no exciting updates...

i just wanted to say thank you to all that attended the open studio on friday night. we had a great time. i hope to begin hosting 2 open studios a year. also thank you to all of the artists in the building who helped me out!

in the meantime i need to get clay and make some new pieces. i think my work might be spread thin this holiday season. i have 4 shows in nov and dec and 2 new galleries representing my work as well as a gift shop. thank you to all for your continued support.

Tonight is the night! Artist Open Studio

October 17th from 6-9pm
Lake Erie Building (Lake Erie Screw Factory)

13000 Athens Ave

Lakewood, OH 44107

Any questions call 440.785.5409. I will not be near email much today. I have to set up. I hope you can join us this evening! Have a great weekend.

I've been tagged by the lovely Valerie Tyler.

Le Rules:
Link to your tagger and list the rules
List 7 random facts about yourself
Tag 7 people
If you’re tagged, play along and pass it on!
7 random things:
1. I can light a gas kiln but I have no idea how to light the pilot light on my gas heater.
2. I am an only child. People find this fascinating. I find it peaceful.
3. My first major was graphic design which is what I am going to back to school for in the winter.
4. I am trying to kick my caffeine habit for health reasons. Its not going well. NOt GoiNG wEll at ALL.
5. I am Italian but only eat cheese on pizza. Or cheetos. My family must think I'm Canadian.
6. In high school I swore off clay because my clay flower project broke. A prime example that I spend my free time eating my words. At least I'm consistent.
7. I am obsessed with guacamole. I can't quite say when it started but Momocho has not helped the addiction. But it is much more healthy than my caffeine addiction.

Okay so I need to tag 7 people so you're it:
Mike Zellers
Bridget Ginley
Arabella Proffer
Shannon Okey
Ruth Sholtis-Furyes
Allyson Meier
Neighbor Emma!

Go

art in use.

SALE THROUGH OCTOBER 25TH! Buy 2 items get the 3rd item free (of equal or lesser value). Convo me before purchase to receive discount. Shipping charges still apply to the free item.

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 have decided to relax a bit. i may not have as much new work for my open studio glazed but i have two new galleries showing my work starting in november and my ornaments will be done next week. i am in a good spot. on that note i decided that i would make soup from the left over veggies i had from my first pot of soup this week. so here is the first recipe. i will post the other soon. i like to make bowls but i also like to make yummy food to put in them. cold weather is soup season. its one of the only things i like about the cold.

italian sausage soup (basically like wedding soup with sausage instead of meatballs and some tomatoes thrown in for richness.) p.s. i hate to bake because it requires measurement so my recipe lacks specifics. just wing it. its more fun that way.

1 lrg can chicken broth

1 small can vegetable broth

carrots, celery, onion.

1 can diced tomatoes

chicken

ground sweet italian sausage

escarole

fresh garlic

oregano, black pepper, basil and a dash of dill and thyme

olive oil

orzo pasta

brown sausage then toss in onions, garlic then toss in olive oil.

after 2 minutes add celery and carrots.

wait another 2 minutes and add broth, tomatoes and everything else but pasta.

cook for about and hour.

boil pasta then drain and add to yummy soup.

bring to neighbor to share.

up and down and back around again.

show calendar for 2008 ***updated

Friday, Oct 17th Lake Erie Building Open Studio. Come down to 13000 Athens Ave in Lakewood and see my studio as well as my talented neighbors.

Nov 8&9 (Sat and Sun) Brecksville Heartfelt Holiday

Saturday, Nov 15th Art House Holiday Sale

Nov 21&22 (Fri and Sat) MOCA Artscape Holiday Sale

Dec 13&14 (Sat and Sun) Bizarre Bazaar at the studios at w. 78th (aka the old 1300 gallery spot). same building. different location in le building.

i will be teaching classes this winter from my studio. i will be offering workshops in hand building clay and precious metal clay. please email me at artzy_grl@yahoo.com and i can add you to my class mailing list.

i have another class beginning at art house on oct 27th and there is still space. this is a beginning wheel throwing class.

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.

I was included in this lovely treasury on etsy. The curator has a very cool shop as well.

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.

Flickr: Your Photostream

two posts in one day. go check out my Flickr: Your Photostream

Tablewares by Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, c.1955
Porcelain with manganese slip and sgraffito decoration

after a rather frustrating day off i am trying to rearrange things in my head. things are changing quickly around me and i am trying to adapt. i am bad with change. i am centered in routine. above is an image of my favorite potter's work. i love lucie rie. i needed to be reminded of why i do what i do. off to go teach the kids. they remind me to not be so hard on myself. i like that.

p.s. if anyone out there has pottery wheels they want to get rid of drop me an email.

artzy_grl@yahoo.com

Fall Spotlight 2008

I can be found for the remainder of 2008 on IndieShopping.com's Fall Spotlight. Just click on the link above or visit the homepage and click on fall spotlight. They send out a great newsletter too. You should sign up. They highlight great indie artists without loading your mailbox with ridiculous amounts of spam.

the economy sucks. in honor of that i will give you 20% off any etsy purchase through Fri, Oct. 3rd. early christmas shopping never hurts. convo me with code "starving artist" to get the discount.

also i should mention the lovely new upgrades to my professional website by mr mike zellers. go to http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com to check it out.

purchase any item on my page and get a mug for $5. convo me with coupon code "clevelandgrl".
sale ends this saturday, sept 27th at midnight!


***shipping charges still apply.

thank you a is for artistic for including me in this lovely treasury!

The Tremont Art Festival is this weekend!

Sat Sept 20th 11-6pm

Sun Sept 21st 12-5pm

I will have new work but one of those sugar do-dads is for Kathy! I have some foxy new noodle dishes as well. Plants and blossoms are making there way onto my pots.

Mike Zellers, Ruth Sholtis-Furyes and Ann McNeill will also being joining me. Look for the Cleveland Art Cartel booth. Hope to see you there!

Early Warning.

Lake Erie Building Artist Open Studio .

Friday, October 17th from 6-9 p.m.
Located inside the Lake Erie Building at 13000 Athens Ave, 2nd & 3rd Floors
Lakewood, OH 44107

map

The artists of the Lake Erie Building are hosting a fall open studio. This building houses art studios on the 2nd and 3rd floors as well as local businesses. The Screw Factory artists participating include Gina DeSantis, Ann Onusko, Marc Konys, Marcy Herman, Achala Wali and M.C. Nagel. Gina will be joined by jewelry designer Ruth Sholtis-Furyes and painter Anne Linsky. For more information and a complete list of artists visit http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com/ or contact Gina DeSantis at artzy_grl@yahoo.com.

Links to the artists:

Ann Onusko http://www.greatlakesdas.com/index.htm

Marc Konys http://www.marckonys.com/

You can still sign up for a pottery class! Time is running out. Call tomorrow!!!

Beginning Ceramics on the Wheel ~

Learn wheel-throwing techniques including wedging, centering, pulling, trimming, and finishing. Explore handle making and surface decoration. Tools can be purchased at Pat Catan's Craft Center for about $10 dollars. *Class fee includes clay, slab roller, wheels, glazes and firings of several pieces.*
Session One6 Mondays September 15th - October 20th 6:30-8:30 p.m.Instructor: Gina DeSantisMember: $133 Non-member: $148 Registration
Session Two6 Mondays October 27th - December 1st 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantisMember: $133 Non-member: $148 Registration Deadline: October 20th

Advanced Ceramics~Investigate the functional form's evolution throughout ceramic history. Designed for intermediate to advanced potters. Experiment with shaping, decorating and altering simple and functional forms. The class will explore both slab work and wheel throwing techniques.*Class fee includes clay, slab roller, wheels, glazes and firings of several pieces***Students who wish to obtain one graduate credit hour through Ashland University are required to create no less than 10 pieces, each exploring different shapes and decorative techniques, provide a 1-3 paragraph artist statement that will be presented during the final critique of the assignment, and keep a sketchbook of thoughts and ideas leading to their final project.10 Tuesdays September 16th - November 18th 6:30-8:30 p.m.Instructor: Gina DeSantisMember: $170 Non-member: $189

Contact Information ~ email: arthouseinc@aol.com

phone: 216.398.8556

http://www.arthouseinc.org/

Have you signed up yet?

Here is my complete list of classes for the fall session at Art House. Its not on the website yet so visit http://ginadesantisceramics.com/classes.php

Contact Stephanie our lovely new Program Coordinator at 216.398.8556 to sign up. The only thing I love more than making pottery is teaching how to make it. We have a lot of fun and great resources at Art House. Don't be afraid, its fun! When in life are you permitted to get messy?!?!?

Etsy :: Treasury List

Etsy :: Treasury List

yeah i'm in a list!

here is my current list of etsy favorites. or as it should be called, things you should buy me. the problem with etsy is that i find too much to buy and don't sell enough to support my habit. please be my enabler and buy some of my stuff too. check out the amazing artists below. enjoy.

OPERATION CLEAN UP MY MESSY STUDIO!!! PART 27.

Today only on etsy. Get an extra 20% off all sale and seconds sale items. Convo me and I will adjust the price or purchase and I can refund you via paypal. Good today only...Saturday Sept 6th!!!

I have another month long sale going on as well. Check it out...

pot by lucie rie.

it has occurred to me that i adore two artists who hated to speak about their work. lucie rie, above. and georgia o'keefe. to quote georgia, "To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage."

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

http://ginadesantisceramics.com/classes.php

Fall classes at Art House. My ceramics courses include beginning and intermediate/advanced wheel throwing. The advanced class is offered for 1 graduate credit hour through Ashland University.

I am also teaching a lamp making workshop. Contact 216.398.8556 to sign up today! My classes fill quickly so call soon.

SALE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3OTH! Purchase 2 or more items and your shipping is only $5! Includes sale items. Convo me before purchase to receive discount.

For wholesale clients I have specials as well. Please email me at artzy_grl@yahoo.com

Also check out the interiordesignteam that I am part of on etsy. http://team.etsy.com/profilest/interiordesign.shtml

There are some great pieces for your home. Please visit one of our blogs:

http://interiordesignteam.blogspot.com/

http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/

Ceramics Classes in Cleveland This Fall!!!!

I have 4 classes at Art House this fall. The info is below. Its not on the Art House site yet. Contact 216.398.8556 to sign up or visit http://www.arthouseinc.org. Please note all classes run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The fees include all of your glazes, firings and 1 25lb bag of clay!

Beginning Ceramics
6 Mondays- Sept 15-Oct 20th or Oct 27-Dec 1st.
$148 non-member. $133 member.
Learn basic wheel throwing techniques including wedging, centering, pulling, trimming and finishing. Explore handle making and surface decoration.

Advanced Ceramics
10 Tuesdays Sept 16-Nov 18th
Non-member $189. Member $170.
This class is designed for intermediate to advanced potters. We will explore advanced wheel throwing and decorative techniques through surface design and glazing. Students can also explore hand building methods.
***This class is also offered for one graduate credit hour through Ashland University. Ideal for art teachers!

Ceramic Lamp Making Workshop
4 Thursdays Oct 30-Nov 20th
The first 2 evenings will consist of hand building a stoneware lamp. On the 3rd class we will glaze. We will assemble the lamps on the 4th class.
This is a great class to learn basic ceramic hand building skills or to build upon existing skills. Perfect time of year to make a gift as well!

I hope to see you at one of my classes. I hope to start teaching PMC courses soon too. As always I will keep you posted.

in the studio at night.

cooler weather means a much better studio temperature. i just finished some larger pieces for upcoming shows and i have some new tray with dip bowl sets. i have not made trays in quite some time. after my thesis i was tray-ed out. i made so many i didn't go back to them until what is now 2 yrs later. they are stamped with textile stamps coupled with thrown bowls. hopefully i get them done soon for upcoming shows both local and out of lovely ohio.

a few things...
an open studio date has been set. mark your calendars for friday, october 17th. more details soon. it appears my studio neighbors want to welcome you as well so once everything is in order i will post info on this site and http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com/.

i still have a promotion until the end of august on etsy. its odd that no one ever takes advantage to these things. if you buy one item you get the 2nd for $5!!! shipping still applies and of course the second item must be of equal or lesser value. if you live in the cleveland area and want to pick up anything you see online at my studio or one of my shows drop me a line. i can waive the shipping costs for you!

lastly i have 2 shows to announce for the fall and winter. i will be at the tremont art festival (w/mike zellers, ruth sholtis-furyes, and ann mcneill) and in sept and brecksville heartfelt holiday (w/ruth and ann) in nov. again i will post more details asap.

have a great week!

new cleveland art magazine

pink eye magazine is now out. it is created by leigh ring (a former ceramics student!) and ian p.e. their website http://www.pinkeyemag.com has more info as well. its nice to have a full color mag covering cleveland's art scene...for free!

leigh has a graphic design co. visit her site at http://www.ringartdesign.com for more info.

AUGUST PROMOTION!

Purchase any item on etsy, get the 2nd item for $5.

Please note 2nd item must be of equal or lesser value and shipping charges still apply.

Convo or email me before purchase so that I can reserve and adjust the price accordingly.

Good through Aug. 31st.

some images from chicago. we went to the art institute. i had time to check out the permanent collection in great detail. i loved this decanter set. amazing. i should also mention i love renaissance, northern european and impressionist painting. i often felt out of place at grad school because i did not know hip and trendy current painters nor was i obsessed with modern art. i am attracted to good design and skill. sorry hipster art students.

look its becca and i reflected in the bean. soon after we hopped on a trolley to navy pier then went to an italian restaurant that just opened (that i can't remember the name of). but when i do i will post it. delicious. ate my weight in foccacia bread. clearly.
we also stumbled across the gold coast art festival. great show...not a lot of potters...not sure why. i am the proud owner of 2 new snappy necklaces. yeah art.

i am hoping to begin classes and some artsy crafty diy parties in my studio very soon. please email me at artzy_grl@yahoo.com with "art class" in the title so you don't end up in spam! i will send out an email when i am all organized.

these classes will be in addition to my courses i teach at art house (http://www.arthouseinc.org/). they begin mid sept and include beginning wheel throwing on monday nights and intermediate/advanced wheel throwing on tues nights. both classes run from 6:30-8:30. in addition the advanced class is offered for one-credit hour at ashland university. its perfect for art teachers looking to expand studio skills.

p.s. i'm still planning that open studio. promise!

art show etiquette

while i can only speak for myself i think that their are some rules of pricing when it comes to artwork. a mug at an art show is more expensive than a mug at crate and barrel for a reason - it was constructed by american hands not foreign machines. that being said artists can price as they see fit. my price points consider materials and time plus the amount of kiln firings a piece may require. i have a high count of repeat buyers i love dearly, many of which have become friends. artists can therefore give price breaks where they see fit.
that being said if you are going to talk me down in price here are some rules to adhere by. first do not tell me my work is "not worth" a certain price. this is arbitrary and insulting. i sell work nationwide and make a lot more money out of ohio that in with higher price points.
also do not tell me the quality of a piece is not good. if it was not it would not be on my table. i won't sell anything i won't buy myself.
do not tell me you are in business and i should be more willing to come down in prices because that keeps customers. if an artist undervalues their work then others will too.
finally do not come up to my booth and tell me it looks like i haven't sold anything since yesterday as if i'm desperate for a sale. i bring more work than i can fit on a table. so when i sell something i fill the empty space.
i work in retail and i am a merchandiser. i understand how to deal with customers, customer service, and product placement. however art shows are not retail stores. and they are certainly not major corporate retail chains. you are buying a bowl. a bowl that is a bowl but that is also art. if you want deals hit the road to ikea.

i come down in price frequently. this is usually proceeded by kindness, compliments and respectfulness of the hardwork behind the creation of an art piece.

new work to be seen at the first ever summer edition of the bazaar bizarre. free admission tonight from 4-6 so stop by !

new work to see at the bazaar bizarre at the ingenuity festival. this is the first ever summer edition of the show. from 4-6 on friday admission is free to the festival. stop by to check out some great artwork, etc from local artists. i'm offering some sales due to admission costs. mugs are usually $25...they will be on sale for $20 or 4/$75 as well as sales on noodle dishes and my older line of jewelry.

shown is my a little something from my new line...no sales but nevertheless the good deals.

Summer 2008 edition of the Cleveland Bazaar Bizarre at this year's Ingenuity Festival. Here is a map...look near all go signs to find the artists...http://ingenuitycleveland.com/

Hopefully someone in Cleveland will show us some love via press....anyone?

print me and bring me to one of gina's july shows.

I will be at the Willoughby Artsfest Saturday afternoon from 10-5 with the help of my trusty assistant Becca. She has been bribed with swag, drinks, and food. Please join us on Erie St. I'm located btwn 2nd and 3rd St. See you there...did I mention new work as well.

I have joined a new group of designers dedicated to the best in handmade decor. Please stop by and visit the blog. Or if you are a designer and want to join check it out as well.

http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/