Coming home.

Thanks for all the well wishes, prayers and general good vibes sent over this past month, they were all very much appreciated! My mom is doing much better now and is home recovering. I should be able to come back home and to the studio this weekend so if I still owe you an e-mail or contact I will hopefully get caught up next week. I will also be starting on all those orders that have been piling up while I was away.....anyone want to be my intern/clay slave? I can cook for you:) I will sadly not be participating in this years ACC show (had to cancel) but already have a space reserved for next year and hopefully will have my mom there to help me! Be sure to check out my shop in the next few weeks as I restock with new work that I started at the start of the year including some mid-fire white ware.

Away from the studio

This is just a quick post to let you all know that I am currently out of town due to my mother being rushed to the hospital on Friday with some pretty serious breathing problems. She is still there and I will be staying here in PA until all is right again. If I owe you an e-mail or phone call please excuse my delay, I will get to you as soon as possible. I will resume the blog when I am back in the studio or if I get super bored sitting in the hospital (and the internet works!). Until then, thanks for understanding.

Cardamom Marshmallows part 2

This morning I un-molded my marshmallows and cut them into squares perfect for floating on top of yummy hot beverages. They are so delicious! The perfect amount of flavor and a beautiful texture, they truly melt in your mouth.
A quick toss in powdered sugar to prevent sticking and they are ready to float on my morning coffee.
I gave a few away to my friend Ali from Pistol Stitched. She was working down the street and when I delivered them she promptly popped one in her mouth, so irresistible. M and I ate a few through out the day but the rest are for our dinner with friends on Wednesday. I'm sure they will enjoy this yummy treat in an evening cup of coffee.
I would highly recommend giving this tasty treat a try in your own kitchen, I think a box of these would make a super gift for your valentine! Imagine the flavor possibilities....

Cardamom Marshmallows part 1

This summer I had the pleasure of attending a show in Brooklyn where Whimsy and Spice was vending a few spots down from us and I made sure to bring home a package of their Cardamom Marshmallows which we enjoyed floating in hot cups of coffee for the next week. I have had the flavor in my memory ever since and so tonight decided to try my hand at making my own cardamom marshmallows to take to a dinner with friends on Wednesday night. I don't know if they will be quite the same but I'm excited to try them! I have done a bit of research on making marshmallows (yes, I am that girl) and most recipes seem to be pretty similar but the one I used tonight (no, it's not my first time....don't judge!) can be found here.You will need a candy thermometer to make these but other than that these are a pretty simple treat to make. The first time I made marshmallows it was a super sticky mess but this time went pretty smoothly. I'm not sure if it was due to the change of recipe or just that I knew what to expect and practice makes perfect! I added 1 tsp. of cardamom powder to the gelatin mixture at the beginning of the recipe.

Make sure to prepare your baking pan with parchment and lots of pam so the marshmallow mixture doesn't stick. You will have to leave it out overnight to dry, mine is on the counter as we speak so tomorrow I will let you know how the final product comes out.
I'm such a big fan of marshmallows, I could eat them straight from the bag and have been known to make hot chocolate purely for eating the warm gooey marshmallow topping, and then putting more on only to eat it right off again!
Tomorrow I will unmold them and toss in powdered sugar. Look forward to some better photos as well, my night photography isn't very good!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Michael and I are back from our trip to Savannah where we spent the week with my brother, sister in law, mother and 2 adorable little munchkins. I thought I would share some pictures of our Holiday trip since the studio has been closed for the last week and I don't have anything new to post yet. The photos above and below are from our Christmas day which we spent at the Ronald McDonald house (if you don't know about this amazing organization click here to learn more) cooking dinner for the families who were staying there. Actually, my brother cooked and gave us directions, so technically we chopped, sauteed and stirred while he whipped our prep work into a delicious turkey dinner for 30.
After Christmas day while we were all relaxing M, my mom and I made cookies with the kids. The kids did most of the work...and taste testing while I directed, M got himself covered in flour trying to navigate the kids measuring cups and my mom handled the oven.
I think these two will be growing up to have their own show on the food network!
This isn't flour, it's powdered sugar which Tru cleaned up from the counter by scooping it into his mouth!
The original recipe we made didn't call for chocolate chips but the kids took a little creative licence and M thought they were even better with the chocolate decorations.
We had a great time in GA and can't wait to go back:) I hope you all had a lovely time with your family also!

Snowballs

So I've actually done quite a bit of baking this year, mostly due to craft related responsibilities (like baking 100 chocolate chip cookies for the vendor lunches at Pile of Craft). I also did a bit of pie baking for Thanksgiving. Yesterday I had to make something to bring for a holiday potluck with the Charm City Craft Mafia so I decided on "Snowballs", which were (and still maybe are) my favorite holiday cookie. I had all the ingredients on hand so they were a snap to make up. My only rule for baking is that I a only allowed to do it when the baked goods will be leaving my house within 24 hours! Bring on the butter!!

Snowballs (or Russian Teacakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies)
1 cup of butter, room temp.
1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar (plus more for rolling)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts (I put mine through a mini food processor)

Mix butter, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Mix the flour and salt, add to the butter mixture. Mix in nuts. Chill the dough for 1/2-1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place about an inch apart on a baking sheet. Cookies don't spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, roll in powdered sugar. Let the cookies cool and roll them in the sugar once more. Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Check out my super famous hubby!

This Monday I was given the job of photographer at M's book signing at a local Barnes and Nobel. It was a total mad house! M does a wonderful job of speaking to the kids and interacting with them to explain how he comes up with his characters. He even draws some of the kids as space creatures or evil monsters! It's so fun to watch and the kids really get into shouting ideas out and watching M turn their words into crazy drawings. Monday he wound up selling out of books and the line was around the store! I actually left to do a little shopping in the middle of it all and when I came back there was still a line! So I just had to share some of my favorite pictures of the night and brag about what a super star my husband is.
If you want to see what all the commotion is about you can check out his new book for kids Adam Wreck by Michael S. Bracco or his more adult series (rated PG-13) Birth and NOVO. They would make really great stocking stuffers and he will even sign and draw on the inside cover!

Last Chance for Snowflakes!

Tomorrow I will be unloading the last batch of snowflake dishes for the holiday season. If you missed out on the last batch now is your chance to grab one up! They will be ready to ship by the end of the week, which is the last day to order to ensure christmas delivery. Three sizes are available in my etsy shop.

Shop is being Stocked!

I just finished my last Holiday craft show and am now restocking the etsy shop! It's pretty much the last week to order in time for Christmas so be sure to stop in and check it out:) I also have some more snowflake dishes just listed! This lovely new flower brick is also now available in the shop.

Holiday Heap is this weekend!!

If you are in the Baltimore 'hood make sure you don't miss this years Holiday Heap Craft Show put on by our own Charm City Craft Mafia. It's gonna be THE place to get your holiday shopping done this year. I will be there bright and early on Saturday (like really early 'cause it's our job to set up!) selling my wares so be sure to stop in and say "Hello"!

Adam Wreck! A great gift for the children in your life...

I don't know if you all know this but M recently came out with his first all ages graphic novel. He's been on the book fair circuit and signing books like crazy! Of course I'm majorly proud of him and can't tell you how cool it is to see a line of kids waiting to talk to him and get a book signed. This would make such a cool gift for any children in your life, if you get it from him he will send a signed copy but you can of course buy from your local Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Click Here to go to the website and Here to go to Michael's shop. While your shopping for the kids in your life, M just added children's T's to his line hand illustrated apparel so make sure to check that out too, available here.
Adam Wreck is trapped in the deep cosmos of space…with his parents!!!
For two years Adam has traveled through the universe with his genius parents - on a ship they invented called EARTH 1. This may sound like every kid’s wildest dream, but what fun is being the first kid in space if there’s nothing cool to see like comets, planets, or giant cyborg space aliens? Well, life for Adam is about to take an exciting turn when his family's ship is attacked and his parents are taken captive! Shipwrecked on a strange planet filled with even stranger alien creatures, Adam must find a way to save his parents from the diabolical and dastardly, Kalosian Space Pirates!

Happy December!

I can't believe it's December already! Where did the time go? Sorry to have left everyone after my rant about grad school, I didn't mean to leave things that way. I did decide to put it off for now. It's not the right time and if M and I are ever going to start a family that would put a major shift in our plans. So it's on the back burner for now.
Otherwise, I have been totally lost in my own little world of Holiday Prep for a show at the end of November (yes, I know that's over), Thanksgiving with the in-laws (and 2 days of baking to prep for that) followed by a weekend of back to back craft shows until December 13th. Then I will be getting ready for a trip to Savannah to see my brother and his lovely family. Is it January yet?? I will try to keep up with blogging throughout this crazy Holiday Mayhem to keep you posted on events and work in the studio. I have had this itch to dive back into the white mid-range body that I had used before but am fighting the urge until after the holidays. M seems to think I get my greatest ideas that I have to try right before a major deadline or swam of shows. Then I'm really cranky when things don't turn out the way I had imagined and I am left with no work for said major event. So I will save him at least one headache this year and contain myself until slower times.
Click here to go to read my post on the Lillyella blog and get the recipe for the Rosemary Walnut Shortbread Cookies!

The MFA factor

So I have recently been looking into getting my MFA. Well, ok....I've been thinking about it for a while...like a few years now. My dilemma is this....I have a degree from MICA ( a very good art school) and a teaching certification. I have always dreamed of going to one of the big ceramic programs for my masters but the truth of it is, I don't live near any of them and we are not in a position to move any time soon. Plus, we own our house and I have worked really hard to get my studio set up and everything. I have been looking into the program at Towson, which is very close to me, and they are about to get a new program director in ceramics (don't know who yet). I can start taking classes there as a non-degree seeking grad student until they have the ceramics program in place and then transfer over. I need to do something by next semester (it's a job thing). Does anyone have any experience with grad school or opinion about where to go? Does it matter where you get your degree from? My head is pretty much spinning. I'm not sure how I'll handle going to grad school and keeping the business up but it's really important for me to keep that going. Any thoughts....advice?

Place Settings

I don't have too much time to post right now as I am about to head out the door for my class this morning but I wanted to share a quick picture of these place settings I just started working on. they include an appetizer plate, a salad plate and a dinner plate. They all have themes as well. This one follows science/ natural history. I'll share more new stuff later when I have a little more time:)

My new postal scale!

I decided to invest in a postal scale a couple of weeks ago and today was the first day I tried it out. I packed my pots, weighed the boxes and printed my postage, set the packages out to be picked up and they were!! I was checking the door every hour or so, nervous that they would remain on my step but sometime between 3 and 4 they magically vanished leaving me post office free. YAY! Not that I don't love the lovely people at my neighborhood city post office or standing in line forever, or showing up during the hour in the middle of the day when the post office closes for lunch (??)....I'm really going to miss all of that. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of love for the postal workers (some of them anyway), I even brought cookies to my last post ofice just 'cause they were so nice. My father-in-law is a mail man (is that PC?). It's just that Baltimore city post offices are generally not nice places to be. At least not in my neighborhood. So farewell to that daily errand, postal scale ...I think this is the start to a beautiful friendship!
Oh and by the way....new mugs are coming soon, no really....see them in the picture? Just waiting to be fired and glazed and then off to the etsy shop, I promise!

New batch of tiny vases, just out!

Today I'm listing a new batch of tiny vases that I just pulled from the kiln. Get 'em while their hot!

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween #25
Originally uploaded by stevechasmar

Have a great Halloween weekend everyone! I think my brother was a pumpkin on a table for Halloween one year, if I remember correctly he got his head stuck and there was a bit of drama to get him out. This photo from steve chasmar on flicker reminds me of that Halloween.....

Slow food in a Modern Kitchen

Hey guys, make sure to check out my new monthly feature "Slow Food in a Modern Kitchen" on the Lillyella blog! On the last Wednesday of each month I will be sharing some of my favorite kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, recipes and decor. Click on over to check out my first post on bread baking.

Spoon rests in progress...

Bisque kiln is cooling....cups are drying....belt buckle design is waiting for decoration and I think I have my new spoon rest design. I had a request for some round spoon rests from one of my wholesale shops and I thought it would be fun to come up with a new, larger, spoon rest design. Here are some drying, all they need is to be cleaned up and decorated. I think I am going to keep one for my own stove:)

DIY Magazine

This totally made my rainy day:) Check out the winter edition of DIY magazine by Better Homes and Gardens in your local bookstore, you might just see a familiar dish on page 35.