Just in time for the holidays!

Check out this great article in the NY Times about buying handmade...click here to read more.

And don't forget to check out the Bazaar Bizarre Eastside edition on Larchmere Blvd this Fri and Sat from 10-8pm during the holiday stroll. Black Friday is much more fun when you can shop local and avoid the malls. Hope to see you there! Happy Turkey Day. Gobble gobble.

Another installment of "My Life in List Form". Because that is only way I accomplish anything.
1. This weekend I made 80 ornaments. Today I get to spend my time at the studio prettying them up. I hate this part.
2. New plan. Marry rich. Get full time live in masseuse. This ceramics chick's back hurts.
3. Beer Engine in a few. Starting this week out right.
4. We are a few days away from my favorite meal of the year. I'm a foodie.
5. 3 down. Lots to go. 1 inch down as well. Thats even better.
6. Christmas tree is up. Purple, silver and pink. Its like Jem and frickin holograms.
7. 5 bottles of left over wine. I live alone. That's 5 good nights this week.
8. Mop the kitchen floor again. Tonic water incident last evening. Oops.
9. Soup of the week: vegetable with israeli couscous. mmmm.
10. I'm thankful this year that: I'm in an amazing studio with a lot of supportive artists, I have a day job in the arts, I don't work in retail purgatory (which includes not being covered in glitter, sweat or tears at the end of a work day), That I have 2 weeks at Christmas to spend with my family and relax, and that I have lots of shows coming up so I get to share my artwork with all of you and get out of the studio and be social! Oh yes, and I'm thankful I have amazing friends who will watch my booth for me. You rock!

More work that was displayed during the Nov. 7th Open Studio event. Some of these pieces will be at my holidays shows...others only at the Dec. 19th event. I definitely want to explore making more teapots in 2010.

More work by another visiting artist Elizabeth Emery. She has a show this Friday at SPACES Gallery.

At long last photos from the Lake Erie Building Open House. Here is some of the work by the visiting artists in my space. Enjoy!

Catnip mice by Deborah Pinter.


Sara (of Small Screen Designs) fixing her display and a shopper.


More work by Small Screens.


Kelli of Frank-n-Stuff and Kylee of Kyko.


More Frank-n-Stuff clothing.

Here is my event calendar for the remainder of 2009. Please note that my studio will be open on the Dec. 19th event during the Cleveland Handmade Last Minute Market in the Lake Erie Building.


11.14.09 & 11.15.09 Tiny Canary

10-6 pm both days. Columbus, OH.


11.27.09 & 11.28.09 Eastside Bazaar Bizarre

10-8pm both days

12635 Larchmere Blvd


12.3.09 Cleveland Handmade's Last Minute Market

10-6pm at the Wooltex Gallery

1900 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH.


12.12.09 & 12.13.09 Bazaar Bizarre Westside

noon - 9 pm Saturday, noon - 6 pm Sunday

1300 W. 78th St, Cleveland, OH.


12.19.09 Cleveland Handmade Last Minute Market at the Lake Erie Building

10-6pm, 13000 Athens Ave, Lakewood, OH.

The show is on the 2nd floor but I will be in my studio on the 3rd floor.




Check back for regular calendar updates as the holiday season approaches.

I was in a gift guide on etsy! Click here. Hopefully my mug is still there.

And come see me Sat and Sun in Columbus for Tiny Canary!

My pottery classes at Art House are wrapping up shortly but they have some other great class offerings for the remainder of 2009. Visit http://www.arthouseinc.org for more information!

ART HOUSE WINTER CLASSES
FINAL DAY TO REGISTER - NOV. 5
MIXED MEDIA DRAWING
with Melinda Placko
Wednesdays, November 11 - December 12
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Class fee: $70, four student minimum
Expand your definition of drawing as you explore a variety of techniques on a wide range of surfaces. Students will experiment with pencils, pens, charcoal, pastels, acrylics and collage as they refine their skills and discover new means of self-expression.

THE YOUNG ARTIST'S STILL LIFE
with Tim Callaghan
Saturdays, November 7 - November 28
9:30 - 11:00 amAges 9 - 12
Class fee: $55, five student minimum
Working on traditional and non-traditional surfaces, students will learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting while developing his or her own unique style and skills. A perfect start for every young Picasso!


TO REGISTER FOR ANY WINTER CLASS Contact Stephanie Kluk TODAY at 216.398.8556

another installment of: my life in list form. because without lists i would never get anything done. ever.
1. i'm feeling defeated lately. one medication has ruined my life. its supposed to help. it didn't.
2. i have too much to do and trying to fit a social life into this schedule is difficult. age 29 should be fun, yes?
3. its cold. its dark early. its time to find a winter home. not. in. ohio.
4. i still haven't found a gnome to follow me around and assist me with my work and chores.
5. if this gnome could go to the gym for me that would be even better.
6. this list is depressing.
7. do 10,000 things before the open studio on sat.
8. go to taco night.

I need your help!
Here is the deal. The Orange Art Center and the Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village are hosting the 3rd annual exhibition and craft sale "Animals in Art". Dec 3rd, the opening for the exhibit is a ticketed event. Part of this event includes a wine pull. You buy a ticket and pull a bottle of wine. All of the bottles are valued at $15 or higher. So you could score a swanky bottle for very little cash while helping to great non-profits.
This is how you can help...
On Sat, Nov 7th my studio will be open for the Lake Erie Building Holiday Open Studio. I am going to have a jar out for donations. Even if you only have a $1 to spare you are helping. I am also going to donate a $1 from every transaction that day. This money will go towards purchasing wine for the pull.

If you would like to buy a ticket for the event call 216.831.5130.
(The craft sale portion is free to the public!)

More cherry blossoms. I like painting them. Thankfully. Because they are becoming quite popular. But my new photo set up at the new home is not good. My lighting is all messed up. I hate this part of dealing with my artwork. Some glazes like to blur. My purple likes to look blue. Good times.


I made a lot of these coaster sets. I'm happy with the results but I painted about 70 coasters so that is close to 300+ blossoms????




I have 7 shows coming up. I promise to formally update my show calendar soon when the last 2 shows are confirmed. In the meantime I'm going to continue the cleaning process for the open studio in almost a week. Its fun trying to make a clay studio look clean.

Last week I decided to update my etsy site. This was delayed by my laptop battery biting the dust. I just received the new battery and my computer is no longer hibernating. So hopefully this week I can continue to add new things to my site. I will add more after the Lake Erie Building Open Studio on Sat, Nov 7th. Hope to see you there.

Buy me these things...

Lake Erie Building in the Best of Scene Issue for "Best Re-Use of an Industrial Building".

Here is the write up...
"The former home of the Lake Erie Screw Corporation in Lakewood's Bird Town was left empty when the company moved to Indiana. But building manager Ralph Lukich wasn't going to let the concrete behemoth just sit there. Starting with printmaker Phyllis Fannin and a few other noted Cleveland artists, Lukich constructed artisan studios in the building and, in the process, built an active community of more than 20 people creating everything from custom cabinetry to messenger bags. The artists not only work there, they also invite visitors to frequent open houses, so you can see them in action. (The next one takes place from 3-9 p.m. on November 7.) (13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood, 216.521.0088, screwfactoryartists.com) "— Gill

And my studio neighbors Arabella Proffer and Shannon Okey got a nod for Best Dynamic Duo. They left out delightful, hilarious, and loud. Congrats ladies!

Find me this Saturday, October 17th in Columbus for the Craftin' Outlaws Show. It is held at the Lodge Bar located at 165 Vine St. Hope to see you there!

Find Gina DeSantis Ceramics this year at Tiny Canary!


I am proud to be part of another awesome Columbus show. I will also be at Craftin' Outlaws one week from today! I'm very excited and have spent the weekend finishing a glaze firing and selecting work to take with me. I'll have functional work, jewelry and ornaments. Please stop by the Lodge Bar from noon to 6 and check out my booth.

The great thing about etsy is all of the cool handmade stuff. The bad thing about etsy is I don't have money to buy all of the cool handmade stuff. Here are my 2 most recent purchases...

A lovely ring from Smashing. Not the exact ring but I pulled a similar one from her etsy site. She is so kind to make me custom orders. I will definitely be back for more. And as long as she keeps breaking my sugar containers I'll be busy with commissions for her too!

I also scored this awesome tunic on sale from MissFragola. She is in Canada and ships her items very quickly. I highly recommend buying from her shop. Her clothing is definitely well made. Again, I will be back for more!

i snagged a treasury...inspired by cleveland's skies.

including some work by the cleveland handmade team. that's a lovely ring from Smashing below.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=69276

Here is a class I think you should take! ....

Glass Fusing at the Orange Art Center

Instructor Jennifer Szalkowski will teach you how to cut and assemble glass to create one-of-a-kind fused glass pieces. Students will create a variety of jewelry pieces and tiles while experimenting with a variety of fusing concepts. This course also includes the use of dichroic glass, glass decals, and photo fusing paper to add unique design elements. Basic firing schedules will also be discussed. Additional supplies will be available for purchase.

Visit the artist’s website at http://www.fusionstudioscleveland.com

Sept 30 – Nov 18 (no class Oct 7)
11:00-2:00 pm $145
***additional material fee

Oct 14 – Nov 18
6:00 – 9:00 pm $130.50
***additional material fee

***Each class includes an additional material fee of $95 payable to Jenn at the first class.

For more information or to sign up contact Gina DeSantis at 216.831.5130

The Orange Art Center is located at:
31500 Chagrin Blvd
Pepper Pike, OH 44124

Mark Your Calendars!!!!