drippy, runny, messy glaze

I decided to leave all the drips, spills and runs left on the outside of the boat vases after glazing the inside. I pour the glaze into the vase and then pour it out. I like where it's headed, but am not quite sure it's there yet...



day’s work:
hopping from one work station to the next...

Slip, liquid porcelain, is poured into plate molds
Edges are cleaned with a sponge, giving each piece a unique personality
First the inside of a piece is glazed, once that is dry, the outside is glazed.

All in a day’s work.

celebrating valentine’s day with ladyfingers letterpress

I was a fan of Ladyfingers Letterpress before I knew they were a local treasure. I loved the signage at The Mercantile Building, a new artist and business hub located in downtown Providence. I was so excited to learn that Arley and Morgan, the lovely ladies behind Ladyfingers, were the ones responsible for the exquisite hand-drawn letterforms and signs throughout The Mercantile project.

I met Morgan and Arley at a holiday sale back in November, and have been wanting to visit their studios at the Hope Artiste Village ever since. How lucky that their studios were open the day before Valentine’s Day, a gathering sponsored by the RISD Alumni office. It was a wonderful opportunity to letterpress my own valentine, and to take in all the inspiring typography on display. I walked away feeling fortunate to be a part of such a unique creative community. (click on the photos for a larger view)









oh that post-blizzard New England light...

What I love the most about New England weather is the beauty of the light after hurricanes, Nor’easters, blizzards. The skies clear, the sun shines, the world glitters. And my apartment softly glows...










East Side or the Countryside?

Something magical happened on the East Side of Providence, it turned into a small countryside village from days gone by. With neighbors waving at each other, exchanging pleasantries while shoveling, cross-country skiing, sledding, walking their dogs off-leash, smiling... Thank you, Nemo!







baby shower brunch wee teas






The brunch at Cook&Brown was yummy, and everyone got to take a wee tea home!

the annual amaryllis blooming...

I was surprised to find a bud coming up from my amaryllis upon my return from NYC. I was expecting him to take a year off, he bloomed for me last spring after being dormant for two years.

Can’t wait to see the flower!

nygf wrap up, thank you all for coming by to say hello

I had a wonderful time at the NY Gift Fair this past week. My booth was in a new spot in the Handmade section, surrounded by very talented artists, who were also incredibly fun to be around. I felt fortunate.

The new location drew more visitors to my booth, and I picked up some impressive stores across the country, as well as in Seoul, South Korea (more on that later). Many stores that already carry my work stopped by and re-ordered, and that is a great affirming feeling. My friends at the show say it’s one thing to pick up a new account, and it’s a whole other thing to keep it. I am very grateful for my repeat customers, some I’ve had for ten years.

The big difference was my own attitude. I felt much more confident going into this show than in previous years. I feel that I presented and talked about my work in a much more mature, professional way. Of course my craft has improved over the years, I am very proud of my line, and I believe that came across to new buyers.

The image below shows my new Beachstone tableware, pale glazes poured in waves to create a painterly surface. I am not applying an image to this glaze, it is just so lovely all on its own. It pools in spots where it’s thicker, and has a gorgeous shimmer, as if washed over by the ocean. 




The big hit of the show were the animal 14oz tumblers. They caught everyone’s attention as they walked by. That was another thing I learned, have one item that will catch the eye in a split second. I love how the elephant wraps around the cup, watch for him in Nantucket in a few months:
I left the show feeling very good about my business, and excited to get making.