Inspiration to Play!

I just finished watching Kristen Kieffer's new DVD: Surface Decoration: Suede to Leatherhard and loved it! Trying to balance being a mom with being a working artist means that every second I have in the studio is crucial and I don't often get the chance to attend workshops or classes. This dvd is like sitting in on a demo session with Kristen and seeing lots of great tips and techniques. Most of the techniques are things that I am familiar with, but it's always great to be reminded of them and to see how another artist uses them in their work. There were also a few great tricks that I hadn't seen before. Just the section on how she makes and uses stamps in her work was worth the price of the dvd! I have always loved Kristen's work and it was great to get a glimpse into how she works. The way her forms and surfaces work so seamlessly together is very inspiring to me. And, I love the richness of her decorative patterning, so elegant and fluid. I often get stuck spinning so fast on my "hamster wheel" (my husband's description of my work pace) trying to get enough work made that I don't allow myself time to play and have fun with my work, and this video is a good reminder to do that!

Nonpareil blog article

Thanks to Nonpareil for blogging about my work on their site highlighting indie style. They feature different artists making amazingly cool work and it's an honor to be included. Be sure to check out the article and also take a look at the work of the other artists in their blog archive. 

Holiday Art Market at Northrup King Building

Tomorrow afternoon is the first day of the Holiday Art Market at the Northrup King Building. A number of studios throughout the building will be open for special holiday shopping hours on Saturdays in November & December. Find unique, locally-made items in all mediums and price ranges. Stop by our studio for great clay gift items. I will have a great selection of dishes, holiday ornaments and tiles. Claudia Poser will have terra cotta sculpture and jewelry. Lucy Grantz will have an assortment of her whimsical ocarinas.

Saturday, November 29th, 12 - 5 PM
Saturday, December 6th, 12- 5 PM

Saturday, December 13th, 12 - 5 PM

Saturday, December 20th, 12 -5 PM

Special: Saturday, November 29 only! Receive 10% off any purchase over $50, plus sign up for a drawing to win a gift certificate (no purchase necessary). Specials apply to purchase of my work only. I will be having some kind of one-day only special during each Saturday event. Watch for details on my website.

For a list of artists/studios that will be open during the Art Market, visit:

http://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/holiday-shopping-minneapolis.html

Hope you'll stop by!

Holiday Sweets

My first batch of round globe ornaments are out of the kiln and while they're an amzing amount of work for such a tiny piece, I just love them! I strung them today and they are pretty darn cute. This batch is already pretty much spoken for, but I have more in various stages of completion. I will definitely have them available in early November for Art Attack (our fall open studio tour happening Nov. 7-9) but hopefully sooner.