Hi Everyone!

This past year has been a very productive year!  I got the hang of recycling clay with the pugger, I started experimenting with kitchen supplies/ware, I got a new car, I got a promotion at work and I started looking at houses! Woo!

I stepped away from doing pottery full time but I still play with clay 1-2 times a week. I still see pottery as being my therapy and I just can't stay away from clay!  Recently, I have been making more functional pieces. I really love making mugs, flower pots and altered oval vases.  For the winter season I started getting in to platters, plates and ornaments though!

The next pieces I want to experiment with are:

• Large altered wheel-thrown carved luminaries with earthy elements incorpoated
• Kitchen supplies / ware (utensils, bowls plates, spoon rests, etc. . .)
• Larger bowls, mugs and vases

You will be seeing these pieces mentioned above and more at the next Berea Arts Festival (2019)!

It has been quite a month in the pottery studio!  I am so grateful for my staff at BAYarts. I have learned so much about creating platters, plates, and ornaments from the instructors.  Most of my inspiration and motivation stems from these wonderful ladies.  I didn't think commercial art was for me but I thought I would give it a shot this year and I didn't do too bad!

I have been in production mode this past month and I wish I would've started creating for Christmas 6 months ago! We're all out of white clay at BAYarts until January! 

This is a sneak peek at some of the ornaments I have designed and plan to sell at the CLE Bazaar in E11even 2 Gallery at 78th street studios this weekend (Saturday, December 9th 10am-9pm and Sunday, December 10th 10am-6pm). 

If you are interested in my process and want to view more pictures you can stay updated through my Instagram. #frayedandfragile
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​I will also be at 78th Street Studios' Third Friday this month on December 15th.  Click here for directions.

This is my first time selling during the holiday season so I am unsure about how many ornaments and holiday themed items I will have left for this event on December 15th.  I suggest coming to the Bazaar this weekend! (located at the same place) FYI: It's in the old American Greetings warehouse.
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​I also have a few other designs I'm thinking about with our brown clay (which is darker and has speckles) but if you are interested in the design above (with the white clay) come to the Bazaar this weekend before they are out of stock until next year! There are a few other variations I created and plan on selling out of as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and get a chance to go out and support your local artists!

Happy Holidays!

Stay warm,

Nicole

When it comes to a big piece of pottery I get stuck sometimes planning what types of glazes I want to use.  Usually, I wing it and pray that the piece comes out okay. My techniques are changing though. (Thankfully!)

I'm so happy I took my time with this feather and thought carefully about the glaze choice.  I used  Coyote White and I'm in love!

I sold this feather the moment I was putting it on display for our Holiday Sale at BAYarts.  My day was made! 

This is what I do with the back of the larger feathers I carve because I want people to be able to hang them more than one way: 

TIP: If you're a unsure about gluing hooks onto your wall art or pottery, E6000 glue is the best!
Make sure you wait 24 hours for the glue to cure though! When I sell my feathers to people I usually ask them which way they want the hooks and glue them that day and have them either take it with them with masking tape over the glue or have them pick up the feather(s) within the next few days.

You can also carve holes or divots into your pottery to use for hanging.  I am starting to refrain from doing this because I roll my clay out so thin.

I sure do! I love creating feathers out of a slab of clay. It never stops amazing me.  I can get lost carving these repeated lines. I find it to be very therapeutic.

Does anyone else find carving to be therapeutic? 

I have a good friend from college that loves to carve into almost everything she makes!  You can check out Michelle and her lovely pottery at Brick Ceramic and Design Studio in Cleveland or you can check out her website here.

BereArtDay was last Saturday and the weather was wonderful!  It was supposed to rain in the early afternoon but it waited till 5:10 pm--right after the art walk ended!

It was great seeing familiar faces and meeting some amazing new people. We had an awesome turn out!

​These dark green splatter mugs were a huge attraction. I had at least 10 people stop and admire them! Thank you so much for your love and support.

Have a lovely week!