petal bowls and cherry tomatoes

My friend Susie, the talent behind Wellfleet’s farm gallery, sent me this image forwarded to her by a customer. gleena has been selling at farm all summer, and how perfect is the pairing of sweet cherry tomatoes and the petal bowls? I love seeing how my pieces are used.

samantha robinson handmade porcelain




All photographs are from Samantha Robinson's website

I first saw Samantha Robinson's work in the Anthropology catalog, and loved it immediately. The patterns on her functional porcelain pieces are wonderful, a lovely combination of ethnic and vintage-inspired images.


Designed by Laura Baxter, Samantha's website is lovely as well, completely matching her work.

I have been admiring Australian ceramics for quite some time, and after finding Samantha's work, feel like I need to go visit the country. So many incredible ceramists, some of which can be seen on Melbourne's Potier website, recommended to me by one of the buyers I met at the NY Gift Fair.

gray meet orange

I love rain, and gray is one of my favorite colors, but four days of it is starting to hurt a little. So I am posting some color, to disperse the somberness of the day. All flowers and photography are from Rose Now Floral Design (who I found via Uncle Beefy, who also brightens my day with his writing).


feels a lot like autumn

It's been raining for the past two days in Providence, it feels, and smells, a lot like autumn. I love it, after the heat of the summer we've had.  And I love Golly Bard's drawings, which are perfect for welcoming my favorite season.






Find more of Golly Bard's work on Etsy.

thoughts on ny gift fair

I went to the NY Gift Fair feeling like a kid on her first day of school: nervous, excited, a little scared. The first thing that greeted me when I emerged in the new beautiful northern wing of the Javits was my booth. It was right up front. I immediately felt lucky, and my nervousness abated. The show’s organizers were amazing, giving extra press to new exhibitors, for which I am extremely grateful.

Then I met my vendor neighbors, and I calmed down even more. I was surrounded by experienced, talented, and extremely nice artists, who make a living on their talents and are generous about sharing their knowledge. The five days flew by, some days were great selling days, some were a bit more quiet. I spoke to a number of wonderful buyers and press, who were very positive about my work. Many amazing stores across the country placed orders, and I am excited to share them with you as soon as the orders ship. It will take me until the end of October to get everything completed.

It's a really good feeling to put so much effort into something, and having it work out. I accomplished what I set out to do: take my ceramics to a broader audience. It's an exciting time, and I am so grateful for all your support and encouragement. Thank you!

at the ny gift fair: set up day





My booth at the NY Gift Fair is 10 feet long, and 6 feet wide, just right for me. The new pavilion at the Javits Convention center is beautiful: light, airy, spacious. Feels good to be there.

Please note the fitted table cloths. A huge thank you to Cynthia Treen of The Thread Follower, who allowed me into her studio, onto her work tables and sewing machine. Without her guidance and advice I would not have been able to make them.

ny gift fair preview

gray and white collection

blue collection

mustard collection

sunday morning happy






Having stumbled upon these colorful illustrations by deKanimal on etsy, I had to post on Sunday, which I usually don't do. But sitting on my front porch in soft sunlight, listening to the trees, birds, and wind-chimes, the colors and shapes echo the morning perfectly.

going to the NY Gift Fair, my first time

Many of you know that I left my full time job two years ago to focus on a career in ceramics. I can't say it's been easy, as I did this just as the Great Recession set in. But I thought, if I can survive during these tough financial times, my business is worth pursuing. It hasn't been easy, and has not been ceramics all the time. I had to supplement with freelancing graphic design, which I enjoy of course. And I have to say, all the work is paying off. Gleena has grown slowly, but steadily, with wonderful commissions from private clients as well as new stores ordering pieces.

I finally decided to make a huge leap and invest in a large trade show. This is my way of saying to the universe, "I want to do ceramics all the time!" I chose The NY Gift Fair due to the variety of vendors and buyers that assemble there. And I'm pretty excited, and a bit scared, to be a part of it. If you are in NYC that weekend, stop by my booth, No. 9103, it's all the way in the back, on the corner. I'll have some pretty postcards...