Nautical shell

Art inspired by nature.

I was asked to do a little demo of my craft 

at a local gallery on Forest Ave.

This is what I chose to work on

 as it was all about art and nature month in my little seaside town.

Below is my finished version of the nautical shell

inspired by the real shells in front of it.

Both beautiful and useful,

as the artist and textile designer William Morris was quoted as saying. 

It is a great size for chilling your champagne in 

or for a favorite floral arrangement!

Doodliciousness continues

on a sweet little pitcher

with butterflies and bees, 

in analogous colors with hearts and flowers.

The creative fun continues.

Happy Valentine's day!

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Matelasse apron

I found this sweet old fashioned looking quilted pillow sham 

being discarded and decided to rescue it.

I loved the colors, greens and pinks with a floral motif

and best of all it was matelasse, the best fabric for an apron because 

it is so absorbent and perfect for a messy ceramic artist like me.

I cut away at the top corner

 and used the cut away piece as a pattern 

to cut the opposite side as well.

 

Then I folded over the back side twice, 

rolling and pinning it as I went along.

That made it easy to hand stitch it down.

 I cut away and used the bottom half of the back lining of the 

pillow case to create apron strings

by cutting it in 3 even pieces 

and making long tubes to attach to the neck and two sides.

Look how cute the scallop edging at the neck 

and along the sides of the apron shows so well!

 

This was super easy 

and I didn't even have to pull out my sewing machine.

Practical and pretty!

Grateful to share the creativity with GreenCraft magazine readers!


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Butterfly bowls

and doodling continues...

and this little dish just out of glaze firing,

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feeling playful and whimsical!

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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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