Sweet Pea Planters

They’re here! Previously available through special order only, I am now stocking planters modeled after my favorite little characters, the Sweet Peas. Each will come with a catch plate and have a bottom drainage hole, so there’s no need to worry about drowning plants (something I know more about than I should). I currently have 3 available and each will be making their way into my Etsy shop.

5 Vases and a Vessel

Thrown, dismantled, rethought and assembled. New Industrial Vases:

and an Egg Chair Vessel in Sapphire Blue:

 

Getting a handle on things

I get a lot of special requests. When it’s something straightforward like glazing a mug in a different color or remaking a sold item, I’m usually happy to oblige. There’s also the occasional inquiry where I’m asked to reproduce someone else’s work (sadly, there are people that do that) or to change one of my designs. Once someone wanted me to redesign the Whirl Serving Dish so it could function as a yarn bowl (what?). Things like that get politely declined. Other requests are pretty out there, but that’s a post for another day.

I think the one thing that I’ve been asked for more than anything else is a Pebble cup with a handle. It’s a completely valid question- “can you just stick a handle on that”? Unfortunately it’s not as simple as it sounds, so I’ve always declined. The curved silhouette of the original design is intended to nestle right into the hand. Adding a handle to that silhouette would look awkward feel clunky. I’ve made some small adjustments to the shape  and have come up with a handled version that I’m pretty happy with. May I present to you, the Pebble Mug:

It’s a little shorter than the original cup which changes the silhouette, allowing the proportions to work with the handle. It also feels nice and balanced- something I strive for with all my mugs.

Happy weekend ♥

Freud, Oreos and Broken Slinkies

Last night I dreamt that I was riding in the passenger side of a yellow car and Freud was levitating vampire-style outside my window. Crazy, right? I seem to have a propensity for anxiety-induced nightmares, so I’ll chalk it up to that. I’ve never had the one where I go to class naked, though I do show up to take a final exam in a class I’ve never been to. Or, I revert back to the job I had in college when I stacked cookies for Nabisco. I build an entire end display of oreos only to have the whole thing topple to the ground. So many crumbs. No wonder I wake up tired.

On Monday morning, I mentioned on facebook and twitter that I had ceramist-style anxiety dream- one where I opened my kiln and found that all of the elements had popped out and were bouncing around like broken slinkies. Unfortunately this dream made total sense. In real life, I ran the kiln knowing that the elements should have been replaced at least 3 firings ago (elements are the coils that conduct heat in an electric kiln- a lot like the coils in a pop-up toaster, only bigger). I didn’t want to take the time to replace them (more like have the professor do it), so I just kept telling myself that they would be fine for just one. more. firing. I know, I also shock myself with my logic.

When the kiln finally clicked off, I noticed that the firing lasted 3 hours longer than it should have. Fantastic. And since it needed to cool before I could open it, I wouldn’t know if there were any casualties for at least 24 agonizingly long hours. There were a few pieces in there that I absolutely needed to complete an order as well as a few new pieces that I spent a boat load of time making. Cue nighttime freak-out.

The kiln was finally cool enough to open on Monday morning. I lifted the lid ever so slightly, convinced that the elements were just waiting to bust out and attack me, all the while cursing myself for not doing proper maintenance. I took a peek inside, then lifted the lid all the way. No broken slinkies and the cones looked sufficiently slumped. I couldn’t believe it. And the craziest part? Every single piece came out flawless- something that almost never happens. Score one for the procrastinator! No, no, no. I’m going with the idea that I’ve used up all my good fortune and ordering new elements this week. Lesson learned.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Large Circle Serving Bowl in Orange

Tall Pebble Vase in White

Large Round Pebble Vase in Red

Large Round Pebble Vase in Aqua

On a side note, I just joined Pinterest and now realize how easy it is to lose an entire afternoon. If that sounds like something you might be interested in (NSFW), feel free to check out my boards.

The State of the Studio

Then:

Now:

It’s been a busy few months around here. Unfortunately I didn’t document everything, so above is just a very small fraction of what I’ve recently thrown, glazed, fired, packed and shipped. A consistant flow of orders and special projects have kept me happily busy since last fall with the added bonus of making the month of January fly by. Nothing like hunkering down in the studio and coasting right through the coldest, darkest month of the year. And now, aside from finishing a few pieces for a shop in Virginia and unloading a few more special orders from the kiln, I’m ready to start tackling my slightly neglected to-do list.

I’ve started to organize my remaining inventory, deciding which designs and glazes I’ll keep and which ones I’ll retire. Sorry turquoise, it’s nothing personal. I’ve listed a few of the retirees in the sale section of my Etsy shop.

Small Pebble Vase in Turquoise

After months of non-stop making, I’ve collected a small batch of seconds- pieces that didn’t quite meet my standards for first quality, but were still too nice to smash. I’ve been going through those as well and have listed a few of the less-than-perfect little gems in my Etsy shop with more to come.

Curvy Vase with Blue Accent

Of course, not everything can escape the hammer so the rejects have been repurposed for stress relief.

Now I’ve got to deal with my desk and perform the torturous task of sifting through countless receipts, files and undoubtedly, another to-do list. Trust me, you really don’t need to see a picture of that.

Super FAB

I’m excited to share that I’ve partnered with FAB! Sale starts Tuesday, January 10th at 11:00 am and will include limited quantities of my most popular designs.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a much-needed quiet and relaxing day yesterday. A walk in the park, the Arrested Development marathon (heyyyyyy brother), a tasty meal plus some dancing in the kitchen made for a pretty great day. I cooked, the professor cleaned and Maddy supervised. All was right with the world.

And that brings us to today, the day for steals and deals, Black Friday. While I avoid the mall and big box stores like the plague- especially on holiday weekends- I do love a good sale. So, in an attempt to save you from the craziness this weekend, I’m having a sale in my shop. Avoid the crowds and suport handmade. Trust me, it’s a win win situation. You can thank me later.