Cross-stitch Pendants in the works...

OK so it's been a loooong time since I've made porcelain pendants. I only made them for one of my retail shops by request a couple of years ago and really lost interest last year when the production for my functional work picked up.  Frankly, I'll admit that jewelry seems to be that go-to thing for ceramic artists wanting to appeal to a different kind of clientele.  People at craft fairs often hum and haw about whether they have the cupboard space for another mug or a bowl, but when it comes to jewelry, the impulse to buy something they can wear seems to be an 'easier sell'.  Now I know what all you jewelry designer's are thinking- the market is extremely competitive out there and that most craft fairs are totally inundated with jewelry.  I'll be the first to say that I'm no jewelry designer, per say.  But every now and again I'll make something that is small and lovely and think- wouldn't that look lovely in soft white porcelain with a pretty silver chain. So that's what happened here, I started silk-screening these lovely little cross-stitch designs and before I knew it, I was making porcelain pendants again. 

**These aren't for sale quite yet... this was the first batch and I think the screen needs to be a little darker and possibly a few more colours (black?).  What do you think?  Feed-back would be swell!

Bunnies and Birds...

I have been extremely fortunate to have a great group of Studio-mates surrounding me in both my ceramic space and my painting space and it is quite exciting to see what they are up to! Definitely worth sharing with others. Today's blog will be about my good friend Amy at downhomeamy.com- an illustrator, screenprinter, and sewer who is working on a new line of hand-made houseware items. We have been talking about collaborating on a number of things- matching up teapots to tea-cozies, napkin and placemats to table settings. All talk so far-no rock. It'll happen though- we are 'kindred spirits'.
Amy's illustrations of extremely sweet bunnies, birds, etc, have inspired me to get back into drawing, as you will see from my recent Owl pendant necklace above that is currently for sale at on my etsy site! How cute. You might just have to have a look- www.dahlhaus.etsy.com for more!