Girl Fun

Paige in my booth

Our niece Paige is in town and thank goodness because the weather is just wonderful in this part of the country. She came from North Carolina to visit and learn to make jewelry. This is her first pair of earrings and a ring. She soldered the pieces then did a bit of forging to give them hammer marks. The ring is a perfect fit. Just fantastic.

In the Studio

Some pics to show a few items that I made in the studio this week. The ring has a piece of sea glass from the South of Spain. The glass beads are also an etsy find and they come from Maine.

Work Bench

Here is a pic of my work bench which is very messy right now. It gets that way. There is no explanation for how many sculptures and pieces of pottery I need around me, I have been trying to cut back. I have to keep an eye on them because they kind of bounce their way off the table eventually.

Roxy Ann Winery - Stop by!

I will be selling on Friday the 1st of July at the Roxy Ann Winery from 3 to 6. It is a beautiful setting to really relax and enjoy a glass of wine, a plate of food and take your self a fine stroll about the place. Music starts at 6:30. This event goes on all summer, every Friday.

Wonderfully Harry

I don't think that my backyard knows it summer yet with all this unprecedented rain. My planters have never looked so good or so harry for that matter!

Sea Glass Rings

Here are a few rings that I made last week using sea glass from Rhode Island. I was able to purchase this sea glass on Etsy from a shop called Cbreezestudio. I really like the imperfect surface of the sea glass. It has a surprising depth for such a simple material. I have more sea glass coming in the mail from Spain. The glass was collected in the Rock of Gilbraltar area on the south coast and has been rolling around in the Mediterranean for who knows how long. You gotta love etsy for all the craft hook ups!

Lavish Eyelashes

I made reference to the eyelashes on my cats down below, so thought I would add a pic here.

Spiral Ring

This is a really fun ring that I hammer and anneal 3 times to get it just right, and hey it casts a really neat shadow! I wonder what the tan line will look like.

What is happening on the walls

I thought I would start posting some pics of what is happening on my studio walls. This is a work in progress. We will see where it goes. My doggie is lookin a little disgruntled here. I don't know if I want to go with that look, but it is certainly a look that I see in my dogs daily when they are waiting for their next walk to happen.

Getting Fancy

Here are a few rings that I made last week. It is all part of my master plan to make a hundred rings this summer. I am up to 11 right now, a modest start.

Sometimes your fingers get burnt!

An example of some of my silver work. These are sterling with dangling moonstones, really sweet. I think that I still have this pair of earrings for sale as of the day of this post (link). I am getting a lot of silver work done as I just got a new torch. This one does not pop, leak gas or only light when I turn on the gas full blast and a small fireball explodes right in front of my face....so I am pretty happy with my purchase.

The Perfect Cup for any Occasion

Here are some of my porcelain pill cups and "No Apologies" mugs that I am making now. I call them No Apologies because I refuse to apologize for the smiling cats with lavish eyelashes. The pill cups are mostly being used for wine I am finding. They all feel great in the hand as the drawings have tooth.

Wild Flower Festival / May 16 / Eugene

OPA Ceramic Showcase was fantastic this year. Pictured above is a few of my price tags that are attached to pottery. The accounting department was apparently very happy with them this year, as they actually had my name on them.

My next event is the Wild Flower Festival and Plant sale at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene Oregon on Sunday May 16th, follow the above link for the specifics of this event. This is a lovely setting with plants, music, food, crafts, sounds like a lot of fun.

I am planning to hit town a day early and visit the Eugene Saturday and Farmer's Market. I just love the feeling of being surround by crafts, beautiful food, growing things and music, cant get enough!

Ceramic ShowCase - Portland Or

Hi Folks, please come by the Convention Center on April 30 to May 2 if you happen to be in Portland. This show is really fantastic, it's all clay, and I have a booth there! There are other craft fairs going on in the halls at the same time, think about spending your whole weekend with us. You can follow this link to the Ceramic Showcase site. See you there...Holly

Local Potter Falls off Chair!!

Tuesday, local potter Holly Gonnella fell off her chair in front of her computer, sustaining a minor head injury. Apparently she had clicked the "Share" button on her Etsy.com account which shot a link and picture of a terracotta wall planter directly to her Facebook.com page. The full realization of the power of technology so stunned her that she spilled her coffee, knocked over a lamp and hit her head on a nearby bookcase. She is shaky and babbling but is expected to make a full recovery.

Etsy - Finally!

After lurking on Etsy for years, I finally got around to listing some pottery on their site. I can be so lame about this kind of stuff, but I am finally putting forth an effort.

My next pottery show is Ceramic Showcase at the end of April in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center. Oregon Potter's Association also have their own blog now, check it out here.

***Pictured above is one of my teacup planters, $21.

Not to be missed!

Hello, if you happen to be in the Rogue Valley this weekend, please stop by the ClayFolk Pottery Show that takes place at the Medford Armory the 20th-22nd. The Armory will be filled with potters and clay artists, we will have live music on Friday night, and a kids play area during the day on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Sat and Sun will be live demonstrations by talented potters, you can find the list on the clayfolk.org link above.

Lithia Artists Market at the old Ashland Armory on Thanks Giving weekend, November 27-29. Head on down to the Thanksgiving parade in Ashland on Friday the 27th, it seems to start around dusk, watch the town get lit up, then head on over to the armory for some music, crafts and hot food. We have just the most wonderful local musical acts, really good food, and of course your favorite local crafts people and artists set up in the most sparkly room in the whole valley. The room just has a good feel on this day, come by and see us, and get ready to get that delicious christmas feeling all around and inside you.

I will be at both of these shows. Pictured above is a mini bird house, behind is a vicious house pet.

Turtle Bay

If you happen to be in Redding California this weekend, hey, I will be too! I will have my booth set up at the Turtle Bay Art & Craft Fair, Sept 26 & 27. Turtle Bay is a beautiful park with many attractions, including a museum, gardens, exhibitions, and a glass bridge that is unique in all the world. Check out the link to the site, you will be surprised at what they are offering.
***Pictured above: nobody knows what they are, but they have been seen adorning poles and posts throughout the Pacific Northwest, soon to be seen in Northern California gardens.

Gazing at Morning Glories

"Morning Glory" Restaurant in Ashland is a favorite among locals. If you want some satisfaction in this world, with an excellent cup of joe to wash it all down, this is the place. Not one to skimp on portions, ingredients or calories, owner/chef Patty Groth serves her comfort foods almost dangerously hot from the kitchen. My husbands favorite is her crab burger, which is an oozing splendorous thing to behold, even to a vegetarian like myself. Once he starts eating this thing, there will be no more conversation.

.....Pictured above is my friend "Nora", one of the many "lifers" that work for Patty.

Ashland Air - Elixer!

Terracotta Finial with unfinished paintings

The summer at the Lithia Artisan's Market in Ashland Oregon has been a long one. It has been hot but also splendid. If you have not been to Ashland Oregon in your life, "get thee to the town of Ashland"! Here you will find the countries longest running Shakespeare festival, but even better than that, a feeling of wellbeing and happyness, joy for no apparent reason. It is one of those special places on the earth that make you happy to be alive. It will clean you and make you fit for society again. When you leave, your only goal will be to get back. The tourists of this town are as pilgrams, walking the streets, enjoying the pleasures of local wine and gourmet meals, reveling in the human drama that unfolds on the festivals many stages.