Cotton string and clay...

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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...

success, and another new ceramic design.

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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 }

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

What grows in my garden...

Besides the fruits and flowers

spices and herbs,

Creativity and Inspiration...

Friendships and old and new !

How I color my world !

A blank canvas...

a pallet of juicy oil paints...

a simple seashell

and a colorful imagination!

Bright happy colors

Taking creative license

just because I can...

with water based oil paints

Happy Cinco de mayo

Salsa dish design...

I begin with a pencil sketch then glaze it,

here it is after firing.

It is a visual recipe for making salsa,

just add the ingredients shown.

Then I chose to recreate it in a round design.

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.

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Floral fun

continues with inspiration from the garden

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Playing with paper napkins on bisque ware

I've made a collection of ceramic pieces that are glazed and fired on the inside

and I left the outside as bisque to experiment with using different mediums...

I pulled out part of my paper napkin collection and my watercolors

and began the process, ripping and gluing, then adding paint

and stamping as I went along...

I have a sweet little box for storing seeds after my first attempt...

I'm seeing unlimited potential !

more decoupage fun here

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Garden clippings

Are great inspiration...

and make the most wonderful gifts...

and I am so grateful to have them just outside the front door,

the kitchen door,

to greet me as I come in through the courtyard doors,

and at the patio doors,

pretty much every where!

Seashore ceramic dish designs

I've been up to my elbows in clay lately,

fortunately, it seems to have been worth it.

You just never know what will happen during a firing...

Out of all the mediums, I enjoy playing with,

I find ceramics to be the most challenging.


Thrilled to share the fun and creativity in Somerset Home Magazine.

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Ceramic dish designs

Experimenting with layering colored glazes,

having fun,

and some success

more to come...

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Seashore inspiration continues...

These are a few of my favorite creations ...

Did I mention that I live in a historic vintage cottage steps from the ocean

and that I have a fascination for seashells ?

I am in awe of their structure and beauty.

I have been making my own molds to create shells out of clay

and enjoy glazing them in an array of varying colors,

that will never fade over time.

I believe each of us is affected by our environment.

I live in gratitude each day for the gift of living where my spirit soars.

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Watercolor renderings

Splashing about...

on paper,

with one of my favorite subject matters.

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Coral wreath design

Unexpected sweet little find at Big Lots,

coral colored beaded wreath and small seashell pics,

are assembled and attached together

with some of my own ceramic lustered creations included

for added pleasure and sparkle.

Experimenting with clay...

and stamps, and wax, and glazing techniques

then including some of my favorite collectibles...

lace, ribbon, and vintage buttons,

for new, one of a kind ceramic designs.

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Cashmere sweater weather

It was pretty, pink and a favorite that I inadvertently shrunk.

Fortunately the new size of the sweater was a perfect fit for my adorable

7 year old neighbor who was thrilled with the cozy pink acquisition.

When she out grew it she returned it for me to create a warm wrap

for her tiny tea cup chihuahua,

cutting off one sleeve and adding a little soft pink netting

for a girlie collar ...too cute!

There was still plenty left, that came in handy,

for creating sea shell ceramic pin cushions,

and later a hand painted and beaded flower pin.

Re purposing is good!