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7/01/2010
Almapottery...narrative pottery that begs us to slow down & listen
I'm one of those people on Etsy who love to be inspired by other Etsians...gathering "favorites" for my wish list & endlessly planning to buy them all with money I don't have :D
Remember those TV programs about "hoarders" (people who can't throw away anything...piles of papers, magazines etc. for years)...well I'm one, except I collect "invisible things" in all my "favorites" listing & waiting till my computer can hold no more :D
So when I decided to find more inspirational Etsians I decided to just rummage thru my "favorites" file and was delighted by my rediscoveries...Almapottery, being my first.
First off, when I read her profile I was so engaged & vested in her story about her great-grandfather and her love and creative connection to him.
Lavinia came to Michigan via Romania right after college following her soon to be husband. She had studied ceramics in college & high school (an art academy) and as i've come to admire her even more...she says she SURVIVED an art academy! Though she has at least 22 years of experience in ceramics, she's restless & eager to get involved in so much more as a creative person; photography, painting, drawing, glassmaking, & printmaking.... BUT she recently found out she can't sew (shhhh, let's not bring this up again...an apparent sore spot for lavina :)
When talking of her art school days, her friends are more important than what the school could offer...feeling more like a bubble, insulating the students from the real world, creating pietre dishes of "idealism" & "cynicism" that seem somewhat hollow, lacking the human passions & exchanges that could cultivate a bit more beauty & pleasure in the world.
Lavinia has been interviewed in Etsy, and other blogs which she has listed on the front page of her shop...i didn't list them only because the list is so long... a sign of so many fans. She also has a fan page on facebook...with my lack of facebook navigational skills, for the life of me I couldn't find it....just to let you know, i haven't been able to find my OWN fan page!
She also has her own beautiful blog: http://almapottery.blogspot.com
Remember those TV programs about "hoarders" (people who can't throw away anything...piles of papers, magazines etc. for years)...well I'm one, except I collect "invisible things" in all my "favorites" listing & waiting till my computer can hold no more :D
So when I decided to find more inspirational Etsians I decided to just rummage thru my "favorites" file and was delighted by my rediscoveries...Almapottery, being my first.
First off, when I read her profile I was so engaged & vested in her story about her great-grandfather and her love and creative connection to him.
Lavinia came to Michigan via Romania right after college following her soon to be husband. She had studied ceramics in college & high school (an art academy) and as i've come to admire her even more...she says she SURVIVED an art academy! Though she has at least 22 years of experience in ceramics, she's restless & eager to get involved in so much more as a creative person; photography, painting, drawing, glassmaking, & printmaking.... BUT she recently found out she can't sew (shhhh, let's not bring this up again...an apparent sore spot for lavina :)
When talking of her art school days, her friends are more important than what the school could offer...feeling more like a bubble, insulating the students from the real world, creating pietre dishes of "idealism" & "cynicism" that seem somewhat hollow, lacking the human passions & exchanges that could cultivate a bit more beauty & pleasure in the world.
Lavinia has been interviewed in Etsy, and other blogs which she has listed on the front page of her shop...i didn't list them only because the list is so long... a sign of so many fans. She also has a fan page on facebook...with my lack of facebook navigational skills, for the life of me I couldn't find it....just to let you know, i haven't been able to find my OWN fan page!
She also has her own beautiful blog: http://almapottery.blogspot.com
6/21/2010
Anuart...a ceramicist in love with the unpredictable "process"
I'm witnessing this artist's work with some history & knowledge of this medium, though I confess I'm NOT an expert so please read this review with that in mind.
Troughout the history of our country, there have been "craft movements" come in a "fury" and fade back BUT never really die out totally...and amongst all the craft disciplines, ceramics has always been near the "eye of the storm". Back in the early 70's I was fortunate to be able to study under several great ceramicist, ALL of whom I didn't appreciate until they left my school.
The first was Rita Yokoi, who was one of the youngest Fullbright scholar recipients who was granted study with Japan's ceramic master at that time...she had confess she loved the experience BUT hated the regimented way of teaching...spending months just throwing a "simple" tea cup/s...until it was perfect and up to the level of excellence of her teacher.....than months of doing repetitive glazing techniques til her "sensai" felt her skills "good enough"...than the firing process...
The other instructor was a young guest professor...highly recommended & was working on his Master's. His skills were amazing BUT his teaching sucked... I remember he showed part of his work at the end of term...they were simple thrown plates, bowls, cups...BUT what was so different and amazing was the glaze work.... amazing true reds, cobalts, oranges, gold, silver with textures and surprizing bubbles & craters on the surfaces.
Both these artists taught me to appreciate the unpredictablity of the process... Rita never made the perfect tea cup, but it didn't stop her from trying or knowing the importance of that action. That guest professor got his Master's, but i would imagine he keeps trying to control the glaze formulas & predict the outcome & smiles broadly as he opens the kiln and finds it's nothing he expected.
Anu & Tracey are studio partners and make up "serenity studio ceramics" ... and have that same sense of wonderment that ceramicist and watercolorist alike have...i wish them well on their journey...checkout their adventures thru their blog.
Anu's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anuart
Tracey's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/primativepots
Anu's favorite charity: Pennies for Peace www.ikat.org/
Troughout the history of our country, there have been "craft movements" come in a "fury" and fade back BUT never really die out totally...and amongst all the craft disciplines, ceramics has always been near the "eye of the storm". Back in the early 70's I was fortunate to be able to study under several great ceramicist, ALL of whom I didn't appreciate until they left my school.
The first was Rita Yokoi, who was one of the youngest Fullbright scholar recipients who was granted study with Japan's ceramic master at that time...she had confess she loved the experience BUT hated the regimented way of teaching...spending months just throwing a "simple" tea cup/s...until it was perfect and up to the level of excellence of her teacher.....than months of doing repetitive glazing techniques til her "sensai" felt her skills "good enough"...than the firing process...
The other instructor was a young guest professor...highly recommended & was working on his Master's. His skills were amazing BUT his teaching sucked... I remember he showed part of his work at the end of term...they were simple thrown plates, bowls, cups...BUT what was so different and amazing was the glaze work.... amazing true reds, cobalts, oranges, gold, silver with textures and surprizing bubbles & craters on the surfaces.
Both these artists taught me to appreciate the unpredictablity of the process... Rita never made the perfect tea cup, but it didn't stop her from trying or knowing the importance of that action. That guest professor got his Master's, but i would imagine he keeps trying to control the glaze formulas & predict the outcome & smiles broadly as he opens the kiln and finds it's nothing he expected.
Anu & Tracey are studio partners and make up "serenity studio ceramics" ... and have that same sense of wonderment that ceramicist and watercolorist alike have...i wish them well on their journey...checkout their adventures thru their blog.
Anu's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anuart
Tracey's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/primativepots
Anu's favorite charity: Pennies for Peace www.ikat.org/
6/19/2010
Who Knew Ellen D. was right about Grace & the Nocturnals
This was the first year I ever watched from beginning to end, "American Idol"! I always thought it cheesy and more concerned to expose the drama between the judges than finding the "talent" of the year.
BUT I'm more surprised that I found Ellen DeGenernerous an excellent judge of talent & well-knowledged in popular music. ...so as the ball bounces, I watched Ellen and found her with a guest band one day ...and again I was surprised....Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are a welcomed throwback to that "golden age" of the early 70's where the music was "perfect".
BUT I'm more surprised that I found Ellen DeGenernerous an excellent judge of talent & well-knowledged in popular music. ...so as the ball bounces, I watched Ellen and found her with a guest band one day ...and again I was surprised....Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are a welcomed throwback to that "golden age" of the early 70's where the music was "perfect".
6/16/2010
Haute Couture Hats at Etsy? OMG!
I hope I'm not overstating this observation... but I think you could see hat designs of this level of wit and style sitting on top of the heads of beautiful models on the runways of Paris.
I've been a long-time fan of the designers of the UK, from my early exposure to the Beatles, Barnaby Street, Mary Quant...and please don't ask me what I did when I first heard of Alexander McQueen's death...balled like a baby for days.
There is something lovingly cock-eyed & irreverent in their view of "the classic" or "historical" references that always returns to an exquisite interpretation of "modern".
Zara Carpenter is inspired by her surroundings of the historic naval port of Chatham and her favorite artists & writers; Mark Ryden, Edward Gorey, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll, & Angela Carter.
She makes her own hats from found objects & materials and also mends & repairs antique hats. Please feel free to contact her if you would like to have her create something custom & special for you.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zaracarpenter
I've been a long-time fan of the designers of the UK, from my early exposure to the Beatles, Barnaby Street, Mary Quant...and please don't ask me what I did when I first heard of Alexander McQueen's death...balled like a baby for days.
There is something lovingly cock-eyed & irreverent in their view of "the classic" or "historical" references that always returns to an exquisite interpretation of "modern".
Zara Carpenter is inspired by her surroundings of the historic naval port of Chatham and her favorite artists & writers; Mark Ryden, Edward Gorey, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carroll, & Angela Carter.
She makes her own hats from found objects & materials and also mends & repairs antique hats. Please feel free to contact her if you would like to have her create something custom & special for you.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zaracarpenter
6/07/2010
Sas Colby... a Facebook reaqaintence surprise!
Recently, just when I was about to walk away from my "Facebook" membership due to a rather negative "South Park" episode which scared the shit out of me... I got this email announcement that a "Facebook" member was answering my call for a "friend".
OMG! ...I had almost forgotten that I had seen my old art instructor on "Facebook"...Sas Colby.
She was a visiting professor from Connecticut...back in the early 70's, she had come to our college through the Feminist Art Program at that time. It was amazing back then when the art department was male dominated and very conservative & "narrow" in it's definition of what constituted "art".
Though Sas was introduced to many of us thru that program, her real secret to longivity has always been the art. For 30+years her use of diverse mediums (textiles, photography, painting, drawing, collage & assemblage) to create her art from abstract to representational work has served her well.
She's noted for her artists' books, engaging her audience with her medium, her intimate scale...inviting the viewer to see, feel & smell her art>>>pushing the boundaries of books.
Sas currently lives in Berkeley, but spends her summers in Taos, New Mexico. She has taught her popular "mixed-media workshops" at the Mable Dodge Luhan House in Taos and also frequently accepts "visiting artist" positions with universities and conferences.
Website: http://www.sascolby.com/
Represented by: http://www.fenixgallery.com/
OMG! ...I had almost forgotten that I had seen my old art instructor on "Facebook"...Sas Colby.
She was a visiting professor from Connecticut...back in the early 70's, she had come to our college through the Feminist Art Program at that time. It was amazing back then when the art department was male dominated and very conservative & "narrow" in it's definition of what constituted "art".
Though Sas was introduced to many of us thru that program, her real secret to longivity has always been the art. For 30+years her use of diverse mediums (textiles, photography, painting, drawing, collage & assemblage) to create her art from abstract to representational work has served her well.
She's noted for her artists' books, engaging her audience with her medium, her intimate scale...inviting the viewer to see, feel & smell her art>>>pushing the boundaries of books.
Sas currently lives in Berkeley, but spends her summers in Taos, New Mexico. She has taught her popular "mixed-media workshops" at the Mable Dodge Luhan House in Taos and also frequently accepts "visiting artist" positions with universities and conferences.
Website: http://www.sascolby.com/
Represented by: http://www.fenixgallery.com/
5/28/2010
Mustardseed & Moonshine...an extraordinary crockery
The slide video above captures only a small selection of extraordinary botanically based crockery, which could stand on it's own as art objects, BUT it's also so practical; being safe to use in conventional ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers.
It is a South African based crockery founded by Kate Carlyle in 1992, who wanted to celebrate her love of the botanical form in Cape Town.
I grew up in the 60's & 70's and fell in love with "Fiestaware"...remember them?..so colorful, heavy as hell, and though it was hard to break, it was fun to know you could always buy cheap replacements in different colors to add to my collection...these are far from "cheap", but well worth the artful rendition...plus for the "modern purest", white on white is available :D
Checkout their fabulous website: http://www.mustardseedandmoonshine.com/
It is a South African based crockery founded by Kate Carlyle in 1992, who wanted to celebrate her love of the botanical form in Cape Town.
I grew up in the 60's & 70's and fell in love with "Fiestaware"...remember them?..so colorful, heavy as hell, and though it was hard to break, it was fun to know you could always buy cheap replacements in different colors to add to my collection...these are far from "cheap", but well worth the artful rendition...plus for the "modern purest", white on white is available :D
Checkout their fabulous website: http://www.mustardseedandmoonshine.com/
5/22/2010
OMG! my name is Ellen, and I'm a "Real Housewives of New York" junkie!
Just to preface this...my Tivo has been on the spritz for over a week because my cable company found another way to hold me ransom and squeeze more money out of us.
Finally had to give in if only to see BRAVO'S Real Housewives of New York...my favorite of the wives series...almost missed the Housewives' "vacay" in the Virgin Islands. ..OMG!
Several things seem to gel for me with this episode...a justified "public" resolution.... like finally making it into the room with the "portrait of Dorian Grey"....pulling off the cover to see the real character and soul of Dorian, NOT the beautiful public creature, BUT the monstrous being... (Jill will never look beautiful to me again).
There was a "curve ball"...the truly beautiful soul of Sonja who diffused the psychotic break of Kelly at the dinner table and made the rest of the group realize that Kelly was "broken" and she needed support and care NOT confrontation.
I found that in that one dinnertime... Sonja brought out what no one else had nurtured... what I had seen of all these women (Bethenny, Alex & Ramona), a loving supportive nature...resulting in a true concern for Kelly's well being.
Now in contrast, I see Luanna as question mark...maybe if you buff her real hard you might find a "sincere heart", BUT she still seems mismerized by her own title as "the countess".
With Jill I see the "publicity hound" that she claims Bethenny is.... and the wielding of her social power and need to be the center of attention as a dangerous trait. When Kelly accused Bethenny of daily attacking her & her children in the press, I felt a strong belief that Jill would be the more likely to generate hurtful gossip, she's been doing it since day one...she has been doing that with Alex & her children and when Kelly did the Playboy spread, it was Jill who made her opinions known.
Jill I think has found a kindred spirit in Luanna...both of them in awe of her "countess"-ship, and an attraction in their own narcisstic view of things...when they do something vile, they laugh it off & dismiss any kind of criticism, everything was meant as a joke...BUT GOD FORBID if anyone they feel is "beneath them" does the same, it is an unforgiveable SIN & they are bannished from their "world"... with the infamous words, "WE'RE DONE!"
On a last note...I find Jill's husband to be the best of all the husbands... so level-headed, gentle, loving & loyal...and another necessary note, Ramona's husband, Mario, is the SEXIEST, not only in looks but the way he loves his wife & daughter...and of course he could talk to me in Italian any where & anytime!!! :D
Finally had to give in if only to see BRAVO'S Real Housewives of New York...my favorite of the wives series...almost missed the Housewives' "vacay" in the Virgin Islands. ..OMG!
Several things seem to gel for me with this episode...a justified "public" resolution.... like finally making it into the room with the "portrait of Dorian Grey"....pulling off the cover to see the real character and soul of Dorian, NOT the beautiful public creature, BUT the monstrous being... (Jill will never look beautiful to me again).
There was a "curve ball"...the truly beautiful soul of Sonja who diffused the psychotic break of Kelly at the dinner table and made the rest of the group realize that Kelly was "broken" and she needed support and care NOT confrontation.
I found that in that one dinnertime... Sonja brought out what no one else had nurtured... what I had seen of all these women (Bethenny, Alex & Ramona), a loving supportive nature...resulting in a true concern for Kelly's well being.
Now in contrast, I see Luanna as question mark...maybe if you buff her real hard you might find a "sincere heart", BUT she still seems mismerized by her own title as "the countess".
With Jill I see the "publicity hound" that she claims Bethenny is.... and the wielding of her social power and need to be the center of attention as a dangerous trait. When Kelly accused Bethenny of daily attacking her & her children in the press, I felt a strong belief that Jill would be the more likely to generate hurtful gossip, she's been doing it since day one...she has been doing that with Alex & her children and when Kelly did the Playboy spread, it was Jill who made her opinions known.
Jill I think has found a kindred spirit in Luanna...both of them in awe of her "countess"-ship, and an attraction in their own narcisstic view of things...when they do something vile, they laugh it off & dismiss any kind of criticism, everything was meant as a joke...BUT GOD FORBID if anyone they feel is "beneath them" does the same, it is an unforgiveable SIN & they are bannished from their "world"... with the infamous words, "WE'RE DONE!"
On a last note...I find Jill's husband to be the best of all the husbands... so level-headed, gentle, loving & loyal...and another necessary note, Ramona's husband, Mario, is the SEXIEST, not only in looks but the way he loves his wife & daughter...and of course he could talk to me in Italian any where & anytime!!! :D
5/20/2010
My first "creative" custom order...
i really like getting custom orders, but it is so rare that you get a customer who gives you free rein with the design choices. i will say that she was patient and bought little things from me at first...then convoed me about adjusting a bracelet to fit her... than more small purchases...and finally this >>> a fantasy, bridal necklace for her winter wedding...how "cool" is that! hope she likes it...i just shipped it out today!
5/16/2010
Chana Bean... mysterious & pinch of surreal
I'm quite sure she is better know in her country of Japan... BUT here, i hope her name will become more familiar to us all...NATSUO IKEGAMI
I saw her artwork shown in a group presentation of the Etsy Japan Team and I was awestruck ever since. it reminded me of something...
when i was a young girl my father subscribed to the "New Yorker"magazine...not sure why, since he couldn't speak or read english (or so he said)...tho I suspect he knew some, being the "intellectual" that he was. I use to like the little cartoon-like illustrations that had no captions... they seemed to have a "secret" joke or view that was meant to be mulled over in my head that always "filled me"... with the "secret" answer, or a controversial view, or a confusion of thoughts & ideas I hadn't contemplated before.
As she says in her profile, her art work is mysterious, inspired by experiences in daily life & contains a hint of surrealism. Her Etsy shop is beautiful BUT if you want to spend some inspiring time looking at a chronological journey thru her world, go to: http://www.little-planet.org
here you will see the more professional artist... resume, galleries, past & present shows and, more importantly, see the progression of her drawings & paintings.
More sites: http://www.flickr.com/photos/natsuo & http://www.japanfocusetsy.blogspot.com
I saw her artwork shown in a group presentation of the Etsy Japan Team and I was awestruck ever since. it reminded me of something...
when i was a young girl my father subscribed to the "New Yorker"magazine...not sure why, since he couldn't speak or read english (or so he said)...tho I suspect he knew some, being the "intellectual" that he was. I use to like the little cartoon-like illustrations that had no captions... they seemed to have a "secret" joke or view that was meant to be mulled over in my head that always "filled me"... with the "secret" answer, or a controversial view, or a confusion of thoughts & ideas I hadn't contemplated before.
As she says in her profile, her art work is mysterious, inspired by experiences in daily life & contains a hint of surrealism. Her Etsy shop is beautiful BUT if you want to spend some inspiring time looking at a chronological journey thru her world, go to: http://www.little-planet.org
here you will see the more professional artist... resume, galleries, past & present shows and, more importantly, see the progression of her drawings & paintings.
More sites: http://www.flickr.com/photos/natsuo & http://www.japanfocusetsy.blogspot.com
Wilde Designs...art, crafts, designs & geekiness
Wilde Moon or Wilde Designs... one in the same, or maybe a prophecy of more things to come??
Wilde has been interested in crafting & jewelry since she was a little girl...now she's all grown up & is a graphic designer, sharing her work & joy thru the internet & her Etsy shop.
Here are just some of her other links you might be interested in:
http://tackyfab.etsy.com
http://powerups.etsy.com
http://wildedesigns.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/wildemoon
http://www.facebook.com/wildedesigns
http://www.biteyourtongue.net/daydream/buystuff.html
what drew me to Wilde Moon's site was her hystrical "CSI-like" depiction of the Barbie Murders...which i wish i could have included more pics of...BUT what can you do with a 30 second FREE video :D
Wilde has been interested in crafting & jewelry since she was a little girl...now she's all grown up & is a graphic designer, sharing her work & joy thru the internet & her Etsy shop.
Here are just some of her other links you might be interested in:
http://tackyfab.etsy.com
http://powerups.etsy.com
http://wildedesigns.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/wildemoon
http://www.facebook.com/wildedesigns
http://www.biteyourtongue.net/daydream/buystuff.html
what drew me to Wilde Moon's site was her hystrical "CSI-like" depiction of the Barbie Murders...which i wish i could have included more pics of...BUT what can you do with a 30 second FREE video :D
5/09/2010
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