I can not believe it is that time again.. (Well almost)

I can not believe that as I am cutting fresh flowers from my garden to bring into the house I am counting down the days to my first holiday sale! Phew~ This summer has gotten by super-duper fast!

Sorry I’ve been so negligent with updates.. I’ve had my hands full with weekend shows nearly every weekend and nestling into our new home.

I’ve been working on some BIG and EXCITING new projects at the studio.. stay tuned & I’ll update some photos of some MASSIVE projects I’ve been working on!

So, I hope you all have been well, & it is nice to take a minute just to say hello.. Hello! :)

Talk to you sooner than later!

xoxo, Chrissy Ann

Happy Black Friday!

Happy Black Friday! Will you be going out to the BIG stores hoping to score some amazing deals?!?! I will not. Just the thought of the crowds & the stories of the pushing and shoving is not my cup of tea. Instead I will be doing some last minute things around my studio for this weekend's holiday sale that kicks off today at 2pm. I will also be listing some goodies like these new dish sets that are two tapas style dishes that come ready for gift giving in a sweet Chrissy Ann Ceramics gift box! I started listing some nautical designs in my Etsy shop & hope to be listing some of my Fleur de lis designs later on today!

Take a peek & let me know what you think! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrissyAnnCeramics?section_id=7578892

And for those of you local folks.. Our Annual Holiday sale is all weekend Friday 2-9, Sat & Sun 10-5. For more information about the artists involved and directions check out our studio website at www.HatchStreetStudios.com

Have a great long weekend! xoxo

LOTS of new goodies in my Etsy shop!

Here's a peek at a few new goodies I just posted in my Etsy shop! www.chrissyannceramics.etsy.com LOTS more is on the way!

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

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

First Farmer's Market..

So, I set up at my first ever farmer's market today.. I've done open air art markets many times, but never a small local farmers market. The forecast had said rain, but we lucked out and had a beautiful sunny day with a cool breeze. There were a total of maybe ten (give or take) vendors set up. A mixture of fresh organic vegetables, handmade soaps, home made honey, fair trade goods, and my pottery.

I decided to try it out and downsize my display quite a bit. I brought only one table with minimal shelving, one bin of pottery, with a few back up designs, lots of business & postcards, and a positive friendly attitude.

The market set up at noon and closed at four o' clock. What a treat! I typically do shows that set up at 8am and tear down at anywhere from five to seven pm! Its really nice to sleep in a bit, enjoy a nice breakfast with the beau, then head out to mingle in the sun while selling some work..

In the past few weeks, I had chatted it up a bit with some of you from this arts & crafts online community about farmers markets in comparison to larger 2day events. Some loved them, others disliked them, and most of you had not yet tried. From my experience today. . I would say ABSOLUTELY try your local farmers market as a vendor this year! I met some great happy people who loved to hear about my work and my process, and made some good sales in spite of it being slower than what I am use to. It was a nice pace. Relaxing and laid back! I generally feel like some larger shows are about "entertainment" where as the people you meet at these local farmers markets are their to shop and to support their local artisans. I had a great time and so did my other half AND we made it home in time to watch the end of the world cup match! Viva Espana! :)

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported everyone at the market! I will see you again in two weeks!

Cheers! xo

New Wholesale Catalog Complete!

So very happy to announce that my new Wholesale 2010 catalog is complete and all done by yours truly! I have been working on photos and cataloging my product line for what seems like years, but with a special request.. I hunkered down and finished!

Yahoooo!!!

Just thought I would share my excitement with you! :)

For a peek take a look in my "The Latest Gossip" section here at www.chrissyannceramics.com.

I'd love any feedback!

Enjoy your Saturday! xo, Chrissy

NEW jewelry pieces are coming!

Working on getting lots of new goodies photographed so I can list them in my Etsy shop for you! Here's a sneak peak at some pins that will be available soon! Interested in wholesale?! I'd LOVE to chat with you! Please email me @ chrissyannceramics@yahoo.com

Have a great week! xx

Pssssst...

New Goodies are coming soon... (tomorrow actually)

Dragging out my tent from the basement..

I can not believe its that time of year already! Wowzer!!!
In merely TWO weeks from tomorrow marks my first outdoor market event. Its my favorite show, a home show about two blocks from my house in historic Fairhaven, Massachusetts. The town center is just beautiful with old historic buildings such as the Unitarian Church, Town hall, and Milicent library. I just love living here, and I love setting up my work with such an amazing backdrop!

As I had mentioned a few months back, I have cut way down in my show circuit this summer. I will only be attending two local shows aside from a few outdoor farmer's markets. I have been working on many new original designs and sculptural works, and I chose to give myself the time to mature those ideas in my workspace rather than work only on my production work.

I have listed a few of the shows on my website I've been slowly working on www.chrissyannceramics.com under "A shop near you" as well as a new artisan boutique that will be carrying my wares called Swish in Warren, RI. To make up for my show cutbacks, I plan on consigning my work again, so I will post those as they come! So stop by my "A shop near you" as I update it weekly!

Have you started up some outdoor summer shows yet?! I'd love to hear about it!

Ciao for now~ xo, Chrissy

New Website and Blog~

..has me pulling my hair out! Ahhh..

I am not super computer savy even though I try to convince myself that I am getting better. At the moment, I am working on my dot com here at www.chrissyannceramics.com using iweb which is fabulous! My problem of the day is that I can not for the life of me figure out how to attach this here blog to that there website. So, for today, I have started a 2nd blog! Yes that is right. I have it listed as "The Latest Gossip" and there you can also read about new works at my studio, sales and special offers, shows in your town, and new shops carrying my wares!

I don't want to leave blogspot because frankly, I LOVE how easy it is, and I LOVE my collection of blogs that I enjoy reading through. Such an amazing group of makers out there! I enjoy learning new techniques, and hearing funny stories about the stuff in between.

So take a peek if you would, and let me know how I'm doing as I slowly but surely get it up and going!

Thanks for listening~ xo

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

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.

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

Yeah Earth Day treat.. Etsy Front Page!

What a gorgeous mix of beachy bliss!!!

Happy Earth Day!

Here is a Top 10 list from earthday.net of super easy things you and your family can do to go Green (er) beginning today!

1. Project Switch: Change your light bulbs! Use Energy Star bulbs! Shut your lights when not in use, and use a dimmer to set the mood & save the energy!

2. Drive your car differently – or drive a different car altogether! Pull out that bicycle, or walk over to your local market for that gallon of milk! Save car emissions, save some money in gas, and get in shape!

3. Your house – not too hot, not too cold! Try using a sweater when temperatures aren't ideal, or go nude if its too hot! ; )

4. Tame the refrigerator monster! Lower it by 1 degree to save some energy, or find a new spot for it if its near a heating vent, or always in the sun.

5. Twist the knobs on your other household appliances! For one, wash your dishes by hand! My dishwasher broke a couple of months back, but now I found that I actually like having the quiet time to clean dishes after a home cooked meal. Become one with your dishes and over time, that will save a few loads in the dishwasher, conserving energy.

6.Green plants with less water, more trees to provide shade. Try groups of lovely hostas, and reuse rain water to water your gardens and boxes!

7. Buy Green Energy, and invest in green energy stocks.

8. Go organic. Its better for you, and better for the environment! Plus.. it tastes and feels better! Support your local farmers and crafts people!

9. Buy recycled.

10. Be a minimalist. Buy quality products that last longer and shop vintage!

For more details, please check out http://www.earthday.net/node/145

Please visit my Je T'aime dishes as they are featured as a go green item in this lovely blog http://studiohaus.blogspot.com/2010/04/happy-earth-day.html

Here's an excellent green site that you can share with the kids in your life! http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/

xo, Chrissy