Look What Kristi Bowman Made!

That's my heart charm!  Kristi won the charm from the Beads-of-Clay  blog.
Check out what Kristi has to say about her bracelet on her blog--- http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/stone-age.html

Best Day EVER! Philly Art Museum via my children's eyes

We had such a fun day today!
The girls and I went down to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for "pay what you wish day" which just so happens to be "family art studio day"   Lucky us! 
We woke up early and arrived shortly after the museum opened.  They had lots of fun crafts to do with the theme of Around the World  Sonya and I made beautiful carpets in paper with yarn fringe.  Lydia made a Ganesha puppet and a miniature period furnished room.  I really enjoyed making my little carpet.  I just so happened to be thinkin' on things such as flowers and leaves in functional art.

While in the Art Studio the kids were going on about Pigasso.  Soon enough I found his name spelled out for them and they could figure it out.   Picasso Picasso Picasso...  popular guy I guess ;-)

Sonya was obsessed with finding a picture of Picasso. OBSESSED!  Repeat it 100 times and zig zagging through the rooms kind of obsessed. Not a picture by Picasso, it needed to be a picture OF Picasso.  I was worried until we found this self portrait.  She was so sure that he was going to have multiple noses.  It was a let down.

The kids were so cute drawing each other's portraits on the car ride down and then sitting down as soon as we hit the impressionists to sketch out some landscapes.

And this is what I came for.  That's what I needed--- the stroke I would like to master.  It was great to see this after mulling over a concept, finding "the tool" to try it.  I need to make time to sit down with it, but right now I am collecting ideas.... I think it will be much more about mastering the use of this tool I hope will help me make the effect......

Collecting architectural inspiration.....  looks a bit like manufactured buttons.

This was adorable!  Sonya sketching like crazy the little ceremonial Japanese tea house.  She was SO serious.  And we patiently waited. 

another leaf and floral concept......

A Lovely Door! 
We only made it though 2 or 3 wings.... and had lunch and went to the make and take craft.  I don't think the kids are as into the Asian art as I am.  I think that their impression of a lot of it was that they have sat through million of my documentaries on Asian Art, Architecture and culture and they've seen it all before a million times!   Ha!  Seeing these wonderful works live and in person and they are so cool mellow about it. 
I can't wait to go back next time.  I have the April Family Studio day written in on my calender.  The kids and I had a blast!

Getting personal-- the past year

     I have kept alot of my life private this past year.  It's been really hard to keep it all to myself and my most trusted friends and family.  Writing helps, Sharing helps, but NO ONE likes to hear that things are really messed up.  Even those trusted friends get tired of it. 

This past year has been a crazy ride.

A lot of things happened that I did not cause but I had to fix..... because I have two wonderful children to take care of.   I have wondered if I would still be living in this house in a week, in a month, in a year...  I still don't know.  

I have said the words, "I'm done asking you to change.  I'm not holding you up any more."
There were some really bad times and I am sure that translated into some weird vibes here on the blog from time to time. 

My mind has changed and I look at my day to day differently now.  I don't know what the future will bring, but I know that I am capable of anything I need to do and I am happy in myself. 

I started a second job in January of 2010.  It was a huge change for me and a really big learning experience.  It was hard to let go of the routine I had working on my own business, but I love the freedom I feel in helping my brother realize his business goals.

I am very happy in my work here with Artisan Clay.  I feel really really good about how things are going.  I am so thankful for every one of you who has helped encourage me in my work.  Your kind words mean so much to me.   I love the people I have "met" here and I wish I had the time to blog everyday and keep up with all of you.  As it is now I usually steal a few minutes late at night and read up on a few blogs each week.  This is such a wonderful community.  Of course I also love seeing the beads I make finding their way into happy homes.  

I feel that I made a really big improvement in my outlook this year.  I feel like I have been able to let go of "ego" a bit.  I have been able to change my perception of the world and people in it and improve my well being.  That's huge!  I mean really!   My outlook is so much better. 

Anyway... that's some personal stuff,    yeeeesh.  I hope it's OK to vent.    I thank you for your support this past year, and I am very excited for the future.

Christmas Workshop --finished pieces

I took a quick shot of Beth's worry jar for her Nana before she came and picked it up last week.

And I glazed my pot brown and acorny.  Having shared our in progress photos, I really wanted to show the finished pots here.

My darling Sonya's work from this firing.  The top left piece was made with a stamp that I picked up from Kelly aka Silver Parrot.

A local potter friend contacted me for 2 necklaces in this style a few days before Christmas.  The one on the left remains.  I am glad... because I have only made the one in that style and I would like to make another.

And I whipped this necklace up at the very last minute for a customer and mailed it out ASAP.

The year of the bean

yes, bean

I'm into it.  It'll be good for me. 

I've even had a dream recently that I was sewing mung beans in the garden, even while realizing that the worst of the winter was still to come.  A sleeping powerhouse.... sprouting life.

  

It's a slow food.  Planning and soaking, I'm going to have to figure out some tricks.  I have been bean curious for a few years now, always asking folks if they have any favorite legume recipes.  No one really tells me any.... I don't think many people really eat beans around here.

yep, I'm into it.  It will be good for me.  

Heck yeah!  I'm a rebel!

I've Been Revealed!!!!

It's me!!!  I'm the very last stop! 
The kiln is firing and I'm super excited to see 1) what's inside and 2) What I have to add!
Check it out!
http://thebestlittlebeadbox.blogspot.com/2010/12/week-twelve-kristie-roeder.html

A Christmas Workshop

Last week my friend Beth clued me in on her great Christmas gift idea for her Nana.  She wanted to make a "worry jar" for her...and maybe I could help.   I think that is the perfect gift for Nana.

Here's Beth!  She hasn't made anything in clay since 7th grade when Ivan Belac, a blind potter, came into art class and helped everyone make a pot!  Truth!  Ivan Belac coming into art class in 7th grade is legendary--- he came to so many years of art classes.  Beth's older sister, Debra, myself and Beth span @10 years of art classes at my guess.    That brought back memories.  I think my clay future was carved in Mrs. Barnacks art class.  I used to convince other kids to let me wedge their clay for them.

Here is Beth's work!  Nana's worry jar!  with buttons! 

Here is mine.  We used Sandi Pierantozzi's method--- seen in this video-- http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/handbuilding-techniques/handbuilding-video-how-to-make-a-textured-tripod-pot-with-soft-slabs/#comment-5763
Sandi has done workshops with my potter's group, but I never made it to the workshops. This video crossed my path right after Beth's request and I thought it a perfect fit for her worry jar idea. 

I also tried to make a planter for my brother.... I don't know if it is going to work.  He said he saw a narrow linear planter for planting grass... for on your desk.  He said this way back in June or July.   So here it is.  I gave it a try.  We'll see how I feel about it when it is finished and how I feel about looking at it every day while at the office.  The growing grass is supposed to be calming.  I'm thinking Chia pet  ;-)   Beth says it should be made into a Dachshund shaped planter....  I don't know how to attach a head, and I suspect that would loose the Zen effect....