Monday, October 5, 2009

New Gear!

Yep, It's October already and time to switch from hangin on the beach to hangin in my studio. I've been swamped with the house and studio renos that took up all Sept but I am now ready to go.

The best part is that I splurged a little at Tucker's Fall Sale. I came home with a new Pottery Wheel and the coolest chair ever! I have a lot of knee problems and always found my leg going numb after sitting at my wheel for a while. Not any more! And, I get to pretend I am on Star Trek... Check out this bad boy!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Custom Wedding Gift


It is always exciting when I have clients with great taste and good ideas! Here is a custom order clock perfect for those newlyweds. Whether it is 9 am or 9pm, this clock always gives you a gentle reminder to fill you time with love!

Monday, September 7, 2009

New Glazes - Need help naming them


So, after a full summer of glaze testing, I have come out with only two new winners and some tweaking to my old favorites. I had a lot of colors look great on those little test tiles but then look terrible once they were on a larger vertical surface.

After glaze firing my favorite new test glazes onto real pots, I finally understood that most recipes are for dipping pots into a large drum of glaze to give your piece an even heavy coating. I usually dip my test tiles because they are so little and I am lazy. I don't have to keep rewashing brushes if I dip. BUT...by dipping my test tiles, I was reproducing a technique and end product that didn't reflect how I typically work.

When I glaze my work, I prefer to hand brush the glazes to get more inconsistencies while still getting full coverage. I prefer the aesthetic of having each piece visually look handmade rather than aiming for the perfection that reminds me of mass production.

In the end, I was most successful with using my standard base glaze but altering the additives. Here is a shot of a red iron oxide/cobalt mix that I think is a keeper. Now I need some help giving it a name. Any suggestions for the brown glaze?

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Labor Day Hot Weekend Deals on Etsy


I am so pleased that marymary chose my shop to feature for Etsy's Labor Day Hot Weekend Deals.

Before applying, I went through the whole debate in my mind: Will having a sale devalue my work? Does it make my shop look desperate for a sale, Do I look fat in this dress? Wait a minute... Then I took the leap and offered 10% off every item in my Etsy shop.

For me, this is a great way to get my work out there. I always love shipping off an item because it frees up space in my small home studio for new and fresh work. This time though, I want to free up the space for other reasons. I am having my home renovated so it will be much easier to ship off a bunch of pottery than have to try to store it while our walls and ceilings are being torn apart.

Now is the time to save some cash while getting a lot of great stuff. Find the labor day deals in my shop and many others Here from Sept 3 - 7th.

I think I'm going shopping too!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Breakfast Set


Here is a pair of Breakfast sets with Elliptical Tumblers. What better way to start your morning?

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Custom Serving Bowls

This is just a drive by post since I'm super busy getting ready for my next show on Sunday.

Here are three serving bowls fresh out of my kiln.


This first one is Waterlily green with a darker exterior detail at the rim.


The second image is called Winter Sky, a grey/blue almost transparent glaze. This bowl is a smidge larger than the first.




This last bowl was hand altered just slightly to give the rim a subtle oval shape and has a Smokey Blue glaze.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Inspiration


I found this video floating around on a few pottery and design blogs and thought I could share it too. Enjoy!

Monday, August 24, 2009

I have to admit... and a little tool talk


Ok I have to admit that I am a bit of a Wino. I may have confessed this before but my addiction has escalated since I burned my fingers sneaking these out of the hot kiln. Once again, it was a custom order request that made me get down to the business of perfecting my wine mugs.

I am one of those 'no advanced planning' kind of potters and I needed to get at these mugs immediately. I wanted to get a really good hand-hugging shape that I have had in my mind for a while and wanted it to be somewhat consistent. I knew that I needed a guide for this rounded shape so I did what I usually do... scavenged my studio for ideas.

I had been saving a bunch of those plastic gift card that just get thrown away once they are used up. They are a study enough plastic with a straight edge that I often find uses for. I took my studio scissors and started cutting different profiles into the cards. I just freehanded the angles since I had a bunch of them. They worked quite well and I found one profile to be almost perfect. Now if I get the urge and energy, I can duplicate this profile into a more sturdy wooden tool. But that is a project for another day.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Chance to WIN Free tickets to Portobello Market


Hey everyone. I have got two free tickets to Toronto's Portobello East Fashion and Art Market on August 30th, 2009. AND... I would like to give them away!!

Leave a comment here and I will make a blind draw on Friday to pick a lucky winner. I will then just pop them in the mail once I get you address.

So, if you love fashion and art (and pottery of course) and plan on being in Toronto on the 30th, leave me a comment for your chance to win!

See you on Sunday, August 30th, 2009!

Portobello East fashion and art market
in the Fermenting Cellar at the Distillery District,
with $5 admission for the public (children 12 and under get in free!),
on the last Sunday of the month from 12pm to 6pm.

Monday, July 27, 2009

I'm Famous

I find it funny when I get people telling me that they saw my work published or online. I feel kinda famous for a second. Yesterday at the Portobello East Market, I had several people tell me that they had found me in the Star or the National Post. I was totally unaware so I rushed home at the end of the day to check it out. And...there I was :) Very cool.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Portobello Market at the Distillery

Whew! My kiln has been running overtime to get ready for this Sunday`s new market at the Distillery District in downtown Toronto. Unlike traditional farmers markets that sell grandma’s homemade jam, it will be a fashion and art market selling unique pieces from local designers and artisans on a monthly basis.

The Distillery District is a gorgeous setting for such a market and I love the cobble stone paths and great coffee at Balzac`s! Make sure you stop by on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. See more details here.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

New Grid Wall

Yay! I just picked up a new grid wall to display my clocks. It's just in time for a few shows that I will be at in Toronto this summer. I got it at a store called Acme Shelving. Hey isn't that where Wiley Coyote got all of his explosives to try to catch the Road Runner? I hope I have a little more success than he did :)

It is always a challenge to set up a display for craft shows when you are a potter. The delicate nature of pottery and the 3 dimensionality produces certain challenges that other crafters do not have to worry about. For some reason, I am always the last one left packing up at the end of the day. I always envy the knitters who just throw everything into a wheeled suitcase while I 'm still surrounded by mountains of bubble wrap. But, I wouldn't change it if I could. I would much rather sit in front of my pottery wheel every day, but shows are a nice change to the routine. Instead of being my normal hermit self, I can chat leisurely with buyers and other vendors. Cross your fingers for sunny weather this Saturday when I have an outdoor show at the Scarborough Bluff's Art in the Park.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Gift Registry

Whew, just in time for the crazy summer wedding season. I was contacted by My Handmade Registry because I was featured on their front page. I often get people asking how to create a registry on Etsy and here is the solution. This site lets anyone create of personal registry of Etsy items.

Dorana says, "I thought, "Hey! I CAN DO THIS!" : a Handmade Registry - a place where everyone can create a personal page with a list of their favorite items from only HANDMADE RETAILERS!"

Check it out: myhandmaderegistry

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Ready for Summer

I am so ready for summer as I have been anxiously waiting until I have the time to spend experimenting with forms and glazes. At the moment, my house and studio are a disaster since we are patching and painting the entire interior. So, I am hoping that by the end of next week, I will be found in the studio working away at all of my new ideas.

Just in time for summer, I purchased the Val Cushing Handbook of glazes. This is a collection of Cushings teachings while at Alfred University. Upon unwrapping the handbook, I flipped open to a random page and was stunned to find the answer to a problem that was haunting me for months. I can't wait to get into the studio and start formulating new glazes. This book can only be purchased directly from Val and Elsie (who is the kindest and most accommodating woman ever). I highly recommend this book if you are just starting out with glaze chemistry. It is full of recipes too! I'll keep you updated in my glaze experimentation journey this summer. I'm heading out to my patio to enjoy the sun and an iced coffee.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Art + Yard Sale = Yart! on Etsy



So I have decided to join Etsy's wildly popular Yart Sale. I don't usually have sales in my shop since I keep my prices fairly low all year round. My philosophy is that good art and pottery should be affordable to all budgets. I remember longing for nice things when I was really broke just out of University and think it would be a better world if everyone could afford to drink from a nice handmade mug!

But...I would like to clear out my shop to get ready for a tonne of new stuff I plan to make this summer. If I sell a lot now, it will really motivate me to fill it up again. I have so many new ideas just waiting to be birthed. Help me out by getting some great pottery at a 10% discount. See my Etsy shop for details!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Summer is the Time for Shows



I am quite excited about this new event in the Distillery District. I met the Director at the Etsy Market a few weekends ago and keep bumping into her at crafty events. I took it as a sign and decided to join the event on July 26th and August 30th at the Fermenting Cellar. The atmosphere will be great in Distillery as I always imagine that I am lost in a European market when I am there.

Join me at Portobello East, opening on Sunday July 26th from 12pm to 6pm at The Fermenting Cellar at The Distillery District.
Admission is only $5 (children 12 and under get in free!)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Time to get moving!

I've been playing around with my clock designs again. It feels like there is no end to the designs I can think of. The slightest change seems to alter the entire look. I even created an original bird stamp perfectly sized for my Condo Clocks. Pretty soon my studio will be overflowing with clock faces. I am also trying to perfect the Peek a Boo clocks that have negative space so you can see through to the wall behind it. Here is a sneak peak of the new white hands on a Brilliant Blue Flower Garden clock. What do you think?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

May 16th Etsy Craft Show




I will be participating in “A Spring Handmade Market” which will take place on Saturday, May 16th, 2009 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto

This high quality market showcasing talented Etsy shops in the Greater Toronto Area will be held at the Gladstone Hotel.

I will have a tonne of new designs at this show. Look for my new 'Dirty Girl' line of soap dishes :)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Vote for your favorite bunny!

Etsy Mud Team members have hopped to it in creating a bunny just in time for Easter.

Check out the fabulous bunnies made by a diverse group of talented potters here. Accepting Votes: 3/29/2009 to 4/5/2009

I usually don't model animals or figures but I couldn't resist this one.
Here is my entry: little bunny, Big Bowl

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Dirty Girl


I've been feeling a little naughty while in the studio this week. I have been producing a new line of soap dishes that just make me chuckle when I make them. Who wouldn't want a 'Dirty Girl' soap dish? And to be fair, I made a few 'Dirty Boy' dishes too.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Lunch Set


It took a bit of contemplating but I finally figured out how to design a new Rice bowl/lunch set. What a perfect way to dine! Rice, noodles or soup with a side sandwich or salad on a charger plate. Then a mug of hot or cold tea to match. Perfect!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Chance to Win

OK, its time for my first free give away on Etsy!

I am so close to having 400 sales on Etsy that I decided to give a little back to those who support my craft. My experience with selling on Etsy has surpassed my highest expectations and I know its just going to get better and better.

Time your purchase right and if you purchase my 400th item, you will receive a free gift! You have a chance to win either an original ceramic pendant or a set of ceramic magnets. Your choice!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Thinking of Spring






I believe that everyone is thinking of spring. I have had an unusual amount of requests for flower vases and planters. Here are a few more planters for a special request.



The first three photos are of a planter glazed with Blue Denim Wash. It has a 7 inch diameter rim while it is about 4 inches deep.




The last two photos are of a planter glazed in Deep Brilliant Blue. It also has a 7 inch diameter rim while it is about 4 inches deep.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

New Elliptical Rice Bowls

























These were a special request but a bit of a challenge. How could I keep the slanted elliptical rim while creating a resting spot to hold chop sticks? I didn't want to cut a clunky rectangle out of the side wall because it would ruin the gentle elegance of the ellipse. Here is the solution. I really like the way they stack too. The simple change of slope makes them feel modern and yet still elegant. I love it when a new design turns out better than expected!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Custom Vases




Here are a few pics of the vases I have in stock. I think it is time to make a new batch since they have been selling quickly. They look great is small groupings so choose your favorites.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Playing around with a Webpage

So I have been trying to get an online portfolio of sorts together but was hoping that it could be an easy process. I didn't want to build a web page that sucks up a lot of time that I could be spending in the studio. Instead, I decided to use Weebly to host it. It was fast and easy to create but the drag and drop layout is lacking a little personality. I'll play around with it a little bit to see if I like it. Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions. Cheers!

Lurearts.com

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Stoneware Stamps

Can you imagine my face as I peeked in at these beauties at the Mexico City Museum of Anthropology? Everyone else is looking at the amazing pyramids and detailed carvings but you can find me drooling over....stamps. I think that only a potter could stand in awe at the precision and detail in these ancient stoneware stamps (I know my hubby was only slightly impressed). And, what better way to get inspired for the EtsyMudTeam's stamp swap. I'm heading to the studio to see what kind of stamps I can make. I hope they are even close to what those ancient cultures have created!