OPA Ceramic Showcase

So it's that time of year again.....time for the biggest all ceramic show in the US!  Ceramic Showcase is the event that kicks off my show season and I am hoping for my best one yet.  Jeremy has once again created a visual masterpiece to help you get excited about going to the show, so enjoy!

New Storefront called Dirty Dishes LLC!!

Wow!  It's been a while and as usual, a LOT has happened.  Most exciting news is that I now have a storefront in Portland!  I teamed up with Dirty Dishes owner Kierstin Oliver and two other cats, Chris Paulsen and Jon King, to open a new storefront in NE Portland.  We've only been open at our new location for about three weeks, but already things seem to be going well.  Dirty Dishes sells handmade pottery from the greater Oregon area, as well as jewelry and other handmade gifts.  It's a super cute little shop up front and a working studio in the back.  I say working, but for now it's still a work in progress.  We're getting there though!  I am already moved into the studio and have been working out of it for the past couple of weeks.  Eventually we hope to be able to host some small workshops and private lessons.  Yah!  It will be fun to get back into teaching, but on a more limited scale.  If you feel like dropping by, we are located at:

5709 NE Fremont

Portland, OR 97213

Along with the Dirty Dishes project, you can also now find my pottery in Made in Oregon stores across the Portland/metro area!  This is pretty exciting for me.  It's my first big wholesale account, and if everything goes well, it could mean some slightly more regular pay.  It also means great visibility!  Apparently there are three stores in the Portland Airport alone and I'm in all of them.  I can't even imagine how many people walk through there in a day!  Things are shaping up for me people and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

OPA Ceramic Showcase 2012

The time has finally come!  Ceramic Showcase will be coming to the Oregon Convention Center this weekend!  It runs from Friday May 4th through Sunday May 6th.  It's the largest all ceramic show in the country and that means you are sure to find the perfect Mother's Day gift there.  There will be demonstrations and clay play areas for children and adults alike.  Oh, and it's FREE!  Come check it out.  I've been training hard for this (check out my video link below) and I hope to see you in Booth D13!

Something New

Green ware, meaning that it hasn't been fired yet.

First steps in glazing. Painting iron oxide on and wiping back, then waxing over those areas and putting a clear glaze in the interior.

One glaze painted on one side.

Another glaze painted on the other side.

The finished product!

So here are some start to finish images of my new pieces that I'm working on. These are the very first ones and I feel like they are still going to evolve, but I am happy with where they are going so far. Enjoy!

The Bee's Knees!

I am so excited about my new stamp! Here it is from drawing to clay. Enjoy your lovely spring weather.

Spring is in the air!!!

These are a few of the things that caught my eye at
Portland's 2012 Yard, Garden and Patio Show
today!

A lovey paper bush (yeah I said bush) in the Dennis' 7 Dees display.

In that same display, was this lovely bonsai tree. I just loved the way the roots and trunk look like some kind of cyclops monster.

A beautiful metal lantern by Gina Nash!

Of course it wouldn't be a trip to a garden show without at least one succulent photo! Adore this little chair with the planted up seat.

And last, but definitely not least, my friend Chris Schwartz had some of his pottery displayed in his wife's garden design display! I thought Calendula Garden Design's 'Edible Garden' display was definitely a highlight of the show so check it out if you go!

Fancy a Fancy Pants Pot?!

First things first, I cut out some screen material to cover the drainage hole so that the dirt stays inside the pot where it belongs.



Next I mix 1 part cactus blend potting soil with 1 part pumice. I was told by a cactus/succulent guru to do this in order to provide excellent drainage for the plants!

I fill the pots almost to the top since most of the cuttings I use have very little stem to work with.

Now the fun begins! I order my succulents off of ETSY from Succulents Galore and I always receive a great mix of species, colors and textures. This is when you get to use your artistic side, choosing which plants to put into the different containers.

When I am all done, I have some great looking containers ready for a sunny windowsill! These cuties will be available at both of my Valentine's Day weekend events:

The Art Spot
First and B
Lake Oswego, OR
February 10th - 15th
11-6

&

Dirty Dishes
30th and Alberta
Portland, OR
Sunday February 12th
12-5

Don't forget to save some of the leaves so that you can start new plants!