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/

fun, inexpensive new workshop being taught by me! at art house next week. sign up soon. this is the first time i have taught this class. i am really looking forward to it. hope to see you there!

contact becky at 216.398.8556 ext. 2 to sign up.

Ceramic Jewelry
2 Classes Thursdays, July 10th & 17th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis
Price for Member: $53 Price for Non-member: $58 Registration Deadline: July 3rd
Create stoneware pendants using stamps, linoleum block prints, and found objects. Students will carve, stamp and
glaze pendants to use in jewelry creations. Fired pendants and beads will be used to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Students are encouraged to bring any materials they wish to enhance their clay pendants and necklaces including
beads, findings and objects.

Etsy :: Treasury List

Etsy :: Treasury List

what i find strange about etsy is that no one buys when i have promos. or if they do its hard to know they exist...well here is the latest one...

***MUG MADNESS***

Free shipping on all mugs (or anything in my cups section on etsy. convo me and i can adjust it for you before purchase). This offer is good through July 4th.

Etsy Love.

One of the many great things about etsy is that you get to meet amazing artists and cool new people. In this instance I will mention Susan who has an etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5274546. Its full of very cool beach glass and stone jewelry. You should visit it. She also is kind and puts me in her treasuries. We have a mutual love my wacky purple glaze. Check it out at
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=14037

Check out a nice write up of my work at
http://www.sporkfashion.com/2008/06/23/gina-desantis-ceramics-durable-design/

And thank you to everyone who stopped by the Clifton Arts Festival this past Saturday and all the customers who helped save tents and artwork from the storm!

More Cleaning

I am getting rid of some jewelry in the form of wholesale pricing. I am no longer carrying this line and I am making room in my inventory for new work. These are great sellers - especially in the summer for giftshops and boutiques. They normally retail for $15 each. The pendants are white stoneware ceramic. The backs of the pendants are left unglazed. They are stamped with various patterns and measure 1-2 inches long by .5-1.5 inches wide. They are strung on a rubber cord and finished with sterling silver findings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260254463438

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260254465234

I think that you should attend the Clifton Arts and Musicfest this Saturday. That would be June 21st from 10-6. Come visit be and Bridget Ginley. Bring us mochas and invite your friends. You know, the ones who love to buy pottery and prints. It will be fun. I have new things to share with you. Hope to see you there.

New things on etsy too. (things you won't see at my shows this summer.)

Plaster Stamp Making for Clay Projects

One evening workshop. Thursday, June 19th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis

Member: $23 Price for Non-member: $26 Registration Deadline: June 12th

****there is still space if you would like to sign up. Call Becky ASAP at 216.398.8556 ext. 2.

Create a variety of stamps using clay pinch pots and plaster. Use stamps for surface decoration on any hand-built or wheel-thrown clay project. The stamps will be cast from natural and found objects. Students are encouraged to bring materials they wish to cast (i.e. rocks, flowers, leaves, commercial stamps, door handles, screen materials). Any object that will leave an impression can be used. Stamps will be ready to take home at the end of the class.

This is a great opportunity for teachers, students and ceramics artist to expand their knowledge and decorative techniques. I hope to see you there!

Unfortunately, I will not be there but I have two pieces in the show. Have a good weekend.

THE SECOND ANNUAL ARTSPACE MEMBER SHOW

Wooltex Gallery at Tower Press

1900 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

Date: June 13 ~ July 5, 2008

Opening Reception: Friday, June 13, 2008 (5:30-8:30pm.)

Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11:00am – 3:00pm

Artists:

Pamela Dodds - Mike Zellers - Bridget Ginley - Ed Parker - Mallorie Freeman - Gina DiSantis - Rob Romeo - Debra Rosen - Todd Pownell - Liz Maughans - Tim Bannock - Anne Kibbe - Michael Greenwald - Charmain Spencer - Pete McDonald - Abby Maier - Keith Berr - Linda Barbaric - Cindy Parrish - Phoebe Nelson - Barbara Breen - Stephanie Milner - William Gould

i have to admit...sometimes i unbox older work and i cringe. but i recently got this piece back from a gallery and i had forgotten all about it. i think i must create some more noodle dishes with this square shape in the near future. its on etsy right now. so stop by and buy it.

my beginning ceramics class begins tonight at art house. its smaller than normal. summer in ohio has that. not many people want to be cooped up when cleveland is actually more and may produce the sun. i am looking forward to it. you can still sign up for 2 workshops this summer. check out http://www.arthouseinc.org.

The seconds sale has begun. Oldies but goodies are being listed on my etsy site (http://GinaDeSantis.etsy.com). Most of these pieces have no flaws...they simply do not represent my current style of work. A few have some flaws which will be clearly noted in the description.
It has taken a while to get organized. My spare bedroom had been a glorified walk-in closet for quite sometime. It was covered in pottery, bubblewrap, and boxes. Hopefully the organization sticks.

planning a sale...

i spent the past 2 hours cleaning out my second bedroom which for sometime has acted as more of a very large walk-in closet. there is a lot of pottery in there and packing materials for shipping. not to mention my backdrop for shooting work, lots of boxes and a few shelves. i'm anticipating the arrival of some new shelves i ordered. the idea is to get organized and photograph everything for etsy. i was hoping to unload it on a studio sale but i'm not sure if my space is having one or not this summer. and sadly shows so far this season have not been well attended. i hope to list everything at $5, $10, and $15 (plus shipping of course). i need to get control of my inventory and start showing more cohesive groupings of sets.

in other news i need porcelain.

My summer ceramics classes at Art House still have some space. I am offering two new workshops as well. Contact Becky at 216.398.8556 ext. 2 to sign up.

Beginning Ceramics
6 Weeks Mondays, June 9th - July 14th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis
Price for Member: $133 Price for Non-member: $148 Registration Deadline: June 2nd
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.*

Advanced Ceramics
8 Weeks Tuesdays, June 10th - July 29th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis
Price for Member: $170 Price for Non-member: $189 Registration Deadline: June 7th
Investigate the functional form’s evolution throughout ceramic art 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.

Plaster Stamp Making for Clay
1 Class Thursday, June 19th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis
Price for Member: $23 Price for Non-member: $26 Registration Deadline: June 12th
Create a variety of stamps using clay pinch pots and plaster. Use stamps for surface decoration on any hand-built or wheel-thrown clay project. The stamps will be cast from natural and found objects. Students are encouraged to bring materials they wish to cast (i.e. rocks, flowers, leaves, commercial stamps, door handles, screen materials). Any object that will leave an impression can be used. Stamps will be ready to take home at the end of the class.

Ceramic Jewelry
2 Classes Thursdays, July 10th & 17th 6:30-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Gina DeSantis
Price for Member: $53 Price for Non-member: $58 Registration Deadline: July 3rd
Create stoneware pendants using stamps, linoleum block prints, and found objects. Students will carve, stamp and glaze pendants to use in jewelry creations. Fired pendants and beads will be used to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Students are encouraged to bring any materials they wish to enhance their clay pendants and necklaces including beads, findings and objects.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Smalls
May 31 – June 22, 2008

Burning River Gallery is pleased to announce Smalls, the first exhibition for the Brooklyn art space. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, May 31 from 7-9pm, or during the exhibition, which continues through June 22. The gallery is located at 217 Spencer Street #2 (between Willoughby & Dekalb).

In curating Smalls, Natalie Lanese and Inga Huld Tryggvadottir did not disagree once. This is perhaps to say (among other things) that the two curators have a similar sensibility for what they like: a nod to the traditional with plenty of weird thrown in. Though employing, in most cases, conventional media (ie, oil paintings, pen and ink drawings, cast or wood sculptures) these artworks are quirky. A still life of an unlikely “Drawing Machine”, a portrait of a grandpa belly, cast sculptures of underpants, and embroideries with expletives and flora overtaking their frames. The work may be small, but the ordinary media manifests as something curious with the handiwork of these artists.

The artists in Smalls are Camilla Padgitt-Coles, carlsweets, Eliza Fernand, Natalie Stevens, José Luis Cortés, Erin McWhorter, John Vogt, Stefanie Berks, Hilary Grisham, Hokuto Ichikawa, Joy Whalen, Danny Balgley, Nat Meade, Margaret Coleman, Inga Huld Tryggvadottir, and Natalie Lanese.

Gallery Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-6pm, or by appointment.

For more information please contact Natalie at Burning River Gallery at: 216.337.3710 or burningrivergallery@gmail.com.

Tomorrow night at Local Girl Gallery from 6-9pm I will be showing work alongside Paul G. Jira (architectural drawings) and John Mussarra (pen and ink drawings).
There will be wine and homemade pepperoni bread and art girls. What more could you ask for on a Saturday night?
Visit http://www.localgirlgallery.com for more info.
Show runs thru June 13th
Local Girl Gallery is located at 16106 Detroit Ave, Lakewood.
Please pass it on! I hope to see you there.

http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com
http://GinaDeSantis.etsy.com

i will refund you after the purchase. you can also convo me and i will reserve the items for you with the adjusted price. the 15% off applies to the total before shipping charges.

Just a reminder that this Saturday, May 24th I will be at Local Girl Gallery from 6-9pm showing work alongside Paul G. Jira (architectural drawings) and John Mussarra (pen and ink drawings).

From http://www.localgirlgallery.com.
John’s distinct pen and ink style is evident in his renderings of local landmarks, popular establishments and some lesser known architectural wonders.

Paul’s unique style of painting uses acrylics, inks, roofing tar and paper towels. His paintings include well known landmarks in Cleveland and Medina. Others are of an industrial nature such as machine operators, collages and machinery.

Gina’s pottery blends the simple use of color and design to create dynamic platters, sushi plates, noodle bowls, mugs and more.

Show runs thru June 13th

Local Girl Gallery is located at 16106 Detroit Ave, Lakewood.
Please pass it on! I hope to see you there.

http://www.ginadesantisceramics.com
http://GinaDeSantis.etsy.com

Visit me this Saturday, May 17th at the Pop Shop Gallery for the Lakewood Artwalk. I will be there from 2-9pm.

http://www.popshopgallery.com/index.html

These are things you should buy me on etsy. Subtly is not my strongsuit. I should also mention over half of these items are from Cleveland artists. I need to sell some art so that I may buy some art. Happy weekend. Enjoy.

new jewelry on etsy and at my table during the lakewood art walk. i'll be at the pop shop gallery. saturday, may 17th 2-9pm.

Check out new work exclusive to my etsy site. This work will not be available at my summer shows. Many new ceramic pendants are being listed daily. Free shipping on all jewelry items...always!

New ceramic pendants.

Summer classes will begin in June at Art House. Stop by http://www.arthouseinc.org for a complete class listing, prices, etc. Contact the lovely Becky Cummings to sign up. Here are the classes I will be instructing this summer along with 2 workshops.......

Beginning Ceramics: 6 wks, Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30, June 9-July 14th.
Advanced Ceramics: 8 wks, Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30, June 10-July 29th.
***Available for 1 credit hour through Ashland University.

Workshops:
Plaster Stamp making for your clay projects: Thursday, June 19th. 6:30-8:30.
(Use these stamps in one of my clay classes or the handbuilding class. Great for teachers if you are looking for a fun project for your students.)

Ceramic Jewelry: Thursday, July 10 and 17 from 6:30-8:30.
Use your clay stamps from the previous workshop or brings objects from home to create textured clay pendants and necklaces.

Studio view. Off to enjoy the lovely weather.


These are the newest things.


Coasters made with wooden textile stamps.


My bowl on Bridget's shelf.


Things for the Local Girl Gallery Show this month.


New sushi sets. Left from a wholesale order.

Art show pics. Enjoy.

Blogger love...Check out http://www.alattelove.blogspot.com/. A fellow etsy artist who was nice enough to write up one of my mugs.
I had another write up on this blog...http://artaddict.wordpress.com/
Great for artsy updates.

I'm getting ready to ship work down to Florida. My work will be at a new gallery called Greenfish. I can't find a link for them yet. When I do I will post it. Next comes the organization for my 2 May Shows. I have 2 shows each month for the next 3 months. And I'm going to try to get into some out of state gallery shows. Wish me luck as procrastination sets in when the weather is warm and Cleveland is actually sunny.

Check out this new blog on all things Cleveland art...

http://www.clevelandartproject.blogspot.com/

Disorganized Artist Update...
Shows in May...please note the proper date for my show at Local Girl Gallery. I have been extra scatterbrained this month. Each of the following shows will showcase different work. I've working on things for the Local Girl show for awhile. I am excited to share them with you. But I have some goodies for the Pop Shop as well. Lots of new things...

I will be at the Pop Shop on May 17th from 2-9 during the Lakewood Artwalk.

from the local girl webite (http://localgirlgallery.com/146928.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*)
May 24th 6-9pm -Opening Reception
Architectural Renderings

John Mussarra - Pen and ink drawings
Paul G. Jira - Architectural paintings
Gina Desantis - Functional contemporary pottery

John’s distinct pen and ink style is evident in his renderings of local landmarks, popular establishments and some lesser known architectural wonders.

Paul’s unique style of painting uses acrylics, inks, roofing tar and paper towels. His paintings include well known landmarks in Cleveland and Medina. Others are of an industrial nature such as machine operators, collages and machinery.

Gina’s pottery blends the simple use of color and design to create dynamic platters, sushi plates, noodle bowls, mugs and more.

Show runs thru June 13th

you should come visit me and other fab artists at the orange art center invitational this weekend. Apr 5-6, Sat-Sun, noon-5. located on chagrin blvd, pepperpike.