A treat tonight!

Bugaboo Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Originally uploaded by disneymike

Yikes! I can't belive it's Thursday already! Where did this week go? I took the day off tomorrow to treat myself to a 3 day weekend for my birthday. Monday I will be 29 but we're celebrating this weekend with dinner at Clementine with Monica and Drew followed by drinks at the Tavern with everyone else! Tonight Michael and I are heading to our corner rib joint for a pre-celebration dinner. Hopefully tomorrow I will get over to Whole Foods and get some good food in the house. I think I really stressed myself out last week making me sooo tired this week and as a result I have done minimal cooking and zero food shopping. It's ironic since cooking and eating well make me feel so much better. Oh well, tomorrow I will be taking some new photos and posting new work in the shop so be sure to check it out. Also, if you haven't already head on over to lillyella's blog and enter the givaway....followed by a sale but you have to read about it there:)

Blog Feature Tomorrow.

Ok, so life has been a little crazy this past week and I have been neglecting my posting. I have been going through a whirlwind of emotions and have now settled on being excited and ready for the change. I may end up working the counter at Starbucks to pay the bills but it will be worth it to leave the stress of living 2 careers for one dream job. I have to say a big thank you to everyone who has been leaving me little words of support both here on the blog, on facebook and in person! You have all inspired me. I see that people do make this work and not a single person who has taken the plunge says they regret it. Actually, the only people who say I'm crazy are the non art types who can't imagine what I will do with all that "free time":) Now that I've calmed down a bit I will be back to more regular posting.
Tomorrow fellow etsy artist and blogger (and self employed quit her day job!) Nicole from Lillyella is featuring me on her blog starting tomorrow. She makes lovely jewelry like the Silver Garden Branch Bracelet above.You should make sure to check it out because I will be offering a discount and a giveaway throughout the week! Also, stay tuned for some more free stuff I'm cooking up in April to celebrate spring and Earth Day:)

Big news today!

Lion Heart spoon rest.

My little heart hasn't stopped beating out of my chest since this afternoon. After much thought and little to no preparation today I quit my job. I wasn't planning to but an e-mail came out which made me realize that Monica would need to fill out a transfer form if she was going to take my position and it's due tomorrow. I will still be working until June when school lets out but I let everyone (well 4 bosses but not the school) know today that I will not be coming back to the classroom after the summer break. (Of course if I totally panic and lose my nerve nothing is in paper yet. Still, saying out loud that I am starting a new path in life is the scariest thing I have ever had to do.) I am lucky enough to have supervisors who wished me a heartfelt good luck and let me know that they would hire me back if things didn't work out as planned, which I am not to naive to admit might happen. I hope not, but today I am feeling shaky and worried that I will not be able to pay the bills when the time comes. We are keeping it under wraps until I am positive but I couldn't help telling someone, and not too many people I know or work with actually read this blog so I think I'm safe. Don't tell, ok? Anyway, right now I could really use some words of encouragement so if you have some words of wisdom, make a living off your art or even if you are planning or want to too please let me know...I would love to hear from you!

New work up!

Stag spoon rest.
The Hunt mug.
Su-shi set.

Today I had planned to take the day off of work since I spent the weekend painting my mom's shop but Mother Nature decided that I didn't need to take another "sick" day and instead provided a snow storm which closed school for the day. I guess I owe her a big thank you and I promise to plant in my garden this spring:) Anyway, I spent the morning taking some new photos and posting to my etsy shop so be sure to stop by and check out some new work. Hopefully this week I will spend some quality time in the studio and give some updates on those teapots that are waiting to be decorated!

Help The Baltimore Clayworks!

Maryland Citizens for the Arts has asked us to ask YOU to send an Email to Legislators .
The House Appropriations and Senate Budget & Taxation Subcommittees held budget hearings on February 19 and 20, 2009, and a large group of representatives were in Annapolis to testify and support the MCA advocacy goals. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Today, we are launching the next step in our Advocacy Plan - an Action Email Blast.
For this, WE WILL NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!

The process is very simple. As soon as you have read this alert, click on this "Take Action" icon. That hyperlink will take you directly to the Maryland Citizens for the Arts website. There, using a prepared letter which insures that the issues are properly identified and our advocacy goals are clearly defined, you will be able to contact your legislator directly. Enter your zipcode, which will identify the senator and/or delegate from your district who serves on one of these subcommittees. After you have provided your home address, you will be able to read the letter, edit it, and provide your e-signature. Please take a few minutes to do this right away!

NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT! Encourage your friends and associates to join in sending this message. Pass this message on to the local arts advocates in your region, and urge them to send this email. *Please note that CapWiz will ONLY allow you to send this message to the legislators from your district. That is why we need participation from every part of Maryland !

One person CAN make a difference! Hundreds of people can make a HUGE difference!

If this cut is sustained, Baltimore Clayworks will lose approximately $40,000 in funding, and murals like this one made by residents in our urban community, classes for children in city schools, exhibitions like Tour de Clay and much, much more will be in jeopardy. Please act NOW!!

Thank you for caring and transforming your care into Action!

PS:
MCA WILL HOLD AN ADVOCACY CONFERENCE CALL TO THE FIELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009 AT 3:00 P.M. TO UPDATE YOU ON OUR ADVOCACY PLAN AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. THE CALL-IN NUMBER IS 1-800-935-3856 PASSCODE: 465287

(not so) Secret Recipe, shhhhh...

I just whipped up a batch of my wildly popular chocolate bark candy for work tomorrow! This recipe is one I keep in my "secret weapon" recipe box. It's really good but terrible for you so I only make it when it is going somewhere that is not my fridge! Tonight I made it for a work potluck we are having tomorrow afternoon. It's my go-to for any kind of event because it's super fast, super cheap, super easy and super tasty! So....want the recipe??? Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you.
1 cup of stick butter
1 cup of sugar
2 packages of saltine crackers (they come 4 packs to a box so save the rest for the next time you need to pull out this secret weapon!)
1 package chocolate chips of your choice, I used milk chocolate this time.
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.In a small saucepan melt the butter and sugar, the sugar will not dissolve but you want it mixed in with the butter. While that melts, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and break the crackers over it so they are in a single layer covering the cookie sheet. Ladle the butter mixture over the crackers and bake for 10 minutes or until the butter is bubbly and the crackers are starting to brown. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cracker mixture and place back in the oven for a minute or two, just until the chips are shiny and easy to spread. Take the tray out of the oven and using a butter knife or spatula, spread the chocolate over the crackers, like icing. Let the whole tray cool in the fridge until the chocolate is set then break into small pieces. Make sure to bring the recipe wherever you bring this because I guarantee someone will ask you!

Sleepy time.

Is there really anything better than a nap in the sun? This is a shot of my little mexi-cat napping on our living room couch. This week I'm gonna need a nap. Wednesday and Thursday I have to work the day job until 8:00 and then this weekend I'll be heading to PA to help my mom paint her shop. I think I'll take Monday off to re-coupe!

Happy Friday!

Ah, the weekend is finally here! It was super nice to have a short week. This weekend I will be working in the studio trying to finish up those teapots and orders from last weekend and relaxing with a few beers with our friends Monica and Drew. We are planning to go to the Hamilton Tavern for burgers, the last time they came out the Tavern was closed! Seems the Tavern burger is the only meat I've been eating lately:) Hope you all enjoy your weekend too!

Etsy purchase!

I have been on the hunt for a pair of small everyday earings. Tonight I saw these on the front page and thought they would be perfect! Right place, right time, right price! Don't you love when that happens? They are from Carolinableu and I can't wait 'til they come:) Have you bought anything good lately?

Meet Lorikoop

Today I found a new potter on etsy, lorikoop. I love that she gives all her pots names and back stories! It makes them so personal...like they just want to be your friend. Anyway, Lori's a new favorite of mine and I hope you check out her shop too, she has really reasonable prices if you want to take home one of her friends, I mean pots:)

Teapots in progress

Here are some pictures of the teapots I have been working on. The pictures are the best I could do in my dark basement at night. The plastic on the lid is just to keep it from sticking. They still need to be decorated but I really dig the shapes so far. I also made some little tea cups to go with. Let me know what you think!

Lazy Monday.

At the moment Michael, myself and our kitty are lazing out on the couch watching TV. It's a very lazy Monday afternoon. Well deserved though, this morning we had our meeting to plan our spring craft show with the craft mafia and then I spent a few hours with my camera and Monica's cards. Here are a couple of the pics but with minimal editing:) Looking back on my list for this weekend I did pretty good, the only thing I still have left is working on those orders which I plan to do once I peel myself off this couch! We (well mostly Michael) even had some time to straighten up the house, which always makes me feel better. Later this week I hope to share some photos of the teapots I am working on. I think they are turning out really well so far and can't wait until they are finished! One already has a home with my friend Liz but the other might end up in my shop.

Happy Love Weekend!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend planned! Hopefully this is a 3 day weekend for you too. I have a list of things to do these next few days including finishing an order, or 3, putting together some teapots, coming up with some jewelry designs for an upcoming show , dinner with Michael, getting my wedding band fixed, going to see Coraline (yay!), dinner with friends, making a casserole for the meeting I have on Monday morning (craft stuff) and photographing my friend Monica's cards. Do you think I can get all that done? I'm sure I left out some things too:) I will give you an update as I get some things crossed off my list. I'm most looking forward to the photo shoot, cards are a new subject for me and I'm excited for the challenge. I will post some photos when they are finished, I'm sure Monica won't mind!

Nesting

Here is a set of nesting dishes I have been working on. There are five dishes that all fit inside each other for easy storage. The idea is to have the right size dish for any side. The smallest is about the size of my little dippers and the largest is a little bigger than the cookie plates. I am trying to come up with some new designs for the summer season. More to come!

Did you see?

Did you see? Could it really be?
Something green was poking through the winter ground in my garden today!

I hope it's spring coming around the corner! Today it was 74 degrees, in February. Next weekend it's supposed to snow. Guess that's Baltimore...

Catch a Wish

I have been feeling super dreamy and to be honest, kinda out of it lately. I think the weather is to blame. Luckily the past few days have warmed up quite a bit and tomorrow is supposed to be 65! It's such a tease when we get these warm spells this time of year, it's always followed by a blizzard:( For now at least I am welcoming the warmer air and the later sunsets. My wish is that summer comes early this year.

Sushi Sets

Birch Leaf Chopstick holders will be on sale soon only $5 each...check my etsy shop!
On the Hunt sushi set.

Since I have cut meat (mostly) from my diet I have been trying to think of healthy quick meals that I can bring home for dinner. I work so far away that if I stop at the market on my way home by the time I get home I can either make dinner or work in the studio before it's time to go to bed. I really don't have time for both. To make this work I try to pick up what I need to make quick dinners throughout the week and something ready to eat for that night. That way I have time to put the food away and throw some food on a plate to eat, all without calling for takeout. Trouble is...what's a good pre-made meal that's healthy and easy with no meat? Sushi! My market has a little sushi stand that makes rolls while you wait. I can heat up some edamame from the frozen food section and there you have it! A quick throw together healthy meal for Michael and me. To make the meal appear more special I like to present the rolls all lined up on a pretty sushi plate with a soy sauce dipper on the side. I just started making these sets in the studio inspired by our weeknight sushi feasts. Look for them soon on etsy so you too can make a weeknight into a sushi night!

The long of it.

Here is a platter I pulled out of the kiln a few weeks ago, it's one that features screen printed text and images. I love the shape of these platters, long and thin but not too thin. It makes a great serving tray. I actually use one on our coffee table to hold our remotes and other random things that collect in our den. I can only make a few at a time since the size is kind of awkward and one takes up most of a shelf in the kiln. So these are kind of special to me.

Simple Mug

Simple Mug
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

This is a new mug that came out of the last firing. I am so happy to finally have the time to screenprint on the pots again! I love the images:) What do you think about the interior color? Normally I stick with white but I have a few in the next kiln that have colored interiors as well. I'm not quite decided yet...
Don't forget to check out my blog post today on the Charm City Craft Mafia! See the link below.

Remember when...

Remember a few posts ago when I told you I had a thing for old bottles? Well I came across this while checking our a treasury put together by Judy Ruth. She was kind enough to include me and I'm so happy she did because she got some killer taste! I might have to do some shopping off of this one:) Anyway, these bottles look real but they are made from prints and wood cuts. You can find them from porkchopsshow on etsy. Happy weekend and be sure to check out my new weekly post on the Charm City Craft Mafia Blog every Monday. See you there!

Printed Plate.

Jumping Deer Plate
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

This is a new design I've been cooking up in my studio. The plate is a handthrown slab formed in a slump mold and left to dry. When it's set I clean up the edges and make it nice and smooth to touch. I also paint the first layer of white slip over it, much like the layer of gesso in a painting. I got that comparison from Steven Colby and I think it totally fits. Once the plate is dry I screenprint text from old trashy romance novels all over it to give the impression of collage. I paint over the text with layers of underglaze and stenciled images. The finishing touch is a vintage image, made into a stamp which is printed on using underglaze as the ink. The plate is then fired to bisque and a clear, lead free/ food safe glaze which I make in my studio is applied. The plate goes into the kiln one final time to fire the glaze and make it nice and shiny. This plate will be availble through Red Tree Baltimore pretty soon. Hope you enjoy!

Save Handmade

I know I already posted today...can you handle 2 in one day?! In honor of all my friends who make fabulous things for the little people in our lives (I don't have any but when I do I will be purchasing handmade so it better still be around) here is a post in support. The adorable model in the photo is the little pepita modeling her mom's sweet creation, handmade in Baltimore from Sweet Pepita.

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Quietly

Today is another snow day. The ground outside is wet and icy with just a thin coating of white snow. I wish it was a pretty snow but I won't complain about a day off. This print by groundwork caught my eye this morning, it carries the same feeling of today. Quiet and still with bare trees and empty ground. Apparently it just caught someone else's eye because as I'm writing this it just sold!

Spoons

I am such a sucker for things that are old and worn, they tell such history. Therefore I really love this print because it combines old and worn with kitchen utensils! That is my all time favorite combination. I think I first saw this print via designsponge but it's by artist Kari Herer on etsy. When I was little my mom loved (still does really) to go to the antique stores and shop around. I would always make a beeline for the little glass bottles that looked like someone dug them up from the backyard or little glass medicine bottles. I loved the old fashioned long glass drink stirrers. I would take them home and treasure them, all lined up on a shelf or hidden away in a box under the bed. I still have an obsession with all things vintage kitchen. Even our kitchen table is an old Formica set with these great asparagus green chairs.

Why are ornaments just for Winter?

I don't think that ornaments should be just for the holidays. They are a great little way to spruce up a corner of your pad or lonely doorknob in your kitchen. Plus, they are affordable, which we are all concerned with right now! So in celebration of spring (it's coming right??!!) I made these little Dove and Fox ornaments. I think they would be a sweet way to bring a taste of spring into the house right about now when we could all use some warm thoughts....did you all hear that it's supposed to snow tomorrow!

I'm ready for warmth

Bermda Vacation
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

Today the sun is shining in through the windows and I just finished eating a cucumber and smoked salmon sandwich for breakfast, it tasted fresh and salty like summertime at the beach. I'm sipping my coffee and pretending that this scene is what I will walk into as I step outside...instead of the bitter cold air that is sure to hit my face as soon as I open the front door. Sigh, I am ready for the warmer months. My tolerance for winter is getting less and less with ever passing year. Can you be too young to retire to Florida? Like... before 30?
This picture was taken in Bermuda during Christmas of last year. I hope wherever you are reading this from has sunshine and warmth but if not you too can pretend with me:)

New Designs

One of the things I really love about clay is how you can apply just about any process to it in some way. My favorite example is printmaking. I usually treat my ceramic surfaces the same way you might work on a painting or collage and then layer prints and stamps to create the imagery. Over the holiday break Michael and I went to visit his parents in NJ and made a trip into NY city for a day. I was on a mission to find this little shop in the village that sells vintage image stamps. I bought a ton! I'm now finally at the stage in my process (when everything is dry and painted) where I can begin printing. Here are some designs that I have been playing with...I'm super excited about some plates that I am working on right now and hopefully will be able to photograph tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Sale for Romance

I just posted a couple of romance bowls in my etsy shop for a super sale price! They are seconds...a few bubbles in the glaze:( but still would look really lovely holding candy or dried flowers on your desk! Be sure to stop in and check them out! Hopefully I will be unloading a new glaze kiln today so also stay tuned for new work to be posted this weekend.

BRAINS!!!!

For Christmas this year I bought the Kitty's/ Michael pink knitted catnip brains from Christine Renee's etsy shop so the Kitty's would gnaw on them and Michael could say "Mmmmm braaaiiinsss....." . Well they have successfully eaten the brains and there is now pink-yarn-cat nippy mess all over the floor which Michael is still getting a kick out of. So all in all I can say that this turned out to be a great purchase! It brought hours of entertainment to our entire family...now if only someone would clean up the brains!

Spice is Nice!

Last night Michael and I had a lovely date night. First we went to The Helmand in Mt. Vernon for dinner, it was AMAZING. If you live in the B-More area and have not been it's worth a night out...not too expensive either, and really interesting. We followed that with a movie at the Charles but we were an hour early so we went next door to Tapas and had a drink. Our friend Jen was bar tending so we got to catch up with her. Then we went to our movie, Slumdog Millionare, which was awesome. I really love the Charles...it always reminds me of when people got dressed up to go to the movies. Plus you can get your drinks in plastic cups to take into the theatre. Nothing like watching a great movie while sipping a glass of wine or in my case last night, a gin and tonic! The crowd is different too. Since it's more art house you don't have (at least not as many) rude people yelling at the screen, talking loudly or texting through the whole film....just put it down people! All in all it was a great Baltimore evening. So this morning I bought a few spice kits from purpose design inspired by our dinner and movie night. They are having a great sale! It's my valentine gift for the both of us. It's nights like last night that make me remember why I love this city, if only it wasn't so cold.

Playin' Hooky

Today I played hooky from school. I called in a sub yesterday and took today to get caught up on some things that have been piling up. I might be the only person who takes a "sick day" to work 12 hours on another job! I must be crazy. One of the things I did today...well tonight really...was to list some V-day specials in the shop. A set of cookie plates tied up with a bow for only $30, it's a steal! Anyway, it's back to work tomorrow....I can't wait until I can do this full time and not have to balance 2 careers at once.

Aqua Bowl

Aqua Bowl
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

This weekend I added a few more things to my etsy shop. If you have a chance stop by and take a look!