, vases, plates, covered jars and especially mugs. I love making mugs. 

For one thing, they're quick to throw: just over a pound of clay that I...