NEW Fluer de lis garden designs!

I spent my Saturday morning working on some *NEW* Fluer de lis designs for the garden! No photos because I didn't have any memory left on my camera phone. They should be done and up in my Etsy shop in a few weeks, just in time for Father's Day!
I'm excited to see how they turn out! I'll post some pics after they're fired up!
Enjoy your long weekend!
Cheers, Chrissy Ann

What a treat! Etsy front page!

What a treat after a lovely day at the beach!
Yeah summertime!!!

Garden is growing!!!

Yeah~ our lettuce is looking scrumptious and ready to be made into a fab dinner salad! Mmmm... I love growing our own organic veggies in our container garden! Last year we had lots of luck growing lettuce, basil, scallions, broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs! This year we're going to go a little smaller. So far we only have lettuce, basil, rosemary, parsley, dill, oregano, and chives. This weekend I'll probably plant some tomatoes!

Happy gardening~

A Sunday in the sun~

Spent my Sunday outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather and took a break from everything for the day. I had a great relaxing day with my family, and then alone in the gardens poking around for some cool finds. I love this time of year when mysterious growths from the ground start emerging, and beautiful blooms start to blossom. It always inspires my in an unexpected way and my work in the studio begins to change.

This year I cut down a bit on my show circuit. I will be attending a few big shows, but decided not to book every weekend throughout the summer as I usually do. You will be seeing me at some of the local farmers markets though. The overhead is smaller, and I can test out some of my experimental pieces I've been playing around with at the studio. No pressure to make a certain amount in sales to cover cost and travel. I am loving the freedom this decision has given me cutting back on production type work and creating more one of a kinds!

So, at the moment, I am collecting photos from the gardens I have been visiting, and sitting with the blooms for a sketch session in the sun.

Here are some photos from an amazing rhododendron plant my parents have been growing for about 18 years. I never cared for rhododendron plants, but I've found a new appreciation for them. It seems every year I adopt a new flower to love that I hadn't appreciated in the past. Last year it was the daffodil.

Check out more pics on my flickr here.

So back to work at the studio I go. I'm excited to see what is made!

Enjoy your Monday! xo

Done... (I think)

So here is vessel #2.. I'm not sure if it is done or not. I intended on making it about 6 inches taller & tapered back in, but I sort of like it where its at now. Here are more pics on my flickr~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrissyannceramics

What do you think? Done? Yes or No???

Hope you're having a good weekend! xo

Beginning a new vessel

Here's a peek at a vessel I began last night after work. I found a great new way to relax and unwind after a long day of waitressing.. coiling!!!

I had a nice glass of red, mixed up some great tunes, lit up a sage and lemongrass candle, and let go. It was awesome! I had plans of finishing up this morning.. but I was up all night with a sick pup. : ( She is feeling better now thank goodness.. so I will play it by ear. Its almost at the 1/2 way point.. I need to exagerate the belly a bit more, then start tapering in and bring it up about 8 inches.

Did I mention how happy I am to have my extruder back?!

Happy Friday!

xo, Chrissy

Just another day in my clay studio

I let myself have fun at the studio today.. I made whatever I felt like on whim.. No direction, just fun! I am just so happy my extruder is up & working!!! Here's a peek at my studio today.

New Spring goodies in my Etsy shop!

NEW goodies in my Etsy shop. Playful spring colors and forms. Check them out here in my shop.

Started to sketch a bit..

I got my extruder up and working again after say a year or two of neglect, and I am happy to say I've found a little inspiration to start sculpting again. For the past few years I've been making nothing but functional pottery to sell at markets and online in my Etsy shop, but now its time for fun! During my undergrad, I made nothing but sculpture. I was sort of turned off to the idea of "craft" and "function." I was a "fine art" artist. haha.. Now eight years later, I'm on the opposite end of the stick and loving it!!!

So here's a peek at some quick sketches I drew out on some paper stretched out on the floor at my studio while listening to the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. (listen to a lovely track here) I was sort of inspired by this HUGE hosta plant I walk by everyday, and other forms I've been watching grow. I love spring and all the suprises that pop out of the earth!

I'll keep you posted with any exciting goodies!

Here's a peek at some of the sculpture I made during my undergrad. Here is one and another.

Tell me what you think!

Have a great week! Cheers, Chrissy xo

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoying my morning coffee in the breezeway today, watching the rain and the birds. Sometimes, I just love a rainy Saturday morning. I'll be hitting the studio nice and early to finish up some wall pieces I've been working on. *Fingers crossed* all will work out!

Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Mother's Day to all you mommy's out there! xo

I walked my first labyrinth

I walked my first labyrinth this week at Heritage Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts. I had read in passing about walking meditation practices on labyrinths, and always found them interesting but never had the experience. I was excited to see they had one in the midst of their gardens while breezing through their map.

The experience that brings you inwards has something to do with the path you walk. The repetitive walking in circles brings you to your center somehow. The path unexpectedly turns you around and the route is not what you had originally expected. It slows you down, and sort of brings you within yourself and to your breathing, and then some how you can hear your inner self very clearly. It brings you into check, and you leave it feeling grounded and relaxed. It is an amazing thing.

I definitely recommend trying one if you have one in your area. Apparently there are a few around us, so the bf & myself will be trying another one soon! More pics on my flickr here

Happy Monday! xo