Silk screening on ceramics

I LoVe experimenting and learning new techniques...

I began practicing silk screening on a few ceramic bisque ware 

pieces found about the studio and using various color glazes,

on each to see what worked best,

and then continued with a water color effect filling in the details

 then completed the piece with a clear glaze in the last firing. 

Fun new dish designs!

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Holiday birds and orchid arrangement

A little glitter and green

with silver birds, leaves and nest

  a simple white orchid in a vintage basket 

a few feathers

all gathered together

 for a little twist on the holiday theme.

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Anthro inspiration galore

 Window  browsing

 birdhouses and snow flakes...

holiday lights and twig garland 

red cardinals and lots of greenery

 

so fun and inspiring!

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Holiday decorating

is just beginning around the cottage...

fresh flowers are always a nice addition!

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Embellishing my boots

with a sparkly anklet,

just because I can.

Made with bits found scattered about the messy studio,

 a length of gold chain,

a scrap of thin brown sable ribbon

and black satin cording.

I used a small gold tone safety pin to attach the pieces together

and then did a simple braid

and used the safety pin to attach the other end.

Then I did a little hand sewing to secure everything.

Just thought I'd share the silliness and crafty fun!

Here's the scoop

with the latest assorted ceramic serving pieces,

and mix and match fun

in coastal cool colors

just out of firing!

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Zentangle hibiscus bowl

Experimenting with a zentangle design,

just having fun doodling on a greenware bowl 

using Duncan Cobalt Crystal Black cover coat underglaze.

Followed by a clear glaze and final firing.

Just thought I'd share the finished product with the friends who watched the process.

Cookie cutters, clay and crochet

While shopping for some new cookie cutter designs 

 for a Christmas cookie exchange 

that I have been asked to participate in, 

I came across this adorable bird.

The cookies haven't been made yet, 

but I have a sweet ceramic bird dish,

and charming vintage lace embellished ornaments!

They would also make great gift tags or ornaments

and considering that they are zero calories, can be sprinkled with 

glitter instead of sugar and they will last forever,

I wonder if the girls would mind?

Thrilled to have A Somerset Holiday 

publish them in their 2017 issue!

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Hunger Bowl 2014

This large bowl encrusted with seashells is being created for the

silent auction of the

Annual National Hunger and Homeless

Awareness Week

It's for a great cause!

 You can read more about the event here.

'Tis the Season for Giving!

A little pink post, in honor of breast cancer awareness month

Nature inspires much of my art,

and I love to experiment with unusual tools,

Here is a collection of pink pretties 

that are beginning to take over my studio!

(sales help wanted, please email me if interested)

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Color wheels

I love color wheels and lots of color choices!

I also enjoy experimenting and making my own colors.

So I pulled out all my Stroke and Coat glazes

 and created this cool dish so I could see what I had,

 and to see what I could get with combining colors.

FUN, FUN, FUN!

This makes me so happy, I ate dinner off of it last night.

Doodlicious

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Doodliciousness,

 created with free form doodling an all over floral pattern 

on a greenware bowl using Duncan Cobalt Crystal Black cover coat underglaze, 

and then trimming along the top edge of the bowl for added interest,

while visiting with creative friends on Monday evenings at our 

local community center.

Here is the finished result after the clear glaze and firing.

For me, connecting with other creative friends is so important!

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Antimacassar

Just in time for fall.

Curl up on the sofa with some hot tea, 

a few sewing supplies, your needles and a spool of thread 

for a little creative fun. 

Embellishing a favorite long sleeved tee

with what is known as antimacassars.

It is an odd word with an interesting history.

Macassar oil was a tonic for the hair commonly used in the early 19th century. The fashion for oiled hair became so widespread in the Victorian and the Edwardian period that housewives began to cover the arms and backs of their chairs with washable cloths to preserve the fabric coverings from being soiled. 
In 1852 these started to be known as antimacassars. 

They came to have elaborate patterns, often in matching sets for the various items of parlour furniture; they were often made at home using a variety of techniques such as crochet and tatting.

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What you will need

a pair of  antimacassars

a long sleeved top

thread to match the color of the antimacassar 

strait pins

sewing needle

scissors

Instructions

Place the  antimacassar along the edge of the sleeves hem.

Pin in place.

Carefully hand stitch it down along the outside edges of the design to keep it in place.

If the top has buttons that are not to your liking, 

consider replacing them with your favorite vintage buttons!

Grateful to share the creativity in Altered Couture Magazine!

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Embellishing with daisy chains

Just a simple daisy chain vintage lace embellishment 

added to a simple t-shirt for girly fun.

                                                    .        
                                                             .Super quick and easy peasy.

Daisy chains and wet clay designs

I am always curious 

and enjoy experimenting and creating new designs.

 I've been playing with vintage lace 

pressed into wet clay dish shapes

just because I can.

I especially like the tiny detail created on the edge of the leaves 

with a seam tracing wheel typically used for sewing.

Pretty cool, right?

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Beach time...

A mini vacation, just across the street from the cottage, 

and down a few steps...

Some days it is just the lifeguard, seashells, 

large stretches of blue sky, warm sand and the sparkling sea.

I usually bring my tattered sketchbook along with me.

And my favorite pencil, a fat stump for shading and an eraser.

On this day the straw bag and flipflops were more interesting than my pink painted toes.

Surprisingly, Sunday afternoon I seemed to have my favorite little cove all to myself.

Other days I have unsuspecting subject matter all about.

 I had just begun sketching 

when this guy jumped up and ran after his toddler.

So I spy someone else and begin again.

I am hidden under a large straw hat with dark glasses 

with the sketch book in my lap.

Most people have no idea what I am up to.

This gal made it so much easier, she was dozing and not moving about.

Mostly it is just for fun and practice 

but every once in a while I like a piece well enough to frame.

This one ended up in the guest house at Summerland Cottage.

This guy was so engrossed in his Clive Cussler novel 

that he made a perfect model.

(Reminder to self, do this more often!)