Hooray!!!!

I finally made the front page of Etsy!! Wahooooo!

Slow Dinner

I just had to share with you this wonderful slow food dinner I just finished eating! I went to the local farmers market this morning and picked up some delicious produce which I cooked up in an herb blend from this little shop in Richmond Virginia we found the last time we were in town for a craft show. It was such a treat and pleasure to eat this delicious dinner that supports the local farmers and I ate off my own dishes...what a feeling of accomplishment!

I thought I would share my artist statement with you today. I just wrote it last night for a show I applied for. I also updated my resume;)

When I was young I remember someone telling me that it is impossible for the human mind to think only one thought.
Our days are stuck in fast-forward as we are running from one event to another, completing our daily rituals while in constant motion. My work hopes to create a focal point, a moment of pause, a thought or a flood of memory while simply eating a meal or washing a dish, a quiet interruption of your day. The words are barely there, you must lean in to read them but they are not complete, a fragment left behind for you; the viewer. The intricate patterns overlaid with imagery represent a sense of time that has passed and the impressions it has left, the mark we have made on the world.
On occasion I still close my eyes and try to make my mind think of only one thing.

:) Michael helped me fix my photos last night, what a great hubby!

As promised!

Here is another plate that I just pulled from the kiln. I need to learn how to take better photos though...maybe someday.

Plates....

I have been busy making plates in the studio recently. A few weeks ago I took a workshop at the Baltimore Clayworks with Nancy Selvin and learned the art of gocco printing on ceramics. It was amazing! I ran right home and bought a gocco printer with my savings. It has inspired me to be working in a more collage style. I am starting to learn about this slow food movement and am really thinking about what my plates say and urge people to think about. Stay tuned for some more plates posted soon:)

Art Star in Philly!

Michael and I will be at the Art Star festival this weekend so stop by and see us if your in the area. It should be a really good show, over 150 vendors!

Necklaces are IN!

Check out my etsy shop for new necklaces! I have been waiting to add some and now that I am restocked I'll be listing more of them soon.

A new plate design

dinner-1
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

Last night I tested my new plate design. This bun is waiting for a juicy mushroom and swiss burger....yum. I'm really excited about these new plates, they are so much fun to make but sure do take a lot of room in the kiln. This is the small size, lunch plate. I also have a larger size and am testing out some new clay in the studio this week. I am really into plates right now!

SALE!

Due to some off temperature firings I am offering some items 1/2 price in my etsy shop! There is nothing wrong with the work, just the colors didn't turn out the way I thought they would. Everything is still fully functional so be sure to check out the great deals and steals! pinkkiss.etsy.com

Another picture

Bermuda Vacation
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

Well until I get my pictures together for the etsy shop I am going to post some cool photos from my vacation. I love this picture. The old rusty bike leaning against that bright orange wall! So cool. I love little towns with bright paint and lots of charm.

Bermda Vacation

Bermda Vacation
Originally uploaded by pinkkiss

I haven't ben posting much lately due to some computer problems and well, just life in general! Here is a photo from our Christmas vacation in Bermuda...one of the things that keep me away from the computer! This is me (in front) and my mom hanging out in a cute little town waiting for lunch! Check out my flicker page for more photos!

New pottery find on etsy!

I just love to discover new artists on etsy! It's just so inspiring. I came across this lovely dish by Noelle Horsfield this morning as I wait to go to my Dr. (nasty sore throat). I am drawn to work with lots of layers and details, yummy patterns. You can find more of Noelles Pretty Pots in her etsy shop.

To better serve...

You could use this pretty dish to serve some of my yummy recipies below! Find it at SusanSmithClay.etsy.com.

All the Fixins'

So Turkey's great and all but what I really crave during the Holiday is some good James Bond marathon and mom's famous side dishes. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday I just wanna say, "thanks mom, your the greatest and you taught me everything I know!" AND I'm gonna share these great recipes with you!
The best cranberry sauce:
1 big box of red jello
2 cans of whole cranberry sauce (almost forgot this, this year! Wouldn't my face be red!)
1 can of pineapple tidbits
1 can of mandarin orange slices
about 1 cup of chopped walnuts (as much as you like)
Make the jello according to the instructions but only add half the total liquid. This really just means omit the cold water part. Add the cranberry sauce. Drain the canned fruit and add it with the walnuts. Stir and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Mom's "sunshine" sweet potatoe pie!
5-6 sweet potatoes peeled and boiled until soft.
OJ
1 can crushed pineapple.
nutmeg and cinnaomn to taste
pinch of salt
1 bag of mini marshmallows

Mash the sweet potatoes in a bowl using the OJ as if it were the milk in regular mashed potatoes. Don't make them too wet though cause now your gonna add the can of pineapple and that will add more liquid. Mix in the seasoning to taste. This is when I put it in the fridge until right before dinner, then take it out, spoon into a pie tray and heat until hot in the center. Top the whole thing with mini marshmallows and bake until they turn all brown and gooey.

Notice how these recipies are super healthy? Turkey day doesn't have to be fattening! Especially since you know your gonna be eating leftovers all week:)

Winter White

Let it snow let it snow let it snow! White pottery that is. What a beautiful way to dress up your home, snow white pots all around. I especially like these pieces from Judi Tavill. She is a fellow etsy mud team member and an east coaster too. Be sure to check out more of her work on etsy, they would make stunning holiday treats!

Rae Dunn

Love the work of this artist, Rae Dunn. She just opened her etsy shop and our work is actually next to each other in Red Tree. I really like the stark compositions and the handmade quality. I'm also a fan of the writing stampde into the clay, gee I wonder why. She makes 2 lines of work, one is her handmade stuff which she sells on etsy and one is work she has manufactued and sells in shops all over. Way cool. Sooo who's gonna manufacture my work to sell all over?

New work in the shop today!

New work has been posted in my etsy shop today! Go check out these new leaf dishes, I think they would look great grouped on the Thanksgiving table each holding a tealight. Hopefully I will be listing more as the week goes on. Don't forget when you buy from my shop this week you will be entered into a raffle for a FREE ornament:)

Mud in the Trees!

Poster for the Etsy Mud Team
Originally uploaded by intothefire

Buy from my shop this week and be entered into a raffle to pick up some beautiful muddy ornaments. I put my dove ornament up for grabs. Tomorrow I will be restocking the shop with some new work fresh from the kiln!

Please be still

I really like this image by etsy artist pleasebestill. The colors go so well with my style! In my own studio I have been into shades of blues and greens with a pop of red somewhere in the piece. I really like the balance in this one. I also like how she doesn't really have a face...mysterious.

Best.Toilet.Ever.

This post is for my hubby, Michael. Not only is he a huge fan of the squid, this one happens to decorate one of his favorite spots in our home. I am seriously thinking about getting him one for Christmas. You can get your own at Vital on etsy.