Melt My Heart

New: At Schaller

2011-05-17T11:13:00.000-05:00

Discovery: Derek Au

2011-05-13T16:35:00.001-05:00

Derek Au is an American ceramist based in Jingdezhen China

Derek will be showing at The Clay Studio next season and I cannot wait! His pieces are inspired by tinware, origami and Song Dynasty Qingbai ware. Each piece is made from slabs that are folded into the forms. Au uses templates he draws using traditional tinware makers tools. He then uses the templates to make the clay forms.

These are such delicate forms, i cant wait to hold them!

Focus: Vases and Chocolate

2011-05-13T14:06:00.000-05:00

We are starting a new series of online exhibitions at The Clay Studio called Focus.

Focus is an extension of our brick and mortar shop. Objects are pulled from our display shelves and cabinets or fresh new work from makers both familiar and new are grouped to tell a story, visualize an idea or explore a form or theme.

Now you can experience our shop at home.

These tangible, tactile objects are made to experience, made for use, for YOUR home.

Focus/Shop: Vases and Chocolate

May features 62 vases each with an bar organic bar of chocolate sized for sharing.

Discovery: Daniel Ricardo Teran

2011-01-21T10:55:00.000-06:00

Ok, so this is not exactly a new discovery for me, but it may well be for you. My sweethearts best work ever is now online at AKAR. It looks amazing. Well done Daniel.

Love: Jeni's Ice Cream

2010-12-21T10:11:00.002-06:00

So if anyone is in search of that last minute, absolutely perfect present, let me offer this advise: Jeni's Ice Cream is definitely the way to go.


Daniel and I stopped in Columbus on the way back from Kansas City and showed him the best thing about that town.

Jeni and Charley started their company in 2002 and now have seven stores. They use local, sustainable ingredients from the milk that comes from grass fed cows to the mint that is grown by a local farmer. Current ingredients include local vodka, local Gouda and fair traded African vanilla.

They make there own macaroons, waffle cones and fudge sauce

Jenis has flavors like salty caramel, Queen City Cayenne, Bourbon Buttered Pecan, Oakvale Young Gouda with Vodka-Plumped Cranberries, Goat Cheese with Cognac Fig Sauce.

This girl was amazing. Dan and I asked for a few tastes before we decided on a flavor and boy did she indulge us. She even gave us about 10 other tastes that she said we just HAD to try. We left with many little spoons to reuse in the studio.

I met Jeni through my Ohio Pal Michelle Maguire. Michelle designed Jeni's logo and also makes fantastic art. The prints on the wall are polaroids that Michelle took and then enlarges into these canvases. You can see more of michelles work at the site Pretty Patti (named for her mother). This couple were enjoying their ice cream under a great light made by an OSU glass artist. Anyway, the best thing about Jeni's (or the best thing for us non Ohio dwellers) is that they ship!! you can get Jeni's from Columbus to your door in two days!! I HIGHLY recommend it.

Visit: Rain and Pauls House

2010-12-20T14:17:00.002-06:00

While in Kansas City, my good friends Rain Harris and Paul Donnelly invited us over for dinner. They have a great apartment stuffed with amazing things the two have collected over the years. I snapped a few shots and they were nice enough to let me share images of the evening and their lovely home.

This is one of my favorite things in their house. It is crammed with amazing pots .

This mug was a new addition to their collection and i love it. I forget the makers name but i am going to have to get one for myself! also a lovely Ingrid Bathe bowl (I have one of these already, my go-to ice cream dish)

There are always really good cocktails to be had in the Donnelly/Harris household. Lots of these were picked up while the pair were still in Philly.


Before Paul moved to Alfred and Rain to Columbus, the couple had a very Victorian apartment. This included the heaviest couch in the world. Apparently Alfred and Kansas City are both meccas for danish modern furniture, hence the and really good look.

My favorite Crystal Boger ever.

Rain, Paul and Meredith Host

Tom Binger getting to know Olive, Merediths french bulldog. It was a lovely evening and I miss these pals very much.

Shopping: Kansas City Thrift

2010-12-09T18:54:00.001-06:00

Kansas City was thrift store HEAVEN. I forget the name of this place but will find out.

I snagged these two pieces for our new living room (still in wallpaper scrapping mode but soon!)

I think they just need a light sanding and wax and perfecto - new coffee tables


Plastic stir sticks, from the days when airlines gave you booze, and a stick to stir it with.

Then there was this lovely shop called Mash Handmade.

I thought that the way they displayed every thing was really cute and well thought out. I am taking notes.

These were to wright a message in a bottle/test tube. Came with paper and pencil. Cute.

Visit: Kansas City Studios

2010-12-08T19:54:00.001-06:00

This past Summer Daniel and I took a trip to Kansas City and stayed with our pals Rain Harris, Paul Donnelly and Meredith Host. We got a sneak peek at their Studios and I am finally getting time to post it here.

Rain works with a lot of parts. She amasses them in her studio and then builds her wall pieces. I want to see what these become.

Meredith is working with underglaze and layering using paper stencils. She has been collecting toilet paper for the patterns that each type has. These are transferred to her pieces using silk screens.

Greenware waiting for the bisque.

Rain on the computer

Merediths pieces get soooo many layers. Here pots are waiting for a decal firing.

Worker bees (Meredith and Jessica)

Meredith agreed to let me show the world how she keeps her wheel.

Folded Pigs

At the time Paul was working toward his show at Sherry Leedy Gallery.

I love that paul is combining hand building, throwing and slipcasting.

Jessica sorts out Rains life and Daniel wrestles with Franklin, the most gigantic dog I ever met.

Sneak Peek: Gifted

2010-10-29T17:03:00.004-05:00

Gifted: The Clay Studios Annual Holiday Exhibition

So this year I got to pick all the artists in this fantastic show. The work for Novembers part is almost all here and we have been photographing like crazy. Visit the shop and see what you like best. I would love to know what you all think. These images are just a few of the fantastic pieces that we have.

The most amazing part is that this year all of the pieces sent by 70+ artists will be put into our online shop. So all you ceramic fiends put there can get your mittens on them.

And just because I love you sooooo much.....if you purchase from the shop and enter this code during check out meltmyheart You Can Get 10% OFF

Participating artists include: Jennifer Allen, Kurt Anderson, Ingrid Bathe, Nick Bivins, Birdie Boone, Yasha Butler, Jeff Campana,Rebecca Chappell, Michael Connelly, Sam Chung, Circa Ceramic Tile, Steven Colby, Melissa Crotty, Marc Digeros, Paul Donnelly, David Eichelberger, Heather Mae Erickson, Marty Fielding,Ryan Greenheck, Future Retrieval, Molly Hatch, Lana Heckendorn, Matt Hyleck, Hiroe Hanazono, Rain Harris Jewelry, Bryan Hopkins, Stepanka Horlakova, Meredith Host, Brad Johnson, Gretchen Kramp Tile, Jeff Kleckner, Simon Levin, Motawil Tile, Ruchika Madan, Jennifer Martin, Lorna Meaden, Jenny Mendez, Michelle Miller, Joyce Nagata, Kathryn Narrow, Brooke Noble, Sean O'Connell, Lisa Orr, Doug Peltzman, Joe Pintz, Adam Posnak, Kari Radasch, Pete Scherzer, Kevin Snipes, Doug Spalding, Shawn Spangler, Emily Schroeder, Andy Shaw, Charlie Tefft, Munemitsu Taguchi, Daniel Ricardo Teran, Shoko Teruyama, Sue Tirrell, Holly Walker, Debbie Williams, Tara Wilson and Gwendolyn Yoppolo.

New Things: Welcome to the Family

2010-08-03T10:00:00.001-05:00

I just brought this mug home to meet the family. It was made by Maria Dondero and holds a latte and a half. Maria had a show of new work at TCS last year and was an absolute delight to work with. I will enjoy using this mug.

Travel: Skipping Town

2010-08-02T14:48:00.002-05:00

While we have two new shows opening this Friday at The Clay Studio, I will be in Kansas City at Red Star Studios. Ceramic Arts Daily wishes they were gonna be there too.

I will be there for Daniels show but also will be hanging out with pals Meredith Host, Rain Harris and Paul Donnelly. Stay tuned for sneak peaks of their studios and latest work as well as pictures from Daniels opening and general Kansas City tourist shots.

Discovery: Makoto Kagoshima

2010-08-02T11:24:00.001-05:00

I just discovered Japanese artist Makoto Kagoshima thanks to a plate a day and I am kinda in love. I think I connect with the floral imagery as it is sort of make-believe like the flowers and berries I draw.

The images are from an exhibition at biotape in Japan. Thanks to Jollygoo for the instal images.

Work: Flora At Schaller Gallery

2010-08-01T21:47:00.004-05:00

Check out the work in this show. Schaller Gallery is a relatively new online ceramics gallery that has already had shows of many really good artists, some of whom I have been trying to get at TCS for a while. Let me know who you like best in this exhibition.

Molly Hatch: Mimesis

2010-06-17T17:31:00.000-05:00

So my life has been crazy!!! still working on the house, NCECA came and went with barely a hitch, and I am now the Gallery Coordinator at The Clay Studio! This means the house will take longer than expected, but also that you will get first look at all the amazing shows and beautiful work in the shop. I am jumping head first into revamping the Studios online shop so stay tuned to this page.

This months show is an absolute gem, Mollys work is just lovely and other people think so too.....

Design*Sponge did a nice spread on the show, Yippie to them!

So anyhow, check out all the work and let me know what you think. Next will be all the amazing new Grads in the MBK Graduate Student Show. Plus I promise to update you all on the house and everything else (new studio in the works...)

Small Projects Studio: Drawing Diner

2010-02-22T20:16:00.000-06:00

Here is the first peek of work for a show I am organizing to be exhibited at Art in the Age during April 2010. The show coincides with NCECA being here in Philadelphia so all you ceramic fans can come and see it!!

Valerie Lueth

"Adornment in Treasure: Bejeweled Sleeves"

Annette Monnier

Knife in Back

I am working with an amazing group of artists to transfer their images to ceramic dinner ware be it vintage stuff from thrift stores, collected from grandma, purchased from Ikea or stolen from the local diner. We are gonna use iron oxide decals, gocco printing, luster, china paint and any other after glaze process we can think of. Below is the list of participating artists. I will try to give you sneak peaks as we make the work. The second part of the story is about small projects studio, but this is to be continued at a later date.....

Tim Lewis Valerie Lueth Paul Roden

Evan Greenfield Erika Somogyi Yvonne Lung

      Jamie Boyle        Andrew Jeffery Wright      Meg Shevenock
     Adrian Dalton                Ryan Kelly               Annette Monnier
   Nathan Prouty

Artist Watch - Anne Gibbs

2010-02-15T21:49:00.004-06:00

Welsh artist Anne Gibbs came to The Clay Studio for three months to work as our guest artist in residence. Anne was an absolute delight, charming everyone with her beautiful Welsh accent. My Mother was in Wales this past month visiting my Grandmother and met up with Anne for a cup of tea. It was great to hear that she might be visiting in March for NCECA festivities.

Household Implements (study 3) Tinctus series: Red ribbon

I was reminded again of how much I loved Annes work while unpacking one of her pieces at The Studio this week. I needed to measure the work and get a vitrine made for our April show of current and past resident and guest artists.

Tinctus series: Comb and buttons Household Implements (study 1)

I was able to watch Anne make her work from start to finish while she was in Philadelphia last year. She collected forms to build on to, changing both the form and its references. In some cases she remakes the form. Placing new form next to old, remade next to original.

Dwelling (Ravel) Tinctus series: Crucible

The objects Anne makes are domestic in nature, spoon and nails as well as her own invented forms that reference womens work such as sewing and kitchen duties.

Made Do and Mend Tinctus Series: Comb and Buttons

The finished pieces are newly made but feel old, imbued with history and a past life. Collections that tell a story of time, place and moment.

An excerpt from Anne Gibbs artist statement

"The traditions of the domestic and ‘the home’ remain a major source of inspiration in my work. I was brought up in an ex-mining community in the South Wales Valleys where life was often driven by hard labour and there was little time for celebration. Therefore I am drawn to objects, which remind me of special occasions, for instance the bone china tea set which suggests pleasure and refinement. I contrast the beautiful bone china object (cup) against the ritual of domestic chores, cleaning and bleaching, suggesting that the act of refinement is often followed by a gritty reality."

A Good Look - Lighting

2010-02-08T20:15:00.005-06:00

Tom Rosseau Tim Lewis Studio

TR 6 Hilla Lantern

Future Retrieval Jamie Hayon

Dada Light Metalarte

Areawear Badheebahdu

Orbit Chandelier Tiffany Lamp

Hidden Art Shop Artimede

Soffione

Hidden Art Shop Modernica

Cloud Lamp Chandelier Criss Cross Nelson Lamps

Winter Stew

2010-02-06T18:30:00.001-06:00

We stayed inside and Rob made lentil stew with fenugreek and cinnamon bark

This was a jumble of a stew, involving garlic, carrots, onion, lentils, peppers and.....well i don't know

The whole thing was cooked on top of the wood stove, all the peelings were put in a separate pot with water to make stock.

Kathy made really delicious bread, pretty darn good for her first time baking bread.

A Good Look - Vases

2010-02-06T13:30:00.015-06:00

A quick look at some amazing vases - Craft, Design, Handmade, Industrially Produced.....All Good

Marc Digeros Deborah Schwartzkopf

Vase 2006 Flower Vase

Johnathan Adler Andy Brayman

Medium Aorta Vase White Vase

Jamie Hayon Marcel Wanders

Grid Vases for Gaia and Gino

Ayumi Horie Diana Fayt

Flower Brick 2005 Pin Vases

Victoria Christen Allison McGowen

Vase Tall Vase

Winter Warmer

2010-02-06T13:22:00.004-06:00

Super Snow Day. The city is pretty much shut down and I don't have to go to work! No Clay Studio for me today and certainly no NCECA planning (sorry). You all know that I am working at The Clay studio as the NCECA Coordinator right. It is my very real excuse for not having posted regularly in the last few months. It is also the reason my house is getting fixed very very slowly. I am knee deep in 100 exhibitions but my own life is very much on hold.

Winter View of 27th Street

Very snowy back yard, hard to imagine ever using the grill again.....oh spring time

Hazel and Buster.....best friends for ever

Thankfully my good friends Rob Sutherland and Kathy Hurchla live right across the street and invited me over for a warm and snuggly snow day. They have a wonderful wood stove and the dogs are very happy. Rob and Kathy have renovated three buildings on my block and are working on two more. They have been so generous with me since I bought my house (soon to be home), cooking me dinner, letting me stay for a few weeks before my house was inhabitable and being amazing resources for everything related to house fixing.

Matt Metz Teapot, Rob Sutherland mug and Corn Casserole by the lovely Kathy Hurchla

So we are staying warm.......learning how to use our new IPhones, so lame I know but Rob and I both got them this week. Watching awful, awful movies on tbs such as Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in Music and Lyrics (barffff.) and now the not really so awful Twister. Rob is making soup.....more on that later today.

Whipped Bakeshop is the Best!

2009-12-29T15:00:00.001-06:00

The lovely Zoe Lukas from Whipped Bake Shop brought us cupcakes last First Friday! Chocolate with peanut butter frosting, so yummy. Erin (my Clay Studio cohaught) and I thought they looked lovely on this Molly Hatch cakeplate

We went to the opening of Whipped in Fishtown a few weeks ago. They did an amazing job of the place with massive amounts of subway tile and a super chandelier from Badhebadu. I wish them the best of luck with the bake shop.

Pencil Heaven

2009-12-29T12:18:00.000-06:00

"Designed by felissimo for social designer this complete set of 500 colored pencils consists
of 20 units, each pencil telling its own story with a unique name. you cannot buy the complete
set of pencils all at once, but you can receive them over the course of 20 months.
four different display methods let you keep your pencils at hand, while being displayed either
as an artwork, or kept aside as a special collection. the cases have been designed especially
for the 500 colored pencils and are available in a limited edition."

Up and Coming: Brian Jones

2009-12-29T11:31:00.006-06:00

I met this guy at the Philadelphia Craft Show this year. We carry his work at The Clay Studio and I was really excited to see his new work at the craft show. Brian is using a buttery white glaze with bright blocks of color and I love it. I bought a plate at the craft show but have my eye on some bigger serving pieces at the studio. Check out the work and tell me what you think.

Lunch

2009-12-28T20:46:00.004-06:00

Today was a computer day-website and blog mania, mixed with a bit of handle making (the last ceramic kitchen cabinet handles for my friends Tim and Sara). I did however manage to stop to make lunch and I though I would share.

I made tomato thyme soup, grilled cheese and asparagus with salt and pepper. Tomato soup is amazingly easy to make.

one can tomatoes

half a can of veg stock (half as much in volume as the can of tomatoes)

pinch or two of thyme

salt and pepper

dash of tabasco

Put the tomatoes in the blender, puree and transfer to sauce pan. Add veg stock, thyme, salt and pepper and tabasco. Simmer for a few minutes and serve with a dollop of cream in a nice Meredith Host mug.

Handmade Breakfast with the Family.

2009-12-28T10:15:00.003-06:00

For Christmas I got my family a new Cuisinart coffee maker that grinds the beans and all that jazz. They had an awful one that burned the coffee every time. I also thought they needed some dishes not made by Ikea or me. Mom got the Jen Allen mug, Jake got the Charlie Teft Rabbit, Dad got the woodsy Matt Hylek I drank from the Maria Dondero that I bought during her TCS show a few months back. My family is really good at breaking dishes. I am hoping that they can figure out how to keep these beauties safe.

This Black Bear Lunch Platter made by Sue Tirrell was a gift for Thanksgiving.

The rectangle plates were made by me in between under grad and grad school.

Minor Malfunction

2009-12-28T10:04:00.002-06:00

Resident artist Joanie Turbek just had her solo show at The Clay Studio and boy was it a hit. It was really exciting to see people interacting with the work. So often people are uncomfortable walking into these environments but Turbek's work really engaged the audience.

Turbek writes "“each piece is an attempt to fulfill a personal and specific human need. Efficiency is not necessarily valuable when dealing with personal issues; therefore metaphor and humor dictate form. In our society, the products we own are a clear portrayal of who we are and what is important to us. I see my work as a form of portraiture, both of myself and of the communities into which it is inserted”.

Turbek is curating an NCECA show called "The Souvenir Shop" I am excited to see it.

What is Tardigotchi

2009-12-27T12:34:00.003-06:00

My friend Matt Kenyon just returned from a residency in new zealand with a very sweet but a little sad video. Watch it. You will smile.

"Tardigotchi is an artwork featuring two pets: a living organism and an alife avatar. These two disparate beings find themselves the unlikely denizens of a portable computing enclosure. The main body for this enclosure is a brass sphere, housing the alife avatar in an LED screen and the tardigrade within a prepared slide. A tardigrade is a common microorganism measuring half a millimeter in length. The alife avatar is a caricature of this tardigrade, its behaviour is partially autonomous, but it also reflects a considerable amount of expression directly from the tardigrade’s activities (like eating)."

Hiroe Hanazono

2009-12-27T09:53:00.004-06:00

The cup I drink out of at work and the chihuahua named Drew that I looked after last week both came from Hiroe Hanazono. Pottery Making Illustrated just outed all her secrets in this fantastic article and Ceramics Arts Daily is giving us the sneak peek!

If Only Santa Had Known

2009-12-26T20:04:00.011-06:00

Tim Lewis is a studio furniture maker right here in Philadelphia. His Studio is in Fishtown, right around the corner from my old warehouse studio. I am starting my Christmas list for next year right now....and these strap chairs are at the top of the list. I think I might have a finished living room by the next time Santa wiggles down the chimney.
Also these stools and table from the Plank Series would be a perfect addition to the living room.

Shoko Teruyama sent amazing work for the annual holiday show "Gifted" at The Clay Studio. Of the 60 plus artists that sent us work, I have to admit her work is my favorite. This three owl plate might have to be an early birthday present for myself.

And I recently discovered this design studio called makelike. They have done amazing things with logos and store design but I have to say, their succulent wall paper is absolutely the best thing ever. It is five color screen printed with metallic gold lines. And they are succulents! my favorite! It is not cheap but it is certainly on the list. You just never know.

30 x 2

2009-11-14T13:41:00.001-06:00

Only two pieces left!! Get them while you can.....no telling when the studio will be back together.

30 x 5 at AKAR

2009-11-13T11:28:00.002-06:00

Akars holiday show 30 x 5 just opened today. I managed to get them 5 pieces but it was a stretch as my studio is still packed up in the basement of my new house. So get them while you can....

Ready For Paint

2009-08-23T13:58:00.004-05:00

I have water and electric. I was so excited the first time I got to flip on a switch in the house. All the paper (both walls and ceilings folks) and all the paint of the trim has been stripped from the third floor.
So tonight after work - PAINT!!!!!!! I cannot wait.
Next is the bathroom and sanding the floors

Check out the full album of images on flickr

Circa Ceramics - So Good

2009-08-20T20:19:00.002-05:00

I love the new tiles we just got in The Clay Studio Shop . Bold bright colors on porcelain tiles with screen printed images of retro things like type writers and cameras. Check them out

Why Not

2009-08-18T09:47:00.002-05:00

So I thought I would follow up the disaster post with this destruction post. This happened last week. Every thing will be fine. don't worry.

How to Make a Crack House a Home - part 1

2009-08-17T09:29:00.007-05:00

These are the pre clean up images. It took 63 construction size trash bags to get all this stuff out.
There were 2 dressers, 2 couches, 2 lazyboys, a tv, 30 pairs of sneakers and some of the most disgusting trash i have ever seen.

Stay tuned for the post clean up pics. I am taking them today

Also see the whole house pre clean up on my flickr

ok ok , i will admit it, there were several piles of poop in this house. old dried out and turned to dust poop, but poop none the less. it is all gone now though i swear.

Chit and Chat on the Artblog

2009-08-08T15:23:00.002-05:00

Thanks so much to Annette Monnier for taking the time to chat with me about pots and Art and art and Pots. Check out the full article on The Artblog

Working Potters

2009-07-09T11:03:00.002-05:00

View the entire article after the jump

Another plate a day

2009-05-25T09:43:00.001-05:00

City Paper Trunk Show

2009-05-15T13:49:00.001-05:00

Come and Visit. There will be beer, food, music and hand made things.

Calling all Philly Peeps

2009-05-08T14:12:00.003-05:00

Tonight at Eastern State Penitentiary: Mary Jo Boles exhibition Purge Incomplete. MJ made most of the components for this exhibition at Kohler as well as visiting Philly a few times to go to the amazing Philadelphia Anthenaeum, an amazing library with a huge collection of books relating to early Philadelphia city planning. It is going to be smashing.

Eastern State Penn. Fairmount and 22nd St. 5.30 - 7.30pm See you there!!!

Galloway: Quiescent

2009-05-08T14:08:00.003-05:00

My last shout out for Julia......
all the cups are now online

Julia Galloway: Quiescent

2009-05-05T10:28:00.014-05:00

Currently The Clay Studio is hosting an exhibition by Julia Galloway, one of my favorite ceramic artists.

Galloways newest body of work titled Quiescent has been installed on 400+ shelves in the gallery. Each shelf holds a tumbler. Galloway has used the tumblers as canvas for her drawings. Each surface displays an image of a bird represented in James Audoubons: Birds of North America

There is also an audio component to this show. Some of the shelves contain sound modules and motion detectors. As you pass by, a bird begins to chirp or
warble. The space becomes activated and alive, as if filled with the real live birds represented by the imagery.

First Friday in Old City is a mess of people wandering in and out of the galleries. The room was wildly loud and the bird calls were almost drowned out even though all the sounds were being activated at once.

Galloway covered the walls of the gallery with a chalk drawing that reminds me of a garden fence. This image is echoed in the glaze patterning on her pitchers.

The most powerful moments seem to come when the gallery is empty save for one person slowly walking around the room, connecting with each sound as it begins and ends.

SMALL FAVORS IV

2009-05-01T08:35:00.001-05:00

Also.....Small Favors opens tonight. check out all the work HERE

Sneak Peek - Julia Galloway: Quiescent

2009-05-01T08:14:00.004-05:00

I have spent this week working at The Clay Studio taking down the massive Helen Drutt Celebration show and helping install the three new shows that open tonight.

All week long Julia Galloway and her team of dedicated helpers have been transforming The Clay Studio gallery into a garden paradise.
Julia's former student Josh Harmony helps chalk the walls while the freshly painted pedestals dry
Ayumi Horie helps Julia inspect a plate while studio assistant Steven inspects another. Steven drove out from Montana with Julia and all the work.

Grad Student Patrick Coughlin traveled in from Florida for the installation. The amount of people who traveled up to help certainly speaks to how very lovely Julia is.

The rest is up to your imagination but let me tell you this is one stunning show. Come out tonight for the opening or stay tuned for a post on the finished show.

Pottery Paycheck.

2009-04-21T14:00:00.007-05:00

I am sitting here doing the Internet thing, drinking my afternoon coffee out of my favorite Paul Eshelman cup and what do you know, Paul is one of the other artists profiled in this months Ceramics Monthly Article "A Pottery Paycheck". I am so excited to be featured along side a veteran potter like Paul. I love his work. He was one of the first potters to inspire me to get it together and figure out how to make work. I cornered him for about an hour at The Baltimore Craft Show a bunch of years ago and asked him a million questions about how he makes his work. He was very accommodating even though I did not buy a thing (poor student at the time).

The other artist in the sneak peek is Diana Fayt. My Facebook friend and maker of beautiful pots.

Ceramics Arts Daily gave us this sneak peak at the article. I am still wondering who the other six potters might be.

P.S. House update. meeting with seller on Saturday!!! this really might happen.

New for SPRING

2009-04-20T11:11:00.008-05:00

Porcelain Pinch Pots. 1" x 2" x2" $12 for four

Corn and Cobalt - Olive Servers 1" x 1.5" x 5" $15 for three.

Today is a super dreary one with a grey sky and rain drizzling pretty constantly. I thought it a good day to sit under a blanket with some tea and finally get to updating the Soup Shop.
It is now filled with vintage, handmade and re made objects. Something for every one.

Steph and Ryan

2009-04-19T23:53:00.002-05:00

Some Philly bloggers like my pots - Thanks you guys :)

Ceramics Monthly - Working Potters.

2009-04-19T23:35:00.002-05:00

Just sent my images and text to CM for their feature "Work and Play: The Potters Life". It will be in the June/July issue. I am so curious about the other four people they are profiling. Anyone know?

Tumblers

2009-04-19T22:41:00.001-05:00

Some new tumblers in the shop for those of you who have been asking. I will be listing a bunch more in the next few days.

Spring has really sprung.

2009-04-18T12:08:00.007-05:00

Spring time is here at last. Today it is 73 degrees and so very lovely out side. I moved all my plants to the studio balcony. Including the basil, spinach and lettuce seedlings I planted a month ago. I am glazing a new batch of work for the upcoming Art Star Craft Bazaar as well as the just added City Paper Trunk Show which is coming up super fast. It will be in Northern Liberties, on 2nd street in the brand new Piazza at Schimidts. 150 artists plus music, beer and food. The date for the Trunk Show is Saturday May 16th. Come out and help me get a little closer to buying that house.

I just unloaded a glaze firing of blues and greens. Look for new work soon in the shop

Thanks to everyone who bought dishes this week. I really might just get that house after all.

Plus I added the link to my Twitter in the side bar. It is a good way to keep connected to all the Philly ceramic happenings plus Etsy shop updates.

Help me Buy a House.

2009-04-15T16:48:00.003-05:00

So I have found it, the house of my dreams. I just need to raise a little more cash for the down payment. The only plus to the awful economy - even an artist might be able to afford a house.

Help make my dreams come true. I will have you over for tea and cake any time you like.

Buy a dish - get my dog a yard!!!! naomiclearyceramics.etsy.com

and ok, it is not the house in the picture. but isn't it cute.

Yunomi Yunomi

2009-04-15T15:09:00.003-05:00

One cup left! Check out the show over at AKAR

MADE IN CLAY 2009 Auction Online Now

2009-04-15T15:00:00.004-05:00

Greenwich House Pottery is having there annual fund raiser Made in Clay and this year has added an online auction to spice things up. Now those of us not in NYC can get a piece of the action.

I'm Artsy!!

2009-04-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

Wendy of Broken Box Designs and The Partsy Was nice enough to feature me yesterday. Check out the site for a bunch of great picks!

How to make a house a home

2009-04-15T13:42:00.002-05:00

Etsy seller Cricketapollo was nice enough to include me in this beautiful treasury. Thanks

Taxes are not looking good

2009-04-14T16:56:00.004-05:00

How about a tax day buy one get one in the Etsy Shop. Want to? buy one item and tell me what you want for the second (as long as it is the same price or cheaper.)
Help me pay off my debts.

2009-04-14T11:21:00.002-05:00

NEW in the SoupShop

2009-03-11T10:04:00.003-05:00

Remember the dishes and decals from months ago. I finally listed them in the SoupShop

2009-02-05T16:19:00.004-06:00

Here is a little sneak at my booth from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Some of the left over work is available here

along with some other work on sale in my pre spring studio clean out

Flickr - Finally

2009-02-03T19:04:00.003-06:00

After much dilly dallying I finally joined flickr

I am a member of two fantastic groups. One called The Work-in-Progress Society, the other called Modish Handmade Spaces.

I have not really posted on either yet because I am in the middle of a giant studio expansion and clean up. Stay tuned though and for now check out some other fantastic studios and work.

But for the future my account is naomi cleary ceramics

Etsy Coater Mania

2009-01-31T10:10:00.000-06:00

New Studio Happenings

2009-01-31T10:01:00.004-06:00

The latest studio adventure images.
I am working on a line of wall pieces. Some with decorative framed edges, others will be simple square and rectangle forms. All will be covered in pattern.

I also have a new lidded jar. It is a very sweet little form I have been wanting to make for a while now. It headed north to the Clay Arts Center in NY.

2009-01-29T21:30:00.005-06:00

ETSY SUPER SALE. HELP ME PAY THE RENT THIS MONTH. GET ALL THE O8 DISHES FOR SUPER SILLY CHEAP. VALENTINES GIFT OR GET A HEAD START ON MOTHERS DAY!!!! -----------> HERE HERE HERE

Thermo-Magic

2009-01-28T12:00:00.007-06:00

So I just purchased this little baby.
My very own thermofax, bring on the screens!

I am so excited to own one of these amazing tools. While at OSU for grad school my good friend Rain Harris let me use hers and I have been dying to get one ever since.

It is a super fast way of making a silk screen that is flexible so you can print on curved surfaces (cups etc) as well as tiles and paper and textile.

I also just purchased a laser printer for making iron oxide decals.

I will be making custom screens and decals for a smallish fee very soon.

I will list the service on etsy or you can contact me directly through my web site

The Tshirts and dish cloths available in The Soup Shop are all printed with screens made by the thermofax

Non Fiction Design Collective

2009-01-24T12:18:00.001-06:00

This month Ohio based collective Non Fiction presented a stunning show of new work at The Clay Studio in Old City.

The group recently visited the porcelain factories of Meissen in Dresden, Germany where they used historical molds and Meissen's super white china to create new and strange versions of historical figurines. Once back in the States they combined other processes such as CNC milling and screen printing to make domestic objects that are hard to place in time. Collective members Steven Thurston, Guy Mike Davis, Clay Studio Visitor Ed, member Katie Parker chat it up in the gallery.
The fourth member of the group, Rebecca Harvey was holding down the fort back on Ohio.
Ohio made brick and letter press stampings combined with kitschy china trees and a flickering light culminate in Forest Light Nonfiction states "We are interested in merging the worlds of ceramics & printmaking and the remaking and reuse of industrial cast-offs. Operating in a hybrid world between handwork and mechanization we combine outdated processes like thermofax and letterpress with CNC milling and rapid prototyping. Labor intensive processes mix with strange detritus, abandoned wallpaper and clearance mousetraps combine with hand carved block prints and fussy porcelain. Our limited production is a mixture of intent and accident - a constant tug between addition and subtraction. We make objects to affect the world. "

Finally the one I had to have as my own White Rabbit. Image Courtesy of TCS

Scallop Stitch

2009-01-03T01:07:00.004-06:00

A new blanket found at the Thrift Fair on Aramingo Ave. How sad (but amazing for me) for someones hard work to end up in a thrift store. I will treasure this strangers labor of love.
Hazel certainly likes it.
I also picked up a few items from the house wares section that will make an appearance in the Soup Shop soon. Stay tuned folks.

One a Day

2009-01-01T20:54:00.003-06:00

2008 was a busy year in which I focused intensely on one body of work. 2009 is going to be the year of one project a day. It may be a large project broken up into smaller projects, a one full day task or a small thing like sewing buttons back on a dress or baking a pie.
Jan 1st 2009 started with my New Years cards. I redrew some of the Wycianki snowflakes, made a print gocco screen and printed a big batch. They will go out tomorrow. This is the first year I have actually finished the cards. I have a slew of unfinished deer cards from two years ago

This is the start of tomorrows project. A collection of vintage decals and some thrifted diner ware

A Plate a Day

2008-12-16T19:11:00.003-06:00

Just found this interesting blog called A Plate a Day
I am Nov 25. I would like a plate a day
Molly Hatches plate (pictured here) is Nov 24

FREE SHIPPING

2008-12-15T11:10:00.005-06:00

Free Shipping on all orders over $50 in the shop Get you holiday gifts today.

Pizzelle and Pie

2008-12-14T13:56:00.002-06:00

Images from thanksgiving at the farm. Pizzelle seem a natural follow up to the wycinanki in the last post. Plus apple, blackberry and quince pie.

Wycinanki Paper Cuts and Pisanki

2008-12-14T13:26:00.004-06:00

My latest find that is soon to be a Soup Shop Design. These vintage paper cuts are amazing, scrounged from the back cupboards of a high school art room, some were cut in 1973.....five years before I was born. Also the books on egg dying have some great pictures you can look forward to seeing on tiles very soon.

APF - Warren Mackenzie, Steve Godfrey, Josh Deweese

2008-12-10T18:02:00.004-06:00

There was actually a sort of frantic raffle for Warren MacKenzies work. I somehow did not know about Mackenzie Mania

Steve Godfrey

Josh Deweese. I love that pitcher.

APF - Marty Fielding

2008-12-10T17:55:00.003-06:00

Visit Martys new shop online

support this great guy who just had a baby. Diapers are expensive you know.

My Little Secret

2008-12-10T10:41:00.003-06:00

So some people ask how I manage to not have a real teaching gig or coffee shop job working as a potter.

Here is my dirty little secret. I sell beads. Yes beads, and not beads made by me either.
Beautiful vintage glass and plastic beads. Beads that are often the inspiration for my patterning

Here is a sneak peek at my store - Peppermintsoda

APF - Liz Zlot-Summerfield

2008-12-10T10:32:00.002-06:00

I love the way Liz uses Terra Sig and Glaze for a shiny and matte combo.

APF - Ron Meyers

2008-12-10T10:17:00.002-06:00

Ron Meyers gave a very interesting and some what humorous account of his life and endevours to figure out his work.

APF - Kowkie Durst

2008-12-10T10:06:00.005-06:00

This is work by Kowkie Durst of Portland OR. I love the ones with bicycles on them.

So I just got a call from Molly Miller at The Northern Clay Center invining me back to the American Pottery Festival next year. I think perhaps I should finish uploading the images from the 08 fest before I sign the papers for 09

Stars Stars Stars

2008-12-07T19:07:00.003-06:00

Here they are. Carved porcelain star ornaments for sale in my shop

Etsy Treasury Video

2008-11-23T15:41:00.001-06:00

This is strange but it is flattering to have been included

Moving Right Along.

2008-11-19T14:14:00.005-06:00

Ahhhh, the PMA show is over. It was an amazing experience but an exhausting one too. Thanks to all of you who came to see the show. Fingers crossed I get in next year as well. The flowers from my booth are still going strong after more than a week.

I have taken a few days to rest up and am now filling my shop with new work for the holiday season. This is your chance if you couldn't make it to the Museum show.

Tumblers to Washington State

2008-10-21T12:17:00.002-05:00

I really love internet interactions with people I do not know. Scott from WA asked for two tumblers and this is the pair I sent him. He just emailed me to say he loves them. Yeah! I like sending my work off to people I know only through email. It is a whole new type of relationship
I think these will have a great home.
Thanks Scott.

APF - Alison Reintjes

2008-10-21T12:13:00.001-05:00

APF - Gail Kendall

2008-10-21T09:26:00.002-05:00

Gail Teaches at UNL and makes amazing low fire work with lots of luster. I left the festival wanting to go home and bust out the gold. Amazingly enough, I got home and my upstairs neighbor gave me a small kiln so I can start lustering soon!!!

APF - Brenda Quinn

2008-10-21T09:23:00.001-05:00

Brenda Quinns gorgeous flower coated pots

Olive servers, or tomato.

2008-10-20T00:25:00.001-05:00

The first of this new shape with the last tomatoes of the season.

PMA Preperation

2008-10-20T00:23:00.002-05:00

The first batch of work for the PMA came out this weekend. It looks pretty good.

APF - Munemitsu Taguchi

2008-10-20T00:11:00.002-05:00

Philadelphia's very own gave a great throwing demo and presented some wonderful pots, including a sweet little desert plate designed for Garth Clark. I need one.

APF - Bernadette Curran

2008-10-20T00:04:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the slightly out of focus pics Bernadette. The work still looks great though.

APF - Chuck Aydlett

2008-10-19T23:01:00.004-05:00

I love the way Chuck Aydlett uses under glaze pencil. The drawings on these pots are really beautiful.

APF - Kathryn Finnerty

2008-10-09T19:28:00.002-05:00

The American Pottery Festival - At Long Last

2008-10-09T15:40:00.003-05:00

Welcome to The Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis MN.I was invited this year to a gallery pottery sale called The American Pottery Festival. It featured some of the countries best potters/dish makers. I was honored to be included and still not entirely sure I was ready to be there. I flew to Minnesota on the heals of the RNC. The airport was loaded with police officers and their dogs.

This is Sunday Morning at least an hour before the center was open. People are lining up to get in on the raffle for Warren Mackenzie pots. They are some die hard fans.

Here is my work all set up. Stay tuned for images of every participants work, some pictures of the amazing people I met and a private tour of Maren Kloppmanns studio, It is an amazing space.

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours: This Weekend

2008-10-09T10:41:00.006-05:00

Come and visit my studio this weekend as part of Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. Take a peek at how I make my work and get a head start on holiday shopping with a super cheap seconds sale.

go to the POST website for maps of the participating areas. I am Map H - Northern Liberties, Kensington, Fishtown, Port Richmond also check out my listing for my address. If you are going to The Crane Building open studios I am very close by.

October 11th and 12th 12-6pm Shark Town Studios 1714 N Mascher Street

trunkt showcase

2008-09-14T16:11:00.001-05:00

American Pottery Festival

2008-09-01T17:08:00.005-05:00

Yeah it's Pottery Festival Time. I will be in Minneapolis this weekend at The Northern Clay Center. I am so excited to see all the work. Stay tuned for tons of pictures as soon as I get home.

Just Desserts

2008-08-29T16:13:00.004-05:00

The Clay Studio is opening two new shows on Friday September 4th. One is Fellowship artist Colleen Toledanos exhibition subFoundation
The other is Just Desserts. A grouping of dessert settings by eight artists. I sent them round two of the Love-Lies-Bleeding series.

I will be in Minneapolis the week of the opening but all you Philadelphia blog readers should head to The Clay Studio anyway. It will be a good showing as back to school month is always crazy in Old City.

Oooh and Jenn Allen will be showing in the Bonovitz Space. Her work is always super.

Love-Lies-Bleeding Round Two

2008-08-21T13:04:00.003-05:00

Whiskey cups
These came out a little darker than the first round. More purple than red. Two of these made there way to Wendy of Moop Bags as a birthday gift from her mother in law. I hope she likes them.

In Use

2008-08-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

This is what Stacy Jo Scott Said about a piece on my work that she recently bought.

"This particular piece reminds me of that old enamel ware often used for camping that one can still find in antique stores, where the rims are often chipped off to reveal the rusting metal underneath."

I am so happy she likes it and that she sent me an in use photo.

These are some lovely plates Stacy made.

Love-Lies-Bleeding

2008-08-10T16:14:00.006-05:00

I just finished my first attempt at the Love-Lies-Bleeding series. I think I like them. Check out Mays post with the same title to see what this is all about

All The Work

2008-08-10T16:10:00.002-05:00

Finally! All the work for the American Pottery Festival. Gonna ship these out this week to Minneapolis. It is going to use a lot of bubble wrap. 120 Pieces total.

The Corporate Cog

2008-08-08T12:38:00.005-05:00

I am so happy to think that my tumbler is helping Amy of The Corporate Cog able to get through the night. Check out her post describing all the things chipping in to save her sanity (those being the items pictured below).
Image borrowed from The Corporate Cogs Blog