Playing in Pasadena

after 2 weeks of overcast skies at the beach an excursion inland for sunshine and shopping was planned.
The historic Huntington Hotel now named The Langham was to be home for the next few days.
The rooms are luxurious, well appointed and have amazing views that seem to go on forever.
The service was superior and there were lots of delightful extras !

I loved the hotels pink and gold stationery and matching packaging for all the toiletries.

These are much too lovely to toss, they will be re purposed later.

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I had promised myself to pop in Zinnia after discovering it on Paul Murray's

blog and was not disappointed.
There was inspiration everywhere, and a class in progress that looked like too much fun! No wonder they call it a space for contagious creativity.

I purchased ribbon, and as they call them "doo dads" along with the latest issue of Somerset Home and was delighted to find 2 girlfriends work featured inside.
Check out Julie Nutting's and Christie Repasy's articles and blogs.

Joe was most helpful and advised me on a Golden gel medium that I could use for gluing buttons on mixed media and would also work on ceramic pieces.

Thank you Joe,

It worked beautifully !

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In the 1500 block of Mission Street in S. Pasadena I came across 3 unique shops all in a row.
Marz that sells art, unusual cards, vintage accessories and so much more.
Rue de Mimo that has some amazing jewelry, accessories and the most unique clothing lines.
Camille Frances DePedrini for vintage jewels, adorable shoes and clothing made from delicious fabrics with embroidery and detailing so very feminine.



For lunch,
I highly recommend Julienne's, this place oozes charm and ambiance inside and out.
The meals and the service were outstanding !

Ceramic wine cooler

created using crackle glaze

a custom mixed ink stain

clear glaze and platinum luster

to create the look of a silver base.

I love experiments

especially when they are successful !

Summer entertaining continues at the seashore...

Platinum jewelry pieces

created with clay,

using platinum luster,

looking like little silver adornments from the sea ...

These little gems were inspired by my surroundings

and my fascination for the sweet finds glistening in the sunshine

discovered on the wet sands of the seashore.

For this project I began by sculpting a mould out of clay using typical sculpting tools

and a dull pencil lead for grooved details.

Once it is done it is fired and I then have a mould to work off of.

I created numerous press moulds that can be used repeatedly.

Rolling a small ball of clay in your palm and then pressing it into the mould,

then pulling it out gently and setting it aside to let it dry completely before firing.

After the 1st firing I added a clear glaze and re fired.

Then it is ready for the platinum luster glaze application and the final firing.

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Now the possibilities are endless...

they can become jewelry pieces such as the lapel pin

using a magnet to attach it to clothing

( so as not to harm delicate fabrics )

or by attaching jewelry findings they can become necklaces,

charms for bracelets or key rings.

They also make wonderful decorative buttons!

later...

playing with package design ideas

using paper scraps found about the studio

Being curious about everything and living to create

there is always a new projects covering my large studio work table

that faces out to the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Hand crafted gifts

with a sweet gift tag and custom gift box

created for a friend that sews beautifully,

( lives by the seashore )

and is one of the most creative people I have been blessed to know

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Fun in the sun Summer Sandals

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are enhanced with a bit of embellishing

seashells, buttons, bits of lace, vintage jewelry...

Miscellaneous creativity continues at Summerland Cottage...

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Portofino dish design

has been fired, then a clear glaze added and 2nd firing completed.

This photo taken from the ship upon arrival and was my inspiration

and here is the end result

Inspired by my surroundings

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and having an assortment of bits of paper, glue and a wood box

among other miscellanies on top of my studio work table

that needs to be cleaned and organized,

I choose to create something new before tackling the task at hand

Going Green

with my color scheme

creating with different shapes and sizes

and one of my favorite colors

glazing my new ceramic serving pieces

in varying shades of green