Monday, May 31, 2010

Crochet and clay



.
Vintage crochet top beginning to unravel...




is dipped into wet clay

and successfully transformed

into a treasured new ceramic vase !


For this project I had been experimenting with cotton string


dipped in liquid clay and attached as a design element to a piece,


it was quite fun and successful.


So when a favorite vintage crochet top was beginning to unravel


and I didn't have the matching yarn to repair it


I chose to repurpose it.


I began by cutting off a bell shaped scalloped edge sleeve


that I could shape into a design over a tall vase form,


and having covered it in slip I then carefully pulled it up over the wet clay form.


Next I gathered the raw edges of the top of the sleeve


and created a base to tuck them inside of and give it a finished look.


The inside and base were glazed after the first firing to make it water tight


but I chose not to add glaze on top of the crochet section on this one.


I wanted it to still have the look and texture of


the original cotton top.


Some may say this is an example of repurposing at its best,



I am thrilled with the end result !


& grateful to share the joy!
.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Cotton string and clay...



.
Inspired by nature,

and the feathered guests visiting my garden



I've been experimenting with a ball of cotton string

some liquid clay and my satin glazes...





another new ceramic design


.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Inspired by vintage ceramics


Lately I have been experimenting with mason stains to create glazes

that will give me a similar look in colors to the pieces I've been collecting

of Hull, White and Mc Coy pottery for the past 20+ years,





Here are a few of my latest creations...





{ click on photo to enlarge }



Saturday, May 22, 2010

Art in the Garden Party



The guests were greeted with
sunshine, blue skies, and cool ocean breezes...
The perfect garden party weather



{ Photo credit top by Pat Klotz and below by Robin Cambre }




There was a constant flux of camaraderie, creativity and conversations...



Sherry Ford's lovely watercolor rendering of the garden fountain was created...



The swing was a favorite perch,




and the talented Lorenzo George gifted the guests with conte sketches







by 6:00 cocktails with excited afterglow conversations were enjoyed
then an impromptu dinner was created and served alfresco style in the courtyard
the party finally coming to a close at 10:30 pm
having been enjoyed by all...





Here is a snap shot of Mary Aslin's pastel painting begun in the garden
(see top photo of her working on this piece )


& more Art in the Garden Party here


Sunday, May 16, 2010

What grows in my garden...


Besides the fruits and flowers

spices and herbs,




Creativity and Inspiration...

Friendships and old and new !




Saturday, May 15, 2010

How I color my world !





A blank canvas...

a pallet of juicy oil paints...

a simple seashell

and a colorful imagination!


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Bright happy colors



Taking creative license



just because I can...




with water based oil paints




Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Cinco de mayo


Salsa dish design...

It is a visual recipe for making salsa...

just add the ingredients shown






This next one is a favorite,

originally designed ( out of necessity ) to use as a sugar rimmer for lemon drop martinis.


Use a lemon slice to moisten the rim of the glass then dip it in sugar.
The lime in the center keeps the sugar where it needs to be.




Then I changed the color way to use for margarita time,
{ I had help with the rhyme }


It reads...

To drink a few is not a fault ... just take them with a grain of salt



I presented this design to a company as a new product last year,

I am eager to see what comes of it.



.