I thought I would check in and say hello while I have a minute before bed. Its been quite the busy week getting back to work, and that last push before this weekend's New Bedford Open Studios event. *Fingers crossed* for good weather.. but not too good that will send people to the beach. We want cozy fall weather that is perfect for checking out some art studios!!!

Here's a peek as to what you'll find if you decide to come out and visit, and I hope you do!!!












For more information about the event and other participating artists, check out www.newbedfordopenstudios.org

Please Vote for me!

Hi all..
I am featured in this lovely blog~ linorstorecom.blogspot.com and would LOVE it if you could vote for my Petal Plates!
Thanks a bunch! xoxo

Another Motivational Monday Interview!

It's Monday...and EVERYONE needs a little extra Motivation on Monday right?! Well, here you go! Here is a fabulous Etsy artist interview that will motivate you to get off your computer and into that studio and work today!

This week's featured Etsy artist is from Crafty Willows,
And here is what she told us about her business~


What is the name of your shop & where are you from?
My etsy shop is called CraftyWillows and I am from Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Please describe what is it that you make, and how long have you been making your handmade goodies for?
I primarily create wire wrapped pendants and necklaces as well as earrings and a few rings. I have been making wire jewelry since May 2010, but I have been making beaded jewelry for a lot longer. Additionally, my mother and I have collaborated to produce tatted earrings as well. She has been tatting for around 35 years and wanted to help create something new.



What inspired you to begin making your jewelry?
Well, I have been crafting for a long time, but found that I didn't have time for it in college. When I graduated and moved from California to Wisconsin I had a lot more free time on my hands, so I returned to crafting shiny things.

What made you take the leap into creating a business with your art?
Originally I just opened my etsy shop to list items that I had made and didn't want to keep, but since I don't wear jewelry very often, I found myself listing all my creations. It is such an adventure to make something new, that I just wanted to share my work with others.

Is your business full time? Where do you sell your work other than Etsy?
I guess you could say this is my full time business at the moment, but I have to admit that I definitely don't treat it like one. I am afraid that the minute I start treating my crafting like work, it won't be fun anymore. I only sell my creations on Etsy at the moment.



Where do you create?
I primarily use the kitchen table at home!

What is your creative atmosphere like? Loud and crazy, soft and sweet?
I always like to put a movie in when I craft. Something I have seen so many times before that it is pleasant to listen to, but not distracting. The last movie I watched was "Lost in Austen." I love "Pride and Prejudice"!





What inspires you?
It is really hard to say. Sometimes it is a craft tutorial I find on the internet. Other times, it is a tv show, like how "The X-Files" inspired my crop circle pendants. Then there are times when I just take a piece of metal in my hands and just begin to work and the piece creates itself.


How has Etsy been positive for your art?
Just having an Etsy shop has given me the drive to want to always make something new. I like the accomplishment of listing a new item!

Where else can we find you online?
You can also find me at my craft blog: http://littlebitcrafting.blogspot.com/
I created the blog before my etsy store to explore jewelry making and other crafting tutorials.

If you are interested in being a featured Etsy artist/crafter on another Motivational Monday.. please let me know!

Thanks for reading! xo

Save the date!

A sneak peek at some display tables I set up today at the studio for next weekend's New Bedford Open Studios event. I'll be having my studio open to the public next Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. All of my work is tagged at special in studio only prices! Come by and visit!!! I'm at Hatch Street Studios of course.. 3rd floor Suite #302 just follow my signs!
Hope to see you! www.newbedfordopenstudios.org

A few things I LOVE about fall~

A day at our local pumpkin patch..

A weekend in the White Mountains..

Celebrating our birthdays..

My black open toe Steve Madden boots..

Homemade apple pie from Flying Cloud Orchards..

Homegrown colorful dhalias..

Walking through the fall leaves..

Bar Harbor Maine..

And of course.. Halloween!!!


What are your favorite things of the season?!

AND THE WINNER IS...

AND THE WINNER IS........................
.......................................................................
.....................................................................................
...................................................................................................
..................................POPPY LAND!!!!!!!

Congratulations to you!
Please send me an email at chrissyannceramics@yahoo.com with your name & mailing address so you can collect your prize!

Thank you for everyone who participated and Thank you to Bambuca for sharing your stories and giveaway with us!

Stay tuned I will be having Etsy artist interviews EVERY Monday!

Have a great day! xoxo

Motivational Monday Etsy Interview

It's Monday...and EVERYONE needs a little extra Motivation on Monday right?!

Well, here you go! Here is a fabulous Etsy artist interview that will motivate you to get off your computer and into that studio and work work work!


This week's artist is with Bambuca from http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bambuca And as an extra BONUS.. she was kind enough to offer this handmade bag as a FREE Giveaway item to one of you lucky readers out there!

All you have to do to win this lovely bag is 1. be a follower here on my blog. 2. Leave a comment here about your favorite item in her shop here. 3. (optional bonus) Send a tweet out into the twitterverse about this post! :)

A winner will be chosen randomly by Thursday!

Here is what Bambuca told us about herself~

I am From Scandinavia, followed my heart and now live in Texas.

I started to sew purses when I noticed how most times I came back home I had a new purse, and how the purse still wasn't THE one. I realized how it would make more sense if I made my own purse. It would be exactly what I wanted, and when it was hand-made it would have even more meaning and love in it.

Sewing my purses is like perfect therapy for me, it is my break from taking care of my baby, keeping the house up, my alone moment. I love it, I can totally sink in to my thoughts, clear up my mind and forget the rest of the world for a moment. When I'm finished with the project, I have something to be proud of and I'm happy to go on with the everyday chores.



Thanks for my husbands awesome support I was encouraged enough to share my passion with purses and start my shop Bambuca on Etsy last May. I do many custom-made orders and sell them through the facebook page as well as in Etsy among the already listed items. I love the challenge of a custom-order.

Etsy is a nice community and I've gotten tons of good feedback and felt so supported by other Etsians. My shop's facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/bambuca.atx

Thank you Bambuca for taking time out of your busy life to share your story with us! Best of luck to you!

If you are interested in being a featured Etsy artist/crafter on another Motivational Monday.. please let me know!

Thanks for reading! xo

Looking for Etsy Artists!!!

I've been flirting with the idea of hosting weekly blog interviews with Etsy artists every Monday for a "Motivational Mondays"

I know I need a little extra encouragement to get off the computer and down to my studio to begin my work week.

I have always found other artists/crafters to be very motivational to keep working, so I thought it would be fun to share some insight here with you on a weekly basis!

So here is a thread I started on Etsy looking for some potential "Motivational Monday" artists! Please join in~

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6629867

*photo above of Kiki Smith... I've been in love w/ her work since I began college! Amazing! :)

15 days and counting...

Spent the past few days painting up furniture and my showroom wall. Just a few little changes from last year.. I like to switch it up from show to show! Here's a pic of my showroom area in the making.. I decided to doll it up just a bit more than usual. Starting in October I will be keeping regular studio hours so people can pop in for a visit or to do a little light shopping! Ideally, I would like to be there on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays from 10am-2pm. I'll decide once it gets closer!

I made some more bowls this morning, and I am off to pick up some more clay so I can fill in the gaps from my catalog. I don't have everything in stock, and I would like to have samples of all my designs if possible!

For those of you in the area.. check out our New Bedford Open Studios website for more info! www.newbedfordopenstudios.org

Wish me luck! 15 days and counting!

Have a great day! xoxo

It's my Birthday! 20% off all Etsy shop purchases today!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Its gorgeous out & I'm feeling great.. so I thought I would share that greatness with you by offering 20% off all Etsy orders today! Just mention "birthday" in message to seller!

One day only sale! Shop here at www.chrissyannceramics.etsy.com

Enjoy your day! xoxo

Open Studios is Coming...

I can not believe it is September already.. I can not believe I only managed to have only 2 beach days this year aside from my week vacation to Fort Lauderdale. I can not believe that tomorrow I will be celebrating my 32nd birthday.. and to top it all off that I am not in London at the moment as planned. Oh and.. the topic of today's post.. I can not believe open studios is but a mere 2 and a half weeks away!

Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE Open Studios.. it is my favorite time of year! On an average we get about 500 visitors into our spaces and I love having that connection to the local community. We get a really positive response from them, and most of them return every year!

But.. I really have not had the time to design a new collection piece as I usually do and looking through my "inventory." I just realized I have none. (hardly) I am very grateful for that in a way.. I send out batches of work to a bunch of new shops carrying my goods.. but I need to replenish!

So luckily I do have a month off from my day job, leaving me plenty of time & energy to get EVERYTHING done!

I have outgrown my pink phase.. and now I'm looking for a cool and calming blue. So I will be repainting my showroom walls, repainting my furniture, shopping at ikea for some interesting new lighting, and cozying up the place! Hopefully I can get this all done this week leaving me time for a quick little vacation to Savannah Georgia next week. I hear it is lovely with antiques, art, gardens, and beaches.. my favorite things in life!

I will post a studio before picture later on... but I'm telling you.. it is not pretty. ;)

Wish me luck! xo

Give the gift of Love Peace and Joy!

A set of three handmade ceramic doves. Lovely little calming doves to hang anywhere in one's home from your relaxing bedroom, to the baby's room, even by your bathroom sink!

I designed these for myself as a lovely wedding gift. A lovely way to wish the happy new couple a life of love, peace and joy!

Also available in large batches for wholesale, or wedding favors at a discounted price. Please contact me for more information!

They truly are sweet little birds to warm up the home!

Now available in my Etsy shop~ www.chrissyannceramics.etsy.com

Pottery at a new shop in Florida!

Here is a sneak peek at some of my goodies that will be for sale at Green n Groovy, Bella Vista Shops in Fort Myers Florida.

Green n Groovy is a great brick and mortar type shop that "encourages you to look good and do good with eco trendy gifts that promote well being, goodness of Earth, and respect for its inhabitants for a sensible price." I like their motto, and I really like the collection of handmade goods Lisa selected for her shop. I am excited to join their team!

So if you or someone you know is in the Fort Myers area.. Send them over to see Lisa at Green n Groovy, 8890 Salrose Lane, Fort Myers. Tell her that I sent you!
Have a great weekend! xo

My latest (and cutest) happy customer!

My latest custom order.. for my youngest (& cutest) happy customer! Is she the best little model or what?!

Proud grandpa, a regular at the restaurant i wait tables at commissioned a dish & matching bowl set for his granddaughter Kylie here.. He left the design up to me. He told me that she liked pink, and I knew that her parents are beach loving surfers from California who got hitched on the beach. So I thought a starfish motif would be perfect for both for Kylie.. and her beach loving folks! Grandpa seemed excited with it, so I went from there. I stamped on the backside, "Love Grandpa" and I think it will make a lovely keepsake for Kylie for years to come!

Looks like Kylie loves it too!!! : )

If you would like more info about having a custom dish made for the little man or woman in your life, please check out my etsy shop www.chrissyannceramics.etsy.com

It's here...

Pottery Now Available at Oop!

If you have ever shopped at Oop before, you will understand my excitement! It is such an AMAZING experience simply to shop there. They have done such a fab job creating a fun, whimsical atmosphere and have an amazing collection of handmade gifts and goodies for your home! When I was in college I would frequent their shop on Thayer Street in Providence.. the perfect spot for that one of a kind birthday, Christmas, or any day gift. I always dreamed to have my pottery in there and hooray! I have now joined in on the fun!!!

My work will actually be at their newer location at Legacy Place in Dedham, Ma. I have not visited yet, but looking online I think I would very much enjoy a day of shopping based on their shop line up! (Oh my!)

Here is their website http://www.oopstuff.com/ Take a peak! I also found this blog of theirs I will now be following~ http://oopstuffblog.typepad.com/

And of course, Legacy Place http://www.legacyplace.com/index.cfm

Lovely directory isn’t it?!

So please stop by, tell them I sent you!

Enjoy your weekend! xoxo

A peak into the kiln..

I haven't posted in awhile... sorry for the neglect. I thought I would share with you non potters a glimpse into the kiln before and after a glaze firing. Did you know that glazes are never the same color you paint onto the wares after a firing?! For instance, my grey bowls pictured above turn out to be that nice green. The Yellow bowls shown above become my creamy white. And when you mix two colors.. the rules of a color wheel NEVER apply.. you must test them to figure out the results.

I love the experimental part of glaze chemistry, but NOT in the middle of a hot & humid New England summer! I've been slowly melting away!

I have some new designs I've been testing out.. I'm not quite ready to reveal them, but *think* weddings and special occasions! I hope they turn out as wonderful as planned! Details soon!

Have a great weekend! We will chat soon! xoxo