These were the plates I was commissioned to make for Paul's mom. They are my first set of plates and it took me almost two and half months to complete them. It's almost like giving away a little piece of me, so it's hard to part with them. The entire process was arduous but I have agreed to make a set for Reed and I,  but because of the amount of time and effort that goes into this, I'll have to really push myself. 

This round has been glazed Matte Tan Orange on the outside, one with an antique white inside, and one with a Falls Creek Shino inside, which looks like a glossy brown. I will be thrilled if one of these combinations is a winner so i can take a break from this floating blue streak I'm on and try something new.

Rewind

It's been a while since my last posting because I've been very busy with various projects- all related to Art education and some to pottery. I'd like to post the most recent work I've been doing including some unfinished pieces and some complete. A lot of this work is glazed in floating blue because of its success rate. It can be hard to branch out when you know you have something good.

10 Things that make me happy. 11 things..

Thanks to my friend Catherine 'Fraisedesbois' at http://fraisedesbois-edelweiss.blogspot.com/ I have decided to follow her lead and www.dinosaurtoes.blogspot.com/ 's suggestion to write down 10 things that make me happy on my blog, because why not!? I have so many more than 10 but I'll start with that..

1. It wouldn't be quite right if I didn't start off my list with Pottery because afterall, that is what My Heart Makes. Pottery makes me so happy that I want to do it forever and forever.:) It is the harmony that has brought everything together in my life and excites me every day. I dream about it, think about glazing when I should be concentrating on my breath at meditation class, and wonder how I could define my style while I'm on the the bike at the gym. Addicted you think? So worth it.

2. Flowers make me very happy. Seeing pictures of flowers (such as the ones on Catherine's blog:) are neat, drawing flowers is also really fun, and just admiring them in the spring is bliss. The flowers that my beloved brings home for me much more than he probably needs to is true bliss. I just love um.

3. Good music is decadent. Also the moments when I discover a new song or artist and a little spark goes off in my brain of amazement is just wonderful. Like the time Reed took me to see the Stars in concert for the first time and I thought I was in love.

4. Daydreams make me happy. When I get lost in a lovely thought and just go with it and let my mind just give in to the fantasy world of what could be, that's the best. It's like for 5 minutes I'm somewhere else and it feel real.

5. Cute cuddly adorable animals. I never outgrew it. Those posters I used to line my walls with when I was little of little bunnies, fuzzy kittens in hats, and shaggy puppies hugging, they still make me very happy. If you want to instantly light me up, show me a cute animal. My little fur ball Bella makes me happy, especially when sits on my lap or reluctantly lets me hold her. She's becoming more sociable every day and it's quite amazing.

6. Picnics and lying on a big blanket in the sun. I guess this automatically expresses my love for spring too..

7. Speaking of seasons, I adore Autumn. The colors that come with the changing of seasons is just incredible. I wish i could just bottle up my love for autumn, occasionally unscrew the cap and just breath it in.

8. Reading a good book makes me very happy, but then sad when it has to end. I adored all Truman Capote books especially Music for Chameleons and Breakfast at Tiffany's, The History of Love by Nicole Kraus, and the Wind-up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami. It's so amazing when I can find a book that I just love and then ever better when I can suggest it someone else to read.

9. Having a day out with my mom. We have done a lot of things together that are favorites like going to art museums and to dance performances but one of my favorite rituals is also my number 10 favorite thing.

10. High Tea. I love good tea, and adore scones and clotted cream. Even though I don't eat much dairy, I make an exception when I go out for high tea on special occasions. Tea & Sympathy in the West village makes you feel lux like Maria Antoinette with pink cake and beautiful antique tea pots, if you go to Harrod's in London, or the four seasons you get the royal treatment. I don't care where it is, Real High Tea is like a dream on earth.

                                          


11. This list wouldn't be complete without my favorite person in the world. Reed makes my life amazingly happy. I love traveling with him, wandering the streets, hiking, and simply relaxing.  We go on all these adventures together and they are always memorable with Reed. He is the icing on my cake of life. :)

Studio Assisting!

I was handed the most amazing news in my pottery-making life last week. Lisa of the painted pot asked me to become a studio assistant! This is going to change my life and teach me all the things I need to know to work in a studio- Amazing! I have my own shelf now for storage, full use of the studio and perks! Lots of perks! I am going to learn how to mix glazes, use the kiln and all the good stuff. It's really fantastic and I fully intend to take full advantage of this position. Here's a photo from some recently finished mugs from the same style I designed in the last round. Hope these come up just as well!!

Cargo Collective

Thanks to my talented boyfriend I have professional looking photos and a temporary website to showcase my portfolio/ resume and grad- school statement of purpose! This is a fantastic site. It has helped me to look at my work in a different way and to feel proud of the work I've done.
Click here to view my Portfolio
After I get a bit more work done, I'm thinking I will get a permanent site for my work and perhaps try to get some commissions. In fact, I am proud to say that I have my first commissions right now. My very good friend Paul has asked that I make a set of plates for his mother so I am working on a set of six dinner sized plates in Floating Blue. They're due to be ready in approximately a month and a half- I wish I could produce faster results but with all the limitations in the studio this is what it has to be. Either way, it's a great opportunity. I was also commissioned to a do a mug for Reed's mom and I'm thrilled...hoping the commissions keep coming. It's very exciting!!

Art vs. Craft

I'm so excited about this round of work, I woke up this morning at 6:30am and couldn't go back to sleep!! I am proud to say that I really feel that my work has gone to the next level. If you know me, you know that I usually practice modesty, but this is a shining achievement that even I will admit out loud. It's also amazing because in all the years of making art, this is the first work that I can confidently say stands on its own as well made, and beautiful, without it's maker needing to give an explanation. This brings up discussion on Art vs. Craft. A topic that Reed and I continue to converse about. Right now, I look at my work as both art and craft, and I consider myself an artist. But it will be interesting to see how that position evolves in my life as I continue to make work.
I should note that the weight of these are so light and even, you can tell that the overall form has been a huge improvement on my part. Also, the foot (base) on each mug and serving bowl, are the cleanest, and most professional looking, I've ever done. (I will try to post a pic later of the bottom of these pieces) Unfortunately, these are not the greatest photos and you can't see the brilliance of the color, but take a look. There will also be a forth mug coming out in the next glaze fire to complete the mug set.