recent greenware

I have had fun using my kid's bouncy balls as forms for different size bowls.

Experimenting with different shapes and forms for bowls, mugs, tea cups

A BIG coffee mug for my tall uncle. *he is an electrical engineer and wired my kiln for me. :)

My little corner of heaven, before my dad put up a handy-dandy "tool-holder"...

my testers from class

My first surviving mug, the others gave way to being casualties of living in a neighborhood full of kids. (sometimes, the only time I have to work, is when my kids are outside playing, then OTHER kids want to come watch, and like to poke clay) I am more careful now.

A wacky twisted mug for a goofy boyfriend... unfortunately these pictures are all I have.

This time, it was my DAD who couldn't resist "picking up" shown mug, not understanding it was still in it's greenware state.

I'm actually glad it didn't survive. I wasn't crazy about the shape or handle placement, but I love the handle itself.

I'm going to play with the handle concept a little more...

a few more "bouncy ball bowls"

I'm trying to fill my kiln soon so I can get these guys fired!

I'm also working on bookmarks for a sale in Lodi, I need more time in the day!

Bookmarks to sell in Cafe By The Spa on Thorton Rd

Cafe By The Spa in Stockton, Ca is now open! I hope to have some pottery ready to sell by the end of this month. (coffee mugs, tea cups, soup & rice bowls) For now, these bookmarks are it.

I'm happy with this bunch. :) Head over to the cafe if you would like to purchase them! AND enjoy some yummy soup, a sandwich, coffee, or smoothie. (in Thorton Village, right next to Styles Unlimited, near the corner of Davis Rd and Thorton)

I'm ALMOST back!

I am still in process of setting up my new studio space in my new little house. No more "Split Level" Studio, although I'm keeping the name in honor of my "birth place".

Anyone in the Stockton, Ca area? Coming soon, "Cafe by the Spa" in Thorton Village, will feature work by local artist, me! I have been busy over the last few months, helping to remodel the cafe, which will ACTUALLY feature yummy sandwiches, soups, salads, espresso, tea, & smoothies. *I will have a little space where I'll sell my pottery and maybe bookmarks.
Cafe by the Spa will open in the next few weeks....hopefully!

So, aside from moving back to Cali, adjusting to the life of a single-mom, helping my 3 kids adjust, setting up house, and preparing to start school, life is blissfully easy. :) But really, I am enjoying the journey and have loved the "stretching and growing" as much as I can. Life is good, from any angle, and good means moving forward.

Wish me luck, and I'll post my newest creations as soon as possible!

tiny update

I have been busy with clay........lots of clay. ;) I'm in heaven, but with few pictures. (ok, with none so far, I have not stopped for a photo shoot) I will try to post pictures of recent orders, and the diaper bag I designed for my sister-in-law, soon. I found someone to help set up my website a little more professionally, yay! I'm still here, just out of the blogging/online loop for a short while. I hope I'll be back in the groove soon! :)

Jamie's pendant

this is the front, and the Chinese symbol is for "peace".
The back, with scalloped edges around the glass.

My new purse

I have never made a handbag with a purse frame before, but I LOVE how it turned out. I referred to U-Handbag for resources in designing a bag around a purse frame. (Meowcraft is the only place I will buy purse frames, they are THE best!)

This is a mock-up for the diaper bag I am making for Lindsay. Mine is smaller, but the same shape I am planning for her bag.
The front has a little puff-pouch to hold my phone, and the back has a quick-access pocket to throw keys or something. I love the blue, teal, and brown vintage print fabric.

I put a stiff divider in the center to make it more organized. I use this as a diaper bag for Eddie, as well as my purse. So now I can keep his stuff on one side (you can see the teal sippy cup holders, and his diapers/wipes fit perfect in between, with a pocket for his snacks), and my stuff on the other, (there is a pocket for my makeup, one for notebook/pens, one for my Palm, etc).

I love the way it turned out, and I learned a lot. I just need to tweak the pattern a bit more for Lindsay's bag, and make it larger. She also wants separate pockets for wipes and diapers, but that's simple enough. :)

Things are moving along.....

I just finished cleaning up the saw dust and mess from the electrical work that went on yesterday. I am all wired up and ready for the kiln! We still have to set up the vent, and do some painting and prep work, but it's almost set for ceramic work!
My father-in-law was kind enough to build some shelves for all the glazes, which will soon be covered with cabinet doors just like the ones over the sink. It's starting to really come together!

* Here are some recent pictures of the studio.....making progress, slowly. :)

I did it!

I finally made something for ME. I felt inspired after a girlfriend gave me a spa date, I thought I should continue the wonderfully selfish day I was having, and make some jewelry JUST for me. I have to admit, it was fun to make things I like, knowing I will keep them instead of selling them. But I'm back to business after this. :)

random pendants

some pendants I made for my dentist to cluster on a necklace and give to his wife.

This is the one he ended up buying. His wife lived in France for a few years, so I added the tower charm. I really like how it turned out. *THANK YOU Alyse for your help!

Valentine bookmarks

These are all the Valentine bookmarks so far, a few are listed in my etsy shop. :)

sister(s) inspired

Mica saw some of my recycled glass beads, and said she would love a pair of earrings just that color, but she only wears studs. She and Lindsay both agreed that a ring would be cool too.

So here is my first go at it. I am am going to glue the glass to the sterling silver ring and earring backs, but I will not be able to do it for a few days yet. I was just too excited about this new idea, I had to post a picture of my experiment. :)

*more earring studs and ring tops I made this evening

a friend's necklace

I exchange services with the gal who watches Eddie a few mornings a week for me. This is the 4th necklace I have made for her, each one has been for a teenage girl. The others were school themed, but this was was a bit more personalized, I like how it turned out.

Recycled glass bracelet

These are bracelets I made with the recycled glass beads. I love how "artsy" and bold they turned out. If you want an original looking, chunky bracelet, this is it. :)

Recycled glass beads

I have been experimenting with shards of throw-away stained glass. Kind of a rough look, but I like them so far. :)

Trinkets

Just a few things for some of my girlfriends. :) Merry Christmas!