Hand Building Class with Gina DeSantis

 

This class will focus on creating hand built clay vessels (both functional and sculptural). We will also integrate texture and pattern to create one of a kind pieces. Topics will include carving, sprigging, stamping, inlaying, stencils, and sgraffito. This class is designed for all levels of ceramics artists from beginners to more seasoned students.

Dates: Mon evenings 7-9pm, Jan 4th - Jan 25th (4 weeks) 2 SPOTS LEFT!

***just added OR Thurs evenings 7-9pm, Jan 7th - Jan 28th (4 weeks) 3 SPOTS LEFT!
Fee: $105 (The class fee includes one 25lb bag of clay, all glazes and firings.)
Payment is due upon registration.
 
(Sign up soon. Class size is limited. Maximum 6 students.)

Location: Lake Erie Building at the Templar Industrial Park
13000 Athens Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107

Contact Gina DeSantis at artzy_grl@yahoo.com for more information and to register.

The last installment of my life in list form for 2009!

1. Today is my last show of 2009. Please visit my hot mess of a studio for sales. Please bring me baileys.
2. As I enjoy the first Christmas in 3 years because the last 3 years I worked in retail hell. I am reminded that:
-I loved being a merchandiser. But I hated when the managers undid all of my hardwork thus sending me into a meltdown.
-I hated leaving work covered in sweat and glitter. I think perhaps this is how strippers feel.
-I hated ungrateful customers who seemed to think that you get paid to deal with their holiday craziness. Guess what, we didn't.
-I am happy I got laid off because if I didn't I would probably still be trapped in retail purgatory forever.
-There is nothing like working at a "lifestyle center" aka faketown when you have a Masters degree.
-There is nothing like being treated like a moron because customers equate working in retail with stupidity. Again, MFA so bite me.
-I hated that people thought posters that were framed (badly) were made my local artists.
3. Next week commences the making of yummy holiday foods: manicotti style crepes, wedding soup, stuffed olives, and pizelles.
4. Next week commences 2 weeks off. Not only do I not work in faketown anymore, I have 2 weeks off.
5. With these 2 weeks off I will sleep a lot, work out, eat, drink, be merry, and clean the hot mess of a studio. Can I fill 2 weeks with these things? Oh, yes. Yes I can.
Merry Christmas!

Super Duper Sale of Awesome-ness

Here is the deal...The Last Minute Market is my last holiday show of the season. I have some new ideas in my crazy little head and I need to clear out some older work. Stop by my studio (on the 3rd floor) or my table on the 2nd floor to get some deals on cups, bowls and ornaments!

See you this Saturday from 10-6pm.

The 3/50 Project

Did you wonder where your money goes when you shop at a big box store? How much of it goes back to the community vs. how much money goes back when you buy from a local, independent business?
Visit the 3/50 Project page to learn more about sustaining your local economy.

A few Cleveland area stores I recommend:
Local Girl Gallery, Lakewood, OH.
Bay Arts, Bay Village, OH.
Banyan Tree, Tremont, OH.

Also search on etsy for "clevelandteam" to find the Cleveland Handmade Team's work. A wide variety of work from a group of very talented artists.

Last Minute Market Love

Check out a great article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Evelyn Theiss about the Last Minute Market and Open Studio events. Read it here.

Open Studio Press

In case you didn't get to check this out here is a nice article about the Lake Erie building. Read it here.

Some of the artists in the building will have their spaces open during the Last Minute Market on Saturday, December 19th from 10-6pm. If you missed the first open studio event this is a good opportunity to check it out.

Remember the Last Minute Market is this Sat, Dec 19th. Valerie Tyler, one of the Cleveland Handmade artists has been doing a great job showcasing artists from the group. Check out her blog to see what Cleveland Handmade has to offer. That is one of her foxy necklaces pictured above. Check out her etsy site for more!

The Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland is this weekend!

Visit me this Saturday and Sunday (Dec 12th & 13th) at 1300 w.78th St. in Cleveland.

Noon - 9 pm Sat

Noon - 6 pm Sun

Support local artists and DIY. Shop handmade this holiday season!

For all the eastsiders be sure to check out Animals in Art at the Orange Art Center

(also on the 12th & 13th)

10am - 4pm Sat

noon - 4pm Sun

located at 31500 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike.

Happy Holidays!

As most of you know I have my studio in the Lake Erie Building (aka the Screw Factory). When I moved to Lakewood I never knew it existed. I am from Lorain, a city with nothing to offer artists. My first studio post grad school was supposed to be this great space. I was lucky to have a place right outside of school to work and I found a used kiln. But I was in the hood of Cleveland. Don't get me wrong, I love Cleveland but I can't say I was somewhere I felt safe.

After a series of issues in this space I decided to leave and start shopping around. My friend Ruth told me about the Screw Factory open house she had attended. I checked out the space and decided to call it my new studio home. Because I had to get the hell out of dodge I had to move before my studio was actually built. The landlord was kind enough to let me store my equipment and supplies for free. The tenants were few at that time but my stuff was left untouched and safe during its stay. I could already tell I was going to love the place.

Once I finally settled into the studio I quickly got to work. It was nice for the first time since school and the last studio nightmare to have a space to call my own. No distractions, no one else to deal with. It was my bubble. Often there is nothing I would rather do than spend a Friday night in my studio with some beer and some clay.

After being there for a year I proposed to my neighbors that we do an open studio. The response I got was tremendous. It quickly snowballed and everyone chipped in time, energy and money to help. The amount of tenants has tripled since I first rented a space. The last open studio event tripled in size as well. I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be. I am surrounded by a group of talented and diverse artists. They are some of the best neighbors I could ever ask for. The energy is amazing and I can say that these events are truly a collaboration. The community has been kind enough to give us support and I'm happy to call Lakewood my home.

I love Cleveland but I recognize that there are always going to be people checking in on me to see if I've failed. And I will fail at things. But that's the only way I'll get any better. I'm happy to be right where I am at. I only hope you can say the same.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my artwork throughout the years. And thank you to everyone who has supported these open studio events. Your kindness will never go unappreciated.

Yesterday was the Cleveland Handmade Market at Wooltex Gallery. I was scarf sitting for Shannon Okey. It was a good day despite the cold. You have one more chance to check out the Cleveland Handmade crew on Dec 19th at the Lake Erie Building (home to the Screw Factory Artists). It will be a big show. Join us from 10am-6pm.

Snowflakes have been filling the studio. As well as stars, trees, and christmas bulbs. Enjoy.

Things you can buy me for Christmas to make me happy. (Or things I will buy myself with Christmas show earnings!) Enjoy the work below. Remember to buy handmade this holiday season.

This Saturday, December 5th from 10-6 you can find me and my work at the Cleveland Handmade Market. This event will be held at the Wooltex Gallery located at 1900 Superior Ave, Cleveland, 44114. Its in the same building as Artefino.

It should be a great day of holiday art shopping in Cleveland. Terravista Studios located at 1400 E. 30th St. will be open. And Bridget Ginley who is located on the same floor will be selling her awesome cards, prints, paintings and ceramics as well. In addition the ArtCraft building is holding their annual holiday sale.

The Cleveland Handmade Show includes work by LazyTcrochet, Silver Made Studio, Susan K Jewelry, smashing, urbanartifaks, Les Trois Fleurs, mtmarge7, deglass, jenuin, pvialewis, Sara Riley, Lise Anderson, knitgrrl, Cherubs Blanket, Bread and Roses 2, Ms. Kitty's Closet, Simple Elements Design, snollygosters, Gina DeSantis

Great shopping all around! Hope to see you there.

Find me and my dog dishes and cat bowls tomorrow evening at the Animals in Art Exhibit. The Patron Party is Thursday, December 3rd from 6-9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance or at the door. Call 216.831.5130 to purchase tickets. This event benefits both the Orange Art Center and the Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village. The exhibition will be up all week during normal business hours (Mon-Thurs, 9:30-4). Then on December 12th & 13th stop by the OAC for a craft sale which is free and open to the public. The show is 10-4pm on Sat and 12-4pm on Sunday. I hope to see you there!

Holiday Calendar for the Month of December!

Sat, Dec 5th:

Cleveland Handmade Market at the Wooltex Gallery.

Sat, Dec 12th & 13th:

I'm pulling double duty. Find my work at the Orange Art Center's Animals in Art Craft Sale which is in conjunction with the Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village. A portion of the sales benefit both organizations.

Also find me at the Bazaar Bizarre at the 1300 Building on w. 78th St. I'll be there later in the day. Be kind to Becca and Kate who are manning the table for me.

Fri, Dec 18th:

TBA in Little Italy. When I know details, you will know details.

Sat, Dec 19th:

Cleveland Handmade's Last Minute Market at the Lake Erie Building. I will have a table on the 2nd floor with the lovely Ruth Sholtis-Furyes in charge. And I'll be in my studio on the 3rd floor as well. Bridget Ginley is also joining us!

As of December 1st:

4 shows down, 5 to go. some great. some not.

30 more soap dishes made for the next 5 shows. so not enough.

then i broke 1. 29 soap dishes.

125 new ornaments made. lots of snowflakes. and new christmas bulbs which are hopefully nice to look at.

1 bad elf beer in the fridge. saving it for an evening at home which probably won't be till saturday.

3 kiln firings in 4 days.

i just want my bed....