Happy International Women's Day!

I'm wearing red in the Gallery today - our small business did not close to Strike, but we support those who did, and we are all grateful to those who are bringing business to our Village that is owned and operated by six fabulous women and one incredible man who has earned honorary womanhood for today. 

It's also very appropriate that International Women's Day falls in March, which is also my mom's birthday, and if you have my Monthly Planner, you know it's also the month I brag on her and feature her Chicken & Onions recipe, which is one of my all-time favorite dishes of food, ever.

My mom is my first and still favorite role model in life, and I think I must be living my life well as I think about the many, many incredible women that I count as the closest of friends, mentors, clients, collaborators, co-conspirators, and the truest examples of love and of what is good in this world. Much love to you all.

It's Big Crafty Time!

I don't get out to do shows much anymore. I love getting to chat leisurely with folks about my work and watch them find pieces they love - not something I get to do when I'm not in the gallery. It's fun, but it's exhausting, and happily my own gallery keeps me busy filling inventory, plus I have an eclectic mix of clients that grace me with many opportunities to design and make new work. 

That being said, The Big Crafty is a really, really fun show. Plus, it's here in my town, and a lot of other artist friends who I don't get to see much are likely to be in the show or attending the show, so it's a win all around. I get to see friends, plus spend the day chatting with folks about my work. 

Conversation Plate by Holly de Saillan

This year will be a bit different in two ways: my usual cohort and table partner, Holly deSaillan (clay & mosaics by Holly de Saillan), will be at The Big Crafty, but she's filling her own entire space this year, and I can't WAIT to see her new work! I'm still happy filling half a space, so I was thrilled when Angelique Tassistro (Fly Coop Studios) agreed to apply with me and share the space. And even better, we're right next to Holly!

Olive Dishes by Angelique Tassitro 

The other difference this year is that I'm taking the opportunity to try some new designs out on my work that I bring to the show. To keep myself from going too crazy, I limited myself to drinking vessels - in fact that's all I'll have at this show: mugs, tea bowls, tumblers and cups. I'll have a few of my current designs, but I'll also have a larger grouping of sgraffito and relief-carved pieces in new designs. Some will enjoy their fun at The Big Crafty and happily retire, but some will find their way into other facets of my work.

New work, new glaze, new firing fun!

I hope you'll come by and check it out - you'll only find it at The Big Crafty, or you'll have to wait and see if/how it shows up again!

The Big Crafty is on Sunday, July 12 from 12-6pm in downtown Asheville at the Asheville Art Museum. Vendors will be outside and inside, and you'll find me and Angelique inside, on the lower level, at space #48.

Sunday, July 7: The Big Crafty!

Where I'll be this Sunday:

Sunday, July 7 from 12-6pm

And the only thing more fun than returning to The Big Crafty is doing it with with a good friend! I'm very pleased to be sharing a booth with the excessively talented and lovely Holly de Saillan of Holly de Saillan Clay & Mosaic. Come and see us, along with over 100 other fabulous indie artists and craftspeeps.

conversation plates by holly de saillan

The Big Crafty happens this Sunday, July 7 from 12-6pm, downtown Asheville, at the Asheville Art Museum. Admission is free and in addition to a celebration of all things handmade, you'll find local food, beer, and some toe-tappin' tunes. 

new/more work in the 'smokey shino' glaze coming soon!

I'm loading the kiln today for some kiln-fresh goodies to show on Sunday - come by and see what's new!

smokey shino

smokey shino

A look at the new Shino application on some sake sets and bottles (above) and other new service/dinner ware (below). I moved recently, and because of a busy studio schedule I was lamenting not being able to just stay at the house and get settled. Be careful what you wish for - significant plumbing needed doing, so I've been at the house most of the week and will be most of today. Not able to really settle in until the plumbing is done, and definitely not able to tend that busy studio schedule! So I'll just look at the pretty pots and make longer lists of what's to come...

'starry night' and 'dancing brush'

River Arts District Studio Stroll This Weekend!

As the Kiln Cools...

Some new things that came out of the studio in the last month:

returning to an old favorite: personal sake sets

visualizing sumptuous dishes in my sumptuous dishes

little soldiers

It seems to be in the air, as many if not all of my studio mates at The Village Potters are also exploring new forms and designs. These pots are all cooling in a glaze kiln today, and tomorrow I'll get to see how they look!