Happy Holidays

I used to be good at blogging. At least I did it every few weeks. But things have changed. I am now a very bad blogger. I was never sure if anyone actually read my blogs anyway, so I'm not sure how much of a difference it really makes. The last time I wrote in this space was a year ago in an effort to let folks know about my upcoming Christmas Open House. And here I am again, a year later, to do the very same thing. Funny how I called this blog "Balancing Space," as my life has not had a lot of balance in it lately. Too many 16 hour days have caused a serious imbalance and I realize I'm not getting any younger. 

So, for about 13 years I sent out an annual newsletter. It would take a couple of weeks to write, print, label, stamp and mail. Somewhere in all those years I found out you can have a mailing service do a lot of the hard work. People seemed to like the newsletter. Some even said they read it! But the last time I sent the newsletter it cost me more than $2000. The cost of printing, ink, paper, postage and time continues to increase, so I have decided I needed a better way of communicating with my friends and loyal customers. The email/blog has served to alleviate the expenditures. I still miss the tangible aspects of the printed format, but I think the biggest majority of them were probably tossed before they were read anyway. I hope this works out okay for you. 

As the above picture indicates, we are having another open house this year. I guess that's what annual means, right. This is the sifteenth Christmas show we have hosted at our studio, and the sixth Christmas show the will include a tour of our home if you're interested in seeing how the potter's family lives. Five and a half years ago we tore the roof off our home, gutted the main floor, and put it all back together very deliberately with a lot of whimsy and funkiness. We figure there is about 500 square feet of handmade tile scattered throughout our home. In addition, Lynnette and I have been collecting art since before we got married, 19 years ago. We figured it was good karma to support local artists. It has been, and though there is nothing in our collection that is either rare or valuable, it is colorful and inspiring and reminds of the the artist friends we have made as we have added to our collection over the yeas.  It's a joy to live in and a joy to share with others. Come and see it, bring a friend or family member, share the joy.

Oh, I guess I should mention that the hours for the show are from 10 am - 5 pm. Our address is 1150 East 800 South in Salt Lake City. The home is open only on the Saturdays, but my studio is open all month—actually all year round and is located just behind our home. It is well stocked most of the year. If the Saturdays are not good for you, or if you don't care to see the house or just want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the weekday work mess in the studio, come during the week. I may be throwing or glazing or loading the kilns, but I always enjoy visitors. You can call me if you would like to make sure I haven't run an errand. 801-597-0741. I've been working overtime and the studio has never been better stocked with bowls, platters, mugs, clay wall art, pitchers and vases. I just happen to have the world's largest collection of Ben Behunin pottery, and it is replenished and added to every day. Lynnette is now busy making her famous homemade toffee and caramels for purchase at the showCome and see.

Isaac, Eve and Lynnette taking in the art in NYC

Usually in my newsletters I give a little update on my family. My wife, Lynnette, and I were blessed to be the parents of two kids; Isaac—age 15 and Eve, who is nearly 13. They are great kids and we are having a lot of "fun" learning to navigate these wonderful teenage years full of unprovoked angst and unrealistic expectations. It's been tough, for all of us. About five years ago  Lynnette and began developing an idea of a month long, coast to coast epic road trip when our kids would be finally old enough to appreciate the history, beauty and culture of these United States. We're not sure if we could have chosen better. Traveling with babies is a pain. Traveling with young kids is a pain. Traveling with teenagers

Gateway to the West

as we found out is a major pain. We were "the worst parents ever" for taking our son away from his friends for a whole month. He rewarded us for our efforts by refusing to enjoy the fun-filled activities and make our life a living H-E- double hockey sticks. But in between, we made stops in Denver, St. Louis, Asheville, Nashville, DC, Philadelphia, Lancaster County, Susquehanna, New York, Boston, Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirkland, Chicago, Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, Sydney, and Newport Beach. 7000 miles. 28 states. Hours upon hours of whining. One month of FFF (Forced Family Fun). Its the kind of adventures undying family memories are made of. 

The Bean at Millennial Park in Chicago

Making friends with the Sikhs and getting a turban in Niagra.

Palmyra New York Temple

Cruising in Newport 

Carhenge, in Nebraska with my cousins' family

Philadelphia Love

We are Mormons, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our church has its roots in upstate New York, Kirkland, Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois. Both Lynnette and I have pioneer ancestors and it was fun to visit these church history sites and see where our family members lived and farmed nearly 200 years ago. We also enjoyed US history sites all along the way. It was inspiring on many levels and I would like to say that spending that many hours in a minivan together brought us close together. The kids are  already saying they want to do it again next summer—not!. But seriously it was a great trip. 

Since coming home, just a few day before school started, I have been busy in the studio. I was invited to do a one man show at the Loge Gallery at the Pioneer Theater on the University of Utah campus during the month of December. It opens on December 2 and I hope it will be a great show. A few years ago, while walking through a thrift store, I got a crazy idea. Over time, the Shoe People were born. It has been fun to work on these and I find I can't stop looking at women's shoes. They are so much more interesting then men's shoes. Since August I have made close to 200 of these silly creatures as part of a series I am calling,"If the Shoe Fits." The show will be open most day from Noon until 10 pm. It addition to the shoe people I will be showing teapots, platters, my multi-media guardians, a few masks, and many other fun things to make you smile and bring joy to your home . I am also accepting custom commissions for Shoe People. I have already done a few commissions in running shoes, climbing shoes and ballet shoes. Each one is unique and will bring you years worth of smiles.

I am not entirely sure what next year will bring, but I am quite certain it will contain more writing. I have been frustrated for some time by my inability for find a better balance in my pottery/writing balance. I have published 7 books since 2009, the first one, Remembering Isaac is now in its 5th printing.  I have many more books in my head and their characters aren't leaving me alone. I hope to be releasing as many as two books next year. I have thought about doing the arts festival again, but the longer I am way from that scene the less sexy it becomes. I am hoping that my studio sales will provide enough income that I can focus on writing and forget about the festivals for at least one more year. We will see. 

It is hard to believe it has been more than 20 years since I chose to make my living in clay. It's been a crazy, interesting and fun life so far. Eve has shown an interest in pursuing her own career in art and clay. We will have some of her newest creations done in time for the open house. I am happy to be able to share some of my expertise with her  and look forward too seeing all the cool stuff she will come up with. 

Life is good. I am grateful for it. I am grateful for loyal customers who have become friends and introduce their friends and neighbors to my pottery and my books. I could not be me without you, so thanks. It's a dirty job being a potter, but I love sharing the joy of creation with all of you. Thank you. 

I hope to see you this December. If not, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukah, Happy Festivus. Be Happy.

Thanks again for all you have done for me and my family.

Ben

A short term identity crisis