I LoVe getting mail… and packages. My husband and I dated long distance for 9 out of the 12 months between the time we met and got married. Not that I would recommend that necessarily but it did allow for a few things. We became very good at communicating over the phone and through the mail. The post office will send practically anything (safe) with a stamp on it. I sent frisbee post cards and Nalgene packages. I still have a little bundle of letters from him that chronicle our falling in love. Seeing handwritten letters and packages still stirs my heart.
The package above is not from my husband or a surprise, but something I just ordered. It is still sweet… Every once in a while I like to treat myself with another potters work. This cute honey pot was made by JustWork, a collective potters group in Vancouver (where we went on our “honey”moon). Just Work employs individuals who face some kind of barrier to the traditional work force, such as struggles with addiction, mental health issues, disability, or homelessness. What a sweet reminder to sit on my counter, of my love and encouragement to use our gifts towards charity and empowering those around us in need.
ps. I am falling in love with this chocolate brown clay and feel the sudden urge to make lidded vessels!
This last weekend we had a special treat – two days off in a row! A and I took a little date to the Ann Arbor art fairs, it rained the whole way down (which we badly needed) but stopped just before we got there. I just love seeing all the artwork and booths. Raphaela McCormack’s sailing vessels out of paper pulp were some of my favorite items that day! I also enjoyed seeing Jenny Mendes ceramic pieces again, didgeridoos, and the local gelato! Ice cream + art = everyone’s happy!
Watching how fascinating this “earthen vessel” rotates in the light makes me wonder what the almighty sees and views as his creation turns. Do we leave a pure mark or are we changed from exposure?
Blueware collection is a series of ceramic pieces by designers at Studio Glithero. Inspired by a long tradition of blue-and-white pottery (Dutch Delftware, Chinese porcelain, British Jasperware), the London-based studio applied a more modern technique: they used cyanotyping, a proto-photographic process, to capture images on ceramic tiles and vases.
Looking forward to February, its my favorite month of the year for a number of reasons… I am loving these little geometric stones by illustrator Tabitha Brown of The Pairabirds. The above is a print of amethyst, my birthstone and below “transition.” Both gorgeous, I would love one of these beauties to adorn my walls.
I have been using these mini tags from moo for a while now but I just ordered a new box in the mail. I love this company! They will print up to 100 different images on the back side of you card. So if you are an artist this is a great way to promote your work and use all those images you work so hard on (if not they have templates you can use).
Moo cards are definitely novel and great conversation starters. They are thick & glossy, professional looking cards – worth every penny and undoubtedly a FEW steps up from printing your own. I was not paid to give them a glowing review, I’m just crazy about moo. Check out their website for all kinds of ideas, and products (even christmas cards…) This time I ventured into some of their other goods; stickers and postcards. Correspondence, here I come.
art is paint * art is colorful* art is performance * art is architecture * art is robotics * art is wool * art is graffiti * art is found * art is repurposed * art is a statement * art is time * art is process * art is collaborative * art is movement * art is political * art is multi-media * art is mosaic * art is community * art is food * art is personal
So thankful to get a glipse of artprize in Grand Rapids this weekend, and for April who was a great help to my kiddos. I went to school here and am ever amazed at how fast this city is changing – I wish they had this when I was in art school! The streets were full of visitors, vendors and artwork. There was music, movement, smells, chatter, everything a city should be. Love this new tradition.
I sometimes miss living in a city and being surrounded by the energy and artistic creativity. But, then again, living in the country allows influence from nature and a slower and peaceful way of life. Fortunate for me most city dwellers are tech savvy which allows me to experience their creativity vicariously through artists like photographer Jennifer Causey, who documents all types of artisans, and their workspaces in her collection The Makers Project. There are too many gorgeous images to share, click on the link to see for yourself. inspiring.
As promised I have been working on these and quite a few are now available in the shop. More to come shortly. You can learn more about these journals by reading this post, which was picked up by WordPress’ Freshly Pressed.
Luckily my mom came up this week before the **last** storm of the season (fingers crossed). Fortunately we were blessed with two snow days – I am reflecting merely on the “time together,” not being blessed with the new foot of snow. It was great to have her around and I am thankful for her hands-on-time with the girls. I was able to get a bit more done as I have been planning some Spring events for camp, finishing art projects, taking photographs, listing items on etsy, cooking, cleaning, multiple (6) loads of laundry, and held a friend’s new baby, who was just 1 day old. As a side note I ran 15 miles this week! I don’t think I have ever run that much, but it feels good to get out and takes less time than the pool. Now it’s the weekend, time to slow down and enjoy the much-needed sunshine.
I think I am really liking photography too lately, hope you enjoy:
I opened my first glaze load Tuesday morning, which yielded some of the richest colors! I am so pleased at so many of the results, I have a hard time picking my favorites, I just love colors and variety. I will be updating my etsy shop this week, so be checking for first dibs! The book covers will follow shortly as they take a bit more time to hand craft.
