Wednesday Window

This is what John and I spend all of our free time on.

This Weekend!!!! (Dec 18-20)

(I know that most of you saw this last time, but I just wanted to re-post for anyone that may have missed it.)

 

The Sanford Pottery Festival Presents  
  The North Carolina Pottery Fair

Great Christmas gifts * A Holiday Tradition Begins

The largest pottery festival in North Carolina creating a major event to bring the flavor of the Seagrove and Sanford pottery to Raleigh.

 North Carolina State Fair Grounds Holshouser Building ("Village of Yesteryear" building)

 December 18-20

Fridays - 1pm - 6pm

Saturdays - 10am - 6pm

Sundays - Noon - 5pm

The largest pottery festival in North Carolina creating a major event to bring the flavor of the Seagrove and Sanford pottery to Raleigh.

50 Booths!!! 

Children under 10 admitted Free. Because you love them, and they are the future pottery collectors of North Carolina and some could become potters or art teachers.

Complimentary wine tasting

2 North Carolina wineries each weekend
Saturdays Noon - 6pm
Sundays Noon - 5pm

Non-pottery Traditional Arts and Crafts:

leather, glass, soap, woodworking, orchids and more

Liquidambar Studio will be there! Please stop by and say hello.  If you mention the blog I will give you 20% off the sale!!!

Wednesday Window Late on Thursday

Ok - he is going to kill me when he sees this.  It was Christmas morning 2003.  He knows how to make us smile!

Santa Swap!

I was so excited to get my package from Brie (briehernandez.blogspot.com)!!!! It was all packaged in a cute snowman box, since I love snowmen.  There were a bunch of mint choclate candy canes (a few are missing from the picture) and a police badge from where she works.  There were also a cute pair of bow earrings and a beautiful pair of earrings that she made! Oh, a Texas Christmas card, too!

Thanks Brie!!!! Merry Christmas.
and thank you to The Mommy Files for doing this! 
http://www.themommy-files.com/2009/12/link-your-santa-swap-goodies/

Wednesday Window

 This is a picture of my sister and I around 1971.  I am the one on the left if you haven't guessed.  I miss taking my children to see Santa (now they are 18 and 15).  Buying for Christmas gets harder and harder as they get older. Before my daughter wanted a Barbie and my son wanted a toy truck - now my son wants a real "Barbie" and my daughter wants a real truck!

Sanford Pottery Fair

The Sanford Pottery Festival Presents  
  The North Carolina Pottery Fair

Great Christmas gifts * A Holiday Tradition Begins

The largest pottery festival in North Carolina creating a major event to bring the flavor of the Seagrove and Sanford pottery to Raleigh.

 North Carolina State Fair Grounds Holshouser Building ("Village of Yesteryear" building)

 















Two Extended Weekends

December 11 - 13

December 18-20

Fridays - 1pm - 6pm

Saturdays - 10am - 6pm

Sundays - Noon - 5pm

The largest pottery festival in North Carolina creating a major event to bring the flavor of the Seagrove and Sanford pottery to Raleigh.

50 Booths!!! 

Children under 10 admitted Free. Because you love them, and they are the future pottery collectors of North Carolina and some could become potters or art teachers.

Complimentary wine tasting

2 North Carolina wineries each weekend
Saturdays Noon - 6pm
Sundays Noon - 5pm

Non-pottery Traditional Arts and Crafts:

leather, glass, soap, woodworking, orchids and more

Liquidambar Studio will be there BOTH weekends! Please stop by and say hello.  If you mention the blog I will give you 20% off the sale!!!

And I have to say a special Thank you to Blase' He helped John and I at the Cary show. Don't know how we could have done it without him!  Please visit his blog if you want some good reading.  http://blaseimho.blogspot.com

The Original Workbox Giveaway - EZ View Desk Top

This is an amazing giveaway!!! Go to Capadia Designs
http://capadiadesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/scrapbox-ez-view-giveaway-starts-today.html
or Lovely Little Handmades
http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/2009/12/12-blogs-of-christmas-giveaway.html
or Park City Girl
http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/scrapbox-charity-giveaway.html
or Auntie Thesis
http://auntiethesis.blogspot.com/2009/12/giveaway-original-scrapbox-12-blogs-of.html
or Nichole Giles
http://nicholegiles.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-book-is-here-and-huge-givaway-for.html
or Stephanie Howell
http://stephaniehowell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/12/the-mother-of-all-giveaways-.html
 or Crafty Makers
 http://craftymakes.blogspot.com/2009/12/original-scrapbox-christmas-giveaway.html
or Rachelle Writes
http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/2009/12/original-scrapbox-gives-back-with-12.html

or Priscilla Styles

http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/2009/12/scrapbox-hugh-giveaway.html
or Vanilla Joy
http://www.vanillajoy.com/weekend-giveaway-ez-view-desktop-and-craft-desk.html
or Life as Lou
http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com/2009/12/04/the-original-scrapbox-gives-back-with-the-12-blogs-of-christmas/
The Original Workbox is giving away the EZ View Desk Top (pictured in white) to 12 - yes twelve winners!  The 12 winners will then be entered to with the Scrapbox Desk above (pictured in black)!!!!!!!

The drawing ends on December 11th so click on the link above and get started.  There are hundreds of ways to enter!!!

Cary Ole Time Winter Festival

7th Ole Time Winter Festival in the Heart of Cary

December 5th, 10am - 5pm

West Chatham Street (between Harrison and Academy)

(parking is in the community parking deck at the intersection of Academy and Chapel Hill Road) 

There will be 45 art and craft vendors!!! Please come shop and support local artists! Liquidambar Studio is Booth #27.

There will also be:

 Letters to Santa: Santa's Mailbox at Town Hall.

Santa's Workshop: Herbert C. Young Community Center, 10am.- 1pm

The Artist Within: Town of Cary Employees Artist's Reception: Town Hall, 3-5pm

Page-Walker Arts & History Open House: Page-Walker, 4-6pm.

Town of Cary Tree Lighting Ceremony and presentation of the Community Tree: Town Hall, 6pm

Cary Players presents: It's a Wonderful Life: Town Hall Council Chamber, 8pm

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!