I’m offering two dates for this workshop over the summer. I’m hopeful one of them will work around vacation schedules! We’ll spend a fast paced hands-on two hours getting to know your SLR. Bring your manual, come with questions. We’ll spend the first hour talking about that little dial on top and what the different settings do. You’ll also get a crash course on exposure. We’ll spend the second hour putting everything into practice. I received wonderful feedback from my workshop debut in February. I love teaching and inspiring and equipping creatives – there’s nothing more rewarding than watching the light-bulb moments! Choose from one of these dates ::

I had hoped to have this update in place well in advance of Mother’s Day so you could gift these beautiful items to your mama … but … my role as mama took over … I got behind … better late than never!

Anyway, the shop is back in business and chock full of sweet goodies! A couple of new pendants, a single charm bracelet (hand painted), one piece of original art, leather bohemian style bracelets with a lace imprinted ring I made out of clay (and incidentally would look awesome with a few layers of other simple beaded bracelets – ran out of time to make those!), henna inspired porcelain pieces, and my favorite … several tea-towels that I hand painted … a few with my own hand carved stamps and others with beautiful wood block stamps!! They turned out so cute. I love all of them!

Go see!! There’re all there in the shop!  Even if it’s too late for Mother’s Day, many of these items would be awesome teacher gifts as well! Just 5 weeks left of school!! Yikes!

You know how you dream of doing something that eludes you for many many years until you finally either give yourself permission to do it or things just come together and it happens? Well, ever since high school, I’ve wanted to “be a potter.” I wanted to build beautiful functional utilitarian pottery. Big bowls, little bowls, plates, cups, mugs. I especially love the pieces that are not quite perfect …  a little wonky … organic. To play with clay is a nagging that has not gone away. Over the years I glance through the continuing education catalogues, always checking out the ceramics classes … writing it off due to lack of resources or practicality or timing. Well … I decided this year … it was time to dabble. I gave myself permission about a month ago. I chose a handbuilding class first thinking that if it was something I loved I could do it from home without a wheel … at least for now. Well, I do love it – so much that I purchased my own clay to work with at home. I don’t even need a kiln because the local art center will fire it for me for a small fee. I have dreams of a studio one day … a corner for clay, a corner for photography, and a corner for workshops and random projects. Until then … my kitchen table will do. I am loving my clay class. It’s so therapeutic, relaxing, and I love the utilitarian aspect of what is being made. I have so many ideas of what I want to share with you, but for now … I’m getting familiar with my clay. Basking in the moment of finally getting my hands messy with the creamy molding of a lump into a finished piece. I’ll show this one to you after it’s fired and glazed!! It started out as a mug … but clearly it’s much too big so it will be a shorter vase. I’m learning … and can’t wait to share my pieces with you!!

Go to the shop and check them out!