How does an octopus respond to a human touch and can we stay calm enough to feel past our instinctive squirm response?
I would like to imagine that my hand feels as cool to the octopus as the octopus feels to me.
either way there is a connection and that is everything.
I’ve picked up and held salamanders before and once I even removed a tic from a salamander’s eyelid. (Yes, you read that right). It must have known I was helping it because it stayed so still as I worked that tic out with my tweezers. But I’ve never actually held a gecko before. I would like to imagine they would be friendly once they got to know me … maybe ~
They are hanging out at Circle Craft shop on Granville island at the moment. They like art
Does it get better than this???
Black Rabbit: “Well when I first saw her in the forbidden garden, I Knew. I Just KNEW she was the one. Even though there were many others in our Fluffle, she dazzled. I can’t really say what it was about her but there it was … I was in Love. But what chances did I have against all those hopping handsome bucks, she could choose anyone? I am just one plain ole homely rabbit. Sure, I work hard, am friendly, helpful to my neighbours, and hang about with my pals just like everyone else. But hoppin’ big foot! I just HAD to talk to her. But what to say? Um… “Hi there, I love your ears (unimaginative) … Your whiskers are so long (oh my don’t say that!) do you come here often? (that is SO unoriginal), Want to go out hopping? Oh brother, I’m Hopeless … I didn’t have a chance in a hare … I’ll just had to hop up to her and hope for the best.
White Rabbit: When he first approached me I was so surprised. Why would such a handsome buck want to talk to me, I’m just a simple doe. Honestly, that sparkle in his eyes just made me swoon. My! he was the most dashing one in our Fluffle. But what would he see in little ole me? I’m just another shy little white rabbit with nothing much to look at really, although some say I do have nice ears and unusually long whiskers. But there we were, just looking at each other in a glowing silence. Later as we grazed together, all the while giving each other little adoring side glances, he popped the question and the rest is history ….
It takes guts (excuse the pun) for a little fish to flirt with an octopus. Just look at that smirk!
This is clearly a sure sign of naivety but especially with fish, bravery comes in numbers – schools … with a price, because …
we all know that an octopus can get into anything, find a snack in the smallest of places and (cover your eyes) eat it.
Watch Out Little Fish!
My neighbours have 6 beautiful black chickens and a little 1 1/2 little girl so naturally my imagination was right on it. Into studio I went to make her 6 toy chickens. She was intrigued at her first meeting. I wondered what she might be thinking as she looked down at her 6 chickens with a birds eye view.
Now they are all great friends and the chickens always seem to be near by for a little hand out at her lunch time.
Each chicken has a tiny egg inside and one has a golden egg to wish upon.
I say, Good Luck because you know chickens, they just wander everywhere
Seriously … fridge magnets (about 2-ish inches)
Can one have too many octopuses? Serious question
When the rough and tumbles of life nip at your heels ~
imagine you are a woolly sheep resting on the warm earth among the flowers and bees
This menorah that I made a while ago
and now celebrates with someone across the water from me,
brings me joy
The idea of making a boat menorah just came to me, it felt easy. I have been into making finely detailed porcelain flowers lately and you know my interest in boats as metaphor for so many ideas, so this was bound to happen. It’s an ongoing conversation I have been having with my clay. 
I can’t really explain why this owl is here other than to witness the of lighting of the candles.
and to balance the light
As a special request, off my beaten path. It took me awhile to find this pooch’s mojo but seeing his owner’s face light up at the first sight of him made my day.
a Talking Clay Show @ Circle Craft on Granville Island ~ August 2 to September 4
Deep Sea Dancer
Caught these guys sunbathing. Well it’ is one of our first warm sunny days.
Waiting to hear how this conversation will pan out.
A new LifeBoat in the Making ~
I’ve been making octopuses from this amazingly translucent Canadian Polar Ice porcelain. They are as white as white can be. But a person needs to branch out and explore and a very Black clay has been calling me. Octopuses in black? Yes, well … yes.
hush … here comes 2 now
This one is so curious and comes right up to me.
We have a good long stare at each other,
eye to eye.
Then she slides away and she’s gone. 
Oh wait here comes another! Be very still now … This one is pretty brave, right away she comes right up to me a closer look at me. Am I a friend or a foe or just dinner?
Oh! There she goes, guess I’m not eatable. 
Who knew fat cats would be so fun to make. I even want to make them fatter
What do you think … In or Out
Sits quietly in the window
among the summer din of Granville Market in the 45th Anniversary show at Circle Craft.
More bonding in the kiln ~
These two recently became Pals. They got together in the kiln. You might be familiar with the hottest hang out in town. Go back a few posts to see some of the eye brow raising stuff that goes on in there. Anyway, since these curly tops met up there has been endless ponderings on any number of things. I can almost hear their musings …. 
They are real Pals ~
A large herd of elephants has been spotted heading towards Salt Spring Island ~ 
… and I quote ~
Sitting up with weight on bottom, forelegs stretched, ears up and looking alert – the “classic” rabbit pose
Your rabbit is looking around to see what’s going on, usually thinking about what to do next and is often a prelude to grooming. It may be rocking slightly due to its weight being balanced on its four feet close together –
Sitting up on hind legs with ears up and nose pointed up
Wild rabbits do this just to get a better view and have a look around for possible danger. Domestic rabbits are more likely to be requesting food that you are holding or trying to get your attention.
Sitting with weight on bottom, washing face with front feet, pulling ears down to lick them, twisting around to groom back and sides
No prizes for this one – your rabbit is grooming itself – 
Ear positions
If a rabbit points its ears forward it is curious about something. If it puts them straight up it is alarmed and trying to listen better. If it folds them flat on its back it is frightened and trying to make itself inconspicuous.
Known to be shy, these two hardly represent their species. 
They crawled all over each other to get in the picture. Of course it did cross my mind to wonder if they bite! 
but then a bug flew at the window and I was history 
… shy but with a limited attention span would be my opinion
All very sweet and innocent …. but I’ve learned not to be taken in by such graceful appearances. Under immense white hot heat in the kiln, tempers fly!
Looks are given
Moves are made
a Battle ensues
It seems there is always someone who will take a bully down
A very rare salamander indeed. 
This very friendly species is often seen in herds like these. 
I have been happily working with white porcelain clay for a long time now but every now and then I catch myself looking longingly at my box of Midnight black clay. It’s pretty messy stuff and I have to wear surgical gloves whie I work with it because it contains manganese … a toxic chemical that penetrates skin, so it’s a real bad-ass clay.
It makes a mean mud pie mess ~
It is So fun
and such a relief from my tidy contained white clay workings.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still enchanted with white porcelain but such a drastic change stirs my pot and is a welcome disruption. The challenge is to keep these two siblings apart so I can work in peace. I know they will play together in a piece one day soon. ~ I can already see it ~
Nancy Walker Studio 