What a hand I have been dealt…

June 20, 20111 Comment

deck aces

You can see they are not your ordinary deck of playing cards. Aren’t they exquisite? A friend at the ceramics studio brought them in to show me. She purchased them in Russia, maybe 25-30 years ago. The suits are the four seasons, and they look so – regal? unique? archaic?

clubs

hearts

diamonds

spades

Chalices! Suns! Ravens! Wheat! Snowflakes – how very Dr. Zhivago… How thrilled was I when Ann GAVE me the deck! I may have squealed with excitement. The originals I will keep intact. I plan to use them in collages – color copies for image transfers. And perhaps reduced in size – resin pendants? Yes, please!

I am currently working each day at my annual ceramics summer camp. Today was the first day – and i am trying to get back into the swing of everything. Blogging, listing on Etsy… I apparently needed to check out for a bit there over the last few weeks. But I am fine, here, busy, and have a lot going on! I will keep you posted – here, FB, Twitter. Care to follow along? Please do! Wait til you see what other treasure I just got – for free! It has enough materials to keep me busy for years! Curious? Come back tomorrow!

More give away madness!

May 26, 2011Leave a comment

My last post – a give away I was involved in. This post – a give away I would truly like to win! Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire – enamels beads using a lampworkers torch – with gorgeous results. As you know, I have been doing more enameling lately. (Thanks to Melissa Manley!) And while I havent enameled beads, having the other kind of torch – they are beauties!

And Barbara’s new book will be out soon!The giveaway is pictured on her blog – and you get to select the color. Hmm…

Painting with Fire

I sure do like that chartreuse!

Happy Blogging, more later. I have been a bit silent, yet have stored up things to say. Soon, promise!

Plethora of Pretties! Veritable treasure trove…

May 19, 2011Leave a comment

Did that pique your interest? I thought it might. So, many of you know – and if you don’t – be prepared. About to toot my own horn… Recently I had the honor and privilege of being included in the Interweave Press annual publication: BEADS 2011. (They are the people behind the magazines: Beadwork, Stringing, Wire Jewelry, Handcrafted Jewelry… You know. Those magazines!)

Beads2011

(That is my ceramic butterfly focal right there on the cover.)

This month – in connection with the release of this treasure trove of creative goodness – Art Bead Scene blog is hosting a give away. It is the mother of all give aways. You look at the pictures and think surely this is multiple prizes. But no. Its all one humongous uber prize. Take a look for yourself, see what I mean…

So why havent you entered yet? Get right on that! Leave a comment. No harm, and you might win!!! Sigh. Jealous. I am not eligible… since I am a contributor.

beads 2011 detail

From the left: Polymer bezel charms by Tresori Trovati, Ceramic hearts from Gaea, and ceramic components by – me!

On a serious note – I am thrilled to be amongst these fellow artists and artisans. They are people whose work I have admired, and I am thrilled to start out with my ceramic components in such good company.

Meditation, music, and mayhem?

May 16, 20112 Comments

fairy door with dahlias Taking a break from gardening – hoping to finish mulching the newly planted little floral offerings before the inevitable rain. I wanted to update you readers out there about a few upcoming events.

Meditation:

ceramic labyrinths

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? If not – please do! No matter what your religious or spiritual bent, it is a wonderful active/walking meditation. My first experience was very profound, and I have a meaningful experience every time. The process leads you inwards, to your center… one one path, your path to the center and then guides your steps back out into the world. ( Try the Labyrinth locator to find one near you…) Later this month I will be partnering up with Carol Maurer to teach a ceramic finger labyrinth class. Held at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington – we will meet first to create, and 2 weeks later for a social gathering to walk the labyrinth and collect our finished pieces. The facts: May 31st and June 14th. 7 – 9pm. $65. To register: email – spiritedplay(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Music: The 22nd Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival is fast approaching!

Appel Farm

I will be there with tiles – new mermaids! Earrings – all new designs! Shrines, pendants, clay offerings galore! Its exciting to me when I can bring sculpture/ceramics AND jewelry! Hurrah!

earrings!

And if you are going to be in Lewes over Fourth of July weekend – make sure to mark your calendar –St. Peter’s 45th Annual Fine Art Show, on July 2nd. Should be a great day! And where is the mayhem, you ask? Isn’t there a little mayhem everywhere to keep things interesting?

Wednesday – Work in Progress

May 11, 2011Leave a comment

Just a quick update – what is actually happening this week? Some people blog a Wordless Wednesday – here is a Work-in-progress Wednesday. I try to be in the ceramics studio on Mondays and Wednesdays. I work at home the other days – on everything from mixed media, glazing, jewelry…

So here is the clay in progress:

Celtic flora tiles

Here are the initial sculpted pieces – a set of tiles depicting the four Celtic plants. (Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock, Tudor rose, and Welsh daffodil.) They are rough at this stage, and obviously one tile short. When the clay is a bit dryer and firmer, I will carve in details and neaten everything up in general. The shamrock is tough, it is such a simple plant, I may take out the four leaf and enlarge it even more. They are 5″ square, and will be ready for fall shows.

Yesterday was a glazing day. I moved things up to a temporary spot in the dining room; it was too lovely a day to be in the basement for hours. (Now when it gets hot – I love the basement!)

goddess pendants

From an Indian goddess icon, these are half way there. The color to bring out the details and a transparent glaze will be applied over that.

Plate-o-pendants

I wish I could say I got all these done! – but they are also awaiting their clear transparent coat of glaze…

Milagro pendant WIP

These milagro eyes are my current favorite. I have a finished one I wear almost every day… 😉

But there is more to be done: the chipmunks for Robert, the buttons for Noelle, and the molds for Cooky… and that glazing to finish. Back to work. Maybe I will load the kiln before dinner…

Catching up… and creative undertakings

May 9, 2011Leave a comment

Where did last week go? I lost a few days in a pollen induced haze of headaches and general lethargy. It is amazing how fantastic “Normal” feels after running on depleted energy stores. SO last week- no posts. Oops.

This week – there is a lot going on. Meeting today with the amazing M. Carol Mauer to finalize our plans for a ceramic finger labyrinth class. Should be wonderful. More on that ASAP. (It will be soon, in Wilmington, DE)

Last week recieved the foundation for a fantastic journey that I will be undertaking over the next year.

Sketchbook

The Sketchbook Project – artists from around the world sent a slim paperback sketchbook. Choose a theme, and create! The completed books will be exhibited in Brooklyn, San Francisco, Austin, among others – with corresponding exhibits overseas in Melbourne and London! At the exhibits the books are out to be seen, read, examined. All of them. I am thrilled. I selected “Encyclopedia of…” as my theme. I am thinking Goddesses – of course! I am glad they are coming to Philly so I can see the show – and hopefully my sister will see it in Austin! I need to get planning… Perhaps an A to Z of goddesses… There is still time to sign up if you are interested.

And glazing. And weeding. And enameling. Let me post this now, and i will tell you more later – promise!

A to Z: F is for flowers, foliage, friends

April 28, 2011Leave a comment

Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. Georgia O’Keeffe

Yesterday – we made the time. We had been talking about going to Longwood Gardens and sketching since we met – years ago. So we took the time. friends together, to stop and see, and smell the flowers.

planter

foxglove

flower walk

flower walk 2

whisper bench

ferns

hydrangea

orchids

friends

We have a winner!

April 26, 2011Leave a comment

Well, I counted. And I counted again to be sure. There were 234 pendants on that plate! And that was from 1 firing. I am itching to get back into the studio to make more! When what I should be doing is settling in for a long Etsy listing session.

The closest guess: Jennifer Boni Ayres guessed 218. Congrats Jen!

pick a winner

winner

And our random winner: Heather Moose!I find it ironic, yet fitting – that both winners are my former students! Isnt that the joy of social networking; that you can keep up with people that otherwise you would have lost? These two were both Ceramics students – now married, successful… Maybe I have pictures of their work somewhere? I will look… I can clearly remember projects they did: Jen’s Emily Dickenson bowl, Heather’s Homage to Keith Haring…

On to the prizes: Here are the more detailed pictures of colors. If my winners would select a color – I will surprise them with the rest.

1. Grey

grey

2. Celadon

celadon

3. Cobalt blue

cobalt

4. Olive green

olive

5. Bamboo ( Hey that’s what it’s called…)

bamboo

6. Clear – with underglazes. These are from assorted stamps: Medusa, bat, Tarot cards…

tarot

This was rather fun. Perhaps I will do another give away and contest over the summer! Stay tuned…

A contest – and a give-away!

April 22, 20115 Comments

This week I had many pendants in the kiln. Not a few, but an entire shelf. This is precious territory, here. The stars were all aligned: there was enough ware glazed to fill the gas kiln at the studio; there were enough shelves for me to commandeer one for my pieces; I was there to load said pieces; I had enough pieces ready and waiting to be fired. To celebrate this huge pile of beady goodness – and the recent publication of my work in Beads 2011 – lets have a contest!

You have two chances to win:

1. Guess how many pendants/charms are on this plate. It is a standard dinner sized paper plate.

2. Be the lucky name drawn from the proverbial hat!

Winners – I will pick two winners – one who has guessed the number closest to the actual number of pendants. ( I still haven’t counted yet!) and another name chosen from the entries at random. I will count the pendants and draw winners Monday April 25th. The winners will receive either 2 pendants for use in their jewelry creations OR 1 pendant with a gemstone dangle, on silk cord, ready to wear. Winner will get to select color scheme from a detailed photo posted Monday; I will surprise you with the design/motif.

Feel free to repost this, share on Facebook; or reTweet. Sorry it wont get you any extra chances to win. Just share if you feel like sharing the love. People I havent met personally are invited to enter here, or on my FB business page: The Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor. ( All entries go into 1 pool: Twitter, FB, FB biz, blog all together now.)

I have to say, its all rather intriguing – as I have no idea how many are piled there, either! Happy guessing!

A to Z: E is for Excited! Ecstatic!…and Etsy

April 19, 20112 Comments

We went to Barnes and Noble last night, as we often do, for a coffee, relax, browse a little… There is was. I had seen a copy but it was exciting to see it for real out on the newsstand.

newstand

That little yellow butterfly in the center – mine! I had submitted a variety of pieces in January, and received word that pieces were selected. Needless to say I am very excited.

And a little frazzled – to be honest. Are there any components for sale in my Etsy shop? Did I list any after finding out I had been selected – so they would be ready to sell in April at the release of the publication? You can guess the answer. I had it on my to-do list, but it always seemd like there was enough time, do it later…

My view today:

desk view

I am listing items on Etsy. It is my job.

Lunar hare

I get giddy with excitement when I look at that picture of my Lunar hare pendant larger than life!

mag page

Those are also my pieces at #1 on this page. A hi fired stoneware textured heart and an earthenware pendant/charm. Yesterday I loaded a whole small shelf into the reduction glaze kiln at the studio. I didnt count the pendants 100? More? (cue evil laughter) I cant wait til Thursday! More pictures then, I promise!

For now – back to listing on Etsy!

Jenny Davies-Reazor

artist, teacher

Category: Uncategorized