One of my favorite things about the internet is the convoluted way in which it brings people together and creates a true global community. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace offer such a wealth of opportunities to make connections and get a glimpse into the lives of others that they have become an integral part of both our personal and professional lives. Simply by recognizing our common bonds, and including someone in our network of friends, we can open up entirely new and unexpected avenues for friendship, advice, and promoting our work.

Raye Tibbits, editor of “Wife of Bath”

Photo: Michelle McDougal

Case in point: A few months ago I was friended on Facebook by a wonderful lady from my previous town of Bath, Maine named Raye Tibbits. Raye had seen my pottery work at a local show, and thought we might share some common interests. As it turns out, Raye publishes a monthly literary journal called “Wife of Bath,” which she describes as “…an independent publication evoking a sense of connection, location, and reflection relative to the city of Bath, Maine, or any landscape, real or imagined, that calls to you.” The journal features stories, quotes, photographs, poetry, and other artwork, loosely related to a monthly theme of Raye’s choosing. For the August issue of “Wife of Bath” Raye chose “Dog Days” as her theme, and posted a call for submissions on Facebook.

Being quite the dog person myself, my interest was piqued by Raye’s post, and I decided to submit my “Morning Stroll to the Bowl” collage for inclusion in “Wife of Bath.” Raye loved the piece and decided to use it as her color image for the center of the August issue! I was so pleased at how the piece turned out when I received my copy in the mail; and even more so when I took the time to read through some of the wonderful stories and poems in “Wife of Bath.”

“Morning Stroll to the Bowl”

So, through the magic of my ever widening circle of online friends, I was presented with a unique, and entirely unexpected opportunity to see one of my collages in print, and add to my audience of viewers. Thanks Raye!!

To find out more about “Wife of Bath,” or to order your own copy, please email Raye Tibbits at editor@wifeofbath.net or read this posting on “Wife of Bath” from Raye’s Facebook page.

On July 11 Watershed Center for Ceramic Art in Newcastle, Maine held it’s annual Salad Days event.  Last year I was fortunate enough to be a session assistant at Watershed during Salad Days and had a wonderful time helping out with all the hard work and preparation that goes into the event.  Since that time, my husband and I relocated to Western, Mass, and have not had a chance to visit with all our Maine friends since we moved last fall.  So Salad Days provided us with the perfect opportunity to head north and spend a few days in our favorite state.

Preparing the salads in the house.

Each year Watershed commissions a resident artist to make 500 plates from Native Watershed Earthenware Clay, which are then sold for $25 each and filled with all manner of delectible salads by those lucky enough to know that Salad Days is one of the best times to be had in Mid-Coast Maine.   This year the lovely plates, featuring gently curved edges and decorated in soft greens, oranges, purples, and creams, were created by ceramic artist Alyssa Welch.

Plate selection time!

Salad Days always includes a pottery sale with an outstanding collection of work by some of the best artists working in clay.  This selection this year was amazing and I carried away a wonderful large serving dish made by Kristin Pavelka.

Pottery sale display of work by Adero Willard.

It was so wonderful to be able to spend some time at Watershed, breathe some Maine air, and catch up with our friends!

Straw Farm…next door to Watershed.