Works in progress.
I've decided I need to combine my love of food and cooking with my ceramics so I have created some new pieces based on this idea. First off are the olive and pit sets. I'm olive obsessed. So good.
Also some new coasters that read "drink" and "lush". I think I'm going do make more sets of those. They are fun to make. Enjoy. Have a good weekend.

New work!

I've been stamping, smooshing, and glazing mugs all month long. Here is the final result...I'll be posting new work all week. Buy this cup on my Etsy site here.

Here are some new necklaces in a nice springy aqua blue. All priced at $20. to be listed soon on my etsy site and my webshop.

I made 18 of these. 9 lived. I have a cracking issue due to the toastiness of my studio in the winter. I'm not complaining but Ohio temperatures cause havoc on my pottery. I threw 30 this weekend. Already down to 29 because one flew off while I was trimming. I fear another one has a handle that is not going to stick.

I am very happy with the results despite the problems I am having. The mugs themselves turned out just as imagined. The glazes worked out perfectly. So while I was defeated in some ways I think these are a success. Hopefully I will have more to come.

New work from the studio.

Some new mugs. Lots of curves and assymmetry along the bottom with some sprigging for design. All of the handles have been textured. 2 have thumb rests. Playing with ideas. There are 16 of these. I want to glaze them in a matte black along the bottom half with aqua or bright purple on the remainder of the exterior and the interior. With a slight overlap I will get a nice third shade. The black and aqua creates a metallic green. The black and purple creates a ultramarine blue. I will post more soon. I hope to bisque these this weekend along with the trays.

 

 

New Work, Round 2.

I am the proud owner of a new slab roller. While shopping on Bailey Pottery Supply I found a great table top model. Perfect for what I need and have room for in the studio. I started making these little trays. It had been a long time since I played with the ideas of trays. For my thesis show I made all tray sets so I think I burnt myself out. 

This round has a geometric design on what I will describe as a leaf shaped tray. I made 7 for the first batch. Each one is different. My old tray sets were rectangular or square so these are definitely more organic. Not sure how to glaze them yet. I'm going to make some more with different stampings so perhaps I'll chose a color for each series.

New work. Round 1.

I have been trying to work on wall pieces for 3 years now. I have had little time to experiment. Lately I have felt like I am making work to sell, not making work to create. Therefore one of my goals for 2010 is to experiment and not worry if I have enough to sell or anything to sell. Come what may.

The first set of wall pieces were more like canvas. I constructed the boxes but the edges seemed so harsh. Then I tried using a foam mold. Again the shape was not quite right. Then of course holiday shows came and I abandoned my wall tiles.

The current piece above is essentially 2 tiles pressed together. There is a slight pillow quality to them so that they do not sit flat against the wall. There is a bit of a sculptural quality about them. Right now in my head I want these to be glazed in the gunmetal black/grey. I'm not sure how this will evolve but for the meantime I'm happy with the first round. I have made 6 and the construction is the best since the previous trials. I'll keep you posted on the progress. And in case you are wondering this one measures 5 inches square but it will shrink a bit.

A sneak peek of work that will be on display May 2nd during Rutabaga Nights, the LEAF Benefit (my studio on the 3rd floor will be open) and May 9th for the official Lake Erie Screw Factory Open Studio.


I think I need to make more teapots. I'm happy with how they turned out. One needs a refire for a slight glaze issue but I am confident it will survive looking foxier than ever.

more newness.
i have not made vases in a very long time. quite like the teapots i felt it was time. this round of serving bowls is a little more asian in influence. i ovaled half of them and so far i like the results. i think i may do the same for the noodle dishes for a new twist. noodle dishes for me are something that i make when i'm stuck. its not the only time i create them. they are like a reflex at this point which is why i turn to them when i feel creative but stuck. i think the variation on them will be exciting.

liking the mugs. on the fence with the bowls. i hope to have a bisque ready by sat. and i need to sort out new work for a gallery in little italy. so much to do.

New work in the studio...
I decided to make teapots. It has been a very long time since I have made any. I think I need to make more. I enjoy the complications of creating each one. Its satisfying the tick I have had to make things more complicated with my work. This urge did not translate well with the new decorative techniques I was trying. Back to basics. I looked at some Lucie Rie pots for clarity. I like to overcomplicate things. I'm quite good at it. I'll post more studio picks soon and of course images once the teapots are glazed.

while i was ignoring you...

i was making these things.

goodbye 2008.

the christmas decorations are out of sight until next year. the party clean up is done. i have lots of left overs. i don't think i will so eagerly have a new year's party again. i think it kind sums of a year of overextending myself and spreading myself way to thin. it was a good opportunity to clean out my second bedroom which is where i store etsy work, shoot photos and box up wares to send to you. it is organized and functional once again.

the studio is next. i need a clean up night and then i can make new things.

more to-dos for the new year:

1. shoot more artwork for etsy. its made, its done and i'm not doing a ton of shows this year.

2. get out apps to the few shows i will participate in.

3. right grant.

4. finish workshop proposal. its half way done.

5. enter some juried gallery shows.

6. re-market myself online. including reorganizing my etsy.

7. website updates for my gallery.

happy 2009 to all of you!

bazaar bizarre is this weekend. sat 12-9 and sun 12-6. located at 1300 w. 78th st.

over 60 vendors including moi! i have older work, newer work, lots of ornaments and some new and clearance jewelry. goodies at all prices. please stop by and say hello!

new things on my etsy site. you can find me and my work next on saturday, december 6th from 11-5 at bela dubby in lakewood, ohio. but i have to duck out for awhile to help anne set up at twist for a holiday show she has organized. a group of great artists will have there work up that same evening from 6-10. half of the sales will go to the AIDS taskforce of Cleveland. please join us!

New ornaments. Here are the black Christmas trees. They were much fun to make. But I'm glad I only have to make them once a year. The carving can be fun but tedious. I am starting to list them on my etsy site but you can always email me if you would like to purchase some. Have a good night. Off to teach a new group of beginning students. Half new, half returning. It will be fun!

oldies but goodies

i am using the open studio at the lake erie building (lake erie screw factory) as a way to clean out my studio. i am having a seconds sale. seconds include older work that no longer reflects my current direction, experiments or pieces with minor flaws. most represent old work and experiments from grad school. i have about 4 boxes of seconds i am bringing to the studio this week. i have more at home still! help me clean out my studio and my inventory. i have work from $2-40 on sale and then my new, regular priced items of course! its a great way to get some nice christmas presents early in the season. i will also have lots of christmas ornaments!

see you friday 6-9 pm at 13000 athens ave!

i am very excited to have another wholesale order under my belt. i am even more excited that it is a local business. its nice to have this area support its artists effectively. i hope you enjoy the ornaments. they have been a nice retreat to make.

i still have this open studio thingy coming up. i'm excited. but i have more to do. it won't all be done but nevertheless i'm excited to share my space with the community. please join us at the lakewood screw factory aka the lake erie building at 13000 athens ave, lakewood oh. check out the main site for more info http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com/

this shindig happens fri, oct 17th from 6-9.

2 new (maybe 3 new) places to find my stuff in november! all in a day's work. i will let you know when exactly and where final plans are all hammered out. it was a nice day out on the town with ruth. we have paused and will continue with a night out on the town as well. its nice to see some positive energy coming back to me as most of this week was spent having it sucked away. i have an order to fill so i need to get that together as well as complete cleaning of my studio for the open house. its only 2 weeks away. time flies. i have the first round of ornaments firing. they should be really great when they are done.

"To be an artist is to believe in life." - Moore, Henry