Damask Cane

For part of the teapot, I wanted a damask wallpaper pattern. This black and white pattern took me almost an entire day to create.

Poppet's Face Cane

Just a few pictures featuring my face cane process. I've been making millefiori canes for over 18 years now and people still believe my work must be painted!

It's that time of year again!

For me, that time of year means creating my first piece of art. This has become a new year ritual for me.....after all the fall shows and holidays are over, I create a unique piece that makes me happy!

During the fall shows, I read the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The book took me to a magical world that conjured up imagery that were very Tim Burtonesque to me. I knew a teapot had to be created from it. And for some of you who knows me, I have a 'few'....about 2 dozen teapots in my possession, just waiting for me to cover them! I knew the exact set that would be perfect for the job.

For most of January, I created component canes and refined my design for the piece. Alot of thought went into it.....constant revisions. Most of this is done in my thoughts...without sketching it out too much. Other than the full length view of Poppet, which was transferred...all other details were drawn and carved directly on the teapot.

What I found fascinating is how much time simplicity takes. For me, this teapot is graphically simple, but technically complex....a combination of canework, carving and inlaying..and a new one for me, carving and revealing. This seems to be the case in most of the pieces I make.

I'm very pleased with my results...this piece makes me happy and energizes me creatively. It motivates me to produce my art for the rest of the year for others to enjoy!

2010 Teapot...finally!

As some of you may know, I only make one or two teapots a year. Usually this happens in January after all the show mayhem. This year was different for some reason. I was very busy with orders right in the beginning of the year, hence I didn't have the opportunity of making one till this summer.

I had this particular teapot sitting on my shelf for a year with an idea brewing in my head. The vision came to me as soon as I bought it. It reminded me of something out of the Jetsons. It gave birth to the Space Girls teapot. The detail is a combination of canes,carving and inlaying, and other polymer clay techniques to come up with the finished product. It is also sanded with 5 grades of fine sandpaper. The finish is so smooth that it's a shame you can't experience it through a photo.

Belated Happy 2008!

Yes, another year has gone by.....time's flying by so quickly now! I'm looking forward to seeing what this year brings.

So far, it's inspired me to do another Retrolady teapot. And I'm very happy with the results. The colour combinations have come out brighter than the ones I've created before. Perhaps the westcoast air has its influence on me already! Think there are more of these to be created in the near future.

Also, a big thank you to Gera Scott Chandler for the idea of putting 'Desi' on the b&w tv behind 'Lucy'. Love it!