Tag: ceramic

Good things happen in threes…

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Well, I am back. Back to the blog. Back to the studio after teaching for the summer. Back from vacation. And I am happy to get to work on a few things that have come my way…

The first is this little gem. It is an enameled bezel by C-Koop Beads. Lorelei – bead blogger extraordinaire, is hosting a challenge/ blog hop. I was thrilled to be pulled out of the proverbial hat as a participant. The real challenge for me is what to do that leaves that gorgeous enamel color visible. I do many bezels – collaged, with resin, found objects, and the like. But this one I need to fill, and yet not fill… Hmm. The reveal will be here on August 27th, so stay tuned! ( The list of all participants, and their log links will be on Lorelei’s blog that day.) 

enamel bezel

Then there is Bead Soup. The Bead Soup Blog Party to be exact. I have wanted to be a part of this for years, and never knew who? how? where? when? This year I heard the siren song in time. The tireless Lori Anderson has matched up all 350+ participants by hand. No random generator, there! A true labor of love. I mailed my package today to my partner. Here is a sneak peak…

bead soup

soup package

That little treasure box is headed to California into the hands of Jelveh J. She is a lampwork bead artist and I cant wait to see what treasures she sends me to work with! Once they arrive, I will detail the beads, and my process, my ideas, and my methods. There will be a focal, a clasp, coordinating beads, inspiration. Sweet! Here is a pix of Jelveh’s work from her site: 

Jelveh's beads

See what I mean? Eagerly awaiting that box! The big reveal will be September 17th. I will post my creations here, but the list of ALL the participants can be found at Lori’s blog – Pretty Things. 

This weekend is Beadfest in Philadelphia. I have to say – I usually dont go, and my wallet thanks me. But this year, I am participating in a swap! Yes, another swap! Purely for the love of beads this time. Diana of Suburban Girl Studio organized the group of us. Swap, meet and hang out, dinner… What a great way to end a day of bead orgy – I mean shopping. My partner is Meredith Arnold – who will be teaching, so I can pop into her classroom and see her students polymer creations. Looking forward to meeting many of the bead blog friends. 

 

Last but not least – I had work featured on the Faux Bone blog. Thrilled! I am experimenting recently with Faux Bone and I am really liking it. Looking forward to taking a class with Robert Dancik (he developed the material) at ArtBliss in Sept. Now if I can just get her finished so I can wear her Saturday to Beadfest…

FB goddess

 

 

The goddess and the lunar hare

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Faux Bone – just what the name implies, a relatively new material, related to PVA plastic, yet non toxic and high quality. It was launched on the market by Robert Dancik, and I have had it on the workbench for months! Wanting to try shaping, sanding, carving, impressing, staining… this versatile material. So here is the first attempt: 

Faux bone goddess

The ceramic oval on the left is my goddess/poppet. To me She is the self, the soul, the creative muse, the feminine divine. Her shape is inspired by Cycladic idols and other ancient sculpture. I wanted to see her in faux ivory of a sort. The copper acts as a structural base for the piece, the dark rich patina of the copper setting off the subtle tones in the FB. From a design sense it serves as a halo, and allows holes at hands (for attachment to a necklace) and feet ( gemstone dangle, of course!)

Cycladic idol  Nile Goddess (Left: Cycladic Idol, app. 2500 BCE. Right: Nile Goddess, app 3500 BCE)

I was happy with how she turned out, although I am still considering giving her breasts… I turned my focus next to me second favorite of my ceramic pendants – the lunar hare. The  hare is a bit of a totem animal for me, and I am greatly inspired by the many myths of the moon hare. From so many cultures, so diverse, yet illustrating a commonality…

Lunar hare

The crescent on the right – is polymer clay. I was baking some other pieces for the Blue Hen and I made a few crescents to test. While i like the sculptural possibilities – this one is too bulky. I think Faux bone will work best here, too. Other things in progress: 

Copper and nickel silver windows/ frames. Images are sandwiched under mica, tube rivets, stamped words… This was a direct inspiration from Melissa Manley – and although she wasn’t the first to ever use this technique – it is only proper, and respectful to give credit. (Her work is amazing, and I am happy to have studied with her, and to call her a friend. ) The piece on the far left: “Such stuff as dreams are made on…” quoted from “The Tempest” – houses an image of Miranda from a painting by my favorite, John Williams Waterhouse. 

copper frames pendants

The piece on the right is a bit different. It is carved wood, housing a collage. The collage is set in a plastic lens and resin. The front image is an Irish stamp, copper, and the word ‘Journey’. The back: 

MM bird back

It is an idea I am experimenting with – crating sculptural frames for collage/lens. My text, as always, is from 200+ year old books. It is a meditation of sorts, to thumb through the yellowing pages, eyes flitting and darting, until the right words present themselves to me. Words I would not have chosen; phrases I would not have composed…

I would love to hear your thoughts, out there in the ether. Do you have a personal talisman? A totem animal? 

 

Plethora of Pretties! Veritable treasure trove…

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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. 

 

We have a winner!

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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!

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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. 

Plate o pendants

plate detail

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

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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!

 

A to Z: bevel

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(A note: When I started the A to Z series at the beginning of the year, I planned to do these themed entries every Friday. Long story short, I missed a Friday out sick, and threw out that schedule. There will be an alphabet entry each week. But that looser schedule makes me feel freer to write as I am inspired, and when I am inspired – I write a better entry! So stay tuned. I am excited about my A to Z list!) 

B is for BEVEL.  

a : the angle that one surface or line makes with another when they are not at right angles b : the slant of such a surface or line

Please allow me to introduce you to an all-star tool, a favorite in the tool box – the treasured bevel tool!

bevel tool 

These are hand made by Bob Carver – yes, that is his real name… It’s made of exotic hardwoods, from managed growth forests. I think mine is made of Bubinga. He made the first ones for Lana Wilson – ceramic artist and shrine builder, and an idol of mine… I had the good fortune of studying with her at Penland a couple of years ago. An amazing experience, like no other…

I used to make my slab constructed shrines with regular corners, slab meeting edge; a butt joint. Then the corners would have to be smoothed or pared down after the fact. The beveled corners are smooth, sleek and clean. Since Penland I have been incorporating more texture on the surfaces of my shrines. The beveled corner means the textures arent altered or distorted when I put the sides together. So wonderful, and its a gorgeous tool, to boot. A pleasure to use. 

Here is the process simplified: 

slabs cut

Slabs are cut from leather hard clay. 

cutting bevel

Cutting the bevel edge on a side wall. 

score and slip

With the pin end of the tool – scoring and slipping. Scoring the surface – roughing it up. Slip – a clay and water paste, which acts as a “glue”. 

interior construction

The trimmings from the edge are the perfect size and shape to fill in and reinforce interior seams!

interior complete

The piece – assembled. From here there is carving and/or distressing the surface, drying, firing… Many steps still to go. Dont worry – I will show you more along the way. 

 

I heart…

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Just a simple post today…

latte heart

A gorgeous latte, a worn wooden table, a seat in the sun at the local coffee shop, friends…

hearts glaze

an afternoon in the studio, colorful underglaze, unlimited potential…

 

And one more shot – sans Instragram filters… I do heart the Instagram app as well – 

many hearts

Big focal hearts, milagro hearts, small hearts… Missing from the pix are the paired earring hearts. Into the kiln today. Firing either today or tomorrow. More pix soon!

 

The fire is SO delightful…

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The weather outside IS frightful – in the 30’s with wind chills in the teens at certain parts of the day. Blustery, breath-stealing wind gusts. And today – the fire was so delightful: 

kiln burner

Kiln

 

And to finish the song reference – Let is snow, Let it snow, Let it snow…

Now this kiln load is eagerly anticipated. (SPOILER ALERT if you are my sibling, or in-law!) I have many gifts inside, firing away to the neighborhood of 2400 degrees. I wont go into more detail, as I know some of my siblings read my blog. ( As well they should, ahem.) Since FaerieCOn, all thoughts have been geared toward the holidays. J and I are heading west, to Austin for the family festivities. We are driving – who doesnt love a road trip? And I can pack anything I want! since I dont have shipping concerns or airline restrictions. That helped inspire my gift-giving and gift-making this year! Now you get a sense why I havent posted too much lately? 

One thing I do want to share with you out there…

The Ceramics studio where I work and teach has an annual pottery sale. It is a diverse offering, featuring the work of novices, hobbists, experienced craftsepople and talented artists. ( I know that categorization treads on dangerous ground. Art vs. craft? What makes someone an artist?  Yadda Yadda Yadda. Thats another blog post, or a whole series.) There will be functional pottery, sculptural pottery, fused glass, jewelry, perhaps some fiber art. Diverse offerings, indeed. If you are in the area – please stop by: Monday to Wednesday, Dec 13-15 10am to 8pm, and Thursday, Dec 16, 10 am to 5 pm. It’s at the Art Studio, Ab Jones Bldg, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington DE 19804.

earrings in progress

packaging

These earrings are brand new, never before seen wee ceramic charms, with gemstones. The necklaces are simple, everyday pieces. Pendants and stones, as well. These will end up on Etsy sooner or later, if not this batch , then the next. They are fun to do…

This Sunday I also put together a box-o-treasures – ceramic pendants, that is…for the Shepherdess. I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of “Twas the Art before Christmas” open house/trunk show event this Friday. So if San Diego is where you call home – check it out. I am in amazing company there…


All in a day’s work

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Tuesday – yes, its Thursday as I post this… but Tuesday was one of those blissful days where I was in the stydio all day. Actually hopping back and forth between my 2 home studio spaces. There were no vet appointments for furry kids, no classes to teach, groceries were already in house…no meetings to attend. It was such a pleasing and productive day, I tell myself to schedule more of them into future weeks!

2 loop pendants           glaze shards

I spent some time making two loop pendants for a commission, and new necklaces ideas percolating in my head. And took glaze breaks in between to glaze new smaller ceramic components. I pressed some tiles – dryads, owls, Celtic dieties… (pix soon.)

 

And I spent a good bit of time in the upstairs mixed media studio. I am pairing words stamped in copper with my ceramic pendants. Take a look:

 MM pendants

And a few extra stamped words for future mixed media adornments… Now, to patina!

*The rest of a week was a blur of errands, classes, meetings… Here’s to a more productive week next week! *