Friday, December 19, 2014

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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Sunday, December 14, 2014

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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Saturday, December 13, 2014

Anthro inspiration galore




 Window  browsing




 birdhouses and snow flakes...


holiday lights and twig garland 


red cardinals and lots of greenery

 


so fun and inspiring!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

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!




Saturday, November 22, 2014

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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Thursday, November 13, 2014

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.



Saturday, November 1, 2014

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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Sunday, October 26, 2014

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!




Saturday, October 18, 2014

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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Saturday, October 4, 2014

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.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

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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Saturday, September 20, 2014

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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Saturday, August 2, 2014

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.



Sunday, July 27, 2014

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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Monday, July 14, 2014

Beach time...


A mini vacation, just across the street from the cottage, 
and down a few steps...




Some days it is just the life guard, 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 flip flops 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!)