Wednesday Window

Ok, it is December - my studio is decorated! (All I do is put up a wreath - the lights on the railings stay up year round, because it is so dark out there and I have fallen down the steps one too many times.)  But it is hard to believe that we have had our studio for 1 year now.  Time goes by so quickly!!!!

Fantabulously Frugal HUGE Giveaway!!!!

I just had to write a post about Fantabulously Frugal's Giveaway - 

You Deserve The Best Giveaway

She is giving away three amazing prizes - 

1st - Value $675

2nd- Value $550

3rd- Value $125

Go to Fantabulously Frugal site and see all of the great items!!!!

This ends December 14th so don't miss it.

 

Steampunk Giveaway

Catherinette Rings is having a

Steampunk Jewelry and sculpture Giveaway

Get a chance to win Steampunk Jewelry or a Sculpture.

1st prize : Steampunk Sculpture
2nd prize : 100$ Shopping Spree .

go to 

http://steampunkrings.blogspot.com/2009/11/steampunk-jewelry-christmas-bogo-deal.html

and her Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings

 

 

Today's Mama Wish List Meme and Giveaway!

Today's Mama Wish List Meme and Giveaway!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleigh full of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• Some new jewelry tools.
  
• Plasma torch - doesn't every women need one of these?
  
• A Kitchenaid Mixer in Cobalt blue (mine got stolen and I miss it!)
  
• Hardwood flooring for the first floor.
  
• new slippers - I live in them and go through so many pairs.
  

What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• My favorite handmade gift was a drawing that my daughter did - it was the two of us.
  

What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• I would love to make some fine silver rings for all the women in my family.
  

What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• I think it was a Lionel train set.  It had smoke that came out of the engine.  (Wish I still had it.)
  

What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

• Both my son and daughter (15 and 18) want a car - but they are dreaming!
  

What is your favorite holiday food?

• I love all kinds of pies - but I am allergic to wheat, so that knocks out most everything. But I am going to make a pumpkin pie tonight!
  

What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• I have been sewing a lot for the holidays - purses and reusable lunch bags.
  

What is your favorite holiday movie?

• A Christmas Memory
  

Favorite holiday song?

• Little Drummer Boy
  

Favorite holiday pastime?

• Visiting with family from out of state.
  

To enter and win all these fabulous gifts just fill out the same Meme I did above and post links back to Today's Mama and Provo Craft. Be sure to send an email with a link to your Meme to info@todaysmama.com with "Wish List Meme" in the subject line. What are you waiting for-hop to it folks! :)

Wednesday Window

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought that this picture was appropriate.  I know these indians are from the South West, but indians everywhere were effected by what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving.

(I did not take this photo - and I do not know the person's name)

I am most thankful for my family.  I know most people would say that, but I really mean it!  I love them all very dearly and appreciate everything they do.  Each one is special to me.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!

OK THIS IS IT! 28th Seagrove Pottery Festival

This is the big weekend for the

28th Annual

Seagrove Pottery Festival!!!!

It is Saturday and Sunday - November 21st and 22nd.  10:00am - 6:00pm

528 Old Plank Road, Seagrove, NC

The Featured Potter is Rockhouse Pottery 

http://www.rockhousepottery.com/

There will be a Limited Edition Pottery Auction on Sunday at 4:00pm! All pieces will be signed and dated for this special event by the potters.

Come see the work of the largest pottery community in the U.S.!

There will be live demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Admission: One Day $6.00

Two Day tickets $10.00

Seniors 55+ & Military Family $5.00

Active Military FREE (Military ID Required)

Sponsored by the 

Museum of North Carolina Traditional Pottery

P.O. Box 500 - Seagrove, NC 27341

(336) 873-7887

www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com

Please come by and see our booth! 20% off if you mention you read the blog!

Deal Finding Chick Giveaway

OK Ladies (sorry guys this one is probably not for you),

Please go take a look at the Deal Finding Chick Giveaway!  Stuffed Full Christmas Stocking You would not believe everything she is giving away.  And if you win, you would really be able to pamper yourself - all you would need is a hot bath (ok, maybe a glass of wine).  But you need to hurry - it ends Wednesday, November 24th.

In the Studio

I didn't know that I was going to be the feature on Cafe Handmade till late last night.  But, I wanted to share it with everyone.  Please take a look and leave me a comment at the bottom of the article on Cafe Handmade. I would love to hear what you think.  But it would be nice if you could vote for me also (please).

http://cafehandmade.com/index.php/2009/11/in-the-studio-with-kitty-mecham-liquidambar-studio/

Thank you and I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!!!

Wednesday Windows

This shot is from when we were living in Kenya (I am sure there will be a lot of photos from there).  This is our friend Benson's mother and my daughter, Nancy.  Benson's mother lives in this tiny place with no water or electricity, but she was so full of energy! The red wallpaper is sheets of labels from a factory that haven't been cut. She makes the coiled bags, like the bright striped one in the back of the picture.  They are absolutely beautiful and she sells them for only a couple of dollars.  She is an amazing lady!

Wonderful Weekend and a beautiful Monday!

After such a rainy week it was 75 degrees and sunny this past weekend!  Of course we were at the studio working (playing), but we did take time to walk down to the river and see the after effects from the tropical depression that came through.  The river was down a couple feet, but it was amazing to see how much water was rushing by us.  For those that have been down to the river - these pictures were taken at the spot where there is a little "swimming hole" surrounded by rocks that we climb out on.  (I don't think I would try swimming in that right now.) The tree in the center of the picture is usually on a little island.

I have to add a couple others that I took along the way.

 

and the beast worn out from her run...

Today is also sunny and warm, so I better take advantage of it.  You never know when we will get another day like this!

For the Love of Art

Sunday is the last day that you can drop off your art piece for the Visual Art Exchange 26th Annual Art Auction & Gala, in Raleigh, NC.  Every year I say I am going to donate something and every year I let it slip by.  The VAE (www.visualartexchange.org) is great about sending out postcards and email reminders, but my mind is thinking February - not November.  I forget that there is so much preperation that goes into the Auction and Gala that they need plenty of time to get it together (excpecially over the holidays).   Since I will be working in the studio all weekend, I finally took my piece in today.  The majority of work that gets donated it 2d work - paintings mostly, so I am always glad to see when other 3d artist contribute.  I donated my ceramic piece "Generation".  It is a coil built ceramic piece that I stained with Iron oxide.  I then added a fish bone (that my daughter actually gave me for Christmas one year) and an old stamp that has our last name on it.  The wax flowing out of the piece is... well hopefully you can make the conection on your own.

Wednesday Windows

Ok, I know that it is now Fall, and we are having a tropical depression that is dumping tons of rain on us, but I thought that this would brighten up the day a little.  This was taken out by our front door. John says he doesn't like gardening and yard work - but I think he is a natural at it.

A doe a deer

Another watercolor that I did last night.  I put it on the computer and cut it out, then added the solid background.  Not sure why I am doing these, just a change of pace.

A couple of Watercolors

In my blog on Monday I mentioned that I had started on a watercolor.  I actually finished two of them last night.  They still need to be scanned in (these I just took with the camera).  For some reason I have been influenced by this whole "retro" style, but since I am a late 60's girl, I guess it fits.  Plus, I just like the hard lines and simplistic shapes.  Let me know what you think of them.  I always like feedback - good or bad. 

Wednesday Window #3

 Today was so sunny and the leaves were showing off.  It reminded me of this picture.  This picture was taken after a wedding in Rhode Island a few years ago.  The path we choose...

I have a problem.

Ok, I am the first to admit that I have a serious problem - I have AADD.  Everyone knows what ADD is, but I have ARTIST-ADD. 

I was trying to think of what I should work on next.  I envy the artists that can do the same thing over and over again.  I have tried pretty much every form of artwork out there.  If you look at my website www.liquidambarstudio.com you will see just a small part of the things that I am into, not to mention the stuff on Etsy and Artfire. 

This past week I worked on:
1) fabric bowls

2) jewelry - both clay and beaded

3) Setting up a new site http://liquidambarjewelry.bigcartel.com  I am starting a site for the jewelry that I have collected from other countries, plus some of my silver jewelry that I make. It is still a work in progress.  (My collections are taking over my house!) 

4) recycling Christmas cards - got the edges all cut
5) clay Christmas ornaments

6) fused glass - pieces cut and grinded
7) started on a watercolor
8) photgraphed work and vintage stuff to sell

9) started a crochet scarf

That is not to mention all the stuff that goes on being a mother and a wife... oh and the zoo.

(He looks like me screaming.)

I have found that I can waste soooo much time trying to figure out what the next thing I should work on.  I am lucky enough to have places to work on all of these things, so it is not a matter of cleaning up and pulling stuff out.  The only problem is that the clay and glass are at my studio and the rest I do at home.  That means that the days I don't go to the studio I am into everything.  I need to focus! I need help! Is there some sort of 12 step program for people like me?

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Auction Piece Finished!

I have mentioned that John and I were invite to participate this year in the 28th Annual Seagrove Pottery Festival this year.  The festival will take place November 21st and 22nd at the Seagrove School, 528 Old Plank Road, Seagrove, NC. (visit www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com)  This is the largest pottery show in North Carolina!  There is an amazingly long list of potters that will be there, so if you ever wanted a piece of North Carolina pottery than this is the place to be.

My piece is soneware with iron oxide and Rutile Blue glaze.  It measures 10" high and 6 1/2" in diameter at the top.
 
There will be an auction on Sunday, where all of the potters have donated a piece.  All the pieces will be marked with 1) the name of the shop, 2) signature of maker, 3) November 22, 2009, 4) 28th Seagrove Pottery Festival on the bottom.  They are due to the museum by November 1st.  So, being the last minute kind of person that I am, I finally finished my piece, took pictures and filled out the form.  Tomorrow we are going to deliver it! (And since we have to go by the North Carolina Zoo, we are going to make a day of it.
http://www.nczoo.org/) 

Wednesday Window #3

Yesterday I mentioned that I am a Spring/Summer kind of girl.  And last night it was cold and rainy - blah.  So, I decided to post a picture of where I would rather be for the next several months....

This picture was taken in Belize.  It is of the Caye (or as we say "key") where the Smithsonian Institute has their research center.  What you see is about 3/4 of the island.  Not sure I would want to be there during a hurricane - but any other time, would be wonderful!

Fall is all around us (and mushrooms, too)!

I will have to say that I am a Spring/Summer person and not a Fall/Winter person.  But, on Sunday I took a little walk at the studio and found several surprises.  If you have read my past blogs, you know that mushrooms are very fascinating to me.  There are so many kinds and they seem to pop up all of the time.  I was out for about 10 minutes and these are a few that I found.  I can't imagine if I was able to spend the whole day!

Spread the Love

We like to spread the love on the Handmade Artist Forum.  So a shop is picked for each day of the week and then we try to promote them and their stores everyday.  I was picked for Thursday!!! 


I have picked an item out of each store that I like...

Monday, October 26 http://makinthebestofit.etsy.com/       
Cobalt Blue Cafe Mugs with White on White Rose Design http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6419850
Tuesday, October 27 http://coffeebreakdesigns.etsy.com/
Autumn Leaves in Spice Handwoven Scarf  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31313747  


Wednesday, October 28 http://annmadestuff.etsy.com/

Stuffie Monster   http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25352527



Thursday, October 29 http://kittysartandstuff.etsy.com/

Reversable Multicolored Cats and Yellow Cloth Bowl http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32623795

Friday, October 30 http://taogem.etsy.com/
Picture Jasper Gemstone Cabochon D http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33219128

Saturday, October 31 http://sedgeworks.etsy.com/   
Prairie Bracelet of Turquoise and Citrine Gemstone Beads in Blue and Yellow http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18150477

Sunday, November 1  http://cyberfiber.etsy.com/
Vintage Silverware Bracelet Diamonds http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31742711

Please, stop by each one of these stores and SPREAD THE LOVE!!!!  You can help us out be sending some tweets, posting to Facebook or just spread the word!

Fortune Cookie Friday #2

Today is Fortune Cookie Friday!!!



To start with you need a little background...  In our family there is only one way to read a fortune cookie.  After you read your fortune you have to add "IN BED" to the end of the sentence. Ok? 


Here is today's:



"You always bring others happiness" ...

"Daily Numbers - 7, 3, 0" and "Lotto Six #s - 11, 88, 36, 52, 16, 28"  I don't play the lottery (or "pay my taxes" as my husband says), so maybe you will get lucky!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wednesday Window #2

Today's picture:

While living in Kenya, we visited Lake Nakuru with a friend.  We had a visitor help himself to a morning snack of figs and crackers!

I am so happy today!!!!

My husband, John, comes home today.  He has been in Kenya for 10 days.  I know that doesn't sound very long , but to me it is forever!  We have only been apart like that once before and that was this past summer when I went to help out my Mom after her surgery.

Our family lived in Kenya for six months.  John was doing research and teach medical students, while I taught art at Kenya University. 

John took this trip to help on a research project that he has been doing for several years now.  He is trying to find a drug that will help/cure/prevent AIDS.  He and his team have written numerious grants and set up many tests and studies so far. 

When we were there in 2006, we tested a number of women with AIDS and John has been following their progress.  So far, things are looking pretty good. 

On this trip he also had the opportunity to meet with Wangari Maathai.  She had just been to Meredith College (where John works) to lecture about her memoir.  "Unbowed,” a memoir by Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, who has been a trailblazer on behalf of women and the environment.  And then from Meredith she went to meet with President Obama.  And then she headed back to Kenya where John was able to meet with her again. 

So now I am off to the airport and I can't wait to see him!

Fortune Cookie Friday #1

Today is Fortune Cookie Friday!!!


I love oriental food and I eat a lot of takeout!! I am allergic to wheat so I cannot eat my fortune cookies, so I have decided that you should have them.


To start with you need a little background...  In our family there is only one way to read a fortune cookie.  After you read your fortune you have to add "IN BED" to the end of the sentence. Ok? 


Here is today's:



"You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you" ...

This fortune says, "Daily Numbers - 4, 5, 8" and "Lotto Six #s - 11, 43, 14, 41, 3, 35"  I don't play the lottery (or "pay my taxes" as my husband says), so maybe you will get lucky!

Also: Islandlife808.com does "Aloha-Friday".  They ask a question and then you answer it.  Then you leave a question on your blog and link it back to theirs.  It is a great way for bloggers to get to know other bloggers out there!

my question:

  The State Fair is here, so I want to know how much money would you plan on spending per child to take them?

leave your answer in my comments, and if you want visit islandlife808.com to see more, click on the link: http://islandlife808.com/memes/aloha-friday-104/

Have a great Friday!!!!!

Keeping up with the blogs and Today's Wednesday Windows

I was looking at some of the blogs that I follow this evening and realized how seldom several blogs are actually  updated.  I have a huge blog list, some 125 or so, and yes, I read them all.  It really doesn't take that much time since only a quarter or less write new blogs each day. 

I started thinking that maybe I should do a little better with the blog writting myself.  I decided to add a couple items during the week:

Wednesday Windows -  A photograph or series of photographs that one of us has taken on our travels or around the studio.
and
Fortune Cookie Friday - I love reading what my fortune cookies have to say and want to share them with you.

So, since it is Wednesday, I will leave you with the photo of the day. 

This is from a trip to Rhode Island, 2003. (I love architecture!)

Maquerade Ball and Birthday

I wanted to invite everyone to the Masquerade Ball that the ClayFire Artists and the Polymer Clay Smooshers are having online.  It is a promotion, sale, and giveaway!  Please visit http://polymerclaysmooshers.blogspot.com/
All of the artist that are participating are listed on the left hand of the their blog.  So please take some time and visit their shops.  You can also go to Artfire.com and type in MASK to search and you will find many of the shops there also.

Now for the Birthday -   John had his 65th birthday this week!!!  - yes, you heard me 65!  It took the three to light the candles and they did it at the table because I was afraid they would all be melted into the cake if we didn't.  I even opened the door because I thought the smoke alarm would go off.  Nancy decorated the cake and for some reason she wasn't thinking and put 64 on the cake, so that is why there is the plus 1, but that just makes it special.

Now I hope he will think about retiring so we can play in the studio more!

Sunday Show

I wanted to thank everyone that came out to see John and me in Chapel Hill at the Festifall this past Sunday.  It was nice to meet some new folks and it was a great day - the weather couldn't have been better!  But, the best news is that this show was juried and we won 1st Place!!!!  This was our first outdoor show (and only our second show ever) so it was a real honor to be picked.

My friend Mayshanna Pandora was the People's Choice winner!  Please take a look at her site and see some of her new work.   http://www.mpandoraart.com

This is a picture of our booth (and yes, I know the banner isn't straight - but I wasn't about to try and fix it with all of those pots there).  We had purchased a new tent which was great.  It made it look more professional and it kept the sun from melting us.

As you can see John got his workout packing and unpacking and packing up again all of these pots.  Yes, we sold a number of them, but we had tons of them!

Now, it is back to the studio to make some more for our show coming up in November!!! (maybe I will take a couple of days off...)

The weekend (but no time for rest)

I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what John and I have been up to.  These pieces and more will be at the Festifall on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC on Sunday (1-6pm).  We are booth #35.  Please come by, we will take 20% off if you tell me that you read me blog. Plus, we would love for you to vote for us for the Peoples Choice Award.

Hope to see you there!

#1 - Handbuilt slab by John
#2 - Handbuilt coiled by Kitty, "Seeing Eye to Eye"
#3 - Handbuilt coiled by Kitty
#4 - Handbuilt coiled by Kitty

Fired the kiln (again)!!!

John and I have been so busy preparing for the upcoming shows that we are in.  We were able to fire two glaze loads and one bisque load over the past week.  Last night I started a third glaze load and this morning I started another bisque load.  With our new kiln we are having to learn a little as we go.  There were some great pieces that came out and some not so great pieces.  Hopefully, they will get better every time.

One piece that didn't make it was one of my people pots.  I small crack opened up around the lady's neck.  I was really disappointed because this is a double people pot (very time consuming) and it was glazed with the Saturated Metallic, which I never use on my people pots.  But, they now have a happy home in my flower bed at the studio!

I know these aren't for everyone, but they are all very personal to me.  It is weird how one can become emotionally attached to the work they are doing.  But, I have been asked to have five pieces in a show at the Royal Bean in Raleigh for the month of October.  They are doing a "Dark Art" theme and I guess some would view my work as dark art, especially my funeral urns (not sure why...).

There is a positive side to these kiln firings and that is that John and I have finally mastered our favorite glaze: Pennell Strontium Matt Glaze.  I mix the glaze from the raw materials, which is kinda like baking a cake.  But it is very finicky and has to be fired to an exact temperature so that we get the effects we want, but it is not running off the pots onto the shelves.

I have also made a ton of jewelry pieces and will be posting these to my website : www.liquidambar.artfire.com a little at a time. 

The first show is this coming Sunday, October 4th, in Chapel Hill from 1-6pm.  I am just hoping for some weather like today - perfect!

And since my blog wouldn't be complete without a picture of "nature" - here is a picture from Sunday morning by the front deck. Thought it would put us in the October mood.

Sunday at the Studio

Today was actually a work day for John and I.  We spent the day glazing pots and loading the kiln.  We won't know the results until Thursday.  I hate having to wait so long, but is always worth it. 

While at the studio I almost stepped on Mr. Toad.  He is only about an 1" long and he blends in with the grass. I wish he didn't look so sad.

I also saw a pretty little ring neck snake out in the yard.  It was about nine inches long and had the brightest yellow band around its neck.  Unfortunately, I was in the middle of cleaning up some glaze stuff and I couldn't get to the camera.  Now that is the kind of snake I like- one that you can put in your pocket and won't bite.  Oh - a side note- the snake eggs that we had found last weekend were not Copper Heads.  Copper Heads are live bearers, not egg layers, so it was probably from a black snake, thank goodness.

John takes such good care of the flowers around the studio (and the ones at home).  This Nashstersium was soaking up some sun today.

And on the back porch there are these Marigolds that have gone crazy!  These were some from a pack of "miniature"  flowers.  John does not put any chemicals or anything on them, but it looks like they should be in a jungle.  It is hard to see, but the yellow ones on the bottom stretch out over a foot and the stalk is more than 1/2" thick!  I think next year we need a bigger pot.

Last weekend we went to the flea-market at the state fair grounds.  I came across these telephone pole insulators.  The man gave me eight of them for $3!!!  I put several outside on the railings at the studio.  During the day the light shines so pretty.  At night I put them over some lights that we have and they give off a nice glow.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Getting Ready

What a long week...

We are very busy getting ready for the show in Chapel Hill on October 4th.  We have fired a number of bisque loads and today was spent making glazes.  Tomorrow we hope to glaze some pots and start a glaze fire.  I am always excited when I mix up new batches of glaze.  I can't wait for a piece to come out of the kiln so I can see what it looks like.  I always create a little test tile, but sometimes it is hard to see how the glaze preforms because it is so small.  So, in addition to the test tile, I always pick a piece that isn't show quality and use it for a test.  These sometimes end up in the bone yard (a place were the rejects go) and sometimes they turn out great and are given as gifts or we keep to use at home. 

I have also been working on a mask for the Clayfire guild on Artfire.  We are having a little contest and will be selling our masks.  (www.liquidambar.artfire.com)  I hope that it makes it to the final product.  And that I get it finished in time!

I have attached a link to the show information.  Please take a look.  There are so many great artists that will be there.  There is also a Peoples Choice Award, so if you see my work at the show and you like what you see, please vote for me!   Festifall


and I have to add that our contest is still going on until Oct 20th!
http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/2009/09/wheres-waldo-september-contest.html

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Another one of my favorites by Allison Saar. 

Copper Head Visitor

It always is a true learning experience around our place.  Nature always seems to be reminding us that we are the intruders.  Over the weekend, John was working outside installing the vent for the kiln when he came across a visitor.  It was a Copper Head. 

Luckily, both John and Clint are not afraid of snakes at all .  Clint actually wanted to keep him as a pet, but I would be the one that would end up taking care of it and I do not like anything that is posionious!  I respect them, and feel that have a right to be in their natural habitat, but I do not want them in my house or even up next to my house where I may step on them.

John was able to pick it up and put into a trash can.
I can't believe how red his tounge was. The snake seemed very scared and always looked like he was ready to strike, but I think he knew that it was a losing battle. 

Since I wouldn't let Clint keep it, they decided to take him back out into the woods and let him go.  I know most probably think that we should have killed it, but as I said - it has a right to be in it's natural habitat, we are the intruders.

Many people in North Carolina have never seen a Copper Head, but they are everywhere.  They are very good at blending in with the environment.  This snake was probably as long as he was going to get.  However, they do get fatter as they continue to grow.  Copper Heads are very slow movers.  Most people end up stepping on one, because the snake just didn't get out of the way in time and that is when they strike.  They are not aggressive, unless they are fighting for their life, unlike a Cotton Mouth which is very aggressive.  Be careful this time of the year.  Copper Heads are in their mating season now and around dusk is when they are out looking.

Of course, Clint is never satisfied with just finding one snake, so he went on a hunt for more.  He didn't see any, but he did uncover a nest of eggs under the ledge of our stone wall.  All had hatched, and John thought because of the shells they were from about two years ago.  We are not sure if they were copper heads or not.  I just am hoping that they were black snakes instead!

It is about time!

I ordered a new ceramic kiln in June. The lady said two weeks - ok, two months later it finally arrived. At the time we also ordered 4000 pounds (2 tons) of clay! Our studio is down a long, steep, gravel drive and there is no turn-around, so we had the kiln and clay delivered to our house instead. The 18-wheeler arrived and unloaded three pallets, two for clay and one for the kiln. Luckily, he had a lift-gate and a pallet dolly and was able to move them very easily into our garage.

The next problem was how to get it all to the studio. Well, we knew that the best thing to do with the clay was just to take it a little at a time as we need it. There really isn't any place to store it at the studio anyway. But the kiln weighed close to 1500 pounds. Again, we were a bit lucky that most kilns are built in sections and come apart. We spent most of the first day just breaking down the kiln into pieces that we could handle. We were able to get it in our van and it only took two loads out to the studio, and then of course, we had to put it all back together!

The next obstical was that it needed a 90 amp breaker and our panel box was already full. So that ment we had to upgrade our entire service. I will have to say that our electrician worked very fast and was able to get the panel switched and completely re-wired, a new disconnect inside for the kiln and a new breaker box with main disconnect outside in about five hours. That may seem long, but if you saw the mess it was in to begin with you would understand.

Last night we were able to load it. It was amazing how much we could fit into it.

This morning John, Clint and I woke up at 5 am and went down to start the kiln for the first time. It was very exciting. It felt like the first time you take a new car out for a ride.

We have a couple of shows coming up and we are all busy getting ready. Clint actually let me take a picture of him working on the wheel (although he said I have to pay him $5 for the picture.)

new book finished

For my birthday, John gave me the book The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, a novel by Reif Larsen. He had heard a story about it on NPR and thought that it would be worth reading. I finished it last night and I wanted to quote the praise from Stephen King.

"Two predictions about The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet: Readers are going to love it as much as I did, and few if any will experienced anything like it. I'm flabbergasted by Reif Larsen's talent, and I was warmed by his generosity. Here is a book that does the impossible: It combines Mark Twain, Thomas Pynchon, and Little Miss Sunshine. Good novels entertain; great ones come as a gift to the readers who are lucky enough to find them. This book is a treasure."

Since I am here, I will share the other books that I have read so far this year. My daughter is an avid reader and she gave me a reading list. I try to pick one off the list and work them into the ones on my list. The ones she recommended are in red.

1. Where are You Now? - by Mary Higgins Clark

2. The Guardian - by Nicholas Sparks

3. Gap Creek - by Robert Morgan

4. Fight Club - by Chuck Palahniuk

5. Angels and Demons - by Dan Brown

6. Vermeers Hat - by Timothy Brook

7. In the Time of the Butterflies - by Julia Alvarey

8. Running in Heels - by Anna Maxted

9. Artemis Fowl - by Eoin Colfer

10. Artemis Fowl the Artic Incedent - by Eoin Colfer

11. Choke - by Chuck Palahniuk

12. The Last Lecture - by Randy Pausch

13. When You are Engulfed in Flames - by David Sedaris

If any of you are fimiliar with some of these books, you will know what I mixture it is! Now on to find my next book!

Hewitt, Matisse, and others

Saturday, a couple of friends took us to Mark Hewitt's kiln opening. I have been out to see Mark's work on several occasions before, but never for a kiln opening. It is well worth going to see if you are near Pittsboro, NC. He lives on an old farm and has used the old buildings for his clay works. It is such a lovely setting. John and I did buy a couple of Mark's apprentice's work, A. Matisse, the great-great-grand child of Henry Matisse. You can check out Mark's website at www.hewittpottery.com

John and I did work in the studio over the weekend. He was able to throw several nice pieces. I, however, was moving a lot slower and was only able to complete one coiled piece - but it was 16" tall. It takes over 150 very thin coils to make a piece that size.

Our shelves are starting to fill up. We are getting ready for our show in Chapel Hill on Oct 4th. Time is passing too quickly, we need to fire, glaze, and fire and we still don't have the new kiln hooked up.

Also, I want you to take a look at this weeks featured artist: Annrose. You can read about her on
http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/2009/08/annrose.html or you can visit her shop at www.annrose.artfire.com

Mr. Bones

I just have to introduce everyone to Mr. Bones. He has been part of our family for a number of years.

Being married to a person who is an artist and a scientist, you begin to feel comfortable having things like Mr. Bones hanging around your house.

Mr. Bones is always present in John's Anatomy and Physiology classes at Meredith, but he also goes with us to the ArtCenter in Chapel Hill for our Anatomy and the Arts classes (life drawing classes with anatomy thrown in).

Some times he just hangs out in the garage until he finds out what his next assignment is. This does give us some weird looks from the neighbors. And I love when a delivery man has to put something in the garage. I just tell them Mr. Bones is one of my exes.

John drives the van usually and I drive the Mustang usually, but tomorrow I needed to take the van and a load of stuff to the studio. Mr. Bones is so happy he gets to ride in the Mustang tomorrow!! He can see much better sitting in the passenger seat, rather than laying in the back of the van. Can't you see his big smile?

Tear it up and put it back together again

I guess I have my Dad to thank. When I was a teenager, my Dad was having me take computers apart and replace parts or build new ones from pieces. He said that I had a very mechanical mind and I understood reasoning. We also took some computer programing classes together and I always found them too boring because it was too easy. He said that he would spend all night trying to finish the homework, but I would show up to the class with nothing and within a few minutes I had written the programs. Don't get me wrong - he is the smartest man I know when it comes to computers, electronics and any thing mechanical - air conditioners, plumbing, what ever. He was always a little frustrated with me because I never took that kind of thing seriously.

But, I think that he has taught me a lot. I am never afraid to rip something apart just to see how it runs or try to fix something myself. I love tools and all types of machinery. I have taken an electrical class, welding, and a machine tech class to name a few (which I loved).

Well, my sewing machine has been broken for about two years - just sitting on my desk. I checked into getting a professional to look at it, and they said it would be around $200-$300 just to look at it - without guaranteeing that it could be fixed. This sewing machine is a nice one and I wouldn't want to have to go out and buy a new one, so last night I tore it apart!

I definitely learned a lot about how a sewing machine works. I was starting to get a little frustrated, just because I didn't have a mechanical schematics or anything to work with. I can follow any kind of directions, maps or schematics, but there was only the user manual. I am not sure how long it took (more than a service shop would have ever spent), but finally around 11pm last night I got it working!!!!

It was so late so I just went to bed. But, this morning I put it all back together, adjusted all the settings back to where they should be and tried it out. It worked great! I guess you could say I am proud of myself, but again I owe it all to my Dad and the things he taught me.

Oh, and of course there was a little tiny screw left when I was finished putting it back together. I guess I can figure out where that goes next time!

Contests - Feeling lucky

Please check out this contest. http://www.fantabulouslyfrugal.com
It is a $50 gift certificate to Novica. http://unique-gifts.novica.com





And check out this yoplait gift bag give-a-way!!!
http://myfourmonkeysproductreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/summer-cool-down-yoplait-gift-bag.html





I also just won an apron from Heather at FabulousFunFinds!!!
http://fabulousfunfinds.blogspot.com/2009/08/bambino-amore-apron-giveaway.html





AND I just won a set of stationary from Nfall2rt* Design Studio!
http://nfall2rt.blogspot.com

now I am off to enter some more contests on the great blogs that are out there!

David Sedaris

I am not sure how many of you have heard of David Sedaris, but if you are from the Raleigh, NC area it is hard not to. David Sedaris had a regular spot on NPR called This American Life.

I just finished reading When You are Engulfed in Flames, a #1 national bestseller. Most of his books are actually a bunch of short stories. This makes them very easy to read because you can pick it up and start any where you like. I am not sure which chapter I liked best, but I think it is April in Paris. He just reminds me that I am not the only crazy one out there. We all have little things that make us different.

His writing may be a little "crude" for some people - he says it like it is and doesn't care what others may think about it. But I do suggest taking a look at some of his work, you can't help but laugh or maybe cry, but it is all good stuff.

This is his official website: http://literati.net/Sedaris/index.htm and a little blurb about the book.

Trying to make coffee when the water is shut off, David considers using the water in a vase of flowers and his chain of associations takes him from the French countryside to a hilariously uncomfortable memory of buying drugs in a mobile home in rural North Carolina. In essay after essay, Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life-having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane or armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds-to the most deeply resonant human truths. Culminating in a brilliant account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris's sixth essay collection is a new masterpiece of comic writing from "a writer worth treasuring" (Seattle Times).

Today was "nature" day at the river. This morning when I went out, there was this huge garden spider. They are pretty amazing web builders. Then around lunch time five deer showed up (one not in the pic). The one in the front is "Sunflower" and then her yearling is the second one. Not sure how the other two females and the buck that is in the back fit in to the family tree. I am sure that the buck will be kicked out soon as he is starting to get his horns - they are about 6" long now.

Also, a fellow blogger - Blase' www.blaseimho.blogspot.com came out to the river for a visit. He got a tour of the studio and then we took a hike down to the river. It was really nice except for it being so humid! It is always cool to meet someone in person that you have only known threw the internet. And we always love to have company!

A couple other blogs to mention:

I want to thank Nancy www.nfall2rt.blogspot.com for chosing me as a winner in her latest contest! I won tons of cute notecards and envelopes. Be sure to check out her blog and also her Etsy and Artfire stores (links on her blog). Thanks again, Nancy!!!

Also, one of my guilds is having another contest: http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/2009/08/wheres-waldo-august-contest_15.html Vabeachquilter is the sponsor this month!!! She has some great items, so take a look.

Things go in circles

I just finished making my daughter's quilt that she will be taking with her to college on Saturday. As I was finishing it, I started thinking or remembering the first time that I started to sew and also about me moving out for the first time....

I started to sew when I was very young, maybe around six or seven. My grandma came to visit us and we spent a good part of the time sewing pin cushions. They were shaped liked bunnies and chicks (it was around Easter when she visited) and they were made from scraps of material and felt. She had a neat tool that made pom poms and I wrapped them to make the tails for the bunnies. That has been my pin cushion ever since. It still sits beside my sewing machine!

Then maybe two or three years later, I went and stayed with my grandma for the summer. She set me up a place in the living room with a table and her sewing machine. I spent the entire summer making stuffed animals. My favorite was a snake that was about six feet long, that I made out of blocks of material. The mouth even opened and was lined with pink satin.

When I was thirteen I went to a boarding school (at the time we lived in PA and the school was in SC). I remember that I showed up with one dress folded up in my suitcase. I was rushed into the ladies room and was made to put the dress on (I didn't know). I wore that same dress for a week until I could get some more. My Mom bought me a sewing machine and I started to make all of my clothes. I had a couple simple skirt and top patterns and made tons of outfits. I even made a white dress-suit for graduation.

I have also made dresses for my daughter and Halloween costumes for both of the kids over the years.

I have since given the sewing machine to my daughter and she has made some clothes and lots of bags and purses. However, my sewing machine died on me so I used that same sewing machine to make the quilt for my daughter. It still works great after all these years.

It is amazing how things go around in a circle.

Featured Artist

I wanted to give everyone a link to the blog that features Liquidambar. Please take a minute to read it and leave a comment. Also the ClayFire Guild needs followers, so if you are interested in pottery check it out. Thanks! http://clayfireguild.blogspot.com/2009/08/clayfires-featured-artist.html

Today was productive

I made a couple of things today. The first was eight pairs of earrings made out of bottle caps. These were all collected (along with a thousand others) by my kids while we were living in Kenya. Tuskers is a beer made in Kenya. Notice how most of the tops have 16ks (kenya shillings), which is about 25 cents here.


I finally was able to get them all listed on Etsy. Here is one link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29117658

The second thing that I made today was a fabric bowl. This is the first time I tried this pattern. I started pretty simple, but I have lots of ideas for more. (Thanks, Mom, for the fabric!)

The other thing that I wanted to mention was that one of my guilds put this list together and I wanted to share.

A few of the great stores at ArtFire:

Cards & Gifts - www.valmade.artfire.com

Cards, Gifts & More - www.bullygrrl.artfire.com

Crocheted crafts - www.crochetedlittlethings.artfire.com

Crocheted creations - www.rosetreecreations.artfire.com

Crocheted handbags & gifts - www.franciebagsetc.artfire.com

Crocheting, Knitting, sewing - www.nothingbutstring.artfire.com

Handbags & totes - www.radicalrecrafter.artfire.com

Hand dyed & spun Fiber - www.fibercycle.artfire.com

Hand painted Fabric crafts - www.studiojules.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.jewelrybyfyfe.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.ilmare.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.jewelryworksbykim.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.beadyourhabit.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.annrose.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.silver-soul-designs.artfire.com

Jewelry - www.twitterbird.artfire.com

Jewelry, candleholders, décor - www.exquisitestudios.artfire.com

Jewelry & Gifts - www.Gwynstone.artfire.com

Jewelry & Wine charms - www.gristmillcreations.artfire.com

Origami décor - www.origamibysisi.artfire.com

Pattern dyed Fabrics - www.5oclockcrows.artfire.com

Pens, baby items, jewelry - www.onpensandneedles.artfire.com

Pottery & Jewelry - www.liquidambar.artfire.com

Quilting - www.vabeachquilter.artfire.com

Unique Gifts - www.bragginrights.artfire.com

The Sunflower Contest

I mentioned before that some of the residents in Redbud (where the studio is located) were having a sunflower contest. Well, this past weekend was the official sunflower measuring. We had seven sunflowers to visit. As a group we went to each persons house and measured their sunflower.

This was the order in which we measured:

Mary Ellen & Paul: 8' 4.5" - 3rd place
Kitty & John: 7' 10.5" - 4th place
Kira: 7' - 6th place
Cricket and Paul: 21" :-) - and just glad to still have a stalk left after the deer.
Simone & Danny: 7' 4" - 5th place - Simone organized this!
Vicki: 11' 6" - Winner!!!!
Skip & Anne: 10' 2" - 2nd place
The picture is hard to see, but they are measuring John's and my sunflower. Actually, I should just say, "John's", he did all the work and made sure that it stayed watered. It is in a pot on the second floor balcony so the deer won't get to it. We had tried once down in a flower bed and that lasted about two days. (That is why we have a deer named "Sunflower".

Vikki's sunflowers were amazing! We all think that the power lines had something to do with it. The stalks were about 2" in diameter and the heads were a good 14" or so across and they all were over 11'!!!!

The last picture shows us having a good time at Skip and Anne's house. (that is Anne on the left - and John and I are on the right.) Thank you Anne!

I told them that John and I were taking notes and that we would be prepared for next year!

What will they remember?

It is funny how we remember certain things about a person. As I was going through my Grandma's things I kept coming across little things that only she and I would know why she held onto it for all of those years. I hated to throw things out, but what would anyone want with most of those scraps of paper, fabric, or little plastic things? I have so many things that remind me of her that I do not need another trinket. But the one thing that my Mother made sure that I got after my Grandma passed was a little gold heart that I had given to her when I was a teenager. She wore it everyday!

Trying to clean things out, my Mom asked if there was anything that I wanted of hers. I told her that I wanted a plastic seagull that she had on a top shelf out in the garage. She couldn't even remember it, but to me it was a symbol of her. When I was a pre-teen my Mom went through this "White Bird" stage. That was her favorite song, plus she drove a white Thunderbird, and had white birds all over our apartment. This plastic bird I wanted is more than just a trinket, it sums up a whole time period of my life spent with her.

I was thinking what would people (my children) remember about me and there is one answer - a 64 1/2 Candy Apple Red Mustang Convertible! I don't know why I love them so much. I never knew anyone that had one (that old), but I have always wanted one. The closest I have been able to get is my 1995 Mustang - it is red, but not a convertible, but the only thing I can afford. Probably weird for a female, but I even have toy cars sitting at computer and of course there is the red Mustang!

For my birthday this past week, my son made me a model. He spent about a month painting it and putting it together. I love it!!!
I know all of these are "things" and that other good stuff will be remembered, like the fact that they are loved and all of that mushy stuff. But, I bet that every time they see one they think of me (whether they want to or not).

Potter Otto Heino, Died age 94

Ok, I have to admit that I didn't recognize the name Heino. But I am sure we covered his work in school. But as a potter Otto Heino is such an inspiration that I wanted to share. This is his website: http://www.ottospottery.com/index.html

The following is taken from the News and Observer (who took it from the New York Times) 7/28/2009:

"Otto Heino, a prolific ceramicist whose simple, elegantly shaped pots and opulent glazes earned him not just a fortune but also a reputation what he shared with his wife, Vivika, as the personification of sturdy American artisanship, died July 16 in Ventura, Calif.

Heino was 94 and had lived in Ojai, Calif.

The cause of death was renal failure, his niece Lillian Heino Long said.

Heino (pronounced HIGH-no), a driven craftsman who was said to produce up to 10,000 pieces a year, was know as a purist in his work and clay. His pieces were texturally natural, with finger ridges left in them, and he mixed wood ash into the glazes he developed and used.

One glaze in particular stood out: He and his wife, who died in 1995, created a rich yellow so widely admired that pieces finished with it routinely sold for as much as $25,000."

Yellow glaze w/ barnard slip decoration, 13.75"h X 7.5"w, $10,000 (As seen in Cowboys & Indians magazine)

10,000 pieces a year!!!! I just hope that I can make that many over my career as a potter. I guess I better get busy.

So many reasons to celebrate!

There are so many reasons to celebrate today.

1. My Mom is doing much better (still has a long way to go but at least she is laughing.) Thank you for all the nice thoughts and prayers. On the last day I was there I took a few minutes and wandered around her yard. I took this picture of the mushroom. Nature never stops amazing me.

2. We finally celebrated Father's Day. I know we are a little late (ok a lot late). The kids were waiting until the four of us could be at the river together. They gave John a badminton set. Nancy made a professional court, putting lime down for the lines. But in the end the kids dominated us. John and I are going to practice and get them next time! (Did I mention that we have the best kids in the whole world? And I can truely say that!)

3. My baby sweetpea turns 18 years old tomorrow. Last night the four of us went out to dinner (and yes, the waiters sang to her). It is so hard to believe how fast time goes by and how quickly children turn into adults when we are not watching. I am very proud of her - and she is cute too! (I have to mention that it will also be my birthday tomorrow - she was the hardest present I ever had to work for!)

4. As far as studio news - my Mom let me babysit her kiln! It will be great for bisque pieces. Over the weekend we moved stuff around in the studio to make room for it and for the one that I purchased. Now I need to start working!!!!

5. One other thing. My Artfire guild is still having the Where's Waldo contest. Check it out - http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/2009/07/wheres-waldo.html Rosetree Creations is sponsoring the prize!!! http://rosetreecreations.artfire.com/

Been a while

I have been taking care of my Mom this week. She had an operation and I am here to help her out. It is amazing how much I have gotten done since I have been here. I made seven chainmail bracelets, drew some pictures for my husbands Artistic Anatomy book and even got to swim in the pool. This is not to mention all the laundry and that kind of stuff. I really don't mind since she had to look after me for the first 15yrs of my life. Plus, my son has been here with me so we have had a good time just hanging out together.

But, it has been hard being away from my husband. We have never been apart this long before. I know it sounds weird, but we do everything together. Although, he will be taking a trip to Kenya in the Fall and he will be gone for about ten days (about the same time I will be here.) He said this was practice of us being apart - I don't ever want to be away from him this long again! (He should have just come with me, he is a much better cook than I am.)

I guess this week has made me really take a deep look at the way I spend my time. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own work and my own interests that I don't make time for other people. My family is my life, not my work. My oldest is starting college soon and my son not too far behind. I will have plenty of time for me after they move out. It also has made me look at how I spend money. "Do I really need this?" That is what I should be asking myself every time I put something into my shopping cart. If I have to spend all my time working to pay for things then I don't get to spend the time with the people that really matter. Why do we learn this so late in life? My Grandfather passed away not too long ago and now my parents are cleaning out the house getting rid of 80 years or more of stuff, so my Grandma can move to a smaller home. Do we really need so much stuff? We can't take it with us and our children probably don't want our old stuff to start with. I am also very concerned with the environment and we don't need to add to the growing problem that will be left behind when we are gone. I guess what I am saying is that we should all ask ourselves is "stuff" really that important. Don't get me wrong, I do love nice things and I do think that it is ok to have nice things - as long as you don't "pay" the price.

Ok, I guess I just had to get that off my chest. I feel better now.

Alison Saar my biggest influence

I was thinking today of some of my sculptures and how they all have a similar feel, not just because of the material, but because of the meanings behind them. I know that others that look at my work may not understand what I was trying to convey. But, I like to hear how others interpret my work and what it means to them.

I was also trying to figure out who I admired most as an artist and how their work influenced my work. I am not sure if I learned about Alison Saar before I started creating my work or if I just became attracted to her work because of the similarities. We both use natural materials and found objects, and all of our pieces tell a story.

Compton Nocturne, 1999
wood, tin, bottles, paint, tar
33 x 80 x 28 inches

This was the first piece I saw of Alison Saar's. It is at the UNC Greensboro Weatherspoon Art Museum.

This passage is taken from Wikipedia:
"Her sculptures and installations explore themes of African cultural diaspora and spirituality, and her studies of Latin American, Caribbean and African art and religion have informed her work. Saar’s fascination with vernacular folk art and ability to build an oasis of beauty from cast-off objects are evident in her sculptures and paintings. Saar’s highly personal, often life-sized sculptures are marked by their emotional candor, and by contrasting materials and messages that imbue her work with a high degree of cultural subtext."

While I was teaching art at Kenyatta University, Kenya, I was greatly influenced by the stylized work that was taught there. And how the images were not just to be "pretty" but to create an emotion and to tell a story. While in Kenya I also took an African art history course and did research on the African pottery makers. All of which comes through in my work.

Birth of Nations - 2007
Ceramic, cast glass, copper wire

I can't help it.

I have to share a few more baby pictures with you.

This weekend Momma (who we have named Sunflower - due to the fact she ate all of mine) and her twins came to see us. They have started to act like puppies; if I walk outside and call them the momma will run up to me.

We eat out on our deck for all three meals every day we are at the studio. Sunflower has figured that out. She will stand there and just stare the entire time. Yes, she looks like one of those plastic deer.

In our community of Redbud, some of us are having a sunflower growing contest. Each one of us will bring $5 on August 1st and have the final measurement. We first planted some seeds in a flower bed. The seeds shot right up - just to perfect eating height for the deer. So we decided to plant some more in a big flower pot up on the deck. So far they are doing pretty well. At the same time we also planted a small window box with some miniature sunflowers and marigolds and some other flowers. Well, I wish we were doing the biggest Marigold contest. One is fighting to be taller than the sunflowers.

I did actually work some at the studio clearing out a space for a new ceramic kiln. I am so excited!!! It won't come for a couple of weeks, but I am getting ready for it. I moved my glass kiln to the other side of the studio where the rest of my glass stuff is - should have done that from the beginning. But then of course moving one thing means moving twenty other things. It did feel good to get reorganized again. Some times I get so caught up in my art work that I leave a huge mess and have to take a day putting everything back where it is suppose to go and get a fresh start.

One Lovely Blog Award

Sweet Tabitha gave me this award. (I think the baby deer did it in the last blog ;) But I wanted to thank her. Please check out her blog.

http://knittingjourneymanredux.blogspot.com/

copied from Tabitha:

As always, I give with the No Obligation Policy in effect....

The Guidelines:

1. Post picture of award with link back to person who honoured you -

2. Pass along the award to deserving persons whose blogs you have just discovered - more on that in a minute!

3. Leave a *note* informing aforementioned recipients of your bloggy award.

Deserving people? Wow--there are SO many......where oh where to begin......Let's see....

1. Vicki ~ Who got me into all this.

2. Ophelia ~For her lovely collages.

3. Blasé ~ Who makes me laugh (not sure he should have a teacup and roses ;)

4. Trudi ~ Makes all the blogs look nice!

5. Carolina Mixed Media Artists ~ I am cheating here - because it is for all the artist.

My Guilds - and other stuff

I wanted to give you a little background on some of the great art guilds that I belong to. There are so, so many talented people out there that are members.

1. This guild is for the ArtFire shops that have less than five sales. We are running contests, sales, and featuring artists. Check out the blog: http://shopswithlesssalesartfire.blogspot.com/

If you are on ArtFire and want to join, click on this link: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Guilds&op=guild_hall&guild_id=112

2. This guild is for clay artists. It is new but we already have a long list of great artists. Check out this blog: http://clayfireguild.blogspot.com/

If you are on ArtFire and want to join, click on this link: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Guilds&op=guild_hall&guild_id=98

3. This guild is for the great artists on ArtFire that are from the wonderful state of North Carolina!!!http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Guilds&op=guild_hall&guild_id=90.

Also on other news...

ArtFire is having a Christmas in July Sale now through July 31st. I have added all of my items to the sale!!! 20% off!!! (Posted 10 new glass pendants today.)

http://liquidambar.artfire.com/

I am starting to add supplies to my Etsy site. Currently, there is some cross stitch stuff and some beads from Kenya, but I will keep adding new stuff as I get the time.

http://kittysartandstuff.etsy.com/

Only a million more pictures to take ,and edit, and write descriptions, and post, and keep track of and ....

A few items of interest

Mondays always seem to be a catch up day. So this blog will be a mixture of things...

First - for the nature lovers...

We had some close encounters with some deer over the weekend. The first was a Momma and her baby. Momma figured that we put out the bird bath to add to her buffet and baby was still wobbly.

The second encounter was with another Momma and her yearling. Both were looking for hand outs. Obviously, they have been hand feed before. And the other cool "nature thing" we saw was this moth. Incredible!!!

Second - I had great success with my glass pieces in the kiln over the weekend!!! I will be adding some of these items to ArtFire soon! http://liquidambar.artfire.com/

Third - I am expecting an order from my bead supplier. They have been back-ordered for three months on jump rings. I love to do chain mail! But while I am waiting check out this site: She does great work!! http://yesredpanda.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-time.html

Forth - I have spent the entire day working on my website. There are a few bugs (links) to be worked out, but if you run across anything I've missed, please let me know. http://www.liquidambarstudio.com/

Visitors to the Studio

Today we had some visitors to the studio. (I shouldn't say "visitors" since they are part of our adopted family - the father, Polycarp is from Kenya.) But while we were having lunch outside on the deck, my son came across a slider. The younger boys were a little afraid at first, but they saw how Clint went right up to it. The snake was very aggressive but it was also very scared. I am guessing it was maybe five feet long. It was so beautiful how the light made it change colors as it moved.


By mid-afternoon it was getting very warm so we all went down to the river to cool off. I stayed back closer to shore, but the boys all wandered far out on the rocks. They must have been out there for a couple of hours.


After getting back to the studio, Clint taught the boys how to shoot a bow and arrow. The bow is a double re-curve bow that came from his grandpa who had it when he was young. It was Clint's first time shooting also. They all did a great job. (I even shot it once - not bad.)



I didn't get any work done today, but it was really nice to visit. Maybe next time they come I can put them to work wedging out the clay for me.

The Wild Life

Ok, back when I was a teenager the "wild life" would include all kinds of things that I would never tell my parents about (although they always knew). But, now I am amazed at all of the real wild life that is around me every day. The studio is a perfect place for nature lovers (and both John and I are).

We were busy at the studio working all weekend, but every time we turned around there was another interesting creature. We woke up Sat. to see a cute little Bambi, still with it's wobbly legs. Didn't see Mama, but we knew she was watching us.

Later that evening we took Biscuit for a walk and came across a box turtle in the drive way. Biscuit was very curious but stayed her distance.

This guy was posing for me.

And then while we were taking a break from our artwork we came across this beetle. I felt like someone was watching me all day!

I can't help but start to think of all the forms, colors and patterns that are in nature. My mind starts going in a hundred different directions and I come up with a hundred new ideas that I can do with my art. Wouldn't you want to see that beetle about 6' tall made out of concrete that you could climb on? Or the turtle made out of stained glass?

Alright, I need to stop coming up with new projects and finish some that I have started. Who knows what we will see next? And what great projects it will inspire!

New Banners & Links

I am starting a new free banner/link exchange. Send me a 125 x 125 pixel picture and I will be glad to add it to my blog and/or my website if you add my link to your website or blog. contact@liquidambarstudio.com I think that this is a great way that we can help each other. With billions and billions of sites, the more links you have the better chance of being seen - plus it is free!


RavenaRelics is the first to join. Make sure that you check out Vicki's site. She is a great artist and is a conservationist to boot.

Crickets and Grasshoppers

Today was Summer camp. From 12:30 to 3:00 pm, John and I taught twenty middle school girls about crickets and grasshoppers. Talk about a zoo...


I am not sure how John gets me into these things.


First they each received a petri dish with two live crickets, one male and one female. Second, they were taught all of the parts and the girls looked at them under the microscope.

The girls then painted cricket boxes so that they could take their crickets home for good luck. But, while some were painting others were dissecting giant grasshoppers. We also fed some to the frogs to show them the food chain.


Having 20 girls in one room is not good. But, having 20 girls, with gross stuff is really not good. I am just kidding; all in all they did well, and I am sure that this is something that they will remember.

Too many fish

Some times I wonder if I have too many fish in the frying pan. I know for many artists we tend to spread ourselves too thin in different areas. But, I get bored if I have to do the same thing over and over again. I am always wanting to try new things, new techniques, new mediums. However, it did feel good to concentrate on one thing this past weekend (ok a few things).

John and I had a working weekend at the studio. He threw about twenty pieces and made a few hand built pieces also (all with a broken hand). And I was able to make two large hand coiled pieces and throw a few as well. I also worked on making some more cast glass pieces (like the one shown in a past blog) while I was waiting for the clay to dry out some. And played around with casting some pieces (thanks to my mom's molds).

But the best thing is that we were able to just work at our own pace, making the pieces that we wanted to work on, taking naps in the middle of the day and eating out on the deck for every meal. We do not have a phone, internet, or a tv at the studio, and we don't miss them at all!

We also, enjoy the wild life that is around the studio, deer, hawks, humming birds, snakes, toads, and beautiful moths.

If you want to visit the studio, we would love to have you!

Liquidambar Studio of Art

116 Hickory Lane

Pittsboro, NC 27312

919-414-4812 (send a text if you can)

contact@liquidambarstudio.com

Actually working!

Today John and I actually went to the studio and did some work! With graduation, summer school, baseball and everything else, we have not been able to produce much work. John was able to throw a bunch of pots while I worked on two hand coiled pieces. About a 1/4 of the way on each one.


People do not understand why I would want to coil my pots rather than throw them on the wheel. The coiled pot takes many, many, many hours to make, but I can throw a pot on the wheel in a couple of minutes (of course there is the trimming and other finish work.) Plus, I can not sell my pieces for 3 or 4 times that of a thrown pot just because it takes me longer.


Probably my biggest reason for coiling is that I do take time with the piece. Each one is unique. Each one has a story. Sometimes I don't know what I am going to make until it starts to form. I may do some sketches, but the piece I begin never ends up like my sketch. It is also very therapeutic for my mind (not my hands). Often while working on a piece I kinda "space out" or go into a kinda trans. My mind wonders, not taking in what is going on around me. Most of the time I do not even listen to music, because I found that I wasn't listening and would miss the whole CD.


We also took some pictures while we were working. All of the shows want to see a picture of the artist to put with our concept statement. We didn't have any of John and the only ones of me I look like I am mad at the world (probably because John is taking pictures at 10pm after I have been working all day.)

I think he likes it.

Pool tables and tattoos

Two separate things - pool tables and tattoos, but wanted to say a couple things about them both.

A couple of years ago my son wanted to get a pool table for Christmas. It is not like something that you can just pack up and hide in the closet so it was a huge decision and investment. But since I love to spoil my kids (and the fact that my husband and I both really wanted one) we ended up getting one.

We ended up moving all of the furniture out of the "dining" room to have a game room. For the past year and a half we have had a great time with it. We don't play every day, but it brings the family together. Even played a few games with my Mom while she was here this past weekend. I think she would beat us all if she could practice a little!

And of course, I have to mention all the great things that you can so with/on a pool table ..... I know what you are thinking (I will let you fill in the blanks). But today I was working on my daughter's quilt and it was a perfect place to lay out the material and measure. (And NO I did not cut any fabric on it.) My kids say I take over everything with my work.

Tattoos -

I have to say that I have always wanted a tattoo. Doesn't every one at some point? Today my 17 yr old (18 in a month) asked if she could get one. Some of her aunts and cousins have them and it is kinda a "family" thing at the beach each year. Now that she is turning 18 and heading off to college she thought this would be a good way to celebrate.

To be honest I don't like the idea. I know, I know, I am an artist and should like that kind of thing. And I do.. on other people. My husband and I are even including a chapter in our book about body adornment (tattoos, piercings, tribal rituals). It wasn't until I was "older" that I realized that I wouldn't want one. It is only because I believe the human body is so beautiful. It doesn't matter the skin color, size, or shape, it is all beautiful. I would just hate to see someone that has such perfect skin to make a mark on it. I also understand it is about making a statement or being an individual and expressing yourself. Again, there are other ways.

I guess I have been thinking more about it lately, because my husband and I taught a class on the "Nude Figure in Nature" and we were both the models for it. More than a thousand pictures were taken by the students and they showed every little blemish, cellulite, and wrinkle that you can imagine! Thank God for Photoshop!!!!!!!

It also made me realize how time moves so quickly. I remember when I was 18 and thought that a tattoo would be cool to get (never got one because the guys I always dated didn't want me to - they had them, but not me). And how I remember thinking about little old ladies with their tattoos all stretched out of shape and dropping and thought that would never be me.

It all seems like just a couple years ago. But, now I have the sun spots (not age spots) and starting to see the lines around my eyes and the dark circles that I can't cover up any more. I never had a tattoo but now I feel it would be one more blemish that I would want fixed by Photoshop!

Just my opinion.

Always Experimenting

As artists we are always experimenting with new techniques and ideas. Some will fail and some actually turn out better than we thought. Sometimes a part will turn out, but to finish it many hours of thought will have to go into it.

I make a lot of cast glass pieces that I make into jewelry (a girl can never have too much). But lately I have been experimenting or trying to teach myself how to use cast resin. The results are good, but for some reason it all reminds me of the play jewelry I had when I was five. The texture and dull shine, just are not the same as glass. Plus, I am not too excited about the toxic smells and waste that is involved.

I have purchased several resin molds that I have been using for my glass shapes. But, I am getting tired of using the same ones over and over again. I decided to test some of the other resin molds to see if they would work for the glass as well.

Only two firings and I am very excited about the possibilities with these "new" molds. One is an oval earring mold. They are pretty large and with the glass they end up too heavy, but they make great pendants (plus I can make two at a time!) The second is actually an old plaster mold that my daughter had. It has several small animal shapes. Again, too heavy for earrings, but they make cute pendants.

The animal shapes I can attach the Aanraku bails that I typically use. But, on the large ovals the top is too thin to attach a bail. My husband suggested wrapping with wire (duh, why didn't I think of that?) So while my son was soldering some glass pieces, I wrapped the glass in tinned copper and soldered the back to finish the ends. I am very happy with the way they turned out and cannot wait to try out some more color combinations and some different molds!

Don't forget to visit www.liquidambarstudio.com and http://www.kittysartandstuff.etsy.com/

Anatomy and Physiology

With my mother here for the weekend for my daughter's graduation we have had cake and ice cream for almost every meal.

It make me keep thinking about all of the adventures my daughter will have after starting college, like eating cold pizza for lunch and ice cream for dinner. She wants to be a Biology major, following in the footsteps of my husband. So, hopefully she will know better than to eat like that all of the time!

I made a new pair of earrings to help celebrate her chosen major. The earrings are shells with an image of a hand (on one) and a brain (on the other). I transferred the image and the iridescent of the shell shines through the image creating a really neat effect. They turned out so well I want to make a bunch more with other body parts.

Time for Graduation

I cannot believe that my daughter is graduating from high school today! Time has a way of passing by too quickly.

For her graduation I am making her a quilt (which still isn't finished, but at least I have the materials together). Her favorite color is orange, so this has orange in it. The picture shows the pieces cut, but I am making a "9-block" quilt. Not that I know anything about quilting (this is only my second one). My Mom told me that is what it is called.

What is so crazy is that it feels like just a months ago I was making her a doll. After she was born I wanted to make something that would be a memento of her birth. At the time I didn't know what color her hair would be (black when she was born), so the color I picked out was the color of my nieces hair - a dark red auburn. The dress she is wearing is the dress that we brought her home from the hospital in. I remember it being so big on such a tiny baby.

I am not so "crafty" after 18 years, settling more into clay and glass work. But, somehow something that is sewn with special fabrics seems to be more personal, traditional, and something that you can cuddle with.

Tjaps = Chops Two new ones!

Last Christmas John tried to buy my two Tjaps (pronounced chops).

Tjaps are approximately 50 year old tools that have been made and used on the island of Java (Indonesian) for over a century. They are handmade of copper strips, carefully cut and shaped and soldered into fabulous shapes and patterns. They are used by Batik artists in Java by dipping them into hot wax, shaking off the excess, and then stamping the wax onto the cloth. Aligning the edges of each consecutive stamp creates patterns which run the length and width of the fabric. (taken from Dharma)

They are so popular with artists and collectors that as soon as someone receives a shipment they almost immediately run out. And that is what happened this past Christmas. I found two that I liked, but by the time John got online on Dharma Trading Company (http://www.dharmatrading.com/) they had sold out of 350 of them!

Luckily, I receive their emails and was notified when more came in. That time we didn't waste any time in buying a couple. There were so many to choose from, but I settled on two. One is a lizard on a leaf and the second is a fox with stars.

I cannot wait to start using these. Both Nancy (my oldest) and I took a fabric design class in Kenya, so I want to put all that to use. So many ideas and so little time!!!!!

The next picture is of Nancy (2006) in Kenya working on one of her designs.

Table cloth and napkins on bed and my first quilt!

I lot of people do not think that sewing or quilting is an art form - but I do! It is very different than when I am working with glass or clay, but it is all a creative process. There are quilt museums: so it has to be art!

My daughter gave me a table cloth and four napkins for Mother's Day. She knew they didn't match my kitchen, but she just thought that they were so pretty (and so do I)- a black and white design. They sat for several weeks on the kitchen counter. I kept hoping that I would be inspired somehow and make them work in the kitchen. But - nothing.


Then I found out that my Mom was coming for a visit (it has been several years since she has been here). I started thinking about the "guest" room. Which is really just a single bed, computer work area, and work-out room and it has all mismatched furniture. It sounds like a perfect project for one of those home improvement projects.


So, I took the table cloth upstairs and put it on the bed. It fit perfectly!!! Then I took two napkins and sewed white material to the backs and made pillows. The other two I sewed together to make a third pillow. I could have had four, but I ran out of batting, so this was the best solution.


All of this started me on a black and white theme for the room. I ended up buying some pre-cut squares and a "jelly-roll" of material off of Ebay. And I made my very first quilt! It is small - a lap quilt, but still it is a quilt. It only took me a couple of days to finish it.





My daughter will start college in the fall and I finally figured out what to make for her: a new quilt for her dorm! It has been started, but I am having trouble finding material to match what I have started. I was hoping to have it finished by Friday, but I don't think I am going to make the dead line.

Don't for get to check out my website: www.liquidambarstudio.com and my items on Etsy http://www.kittysartandstuff.etsy.com/

My First Blog!!!

WELCOME TO LIQUIDAMBAR STUDIO OF ART!

I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to start a blog. But, hopefully this will bring Liquidambar Studio of Art closer to fellow artists. It will be a place where artists can comment and post their ideas and where the artists of Liquidambar Studio can share what goes on in the daily life of being an artist.

Liquidambar Studio of Art is located on the Haw River in Pittsboro, North Carolina surrounded by huge beautiful trees, mostly the Sweet Gum. The scientific name of the Sweet Gum is Liquidambar styraciflua, hence the name of the studio.

Let me introduce you to the artists: John is "our leader". He works mostly with black and white photography and clay. I am second in command and work with all mediums! Nancy is our illustrator and silk screener. Clint is currently working with throwing clay on the wheel. And I cannot forget Biscuit - she is the "deer protector".

If you would like to come by the studio send me a text or call 919-414-4812. We would love to have you for a visit!

Please visit our website: www.liquidambarstudio.com

I can't wait to add more to the blog!!!