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!

New Product...Winestoppers!

With an upcoming wholesale show, I wanted to make a new product for it. These came to me through quite a few requests I received during the christmas craft show season. I had realized if I had more frog and turtle products, I would've sold them in a heartbeat! So, with that thought and the lamps I made....these pond-themed winestoppers were created! I had alot of fun with these.

Another lamp done!

I've had such a great start to my year creatively! Last January, I didn't have the opportunity to make any of my art because I had 2 big orders right in the New Year. Not so this time around, and I'm so pleased! I love being able to recharge my creative battery before I start doing production work.

I thought I was pleased with the results of my first lamp. That was the case till I completed this one! I'm especially happy with the little turtle on top. He's got personality and I didn't even do it on purpose! All the details you see is made of polymer clay and majority of the details are sculpted canework. I really like look of the translucent clay lit up.

I don't think this will be the last time I make lamps!

A New Year, A New Project!

Cannot believe another year's over! It was a successful show season and I've been taking it easy since the end of Butterdome in the beginning of December and enjoying the company of my family and friends.

But alas, it's time to get back to work and creating. I'm taking a bit of time off right now to create pieces for my own pleasure and to feed my artistic soul. I've had a few lamps in my studio that I've been meaning to work on but nothing had materialized till now. I had made a translucent floral petal cane last Spring, but the idea didn't gel at that time. Then all of the sudden, right as I was deciding on making an 'art' piece...the idea just flowed for me and I want to share the end result!

It's a waterlily themed lamp with dragonflies...I hope you enjoy it!

Mini Teapots

Been awhile since I've posted new work, but I have these cute little teapots that were just begging to be covered. They're around 3-4" in size. I liked the way they turned out.