a first-timers stone sale

For those of you that have not yet been able to purchase a stone from me, I'm offering a "First Timers" grab bag in my shop.

You won't be able to pick a specific stone at this sale but hopefully you're the type of person that likes a little surprise in the mailbox.

I'm asking that you only purchase one, and again, that only those that haven't purchased a stone from me yet get one of these.

Thank you all for your kind support. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Empty Bowls in Brainerd MN Oct 18, 2014

One of the things I've been working on at my day job at The Crossing Arts Alliance has been putting together our very first Empty Bowls project.  For someone who is slightly obsessed with handmade pottery, I have pretty much been like a kid in a candy store this week while the bowls are rolling in.

For those that aren't familiar, Empty Bowls is a national project that works to raise awareness of food insecurity and provides a grass-roots way to earn money for those groups who are combatting said food insecurity.

So here's how it works.  Our potters, including some from two area high schools, have donated their time to make 500 bowls.  We've solicited donations of soup and bread from area restaurants and food vendors.  For a $20 donation at the door, attendees are treated to a simple meal of soup and bread and get to take home a handmade bowl of their choosing, as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

Coolest part...because of our generous supporters, we are able to donate ALL of the proceeds to our local soup kitchen, Sharing Bread.  If we sell all 500 bowls, we will raise $10,000!  That translates to 5,000 meals for hungry community members.  Our soup kitchen serves roughly 65-85 people daily so that will make a big difference. (have I mentioned that I love my job?)

bowls by Haddie Hadachek of Black Bear Pottery

detail of bowl by Midori Marcum

bowls by Midori Marcum

bowls by Cyrus Swann

bowls by Tim Nelson

platter by Haddie Hadachek

As a thank you to our generous potters we're also having a clay exhibit, The Language of Clay, featuring their work.  The show opens this Friday. I can hardly wait. Though I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a day (or two) of rest after all of this is over.

If you find yourself in the area, Empty Bowls is this Saturday from 11am to 2pm in the lower gym at the Franklin Arts Center, 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd, MN 56401.

First come, first served.

$20 per person

Oh, and did I mention the soups?  Chicken Artichoke Brie, Garlic Basil Tomato, Chicken Dumpling... yes indeed, this will be a good day.

Hope to see my local friends there!

wow! Thanks!

A huge thank you to all of you who shopped with me yesterday, spread the word, or just had a look.  All of the new stones are on their way to new homes.

They're all boxed up and ready to go but since today is a mail holiday they won't fly off until tomorrow.

To those of you who have waited so patiently but haven't yet gotten a stone, I'm working on something just for you.

The next two weeks are going to be beyond busy with work and family but after that I hope to have some stones just for those that haven't gotten one yet.

Sincere thanks to all of you for appreciating what I do.
It means so much.

Have a lovely Monday.

shop update today at noon

These stones, and plenty more, will be available in my shop today at noon, Central time.

I'd be so thankful if you would have a look or spread the word.

Thanks! Have a lovely Sunday.

a big batch o' stones

All set for this Sunday's shop update. I hope to get them loaded into the shop for a preview on Saturday night and then they'll "go live" Sunday at noon, central time.

Hope you have a great weekend, all.  Happy Friday!

mushrooms in a tree

Those of you who have read my blog for a while may remember that I felted a mushroom into a tree a few years back.  I was thinking of that mushroom when I was out walking this morning. The empty knot in that tree seemed lonely.  Then I remembered that I had a few mushrooms in my workspace that weren't doing anything so when I got back to the house I gathered my things and headed out.

And here we are, a cozy trio tucked in the knot along with a maple leaf with a heart in it.  

It will be interesting to see how long they last.

I'll keep you posted.

wordless wednesday

the ducks picked and the winner is...

Congrats, Melissa! I'll get the Behind the Bricks book out to you shortly.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on this very important project.

almost there

I added a few new stones to the growing pile on my worktable.

I'm planning on putting these in my shop next weekend, Sunday Oct. 12 at noon, Central Time.

There will be stones in many sizes and it's my hope that everyone who has wanted one will be able to get one.

Thank you to all of you who "get" and appreciate my work.  Your kind words and support have meant so much.

Have a great start to the week.

ah, the weekend

Wanna guess what I plan to do this weekend?

:)

more from Beyond the Bricks and a giveaway

A few more images from the Beyond the Bricks exhibit.  Each of the visual art pieces here are made by the jail artists with literary work by community artists.  Something we noticed was that the visual art tended to be a little more uplifting whereas the jail writing pieces were a little more raw.

Since sharp tools like scissors or wire or even pencils with attached erasers are not allowed in the jail  our instructors had to pre-cut pieces for collage and weaving.  Inmates drew will small golf pencils and occasionally erased using the bottoms of their shoes.  Necessity is the mother of invention, no?

You can click on the photos below to get a closer look.

This companion artist took a different approach.  She made an art collage that complimented her companion artist's collage rather than create a literary piece. Inmate artist piece is on the right.

As I mentioned in my other post, we had a book published that contains the work of the inmate artists.  I have one I'd like to offer as a giveaway.  All you need to do is leave a comment below, with a thought about this project.

This giveaway is now closed.

A winner will be drawn at random by one of the ducks next Tuesday, Oct. 7th and announced on Wed.

If you'd like a copy of your own they are for sale on Amazon, HERE.

Thank you all!

a mushroom...cap

My friend Joanie who owns the yarn shop in the building I work in asked me to do a little decoration for one of the hats she had knitted and felted.  I picked out this lovely heather grey/brown derby, knowing just what I'd put on it. 

A mushroom cap it became with two little needle-felted toadstools, leaves, and sprouts sewn securely on.

It's a touch too small for me otherwise I might be tempted to keep it, but I think it will either end up in her shop or mine soon.

I might have to ask her to make one in my size...

Happy day, everyone.