It's a Party!

Artfête Weekend 2013 is THIS weekend, November 22-24!  It's a big deal - Open House, Holiday Party, Ceramics Sale & Jewelry Sale all at The Art League’s Madison Annex, 305 Madison Street, Alexandria, VA.  I'll have some works for sale (pictures tomorrow!) and will be excited to see the final transformation of the studio and all of the other works at the party Friday night.  The ceramics sale is all weekend, starting mid-day Friday and going through Sunday afternoon.  

It's (An) Elementary

Craft Sale . . .  I'm starting to get excited about a few upcoming shows this year.  The first one is NEXT week!  And, it's at our elementary school - very cool!  More information on it and other news soon.

Island Creek Elementary School
7855 Morning View Lane
Alexandria, VA 22315

What's New?

Well, quite a lot actually.  I'm playing with a new logo - see left - and while I'm not sure it's final, I think it's at least close.  It's been a wonderfully busy weekend.  I added a bunch of new pieces at Society Hill today.  If you are local, they are in a great co-op of shops in Falls Church, VA.

I'll post some more details in the coming week but I'm also doing a local show & sale next weekend at Nalls, my favourite produce and garden center in Alexandria, VA.  The Nalls Fourth Annual Nice Neighbor Block Party is September 7 from 11-5.  It would be great to see some of you there!  

Biggering (in a good way)

Biggering . . . which is a weird word, one that I learned from the wonderfully sad but hopeful story of The Lorax but it seems fitting for right now.  Not exactly resolutions this late in the year, but some new goals.







In the studio, I'm working on some larger pieces - and some smaller ones still too, of course.  Some have already made their way to Society Hill. I'm still working in a variety of clay bodies, adding a new one into the mix this week maybe!

And out of it, running, running, and more running - we're back to one organized run per month and increasing the distance (slowly, kilometer by kilometer, mile by mile).  So far, we've done a run in March, April and May with one lined up for June.  Maybe next year we'll start in January - though that really does seem like a resolution, and those seem terribly difficult to keep.

Favourite Choosing

I keep being asked (most frequently by my daughter) about my favourite thing - food, colour, even bug.  And I keep struggling to answer because in most cases I don't have a favourite, I have many.


I am finding the same with clay bodies.  Last year I spent a lot of time working with porcelain and I really enjoy how smooth it is.  And it is so easy to use, especially for hand building and making more delicate pieces.

This year I am also working with a new dark brown clay that is great for wheel throwing.  It is gritty and is especially interesting when gas fired.


I still feel that my work continues to have two fairly distinct styles.  And I think that I may have settled on a favourite clay body for each.  I imagine I will still experiment with others and possibly find another favourite.  You really can never have too many . . . I think?

My Case

This is my case (mine, all mine!) at Society Hill.  Such a wonderful treat! 

And it's surrounded by so many beautiful things in the shop.  Christine is an amazing metalsmith who makes beautiful jewelry (which I admit to admiring, and sometimes coveting, each time I'm there).

Getting Going

Whew!  What a long (and busy, but wonderful) day today.  Did some wall painting, used a staple gun for the first (!) time, and hung lights and ornaments in the studio.  After a break for lunch at Extra Perks where they always have delicious soups (and a fantastic weekend brunch!), I spent an eternity trying to get my table display for The Art League Artfête Weekend 2012 & Annual Holiday Ceramics Sale just right.  Maddening . . . here's the final (final, final) version.

Finished the day off with a brisk walk around Old Town distributing postcards for the sale at a few local coffee shops and bakeries.  The sale starts tomorrow at noon.  I'm really looking forward to The Artfête Open House & Holiday Party tomorrow evening (6-9 pm).  It should be a great time, with with music, food and drinks, and lots of artwork to explore!  I'll be working Saturday afternoon from 4-6 pm and Sunday from noon to 3 pm.  If you're local, please come see us!