The True Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner--how could we not know?  Wal-mart already has its Christmas tree up...Of course, Hobby Lobby has had Christmas decor out since August...Holiday commercials are already playing on TV.  Its hard to not be reminded that the holidays are near~

My resolution for this Christmas season is to remember above all else---the REAL reason we celebrate.  The gift of our Savior and what his birth meant for the whole world.  Salvation.  Redemption.  Eternal Life.  Life is created by and for Him...and the best news we could ever hear is that he has created us with purpose: Bringing glory to His name!  Living our life in complete surrender because of how much he loves us... He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

The last couple of years I started creating Christmas ornaments that communicate the true meaning of the season.  This year I decided to make an ornament of Baby Jesus in the manger...here is the finished product!  I am very pleased with the way it turned out--and how it keeps the theme of the ornaments I made in the previous years. 

The Nativity is the very first ornament I made--Christmas 2009.

Here is the one I made in 2010...the 3 Wise Men.

I'm excited about the tradition of making these ornaments every year...I'm hoping to create an ornament that tells part of the story each Christmas.

I would love for all of my followers to own one of each of these ornaments!  If you are interested in purchasing one, please go to my Etsy and I will be glad to send one to you just in time decorating for Christmas!

Happy early Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday to my dad--the most amazing Father in the world!

Christmas in August

I can't believe its already been a month since school started!  I guess its a good sign if the days are flying by...must mean I actually do enjoy my students a whole lot this year.  I have some great potential in my classroom and am being inspired every day.

It felt like Christmas yesterday when I opened the kiln to see the students' finished pots.  They have just finished their pinch pot project and they turned out great!  I was also excited to see some of my finished pieces as well.  A couple of platters, a few birds, and some other pieces I worked on while teaching the students.

 This was a commission piece I did for a friend...love how the glazes turned out!

 This was also a commission piece...love the purple!  Never would have thought of it.

These coasters were just for fun...I love birds and wanted to try a new technique.  And guess what?!  You can buy them on my Etsy!

I didn't get a chance to photograph everything that I've done recently...but I am going to try to post more soon!  Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog!

Have a great week!

Love,

My Etsy is Back!

One of the things I wanted to do before school started was to get my Etsy page back up and running...I did that yesterday and its a good thing because school starts...

TOMORROW.

So even though my free days will be gone, I still plan to keep producing work to sell on Etsy.  Please keep me in mind when you are shopping for gifts for others--or for yourself:-)  

I also wanted to remind my followers and fans out there that I also do commission work...pretty much anything you need (painting, pottery, mixed media...abstract or realistic).  Just contact me through my blog, Etsy, or Facebook.  So if you already have ideas for Christmas presents, its never too early to start planning!

On a different subject...earlier on in the summer the girls in my small group at church decided they wanted to sign up for a class to paint pottery.  I volunteered to teach a class instead...that way they could actually make something and glaze it.  So we had two sessions...one where they made a slab platter and the other when they got to choose their own glazes and glaze their finished pieces.  I was so proud of the way they each turned out that I decided to put some pictures on my blog!

Keep in mind that none of these girls had prior experience in ceramics...they were AMAZING students. Wish all my high-school students were like them:-)  

Happy Monday and don't forget to check out my Etsy page!

The Raspberry Beret

One of my closest friends, Sara, lives in Louisville, a small town in Mississippi.  She has recently (as in last Saturday) opened a consignment store--The Raspberry Beret (how cute!:-)  Before I show you pictures of her AMAZING set up, here are my favorite qualities about Sara:

1. She has a genuine love for serving

2. Her taste of interior decorating is unlike I have ever seen--eclectic mixed with vintage, antique, country cottage, BEAUTIFUL.

3. She sees beauty in what others may see as trash.

4. She is an incredibly hard worker.

5. She is one of the most humble people I've ever met.

6. She knows how to be resourceful. (Please teach me!)

7. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out--a sincere follower of Christ.

8. Her husband is just as awesome--(Chad and Buster are really close friends too:-)

So the store started as an idea...then sure enough, it became a reality--I'm so proud of her determination and willingness to take these steps of faith!  I'm very thankful that she has chosen to set up a booth for my artwork as well.  Here are some pictures:

Here is my booth!  Thanks so much, Sara!

I thought this was adorable...what a great idea for a baby room.  An old mirror with a vintage curtain.


So anytime you're out in Louisville, make a visit to The Raspberry Beret--how could you not?

503 N. Church Street Avenue

See you there!

Fall 2009 Pottery

Here are several of my works produced mainly this fall. Alot of pieces were created for

demonstration purposes for my ceramics students. I love my job!!

Size: 12 inches tall

Description: Slab Construction with earth-tone glazes

Size: 5 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown with detailed carving and fluting,

glazed with a combination of glossy blues.

Size: 8 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown with earth tone glazes

Size: 8 inches tall

Description: Handbuilt with decorative carving;

glazed with earthtone browns

Size: 5 1/2 inches tall

Description: Small wheel thrown pitcher; glossy blue glaze combination

Size: 8 1/2 and 6 1/2 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown decorative goblet bowls

with earthy green glaze

Size: 5 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown vase made out of

combination of white and dark clay

Size: 13 inches tall

Description: Hand-built coil construction

with earthtone brown and cream glazes

Size: 13 inches tall

Description: Hand-built coil construction with

earthy brown and blue glazes

Size: 11 inches tall

Description: Hand-built coil construction

with brown and cream glazes

Size: 5 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown vase made out of white and dark clay

Size: 5 1/2 inches tall

Description: Wheel thrown vase with combination of white and dark clays

Size: 6 1/2 inches tall

Description: Wheel-thrown vase with dark blue and brown glazes

Size: 13 inches wide

Description: Hand-built slab platter with intricate

detailed applique on ends; brown and cream glazes

Size: 14 inches wide

Description: Hand-built slab with carving and applique of logo; stained brown (I'm a huge fan of this photographer: Robby Followell. Check out his blog at followellfotography.com!)

Size: 13 inches wide

Description: Hand-built slab platter with decorative

pattern designs on edges; glazed with soft blue