Who Cooks For You?

Working on a few owl pieces.  The first picture is the under-glazing, then they are bisque fired, glazed with many glazes and over-glazes and refired to 2000 degrees.

St. Valentine

Valentines Day will be here soon.  Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!  I have some new wall pocket hearts over on my Etsy page!

100 TEAPOTS V

I'm excited to have 2 of my wall hanging teapot pieces in the 100 Teapots V show at Baltimore Clayworks.
This is a national show, juried by Nick Joerling.  There is a beautiful slide show of the work on their web site. 

Jurors Statement:
My dictionary says a teapot is “A covered pot with a spout.” I smile at the judiciousness of that definition, like characterizing a human being as an upright body with a face. Buried in both succinct summations is the rich unending variety of mechanics, spirit, aesthetics, emotion, intellect. I like the blue-collar aspect of pots, that they do the every day work of carrying, containing, delivering, but can also “step out” and stimulate the mind and imagination. I like the pots that make good use of the constraints of utility, and I like the pots that push against those boundaries: pots that entertain some dicey possibilities. In my own studio I hope for pots that have qualities of sensuality, empathy, humor and risk.    -Nick Joerling

100 TEAPOTS V

January 15-February 27, 2011
Opening: Saturday, January 15, 2011, 6:00–8:00PM

The year of the Rabbit--

not that I need any excuses to make rabbit pieces!

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.