Workshop

For those of you who has always asked "How I create my embroidered surfaces on clay?", I am teaching a workshop at Moshier Community Art Center. Registration now open Decorated Surfaces: Slips
In this one day workshop, I will demonstrate my slip decoration techniques used to create my detailed embroiderd work on clay. Demonstrations on enhancing the look of the ceramic surface will be covered, along with an inspiring slide show showing finished pieces and techniques used for surface decoration. Students will then make their own simple and effective tool to use to create elaborate slip decora tion on leatherhard tiles. All supplies provided. Please bring a lunch.

Here is a preview

Behind the scenes... Making my knitted mugs

Many have asked me about my process and how I make my work. I do get a shocked surprise when I say that my mugs are not made on the wheel, but are individually hand built from slabs of clay.
Slabs are textured, trimmed, cleaned up and then assembled. Then bottoms added, handles added and of course the buttons.
Here is a small clipping showing the assembly of the walls of the mug. I wish I was as fast as this video. :)

Stitches West

I know it has been more than a year since I updated my blog. From my previous postings you can see that I was experimenting with knitting patterns on my work and if you have been following me on facebook and instagram, you know how busy that has made me.
I just thought instead of writing long posts, I might just make shorter posts about what is happening in the studio and what is on my needles.
So last week, I went to Stitches West as a vendor for the first time. It was a great show and got to meet so many knitters who have been following my work.
Here are some of the highlights. Visit from Stephen West of westknits designs. Love all his patterns and how he plays with colors. Though I am not so much of a neon person, I admire his courage and have knit several of his patterns. And after setup was the StevenBe and Stephen West fashion show.

 My stash enhancement. I was good and on a yarn diet. But..... Miss Babs... How could I resist those colors? And I have always wanted to knit with spincycleyarns from Bellingham, WA. Got myself a sock bag for my travel knitting from Slipped Stitch Studio.

 And here are some pictures of my booth with new garter Stitch pattern pieces. I sold out of the needle keeper vases on the first day.

I had also taken some amazing handmade buttons from potter and friend, Ginger Steele. (Also known as my Whitey mom). More on those later... I selected some for my sweaters as well. Loved each and every one of them.

Slip Decoration Madness Video

As many of you know, Slip decoration is big part of my work. And my work is highly influenced by Indian fabrics colors and embroidery. At first instance people assume I am imprinting a piece of fabric on my clay and then make my forms.
That is not the case and the pieces get slip decorated individually making each one unique. I try to keep adding new patterns and designs and since each piece gets its own unique touch, each one lands up being one of a kind.
Here is a short video clip (speeded up, of course) showing a typical day in my studio. I wish I could decorate at that speed. I enjoy this part of the process, but have heard comments that it is just madness.
So call me crazy, but I LOVE it!
To see other pieces of my work slip decorated visit my website

Do you think this is Madness?

     

Organic Beet Salad

I was at a pottery show and a friend, Carol Bell, got me some amazing pluots and green eggplant. They were the sweetest pluots I have had and the egg plant was delicious grilled as well. This got me curious about her source and she mentioned Tiny's Organic which is a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) program. Sounded interesting and she got me a FREE box as a promotion they were having. We got our first box which had pluots, donut peaches, golden beets, lemon cucmbers (I thought these were tiny melons first), heirloom tomatoes and some wonderful recipes too. The pluots and donut peaches were heavenly and really sweet. So they didn't last long. Then came the cucumbers, tomatoes and golden beets. I searched and read a bunch of recipes, so mine landed up being a mix. Before I get to the recipe, let me talk a little about Beets. I have had raw beets before and was not a big fan, and had also tried them boiled and they were ok. This time I roasted the golden beets along with some red beets that I had at home. Just scrub them clean (no need to peel) and toss them with olive oil and some rock salt. Then put them in a foil lined pan and cover with foil as well. Into a 375 oven for 30-40 minutes till tender. When cool the skin just falls off. The amazing magic was the way way the golden beets got stained with the red beats, having this beautiful color transition from dark red to yellow. As you know I am a man of color with my pottery, so got really excited looking at the color. :) To make the dressing, I saved the juices/oil from the roasting the beets. Added some olive oil and balsamic vinegar with salt and pepper. Whisk and you are done. For the salad Cucumbers heirloom tomato lettuce beets (of course) Toss it all with the dressing and top with goat cheese and pine nuts. It was a delicious salad. The cucumbers were crisp and the heirloom tomatoes were sweet. Fresh burst of flavor and now we are signing up for our weekly deliveries. Thank you Carol for introducing us to Tiny's Organic.