Newsletter

Here is a link to the newsletter I just sent out with the winner of the Cedar Waxwing Tile and an invitation to our Holiday Open House Art Sale!

Pictures from the open studio show...

Over on Facebook I have an album of images from the show, take a look, click here.   Also, scroll down on the blog and check out my posts about the two weekends.

This picture was making the rounds on Facebook last week.
Well, of course I think it is a good idea :), and so far a lot of other people think so too! Yah!!
It is important to consider where we choose to spend our money and whenever possible I choose local small shops, farmers markets, local artists and services.

From the Choose Local Website:
Why should I shop locally rather than at a big national chain? A dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community. From $1.00, you create $5.00 to $14.00 in value within that community. Spend $1.00 at a national chain store, and 80% of it leaves town immediately. This info is from Tim Mitchell, first cited in E-magazine, article available through the Northwest Earth Institute's Choices for Sustainable Living course book. Thank you for supporting local businesses and contributing to a sustainable economy within our community!

Giving Thanks

A quick post wishing all, near and far, a Happy Thanksgiving.
In the spirit of the day I've set up a Giving Thanks sale on my Etsy page starting now and  going through Monday.

Thanks everyone!

Etsy Giving Thanks Sale on Etsy

Open Studio Show : part two

I was glad to get a moment to take a few pictures before the crowds came.
Here is one of the largest platters, 20" diameter. It found a new home!  I displayed it on a plate stand near my studio mascots. I can't stand the thought of a caged bird although I would love the have one.  I'll settle for my little fake birds that are perched just above my main work table that looks out into the woods.
It was a beautiful fall weekend, we estimated that about 200 + people came. I think it was even busier than last weekend!

 On one of the main display walls I set up the three part mural, "Dreamland".
I love the owl in this piece and the little white animal with the turquoise blue wings.





Crystal glazes, bees and roses!  This series was a smashing hit! Still have more to choose from, call me or come out to our one day December show. I'll post more info later.

 THE WALL OF BIRDS! The bird series continue to be a favorite.  One sweet woman from Raleigh bought 35 birds!  It was exciting!  She is going to have  flock of birds in her new bathroom. Time to make some more fast!

Open Studio Show: first weekend

We were working up until to the last minute setting up for the show. No surprises there, no matter how early I start it always take exactly that amount of time to finish. It is exhausting but I'm always so happy to see my work displayed nicely.

Here is a view of the entrance as you come down the driveway through the gate on the side of the studio.  I had a series of eight bird plaques, now there are only 3 left.





People commented on how the glazes looked beautiful in the natural light.
I think they would look lovely on a porch wall!


 Saturday was rainy and chilly, but we had a great turn out. We think at least 200 people during the weekend.  I wish I had some pictures of the crowd,  but I was either too busy or forgot! I will try to get pictures this weekend. It's so much fun to get a shot of the person with the pieces they choose to get!

I sold a few shoe sculptures!(not this one). It takes a certain person, usually a woman but not always. They have a great sense of humor, the love of whimsy, fantasy or absurdity!

Here is one area of the main wall inside the studio, a wall vase with botanical wall hanging plates surrounding it. 

The times they are a-changin'

 For about 20 years I have sent out postcard invitations to my open studio shows, and now my mailing list is so large it has become cost prohibitive to mail out so many cards.  And now with email and online connections it seems silly to continue. My problem is I don't want to loose track of all the people on my mailing list so I am asking everyone if they are interested in keeping in touch with me to please sign up for my email newsletter with I will use to invite people to my shows. I promise, your contact information is kept private, and you can remove your name at anytime.

So sign up for my email notices and you will have a chance of winning this Cedar Waxwing Tile!  If you are already subscribed to my email newsletter, just email me and I will enter your name into the drawing!

It is with some reluctance I am giving up on postcards (except for very special shows).  People have told me that they have a collection of my cards because they love the pictures of my work, and it is like having a piece.  So  I looking into getting images of my work printed on greeting cards and hope to have some available soon!

Kiln Goddess of the Roses

 Kiln goddess of the Roses, look after this kiln firing, please don't let anything blow up and help all the colors to develop in ways that are pleasing to you.

 She is working overtime, can't wait to see how this firing turns out. Pictures coming soon, stay tuned!

Introducing Pottery: The Complete Guide

I just got the word from Dan Rhode that his new book is on its way to the UK (he lives there now), and will be available November, 2010. He is  not sure when it will be available in the US, hopefully soon.The book is titled Introducing Pottery: The Complete Guide.

It's really funny because the pottery book in every clay persons library is by Daniel Roades, Clay and Glazes for the Potter.  This is considered the potters bible, first published in 1957 and still the go-to-book for all thing clay.

Dan Rhode and Dan Roades, sounds the same but diffident spellings and generations--who knows maybe the new book will become the next go to book for all things clay. I hope so!

My section in the book will be on my process for making large carved and molded wall platters. I can't wait to see it, I'm really excited and honored to be in his book!  Thanks Dan!

Here is a cute picture of Dan with his new book.

New pictures over on my facebook page.

 Step by step-- a series of  images showing the process of making little wall bird are posted in an album on my Facebook page:

Making birds with my bare hands--it is one of my super powers!

Art in the Garden at Duke Raleigh Hospital

It was a beautiful setting for a show and the weather was nice. I saw some old friends and made some new ones.  This was the first year for the show and it holds much promise as a fine venue.

Duke Raleigh Hospital Garden

Lisa Oakley

Lisa Oakley (glass),  Bill Hickman  (metal), and Jennifer Stas (pottery) were my neighbors!

Jennifer Stas

 

Bill Hickman

Jennifer Stas

my booth

Bill Hickman

wall vase

some new small plates

moth and echinacea

milkweed

Pegasus and golden stars

dandelion

moth and lily

Dr. Seuss flower