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Our Works
Excited to share the latest addition to our #etsy shop: Leather scraps – almost free! Just pay shipping and the listing fee. Locals in #yyc Calgary are welcome to use coupon code LOCALPICKUP to skip shipping and grab the box off my front porch in the far SE. . See link in bio to visit our shop . [item description: a full 900g/2lb pile of leather scraps and a hand showing the average size. Leather is grey suede and a variety of browns.] . #leatherscraps #recycleleather #suedescraps #smallsuede #leathercraft #leatherbits https://etsy.me/3ksRWLk
In progress// First draft for nose, lips, cheeks and ready to move onto those eyes. The finicky work of moving and building up clay is bananas (this is 5x speed!!) but oh so rewarding. These eyes are on the sculpting table first thing tomorrow. đïžđïž . . #humansculpture #pinchpot #sculpture #potteryprocess #ceramics #potteryvideo #sculpting #facepot #facesculpting
it’s coming soon!!! Come see us and our fibery friends in Airdrie Reposted from @creekside_yarnfestival Save the date! In just 2 more months it will be time for the 5th annual @creekside_yarnfestival. Join us for some fun and shopping after the hectic holiday season!! Stay tuned in the next few weeks for the featured vendors and floorplan. We have 36 vendors with a wide variety of wonderful goodies. #creeksideyarnfestival #polkadotcreek #creekgardenscrafts #yarnparty #shopsmallbusiness #crochetersofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #weaversofinstagram #makersofinstagram
No Easy Button // My head said “this clay isn’t made for this bashy work, WHAT ARE YOU DOING” and my heart said “PFFFT” and some quote about getting to success faster if you steam through the failures. Or something. My head wasn’t really listening. Pinch pots from super soft porcelain, this could be really cool. Or a learning experience. . We’ll find out later which was right: ïž or đ§ once these firm up a bit for sculpting faces. . Happy 2023! May your heart’s desires guide you (isn’t the journey the most important part anyway?) . . #pinchpots #headpots #handbuiltpottery #potteryprocess
HANS GRUBER HAS FALLEN! Merry Christmas to those that celebrate đŒ . #DieHard #ChristmasMovie #XmasSpirit #HandmadeOrnament
It’s end of year NEW TOOL time – Santa brought us a new slab roller đŒ Thank you @ceramics_canada_calgary for always being THE BEST in advice, supply, and general awesomeness! We can’t wait to get to making. #DreamsComeTrue #MakeItFLAT . . #yyc #ceramicscanada #pottery #slabroller #northstarequipment #ceramics #albertapottersassociation
Double time – finishing the making of the last slipper sole orders before Santa arrives! Two of us are side by side to get these babies ready and into the mail! Handmade ïž #slippers #slippersoles #slipperseason #handmadeslippers #knittersofinstagram #crochetersofinstagram #yyc
Yarn bowl drop // I have dropped my favourite yarn bowls at #yyc @yarn_twisters Yarn Twisters, a lovely shop on SE Calgary that is owned and operated by two truly amazing women. They have super large CAULDRON styles and smaller bowls as well for you or someone special on your list. Every single one was carved by hand in my studio. I hope you like them! Thanks to @sahmknits1 for the photo of the display and being 100% great. #yycknitters #shoplocalyyc #yarnbowls #handmadecalgary #yyccrochet
APA Annual Christmas sale // it’s coming so soon. Please come visit me and all the potters on Nov 5. Free entry and door prizes! . I’ll have yarn bowls, d20 mugs, and some new friends (head pots) plus buttons! . #apa #yyc #yycart #yycmarket #yycevents #pottery #yycpottery
Thank you! My sweet tween apprentice and I are so grateful to @fibreshindig Fibre Shindig. Clair, Myrna, and the volunteers bring such wonderful people together, and we are so grateful to be included. The new venue is bright and welcoming, and as usual, I spent the day admiring knit, crochet, and woven projects as the fashion of attendees filed in. Oh and also selling pots and slipper soles and buttons . Thank you for everyone that came by the booth and helped our tween work on his booth skills. He is eager and learning. ïž . My own stash is wee but mighty with dreamy yarns from @poppyyarnandfibre @thewoolbaron , a progress keeper from @_ocean_loops , amazing beads by @burntglassstudio (the tween apprentice hasn’t taken his beads off since!!) and beautiful woven ornaments from @ellspins . I also was able to acquire two amazing handknit shawls from Vivienne Rundle that suit me: BRIGHT AND LOUD, and the other subdued in my quieter moments. (I’ve tagged the makers in the photos except Vivienne who I can’t find on instagram) . Did you make it to the show? What amazing things did you find? . . #yyc #fibreshindig #apprentice #fibreshindighaul #communityovercompetition
It’s almost here! Fibre Shindig is Saturday Oct 22, 10am-4pm at Genesis Centre. ïž . I’m sanding pots today and so excited that we will have a limited collection of the EXTRA LARGE edition of our popular cabled mugs. We are excited to see you and show you all the things we’ve been making. . Copy/paste this for advance ticket: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-fibre-shindig-tickets-443041407777?utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_medium=email&utm_source=even . . . #yycarts #fibreshindig @fibreshing #giftsforknitters #yarmbowls #yyc #yycevents #yycmarkets
Throwing a yarn bowl. Note the technique using a piece of scrap paper to seal the opening, creating a vacuum to keep the pot stable as I take it off the wheel. Don’t have bats? No problem! . #yarnbowl #ceramicart #ceramicarts #ceramicartist #modernceramics #ceramica #keramik #wheelthrownceramics #pottery #handthrown #potterybowl #potteryprocess #pottersofinstagram #potteryvideo #potteryvideos #claylife #pottery #functionalpottery #potteryprocess #pottersofinstagram #potterytip #oddlysatisfying
Planning patterns isn’t something I often do. I usually set up a pot in front of me and then carve my garden into the surface. But today I had an idea so I’m sketching it out. STARS STARS STARS. . Do you like the top or bottom illustration better? . # #potteryprocess #drawing #illustration #artisttok #claycarving #ideas #art #yyc #Alberta #pencildrawing #carving
Same great energy, new location. Oct 22 in Calgary at Genesis Centre I hope to see you there! . Reposted from @fibreshindig The playful and cheeky mugs and yarn bowls from @chasingfirestudio will bring a smile to your face!! There are knitting themed ones and quirky faces, alongside hand carved and rainbow glazed bowls. Not forgetting the leather soles to save any slipping in your hand made slippers! Come and see all the fabulousness on Saturday October 22 at Genesis Centre in Calgary from 10am at The Fibre Shindig. #fibreshindigfall2022 #fibrefestival #yycpottery #handmademugs #yarnbowl #slippersoles #knittingmug #yycshoplocal #yycmakers #rainbowglaze #potteryartist #pottery #fibreshindig
New // Wee friend pots, d20 steins, and new rainbow yarn bowls fresh from the kiln! . This work and ME will be at Calgary’s Inglewood Night Market @inglewoodnightmarketyyc in the @albertapottersassociation tent on Fri Sept 16 and I hope to see you there! Artists, food, drink, and a great vibe. đ„° . . #inglewoodnightmarket #pinchpots #pottery #d20 #d20mug #yarnbowl #yyc
With this ring // I present a delivery system and keeper for wedding rings for two amazing women who pledged themselves to each other this weekend. My sister’s joy was everything. ïžđ§Ą One bride wore red, one bride blue, and they both wore rainbow accents. This dish incorporated all. Rings were tied to the dish with golden and red ribbons and delivered to the wedding arch during the beautiful ceremony by a very proud ring bearer. My heart is overflowing with the gift of being part of such an important moment in their lives. đłïžâ May you have a lifetime of happiness in your marriage, my sweet darlings Mikynzee & Joannie. Kind and devoted hearts, now one. ïžđ§Ą #ringdish #wedding #LGBTQ2Swedding #ShePutARingOnIt
Glaze day // Today is finally the day to sit back and add colour to the little pot heads, head pots. The finished friends will be available at the Friday September 16 Inglewood Night Market where I will be with the lovely Alberta Potters Association tent đ„° See @inglewoodnightmarketyyc for event details! . . . #headpots #bisque #potteryprocess #glazing #ceramics #pottery #sculpture #faceplanters #pinchpot
Walking salt lick: This is barn life at #AHAA T1 Championship Show in #Olds. That’s LER Twice As Good (Goodie) using me as his personal walking saltlick. I’m not sure I’ll switch careers to groom just yet but it sure was fun hanging in the stalls with @topspotstables and their amazing geldings. . #appaloosa #horse #barnlife #LER #gelding #geldingsofinstagram #saltlick #manitobahorses #appaloosasofinstagram
After // Fresh from the kiln. ïž The skin tones are much richer than I could hope for and I’m so thrilled. The mix between pupil and non-pupil pots is really working for me. I’m now ready to glaze the rest of this batch of sweethearts to ready them for adoption. I will have these at the Inglewood nightmarket in Calgary mid September and in the online shop afterwards. Those red lips on the third friend are so vibrant and I’m here for it but I’m tempted to add some gloss rather than the matte What do you think? . . . #pinchpots #handbuiltpottery #pottery #ceramics #headpots #facepots #faceplanters #littlepots #handbuilding #sculpture #yyc #yycart #AlbertaMade
Kiln loading day! // Here are the first two layers in the kiln of greenware, sometimes starring my hair because it’s VERY deep and I have to reach far inside with my short arms. Hoping to fire this batch later this week . . #kilnvideo #kiln #ceramics #potteryprocess #pottery #keramik #kilnloading #potteryvideos #ceramicvideos #makerlife #artprocess
View of The Skunk Rescuer from a previous reel “Toughest Guy”. These babies are now in capable hands of the Alberta Institute of Wildlife Conservation @albertawildlife after wee skunk siblings were seen wandering the neighbourhood over several days. Mama had been trapped and removed, leaving orphans behind. McKenzie Towne in Calgary is a hotspot for skunks! . . #skunk #skunkkits #skunkguy #skunks #yyc #wildlifeAlberta #babyskunk #babyanimals #skunksoftiktok
Pillar progress // I finally completed the asymmetrical finishing touches on these faces and I am letting the pillar pots dry. They will join the other waiting heads in the kiln through first bisque firing then a second glaze firing sometime this summer. Working out on the deck with a temporary sculpting studio was a refreshing change of pace although the clay dried quickly, giving my timeline a shortening. The birds singing, sounds of children playing, and the sweet scent of lilacs on the wind? What a lovely day to make pots. . . . #notskunks #pinchpots #facepots #headpots #ceramics #ceramik #clay #pottery #potteryprocess . . [Image description: Three rounded white clay pinch pots stacked upon each other, each with a different neutral peaceful face sculpted upon it. Each of the faces have eyes with pupils, a nose, and lips with fleshed cheeks. They are positioned on the right of the photo on a faded wooded table.]
Wee skunks, before capture. Mama had been trapped and removed, leaving orphans to wander our Mckenzie Towne, Calgary, Alberta, Canada neighbourhood for days. We captured these kits and their siblings and took them to the reputable Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation for care. Yes, they did eventually spray! Not as toxic as an adult đ€Ł . . #skunks #skunksofinstagram #skunkbabies #yyc #alberta #wildlife #babyanimals #skunkkits
Babies! Is one of these babies now the mama to the babies we found last week? Video from 2020 taken on our block in McKenzie Towne Calgary, Alberta, Canada at dusk ïž . . #skunks #skunkbabies #skunkkits #yyc #alberta #albertawildlife #skunksofinstagram
Pillar / in progress, stack o’ heads. I have no idea if this will work, if they will be stable at completion, if they will work functionally or artistically. Yet I can only imagine what fun treasures each will eventually hold and what you will trust each to contain. I’ve been working with a different set of reference models for these three wee pots (they are VERY small) and I am loving the wide smiles and softer cheeks. . . . [image text: a set of three small white clay pinch pots, each stacked on top of each other although you can only see a small bit of the top pot as it is mostly out of frame. They sit on a dark charcoal work surface, littered with sculpting tools and surrounded with clear plastic in the background. Each of the bottom two pinch pots has a serene human face sculpted into it with open eyes, a nose, and lips.] . . #pinchpots #yyc #sculpture #facesculpture #humansculpture #facepot #headpot #pillar #ceramics #pottery #ceramik #ceramicprocess
Toughest guy on the block Wee skunk charging and stomping, showing my neighbour who’s boss! They are now in the capable hands of Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation @albertawildlife after wee skunk siblings were seen roaming the ‘hood over several days. It seems Mama had been trapped and removed, leaving these babies behind. McKenzie Towne in Calgary is such a hotspot for skunks! The babies are so adorable even if the adults are stinky. #skunks #yyc #wildlifeAlberta #babyskunk YouTube: https://bit.ly/skunkies
Making // fine, make more of us but can we watch something OTHER than “90 Day Fiance” while you work??? No, no we may not. #TrashTv #PotteryProcess #Sculpture #ceramics #clay #pottery #keramika #pinchpottery #facesculpture #humansculpture #pinchpot
Watch me start the eyes and plump some cheeks – 8x speed đïžđïž White ceramic clay sculpting of my latest face pot friend. My reference photo has beautiful plump cheeks and large eyes. I’m excited to flesh out the kids. #potteryvideos #sculpture #ceramics #pottery #ceramicsprocess #facesculpt #keramik #pinchpot
Very much in progress // I haven’t been sitting with clay for at least a couple of weeks as we battle the ‘Vid. From throats coated with brambles to heads full of rocks and chests on fire, we’ve been consumed with naptime and Neocitran, our pre-trained immune systems battling this Omicron as it invades. My system is more invested in destroying itself so I’m behind the others in the household in recovery, my cough still too impressive to take into public. Today I haven’t slept for 18 of 24 hours so I sat at the clay bench instead and formed the beginnings of a mighty schnoz and mouth and eyes before finding that I needed a rest. I’ll continue tomorrow or the next day because these eyes still need focus. . . . #pinchpots #faces #facesculpting #sculpture #clay #ceramics #pottery #humansculpture [Image description: White clay, grey in colour, sculpture of a humanoid face with lips, nose and eyes with no pupils taking up a third of the screen, looking towards the right. A scrap of clay lays off to the right on the black table top. ]
Stages // New gamer steins in progress! Far left are handled, medallioned, and drying. Middle are just trimmed, waiting for handles and medallions. Far right are in line for trimming as I wait for the clay to reach perfect balance of consistency. Next when bone dry, they will be into the first kiln firing, then glazed and into their final firing. All the while, hoping these new experiments work out after all the stages come to pass. The process cycles on and on. Do you have a project that keeps you humble? . . . #ceramics #potteryprocess #wheelthrown #pottery #artpractice #d20mug #calgaryexpo
Breakfast with a friend // Adding final touches to this face pot this morning, created with guidance of @artgolban during his Sculpture Facial Elements class. This was an incredibly rewarding and challenging class through the University of Saskatchewan, and I highly recommend. đïžđŒđŒ #LifelongLearning #ceramics #handbuilding #pinchpot #facialelements #facialsculpting #facesculpture #pottery #facepots #yyc . . [Image description: Large white clay pinch pot with realistic face sculpted onto the surface. Face is looking slightly up to the right with a neutral expression and sits on a dark brown table, with pottery tools scattered in the background ]
And again // Working back on the wheel after a long three months working through shoulder injuries! Centering clay on the wheel is normally quick but I’m savouring hands on clay before opening for a mug bottom. đ¶ïž Some great successes, some really funny fails, and I did work too long because these shoulders were hot and SPICY when I finally called it for the night. But it felt GOOD to be back out. đ¶ïž And now back to sorting kiln accessories while these shoulders chill. The New Baby arrives next week and we are selling our tried and true 7 cu foot Duncan Kiln and I want to send lots of goodies with the new owner (details with link in stories until it sells). đ¶ïž Are you back to something you love as the Ides of March approach? . . . . [Accessibility text: white woman’s hands on a metal pottery wheelhead filmed from overhead, centering grey clay. At the end of the clip, she uses her fingers and then a sponge to push down into the center and then pull the clay outwards to create the bottom of the future mug.] . . #potteryvideo #centeringvideo #throwingvideo #mugthrowing #ceramics #pottery #wheelthrown #ceramicvideo #potteryprocess #yyckiln #yyc @albertapottersassociation
TOMORROW FEB 26 – I’ll be outlining how to open an Etsy store, what bits to fill in, how to do listings and tags, what photos are best for customer trust, setting up shipping, and how to fulfill a sale when it comes. I’ll also help you interpret what the FEES (oh the drama around fees), stats, and reports mean on the Etsy platform. . I’ve been on Etsy for 10 years with over 1360 sales (that’s thousands of items!). Let my battle scars help you out if you’re considering selling online with this easy but robust platform. . Registration $5 for APA members, $35 for non-members, link in bio. I’ll also have a 40 free listing referral code for those in attendance to start their shops. 𧥠. #EtsyCalgary #EtsyAlberta #Etsy #EtsyHowTo #ArtistsOnline. . [Accessibility text: image with the following text How to Sell on Etsy Expert Cara Carter Saturday Feb 26 10am-11am MST Alberta Potters Association Learn – How to set up an account, How to set up your policies, How to use tags and descriptions that help customers BUY, Photos that will help your item SELL, plus other tips and tricks such as how to be seen and drive traffic to your work. February 2022 ONLINE Workshop]
Birthday Sale! // IT’S SALE TIME!!!! 15% off everything in shop (link in bio) no coupon code needed – I made it around the world successfully during a global pandemic. That’s cause for celebration. Let’s make slippers, plant things, drink things, sew buttons on things! Oh – YYCPICKUP code does give you free shipping on stuff that has shipping if you’ll come to Mckenzie Towne in Calgary to pick it up. đŠ Sale on now until Feb 28. Now excuse me, I have so much cake to eat. xoxo . . . #yycsale #etsysale #slippersoles #mugsale #headpots #etsy
Such a beautiful hat pattern and wonderful knitting! I’ll be loading more F # CK mugs into the shop this weekend as we start the first stage of the February shop update. Glazing is about to start for the next stage of yarn bowls, cable mugs, and and wee heads. ïž Reposted from @fibregoddess Hopefully going to finish up and block my Enero Toque from @woolygems. The contrast isnât as much as Iâd like do the beautiful pattern doesnât stick out as much as Iâd like but Iâm loving it anyway . . . . Image description: a gradient blue hat on knitting needles sits in front of a teal mug that says F@ #k off Iâm knitting from @chasingfirestudio . . . . #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #hatknitting #yarnlove
Learnin’ // I’m taking a sculpture course through the University of Saskatchewan and my first challenge was an ear. In class we have moved on to nose & mouth but I’m refining some details on this ear before allowing it to slowly dry for firing. đ» I’m enjoying learning something completely new to me as I’ve always worked on ceramic functional pieces. The new advent of video online learning has brought Adrian Golban’s instruction and direct critique into my kitchen! đ» [Image description: A large ear sculpted out of grey clay on a black and plywood surface, surrounded by thin plastic.] . . . #sculpture #ceramics #humansculpture #facesculpture #pottery #UofS #EarSculpt
Beauty // This beautiful ceramic piece is gracing the door I use between house and studio so I can see it every time I leave the house. Misty of @wanderandflux and I “met” in a pottery group on a knitting website and I’ve been actively watching the gorgeous art this amazing person produces ever since. She teaches younger humans art, records her process for other potters, and is a super duper kind human that is making this world a better place. Watch for her upcoming shop updates Feb 26 or 27 and don’t hesitate – she sells out in moments! . . . #Moth #PottersUnite #WanderAndFlux . [Image description: laying on a pale turquoise woven blanket is a wide winged glossy black ceramic moth with intricately carved toadstools into the white clay, leaving white lines against black. The top of the moth has a dusty rose coloured accent and black glitter on the head. It is strung on a white and silver strand glitter string. ]
Etsy! // I’m hosting a webinar with the Alberta Potters Association! @albertapottersassociation 𧥠On Feb 26, I’ll spend an hour taking our 10 years and 1300+ sales on Etsy and show you how to set up your own shop. I’ll walk you through creating listings, setting up shipping profiles, and guide you through fulfilling that first sale. How to create confidence with policies, photos, descriptions, and navigate your new shop including fees, coupon codes, and reading stats reporting. Loaded with a decade of tips and tricks, let me introduce you to this easy online marketplace. How much info can I cram into an hour about something that I use daily? 𧥠LINK IN BIO to the APA website to get your ticket. $5 for APA members, $35 for non-members which includes this webinar plus a membership AND access to previous webinars and content. 𧥠#HowToEtsy #EtsySellers #APA #AlbertaHandmade #AlbertaMade #Pottery #ceramics #canadianceramics
Shop update tba? // Well, covid negative but STREP POSITIVE! We are living on popsicles and antibiotics as we fight our latest visitors. Rest is prescribed so kiln loading and glazing and such is on hold for now until we eradicate these beasties and are back up to 100%. đ€§ And may there be a special hell for people that don’t wear masks at pharmacies where those of us with crappy immune systems HAVE to be to pick up our medication. Not wearing a mask is rude, but not wearing one where people with illnesses and weakened immune systems must visit to care for their health is bonafide asshole behaviour. This entitled bratty stuff baffles me. Please pull your relatives and friends aside and remind them that cancer patients are in pharmacies. Chronically ill people are in pharmacies. Care givers are in pharmacies. People who, no matter how many vaccinations they get, do not form antibodies, are in pharmacies. If others don’t want to wear a mask, don’t enter a pharmacy and put those people at risk. Go somewhere else with your maskless bratty behaviour to buy a greeting card or milk FFS. Leave the at risk people alone. . . . [A mostly eaten pink popsicle held against a woven turquoise blue blanket background. ] . . . #Sick #Tired #WearYourMaskorGTFO #PickUpMyMedsInPeace
Staying home // We’ve made the hard decision to stay home this weekend rather than attend the amazing Creekside Yarn Festival. With immune compromised folk and asthma in our house, covid-19 isn’t something we can risk as we watch community cases skyrocket. We are so sad to miss seeing you, showing you what we’ve been working on, and seeing what YOU’VE been making. We’ll arrange a date for a shop update eta next week once we’re a bit less sad. . . [Image: a very dirty pottery wheel with a dark circle in the middle with white text displaying “Staying Home”] . #CreeksideYarnFestival #covidsucks
Next weekend!!! Jan 15 coming soon and although we won’t be able to make it any longer, many of our friends will be! Reposted from @creekside_yarnfestival Welcome Jason and Cara from @chasingfirestudio to the @creekside_yarnfestival . They are a husband and wife team that creates pottery and fibre accessories in southeast Calgary. They love texture and bright colours in their ceramics and their work shows it. They will be bringing yarn bowls, mugs, buttons and leather slipper soles for your slipper projects as well as trinket bowls, shawl pins and some select sculptures to bring a smile. They are excited to be vending at our festival for the first time! #creeksideyarnfestival #chasingfirestudio
New studio buddy // little duck friend floats in my throwing water, very satisfying. . . [Description: my white hand drops an small orange rubber ducky into a white pail of muddy clay throwing water.] . # #smalljoys #wheelthrownpottery #potteryvideos #rubberducky
New Year 15% off sale // We’re BACK, baby! To celebrate 2022, here’s 15% off everything in store until January 9, no coupon needed. Keep yourself warm while we ramp hard in studio to get ready for Creekside Festival on January 15 in Airdrie, Alberta. đș . . #EtsySale #slippersoles #leatherwork #leathersoles #slipperbottoms #slippers #handmadeshoes #handmadeslippers #yycmade link to our shop in bio!
2021 in one second per day // I’m grateful for this videography project every month, and especially at the end of the year. 2021 was lovely, bringing us closer and clarifying our needs. It also clearly reminded me more and more that the days are long and the years are short. Best wishes to you, my darlings, as we head into 2022. . . #2021inReview #love #JoyInSmallThings
We are on our annual winter rest, cuddling in as we prepare for Santa’s arrival (that’s how we celebrate!) and reminiscing about the remarkable year we have had. There were challenges but we have been lifted by our friends, families, creative community, and customers. Our creativity has expanded and our expansion of our online presence, and your support of that, has been a gift in these days (years?) of change. As we forge forward, excited about 2022 and ready for what it may bring, we wish you the best over the holidays and hope that your wishes come true. xoxo Jason, Cara, and The Kid (and the studio Goose)
Deadline // The last day to order Heels n Toes slipper soles for 2021 is Dec 14! Our annual winter shutdown starts this coming week until Jan 2 2022, and this gives us enough time to make your soles and send them in the mail before we rest. We make them to order, especially for each customer đ„° If you’ve been dreaming of making yourself slippers this winter, order before Tuesday night when I flip us into vacation. Etsy shop link is in our bio. Thank you! . . . #yycleather #yycknitters #yyccrochet #slipperleather #slippersole #slipperbottom
Dramatic lighting // I finished this wee pot on the weekend and it’s drying under the watchful eyes of the surrounding faces. This is going to be another exercise in planning a date for bisque firing then delaying it so I can squeeze juuusssst one more head in. I can feel it. I’ve been occupied elsewhere for a couple of days so the heads are just staring and waiting for their numbers to increase. They nag that way when I see them because I want MORE. So many more. . I’ll be back to making yarn bowls shortly for those that like a good throwing video. Noses and bowls are what the future holds. đș . . [Image description: A white clay pinch pot resting on a dusty charcoal gray board. On the pot is sculpted a realistic eyes nose and mouth. It is surrounded by similar pots of varying sizes. The lighting is very drastically shadowed by a bright light from the front right. ] . . #pinchpots #headpots #facesculpture #ceramicart #modernceramics #handemadeceramics #ceramicpots #ceramicplanter #ceramicstudio #ceramics #ceramicsculpture #claylife #pottery #handmadepottery #handbuiltpottery #potteryprocess #potterygram #pottersofinstagram #potterlife #canadianceramics #AlbertaPotters
Make new friends // I’m attending the virtual #CeramicsCongress this weekend and making as I watch/participate. This friend isn’t keen on being photographed as it dries, the lighting is bouncing strange no matter what I try so this will be the only “before” photo until completion. Some pieces are more shy, I suppose. It recovered from a smooshing incident and I’ll post a video with some of the steps that I took to fix the poor bruising. There, there, little friend. You’re ok now. đ€ . . . [Image description: a white clay pot with a realistic face with eyes, nose, and mouth sculpted on it. The background has several unsculpted pots waiting. All are sitting in a dusty charcoal-black coloured surface. ] . . #pinchpots #headpots #facesculpture #ceramicart #modernceramics #handemadeceramics #ceramicpots #ceramicplanter #ceramicstudio #ceramicsculpture #claylife #pottery #handmadepottery #handbuiltpottery #functionalpottery #potteryprocess #potterygram #pottersofinstagram #potterslife
November // this head had found its home so I’m now able to share photos. The matte surface worked out quite well on this one and I created a little matching dish for watering overflow. Pothos from @bigskyplantco [Image description: White clay pinch pot with a realistic eyes, nose, mouth sculpted on the front. Pot is perched on a matching white dish. Pot is surrounded by variegated pothos plant vines on a wooden slab.] . . #pinchpot #facepot #headpot #planter #pottery #ceramics #AlbertaArtist #CanadianCeramics #CanadianSculpture #Anatomy #SlowArt #handbuilding
Yarn bowl in YEG // This yarnbowl and friends are now at The Fibre Nook in Edmonton! đ„° I love sending work for those who can’t make it to Calgary for our in person markets. Kitchener mugs, handmade buttons, slipper soles, and sweater ornaments are also available. Please head to visit all the amazing things in their beautiful shop. We are so grateful to be included among their artists. . . . #yarnbowl #shoplocal #handmadeChristmas #YEGYarn #YEGhandmade
Heads // And continuing our quest to populate the world with ceramic best friends with potted hair, I have another itsy plant pot drying on the table tonight. Solemnly calm creature, this one. . . . [Image description: A white hand, arm clad in a rust orange sleeve, holds a small grey clay pinch pot in the palm of its hand. The pot has a realistic human face with eyes, nose and mouth. In the background, several other similar larger pots can be seen.] . . #ceramicart #ceramicarts #ceramicartist #ceramicplanter #ceramicsculpture #claylife #ceramicsculpture #potteryartist #pinchpots #handmadepottery #handbuiltpottery #potterymaking #potteryprocess #potterystudio #potterygram #pottersofinstagram #yycart #MadeInAlberta
Smooch // The second series of heads is coming together nicely. Working lips first on this one. Who will it be??? . . . [Image description: a white hand holds a rotund pinch pot made of grey / white clay at an angle. A pile of sculpting tools lies to the side. The pot has a sculpted pair of closed lips on the lower third of the pot.] . #ceramics #sculpture #headpot #facesculpture #pinchpot #keramik #plainsmanclay #potteryprocess #TheHeads
Buttons // sewing buttons on cards to better show off these magnificent glazes in the light. Spice up your project with these little gems of oomph, available tomorrow Nov 6 at Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre in Calgary. . . . #handmadebuttons #ceramicbuttons #albertapotters @albertapottersassociation #yycevents
Say cheese! // Fresh Outta the kiln. . . . #MakeNewFriends #pinchpots #sculpture #yycartists #ceramic @albertapottersassociation #albertapotters
VIDEO Process // Here is one of my little head pots from their first resemblance of a face to the fully sculpted details, to bisque and oxide completion, to the finished glossy piece. This little friend will be with me on Saturday at the @albertapottersassociation show with a small collection of wee friends (many of them are currently cooling – I’ll have photos tomorrow). Please come early for best selection, doors open at 10am and pack your mask and vaccination record. (And your “smize”) đ„° . . . #pinchpots #potteryprogress #oxide #cone6oxidation #ceramic #albertapotters
Wee Love // I made these wee dishes for precious rings, tidbits, teabags, spoons to gift to people that are meaningful. It’s been a nice little “thanks” and I’ve made extra to bring to the show November 6. I have turquoise fleck, the new copper, and “that purple” for some variation. 𧥠. . . #gift #thanks #handmadeyyc #buylocal @albertapottersassociation
Yarn bowls // Bringing these shiny babies to the @albertapottersassociation sale on Saturday! They are bringing friends. . . #succulentlove #claycarving #yycyarn #yarnbowls #yycevents #ceramics
Halloween // working on some new friends near to the front door tonight while spooky scary skeletons are ringing the doorbell, hollering for treats. Toss some candy, work on a nose, adore a costume, put on an eyelid. This is a pretty fun way to spend a creative night! . Who knows if these will be dry and double fired by Saturday’s show I’m trying. Plus can’t stop won’t stop. . . [Image description: a white hand holding a white clay pot with a face sculpted. In the background is two smaller pots with hollow insides with faces also sculpted on the front.] #ceramics #potteryprocess #pinchpots #plantpots #plantsForHair #facesculpture #clayfaces #headpots #canadianceramicsstudio
Heads // Obsessed. Many of these are sold. More will be available on Nov 6 at the #APASale @albertapottersassociation . . . #MakeFriends #pinchpots #facesculpture #pottery #ceramics #keramic #ceramika #headpot
Today at 10am! We packed up a variety of handcarved yarnbowls and unique mugs with our slipper soles, wee bowls, head pots, shawl pins, and we are on our way to FIBRE SHINDIG. ONE DAY ONLY. We are in the big gym to your right. . . #FibreShindig #yarn #yycevents #yarnbowl #yycknitters #oct23 #MissYouJacy
SHINDIG SATURDAY! // And here we go! Our first show since October 2019 is Oct 23. We’re packing yarn bowls, kitchener mugs, F #CK mugs including extra tall F #CK OFF I’m GAMING mugs, slipper soles, and the gorgeous shawl pins by our friend Carolina of @SzaboGlassCreations We’ll also have buttons and little sweater ornaments – as well as pretty wee dishes to hold your preciouses. We’re pretty excited. <3 See you Saturday at Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre, darlings! . Bring your masks, proof of vaccination, hand sanitizer, and air hugs – we'll be COVID safe as we can. @FibreShindig The Shindig Collective #yycevents #yycmarkets #yycyarn #yycknitters #yyccrocheters
Glaze test results // I’m contemplating glazing half my head pots in a clear glaze with no dimension for a cold alien feel, and for the other half, I want a range of rich skin colours and “life”. I did several tests and well, lucky me that failure is part of the journey to success. These are my favourite results thus far. The right result, a thin tenmoku, has shine in the deeper crevices that I’m not sure if I’m a fan of yet. The matte RIO warm brown tones on the left is the only truly successful glaze test that seemed to capture the nuance of rich tones within the same face. I now know what doesn’t work in my glaze and underglazes “kitchen”: other tests came out quite green or jaundiced, or my wiping was far too aggressive leaving the colour to fade completely after firing. My clear glaze on top of the testers almost always turned my browns to greens, or even clear (as seen on the top of the left pot), a glaze chemistry fascination. I’ll keep working and practicing and testing but I’m quite excited about finding one that has such potential. đ„° (Tagging @liz.larue.7 so she can see this process update!) . . . #sculpture #pinchpots #facesculpture #clay #ceramics #ceramicsculpture #potteryprocess #redironoxide
Happy place // Grateful for this day, Indigenous Peoples Day in many places and Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. The last two years have had challenges but have also held incredibly healing. I was suffering such burn out at the end of 2019 after a surgery that didn’t go quite right and a toxic work environment that was about to get worse with a reorg that would only add to the overwhelm. I couldn’t figure art-life balance and boundaries were shadows. All I had was exhaustion and tension. . Now I’m in a new work team that feels like a group hug even while supporting healthcare frontlines during this pandemic. My own health is managed by two great outpatient clinics. My art is moving into a place of joy, and the artist community I’m part of is a gift in itself. I live in the beauty that is Treaty 7 territory and I’ve made it more a priority to explore this area and the history this year. My kid is living the amazing tween spirit life and this partner of mine keeps me laughing with the type of belly laughter that comes from my toes. And I have these art supplies and a pile of sketchbooks, and a line of freshly thrown bowls waiting to have things carved upon them. . So much to be thankful for. . . #grateful
Bottoms up! / Dry faster, will ya?? . . #yarnbowls #greenware #potteryprocess #makerlife #patience
Carving // my phone malfunctioned in the middle of today’s impromptu live however this is the end result. . . [Image description: White clay bowl with a cut out on the left and a carved floral / succulent motif across the front. The bowl is sitting on a large gold foam rest against a charcoal background.] . . #yarnbowl #wheelthrowing #wheelthrown #carvedclay #ceramics #pottery #potteryprocess #CanadianCeramics
Carving a leather hard ceramic yarn bowl, high speed version. After carving, it will sit and dry completely then visit the kiln for its first round of firing. We will then apply glaze and place in the kiln for the final firing. #ceramics #potteryvideo #ceramicvideo #potteryprocess #yarnbowl #wheelthrown #freehandcarving #CanadianCeramics #makerlife #studiolife #highspeedvideo
People? // Our first show is coming soon on October 23 for @FibreShindig and this (kilted) guy will be there first thing in the morning and returning in the afternoon. Will we remember how to people?? Our last show was 2019! Jason will have leather slipper soles ready for your feetsies and a collection of mugs for you or for your holiday gift giving. We’ll also have yarn bowls, buttons, and adorable little dishes! . This show will be following the vaccination program so have your vax record ready at the door! . T-shirt by @zenliondesign . . [Image description: Tall white man with salt and pepper hair in a top knot and shaved sides with a long beard, wearing a black leather jacket and a black t-shirt with white lettering that says “VACCINATED still anti-social”. He is against an outdoor fall background.] . #fibreshindig #yycknitters #yyccrochet #yycevents #yarn #yycmarkets
Trimming // Trimming yarn bowls. While the clay is flying, @itswilwheaton reads to me. It’s a perfect afternoon. . . . @giffingrip #ReadyPlayerTwo #Audiobook #giffingrip #trimming #wheelthrown #potteryprocess #ceramics #pottery #makerlife #studiolife
Cold toes // From now until end of day Thanksgiving Oct 12, slipper soles are on sale in shop (link in bio). My toes are COLD so yours might be too so let’s get to work warming them up, shall we? This luscious black leather was a chance add to our lineup and it is now one of our most popular. Our supplier always steers me to the softest yet durable for our feetsies. . . . #Etsy #Slippers #SlipperSoles #slipperseason #SlipperBottoms #Sale #yyc #soles #MadeInAlberta
Pause // we “should” be prepping for our show on October 23 at @fibreshindig but instead we took the weekend to escape to camp – disconnect, reconnect, and soak up the glorious autumn. Sometimes, we have to remember that the days are long, but the years are so very short. . . . [Image description: There is a dirt pathway through a forest of yellow leaved birch and aspen trees, and some conifers dabbled about. On the path is a tanned white older child with long curly brown hair, his back to the viewer, in blue shorts, a bright yellow t-shirt, holding a long stick out to the side. The sun shines warmly on the autumn scene.] . . #Alberta #Autumn #AlbertaHikes #kananaskis #family
Garden // I planted some hardy hens and chicks into garden today, and the patterns carved on today’s yarn bowls reflect these new additions. MORE FLOWERS. I carved until my toes were too cold for the patio, then wrapped up the session with some hastily carved leaves, relocated to the drying rack in studio, and hustled myself to the warmth of the house. Fibre Shindig is coming soon October 23 @fibreshindig so mark your calendars! . . . #wheelthrown #handcarved #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #makerlife #potteryprocess
Workin’ // It’s gonna be 34C (93F) again today and I’m heading out to lay in cold water after this pot is complete. How are you keeping cool, friends? ïž [Image description: Freshly created grey clay empty pot with a human face sculpted onto the front. A white clay covered hand holds it in front of a background that contains a hanging brightly coloured pink and turquoise beach towel.] . . #pinchpot #headpot #claylife #plantpot #handmade #canadianceramics #sculpture #facesculpting #facesculpture #facestudy #pottery #ceramic #ceramicpots #handbuilding
I make heads so they can grow hair // I was in grade four or five when my teacher handed out raw chicken eggs, and we drew faces upon them. We then blew them out so they were hollow, and carefully peeled off the top bit of shell. We crafted the fanciest of toilet paper roll pedestals for our eggs, then propped them atop and added soil and grass seed. Adding a bit of water, they were set upon the classroom ledge and we were asked to dig into our wee selves and find patience. Within days, we had the start of grass shoots and within weeks, were able to trim and style our little egghead’s grass hairdo. đ„ I can only assume this is remnant sweet memory and bliss from that project. You never know what will stay in a young artist’s heart, only to arise again over three decades later. đ„ . . [image description: Two white plant pots with faces. The left contains a jade plant and the right contains a delicate circular vining plant with multiple strands down the pot’s “face”. They are perched on a white shelf in front of a bookshelf] . . #sculpture #pinchpots #houseplants #handbuilding #KeepArtInSchool #canadianceramics #pottery #ceramics #cone6oxidation
Hot Sunday // And when it is hot, we make empty heads in the shade on the deck. It’s 32 C here in Calgary, and I may now just pour myself a cocktail, and go lay in the shade with the hose misting me. Because WOW. ïž . . . #pinchpots #sculpture #facesculpture #facesculpting #CanadianCeramics #AlbertaPotters #plainsmanpottery #handbuilding #ceramics #pottery #studiolife
Heading into bisque // I keep meaning to run a bisque kiln but then I make more heads that need to dry first, which extends the wait. I’m learning patience. And how to make duck lip poses in sculpture. Both give me mixed emotions. đŠ [Image description: three different sizes of white clay pinch pot with humanoid faces sculpted onto the front.] . . #ceramicartist #handemadeceramics #ceramicpots #ceramicplanter #ceramicstudio #ceramicsculpture #claylife #pottery #potteryart #handmadepottery #handbuiltpottery #sculpture #functionalpottery #potterymaker #potterymakers #potterymaking #potteryprocess #pottersofinstagram #potterslife #AlbertaPotters #canadianceramicsstudio
Big Faces Keep On Turning // The latest pot in progress from the very hot back patio. . . [Image description: a grey clay pot with a face with oversized features. ] . #sculpture #portraits #pinchpot #plantpot #ceramics #clay #pottery #CanadianCeramics #AlbertaPotters
Book Learnin’ // Got a book. Doing stuff from the Book. “Making Comics” from Lynda Barry is really fun. (she is @NearSitedMonkey on instagram). Five stars, would recommend for back patio drawing thus far in that I actually sat down and drew something fun and didn’t get all angsty and serious about the darned thing. This is me as an astronaut. I strayed a bit because I lost focus when someone was yelling for me. Note: Rarely does one yell for me when I am not doing art. When I am lonely, I should hold a pen or paintbrush, then wait… Anywho, focus is wibbly wobbly at the best of times. This is fun. Do you have any drawing practices that you go back to to free yourself? . . [image description: Open book detailing a drawing exercise and on top, 4″ x 6″ index cards with the top card with a black ink drawn line frame, titled “me” with the date July 11, and a black inked cartoon figure of a woman with short curly hair in a headband with an astronaut helmet and suit against a starry sky. ] . . #drawing #practice #artpractice #comics #artist #penandinkdrawing
Faces // The back patio and I have been making faces when the days are too hot to do much else. I’m keen on larger-than-life eyes, drawing them larger and wider on each pot. Huge eyelids upper and lower, nose and lips coming into reality as I work. The birds sing, and I sculpt until the kiln is eventually full (not yet) and the heatwaves that keep rolling over the city start to calm. These pots are not what I was planning but sometimes the heat takes us where it takes us. . [image descriptions for 4 images: Image 1: grey clay with middle hollowed in the start of a pinch pot. Image 2: two balls of grey clay with the middle hollowed out in a pinch pot, with the ball closest to the viewer smooth and sponged and the furthest rough. Image 3: top view of a grey clay pinch pot plant pot with a somber face. Image 4: front view of a grey clay pinch pot plant pot with a somber face, and the start of another pinch pot in the background. ] . #sculpture #portraits #pinchpot #plantpot #ceramics #clay #pottery #CanadianCeramics #AlbertaPotters
Achievement unlocked: Fully vaccinated Covid-19 // The rest of the household are booking when they are eligible in the coming weeks, aiming to be 100% in our house by early July. #vaccinationdoneïž
Faces // I worked on more small pinch pot faces during our brief hot weather spike this past weekend. Now as the weather chills as May long approaches, I’m cleaning up these cheeks and pondering the sizes of the pots. This larger one is significantly larger than the two in the last set, which I like for larger plants. I adore the unruly hair that plants add to give these pots their real finishing touches.#canadianceramics #sculpture #pinchpots #pottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
Handle it // getting handles on, waiting for mugs to dry, the cycle continues. . . #plainsmanclay #wheelthrown #albertapotters #ceramics #clay #ceramicmugs #potterylife #ceramicartist #ceramicsstudio #potteryprocess #CanadianCeramicsStudio #canadianceramics
Testing // Jason made a new bat system for me because our beloved supplier Ceramics Canada is out of stock. We had a box of bisque tiles laying about, so we're making due with those as the bats. So far, it's working great although it will take more practice for me to pull the clay up from the tile that is so close to the bat that holds it. And to remember to keep the bisque wet enough so my mug doesn't SURPRISE! pop off while I'm throwing. I'll call the first run using these small bats a success and I'm looking forward to trying more this weekend. …#batsystem #throwingbats #bisquetiles #canadianceramicsstudio #albertapotters #testing #neverstoplearning.[image description: A line of five freshly throwing pottery mugs made of white clay, each on a square bisque tile.] Posted by Intagrate Lite
Studio assistant // This blurred image is Lily. Lily is some strange mix of terrier and dachshund. Or cat. And something very very fast. She’s very very #helpfail when we are working on projects because she really likes to be near us, which does not help since her input is rarely useful. She is mostly in it for the snacks, if you must know. She spent our house painting project woefully penned in a bedroom after being unable to resist dipping her rear into paint. Repeatedly. Anywho, this is now our one and only four legged studio assistant. She was still enough for me to capture just one photo of her in the studio where she isn’t just a blur. She is mostly just a blur though, so the three blurring photos are the more accurate representations of what she looks like. We haven’t moved an acceptable dog bed into studio yet so she spends her time split between pacing, crying, jumping up on my knees, and hunting mice while knocking over our chaos. She’s rather be out in the yard, digging giant holes and eating snacks, or snoring on the couch under a blanket. I can’t fault her for that. . . . #studioassistant #studiodog #canadianceramicsstudio #albertapottersassociation #artistlife #makerlife #studiolife @albertapottersassociation . [image description: a variety of photos in a ceramics studio taken from behind the pottery wheel. There is a small black and white jack russell terrier with a black collar with pink bone tag, pawing up at the potter’s leg. The dog is a moving blur, not in focus except for the last photo, where she sits on the floor in front of a variety of glaze chemicals and bagged clays.]
Glaze // I’m chasing the perfect aged turquoise. I’m getting there… I tested a variety of ten glazes last night (not ALL turquoise!). I’ve made some modifications to a few, and firing again now. Easter creative awakening! [Image description: white hand holding a tall line textured glaze test tile with a matte turquoise glaze, with glaze running down the right side slightly. The glaze breaks a slight brown on the edges.] . . #GlazeChemistry #CanadianCeramicsStudio #experiment #glazy #CeramicGlaze #GlazeTest #TurquoiseGlaze #CopperCarbonate
Glaze Party / just entering the likely chemical composition of my wheat straw ash based on this PhD thesis from someone in the UK who included North American samples, in case you’re wondering what art looks like. The start if experiments tomorrow! #GlazeChemistry #HyperGlaze #canadianceramicsstudio . . [Image description: Computer screen with a PhD thesis text behind the open Hyperglaze software window, where chemical components are being typed into small entry boxes.]
I'm logged out. Thank you to everyone showing support. I really do hope they pull their heads out of their asses and fix the site. It still makes my head hurt. #mTBI #postconcussionsyndrome #vestibularocular #ableistAssholes[Image description: large text on colour blocked background: LOGGED OUT #RavelryAccessibility]Reposted from @indigodragonfly Ravelry. âInclusive, friendly websiteâ must include the thousands of people who have been unable to use the site since June 2020. #ravelryaccess matters to ALL of us.âIâm logging out because:- accessibility is a basic human right- I miss my @indigodragonflystudio community which has dropped off by 34% since June 2020- my pattern sales on Ravelry have dropped considerably despite increased interest in my designs- my ads on Ravelry used to be consistently the #1 source of traffic to my website. Since June 2020, itâs #18 to #25.âRepost from @anniebeeknits using @RepostRegramApp – I've logged off @hi.ravelry for the next few days in solidarity with those who have been (a) negatively impacted by the site redesign (in some cases, to the extent of hospitalization and inability to work), and (b) repeatedly gaslit by the site's staff and owners. #RavelryAccessibility matters. Thanks to @evanitaewm for galvanizing us all into a shared, concrete action. (See her account, and especially her stories, for lots more information.) Posted by Intagrate Lite
Update: The clay has found a new home! It has been picked up and is off to a fabulous new life. Posted by Intagrate Lite
Polar Vortex 10% off Sale // We wish it was at least 10 degrees warmer so take 10% off in shop. Link in bio! đ§Š.My slipper and sock knitting is in full swing during our cold snap. I popped outside to take this video and the temp report is -30 C (“realfeel” at -38C) and I can confirm: I was not picky about video details with a bare hand! Brrrrr! Shown in the video are our “ultra thin” Heels and Toes slipper soles, a smidge thinner than our regular soles. .Our vehicles have given up even trying to run as this weather was the breaking point, one demanding a battery replacement and the other a trip to the mechanic after we have been asking it to stumble onward with that glowing check engine light (so many electrical problems) for far too long. You’ll find our humans now warm at home, cutting suede and buried in woolens instead. I hope you are warm and cozy where you are!. #slippersoles #suedepatches #soles #socksoles #sockpatches #polarvortex [Image description: a video of a white hand holding a grouped pile of olive brown suede leather slipper soles, flapping them side to side to show flexibility. You can see the snow in the background.) Posted by Intagrate Lite
Mail Run // On my way to get my social time aka time with the Canada Post staff! Even with the crush on the postal system, they are still joyful and a highlight during my week. Small blessings are the ones I'm counting: the great support we get from continuing orders and these lovely ladies that I visit weekly..What small blessings are you counting today?..#buyhandmade #CanadaPost #SocialTime #MadeInAlberta #SlipperSoles.[image description: Two hands in handmade knit gloves holding a stack of yellow padded envelopes with a return address stamp "Chasing Fire Studio".] Posted by Intagrate Lite
Nourished // Thank you @calgaryhealthfoundation and @sunterramarket for feeding our family tonight. It's been a really hard year emotionally and this gesture meant more than I thought it would. You made the plans. You worked on these incredibly complex logistics. You pulled it off. And it was delicious (every single one of us liked every single bit!) Working in and for health care is something I'm incredibly proud of, something I work hard at, and it was so nice to feel and taste the gratitude. The smiling (masked) kindness of the Sunterra delivery gentleman this morning was the best start that I've had in a long time, and this meal rounded off a very VERY challenging week as we enter month 11 (1100?) of this pandemic. Thank you for seeing us, and seeing us all. .I do believe the Calgary Health Foundation is still taking donations if anyone wants to add to the fund to help feed a healthcare worker and their family as part of their feeding healthcare workers and #FeedTheFrontline campaign. Make more of us cry after we close the door on the Sunterra delivery man because that felt pretty good….#HealthCareWorker #SunterraMarket #CalgaryHealthFoundation #Grateful …[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A kitchen counter with a jar of Sunterra fresh pomodoro sauce, fresh pasta, a kale and Brussel sprout caeser salad accompanied by a thank you letter from the Calgary Health Foundation.] Posted by Intagrate Lite
2020 // we began 2020 in another country, in an adorable apartment, surrounded by family. The year progressed into challenges, personal and professional, however, we have been the luckiest in many ways: day jobs that continued (one eventually and one got so much more busy), a country that supported us when one job disappeared with the onset of lockdown, a community of support emotionally. We continued to explore our mountains, our art, our boundaries. We set goals, did not meet several (I didn't go to spin class every week this year), but found strength where we didn't expect. We focused on protecting the at-risk people we love, and we have many. We said goodbye to people and a special dog that we love. We found ways to cope and try to survive. As much as we want to thrive, we're working on giving ourselves so much permission to be ok with "survive". 2020 was something for history books. Thank you for walking with us through it. ..#2020 #topnine #thankyou Posted by Intagrate Lite
Boxing Day Sale // it is Boxing Day here in the Great White North, a day traditionally spent ACTIVE after the quiet of Christmas Day, boxing up the decorations and cleaning, getting outside, and engaging in a very popular game of shopping sales. We have slipper soles and a few tidbits on for 20% because BOXING DAY! Our shop link is in bio. Please note that mail service is still bananas in many parts of the world so please plan accordingly – and maybe tell your postal worker and delivery person that they are awesome. …[Image description: a background of our Christmas tree with a variety or ornaments including baby Yoda eating an elf, and John McLain crawling through an air duct, emblazoned with the words "Boxing Day Sale 20% off"].#boxingday #boxingdaysale #etsysale #SlipperSoles #slippersolesforsale Posted by Intagrate Lite
Sketchbooks // my sketchbooks are full of circular doodles, some dreamy in colour, other greyscale. Soon they will morph into each other and the panel will be full of circle and pattern and colour, thinly contained chaos. Just the way I like it. ..#doodle #meditationdrawing #zentangleart #ink #coloredpencil #CantStopWontStop #CalmYourMind Posted by Intagrate Lite
Jealousy // you should have envy because lookit my new @gmitchellceramics cup. It arrived last night and this is a quick pic before it goes into use. #localartists #LocalLove #handmade #yyc #yycpottery #yycceramics #HappyNovemberToMe Posted by Intagrate Lite
Reuse // With my Calgary Public Library card, I receive free online art classes on creativebug.com and the one I'm currently enjoying is the "Altered Book Daily Challenge". I'm not doing anything daily necessarily however I am having some fun trying new techniques. I found an old art textbook, and tada away I go. I've cut holes through layers of pages. I've pasted images inside. This morning, I gessoed some pages (white and black), and worked on the strangeness that is painting on a much difference surface than I've ever experienced before. I used some gouache and black pen, however my standard water resistant ink isn't so water resistant on gesso! Some things need to be approached with flexibility and a shrug, and this book is the best practice for playing and experimentation. I highly recommend the course, and finding a way to reuse old textbooks and books for those of us that maybe hold on to books for longer than they are ever useful, for anyone. ..#calgarypubliclibrary #creativebug #zentangle #ink #doodlesat5am #gouache #alteredbook #reuse Posted by Intagrate Lite
I created a step by step video to help you sew on your slipper soles. You’ll need:- slipper- slipper soles- yarn, string, or embroidery thread- tapestry needle Enjoy! #Instruction #SlipperSole #SlipperBottoms #SlipperPads #DIY Posted by Intagrate Lite
October // It’s suddenly a migraine season for some random reason – barometric pressure? New food trigger? Prophylactic medications have stopped working? Who knows. One of the strange side effects is that I suddenly have a taste for these nasty things. I all of a sudden can’t stomach chicken, but I’m craving candy corn. Any new changes for you on the eve of Canadian Thanksgiving and the spooky season?..[Image description: White hand open and holding two candy corns, which are triangular yellow, orange, and white horizontally striped candies.]..#migraine #candycorn Posted by Intagrate Lite
Flocculate // I add vinegar to our clear glaze as a final step. As discussed in our recent igTV video, I can tell I’ve added enough when the swirling liquid does a brief shift backwards before the swirling completely stops. Can you spot the brief reversal?..[Video description: milky grey fluid swirling slowly clockwise and then just before settling to a stop, it rotates counterclockwise for a millisecond.]…#glazing #potteryvideos #glazemixing #handmademovement #artisanmade #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramic #ceramicprocess #handmadeceramic #handmadeyyc #studiopottery #ipreview via @preview.app Posted by Intagrate Lite
This is bullsh#t #Summer2020 #WinterIsComing #ImNotReady #yyc #AtLeastTheresPumpkinSpice #Bullshit[Image description: Photo from above, my white feet in ballet style slippers, standing on a lawn in a pile of yellow leaves. Stupid not green leaves. ] Posted by Intagrate Lite
Every child matters // I overheard my son's teacher dedicating their first class today to Orange Shirt Day, educating our next generation about the physical and cultural genocide that happened on our soil. Keep fighting for change. We can't stand by while Indigenous, Metis, and Inuk people continue to die. Our shirts are by @m.o.b.i.l.i.z.e and I'm so grateful to be stylish in orange today. The back is lovely as well, but I have no photographer on hand to really show you the goods. Please go check out their website! Thank you! [Image description: white woman with head cropped pit of photo, wearing a bright orange shirt that has text "every child matters" and image of Indigenous child in regalia.]#everychildmatters #orangeshirtday #orangeshirt #mobilize #TruthAndReconciliation Posted by Intagrate Lite
Stress // To combat stress, I've found a couple of techniques that are serving me very well. The first, I have been painting pumpkins (see my igTV video from Sept 20 for instructions so you can too!) They are getting teenier. It is the calmest way that I've ever combated inner angst.I've also, for those looking for a more aggressive outlet, taken to always answering the phone when it rings. When a scammy phone call comes in such as CRA warning they are arresting me, I press 1 to be connected to the human scammer, close my eyes, take a deep cleansing majestic breath, and push all my horrifying anger into the telephone in the longest loudest from-my-toes scream that I can muster, then hang up before they can respond. I feel better using both of these techniques. If you live with others, warn them before you try #2 or they do come running. ..[Image description: a white hand holding thick watercolour paper square. On the square is a painting of a single orange pumpkin with green stem. A sunflower can be seen in the background behind the hand]..#combatfraud #covidstress #backtoschool #SaveAISH #watercolourpainting #pumpkin Posted by Intagrate Lite
Queen. We will remember you, we will not settle."When I'm sometimes asked 'When will there be enough (women on the Supreme Court)?' and my answer is: 'When there are nine.' People are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that."See ourselves for the power that we are. RIP Notorious RBG.Repost @potteryispolitical Work by @robertolugowithoutwax Posted by Intagrate Lite
Mail // Those who can sense the weather turning have been busy ordering slipper soles and buttons for their autumn projects. Thank you for your continued support of our very literal Ma and Pop business.đ€We started tracking the where of packages since we started mailing in 2012. I am fascinated by the amazing places that our work goes to live. You can find a map on our website with a dot to every city we've ever mailed to as of Sept 12, 2020. đ€May Canada Post, USPS, and Australia Post carry these safely to their new homes…[Image description: a stack of yellow bubble envelopes with Chasing Fire Studio return address stickers, piled on a blue shag pillow. So fancy.]..#mailrun #smallbusiness #buysmall #buyhandmade Posted by Intagrate Lite
Birthday Salutations // if you see this fine gentleman today, wish him a happy birthday. Our own kilted potter, Jason made on another trip round the sun. We love him immensely. He's our rock.đ€Maker and fixer of things, master hugger, he of the fabulous laugh, punmaster splash, great dad, coach, and never one to say no to a challenge no matter what feces comes flying.Never gonna give you upNever gonna let you downNever gonna run around and desert you#happybirthdayjason #jasonitsyourbirthday#RickRollin.Image descriptions for each in Alt Text Posted by Intagrate Lite
Tools // We talk so much about tools in studio, in our videos, with other artists and ceramic artists and potters. We all have our favourite ride-or-die BFF tools. Jason and I regularly hoard red ribs (the red rubbery tool with a hole in the middle of it, seen in photo). I have a metal bit from a disassembled scotch tape dispenser glued to a chopstick that makes my heart flutter. As a family, the bin of round sponges at our supplier, Ceramics Canada, is a joy – our son once ended up face down and feet up in that barrel as he yearned to reach the bottom through the thousands of sponges. We do like the things that we like. đThese days of glazing and painting, we have favourite brushes and chairs as we work through the backlog of pots. The chill in the air is reminding us that we should appreciate every warm day we have, so we are achingly behind our own schedule. Lucky for us, our priority to enjoy these moments outside the studio before the snow flies is something we can take without guilt. Our tools will wait. They are wonderful that way.đWhat are your priorities this week?…[Image description: a charcoal black work surface with clay dust, covered in a variety of pottery tools: ball tools, brushes, a round yellow sponge, a red rib, a silver carving tool, and a small piece of clay.]..#creativeprocess #creativelife #handmademovement #artisanmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramics #ipreview via @preview.app Posted by Intagrate Lite
A Day Of Rest // We will be skipping our Sunday Live today because we have discovered first hand that humans are easily taken down by other organisms. In our case, the wasps under our front step are Deeply Concerned that we are encroaching on their giant hidden nest and have fought back as expected. I would not have expected a couple of stings to fell me so effectively but here I am, 15 hours later and my leg is still spasming and I'm so very nauseous. I had even scrubbed out the wounds after the stings as the old wives advised. Jason's thigh and back are finally calm from his bout with the wasps earlier in the week. We had no idea that our new housemates were so venomous. Antihistamines and ice are in rotation as we marvel at our next move since chemical warfare is failing us, and burning down the house seems a bit extreme (although flamethrowers have been discussed) Do we just wish for snow?đŠThe buttercups in the picture are a more beautiful form of poison. We saw them often during our mountain hikes this summer and I was surprised that my identification guide has warnings for every variety of buttercup: POISON. At least these, we could live with in our garden….[Image description: a large number of tiny yellow five petaled flowers with green foliage, growing wild. They are pretty and nothing about them reveals their deadly nature.]..#wasps #buttercup #waspwarfare Posted by Intagrate Lite
Do any art // My many parts have come down with some sort of illness, or I've eaten something off, or aliens have implanted something fun, and then my head, never one to be left out, has begun to ache so I'm not able to turn to electronic amusements this evening to distract myself. In my woeful wailing, and caterwauling tantrum of wanting to do things, I'm working on wee cards for an exchange. I just want to send Encouraging Pumpkins to everyone in the world. I'm writing on each card some of what I'd like to hear, especially today.Have you ever done a card or gift exchange with strangers? Do you have any encouraging phrases that my pumpkins can impart to their recipients? I'd love some assistance to make these pumpkins a welcome gift.Not seen in the photo is the amazing glittery fabulousness of @ffrench watercolour pans I'm using in combination with the set that my mother gave me, which is seen in photo. #watercolor #ink #postcard #cardexchange #spoopy #pumpkin #lsg..[Image description: watercolour set next to a small painting on paper of an orange pumpkin with text "spoopy pumpkin is proud of you. Also happy Halloween." There is another painting on paper of an orange pumpkin tucked behind.] Posted by Intagrate Lite
Faces // The final results of the first two face pots for my wee plants …[Image description: two clay pinch pots with faces, side by side with excessively moody lighting.].#creativeprocess #creativelife #handmademovement #artisanmade #buyhandmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #pinchpot #handbuilt #canadianceramics #kiln #kilnfired #kilnfolk #ceramicprocess #handmadeceramic #shoplocalyyc #handmadeyyc #handcrafted #studiopottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
Pinch Pinch // Pinching technique to make a pinch pot with face in today's igTV video. I'm still refining the features on this sweet little planter, and I have some holes to poke in his bottom, but he is well on his way to being a loving home for a wee spider plant that I picked up this week. Check out the igTV video to watch me create this pot from a ball of clay using my hands and some simple tools. ..#pinchpot #planter #facepot #sculpture #handbuilding Posted by Intagrate Lite
Slow craft // Slicing up leather for Heels & Toes slipper soles today. I'm imagining warm toesies as the nights are chilling here in Alberta, the mountains reminding us of the cost of living so close to their majesty. These and many other colours will be heading to our good friends in Edmonton at @thefibrenook so, my sweet friends to the north in #yeg, get those slippers knit, crocheted, sewn, and pop in to the shop to choose the perfect sole match to keep you safe from slipping and prevent wear & tear..Not in Edmonton? Visit @stashlounge in Calgary or check our bio for a link to our Etsy shop to order yours. …#slippersoles #slippers #buylocal #makersmovement #handmade #knittersofinstagram #crochetersofinstagram Posted by Intagrate Lite
Pot Dealer // When my son was in Grade 3, he told his teacher that his mom was a pot dealer. He giggled as he watched her face contort, speechless, and then he skipped off to recess. My little angel mentioned this to me as we walked home from school that day, proud of his wit, and I was torn between laughing, crying, and rushing home to clean for the inevitable visit from a social worker. A phone call to his teacher and social media proof of our POTs cleared the air, however I'll never forget that moment when I realized that our child had picked up our sense of humour and it would certainly bite me in the arse for many years to come. When I saw this t-shirt later that year, I yelled "TAKE MY MONEY" and it is still my favourite shirt for studio days. It makes my son giggle, and my friends roll their eyes. Mission accomplished all around. â±.[Image description: white woman with brown hair in a blue t-shirt. The t-shirt has white icons of ceramic pots with white text "POT DEALER Pssst wanna buy a nice pot?"]…#creativelife #handmademovement #artisanmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #handcrafted #studiopottery #punny #ipreview via @preview.app Posted by Intagrate Lite
Loaded // All cozy and stacked, ready for their long hot day in the kiln as they magically (scientifically) turn from formed mud to permanent forms. Kiln firing one of two, and only three days behind schedule because sometimes, clay doesn't dry just because you want it to. Clay that isn't completely dry before entering the kiln is a great way to guarantee an explosion.Now it's time to finish filling this kiln and fire it up! See you in 24 hours, little clay babies..[Image description: Sixteen ceramic mugs loaded into kiln, viewed from above.]#creativeprocess #creativelife #handmademovement #artisanmade #buyhandmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramics #kiln #kilnfired #potterymug #wheelthrown #kilnfolk #ceramicprocess #handmadeceramic #shoplocalyyc #handmadeyyc Posted by Intagrate Lite
The Schedule // Spoiler: it's changed twice already since this photo was taken (my dates for activities were wayyyy off and Jason has items to add to the first August bisque so… revamp!) However, we have an outline, a checklist, a guide of sorts to take us into mid-October. It may change wildly depending on what "Digital School" looks like for our son, what repairs are needed around our home before the snow flies, and if anyone in our community/cohort needs support. Or if we get sick. Plan A is in place but we don't mind having other plans in the wings, just in case.How are you organizing your weeks? Are you still creating with the robust strength as you did pre-Covid Times? Do you need strong calendar organization or can you wing it with ease? đŠđ€Ą Our circus would love to hear how you manage!#studioplanning #artpractice #studioorganization #productivity Posted by Intagrate Lite
Share The Chairs // Potters on the trails!â°We ran away from home: hooked up the trailer, packed the fridge, and hit the trails. It turns out that it takes hiking daily in fresh mountain air to tire out the tireless ten year old. We feel accomplished! I'm also pretty sure that I have encouraged calf muscles to grow again after months of missed spin classes. #JasperNP #OldFortPoint #HikeAlberta #rockymountains #CovidSilverLinings Posted by Intagrate Lite
Bright // Today was peaceful and full of laughter.ïžThese toes really are this bright. Two at a a time socks in "Another Freaking Rainbow" by @seaturtlefiberarts are keeping my hands busy as these sweet summer days pass me by. ïž Happiness is knitting on the patio as we watch the sun set after a game of extreme bocce. I didn't catch any fish today but maybe I'll get luckier tomorrow. I'd like walleye for lunch. ïž#knittersofinstagram #rainbowsocks #selfstripingyarn Posted by Intagrate Lite
Bees on igTV // I made a couple of bee mugs on the Sunday Live this morning if you want to pop over to our igTV and take a peek. Maybe I should be finishing painting the inside AND outside of our house but also, these bee mugs need to become a reality. đ€đ€Our Sunday lives are not as regular during the summer because we'd rather be out camping WITH the bees but we are still on when we get the chance. What are you doing on your Sunday?#handbuilding #ceramics #beemug #plainsmanclay #potteryvideos #handbuildingvideos #clay #handbuiltpottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
Slow Down // I am part of a bulk buy food co-op that involves my pulling into an alley, popping my trunk, and having a nice lady load me up with whatever random food I have bulk purchased during the round. Today: my blueberries are here!I will be eating blueberries until I am blue. I am Very Pleased. Oh, some will be placed on cookie sheets and frozen, then placed in bags for future munching but a good portion will not survive to that step. I love Friday food pickups. They allow me to take some time to slowly savour these bursts of flavour, close my eyes, and be grateful.What is making your grateful list?#blueberries #foodcoop #slowfood #alberta Posted by Intagrate Lite
It's That Time Of Year / It's the time of year when I show you my roses. I know, I know, every damn year I ram these babies into your feed. Their blossoms are so heavy right now that the stems are bowing, the red so vibrant and vivacious that my little phone camera struggles to capture their luscious beauty. I want to devour them. They are velvety soft as I push them into my face but the thorns draw blood, which is fitting because they demand a blood sacrifice in blood meal at their feet to look this good. They remind me, as they bloom twice every year, that the world is a good place. With the injustice we see, the assholes on the news, the angry feelings that visit us as we to witness fear and evil, that there IS good. We can do good. Others are doing good. We just need to look closer. Listen. Watch. Their bloom is my favourite time of year. I need this reminder more now than ever as the struggle is harder, as emotions seem to be always overflowing, as working from love rather than anger and frustration is a bit tougher.The roses are "Hope For Humanity", created to honour the Red Cross. That the Red Cross was core to their creation, and that these roses do better with blood meal on their roots will never stop thrilling me (thank you Denise @poppyyarnandfibre for connecting those dots for me!)They bloom twice every year and don't mind neglect. I had to ignore them last year yet this year, they came back gangbusters. Their leaves gave me a gentle reminder that they could use some greater attention, but they are perfect fancy roses for our chilly fickle climate. And they never cease to inspire.What's meaningful in your garden, friends?#yycroses #roses #hopeforhumanity #yycgardening Posted by Intagrate Lite
Happy to be part of your break. Jason will have these ready for the fall because right now he is busy fighting wasps (the attack bug kind) rather than creating. Defending (and fixing wasp damage!) the bomestead is Important Work.Reposted from @almosthippiemum My 5 minutes of peace today while I finished up my newest blog post. This is the best thing I've ever found on Pinterest: Earl Grey Tea Hot Chocolate. Made with creamy earl grey and dark chocolate SO good. And my @chasingfirestudio mug is a pretty accurate representation my mood, even if I wasn't crocheting (I need one that says writing!)Chocolate Hobnob because everyone knows chocolate Hobnobs are the best kind. đ€·ââïž#cuppateaandabiscuit #teaearlgreyhot #chocolate #calgaryblogger #yycblogger #localpottery #swearymug #almosthippie #lessthan5minutes #mumbreak #gardenwriting #chocolatehobnobs Posted by Intagrate Lite
Anniversary Present For You // We were married 21 years ago this month. I find this jarring and surreal since we're only emotionally 21 years old (which is a stretch). We're having a 15% off sale to "celebrate" July 1-24, hurry while supplies last. Link to shop in profile. #yychandmade #yycartists #handmadebuttons #pottery #canadianceramics #anniversary #slippersoles #slippers #sweatermugs Posted by Intagrate Lite
Exploring // the strange biome that is southern Alberta is full of surprises. Mountains met by sprawling plains, so cold at night in the summer from those mountain breezes and then winter is warmed from Chinook winds. As soon as I'm familiar with her foliage, she reveals new surprises. Yesterday, the haunted (maybe Bebb's?) willows along pathways as far as the eye can see near camp and today, this little dart-like flower in a magenta so vibrant that it feels like a special gift. This is what keeps us coming back out in the rain, the cold, out far into the Foothills to explore, these little rewards. #Alberta #ABCamping #Albertawildflowers Posted by Intagrate Lite
Alberta // devoting the day to enjoying Alberta as one of her biggest fans leaves us. I'll miss your stories, Uncle Pat, and your eagerness to connect with everyone in community around you. #RIP #FuckCancer #gonefishing Posted by Intagrate Lite
PPE // Reclaim continues, and I am wearing my N95 respirator to protect my lungs from the air-borne dust particles as I smash more clay. Clay is made of silica, and silica is deadly to inhale long-term. Safety is important for pottery..Unfortunately for the next door neighbours that are selling their house, prospective buyers came by as I was out in my yard in this outfit, covered in white dust. I'm not sure my hastily hollered "don't worry, I'm not cooking meth!" consoled them much. .I hope that whoever buys that house is an understanding sort..#artistneighbours #ceramics #PPE #pottery #reclaim #clayreclaim #makersmovement #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramics #creativelife #creativeprocess Posted by Intagrate Lite
Hi friends! I’ve been struggling in this world that has revealed itself to be so unsafe for so many. I’m up for air and making changes where I can. My own backyard is my first stop. .I started a petition to have our local high school renamed. It is currently named after a champion of Residential Schools, a dark and nasty part of Canada’s not so far history that attempted to destroy our Indigenous, Inuk, and Metis peoples. Let us work towards true Reconciliation and change this school’s name. Bishop Grandin should not be honoured on a school. He should only appear in history books as an example of what NOT to do. .We know better, we have to do better.. https://www.change.org/BishopGrandin If you could please sign, I’d appreciate it. Our kids should not be schooled within any buildings named for our villains. #reconciliation #petition #yyc Posted by Intagrate Lite
Smashy smashy // reclaim day one. I'm smashing dried clay into smaller bits, then they'll go for a soak in a bath of water. The bits will soften, and become a slurry. I have a drill attachment to mix it all up until it is silky smooth. At that point, I'll run the slurry through a screen to remove naughty bits of sticks, bugs, hair, and whatever else has managed to work its way into our reclaim buckets. It then gets set aside to thicken. Once thick enough to hold together, I lay it out on a plaster slab. The plaster absorbs the excess water from the reclaim clay, and eventually, after flipping it enough times on the plaster, I'll have thicker and dense clay that I can wedge (fancy potter term for knead) into "new" usable clay. .Though shalt not waste..I've got two buckets soaking to start with about eight more to go… This is going to be a cathartic smashy summer. It couldn't come at a better time. . #reclaim #IHateThisPart #pottery #ceramics #recycle #clayrecycle #clayreclaim Posted by Intagrate Lite
Trimmed // Posting my bottoms on the internet, for all to see. // These will be wine cups once I figure out what to put on them. Florals, likely, as I'm soothed this morning by the simple things in my garden as I wait for a live-stream funeral to begin shortly. The world has lost another fine soul, this time from within our family. She sought to help people find support and peace through her personal and professional work, which is just what we all need to do for each other and for the people in our communities that are most at risk. She loved hard, worked hard, and I hope I can do the same. #grief #artpractice #trimming Posted by Intagrate Lite
Sweater Mugs / keep you cozy, keep you warm, keep the love flowing. remember that childhood verse: make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. .Reposted from @anoeticone About to test my two beautiful handmade ceramic mugs from my old friend @chasingfirestudio to have some hot chocolate. They hold heat so well and for handmade ceramic the price is amazing. They also make some awesome dragon scale cups (which I will be getting next). Posted by Intagrate Lite
Thank you to @musingaboutmud for drawing attention to this powerful artwork and cover.Reposted from @timeIn his new work Analogous Colors, the artist Titus Kaphar depicts an African-American mother holding her child. To complete the work, Kaphar cut out the canvas to show a mother's loss: Floyd called out to his deceased mother during the 8 minutes and 46 seconds he was pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer. "In her expression, I see the black mothers who are unseen, and rendered helpless in this fury against their babies," writes Kaphar. For the first time, the red border of TIME includes the names of people: 35 black men and women whose deaths, in many cases by police, were the result of systemic racism and helped fuel the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Their names are merely a fraction of the many more who have lost their lives because of the racist violence that has been part of this nation from its start. Their names are Trayvon Martin âą Yvette Smith âą Eric Garner âą Michael Brown âą Laquan McDonald âą Tanisha Anderson âą Akai Gurley âą Tamir Rice âą Jerame Reid âą Natasha McKenna âą Eric Harris âą Walter Scott âą Freddie Gray âą William Chapman âą Sandra Bland âą Darrius Stewart âą Samuel DuBose âą Janet Wilson âą Calin Roquemore âą Alton Sterling âą Philando Castile âą Joseph Mann âą Terence Crutcher âą Chad Robertson âą Jordan Edwards âą Aaron Bailey âą Stephon Clark âą Danny Ray Thomas âą Antwon Rose âą Botham Jean âą Atatiana Jefferson âą Michael Dean âą Ahmaud Arbery âą Breonna Taylor âą and George Floyd. Read more behind the cover at the link in bio. Painting by Titus Kaphar for TIME – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
Muting to amplify other voices. Brown & black up your feed. Suggestions: @laylafsaad @nowhitesaviors @mireillecharper @ckyourprivilege @iamrachelricketts @thegreatunlearn @ibramxk @rachel.cargle @renieddolodge.PLEASE Respect their spaces! Resources are often linked in bios and you can Google for antiracist resources. People are not yours to use so please be polite and supportive. #blackouttuesday Note: we had up a square, then took it down so that it would not cloud the feeds of people that were looking for resources once it appeared that Instagram and Facebook were merging this tag with #BlackLivesMatter. We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Posted by Intagrate Lite
Sweater Mugs / only three of the cabled mugs left in shop! A rare sale for this weekend to celebrate Frolic, and among the remaining mugs are Jay’s monochromatic favourites, white and grey, and one of my favourites, an icey blue. Seen here is my own because I actually kept one for ME! Today I plan to continue Project Organize This Sh#t as we move our studio out of the house and back to where it belongs, the actual studio space in the garage. Our goose above the kilns is missing us, the mice are running rampant without supervision, and I really miss eating at my dining room table. I am gifted at procrastination (I hold a Masters), so please send messages of “GET BACK TO WORK” and “Stop weeding the garden because that’s not TODAY’S chore”. May this day end with an emptier house, a full studio, and better production days ahead.#ceramics #sweatermugs #handbuilding #plainsmanclay #sale #pottery #canadianceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
Happy would-be Frolic! / May 30 & 31 10% off automatically on all items in our Etsy shop! Link in bio / please also visit our friends featured on the @edmontonfibrefrolic account. We would normally be gathering together this weekend, celebrating fibre and all things handmade at the Fibre Frolic in Edmonton. Instead, we create apart for now. Many vendors have full online shops and specials this weekend in lieu of the Frolic while we wait to celebrate in 2021, so enjoy! #yarn #fibre #yarnbowls #fibreshow #ceramics #sweatermugs Posted by Intagrate Lite
"Mugs" Etsy Update is now live! This update us full of testers, betas, and one of a kind works. Tomorrow we'll load part 2 (buttons & cats).. Part of this update is the Wood Grain Mug / Tree Trunk 14 oz mug .#ceramic #uniquemug #woodgrainmug #ceramics #pottery #newform #handbuilding #maycocolors Posted by Intagrate Lite
Sunday Live / 11am 1pm EST We'll show you a peek behind the scenes of our product photography setup. We want every image in our shop to show every angle for our customers, have realistic to life colour, and this is how we try to do that…EDIT: Find this episode under our IGTV videos! Unedited from our kitchen..#ceramics #etsy #sellonline #lightbox #productphotography #instagramlive #igtv Posted by Intagrate Lite
Organization // I will get to the business of packing mugs for shipping and photographing items for the shop soon, but first, I am lost in the sorting. Jason made and installed these slick drawers to hold our plethora of tiny supplies. I am now cleaning out our four toolkits (one a giant repurposed EMS kit) and sorting the contents into this ONE location. Sorting stamps. Sorting cutters. Sorting letters. Sorting textures. Sorting miscellaneous tools and molds and IDEAS that we'd long forgotten about. .Jason is installing a third drawer because we have collected so many tools over the years. The Purge is coming because I know some of these supplies are not useful (I have at least seven snowflake cookie cutters!) but I'm grateful for these three drawers for the things we'll keep that we do use so often. Everything in one place, easily accessible, easy to put away. .Welcome to spring cleaning, studio-style. …#studioorganization #studioreorg #ceramics #stamps #shewiththemostartsupplieswins #springcleaning Posted by Intagrate Lite
Tiny things // I had a dollhouse when I was very young and it is one of my first memories. It started a lifetime fascination for tiny worlds. I credit that dollhouse for my love of all things itsy: insects (sorry about that kid-made "ant farm in a jar" that smashed in the basement, Mom!), my love of tiny cluttery bits of beauty, and my imaginary connections to the places in my garden where little worlds could exist. When I have tiny bits of clay left over, I make tiny things. I usually hoard these finished objects on shelves in the studio or in my office, place them in plant pots, or secretly hand them to children if they promise not to eat them (if their guardian agrees). I'm excited about the kittens and Sea Unicorns from this kiln load. I may even share.đđŠ..#ceramicfigures #miniatures #creativelife #handmademovement #artisanmade #buyhandmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramics #handbuilt #clay #narwhal Posted by Intagrate Lite
Waiting // This glaze kiln is taking forever. It is ramping up to 1200 degrees C (2200 F) to melt and magicify these luscious glazes. It takes 12 hours to get to temperature, then 12 hours to cool and time absolutely slows when the kiln runs. I can't wait to see some of the experiments in this batch!.#sortofagianttoasteroven #HotStuffLiterally #creativeprocess #handmademovement #artisanmade #buyhandmade #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #etsyartist #ceramics #pottery #AlbertaMade #yycarts #canadianceramics #kiln #kilnfired Posted by Intagrate Lite
Glazing // Today we glaze the mugs and buttons from April and May for a firing on Sunday or Monday. I have a variety of scale mugs that I beta-tested for size and form in this load, and I'm excited to see the end results emerge this coming week. The colour choices are a bit wacky since these are one of a kind pieces, which gives me some freedom to try out colour combinations that have been brewing in my imagination. Cable mugs are in this batch too for our amazing pre-order supporters! We also have three cable mugs that will be listed on the site this coming week for first-come first-serve ordering. There will also be a tiny narwhal. Because we have a tiny narwhal. đđŠHow are you spending your long weekend?#ceramics #glazing #scalemugs #mermaidmugs #pottery #albertacraftyyc #AlbertaMade #canadianceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
MM // We made little heart dishes on our Sunday live session today. These are drying on the racks now and waiting their turn in the kiln at the end of the month. Our mugs from the previous two weeks of lives are currently in the bisque kiln for their first firing, and the preorder cable mug colour requests are closing May 12 in our Etsy shop. After that, we're glazing them whatever colour *WE* want. Have a wonderful Sunday, friends and family! Posted by Intagrate Lite
Handles // Here's a clip from one of our Sunday morning LIVE sessions, discussing the handles on our mugs, how they are created, and our thought process on why they look and feel the way they do. We will be back again Sunday May 10 at 11am MST / 1pm EST (and again trying Facebook and Instagram LIVE at the same time) Fill your beverage of choice in your favourite mug, and please join us for our 30-45 min session! #ceramicvideos #extruded #potteryvideos #handles #mughandles #extrudedhandles Posted by Intagrate Lite
Weekly Shenanigans! // now live every Sunday at 11am MST / 1pm EDT Keep us making, keep us cracking jokes, keep us demonstrating "proof of life". We'll be doing an Instagram live every Sunday for 30-45min or so, demonstrating whatever we're making as we fulfill orders and get our mojo flowing. Bring questions, bad jokes to share with the class, and whatever you're day drinking! See you Sunday!#SundayLive #ceramics #pottery #yyclive #ceramicsvideos #handbuilding Instagram: chasingfirestudio Posted by Intagrate Lite
Buttons? Yes! I have added buttons to the Etsy shop, and they have been added to the 10% off sale. For Calgarians that can do pickup in the SE, please use coupon SOUTHCALGARY to remove shipping fees. Let me know when purchasing when you can pickup and we will do contactless curbside. Thank you for your continued support!#ceramics #yycsmallbusiness #buylocal #buyhandmade #makersgottamake #makermovement #slowart #buttons #sale #yyc Posted by Intagrate Lite
T O G E T H E R // I've made some bookmarks to mail out with orders, putting my emptier schedule to better use this week with more useful activity and less useless worry. I'm very lucky to still be working during the day, however, our evenings of hustling to rinks, field houses, art classes, knit nights, and errands has softened to a slower rhythm of walking the dogs, playing board games, making art, making food, knitting and crocheting. I've never sat so much in my life. We are learning A New Way, Together.#covidart #zendoodle #bookmark #ink Posted by Intagrate Lite
Work work work it // he's working hard to prep for @fibreshindig on April 18! Got some fun stuff cooking. I'm laying on the couch, drinking tea like a sick layabout (this THROAT and HEAD thing urgh) but the studio is still pumping. I'm sketching between cups of tea, because that's what I do when germs got me down. Are you coming to the Calgary Spring Fibre Shindig to party it up among yarn lovers? I can't wait to see everyone after this long winter slumber. #ceramics #handbuiltceramics #fibreshindig #yycevents #yarnfestival Posted by Intagrate Lite
Here be Dragons… or at least some dragonscale. I was watching @epicfailstudios drink out of her scale mug and now I want to make more but different shape. So today I'm playing a bit, ripping up paper templates and trying some different techniques. This scale is upside down because after I made the form, it turned out that I liked it upside down better. Sometimes upside down is how ya gotta flip things so they make sense, right?#studio #pottery #experiment #yycartists #ceramics #plainsmanclay Posted by Intagrate Lite
I had a wonderful time! Great company, fabulous host, and smart artists. What's not to love? Reposted from @coffeeandceramics Great little meet up this month! We talked pots, cookies and future plans! Hopefully you can join us next month for Coffee and Ceramics! Posted by Intagrate Lite
Punchin' holes for your feet / Saving your soles / sizes babe to woman folk and big dude#HandmadeSlipperSoles #SlipperSoles #LeatherWork #SoManyBlistersBecauseWeLoveYou #slippers Posted by Intagrate Lite
Happy Groundhog Day! My dearest @thedrawinghedgehog tells me that it is also National Hedgehog Day. To celebrate these incredible animals and my wee friend Pinecone (the only hedgehog that I have as a personal acquaintance), I'm spending my day with my @hedgepig_pottery hedgehog mug. I'm always joyful to share my space with this little sweetheart. #buylocal #AlbertaMade #AlbertaPotters #Hedgehog #wheelthrown Posted by Intagrate Lite
Cleanup 2020 continues. I'm rearranging everything on "my side" of the studio while Jay unburies his workbench. I've posted to pottery friends for organization suggestions because our amazing assortment of tools has outgrown my portable toolkit. I'm rediscovering some incredible items during cleanup, and I suppose it's suitable that our kilns and reference material are only slightly younger than we are. I'm also amazed at how much we have crammed into this 22' x 12' space. When there's a will (home studio!!), there's been a way. I'm extra impressed that there are six tables jammed in here now that everything is cleared off and we're attempting to move things so they suit our busier workflow. How is this many tables even possible? Maybe this is a creative tardis..?.Tomorrow, we add… drawers? Shelving? A tool storage solution. Whatever that looks like. A magical trunk, perhaps. We'll see. #homestudio #ceramics #potterystudio #ceramicstudio #2020purge #organize #WhatTheHellAreWeDoing Posted by Intagrate Lite
2 0 2 0 // taking it all apart to put it all together again. We got home a week ago, so this is our New Year cleanup. If no one sees us again, we're lost under all this crap. #homestudio #januarypurge #studiocleanup #ceramics #ceramicsstudio #potterystudio #wheresthedog Posted by Intagrate Lite
All of my sketchbooks have in-progress drawings of fish right now. Real ones, imaginary ones, cartoony ones, realistic ones. Live for a month with near daily swimming among fish (and often multiple times per day), and it makes my brain want nothing but to be back among creatures of the sea and that watery peace. A sergeant general fish hasn't come up to my face to say hello for over a week and I'm quite forlorn about the whole thing. I suspect that my pots might be covered in fish after our annual "Clean This Terribly Messy Studio" event this week as we prepare to hurl ourselves into 2020, inspired and ready to get some fun new things on our shop shelves. #puertomorelos #watercolorpencil #ink #inprogress #fish #watercolourpencil #fishdrawing #art #artpractice Posted by Intagrate Lite
I got to be a shopper at the @creekside_yarnfestival and the ever inspiring Angela @hedgepig_pottery had this little guy to remind me what is important in life: MAKE. CREATE. Be happy! I loved to get in longer visits with all my fibre friends and my potter friends with leisure rather than quick "hi!" at shows since I'm usually a vendor and tied up. It was a treat. I am in love with our communities, and I enjoyed milling among the crowd today rather than my norm, hanging in one spot in a booth! Keep being awesome, people. I adore you. #airdrie #yarn #pottery #AlbertaMade #fibre #ceramics #handbuiltpottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
I've had my swim gear on almost every day of 2020 (literally). I've started drawing and planning this artistic life as we head into the year now that I feel rested. I'm maneuvering the rocky waters, many self created, but I'm also remembering why I do it all: the joy of creating. The joy of connecting with others. The thrill of the creative chase..Just keep swimming, little fish.#vacation #creativeliving #reconnect #makersmovement Posted by Intagrate Lite
I just ran into Jordi, one of my favourite artists that is visiting #PuertoMorelos He is on his way to the beach to sell his completely handmade jewelry, his wire and tools in his backpack. He and Silvia of @silmarilart work hard on these one of a kind magnificent items. I love the #chainmail and still wear a ring of Jordi's that I purchased years ago, and Silvia's earrings are my daily wear. If you see him, please take a look! His work is normally only on the beach from 4-6pm although tonight Sunday only will be found on a table in the central square in #PuertoMorelosMexico art market so that you can take home a special souvenir too.#buylocal #buyhandmade #artistssupportingartists #cancun #playdelcarmen #chainmail #qualityjewelry @jordielpelegri Posted by Intagrate Lite
What's on your 20 for 2020 to-do list? I made a list "101 Things To Do in 1001 Days" a decade ago. The timeline was long but also very achievable to plan for more complex items. I threw crazy things on the list, and a strange thing happened. They started to become reality. I started to make them happen. When friends mentioned embarking on an epic road trip, I voted for Yellowknife because visiting the North West Territories was on my List. We did it. I learned to knit because of that list. I read award winning books, swam more often, saw live music, strengthened relationships, tried online friend making, visited Banff, but also bought all new underwear, sheets, and tried a pedicure. I threw all sorts of things on the list and then watched myself manifest.Today, I'm looking for a smaller list of 20 things for 365 days. What's on your list? #HopeIsNotAStrategy #20in2020 Posted by Intagrate Lite
D e c e m b e r S u m m a r y // it was full of art, friends, family, making, fixing, hockey, sun, and food. All in all, yes. #1secondeveryday (Christmas Party photo is from @_ocean_loops because I went, laughed, and didn't grab any photographic evidence) Posted by Intagrate Lite
D i s t r a c t e d // throwback to throwing while distracted. Jason and our friend and neighbour, Tony, were in studio as I made the forms for the kitchener mugs. Our meandering conversation danced from the upcoming January 2020 ACAD market (we would have 9 days to prep. Ceramics needs weeks, not days), then to the resurgence of vinyl (enthusiast @lyleaspinall received a shout out). We argued about the existence of a comic book store on Southland and MacLeod Trail in #yyc. Hot flashes in men with empathy for women after a bout of medication side effects, and our suspected senility with not a good memory among us on this sunny day rounded out the convo. I was more focused on the chat than the pot, and I acquired a wobble due to my lack of focus. I should know better, but I enjoy companionship in the studio, and your mug will sometimes show the evidence.?Happy 2020! May you have the companionship you want, the laughter you need, and the good health we all desire.#ceramics #wheelthrown #wheelthrowingvideo #plainsmanclay Posted by Intagrate Lite
Latte con vainilla en hermosas tazas de cerĂĄmica is Vanilla latte in beautiful ceramic mugs.#LifeIsBeautiful #caffeinated #ArtIsEverywhere@lecafedamancia Posted by Intagrate Lite
Our Year In Colour // yes, we know we have a thing for blues. #yearincolour #OneOfUsIsColourBlind #ceramicglaze Posted by Intagrate Lite
In 9 days, we will begin 4 weeks of rest. The kilns will gather dust. Our shop will be closed. Our minds and bodies will stop focusing on all forms of "work", and we will focus on rest and connection. The hammock is the only thing that will receive a workout. If our bodies tell us to nap, we will. If we want to swim, we will. If we need an early morning walk, we will. I am deeply tired. I am looking forward to rest. Reposted from @thenapministry – Slow down. Connect. Deliver yourself from grind culture. Rest….#napministry #thenapministry #restasresistance #sleep #rest #spiritualcare #healing #naps #napping #soulcare #selfcare #chicago #atlanta #performanceart #naptime #community #archive #spiritualdirection #reparations #joy #socialjustice #racialjustice #justice #communitycare #womanism #restisreparations Posted by Intagrate Lite
Cookie Camp! The Village Neighbours Are Baking Our annual day of baking is in effect. This is the kids + families favourite day of the year. Community and a sugary day of love and support. Seen here is the halfway mark with chocolate ripple cookies currently in the oven. I live my village!#bakingday #neighbours #holiday #TheVillage #grateful Posted by Intagrate Lite
I'm making holiday cards. What're you doing?#alcoholink #yupo #letitflow #cardmaking #fingerstainsfordays Posted by Intagrate Lite
M U G S || The last mugs for the year will be up on Etsy as of 11pm tonight! Most are already live, plus some new buttons and yarn bowls. Dec 11 is the last day for shipping before Christmas so please save the stress and don't wait. #knittergift #mugs #ceramics #ribberforyourpleasure #yarnmugs Posted by Intagrate Lite
We've listed two F#CK Off Crocheting & Knitting mugs in shop, plus blue and purple cable and ribbed mugs. We're working through our limited stock as fast as we can to get it online! Thank you SO MUCH for your support, your purchases, and your encouragement as we test drive this "selling online" process for our larger items. Posted by Intagrate Lite
K I T C H E N E R || I posted three kitchener mugs in the Etsy shop, one of each of this batch's three colours: blue, deep purple, and speckled teal. Each of these hold 13-14oz comfortably and display the stitch pattern when held in your right hand. .Each mug is #wheelthrown and made completely by hand, and fired twice. I write the text on each freehand and we brush the glaze to ensure even coverage..Chasingfireceramics.etsy.ca North America shipping is included for each mug. For other, DM me and I will get a quote!.Thank you for your continued support!.#kitchenermug #kitchenerstitch #ceramics #knittersofinstagram #sockknitters Posted by Intagrate Lite
He wants the brightest yellow cardigan. Before I add mugs to the shop, I'm making The Kid very happy by casting on. #knitworthy #cardigan #knittersofinstagram Posted by Intagrate Lite
Kintsugi yarn bowl, ready for a new home. #beautifulscars…#Yarntwistersyyc #yarnbowl #wheelthrown #carvedpots #kintsugi Posted by Intagrate Lite
IT'S HAPPENING!! // Saturday Nov 23 1-4pm with Chasing Fire Studio and Fibre Goddess @fibregoddess at YarnTwisters. ? We're gonna rock that shop's socks off. Literally. Jenn has lots of great sock yarn ?Jason is unloading our glaze kiln because we live dangerously, so stay tuned for sneak peaks as we sand and pack.#yycshoplocal #popupshop #Yarntwistersyyc #ceramicsyyc Posted by Intagrate Lite
When glaze experiments go RIGHT. I have 3 of these 1.25" buttons for you tomorrow at Yarn Twisters in Calgary for that perfect holiday cowl. Oh, and one shiny heart. #IsThisTheGlitzImLookingFor#ceramics #glaze #handmadebuttons #ceramicbuttons Posted by Intagrate Lite
Babies waiting for some clear coat and then into the kiln. They'll emerge bright teal, dark purple, and blue after the magic happens. MAGIC!Glazing is still the scariest part of this process for me because it is an exercise in experimentation, luck, science, and trust. This batch of mugs, I am relatively secure with how these glazes interact at the temperature that we fire to (1200C/2200F) but we still have regions of the kiln that might be hotter or cooler by 50-100 degrees, which will change the resulting colour. If we apply the glaze slightly thinner or thicker, it affects the end product as well and how the glaze breaks, how it feels, how it picks up underlying texture, and the colour tone. And when we mix new batches, we'd better be sure we have the right specific gravity so that it applies correctly or we may end up with a kiln-load of destroyed pots. This balancing trick is why you might see a ceramic artist hold up an piece of their own pottery and admire the glaze because the magic and luck mixed with glaze-mixing skill is an intriguing art in itself that keeps us chasing perfect results. #glaze #canadianceramics #plainsman #wheelthrown #underglaze #howiamaco #ceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
New on Etsy – Skull mugs! We listed just one of the set to start. If you'd like more, drop us a line for combined pricing. Posted by Intagrate Lite
Popup is this SATURDAY!!!! I'll be at @Yarn_Twisters in SE Calgary from 1-4pm with a select collection of cabled and kitchener stitch mugs, yarn bowls, buttons and some itsy sweater ornaments for those special folks on your list! I won't tell if the special folk you're buying for is YOU .Check out the Yarn Twisters latest episode on their Instagram account where they chat about fun things plus talk about the upcoming popup..See you Saturday! #yycshoplocal #yycknitters #yyccrochet #lys #popupshop #yycevents Posted by Intagrate Lite
This coral though…Mugs for sale, link in bio! #prettyinpink #ceramicsyyc #handbuiltpottery #slabbuilt #slabpottery #ceramics #canadianceramics #pottery #knittermug #knittergift #plainsmanclay #etsy Posted by Intagrate Lite
D O U B L E S P E E D // Throwing mugs and cups on this very chilly day, working down my to-do list while really wishing that this studio had a fireplace (and was surrounded by palm trees, while we're wishing…)#wheelthrown #ceramics #potteryvideos #ceramicvideo Posted by Intagrate Lite
I posted two of the cable babies on Etsy. Thanks to @catiecatp for giving us the push to do this. We have been waffling since the spring and today, we jumped off the deep end. (And now I gotta mail Catie her mug that's been sitting on our kitchen table, encouraging us) #mugsforsale #makersgonnamake #pottersgonnapot #cablemugs #buyhandmade #freeshipping #etsy #canadianceramics #knittersofinstagram #pottersofinstagram #madeinalberta #ceramics chasingfireceramics.etsy.com Posted by Intagrate Lite
Coming soon to Yarn Twisters! November 23 we’ll be in their shop in Calgary (122 Mahogany Plaza SE) with the lovely Jenn from Fibre Goddess to help you prep for your holiday shopping. We will be packing cable & kitchener mugs, yarn bowls, buttons, trinket bowls, and slipper bottoms as well as some itsy bitsy sweaters for your loved ones in case you didn’t get a chance to knit sweaters yourself. Mark your calendars and please come say hi! Posted by Intagrate Lite
Eyebrow communication game is strong today. (But she's not getting out of bed)#Winter #StudioDog #14yearsold #eyebrow Posted by Intagrate Lite
Free pattern from the talented Fran InkyKnitter! I was ever so happy to see the elderly karaoke singer wandering The Press Club again this year after Knit City setup (phew!). These socks are now solidly in my queue. ? ?Reposted from @theinkyknitter – I have a FREE pattern for you all today! This was kind of an improvised, sorta vanilla sock project that was meant to be my easy travel knitting for Knit City this year. But since I am completely incapable of knitting a truly vanilla sock, I added a few small details that turned out rather cute. I introduce Night at the Press Box which is now available on Ravelry as a forever free pattern. The Press Box is the little bar just beside where Knit City takes place, so it's always full of knitters that whole weekend. And it's become kind of a tradition to sit in there on the Friday night after setting up all day to listen to our favorite Karaoke singers that come back year after year. Now allow me to rant about this yarn for a little while. I have been somewhat obsessed with this colorway by @thewoolbaron since I first saw it, and was hoarding it as though it was my precious ever since I managed to snag one at a local show. Now that I've used it I'm quite sure I will buy at least one more when I get the chance haha! …#inkyknitterdesigns #inkyknitter #freesockpattern #knitsock #knit #knitdesigner #knitdesign #knitallthesocks #knitallday #knitstagram #knitter #knitlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersofinstagram #igknitter #instaknitter – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
Thank you! Thank you for the chats, the laughing, the dancing, the jokes. Thank you for giving our work loving homes. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank you for letting us talk to your kids and ogle your babies (we should advertise as the "FREE BABY HOLDING BOOTH!") Clair @fibreshindig you put on another amazing show and thank you for including us again Thank you to Myrna @sahmknits1 for your help and to your volunteers that were fabulous from unload to end of day. And now, today, we rest.#fibreshindig2019 Posted by Intagrate Lite
We're ready at the @FibreShindig so come on down! #yycshoplocal #ceramicsyyc Posted by Intagrate Lite
I just received beautiful stick pins and shawl pins for Saturday's show from @szaboglasscreations ! One of her gorgeous pins is seen here on InkyKnitter's amazing bulky shawl "Keep On Falling"#fibreshindig2019 #shawlpin #CarolinaIsAwesome #FranIsAwesome Posted by Intagrate Lite
Last push before Saturday's show! I have only a small selection of kitchener mugs in this load, so get yer butt to the booth quickly on Saturday if you want one. We're in the big second room in the far corner (our "usual spot"). #ceramicsyyc #ceramics #pottery #wheelthrown #Albertamade #canadianceramics #makersmovement #fibreshindig2019 #kitchenermug Posted by Intagrate Lite
My teensy tiny sweater lost a teensy tiny button.Red, blue, yellow, green… what colours will these sweater ornaments be? And what colour will their teensy buttons be?#handmadeholidays #ornaments #ceramics #buttons #canadianceramics #pottery #buyhandmade #makersmovement #treeornaments #MakersGottaMake #handbuilt #ceramicsyyc #makersmovement #yyc #glazing Posted by Intagrate Lite
Sometimes, things just don't work out.?Bye bye, cracked mug…?Pottery quickly teaches to not get attached. It is almost always easier to remake than to attempt any salvage. (I fail at the not getting attached thing for one-of-a-kind work. Saying goodbye still requires a stiff drink for those) Good thing we have more of these beauties for the Fibre Shindig on the weekend! ?#featsofpretendstrength#fibreshindig2019 #ceramics #canadianceramics #AlbertaMade #pottery #handbuilt #handbuiltpottery #greenware Posted by Intagrate Lite
#TOQUEpalooza in progress!Knitting up a quick hat from my stash as I wait for pots to dry, and before we head off to see family to enjoy this beautiful Thanksgiving Sunday (Canada gives thanks in October). ? I'm grateful for this slice of time, drinking tea and working this lovely wool, listening to my son and husband chat while our very old dog snores at my feet. We are very lucky in almost every way, and I'm grateful for all the gifts of friendship, assistance, and straight up luck we've had during three years of the roughest times we've ever faced. I hope we can now go an entire year without any of us seeing the inside of a hospital so we can break this cycle. It's wonderful that we have such an amazing healthcare system with great ERs and skilled surgeons that don't cause us financial ruin in exchange for their services (something I am forever grateful for) yet I would love if my own family could stop testing that system with such fervor. We get by with the help of our friends, family, and community, and we couldn't be luckier or raised up by better people. ?Thank you for being wonderful, for sharing laughter and hope, for sharing artistic vision, and love of craft. ?Oh – the bag is made by @sewshannonyyc and she's currently running a 20% off sale!#thankful #thanksgiving #toque #knittedhat #bonbontoque #knittersofinstagram #grateful #sewshannonyyc #malabrigorios #tincanknits #tincanknitsbonbontoque Posted by Intagrate Lite
I picked up a new pin for Jason's kilt. Thao (Nerd Bird Makery) is a brilliant artist and designer, as well as a lovely person. I fangirled at an unable-to-chat level when meeting at Knit City which is somewhat expected of me – I am socially awkward at the worst possible times I am excited about this and my "NAILED IT" pin, also from Thao, which I have been pointing at every time I manage even the simplest of tasks, and ignore the resulting eye rolls around me. I AM WINNING!#artistmade #nerdbirdmakery #enamelpin #crochetpin #knitterpin Posted by Intagrate Lite
Trimming tiny notion / sauce / mise en place bowls for Fibre Shindig next weekend! Cutting it close but that's how we roll…?#trimming #ceramics #tinypots #pottery #canadianceramics #AlbertaMade #yycartists #BuyHandmade #albertaceramics #fibreshindig2019 #fibreshindig Posted by Intagrate Lite
A little louder for the people in the back.?Kindness and activism are not mutually exclusive. But I will stop smiling and ask you to step back to ponder for a hot minute if you do harm, even if you "don't mean to", you "don't think it's a big deal", or you think I'm taking things "too seriously". My love and kindness mean I want you to understand why unintentional harm is still harm, that harm is a big deal to others even if it isn't (lucky you) to you, and even if you grow weary of the seriousness of the discussion because you're also lucky enough to turn away. We can be kind. And we can burn these nasty systems of thought and action to the ground too. It's gonna take some work and some deep introspection. I have faith in us.?#knittersofinstagram #lovethyneighbour #workingtoseethechangeReposted from @theconsciouskid (@get_regrann) – âThe [phone] messages, said Cynthia E. Kernick, a lawyer for Mr. Rogers, ''are of racism, white supremacy and bigotry – the antithesis of everything Rogers stands for.'' â1990 NYTimes Article..Tweet: @JRobb773..[image description: Tweet from Julia Gulia (@JRobb773) that reads: âMr. Rogers, King of Kindness, sued the KKK for using imitations of his voice in racist telephone calls. You can be kind and fiercely defend your neighbors from harm.â In plain black text on a white background]#Kindness #WhiteSupremacy #MrRodgers #MrRodgersNeighborhood #AntiRacist #Ally #Coconspirator – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
October 19 Fibre Shindig is coming! Our next market is at Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre in Calgary 10am-4pm The show will also be a drop off point for hygiene items for distribution to local shelters. Suggested items for donation include (new and in box/packaging): tampons, sanitary pads, soap, toothbrushes, shampoo and shower gel. #yycshoplocal #yycmarkets #ceramics #yycevents #fibreshindig2019 #fibreshindig #potteryforknitters #handmadebuttons Posted by Intagrate Lite
My #LakesideTote is done and saw heavy action during #knitcity2019 It held my daily nutrition, my acquisitions (some @poppyyarnandfibre seen here peeking out of the top!), and it was a lovely crochet project that I finished just in time as we traveled through beautiful British Columbia. I'd like to make another matching tote with the proper larger hook size since I love this one so much!â°Pattern by @jsodetcrochetâ°#BIPOCMAL2019 #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #crochetbag #hookersunite #bookbag #diy #fibrearts Posted by Intagrate Lite
Trying a new technique on the ride home from #knitcity2019 – 9" is all I need?!? Picked a needle up in Kamloops and away I went! My eyes are crossing, but my toe is done and I'm onward to the foot. @fibregoddess makes this look so graceful but I think I popped an eyeball and jaw muscle so far I'm sure I'll be better by next sock! Practice practice practice… #sockknitters #sockknittersofinstagram #circularneedle Posted by Intagrate Lite
Revelstoke, don't stop. â°#journeyhome #bc #britishcolumbia #revelstoke #knitcity2019 Posted by Intagrate Lite
ONE kitchener mug left at Poppy Yarn & Fibre Booth 325 at #knitcity2019 ! Sorry, Vancouver. I can't wait to see who takes this pretty baby home to keep them warm every day. #knitcity #kitchenermug #kitchenerstitch #lastone Posted by Intagrate Lite
Yarn bowls? Yes! Booth325 at @knitcitycanada #knitcity2019 #ceramics #yarnbowls #yvrevents #yvr Posted by Intagrate Lite
Packing yarn bowls for #knitcity2019 – I have only as many as I can sneak behind the seat as we prep to come over the mountains to see y'all, so come early to the @poppyyarnandfibre booth to get first pick! #ceramics #yarnbowls #yyvknitters #knitcity #booth235 #howdoIchoosewhichtobring Posted by Intagrate Lite
Rainbow hearts ? I handmade and handpainted each of these babies for you, #knitcity2019 ! I'll be in booth 325 Poppy Yarn & Fibre @poppyyarnandfibre and I'm so excited to be back to enjoy the amazing @knitsocial energy! â°#handmade #buttons #chasingfirestudio #ceramics #potteryforknitters #knitcity Posted by Intagrate Lite
Rainbow stripe hearts, glazing into the late night hours as #knitcity2019 approaches. Yarn bowls, mugs, and these heart buttons will be in the Poppy Yarn & Fibre booth at @knitsocial See you Saturday and Sunday on the floor, Vancouver! Posted by Intagrate Lite
Bulky, lace, luxuriously quick knit? Sold! Oh Fran, I can't quit you Pattern on sale until Oct 3.Posted @withrepost âą @theinkyknitter It's here!!!! My favorite season has arrived along with my newest shawl pattern. This is Keep on Falling and it's currently 30% off on Ravelry for the first week. And because I love fall so much, all of my patterns are also 30% off, no coupon code required. I used @fibregoddess Joplin in the Fall of the Patriarchy colorway to knit this super quick and cozy bulky weight shawl. It's much easier than it looks and is incredibly fast to knit up on those big needles. This shawl and the printed patterns will be available at @knitcitycanada next weekend at the Fibre Goddess booth. Hope to see you there! …#knitcity2019 #fibregoddess #inkyknitterdesigns #knitlove #knit #knitshawl #knitinspiration #knitallday #nevernotknitting #knitalltheshawls #bulkyshawl #fallknitting #kniststagram #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld Posted by Intagrate Lite
I'm in good company Reposted from @kallan.marie (@get_regrann) – some of my favourite things. Yarn bowl from @chasingfirestudio , skull planter by @greyshed , and of course my newest project bag made by @theellebeetree #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #yarnporn #yarnbowl #planter #projectbags #handmade #supportsmallbusiness #supportlocal – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
Is it #TrySomethingNewFriday ? I made some mise en place bowls using a new technique! They were so fun to make! I love small things. I have a stack of little flat dishes of my own for sauces, teabags, spoons, stitch holders, rings, and I want more but in bowl form. My first try gave me ideas for improvement but after some vigorous edge sponging to soften things, these will be adorable! I'll be bringing the finished babies to the @FibreShindig on Oct 19 in Calgary. #ceramics #miseenplace #albertamade #littlebowls #handbuilt #slabbuilt #homeformyteabag #homeformystitchmarkers #yycmade #handmade #potteryforknitters #pottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
I’m working on my #LakesideTote by @jsodetcrochet and it is flying! I spent so much time gabbing with friends at knit/crochet/spin night that I would probably be much farther if I wasn’t so social! Worth the laughter though – I can work more tomorrow night in solitude. The tote is destined to be our book bag, and I have two sunny yellows that are perfect to reflect our joy of going to the library. I’m using a slightly smaller hook size but it’s working out well at the tighter gauge so far ? #bipocmal2019 #crochetersofinstagram #hooked #bookbag #diy #fibrearts #crochetbag #hookersunite Posted by Intagrate Lite
Have you met @hedgepig_pottery ? She is kind, creative, and a delight! I am always excited when we are at the same events. She creates beautiful and fun things. Repost @hedgepig_pottery (@get_regrann) – Yes, yes I did!!! My treat from @prairiefibrefestival ! Just looking at this mug from @chasingfirestudio made me look forward to all the warm teas and hot chocolate with marshmallows when our inevitable winter snow falls . Do I make mugs? Sure, but not like this cozy little piece !!!!! #pottery #ceramics #clay #handmade #mug #sweatermug Posted by Intagrate Lite
Action shot!Repost from @kdubyaknits – Enjoying my morning tea in my new mug from @prairiefibrefestival @chasingfirestudio Posted by Intagrate Lite
Thank you to everyone that came out yesterday at Prairie Fibre Festival to pick up a new (or another) mug, fall in love with a yarnbowl, or pick out buttons and shawl pins for your projects. It's always so great to be immersed in my fibre and vendor community. #prairiefibrefestival Posted by Intagrate Lite
I have so very few of these wheelthrown pottery mugs with kitchener instructions, and they will be in Lacombe on Saturday! I'm working on making more, oh yes I am, but get them at #PrairieFibreFestival while they last! Then put your feet up, have a beverage, and finish your socks with peace of mind. ..#wheelthrown #ceramicsyyc #ceramics #plainsman #potteryforknitters #canadianceramics #AlbertaPotters #kitchenermug #kitchenerstitch Posted by Intagrate Lite
Unloading the kiln and so very happy with the variety of bowls in this firing for #prairiefibrefestival this weekend! Each bowl is a one of a kind sculpture, whether starting as thrown or handbuilt structure. I’m excited to share my favourites as they cool. #yarnbowls #potteryforknitters #ceramics #ceramiccarving Posted by Intagrate Lite
Some of the #yarnbowls in my glaze pile today Blue? Green? Pink? White? Decisions, decisions!#prairiefibrefestival Posted by Intagrate Lite
Places you can knit: waiting for the doctor! Ongoing recovery from June's surprise surgery. Seen here: casting off a @mudpunch & @seaturtlefiberarts combo with next socks on deck from @rach.tmns in my weebra @sewshannonyyc bag #handknits #kip #handknitsocks Posted by Intagrate Lite
I'm working on more kitchener stitch mugs for the Prairie Fibre Festival that is coming up on Saturday! Pictured here is @mommyculture , my lovely #fibreshare partner and hardworking mama, modeling her mug. @prairiefibrefestival #prairiefibrefestival #ceramics #kitchenermug #potteryforknitters Posted by Intagrate Lite
Amazing vendors, food truck, and door prize packages. What else could go right? We're so grateful to be vending again this year! #knitters #fibrefestival #albertayarn #yegyarn #yycyarn #reddeeryarn #lacombe #yarn Posted by Intagrate Lite
We've been climbing uphill since the early spring since just before my surgery and as I'm still recovering, we have been in less than top shape for production. When we looked up last week, there was a larger mountain than we knew we could go alone. @cotton.cassie pitched in right away by coming by and providing her upbeat optimism and muscle.We called mentors and friends for wise words about overcoming this type of hurdle (@conniepike and @the_pott_lady among others) although I think my call to Rylee was mostly panicked rambling. She and more potters came to our rescue with real solutions – thank you so much also to @gmitchellceramics @ipotlisa and Mike & Sara at Ceramics Canada for your amazing generosity. My heart was pretty darned full this week – we are so lucky to be part of this community. The awesomest impressive part is RIGHT NOW there is a borrowed slab roller in our studio for the weekend!!How have we lived this long without one? I whispered sweet nothings to her before I tucked her into bed last night. She's beautiful. It is amazing gadget – it's saving Jay's back and is saving my sanity. It squish squish squishes 45lbs of clay in record time. It's now "on the list" to save for to add to the studio. So grateful. #ceramicscanadayyc#AlbertaMade #albertapotters#canadianceramics #slabroller #pottery #yycarts #yycpottery #yycceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
I've been using this wooden fabric stamp on clay slabs lately, and I'm enamoured with the texture. I'm imagining how my new glaze will pool and break over this delicious pattern. #yarnbowls #texture #ceramics #canadianceramics #AlbertaMade #greenware Posted by Intagrate Lite
Unglazed work, waiting for the kiln. This bowl and several others will be in Lacombe on Sept 14 at the @PrairieFibreFestival #Yarnbowl #ceramics #AlbertaMade #prairiefibrefestival #canadianceramics #plainsman #readyforbisque Posted by Intagrate Lite
Speed-up video, trying to find just the right curve on the bottom of this mug. ?#ceramics #wheelthrown #plainsman #pottery #albertacraftyyc #albertamade #canadianceramics #wheelthrowing #AlbertaPotters Posted by Intagrate Lite
Yarn bowl with sedum. The bowl will be coming with me to @PrairieFibreFestival and the sedum will keep doing what it does best: being pretty. #yarnbowl #prairiefibrefestival #canadianceramics #albertamade #albertaceramics #ceramics #potteryforknitters #sedum Posted by Intagrate Lite
In case you need to hear it, this is for you. .Thank you to @morganharpernichols for beautiful words and intentions Posted by Intagrate Lite
6 weeks until showtime! Reposted from @prairiefibrefestival – Save the Date for the @prairiefibrefestival on Saturday September 14, 2019 in Lacombe, AB!! This year there will be 48 vendors There will be a broad selection of talented vendors of the Fibre Artsïž Posted by Intagrate Lite
Jason's Timber Series of wood grain ceramic pieces is now available in the delicious Alberta's Own market in Canmore. This lovely shop features Alberta Makers and Alberta products, and we are so proud to be included! @AlbertasOwnMarket is the perfect place for unique finds, local, handmade, and exquisite gifts for yourself and others..#ceramics #handmade #buyhandmade #albertasown #albertamade #canmore #pottery #Alberta #ceramics #plainsman #buylocal #makerlife #albertapotters #yycpotter #yycpottery #timberseries Posted by Intagrate Lite
20 years married. Let the adventure continue!#marriage #anniversary #weareold Posted by Intagrate Lite
Our favourite number ’round here. Baby step today into the studio because over a month away was making me squirrelly and miserable. This piece has been hanging around on the bisque shelf, waiting for some love, so that’s what I’m doing on close to the eve of the 24th, which will be our 20th wedding anniversary. An underglaze wash, a bright chartreuse glaze on the top of the numerals, and then off to Jay for some clear coat (he’s intensely using it right now). Feels good just to be here but wow, I can’t wait to be out regularly again (and clean. It’s a MESS!)#makerlife #underglaze #handbuiltpottery #slabbuilt #handbuilding #plainsman #Recovery #ArtIsLife #makersgottamake #ceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
It is now one month since surgery, and I’m up and about in the perrennial garden for the first time to review what a month of neglect has rendered. My garden has succulents galore, with hen & chicks reminiscent of my paternal grandmother’s garden, and three varieties of sedum plus stonecrop. Calgary’s climate is arid with cold nights which makes these winners in my beds (and they appear on my pots often) The columbines are blooming, the new addition of yellow daisies are doing well, and what was a patch of white bells has sprouted a purple stalk. Yay genetics! My Hope For Humanity roses are completely out of control with blooms, and for that, I am so grateful. I’m coming out of the fog focused on healing while trying to be patient with myself. I’m not great at being patient but I’m trying. #yycgarden #patience Posted by Intagrate Lite
Making a octopod-lover's dream come true down at @ninthandbrick #buylocal #BuyHandmade #crochet Posted by Intagrate Lite
Hi! I’m Cara. Here’s me, pictured with one of the loves of my life. Being a mom is pretty amazing, and one of the best jobs I’ve ever been graced with. I have signed up for #Fibreshare for the first time, and they’ve asked us to share bits about ourselves. I knit, crochet, and weave and the support of my fibre community is something that I adore. Fibre peeps are some of the best peeps! 1. I love my family and community. I spend so much time with “my boys”, and volunteer quite a bit in organizations I care about, and/or that support my family. It’s a way of life to try to always be The Helper (thanks Mr Rogers) 2. I love pottery / ceramics. I started in 2002 and haven’t stopped. I have started mixing glazes and experimenting more. We have a kiln and wheel in our home studio. It has connected me to many of my close friends and mentors. Plus it’s great to smash clay after a rough day. 3. Art is life. Creativity is life. My mom taught me to seek love and solace and beauty in all that is the arts. It brings light to our life. This zentangle drawing is a recent (Sunday) work completed by my son and I.4. (No photo) Tech is life. My day job is in IT and I love to challenge my mind. If Excel was a human, I’d want to get married. I really like process, SDLC, and making things from nothing. Nerd girls rule Are you participating in FibreShare? #fsasks Posted by Intagrate Lite
Ooooh I’m loving how these @mudpunch socks are working up! Colourway “Kimono Mouse” starts after the @seaturtlefiberarts blue toes. The selfstriping makes me happy in a really satisfying way, and I find myself knitting just to get to the next colour when I should be doing the things on the to-do list instead… so these are FLYING. The socks kept me company during a very quiet Canada Day where, not pictured, we did the most Canadian thing we do, and hit the rink for some sticks and pucks (I watched. Still recovering!) Happy belated Canada Day! Progress keeper by @bunnyandtoot and gorgeous weebra bag by @sewshannonyyc #knittingofinstagram #knitsocks #selfstriping #sockbags #projectbags #magicloop Posted by Intagrate Lite
I finished my socks, and then my model stole them. I'm still banned from studio during recovery so I've cast on another pair of magic loop toe-up socks, this time with @mudpunch fun selfstriping and a bright blue @seaturtlefiberarts mini for toes and heels. Onward to sock knitting for Canada Day weekend! #magicloop #knittersofinstagram #sockknitters #selfstriping Posted by Intagrate Lite
Our little sheep watching over the cranking ? From @splatandco – Morning view! Tea and cranking. Finishing up a few last min arm warmers so I have knitting for in the car as we leave in a few short hours for our BC car trip. Sheep mug by @chasingfirestudio #csm #sockknittingmachine #knitwear #knitweardesigner #sheep #sheepmug #localwool #wip #behindtgescenes #yycartist #canadianmade #handmadelive Posted by Intagrate Lite
I can't wait to make more of these mugs. Shannon's socks turned out great!! From @sewshannonyyc – Almost done the second sock then I'll be able to work on my kitchener stitch (which I've never done). Good thing my coffe mug from @chasingfirestudio shows me how.Yarn is Coy Koi from @flockfibre and I love the colors in it.#socks #sockknitting #kitchenerstitch #knitting #handmade – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
I'm recovering from surgery, enjoying my slippers, so it's time for a slipper sole sale! We offer free shipping AND 10% off PLUS slippers are a great compact and portable knit for summer. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/618134283/slipper-soles-free-shipping-nonslip?ref=listings_manager_grid&fbclid=IwAR06OEXfhWeZE4QApq3Hued6EeFwk3Mqh_UnkVyXUeIJN5W8FWijdmqXJgoHere are some slipper pattern favourites among myself and friends: Elf Shoes by Pamela Wynne (knit then felted) free pattern https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elf-shoes – This is probably the cutest thing I've ever made, and I've made them twice. Adorable in every size!Nonfelted slippers by Yuko Nakamura (knit) free patternhttps://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/non-felted-slippers – many friends have made these slippers! I knew that my friend Denise at Poppy Yarn and Fibre had and enjoyed, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of my Ravelry friends had this pattern completed in their projects. Make and Do Crew Sunday Slippers (crochet) free https://makeanddocrew.com/sunday-free-crochet-slippers-pattern/ – I've made several pair of these adorable slippers. Quick and easy crochet.Lamb Shoes by Pamela Wynn $ (knit)https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lamb-shoesI saw these on The Yarn Harlot's blog, and I was smitten. I love Pamela Wynne's "Elf Shoes" pattern and expect that this pattern is just as well written. Enjoy!-Cara Posted by Intagrate Lite
National Indigenous Peopls Day this year passed without us at celebrations since I'm still recovering from surgery, so I'm in remembrance and celebration while working on my moccasin project. This project had been sitting on the back burner: I has sewed the vamp (the top of the foot) before beading, so paused to do the beadwork on both vamps while it's easier to manipulate the leather before continuing. BUT I'm stuck trying to find a beadwork pattern that reflects my origins within Treaty 4 and my own cultural background as well. Any suggestions? What says "grew up alongside Cree but German from Russia plus British Saskatchewanian girl plus I like turquoise and orange"? . On another note, National Indigenous Day was a fitting weekend for Ravelry @hi.ravelry to ban white supremacist speech from their platform and I applaud their stand: targeting people for the colour of their skin should not be tolerated. The platform took a similar stand years ago by flying a digital rainbow flag during June, Pride month, to honour those that fought at Stonewall and to show support for human rights. It's a simple rule that I'm happy to see enacted: Don't Be A Dick. So let us go forward and amplify those with less power, act for those that cannot, and work together to keep us all safe. (And may I finally finish these moccasins before next NIPD!) #dontbeadick #nationalindigenouspeoplesday #mocassins #beading #leather #justice Posted by Intagrate Lite
Healing is slow. Too slow. A bit of a setback has me back in bed, "resting", which isn't something that I do very well. I'm snuggled under my grandmother's quilt that was brought back to life by my mom, wearing toasty odal socks by @amethystknits that were knit by @sahmknits1 (yarn by the sweet and savoury Denise at @poppyyarnandfibre) and I'm trying to finish a pair of vanilla socks with a @fibregoddess sockblank. Instead of knitting, I'm mostly just laying about, complaining to the dog. I am not enjoying the sudden appearance of pain on day five, and I'd like it to Go Away and the doctor has reassured me that it will but that I should find patience. That is unlikely, so I'll keep attempting to knit. At least I'll have new socks once this experience is completed. At least I'll have socks. #gallbladdereviction #whatisthatextrafluidontheultrasound #narcoticsareawesome #impatientpatient Posted by Intagrate Lite
Places you can knit: at the day surgery unit while waiting to evict a troublesome organ. I've been DIYing gemstones in my gallbladder and THAT'S why I've been sick for the last couple months. I was checked out and SURPRISE! sent directly to the surgical unit on Thurs to wait for a free OR, and here I am. So, Jay is finishing the wholesale orders that are in progress and then we will have to figure out how to proceed with individual cabled and kitchener mugs because, well, we're down half our team for the next six weeks or so. My apologies! #gallbladdereviction#nobodygottimeforthis Posted by Intagrate Lite
Taking a moment on the patio to draw out some succulent designs to carve into two yarn bowls later today for the fun @the.ceramic.school June Challenge. I love the variety of succulents and I have some perennial versions in my yard, just as my grandmother did. I added some String of Pearls off the Mother Hen… maybe I should add a chick? I’ve also got one of Jason’s mugs full of tea to wake my sleepy brain after it was busy all night, dreaming of sculpting jackalopes after yesterday’s day with @ipotlisa Our wee one’s nickname is “Jackalope” so I guess it wasn’t much of a jump. My day job will be really eating into my studio time this coming week – I have ideas I want to experiment with!#ceramicsyyc #ceramics #canadianceramics #albertapotters #makersmovement #pottery #calgaryartists Posted by Intagrate Lite
World Wide Knit In Public Day! Today I finished this cutie bonbon toque pattern by @tincanknits for a special little potter baby that is entering the world next month and it should fit perfectly for the fall. I love a cable on wee ones. #wwkipday2019 #bonbontoque #tincanknits #knittersofinstagram Posted by Intagrate Lite
Spending a beautiful day with @ipotlisa and her glorious techniques. The @albertapottersassociation AGM is during lunch with a full day demo, and it is the best way to do a meeting! Potluck and potter business with the rest of the day spent enjoying what we all love most: clay. #community #makersmovement #apa #pottery #canadianceramics #AlbertaPotters #albertaceramics #ceramics #underglaze #decals #sculpture Posted by Intagrate Lite
Thank you to our hosts @edmontonfibrefrolic and their wonderful volunteers for making our second year at Frolic so amazing! This show – from the friendly customers, new and old friends, and the great cast of vendors that @allisonbarnesyarn and @midnightmakerknits have gathered under one roof, we are blessed to be a part. It was lovely to catch up with our community, as well as see Edmonton friends (we like to remind everyone that we are really Saskatchewanians to avoid be caught in any Edmonton-Calgary rivalry!) Thank you for the warmest of welcomes and see you soon! #EdmontonFibreFrolic #thankyou #communitylove #potteryforfibreartists Posted by Intagrate Lite
Scratch scratch scratch, decorating with an itsy pin tip because I love you. (I normally have music on because THAT SOUND is terrible. The surfaces aren't smooth since everything is handthrown here in studio, so scritch scritch scritch) #kitchenerstitch #EdmontonFibreFrolic #ceramics #howiamaco #plainsmanclay Posted by Intagrate Lite
Waiting for you to work some stitches… #WorkInProgress #YarnBowl #edmontonfibrefrolic #knittersofinstagram #duckandrabbit #newwork Posted by Intagrate Lite
I needed a pot. Lucky thing, that. #PotterGonnaPot #SomethingForMe #makersgonnamake #makerlife #ceramics #albertacraftyyc #AlbertaPotters #wheelthrown #propogationsuccess Posted by Intagrate Lite
Carve, stamp, clean, trim. FRIDAY PARTY! Yaks, llamas, mohair, alpacas up first then some yarn bowls. The kiln is going to be working overtime this week to finish prep for #edmontonfibrefrolic because each piece gets two runs through the kiln. I love drawing my fibre animal friends on mugs. Collect one of each! #edmontonfibrefrolic #madeinAlberta #canadianceramics #albertamakers #ceramics #yarnbowls #makerlife Posted by Intagrate Lite
They don't advise repeatedly stabbing her in the eye. I am disappointed. #year11 #TheAssholeRule Posted by Intagrate Lite
Working on a bowl this eve. I love this five petal design yet each is still unique because I freehand carve these babies. Dustmask on, tools sharp! #Yarnbowl #ceramicsyyc #ceramics #wheelthrown #potteryforknitters #pottery #carvedclay #MyHappyPlace #edmontonfibrefrolic Posted by Intagrate Lite
I spent a lovely Mother's Day shopping with my boys and @seaturtlefiberarts , visiting with talented artists at #calgaryspringfibrefestival ? It was nice to see "old" friends and new! I picked up some beauties from @ThingsCreatedEqual @overthemoonyarn and @AlbertaYarnProject with a pattern from @PlanetAnnaKnits (not seen here but seen there – I love seeing @hedgepig_pottery – I'm obsessed with her wee animal beads. Potter love!) Posted by Intagrate Lite
Reposted from @poppyyarnandfibre – My afternoon tea tastes better from @chasingfirestudio mugs. #communityovercompetition #supportlocal #albertamakers #fibrepeepsarethebestpeeps #handmade #poppyyarnandfibre #albertapottersassociation #cabledeverything – #regrann Posted by Intagrate Lite
One thing that has always intrigued me is my son’s taste in art, and want to use his money to buy art. He has always spent his money on art more than I believe most children do, possibly because he is brought to more art and craft shows and market than his friends, so he simply may have more opportunities. Nevertheless, he knows what he likes. This beauty of a mug from @the_pott_lady caught his eye today at the APA Sale, and he eagerly spent his pennies on the golden tree. It currently sits on his desk, in use, next to a small turtle print that he fell in love with while on vacation. His collection of handmade items grows as he does, and I love that he knows their true worth. (I got a mug from Rylee too. My kid has good taste!) #buylocal #buyhandmade #art #canadianceramics #AlbertaPotters #AlbertaMade #makerlife Posted by Intagrate Lite
We are OPEN! Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre from 10am-4pm in #yyc today only. Check out the one of a kind cufflinks that came out of the kiln last night – Jay had a hard time putting them on the table today. ? #ceramicsyyc #makerlife #albertacraftyyc #AlbertaPotters #knittersofinstagram #pottery Posted by Intagrate Lite
A peek into the wet box… work in progress.#cablemugs #potteryforknitters #SlowArt #canadianceramics Posted by Intagrate Lite
Did you miss out on the knitted ribbed or cable mugs? DM me to be put on our contact list when the next batch is out of the kiln in May! Reposted from @blackrosestitches – Today was a fantastic day, I didnât buy much yarn at the @fibreshindig but I did get to meet some of my instagram friends and I snagged this awesome mug from @chasingfirestudio ..#fibreshindig #shoplocalyyc Posted by Intagrate Lite NOTE: If you’d like to be the first to know when our next mugs are ready in early May, you can fill out this Google Form with details about which mug style you like, the glaze colour, with your contact info. Your info is used for this purpose only. Each mug is created by hand, then fired, hand glazed, then fired again. It’s a looong process that is dependent on weather for clay drying, and each kiln firing is approximately 24 hours. We are hoping to have our next batch of cabled and kitchener mugs complete for the beginning of May 2019. Please sign up (if you haven’t contacted us otherwise) to be contacted first once they are ready. We will also have a batch ready for the Edmonton Fibre Frolic on May 24, 2019!
One of the cabled yarn bowls has found a loving home with Denise of Poppy Yarn and Fibre! ? .Reposted from @poppyyarnandfibre – My preciouses from @fibreshindig A #finchbucket from @knittypie (swipe to see just how many skeins of yarn can fit and still close!) and an amazing @chasingfirestudio cabled yarn bowl. Guys, I stared at this yarn bowl ALL day, promising myself that if it was still there at the end of the day it was meant to be mine. I call it Fateful Shopping. #fibreshindig #poppyyarnandfibre #handdyed #mompreneur #fibrepeepsarethebestpeeps #makersupportmakers Posted by Intagrate Lite
Thank you Shindig friends, customers, admirers, and especially to Clair and Myrna and their team for a successful day. This year could have been a huge challenge for us, and you made it easier for us and our team of Avron, Carolina, Mikynzee, and Joanie so we could be in two places at once. Our hearts are full! See you in the fall. @fibreshindig @sahmknits1 #fibreshindig #AlbertaMade Posted by Intagrate Lite
Did I forget to mention our cabled yarn bowls? Keep your project contained in these stylish “knitted” ceramic yarn bowls. Glazed in translucent colours to best capture the texture, we have a few left at the Fibre Shindig today in Calgary until 4pm! Posted by Intagrate Lite
Buttons. Bookmarks. Fresh outta the kiln this week! Fibre Shindig in Calgary 10am Saturday April 13 Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Center. Posted by Intagrate Lite
For days like… Monday!..Repost from @theoddsheepathome – How could I forget about this beauty! Thank you for making great mugs @chasingfirestudio #3 in my collection from you. Daily reminder to myself that I no longer put up with people attempting to bring me down, false accusations or someone to dump #shit on #takeitsomewhereelse #learninghurts #checkyourfacts — FYI: art on the mug is copyrighted, yo.
We will have some DRAMA LLAMA MUGS (finally holy cow yowsers)! Also featuring oodles of buttons, and leather heels & toes for your slipper projects. Come see Jason at the booth on Saturday as we kick off fall in beautiful Lacombe! #AlbertaMakers #PrairieFibreFestival #Lacombe
It could be the most perfect pottery house, and I would plant roses to climb its walls, hang sweet chimes from the trees, and put out snacks for the songbirds. Art could revive this home. Art can revive any home. #PrairieDreaming
Yarn Twisters in Calgary has a restock of mugs and yarn bowls! Please head over to visit Lisa and Michelle at @yarn_twisters to get first pick. #buylocal #handmade #AlbertaPotters
The Fibre Nook in beautiful Edmonton, AB has bookmarks to keep your place in all your pattern books! Or, if you’re taking a quick break from crafting (is that possible?), take your book to the beach with one of these babies. #buylocal #yeg #handmadeRePost from @thefibrenook – Art to mark your spot!These beautiful bookmarks are handmade with love and maybe a few choice words (makers know) by @chasingfirestudio #markallthethings #bookmark #locallymade #handmadewithcursewords #handmadewithlove
(Image from Poppy Yarn and Fibre because she bought OUR mug based on HER awesome idea.) If you see an image on our work or website and want to use it on your own work, contact us about licensing BEFORE stealing it. Infringing on copyright is against the law. Read the Canadian Copyright Act if you’re Canadian – and stop copying our stuff illegally! We work hard to protect our copyright plus, just don’t be a dick: RESPECT ARTISTS! Better yet, broaden the artistic horizons of the planet and make your OWN original stuff. #CopyrightInfringement #GetYourOwnIdeas #DesignYourOwnStuff #CanadaCopyrightAct #CARFAC #RespectArtists #Just BecauseItsOnTheInternetDoesntMakeItFree #ReleasingTheDramaLlama
Hey Calgarians! We have goodies for you at Yarn Twisters! They are at 122 Mahogany Plaza in the southeast just off 52nd St SE and we’ll be working hard to keep them stocked with bowls, mugs, and buttons. They have ONE DRAMA LLAMA mug (and lovely llama yarn), a herd of sheep mugs, some communicative mugs to express how you feel while you knit or crochet, and textured ribbed mugs. And check out the YARN BOWLS. They have a great variety, and an octopus busy being beautiful while you knit. We have sponged and sanded so that these are loving to your yarn because we love yarn as much as we love clay. Our buttons for your projects are also on-site so get your pretties there. Lisa and Michelle are very helpful and passionate about sourcing local products. You’ll see some favourites from around Calgary in their shop, and we’re dedicated to bringing them what their customers want (including octopus buttons for whoever came in and asked for those! I’m working on them, I really am) They host a knit/crochet/weave/whatever you can make night on Thursdays if you are looking for a nice place to hang out. Welcome to the neighbourhood, Yarn Twisters!
 Driving home from Edmonton last night and the sunset reminded me of a colourway I fell in love with. The makers created an art book of their inspiration photos with samples of projects in each of their colourways plus swatches of each and I just thought WOW this is an intentional heightening of yarn dyeing to show the ART. And then I sat down (quite literally onto the shop floor) and paid attention. The Blue Brick’s Prairie Storm is what ended up nestled in my arms. I figure that finding such beauty in this sunset confirms that I made the right yarn choice.
We love to make things to make projects better. These non-slip leather heels & toes are perfect to sew on to slipper projects. Knit, crochet, felted, sewn – they add the perfect finishing touch. We have them available in two colours in four sizes, from baby to large adult. I’ve tested them and this giant clutz (me) is now safe from the terror that is slippery laminate flooring! These will be in our Etsy shop starting June 1, 2018!
Scales everywhere! Fibre Shindig is in less than 2 weeks (April 21 at Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre) and we’re building and glazing in preparation for this amazing show. This is our 5th? Year at Shindig and it’s always so fun. The vendors and customers make it a great day. This means we’d better have things to make them happy, so the fun continues making these new mermaid bowls. I cut some slits in perfectly good pots for more yarn bowls and we have some new glazes for these babies. I can’t wait to show them off once they come out of the glaze kiln next week. Our Studio Helper Jill has moved on to work and adventure all across the country so we also have a young potter joining us this week! Miss Cassie is entering ACAD in the fall and she will have the best slab rolling skills in her class if we have anything to say about it. She makes beautiful pieces and also laughs at our corny jokes so it’s a great match. We appreciate her help, especially as Shindig and Edmonton Fibre Frolic approach. I’ll be back when the glaze kiln opens!
SHINDIGGITY! April 21 is our first show of 2018 and we’ll be bringing our wares plus some sweet shawl pins from Carolina Szabo. The vendors at this show are so fun and friendly and the volunteers and the bomb. Mark your calendars!
Miss Katie is modeling my handwoven scarf made from five varieties of Sea Turtle Fibre Arts fingering yarn. It was a project that I kept falling in and out of love with on the loom but once it was off, SHAZAM. I love it. It will be off to a new home where I hope the future wearer likes it as much as I do!
Fringe twisted, wet finished, and in the hands of the father-in-law, who has worn it all afternoon. SUCCESS – WIP dominated! Jay is modeling, and Jarrad, the maker of penannular shawl pins, is bombin’.
I live in this hammock now. Please forward my mail. #FamilyVacation #Rejuvenation #Mismaloya
The first glaze kiln of 2018 is running because these little wooden shot glasses want to be celebrating instead of waiting. #ceramics #CustomOrder #ChooseCelebrate
Jason was a busy elf before Christmas, making things for all the good boys and girls! #Repost from @poppyyarnandfibre – If you havenât tried @parallel49beer Toques of Hazzard yet, you should. Itâs delicious. Tastes even more amazing out of the new handcrafted @chasingfirestudio pint glasses I ordered for @lyleaspinall for Christmas . #craftbeerinhandcraftedglass #craftbeers #imperialipa
Buttons in the wild! Lovely sweater and a distinguished model. Repost from @yassnerd – 98% done Kyleâs sweater that was suppose to be for his bday-turned christmas -sweater. Mineville yarn used and buttons by @chasingfirestudio #yycknits #shitbirdsdo #knitting
The Loop in Kensington is carrying goodies from our studio! Mugs and yarn bowls are there for you. #Repost @theloopkensingtonă»ă»ă»New! Mugs and yarn bowls from @chasingfirestudio including the iconic âI am knitting and desire to remain undisturbedâ mug! #chasingfirestudio #yarnbowl #giftforyourknitter #whatwegotwednesday #theloopkensington
We love seeing our work “in action”! #Repost @miss_meganch ă»ă»ă»That is a sheep on my tea mug, a sheep pooping yarn!
Thank you for coming out to visit at #CFAF this past weekend. My pedometer displayed 4672 yesterday, and 37 today, so I am obviously all partied out! (and maybe I danced in our booth more than I thought yesterday) Thank you for hosting, Calgary Fibre Arts Festival! #yycyarn #knittersofinstagram #hookersgonnahook #YarnBowlsAllGone #LoveMyFibreCommunity #BuyHandmade
Want to give your brother a handmade sweater but don’t want to actually knit him one? Need an ornament gift tag to go with the handknit gift you will finish by December 25? We have these sweet little sweaters ready for you! Available this coming weekend at Calgary Fibre Arts Fair Nov 4-5 at the Big Four Building at Stampede park at the Chasing Fire Studio booth. See you there!
The Skein Game’s newest episode is out on YouTube, and you can see our own kilted potter in a shot at Shindig! You can see him live in our booth this coming Sat & Sun at Calgary Fibre Arts Fair at the Big Four in Calgary. @yycyarn
This is what 33% of the real life photos of my buttons look like. Cracks me up every time. Babies gonna be babies when mamas want to photograph their projects! At least baby slept while her mama shopped at The Fibre Shindig, which is really what counts. #Repost @planetannaknitsă»ă»ă»Don’t be fooled, she loves her new sweater! Yarn from @havenfibrearts and buttons from @chasingfirestudio
Thank you to everyone that came for a visit at the Fall Fibre Shindig yesterday! Shindig is always so fun, and the customers that come down are central to that magic. Thank you for hosting another great day, Clair – and thank you to Myrna and her volunteer team for ensuring our post-surgery Jay wasn’t lifting. It takes a village and we’re so happy to be Shindiggers. Vending at Shindig comes with great risk because I want to spend all of our earnings at the other vendor booths! Here’s some of the things that I couldn’t quite resist: Yarn! I have a weaving project in mind that marries Fibre Goddess “All Cheap and Debonair” with Sea Turtle Fibre Arts’ “Blue”. Flock’s “You Cant Take The Sky From Me” will be weft against a second skein warp of the same that I picked up at Prairie Fibre Fest! Prairie Dye Studio BFL “Siren” will be paired with (not seen) luscious teal of Poppy Yarn and Fibre’s “Forty-Two”. I also picked up a sweet little owl place marker from Prairie because oh so sweet. I also scored big with a custom mug from Jacquie of The Wicked Potter with the heart placed on my hometown. I ordered the mug before the show because I’m sneaky like that and then I snagged some of her lovely soaps. Kathy Lycka supplied her art on earrings and my absolute fave are the red Warrior Woman set. Not seen are the Princess Leia set because they are in my ears! EllSpins “Yer Mom” button cracked me up when I chose it as random from their bin. It hits my super immature sense of humour! Tamara is so fun. I would have shopped so much more if I wasn’t vending – I missed many booths! (Probably a good thing for my wallet). I don’t just make things by hand, I buy things that are made by hand. If you are going to have things surround us in our life, make them beautiful, worthwhile, and grounded in artisty. There’s something special knowing that my tableware, yarn, jewelry, clothing are made by people I’ve met and supported. #BuyHandmade #Community
Handmade the way we like it, get some kiln love for your shawls! We are hosting these unique dichroic glass shawl pins in our booth for the fall shows by Carolina Szabo, a local Calgary artisan.
Knit City, here they come! We aren’t there in person, but our amazing friends are bringing some of our fun wares to you on the coast. Sarah with Sea Turtle Fibre Arts has a limited supply of regular and our new GIANT mugs that go perfectly with her squishy colourful yarns. She’s got mugs and rainbows and a collection of colours that will make the gloomy skies brighten! Then, with mug in hand, wander over to visit Denise and Heather at Poppy Yarn & Fibre booth and welcome them to their first time vending at Knit City! We have partnered up on the sweetest cardigans in sizes from wee to mini-me. The yarn is luscious 100% merino, the pattern a quick yet satisfying cable for your favourite kiddo, and the buttons made by ME! Choose your own adventure with colour and sizes at their booth. Have fun, my friends! May the bright yarns make the rain seem like no dark thing. -Cara
My first cricket loom project, modelled by my first successful human project. #weave #cricketloom
Narrowed in towards two interesting glazes yesterday. Lichen-esque on the right with the thickest application and now I’ve learned to love MgCO3. It’s soft to the touch with flat angular crazing = beauty. The right slate blue is matte, translucent, and has rivulets that mimic an ash glaze. With single layer application, it’s another winner. My brain is crammed with fantastic glaze chemistry knowledge now, and I don’t want to stop!
I was tagged by Shauna at Epic Fail Studios on Instagram in a game of “What I’m Doing Now” and here I am, waiting for my turn on the Jubilee stage as part of Calgary Folk Festival Grand Esprits with Choir! Choir! Choir! because CCC makes all things wonderful and sparkle, right? Let’s celebrate Canadian singers and songwriters onstage tonight. Vibe on!
Post-Stampede week has been spent sleeping, dog-snuggling, and making fairy houses with my young friends (we were too busy making to take photos!). A first tonight: meditating to glass singing bowls. Here’s the meditation that I pulled to ponder and I’m feeling more rejuvenated after this a week of rest, which will only increase after spending this weekend with my boys. Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others – and now I’m almost ready to help. #StampedeBurnout #RestYourSelf #SelfCare
Bright candy colours from this kiln unload for our spot at Stampede Makers’ Market. The kiln is running every other day with some new glaze colours, like that brilliant teal on the top right. Come on down to the Calgary Stampede grounds from July 13-16 to say hi. We’ll be hanging among the brilliantly coloured yarns from Sea Turtle Fibre Arts for a colour extravaganza!
I can’t believe I forgot to hit “PUBLISH” on this post a month ago. This was such an fun day with Chantal, and even though I was nervous as heck and forgot to brush my hair before she arrived (we were focused on cleaning the studio), I’m so very very happy with her finished episode! I really wish Jay was wearing his kilt though. He really thought he would hide for the entire episode. Ha! Holy crap, it’s live!! SQUEEEEE!!! https://youtu.be/X8r6zJ8ZMeY
Stampede is coming soon and we’ll be in the BMO Centre Calgary Stampede Maker Market  with Sea Turtle Fibre Arts on the last four days July 13-16! Come party it up, handmade style. #CSMkrMkt #CSArts2017 #yyc
I’m gonna hang out with this lady and see how much trouble we can make at the clay table. I like new victims/friends!  Chantal from The Skein Game is coming over, and Jason & I are going to TRY to avoid getting caught on camera bickering about who hid the red rib* from whom.  #MondayFunday * We have two red flexy Mudtools ribs in the studio. They are both mine and Jason’s favourite clay tool. I purchased both of them thus I know that they exist. I often search and search to find them both and put them side by side to prove to both of us that there are, in fact, two, and they are, in fact, here. As I turn off the lights and close the door of the studio, at least one of those ribs hide, and we are left to fight over the remaining rib. On really terribly mischievous nights, both ribs dash about, and we are left bickering over who last had The Red Ribs, and their current whereabouts. Seventeen years of marriage, folks. This is what keeps it interesting.
I didn’t take any other photos at Fibre Shindig because I was having too much fun! Thanks for another great day. It was wonderful to see familiar faces, and it’s always fun to meet new fibre addicts. (And yes, you all SHOULD take a pottery class!) Now, I’ll sleep for two days after filling my own mug with something tasty. #fibreshindig #community
Our early morning kiln unload revealed this yarn bowl, and Jay says I shouldn’t keep it… but DRAGON!
Packing for The Fibre Shindig while Jay does a dance to the kiln gods. Saturday 10-5pm Hillhurst Community Centre in Calgary for all your knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving needs!
Reclaim! All our broken, trimmed, and dried bits are re-mixed, rehydrated, and recycled back into working clay. We mix it with a drill and cement mixer attachment, then lay it out on our plaster to start the drying process. As it dries, we flip it, then start to wedge it (the potter’s type of “kneading”) and it becomes usable again. It’s much work but we think it’s worth it. We do wish we had a pug mill so we didn’t have to do this manually though. Anyone want to just… give us one for free? We’re open to offers!
My son has excellent taste. His purchase from Make It Calgary is this statement by femme.broidery that he is now proudly displaying in our kitchen. #BuyHandmade #StayWeird #ArtistsUnite
We’ll be at The Fibre Shindig with mugs and buttons and yarn bowls, oh my! Today marks twenty days to go until the show… Wheeee! New for Shindig are hand forged penannular shawl pins by Chasing Fire brother, local blacksmith artisan Jarrad Gould. They require some heavy labour so Jarrad will have a small selection available in black and silver colours, so please swing by early to get first pick of size and colour!
The Kiln may be Scrooge but we aren’t – Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from us to you! We’ll fire our last kiln of 2016 on Boxing Day since the kiln called it quits yesterday twice, and we can take a hint. It’ll be fixed in no time but for now, eggnog for all! #ceramics #KilnTech #KilnSitterContactCleaning #paragonkilns
All cheer mistress of glazing, Myrna! She has been by keeping us out of the looney bin and keeping us close to schedule. The kiln is firing every day this week to keep up, and her brushwork is making magic over here. Bonus: She keeps Jason in line. It’s like a win-win all around for me. Repostă»ă»ă»Happily helping @chasingfirestudio maintain sanity as the#calgaryfibreartsfair stampedes ever closer. #ceramics #glazing #freenotcheap #imshoppingwhileipaint
Jay packed this kiln TIGHT. Calgary Fibre Arts Fair starts Sat morn and we can’t stop until we have full shelves for our fibre-loving friends. Glazing starts tomorrow afternoon once these cool down from their peak of 900C at around midnight tonight!
I am thankful for this latest glaze firing! Such a lovely flock of sheep, ready to meet their new friends at The Fibre Shindig on Oct 15. We’ll be onsite from 10am to 5pm on Saturday Oct 15 at the Hillburst-Sunnyside Community Centre in Calgary. One day only!
I’m making fiddle ornaments for a very special place. How many more sleeps until it’s time to go to camp? Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party is home away from home!
Just hanging with @carterpottery ‘s amazing book, planning jar forms for a new project. “Mastering The Potter’s Wheel” is perfect – even being at the wheel since 2002, I’m learning so much. #ceramics #PutALidOnIt
I love days spent with other lovers of clay! An inspiring day with Sara Pike Pottery and the Alberta Potters Association. Alberta ceramics is alive and well.
My Hope for Humanity roses are in full bloom. The bush stands eight feet tall, with foliage heavy with rich blood-red roses. It is a remarkable presence in our yard. This rose has bloomed twice per year since it joined our garden. This year holds the record as the earliest that they’ve ever bloomed, early June, and I’m wondering if we’ll see three sets of blossoms this year. Every time this bush blooms, I think of what I have hoped for in the past, what I am hoping for, and what I might hope for in the future. For a plant, it sure inspires existential musing. We have family members healing from injuries and illness, friends wrestling with the lagging economy and branching into new endeavours, and I’m thinking of them and the amount of hope they need to continue forward. On the home front, we have new house-mates adapting to change, Jason has a new part-time job, the first full-time year of school is ending for The Kid, and I’m working hard again at trying to find care to wrangle my post-concussion headaches.  It is a time of great hope in our home as change continues to sweep us all up in a whirlwind of the unknown. Change brings excitement with tinges of hope, worry, and fear – but today, let’s focus on the beauty that is the hope.
Fresh from the kiln: I want to keep these mugs! I love exploring new techniques, especially when they yield such lovely results.
This weekend! We’ll be at the Calgary Fibre Shindig with 29 other vendors. When? Sat. April 16, 2016 â 10am to 5pm – One Day Only! Where? Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Centre 1320 5th Ave, NW, Calgary, AB T2N 0S2 What? Fibre for Spinning and Felting Yarns â Lots of Hand Dyed and Hand Spun Beads, Buttons, Spindles, Yarn Bowls, Wearables, and Toys Crochet, Felting, Cross Stitch, Embroidery, Kits, Fine Art and Jewellery All By Local Alberta Artists and Artisans $5 Entry for Adults – Door Prizes all day
#Repost @sahmknits1 with @repostapp.ă»ă»ă»Morning coffee tastes better in my new mug by Mr. @chasingfirecara. I love it! Thank you, Jason! #pottery #sheep #sheepmug
Sheep mugs are fresh out of the kiln! Jay has transferred this image, and glazed these hilarious little sheep so that you can have one with your morning beverage of choice. From one angle, it appears to be a sheep and as you turn the mug, the little yarn ball appears, connected to the back end of our fleecy friend. We will have these 10oz mugs at the Fibre Shindig on April 16! Pick one up for yourself or for the knitter, crocheter, spinner, or weaver in your life.
Melissa from Prairie Dye Studio is hosting a button giveaway! Her original Instagram post is here : The wonderful @chasingfirecara from Chasing Fire Ceramics Studio has given a set of her fabulous rainbow ceramic buttons for a Giveaway!! The above set of buttons are 2cm large and work wonderfully for projects For a chance to win these buttons: 1. Follow us @chasingfirecara & @prairiedyestudio 2. Tag someone in the comments of the original post from @prairiedyestudio or @chasingfirecara’s Instagram photos. 3. Repost with #chasingfireceramicsgiveaway and be sure to tag @chasingfirecara & @prairiedyestudio in your repost 4. For a BONUS entry: LIKE & FOLLOW Chasing Fire Ceramics Studio & Prairie Dye Studio on FB The last day to enter the Giveaway is March 15!! The winner will be announced soon after Good luck to all entrants!
I’ve had several packages returned to me over the past two weeks. Everyone affected has been contacted and I’ve either re-mailed, or in the process of arranging packages to be re-mailed. In all but two cases, it appears to have been an administrative miss when the postal clerk classified the packages – I will take responsibility because I wasn’t paying close enough attention during two separate visits. I normally notice, and can correct the clerk on this common problem with packages, however, this time I failed to notice. The other two packages look like they were attacked by rabid raccoons, so I suspect a rodent gang fight in the mail box where they were dropped. Knock on wood – it’s been 3 years since I’ve had returned mail, so let’s hope that this is enough to last another 3 years!
Attaching handles to these bad boys today. I’m just The Handler. These babies are all Jay’s otherwise: Flaming skulls that are smoking cigars, of course.
I’m so behind – February has kicked my butt – but the troops have arrived to help over the next few days. My dad is on photo duty (those are his fingers in the photo), my talented mom will be joining the button-making squad, and Jay’s in the studio making naughty-word mugs for knitters. I’m sorting packages and getting mail done then I’ll jump back into making yarn bowls. Or nap. It’s hard to tell these days. There’s nothing as exciting as a lingering head injury that springs headaches and brightness and sensory overload unexpectedly. No matter what happens, I’d like to clone me so I can be with everyone at once – the energy of the house is wonderful. #creativeinsurgency #ceramics #yyc
Ceramics is about timing: is my ware wet enough or dry enough for whatever stage that I’m at? Tonight I pulled handles, then trimmed mugs while the handles dried, then worked with another set of eight mugs, and then… nope, the timing didn’t work this time. These pulled handles aren’t dry enough to attach to mugs so they’re heading into time-out under plastic. The handles and the mugs need to be at very similar stages of dampness so that the handles just don’t crack and fall off. You’d think that in this dry Alberta climate, they would have stiffened up in all that time but nope, still floppy and far too annoying to work with. It’s too close to bedtime and I need to get my beauty rest – I like my handles just a wee bit closer to leather, thank you very much. Now I will hope that they don’t dry too much under the plastic because I won’t be able to pay them any attention until tomorrow night. With ten mugs waiting for handles, I sure hope the mugs stay wet enough while the handles stiffen just a wee bit so that the timing works perfectly.
It’s Shrove Tuesday, and I’m up before dawn to cook pancakes at school – over 800 mouths to feed this morning! This is one of the only things that will get me out of bed early.
My tea robot loves Mondays. I had to quit drinking caffeinated beverages since becoming prone to caffeine-induced headaches. Since then, I’ve been trying to find joy in drinking other soothing beverages, but I’m not sure that bits of grass and dried flowers dragged through hot water will ever win my heart like a deep, rich, dark roast. Mmmmm. I still sneak one once in a blue moon. This new little robot is helping me fall in love with my conversion to tea. It’s the simple things.
Tea, the camera, and all the diz = my afternoon. I do wonder if the mice in the studio had a photo party with my camera while I was under the weather last week! Now that I’ve reset my camera’s white balance and exposure from the settings the mice were using, the pics are reflecting the glazes perfectly today. I’m not sure why the mice wanted underexposed photos – possibly to make them appear more nefarious when they post their selfies online? I’m working through listing several dozen diz today to list on Etsy, then off to the post office to send off the latest packages.
With bird stamps from Lori comes a cloud-inspired yarn bowl. Next, on to glazing! Yarn bowls, why can’t I quit you? #ceramics #yyc #yarn
As the two giants emerged from the celebration and strode into the darkness, their cloud of balloons bobbed behind them. #NYE #yyc
Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, and Solstice to all of our friends and supporters. We wish you the happiest of holidays, and the best in 2016! – Jason, Cara, and Lucille The Kiln
Look what we made! Who doesn’t want a tiny fiddle hanging from their tree this season? (click photos to enlarge) The Calgary Fiddlers Association is, well, all about young Calgary fiddlers. Within the association are the Bow Valley Fiddlers groups that range from age 7 to 18, and the Calgary Fiddlers group for 13 to 18 year olds. Each group is a finely choreographed performing troupe, and talented far beyond their age. Their annual winter show, “Fiddle Fantasia”, is set for December 19, 2015 at the University of Calgary Theatre (details here). All the groups will perform in a night of celebration and festivities and I’m honoured to be part of their celebration, bringing sweet fiddles to help raise funds for these amazing kids. Hanging from their lobby tree will be a limited run of 100 ceramic fiddle ornaments, each inscribed with Calgary Fiddlers Association on the back. They can be purchased onsite at the concert. How’d we do it? Every fiddle is one of a kind, using a mixture of textures and glazes, and a process that is 100% hand made from the wedging of clay to the hanging of ribbons from their scrolls. Myself (Cara), Jason, and Jason’s mother Cheryl created and assembled one hundred of these precious fiddles over the course of two months. Each slab of clay is hand rolled, and the violin shape is manually cut from the slab. Texture and embossed decoration is added at this stage, then the fingerboard, tail piece, chin rest, bridge, and scroll are layered on top and secured with slip. Finally, the f-holes are added (or left off, depending on the style of the fiddle). After drying to leather-hard, each is inscribed with Calgary Fiddlers Association on the back. Each fiddle is then handpainted with glaze that will become glossy and bright, and loaded flat onto kiln shelves. They spend 9 hours under heat up to 1200C then cool over the next 10-14 hours. Once removed from the kiln, they are cooled and unloaded from the kiln. They are then assembled with a cut ribbon knotted on each so that they can be hung from your tree. This was definitely one of the more intriguing projects that we’ve taken on, and the end result makes me so joyful, I can barely express it. I hope that they all find loving homes, and add a sparkle to trees for generations to come.
The Calgary Public Library Winter Word Fair is today from 6-9pm. Local authors and publishers, plus ME and my bookmarks! Event details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/744566539011843/
Saturday was our favourite semi-annual outing! You may know my friend Lori as the cheery and helpful woman at my face-to-face sales table. During the year, we have our seasonal hot date to the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) Show & Sale. This time, we packed up Calgary newbie Jill with us to check out the creativity of the students. The artwork was a mixture of hilarious, provocative, inspiring, technically awe-some and as much as I don’t want a larger house, I do want one with more walls and display areas. There were several pieces that made me think differently about pattern and design, and other pieces that I marveled over the planning and execution. And I regret not buying a linocut of a trash bag. Really. We also took a walk through the ACAD Open House that was happening at the same time. The Open House gave me my new swaggy ACAD hat that keeps my head at perfect temperature during the cold nights in the studio. Please excuse the busted iphone camera selfie but this is as clean as it’ll ever be, so I thought I should capture the moment while I can. The Open House had several interactive components, and we did stop to take part in the observational drawing. A multi-part still life was set up in the middle of the room, and each person could choose their marking tool aka chalk, pastel, conte, charcoal, and take a large piece of paper to a drawing easel and get to it. Lori cracked a joke about the people across from us drawing US, so I decided to do the same. Sadly, my model left halfway through completion, so I tried to finish the drawing without the “observational” component. It was a very freeing exercise to draw rather quickly without hindrance of end goal, then simply recycle the piece. Lori chose a bone from the still life and used a white conte to catch the highlights – she seemed very pleased. Jill, a fan of using pen, really wished that any of us had brought pens. I’m always so envious of the ACAD students but they may be envious of me because I have my own space, my own studio, my own equipment. It’s definitely in the cards tor me to take an extended education course at ACAD, but not quite yet. I’ll keep making things in the studio, reading books, pour over potter forums, and experiment with my own practice until I can be the old gal in the class, asking odd questions about that one time I tried to make a mold and whoa-doggy, I’d like supervision when trying that again.
The one labourious drawback to online retail is adding items to the shop. The process is referred to as “listing items”. Each item for sale needs five photographs so that I can show detail, size, and every angle for a buyer that can’t pick up the product to inspect it. It’s a long process, then I upload the photos and create keywords and a detailed description for each. With hundreds of items to photograph and list on Etsy = I will be looking at this setup every evening and weekend for the near future. The laptop that I use to upload photos and create listings is to the right of the lightbox pictured below, and the entire setup is on a rolling cart so that I’m always ready for a photo + listing session. I can roll it to a warmer area of the studio, grab myself a tea, and get to work. You’ll hear me talking to myself with the occasional “oooooh! This glaze worked out so PRETTY!” because no matter how long it takes to inspect and photograph every button, I enjoy it because I’m a ceramic geek at heart.
Calgary Public Library presents Winter Word Fair I’m honoured and excited to be participating in this wonderful event! I’m a book lover from a family of avid readers, and a life-long library patron. I will be in the marketplace at the Winter Word fair with my half-moon ceramic bookmarks as well as other literary themed items in the marketplace at the Winter Word Fair. From CPL: “For one special evening, Central Library will transform into an enchanting marketplace with local literary luminaries describing their top book ideas, indie booksellers, paper and type artisans, reading experts, and Christmas jazz. Don’t miss this special event designed to inspire giving, celebrate words, and ensure that everyone on your Christmas list receives a thoughtfully chosen gift.” December 4, 2015 6pm-9pm Calgary Central Library 616 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary
The Annual Fairview Studios Pottery sale was this past weekend. I dove in because as much as I love to make pottery, and I love to be surrounded by wonderful handmade tableware created by other artists. I’m not exactly joking when I tell people that I sell pots so that I can buy pots. My motto: If you’re going to use it every day, it should be beautiful and inspiring. On that note, my first two purchases at the show were these lovely fish themed narrative bowls. I picked up both available bowls, and they go very well with the foursome of red koi bowls that are already in our cupboard. These beauties were created by Calgary potter Ashley Morrow . Affected by the Calgary floods in 2013, a trout could’ve be swimming through her home at that time as water brought devastation to Calgary and area. The movement of the water, and the visible making/carving lines of the artist thrilled both Jason and I. These have definitely found a loving home with us. When I’m at pottery sales, I’m primarily drawn to techniques that I enjoy, or that are on my list to try in our own studio. For me, clay carving is meditative, and I adore how glazes break over ridges, how glaze pools into lines. Lorraine Chartier’s ware focuses on organic lines, carved deeply into her pots, appealing to both sight and touch. The blue glaze with snippets of brown on the waved curls won me over, and one of her smaller items came home with me. Next up is Festival of Crafts in Calgary Thursday – Sunday where I’m looking for beer steins that would pair nicely with our growlers. We’ll see what we find – or we’ll see what we make when we get home if our stein search is unsuccessful.
The Etsy shop is OPEN! I’ve taken my shop out of “vacation mode” and I’m photographing and listing buttons as quickly as I can. With hundreds of buttons in stock, it’ll take some time to get everything updated, but I’m excited to be open! Tonight I calibrated my camera and light box, and listed a handful of buttons to get the ball rolling. Tomorrow evening, I’ll be living next to my camera and laptop to bring buttons to the Internet shopping public. Here’s a two inch dragonfly button that kicked off things today:
Celtic Hounds, knots, angel wings to make your favourite comfort drink that much more comforting. We have sets of each and they’ll be with us in Riverbend tomorrow, looking for new loving homes! They make wonderful gifts for the tea and coffee lovers on your list.
This coming Saturday, we’ll be at the Riverbend Community Association Fall Fair from 9-4 in Calgary! Jason and I will both be there with tumblers, mugs, essential oil diffuser necklaces, bookmarks, buttons, and yarn bowls. We’ll have a limited run of Celtic Hound embossed coffee mugs, so if you’d like one, come early! I’ll also have the last three yarn bowls of the season (unless you’ve logged a custom order, that is). The address is 19 Rivervalley Drive SE in Calgary, just south of Glenmore on 18 St SE. Plenty of parking, and admission is FREE. Come on out to the Riverbend craft fair!
I came home last night to a man with a dilemma. He had 18 mugs without handles, and also had a long list of not unimportant things that needed to be done before Wednesday morning. I happen to like pulling handles so he made supper, gave me a hand massage, helped the Kid with his homework, and I pulled handles and attached them to his mugs while watching old episodes of Downton Abbey. I think I got the better end of the deal. The keys to a happy marriage and successful pottery: creativity, compromise, and flexibility.
A great moment for me at the Calgary Fibre Arts fair: a beautiful knitter in her beautiful Einstein Coat that used my buttons! She purchased the buttons at the Fibre Shindig, then returned to show me the results while she was visiting the Calgary Fibre Arts Fair. Seeing my buttons on projects in the wild always gets me so excited and this lady was so sweet to let me take a photo. #Buttons4Life Einstein coat buttons
I’ve made a large batch of owl buttons in a few larger 1 1/2″ and 2″ sizes after their popularity at the Fibre Shindig in October. The most popular colour was this bright blue, perfect for dressing up the greys and beiges of winter wear with a pop of colour. What are your favourite button colours for dressing up your projects? I’ll have all of the owls, dragonflies, and other creature buttons at the Calgary Fibre Arts Fair in Calgary this Saturday, November 7. Hope to see you there!
Five days left until the Calgary Fibre Arts Fair. We unloaded a glaze kiln this morning, and I’m so excited to bring these yarn bowls on Saturday. They hold a worsted ball of yarn quite comfortably, and come in two shades of blue, and a luscious brown. Â There are only eight yarn bowls in total, so come early if you want one! The show starts at 9am and ends at 4pm. Â Â
I’m having so much fun making these textured yarn bowls for the Calgary Fibre Arts Fair. We are in full evening production mode to have treasures for everyone!
And I’m back in the studio, getting ready for the Calgary Fibre Arts Fair! I finished a yarn bowl last night, and now it dries before heading into the kiln.
The Fibre Shindig on Saturday was such a great time! My neighbours, The Wacky Windmill and EllSpins, were fun and the people that stopped by my booth were amazing. I was dazzled by the other vendors (The Wacky Windmill has such beautiful yarn and the other yarn vendors were such high quality!) and seeing so many people that shared my love for fibre warmed my heart. I got to peek at many a phone to admire project photos, and talk about my favourite things: buttons, clay, and yarn. Today, I have market-hangover.  I’ve rewarded myself with a day of knitting in pajamas and I’ve finished a pair of socks just in time for them to take the edge off the chilly autumn mornings. The pattern is “Salmon Eyes” by Heather Pfiefer. It was a fun knit, and the fit is perfect. Tomorrow, I get back into the studio to make more beauties for the upcoming Calgary Fibre Arts Fair on November 7 in Parkdale. Today, I knit.
Floating leaf pendant, hand formed then glazed in watercolour tones. #ceramics #Calgary #leaf
I’ll be at The Fibre Shindig in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday! I’ll have buttons, diz, bookmarks, whisky tumblers, leaf necklaces, and a very limited collection of large yarn bowls. The show has knitting, spinning, fibre, fine art, embroidery, knit and crochet wearables, jewelry, craft tools, and accessories. Saturday, October 17, 2015 10am â 6pm Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Hall, Calgary $5 Admission with door prizes! More information: The Fibre Shindig Facebook Page The Fibre Shindig website Google Map Directions Map to where I’ll be:
It’s Thanksgiving here today, and my cup overflows. I’m thankful for my boys and my extended loving family, thankful for supportive friends and coworkers, thankful for laughter that comes easily now, thankful for health care in Calgary, thankful for researchers that have discovered medications for post-concussion chronic headaches, thankful for my education and the curiosity that it inspires daily, thankful for 20 sided dice, thankful to be a slave to clay, thankful for having a right to vote, thankful for a job that I truly love and for my ability to still rock it. What are your top ten?
The kiln is firing up Jason’s two newest styles in his whiskey tumbler series. His pointed knots series disappeared in a day, and now his take on a celtic knot, and a firebird for this kiln run are sure to be popular as well. He’s cooked up some really interesting glaze combinations for these once they come out of their bisque firing. Sneak peeks? Of course! I caught a couple of quick photos before we loaded the kiln. I’m so excited to see them once they are glazed. They are so perfectly balanced and I can’t wait to see them finished!
The original pointed knot whiskey tumblers. The curved back is shaped to be balanced in your hand, and the smooth ceramic keeps your whiskey on ice perfectly chilled. These are also lovely for non-alcoholic drinks, of course. They make every drink a stylish drink. We have only two of these ceramic whiskey tumblers left, and I’ll be bringing them on October 17 to the Fibre Shindig at the Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Hall in Calgary. They are dishwasher and microwave safe. I’m trying to convince Jason to make more of these because I adore them so much. Should he make more? Let him know in the comments!
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the buttons that came out of the latest kiln firing. This batch was heavy on square beauties since I was completely out of square stock. There are hundreds of unique buttons, but I can’t help but show off some of what I’m packaging up tonight! My favourite glaze combination, this time on swirly squares: For those, like me, that like some fancy added to their knitting, crochet, and sewing projects: My newest glaze which proves again that taking a chance on a new glaze can be a wonderful decision. These are so full of depth and gloss: A lovely group of serene glaze colours that complement the great textures: If you’re in Calgary and you love shiny things, come see these in person Oct 7 or Nov 17! I have many sets of 2-5 that are great for cowls as the chill of autumn reminds us that it’s time to get the needles and hooks going to get our projects ready for the first snowfall. I’m going back to packaging handmade buttons and getting them prepared to find their new homes. Have a great night!
In just under two weeks, we’ll be setting up our wares at The Fibre Shindig in Calgary for their one day sale, and then we gear up for the November 7 Calgary Fibre Arts Fair. Calgary buttons, there shall be! The studio has been a bustle of activity as Jason, Jill, and I turn clay into shiny beauties for our yarny friends. After over a year off for me, the steady activity is welcome. Yesterday morning, Jason fired up a kiln that was stacked to the top with buttons. Last night, the kiln reached temperature, and I popped the plugs to take a peek inside. Doesn’t the kiln look beautiful in the evening light, peep holes glowing red from the molten ware inside?  It’s a sight that brings me so much joy. Glazing is my least favourite part of this process since it means painting each little button with several coats of glaze on top and sides, meticulous and monotonous work. The kiln firing means that glazing is finished, and I’m hours away from seeing the results of my labour. We’ll unload the glazed buttons tonight, but I won’t have much time to admire them before it’s time to reload the kiln with whiskey tumblers, Christmas ornaments, bookmarks, and diz. The kiln is working hard for us this month, and I love her for it. Who’d have thunk that this old girl could keep up? While I wait for glazed beauties to emerge for sorting and packaging, I’m working on booth setup and display so that I can bring MORE to the sales. Jason is spending his time between babysitting the kiln, making perfectly balanced whiskey tumblers, and building pegboard spinner displays for our wares. As we were drawing up schematics for the spinners, our 1″ x 1″ gridded whiteboard sheet that we have for gaming came in super handy for planning the perfect setup. Being gaming nerds aligns nicely with our clay love. Time is ticking down! Iâll post some sneak peeks photos when we unload the kiln tomorrow. Stay tuned!
325 buttons are on shelves, waiting for their turn in the kiln. Final count = 460 buttons loaded in the kiln, although, to be honest, I started to lose count after 325 during the marathon glazing sessions on the weekend. I could use a hand massage…
We get by with a little help from our friends. In this case, it is my niece (and an artist in her own right) Jill Reynaud at the button table with me. Her eye for texture makes it easier for me to accept help, and she didn’t even flinch when I used the term “aggressively sponge”. I am a control freak when it comes to accepting help in the studio, and up until now my Mom, with a lifetime of artistry under her belt, had been the only other to touch the buttons. There are many that have offered and I’ve always declined because quality control is my #1 priority, and I don’t want to offend helpers by harping at them to “do it my way”. I need for ceramic buttons, diz, pendants, and everything else coming out of the studio to have smooth edges so they never catch or cut yarn. Smoothing every edge and hole is incredibly time intensive, but I personally feel that the final product quality is worth it. With two fibre shows coming up, and custom orders waiting for my attention, getting some help is the only way to get clay beauties into everyone’s hands. The clay gods heard my cries, and Jill arrived, eager to jump in. And I don’t offend her (or if I do, she just smiles and keeps making beautiful things) Thank you, Jill!
Glaze day for these little rainbow button sets! They’ll shrink a bit and take on a vivid shine after their turn in the kiln.
For sale in rural Saskatchewan: 1 part potential, 1 part dream, and 1 part hard work = could be a unique home on the prairies. #Saskatchewan #Haunted
Our dog is enjoying her annual vacation with her dogparents (aka our clever take on “godparents”). Her second family takes her on their vacation – this dog is spoiled rotten!
The one that dies with the most hobbies wins, right? My occupational therapist and recreation therapists agreed heartily that learning a musical instrument would help with recovery and help minimize some of the nagging problems that haven’t quite cleared since my concussion. This is the best excuse that I’ve ever had to pick up a hobby. Playing guitar is fun, it’s a very large challenge for me but not too difficult, and I had a great instructor, Nathan Layh, at the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party music camp at the beginning of August. I do notice that it takes longer for me to remember shapes, often knowing them in the evening and then have them seemingly disappear as I sleep. I’m sure the answer is as it is with all other things: practice.
Our back lane is The Best Fun ever for one little boy. At the end of the rainbow is this excited kid on his new (to him) scooter! A very nice young man sold it to the kid for $10, and now this little man thinks that he can use online want ads for all of his wants. He’s probably right.
Beta test = need to order more underglazes! I love the watercolour look of these Amaco semi-moist underglazes. The matte + subtle colours appeal to me.
I seek out the First Nations’ village at every Stampede. Dancing, bannock, history lessons, artistry are what I look forward to. This year, I visited in the midst of the heart-wrenching release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission‘s (TRC) damning report regarding the residential schools that kidnapped Canada’s First Nation children, renamed them, refused them of speaking their native tongue, performed experiments on their little bodies, and for 30-60% of the children, created conditions of sickness and abuse that killed them. The TRC is a report that can’t be read without tears, hard numbers of children killed with one journalist commenting that the odds of making it out alive from a residential school was lower than that of a soldier returning alive from World War II. With all that in mind, and my own child at my side, I had such a sadness as I entered. My little boy is the same age as the children that were taken and as I looked around, knowing that the last residential school was closed in 1998, I wondered which of the First Nations people here had once been that wee child, whisked away by RCMP away from their family? I felt that shadow as I walked around, showing my son inside the tipis, admiring the depth of beauty of past and current beadwork and ceremony. The spirit of joy and laughter, pride and love, that always emanates from dancers and drums soon shook loose that dark shadow and I hope for the future, that generations of people pushed down will rise up, reconciliation can be had, and the spirits of the people prove to be unbeatable. Graceful, gorgeous, and proud. Traditional Dancer at Treaty 7 Calgary Stampede Indian
Glazing #rainbow hearts, day after US moves to #LoveIsLove and day before the anniversary of #Stonewall. #ceramics
The Mother of Pearl on this vase is hard to capture but there’s a subtle shimmer of pink and blue in the light. Paired with our garden roses that are a day away from dropping petals. #ceramics #lustre #yyc
One of the perks of living close to @refindsugarbaking = she shares extras! The whoopie party pies were a big hit. Moist, delicious, AND sprinkles. #yyc #whoopiepie
Bonus of living with fiddlers: no lack of strings to make cutting wires! #fiddle #ceramics #pottery
My garden was carved from the unlandscaped clay around our house. The house was in a great neighbourhood but the house itself was a blank palette, the ten year old walls still white with original paint primer. The yard was covered in pea gravel and slate by a previous owner that hated mowing, leaving no soil to turn, no grass to lay upon when one needs to lay down to watch the clouds pass by. I’m not sure we understood how much sweat it takes to turn a graveled yard into a garden. My brother and his wife visited and we cleared gravel, creating the first flower bed, edged with the slate that had also been removed. Over the next six years, we worked steadily but slowly. Jay cleared a sick poplar tree, and we brought in soil and sod. We wanted a tree for birds, and the excitement of the anticipation of flowering perennials every year. The pear tree was brought in through the narrow walkway with the help of our neighbours, and it has delighted the local birds (and the squirrels!). Note: Ure Pear trees have very long, very pointy thorns. Our neighbours have forgiven us for their injuries, we hope. Our large composter came from friends that no longer wanted it, so I placed in a sunny part of the yard, and a neighbour supplied a bucket of his warm bacteria-loving compost to help kickstart mine. We love lilies and roses, and we prefer both rooted into the ground rather than cut and dying in a vase, so we began to scrounge for varieties that might survive. Jay’s Alberta Wild Rose greets our visitors at the front door, while my Hope for Humanity red roses greet those on our deck. The asiatic lilies are in every little nook, and we host Saskatchewan’s flower, Tiger Lily, to remind us of our prairie roots. I also desired to have parts of my garden host to my mother’s daisies, my grandmother’s columbines, my uncles’ poppies, and so many more. I wanted to look around at the garden and see everyone that we love in each bud and bit of greenery. The plans evolved year after year as I discovered that many of the plants that I love do not love the Alberta climate. The photo above is one of the first plants to bloom in my yard every year, a Lily of the Valley that my friend Teri and I dug out from her yard during her last summer in Calgary. She was needed by her family Far Away, and she needed to leave. Every spring, she may be 4500 km away but she is also here, in our garden reminding me of love and friendship. Karin’s Irises have just blossomed as well, surprising me this year with their early start. Karin is kind, laid back, and always ready to visit. Our neighbourhood brought us a home, a garden, and also new friends that we treasure. Her irises bloom and I’m reminded of “The Village” that we have here now, caring for each other’s children, gardens, and each other. Walking through the garden to get to my studio often leads to a few minutes of trimming, tacking, or simply enjoying the changes to our little ecosystem.  It’s my inspiration during the dusky evenings, and I long for the blooms throughout the cold winter. As the familiar blooms emerge, I’ll share them here.
My shop’s open again! I’ll be adding more sets of buttons over the next few days. Coupon code CELEBRATE will grant you 10% off of your order. #ceramics #buttons
Our kiln came with many bits, bobbles, and boxes. This MED-MAR Metals bottle has “25%” penciled onto the label, and claims to be Mother of Pearl. It’s been sitting on the shelf with the kiln furniture for years, and today, I had a few hours to run an experiment. I’m assuming that it’s a lustre and I’ve coated a clear glazed ceramic piece with this fluid, and it’s currently firing to cone 018 (750° Celsius) to see what happens. The best part of pottery is the magic of alchemy. Also, the worst part of pottery is the magic of alchemy. I’m hoping for the best.
Searching for chipmunks in the peaceful Ghost-Waiparous area of Alberta. The mountains are off to the left, but they were being shy so I couldn’t capture their majesty with my iPhone camera. Instead, here is a field of muskeg with a boy and his dog.
First firing with the “fixed” kiln had some problems BUT this little porcelain + melted glass experiment makes up for it. Now I’m on the hunt for kiln elements sold within Canada, and I don’t want to wait 6 weeks for delivery again!
I discovered a few summers ago that if I placed a full box of chalk on my front stoop, my sidewalk would be quickly transformed with fanciful creations. Some days, the children of the neighbourhood draw extravagant obstacle courses down the entire block’s sidewalk, complete with fierce animals, walls of fire, and boxes of Minecraft-like TNT. They take turns running the course, sometimes in pairs with littles matched with older children, running and squealing as they hop over deep dark holes and bear traps. When they’re not crafting obstacle courses, or hopscotch grids, the kids are creating elaborate trails and parks for their matchbox cars and plastic ponies. Their sweet heads, bowed together as they first build their world with chalk lines, then back together again as they create stories within their world. The colour and chaos brings me out onto the stoop with my tea. The kids, refuting boundaries, creating what they want, and working together to craft a world and a story, not always amicably, but from nothing. It helps me drive my own creativity to see these children freely combining ideas, breaking “rules” that they don’t even know exist. The mosaic creations are my favourite. They appear on my walkway and stairs, often when the children need some quiet distance from their wilder romping and play. Each child, from 3 years to 9 years, plops down by a block, and meditatively colours each square within the block. When the blocks are coloured, I can’t help but be joyful. I love to see them when I leave home, I love to see them when I come back home. A pair of sweet kids down the block coloured these last week because I was having A Very Sad Day, so I must be obvious about the joy that these simple blocks bring me. We all need a simple joy. What’s yours?
The Red Clay Rambler himself, @carterpottery #ceramics #LifeLongLearning
The Red Clay Rambler himself, Ben Carter of @carterpottery , at a wonderful workshop at North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Ben is a magnificent instructor, and my own rumination on pattern and proportion as a result will be guiding my next round of bowls. More greatness from Ben can be found on his website Tales of the Red Clay Rambler #ceramics #LifeLongLearning
Figuring out a year’s worth of updates at my online home. #recovery #concussion
Our dining area didn’t have any art on the wall for seven years. We are artists, the children and grandchildren of artists, yet those walls stayed bare. We couldn’t decide on just one piece, or a few grouped together, to place on the only remaining wall space that we had, so that wall remained empty. In this, our eighth year in our home, Jay found a solution. He installed a rail shelf as our own gallery space, and we can now rotate our art pieces that have spent too much time stored away. This is an acrylic original by Marylin Carter of Carlyle, Saskatchewan. It is the first artwork that I carried with me on my journey through cities, roles, and homes. It will now, with me, greet the brown landscape of early Alberta spring. #acrylic #painting #SKarts
Our dining area didn’t have any art on the wall for seven years. We are artists, the children and grandchildren of artists, yet those walls stayed bare. We couldn’t decide on just one piece, or a few grouped together, to place on the only remaining wall space that we had, so that wall remained empty. In this, our eighth year in our home, Jay found a solution. He installed a rail shelf as our own gallery space, and we can now rotate our art pieces that have spent too much time stored away. This photo of art on our rail is an acrylic original by Marylin Carter of Carlyle, Saskatchewan. It is the first artwork that I carried with me on my journey through cities, roles, and homes. It will now, with me, greet the brown landscape of early Alberta spring.
Hatching ideas, playing with circles and form. #ceramics #creativity
Hatching ideas, playing with circles and form. #ceramics #creativity
I’m whispering sweet words of love to my Giffin grip. I didn’t realize how long my prep for trimming took until my husband got me this grip to automagically center & secure pots. #ceramics #giffingrip
I’m whispering sweet words of love to my Giffin grip. I didn’t realize how long my prep for trimming took until my husband got me this grip to automagically center & secure pots. #ceramics #giffingrip
Annual Easter Tasks: Dye our lunch, make chocolate part of every meal, cheer on sprouting tulips, miss my grandparents.
Annual Easter Tasks: Dye our lunch, make chocolate part of every meal, cheer on sprouting tulips, miss my grandparents.
The best way to make time stand still for a potter is to have them wait for parts for their kiln. My kiln is like a giant toaster oven, if you wanted to heat your toast to 1200°C. It has several coiled wire elements running around the inside that turn orange when turned on. My kiln is an old school non-computerized Paragon, so the temperature is more of an estimate than exact as you see on a toaster oven, but I can control how hot it becomes by using the low/medium/high knobs. When one of those glowing orange elements stops working, I can’t heat to my target temperature at the correct rate, and my glazes are no longer predictable. I can hope for the best and use witness cones, but I’m not confident in the guesswork. When an element goes, I’m stuck. This week, I learned the hard lesson that replacement elements aren’t regularly sold by local shops. Every kiln make and model needs a different type of element, and stores might keep the popular ones on hand. Should they run out or, like me, you need an element for a rarer kiln model, the only answer is to order from afar. I am confident that I can install it once it gets here with a needle nose plier and a screwdriver now that I’ve successfully removed the broken element without electrocuting myself. I had no idea I could manage, but I’ve learned that to indulge in ceramics is to never stop learning, whether it’s creating a new form, glaze chemistry, or figuring out how to install an element. I’m waiting for the mail to bring me parts from shores far south. I’ve ordered an extra to have as backup for next time. Until the lovely people at my local ceramics supply call me, I’ll thank my lucky stars that this didn’t happen right before a large wholesale order was due, or before a craft show. -Cara
Glaze combination: shiny blue in, matte chocolate out. This might work for the birds #YarnBowl . Love that blue. #ceramics
Glaze combination: shiny blue in, matte chocolate out. This might work for the birds #YarnBowl . Love that blue. #ceramics
My Etsy shop has been in “vacation” mode as I heal from a head injury that started pretty simply. I smacked the back of my head, hard, on the underside of a truck, and saw black. I didn’t pass out, and definitely wasn’t hurt enough to prevent me from cursing until I caused myself to blush. The goose-egg grew, and the pain from the hit didn’t subside. The intensity eventually dulled a bit, but that throbbing with intermittent stabbing sharp pain continued. I finally saw my doctor two days later because Things Were Not Right. He did a quick follow-my-finger, look-over-here, squeeze-my-hands. I bombed those tests, and the next few ones too. I don’t remember much about that week, but I do remember my doc’s diagnosis: Concussion. I’d thought that concussion was a serious injury caused by sports injuries. Could a whack on the back of my head really be that bad? I was right that it was a serious injury, but wrong that it is only caused by larger scale accidents. A week after diagnosis, while getting up from a CT head scan, the world started falling and swirling in every direction. When the world stopped moving, I went back home, and I slept. Contrary to most old wives’ tales, concussion patients need sleep so that the brain can heal, and the accompanying exhaustion was something that I’d never known before. I would sleep for 14 hours, get up for breakfast, then go back down for a 3 hour nap. One morning, as I turned to get out of bed, the world shifted violently, spinning horizontally and vertically at the same time. My husband took me to urgent care and the doc diagnosed me with Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV). Calcium deposits in my inner ear had been knocked loose by the head impact, and the deposits had become free floating debris in my inner ear, confusing my brain by sending contradictory messages: while my body joints and eyes claim that I’m laying down, my inner ear is reporting that I’m spinning as the little bits of sand spiral about, so my brain ensured that I experience both. It’s a terrifying experience, yet very treatable with the Epley maneuver. So that’s what I’ve been doing since April 2014. I was accepted into the brain injury program, and I’ve been working with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, recreation therapists, productivity specialists, and a psychologist to help me process and heal. The BPPV is gone. I’m “on track”. There is no magic pill or magic exercise, but I’m working my way back to normal. It’s taking so much longer than I expected, longer than I thought, longer than I want. The worst part about concussion has been the absolutely denial that I’ve experienced. “I’m fine! I just need to sleep more for a few days!” I told everyone, and then “I’d better find something useful to do since I can’t read, write, knit, be on the computer, or do really anything that I normally do!”, without actually acknowledging the restrictions, the limitations that were overwhelming my life. I’m now through the denial and into the serious planning and pacing to get back to my normal. I’m starting the work needed to re-open my Etsy shop in the spring as I slowly create inventory, and hoping to be ready to take custom orders as well however I need to take it slow to start. I’ve started back to my day job, which I greatly missed, for a few hours every other day. My goal setting is becoming more reasonable although still a tad optimistic. So that, in a nutshell, is my latest (and current) adventure. Thanks for your patience if you’re a family member, friend, or customer, and I’ll be posting photos as I work on getting the studio back on track. -C
If you’re going to use it every day, it should be beautiful. #ceramics #YarnBowl
If you’re going to use it every day, it should be beautiful. #ceramics #YarnBowl
Teamwork makes it easier to learn to get back up #LearnToSkate #UncleLove
First, Silky underglaze over paper mask on greenware. Pretty yarn bowls all in a row. Next stop: bisque fire then glaze!
Pretty yarn bowls all in a row. Next stop: glaze! #ceramics #YarnBowl #yyc
Yarn bowls-that-aren’t-bowls, beta test. #yyc #ceramics #YarnBowl
Yarn bowls-that-aren’t-bowls, beta test. #yyc #ceramics #YarnBowl
Yarn bowls-that-aren’t-bowls, beta test. #yyc #ceramics #YarnBowl
Flipping through sketchbooks, asking “Yarn bowl, what will you look like?” #ceramics #yyc
Flipping through sketchbooks, asking “Yarn bowl, what will you look like?” #ceramics #yyc
No Instagram filter will make my taped glasses look cool, but I’m still sexy. #TBI #BinasalOcclusion
Cleaning strings AND having a tasty beverage. Rum is so very useful. #Fiddle
After a week away in the sun, I’m back home and photographing the latest kiln-load of treasures to restock the shop. I have stories to tell and photos to show you from Cuba, including the work of the talented Varadero potters but first I must attend to my sand fly bites, sunburn, and a sad realization that the snow that continues to fall outside is my reality now. Until I retrieve my photographs, here’s a bright orange diz that just went up in the shop today:
I mentioned my introduction to diz earlier. They’re one of the most freeing pieces that I make because they have only a two requirements: smooooooth must have at least one hole I use diz to create tiny collages of stamps and textures that have found their way to my bench. They don’t require much for fancy equipment in their creation, unlike my wheel thrown pieces. They don’t have to match any others, unlike my buttons sets. They don’t have to be a certain size, a certain convex/concave setting, or even any specific number of holes. They are the item that allows for the largest expression of creativity in a small package. Although they aren’t demanding in equipment or design, they do make up for that by requiring several stages of smoothing and sanding to ensure that no bit of fibre will ever be caught on a rough edge. So we have an agreement: I make them look like whatever moves me today, and they just want to be smooth. I’ve tried to make them alike, I really have. One of my goals for 2014 was to create a concise product line for 50% of my items, leaving 50% for seasonal sets, creative ideas, custom orders, other types of items. In the photo to the left, you can see in the top right that I tried to use the same tulip stamp and then owls but… that was boring fast so the other end of each is completely different. Really, why buy handmade if it’s all going to look exactly the same?!? My new goal for product lines has become less exact. I now aim to carry “rectangular diz” and that should make everyone happy. Each one will be different to keep me joyous while creating, and diz-lovers can know that there will be rectangular dizzes in the shop for those that prefer that soft curve to the round convex or concave. For those of you, like myself at one time, that have no idea what the heck a diz is or why you’d ever want one, I have found a video! This video by WoolWench shows a diz being used with a hackle to blend colours to spin into yarn. The diz is used at the 1:36 mark. For people that haven’t even seen how yarn is made, this shows some great details in a quickie 3 min video. Making your own roving with a hackle and diz, by WoolWench I hope you enjoyed the video. If you’re interested in more details about diz, drop me a line. If you’re interested in more details about using a diz to prep roving, or questions about spinning, Ravelry.com has a wonderful community of fibre artists that are far more educated on the subject than I am.
I’m lucky to receive custom requests rather regularly. It’s a creative kick for me to read the request and think “CAN I? Do I WANT to?”. Some I can’t because of equipment limitations, time limitations, glaze limitations however others are straight up fun challenges. “Do you make 1:4 scale dishes for miniatures?” Don’t I wish I had that skill! This is now on my To-Learn list however, I couldn’t satisfy the request. The smaller, or larger, that a ceramic item is, the higher the skill required to create it on a pottery wheel. I can throw the heck out of mugs, cereal bowls, even a salad bowl, but an inch tall mug? Wow. THAT’S a skill that I don’t yet have. “Can you make 25 of these $3 buttons and I’ll pay you $25?” My materials and labour costs are the same whether you ask for 10 or 25. The continued conversation on this request was pretty insulting and I ended the convo by suggesting that they may be more interested in purchasing from someone else. Like, Walmart. “Can you make mugs with a horse theme”. Yes, yes, yes! “Can you make tiny 10mm buttons that look like pebbles?” I answered honestly with “I don’t know, but I’ll try”. And I did try. I used all the types of clay I had, mixed them up or used them pure, some I added stain to, and then I used a variety of glazes. The results were incredible, and part of the reason I’m so addicted to working in clay and ceramics. Chemistry + Magic + Art. This request to make pebbles led to these being added to my regular product line, and have been my top sold button since I figured out the alchemy to create them. They’re adorable, fun to make, and the process is magic: they start out BROWN. Brown. It’s the happiest experimental button accident that I’ve ever been part of. “Can you make a diz?” My first response was “what the heck is a diz?!?”, so I responded with that, almost word for word. (hey, if you’re going to ask me about my diz, I’m going to ask for details) She was wonderfully patient and described that it was a tool used to prepare roving. Roving is used in spinning, which creates yarn. This wonderful woman had been using one of my buttons as her diz, and was kind enough to get my imagination going. I’m a knitter and crocheter, and so many of the people in my knitting/crochet group also spin using wheels and/or spindles. I googled and found out that most diz that are on the market are sturdy, useful, attractive, however not many of them brought the word “beautiful” to mind. I’m a strong believer that if you’re going to do something, be it drink tea or spin yarn or do up the buttons on your child’s sweater, it should be beautiful. I interrogated a local spinner, read through spinner forums, and finally figured that I could make several types of ergonomic diz that would be smooth, feel good in the hand, and above all, be beautiful. These are new to the studio as of summer 2013, and continue to be one of my favourite items to make, and it all started with a single request. I still open request messages with excitement and a bit of fear: Will this be a tiring request to “make it exactly like X. But different.” Will it be a request that opens my mind to “What If? Why Not?” round of creative thinking? I’ll keep hoping for the second type of request. I can’t wait to see what future requests hold.
Spring cleaning started early on this website, and welcome to the new site design! I’m working out some interesting bugs (where did those photos from 2011 disappear to??) however I’m happy to have a responsive, stable website with usability across platforms. The biggest bonus for me is the additional new ease to post photos and ideas. Bye bye, grey unresponsive site. You were lovely but if users can’t navigate from mobile devices, you’re outta here. Helloooo purple!
The vast majority of items that I create are sold online, and for that to be a successful venture, my photos have to be eye catching, colour-true, and show every angle for the remote customer. It is incredibly challenging to attempt to capture every angle in 5 photos to give that potential customer enough information so that they’ll be compelled to press the “Add to Cart” button. Each listing has a description however, the photos that display in searches are what will bring a person into the listing, into my shop, and into my “Sold” listing. I started taking product photos (the fancy term for “pictures of my buttons”) while crouching in the garden. When winter hit, and this is Alberta Canada where -20C (-4 F) is the standard, garden photos were difficult because my hands kept freezing. I started procrastinating about photographing my items, my shop started to empty because I wasn’t adding new items and… it was time to research another photography solution. My home is surprisingly lacking in natural light, something I’d never noticed until I had my camera out in an attempt to take these photos inside. As I balanced myself on the only window sill that had the right light, buttons falling everywhere as the precarious setup I was attempting fell over, I decided there had to be another solution. To be honest, I swore quite a bit while crawling about searching for the strewn buttons that had fallen off the box that had been balanced on the back of my couch. THEN I sat back and knew I had to find another way. There was: a light box. These boxes reflect light within, reduce glare, and make for a repeatable set of conditions for taking photos of smaller items. Since researching light boxes, or light tents, I’ve learned about light temperatures, background staging, reflection, and consistency. If someone shows up in the Etsy shop and all of my photos appear slightly different, I’d imagine confidence drops that the photos aren’t really an accurate reflection of the item up for sale. With that in mind, my goal was to 1) make every photo consistent, 2) make every photo true to the item, 3) reduce or eliminate the time I am spending in Photoshop to modify the photos so that they fit goals #1 & #2. With a very limited knowledge of my manual settings on my camera, I set out to learn about using a light box, and how to use my camera to get the best results. My lightbox isn’t anything stellar or spectacular. I used these instructions to build my own DIY lightbox, which recommend a cardboard box, a couple of meters of white cloth, an exacto knife, tape, glue stick, and a large sheet of white bristle board. I’m crafty (I make tiny buttons out of clay!) and it was an easy and inexpensive build. I then added three inexpensive floodlights with 6500K bulbs. The entire setup was so easy to create that I kick myself for not doing it sooner. I set the box up, lights on, used the white bristol board to set the white balance on my camera, and VOILA! Beautiful, true photos of my tiny little buttons that require NO EDITING. No editing means I take photos and upload them without having to spend extra time (aka labour) to edit each photo for colour/brightness. With this, my profit margin moves up a smidge and I don’t have to increase prices. Ode to my lightbox, a saving grace for me.
Sometimes I open the kiln, pick something up, and fall madly in love. I’m not ashamed.
The website it getting a facelift behind the scenes. In the meantime, to see updated posts and items, check us out on Facebook!
An artist needs to be taken by the wind of creativity when it blows. Tiny mushroom houses for a tiny terrarium project: Then on to Scottish thistle pendants. The prototype is on the left. I have to zip off to mail some parcels! Happy SPRING!
I’ve finished wrapping up tonight’s packages and tomorrow, I’ll visit the ladies at my post outlet and send these off to locations across North America. While I was on the phone and marveling about the variety of places I address packages, my mom said “wouldn’t it be interesting to map all the places where you’ve sent buttons?” She was completely right. I wonder often where my buttons and other items live, what they’re doing and if they miss me. If they’ve found the perfect cardigan to secure or are guarding the place in a treasured book. While I have crazy imaginative dreams about the things that have zipped off through the mail, I opened Google maps and started entering city names. This is a graphic representing every unique location that I’ve mailed buttons since April 2012: I love seeing all those little blue dot but now I want to make it my goal to get the people in Wyoming wearing my buttons. Wyoming is a large place and it’s chilly, perfect for a sweater and perfect for buttons. The day I send a package to Wyoming will be a day of intense celebration. Oooh Iceland would look so much more beautiful with a little blue marker too! But, I’ll keep my goal WYOMING and for next anniversary, ICELAND. The one year anniversary of my online shop is in 68 days. SIXTY EIGHT! I’ve had 63 sales directly through my shop and I really want to hit 100 online sales before my anniversary so I’m offering a 10% off coupon code in February. Enter CELEBRATE at checkout! I hope to be mailing a package to you soon (especially if you live in Wyoming). (note: an updated map is located HERE.)
More photos of buttons in action! Get a load of these adorable little models. (and check out the buttons on those sweaters! They match perfectly!) These sweaters were knit by Tabitha Rose from Harrodsburg, KY using her own hand dyed yarn. I posted photos of these in November however they are even more beautiful when seen in action. From Tabitha: “The yarn was my Wishfox Dyeworks Arctic Fox Aran, and its 100% superwash bfl, squishy and awesome. 182yd/100g. It took less than one skein for the orange sweater, and I used 2 for the brown/teal, but there are substantial leftovers. The orange is approx 2t, and the brown approx 3-4t. I made the patterns up as I went along, but Iâm hoping to get them written up sometime soon. Iâm a stay at home mother of one from Central KY. I do all the dyeing and fiber processing myself, in my living room and kitchen, and really put my heart into all of it.” January 1, 2013 was Tabitha’s one year anniversary so please visit her online shop and wish her happy anniversary. To celebrate one year in business, she is offering a special January coupon code “YearOne” for 10% off your order. Enter the coupon code at checkout.
Typography is so fun. New items in the shop – custom orders for monogrammed mugs. Here is a preview of mugs that are in process:
Happy 2013! To celebrate, I’ve added new buttons to the shop: Swing by for a visit. Which are your favourites? What would you like to see in 2013? Cheers -Cara
We’re now on Facebook! I’ll be keeping the Facebook page and this website somewhat diverse however I’ll be sure to post sales and events in both places. Come on over and give us a like and add us to your feed if you’d like to keep up with what’s going on in the studio such as kiln peeks, works in progress and receive updates when items are posted in the shop. In other news, buttons are making their way into the shop after a fabulous Christmas holiday filled with family, friends and perogies! I’ve been spending more time making mugs and less time photographing and listing buttons. I do slowly get them done every other day but I’m rather obsessed at the wheel right now. Not only do I have some inspiring custom orders on my plate but I need to give myself a late Christmas gift. My favourite mug that I’ve ever made is still in daily use but I live in fear of it bouncing off the concrete in the studio and smashing into a thousand pieces. In 2004, I kept only two of this style and the second lost it’s handle last year in a tragic coffee, baby, frying pan juggling act that proved to be ill advised. (The baby is fine. The mug is not.) I’m attempting to create similar friends for the Last 2004 Mug. If I can recreate this shape, my first attempt shown above, then I can make a set, and then I can stop fretting because if one breaks, there will always be another for my hands to cradle. Cheers; -Cara
I hope Santa is bringing you books because I have book bling. Nine new bookmarks were just loaded in the shop and please use coupon code ApocalypseNow for 15% off any order until the end of December!
I’m just back from the Barn Bazaar: Christmas with a Conscience market. Well, not “just” back – I’ve had a snuggle with my little guy, a wonderful meal with my husband and a beverage to sip on with my feet up before coming to tell you all about my afternoon at the market. My day was great. Really great. The morning was spent with a coffee and packing paper, securing all my pretties, wondering if they’d be coming home again. I love everything I sell, I really do. I have to repeat to myself “I can make more” and although that’s not entirely true because each piece is beautiful at the whim of the Kiln Gods, I know it’s right to let go. I could very well end up as a ceramics hoarder if not for watching people fall in love with what I make. So many times today, someone would come by and touch a piece with that special smile, then wander off, only to return later to make it their own. Even better is the instant, and often loud, joy as someone spots a set of buttons or mug and squeals with delight. That reaction makes my heart soar. It’s easy to love being an artist when there’s events like the Barn Bazaar. Heart warming, laughter having, smile sharing, friend meeting great with fair trade and local artisans that really love what they do. I was able to meet most of the vendors and eyes would flare with excitement when they talked about their wares. My amazing friend Lori came with me for support and I’m grateful that she was there because the sale was quite steady even before the doors officially opened. As people came by, I was overwhelmed with how lovely and friendly each person was. I even found a few other button fanatics! Most of the mugs I brought along found their way to new loving homes, (one went to the giant-hearted lady of Sowers of Jireh) as did the wee bowls, and more pendants, buttons and bookmarks to count. I was lucky to be next to the wonderful scents of Sweet Cheeks Skin Care – yes, I did score myself some chocolate goat’s milk soap! I’m very hopeful that I’ll be invited back next year. I had so much fun and it was uplifting to meet people that put the priority on spending their money with fair trade and local artisans. For now, I’m going to head to bed to dream of laughing with the new friends at the Barn. ——————- Note: The Etsy Shop is OPEN. I’ll be photographing and listing new items starting Dec 17 including pendants, bookmarks, large centerpiece buttons and some luscious cufflinks for my Dec 21 Solstice / Apocalypse sale. Use coupon code ApocalypseNow for 15% off your order this week.
Come join me and my new friends at the Shawnessy Barn on December 16, 2012 between 2:30 and 5:30pm. We’ll be handmade and fair trading it up at the Barn Bazaar. Do some last minute Christmas shopping and come say hi! Note – On Dec 16, my etsy store will be taken offline for the day and will return on Dec 17.
Today is glaze firing day! I load the kiln as I finish items so this morning when the last item went in, it was time to crank up the heat and start the cycle. I loaded four shelves that look much like this one: After the horrific failure of the jewelry stand during the last firing leaving pieces permanently fused and nicked, I’ve gone back to glazing only one side of the buttons so they can lay down for glaze fire. Buttons are just as functional with only the showing side fired so I’m at peace with this decision. I wanted to glaze both sides of pendants for the sheer vanity of it however, until I have a new secure jewelry stand for firing, they will also be glazed one side only. I have some mugs, stands, pendants and bowls in this kiln load as well. I don’t know how I’m going to wait for it to be finished. During the third of nine hours of firing, I was closing the top vent and took this photo for your viewing pleasure. Looks toasty, doesn’t it?: I’m counting down the hours to unpack this baby tomorrow evening! I guess it’s time to go straighten up the neglected house while I wait.
After the buttons, pendants and other pieces have gone through the kiln once, it’s time for glazing. I spend an embarrassingly long time in this stage: THE SORTING. I lay pages with glaze names and I start to sort the 400-500 buttons. They are separated into sets based on their thickness, pattern and, well, my gut. As I group them with their permanent partners, I look at the glaze sheets and try to find where each set fits. Some glazes show off my stamp and texture detail, others mix better with others, some glazes serious, some playful. Some very popular (hello MidRain!) so I weigh the sorting in its favour. A glaze or two might be new so I’m cautious to be sure I’m not assigning too many sets to an untested glaze. Some pieces I have made with a very specific glaze combination in mind and I check my notebook to separate these correctly. Once they’re all sorted, my notes double checked, my list of custom orders verified, I take a photo of the table and I go to bed. Goodnight little buttons. Glazing begins tomorrow!
Remember back in June when I had sent a friend a pair of cufflinks to test drive? As of Thanksgiving, we were calling it a roaring success. Here’s a clip of those beta links at an autumn wedding: The wearer is very impressed with them, and they took a solid beating without so much as a scratch. They also had a rip roaring time at the wedding – maybe that’s not to the credit of the links… but maybe it is! I’ve added four sets to the shop and I’m working on several others for the kiln fire due to be completed Dec 14. The red spiral set that have already been claimed are a perfect match to a red power tie to take on the most daunting of clients so I’ll be glazing several sets red. I love when a plan comes together…
I picked up some really cool underglazes recently. These are the Amaco Semi-Moist Underglazes (“SMUG”) and they go on like watercolour paint. I experimented on some porcelain and the colour on the leather clay before firing was the exact colour after bisque. Spot on. I’m completely amazed because this is a thing that never ever happens in ceramics in my experience. The colour that goes on is usually not even remotely related to what you end up with. Here’s an example of a pot before and after glazing. This is what it looks like just before going into the kiln, and just after it comes out to show that really, a potter has not a clue what it will look like until it’s all said and done. Glazing is my least favourite phase in ceramics because a few minutes applying glaze incorrectly can leave a piece unusable or… just plain ugly : Not only do the glazes look different before and after firing, layering glazes changes them drastically and a potter cannot rely on the basics of paint colour theory to give them any idea what will happen. Blue + Yellow does not equal green in mid to high fire ceramics. In the kiln, glazes with usually copper or barium in the presence of oxygen = green end colour. To make things a little more interesting, the sequence in which you layer different glazes also matters to the end result. In this example from Mayco, the technician layered two glazes on the plate, first dipping one side and then rotating the plate to dip the other glaze to overlap the first. On the first plate, she dipped the red first, then dipped the blue overlapping. In the second photo, she dipped the blue onto the plate first, then dipped the red overlapping. Note the crazy crystals that formed when the blue was put over the red and the different result from layering in a different sequence. Glazing, she be an exercise in practice, requiring detailed notations on exactly how and in what order the glazes were brushed or dipped. Because I want to be able to reproduce results if they turn out really inspiring, I take incredibly detailed notes when glazing. Now these underglazes are making my heart flutter. The blue, yellow, green, purple and oranges on my test piece made it through green to bisque without a hint of change. Now that I’m turning up the heat 250 degrees C to 1240 C for a cone 6 glaze firing and I’m very eager to see how they do. Between my black underglaze pencil and the SMUGs, the effects that I’m getting are ones I’ve always dreamed of achieving in ceramics. I’m drawn to charcoal shading and dark lines, light accents of variegated colour and a vast sea of negative space to frame designs. My challenge has been that I want mid to high fire ceramics because of longevity of the end product (they don’t call it stoneware for nothing). However, in the highter temps, colours run or subtle colours “burn off”, disappearing as the temp rises in the kiln, never to return. I wanted something simple in design, lightly tinted with colour with a feeling of watercolour paint on this sample set of mugs. I used the underglazes and underglaze pencil to echo an earlier design I’d etched into tea cups. I’m very pleased. I love Ceramics Canada for being able to order the SMUGs for me so I could avoid a $23 shipping fee. Cross your fingers that these mugs look exactly the same once they arise from the glaze firing. I’m more than a little enamoured with the design.
I currently have the following glazes available: Sandstone Matte Chocolate Choco + Sandstone Red Gunmetal Matte Green Crystal Green Turquoise Frost Shiny Clear Pink or Navy Blue:
You know what I love? What brightens my day? What makes me giggle with joy? Photos of my buttons in action is my high: These buttons are part of the “oak series”, created with a stamp inspired by an oak leaf. I am thrilled at how perfectly they match and how delicious they look on this sweater pair created by the talented Tabitha at WishFox DyeWorks. The yarn colours are so rich and beautiful! If you’re in the market for luscious yarn, please go visit her on Etsy. What are you waiting for? Go take some photos of Chasing Fire buttons, bookmarks, pendants or whatever I’ve made that you’re loving and send them to me! Thanks Tabitha – you made my week with these darling sweaters. -Cara
I love making buttons. I love selling buttons. I love SEEING my buttons on projects. For a person with such an obsession for making small flat items, my problem is an unexpected one. For most of my family and my friends, they just don’t use buttons. They could replace their current buttons with my buttons but they aren’t the type to make things that need new buttons. They don’t knit or crochet, sew or make. With this in mind, I’m at my worktable trying to figure items that will capture their hearts like the buttons are capturing the hearts of crafters. I have trouble stepping into the minds of non-crafters – what can I make that you want? What can I make that non-button-lovers would covet? Since I can’t step into your mind, I stepped into my own. The mugs I drink from every day are all pieces that I have made. They are functional art, turning my boring morning coffee ritual into something meaningful, contemplative, beautiful. The ceramic lip of my mugs are thrown just so to meet an approaching lip. The mug is thick enough to retain the heat of the drink and thin enough to feel light in the hand. The handle, flat and wide for easy of handling and the body a perfect rounded angle to cup your hands around, absorbing the heat of the coffee on these cold mornings. As I drank this coffee, I look around at the activities I enjoy. How can I make them more beautiful? On the table is my newest find from the library. As much as I use the e-library and ebooks, I read real books more often than not. My husband and I have three large bookshelves holding our favourite copies, to be read, lent out and read again. It only makes sense that my newest experiment be bookmarks. As a bonus, the half moon and circular tops are as fun to make as buttons. I have enjoyed figuring out the process and, not only can everyone I know enjoy them, I can also put them up in my shop for others to enjoy. I popped my first batch up on my etsy shop, posted a Facebook and Twitter advisory, and these babies were almost sold out within the first 24 hours. In a world where I thought the ebook was the majority, I’m very happy to be wrong. It’s not a surprise that I’m working on a larger batch this week. Do you have any ideas for the tops? I’m imprinting textures, dreaming of glaze combinations and looking forward to these being a permanent fixture in my shop, and in my own books.
With the chilling wind coming straight down our road, snow deep and my urge to hibernate growing stronger, it’s that Making time of year. The summer activity has died out, the filled event calendar no longer exists and I am able to settle down and get into the studio more often. Today, buttons and stars! These need a light sanding and are ready for the kiln: I’m also trying out the new Amaco semi-moist underglazes on porcelain. These will be worry stones and I’m very excited to see what colour they are after firing: And with that, I’m off to make a few custom orders and snuggle on the couch with my little family. Happy Saturday!
You know what’s exciting? ZOMBIES We are able to help out an amazing organization this Halloween season: Thrill Calgary. On Oct 27, they are participating again in the Guinness World Records event of the largest coordinated Thriller Dance. The zombies will take over Eau Claire Mall in Calgary, dancing and supporting their chosen charity this year, the Calgary InterFaith Food Bank. Thrill The World
A quick note to show you two wonderful prizes that caught my attention during this glaze firing: 1. BUGS! Holy cow, I love these! 2. Remember the crooked wheel’s tea cups from back in the early summer? They turned out just perfectly: I haven’t photographed the rest of the non-button kiln gems but I can tell you that another set of red koi mugs turned out perfectly! As much as I intended to sell them, I’m not sure I can because I want to see them everyday with my morning coffee. I’ll post more finished objects as they come. Also be sure to check out the etsy store for the newest buttons.
One of the activities I look forward to when vacationing is finding other makers. I search regional info booths for brochures from artists in clay or fibre because I love to spend time with artists. I always add to the inspiring collection in our home. This time was no different and Caracol Clay Studio in East Coulee satisfied. Located just outside of Drumheller, the studio itself is intriguing as you walk up to the front door past a garden of clay creations, bones, plants and treasures on your right with peaceful clay cast faces of the resident artists watching over. (the face casts reminded me of another ceramic artist, Ronda Wood, from Cranbrook) We had the opportunity to meet Janet and John and see the beautiful work they produce, inspired by the land and history of the region. I love making rattles and I really love raku which are a couple of items that Caracol specializes in. Their work can be seen throughout Alberta, including at the Drumheller Royal Tyrell Museum gift shop and Millarville. If you get a chance to visit, you should! They are friendly, talented and overall a great Alberta studio. Caracol Clay Studio This gallery and working clay studio features art inspired by prehistoric Badlands fossils. Owners Janet and John also take the time to teach visitors about the clay making process. Caracol Clay Studio is located at 169 6th Street in East Coulee (just outside Drumheller). Call first for hours of operation: 403.822.2258. You can also find them at the Millarville Market.
I love my husband. Today, if it’s possible, I love him even MORE. As we feasted in honour of our 13th wedding anniversary: J: “I made a decision about what to do with that extra cash” (selling stuff on kijiji is lucrative) C: “Oh?” (this was in a tone attempting to be casual without being “oh crap, what the heck are you buying? A taxidermied duck? A boat? Gun? Hookers?) J: “I want to buy a new wheel. Happy Anniversary.” C: (stunned silence) J: “Yes, really” C: TEARS OF TEARS WITH MORE TEARS I’m awestruck. A new wheel is better than any diamond, especially after the drama of my current wheel going off level and my intense emotional reaction to not having a wheel for even a few days (reminder: my reaction was panic and attempting to use socket wrenches and lots of prayer to every god/goddess I could think of) I wasted no time and I quickly found a thrice used wheel that needed a new home. We brought her home last night. Introducing my new (still nameless) Shimpo VL-Whisper: She runs in near silence. I mean, SILENCE. I wouldn’t know it was running if I wasn’t sitting right there with hands on the wheel-head. I tried her out last night and after having the rattling and humming of my current wheel to intuitively judge speed and power, the Silent Queen was a big change – I was zipping way too fast, not realizing the speed or sensitivity. It will take a few pots before I adjust to the power, the silence and the responsive pedal action. I am so excited that I’ll be able to listen to audio books while throwing. Jay pointed out last night that the wheel just looked familiar . Well, duh – she’s destined to be mine so of course she looks familiar! On second inspection, sure enough, this is the style of wheel that I learned to throw on so many years ago. It’s fate, people. Can I cancel our family vacation to stay in the studio and play with her? Every two year old would rather play with clay rather than go visit dinosaurs, right? So today while I daydream of my new wheel, the bisque kiln is started and I can’t wait to get this load glazed and up for sale. There will be some really cool mugs looking for a new home and with the new wheel, much more functional pottery produced in the next little while as I completely immerse myself in my new girldfriend. I’m off to find a Giffin Grip – is there any place to find such a thing used? -Cara
I am passionate about working in clay. Passionate. I use it as a meditation, creative outlet, to show love to others, to show love to myself. The calm I feel when on the wheel is sometimes all I need to center myself during a stressful day. When people ask me what I make on the wheel, I want to say “peace” (and then I want to gag because that’s pretty darn cheesy). I tell you this because something pretty serious happened on Saturday. My pottery wheel stopped working. Well, it didn’t so much stop working as… well, I couldn’t throw. I struggled so much when making the first in this new tea cup series last weekend. It was wonky and I had to work longer and with more concentration than I have in years. I thought I was having a Bad Day or had low blood sugar or the moon was in mercury so I focused on other things for a week. Then I came back and tried again and when the next two were even more difficult to throw, I realized that Something Was Wrong. At first I thought I was succumbing to fumes since I share space with my husband and he had been working on something smelly the night before. I opened the overhead doors and took a break but upon returning, my mugs were still wonky and hard to make and I was starting to think maybe, just maybe, I was having an aneurysm. Or I’d forgotten how to throw. Midway through Saturday, neighbours came by to visit and while standing across the room, I glanced back and WOW, that wheel was hella crooked. The difference in height on each side of the wheelhead was almost a quarter inch. “Hallelujah! It’s NOT me!” I said to myself. And then it dawned on me. Or more like hit me like a bullet. THE WHEEL WAS BORKED. My first reaction? PANIC. My second was to call everyone I know for help. Unfortunately, that “everyone” was a writer, an accountant, an office manager and my husband who, although mechanically inclined, was having one of those back-pain episodes that is best described as incapacitating. My mom was out of country but I didn’t think calling her would help because I’d just bawl into the phone. Telephoning sometimes does that to me. I called the only ceramics dealer in the area but they were already closed. Once everyone had left, I did the only thing I could think of and I marched into the studio, grabbed a big bin of metal thingies and I started taking my motorized kickwheel apart. With TOOLS. I used a rubber mallet at one point. It was liberating and terrifying but I thought “self, it’s completely borked. It’s rotating off by at least 5 degrees. You can’t break it any more than it already is”. I then took a bit of a break to cry. I’m not ashamed. I was so angry and panicked and generally out of my comfort zone by about a lifespan that I just had to sit for a bit. I stared at my wheel and knew she was dying. That didn’t make things any better so I imagined I was the ambulance crew and dammit, she’s not going without a fight! (plus replacing her is a minimum of $600 and that brought me to tears again so I really really needed to figure out how to save her). I did find out what was wrong and we all scratched our heads. The entire wheelhead and flywheel mechanism was tilted in a way that the wheel didn’t shudder or wobble – it was evenly tilted but crooked enough to make throwing a struggle. But how to fix it? The husband had recovered enough by Monday to figure that the entire frame of my wheel had been twisted rather severely. Was there a tornado we’d missed? Was there a mosh pit in the studio while we were on vacation? No matter – his welding magic had my baby leveled in time to try it on Monday evening. Throwing is easy again. The wheel is fixed. So let me introduce my new line of spiral lotus flower tea cups – born from struggle and surviving in peace. They’re in progress here while I decide what colour they want to be:
Sweet, right? A different set is heading west for a friend to test drive. Before I start creating cuff links as part of my regular catalogue, I really need these babies to be tested in the real world. Sure, the jewelry adhesive comes with wonderful recommendations but if I sell these and they start falling apart? That’s just not going to fly for me or for customers. I love the leaf imprints. I did many circular designs as part of this prototype run but the square motifs are my absolute favourites. I’ve added some new listings to the shop today as well. The weather has been horrible however I did get a few moments of sun this afternoon to photograph some new buttons to list. My focus in the last month has been on creating greater quantities in each set because sweaters and such usually need 8-12 buttons and my lovely yet low numbered sets are less likely to be worn on amazing knitted and sewn works of art. So, more is IN! (I have a feeling I mentioned this before – it’s definitely on my mind.) If you’ve purchased buttons or other works from chasing fire, please send me photos pf your finished projects to be featured here. If you’d prefer to keep your finished pieces private, please indicate that but know that when my little creations are used, it gives me a HIGH and I hope you’ll share with me. I’m off to check the mail for my new packaging bags. I work so hard to buy local – I purchase my clay, glazes, textural stamps and tools right here in my city (and the clay is actually mined within the province as well!) however, I couldn’t find a local source for clear bags in the size I need. I’ve test driven two local suppliers with no success so Ontario may be my “local source” for the button bag packaging. I’m eagerly awaiting these bags! Cheers! -Cara
In today’s clay adventures, I plan to include: – sheep sculpting – spindle doohickey making – ladybug pendants (actually bugs bugs bugs on everything) – an attempt at nested bowls Or, with the severe thunderstorm that just settled in, I may be abandoning the clay table to convince the dog and toddler that thunder is COOL and not scary. They currently disagree with me. It may be time to reserve a day to work in clay from morning until night because I have not created much since the last big kiln fire. Why is the summer a less productive time? Is this the same for all ceramic artists? The weather is lovely but the activities (camping, weddings, festivals) take over all our family’s spare time, days flying by with no scultpures, bowls, buttons, mugs or pendants to show for it. I will take a stand – this summer will be different! I have big plans for mug sets and nesting bowls and in order to get them done, I’m going to need to actually book dedicated clay days in my calendar so that my time can remain loyal to my passion. I’m off to calm the weeping masses that are calling my name (or whining – poor dog is upset that the young boy is upset) and hopefully, get muddy. -C
If you’re in Calgary on May 26 near Sunnyside/Hillhurst, you should go meet some amazing potters and pick up some lovely pieces: I am not one of the artists displaying and selling work but I will be trying to get down to find a perfect fruit bowl to beautify my kitchen. Buy handmade! -C
Oh I had fun making these! I’m ready to take custom orders, they were a lovely experiment: We’re back from our camping vacation and gearing up to load more buttons and pendants in our etsy store over the next week then back to making – I have many more experiments in the queue. I hope the sun is shining and your creative juices are flowing. -C
The latest glaze firing ran yesterday two days behind schedule but this morning we opened it up and the contents were nothing short of breath-taking. Here’s three quick phone photos I snagged while I was checking the finish on each button: The weather isn’t looking great for Friday so I’m hoping hard that it’s sunny outside on Saturday so I can do a photoshoot of these beauties. I love my “job”! -Cara
I had a request earlier in the week to try a new button design. I made a batch last night using white clay and then two batches mixing white with brown for a variation of colouring. They will end up being about 10mm. Tiny! My imitation pebbles have some real promise: I’m also in the process of creating very small buttons for mittens and children’s items. These should reduce to 12mm after bisque and glaze firings: The glaze settles into the texture and makes these buttons so appealing. They are time consuming but delightful. Are there buttons you need for a special project? Contact me through my Etsy Shop to inspire me to create!
Today we’ve added our inventory to etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/chasingfireceramics. This is such an exciting day – LAUNCH DAY! Our local postal outlet has been so wonderful helping me prepare to share my art across the continent (and the world) and with more buttons in progress, I can’t wait to see which items rise up as the favourites. To celebrate our new shop, use coupon code LAUNCHPARTY from April 21-30 for 10% off your purchase.
I wish that every morning was this much fun! I was able to snap a couple of quick shots before moving onto the next stage of molding these little sweeties:
It’s a fuzzy photo but I can’t hold back. My new packaging is ready: I love buttons. -Cara
Based on the patterns coming out of the kiln, I must have caught spring fever early this year. Leaves, dragonflies, flowers, birds… I can see exactly where my mind was at during the creation process. Here’s a few samples of my latest little gems to show you: A subtle bird that pooled the glaze just right. At first glance, it’s a large brown oval and then when the light hits, the bird indentation catches your eye: Frost blue flowers that would be perfect on a wee cardigan (in itself, a spring concept): This larger triangle dual-tone green button was a glaze tester because really, I’m still in search of a crystallizing green that can also highlight detail. This is a definite success. The little swirl detail reminds me of the seedlings that are on their way:  Next up, I present a couple of multicoloured buttons because I just have to share that everything has a purpose. I have a glaze that I want to love. I do. I put it on bowls, mugs, jewelry and it just… hasn’t worked for me. The green isn’t “pretty” enough for food and it has brown flecks that, although interesting, also didn’t appeal to me on foodware or resting against a wearer’s neck. I am overjoyed to find it a home – it definitely was made to be on these buttons, brown and green blooming on the blue. This brown beauty with a lace embossing is on its way special delivery to a very loving button jar on the prairies: Even though the snow is still flying, I can’t wait to get into the studio and continue on my “spring” theme. Cheers; – Cara
The glaze test tiles came out of the kiln today. It was exciting, shocking and exhilirating. Let me introduce you to: Turquoise is very pretty but Gunmetal really captured my imagination. It accents the ridges in the clay just perfectly, highlighting every carving and every fingerprint which is what I’m aiming for. The khaki? Not as much. I think I’ll continue to use a similar, yet more interesting, commercial glaze rather than develop the khaki. Plus, I doomed it from the start by calling it “khaki”. Maybe if it was named “giraffe woods” or “ember golden”, it would have had better potential. I still yearn for the perfect green yet the ones I adore have barium in the recipe and just from toxicity potential of barium when using my wares (as mugs, buttons, what have you), it’s not a recipe I’d use in my studio. That will be my next challenge: the perfect green. Until then; -Cara
Some mornings I wake up and think of all the things on my “Want To Do” list. Every day I see another technique that I’d like to try, item I’d like to make, idea I want to expand on. I think it’s the gift and the curse for every artist – so many possibilities, so little time. With the opening of the studio, that has increased one hundred fold. I have a kiln, wheel, several varieties of clay, handpicked glazes,  tools, space. I have inspiration. (oh boy do I have inspiration!) I have been focused on functional wheel-thrown works for as long as I’ve been working with this fabulous medium that is clay. Mugs, bowls, plates, teapots have been my repertoire and, although I didn’t know it, my limitation. Now with the studio ready, I see endless possibility. I’m not limited to one two hour class per week for the next three months doing specific skill building assignments come up in class. I’m no longer limited by the hours of the community studio, travel time, childcare to allow me to create. Suddenly, I can choose my own skill-building activities, my own timeline, my own experiments. As long as I have time (which is a whole other post), I can do what I want. And with that, I’ve been feeling almost overwhelmed. The urge to quit my other (equally loved) job and spend my days rolling, throwing, pulling clay is overwhelming some days. For now, I’m going to try to define my focus to just a few things so that I’m not scattered – walking into the studio these days and deciding what to DO is taking too much time! Next up: glaze testing!
Although most of these have gone through glazing, I had to share this photo that I found last night: (I cannot take credit for the the two coil pots in the foreground. They are from a cousin’s father-son afternoon that were fired with this batch). Bisqued pots are full of promise. These can be any colour and any combination of techniques. I can use stroke n’ coats to paint detailed landscapes or dip them in a rich earthy glaze, coat them in rich red or pale ocean blue. I can wax resist layers of glaze or add strokes of another glaze onto the first. I can honestly say that I am always engaged by the glazing process because, although I only work with a limited number of coloured glazes, the combinations and methods are limitless. Bisque also symbolizes risk for me because glazing has always been my biggest challenge – if I don’t take enough care and wipe the bases, there will be a glaring stroke of glaze staring at me forever, spoiling an otherwise perfect pot. I have learned to slow down but I find it a struggle. I love the adrenaline rush with throwing, fast and furious yet glazing must be slow and studious. Clay isn’t just a hobby. It is my teacher. ’til next time, -Cara
It has been three long months since I’ve posted. An autumn of birthday celebrations and a chilly spell brought us to a near halt on the production side and I’ve neglected to post all the new little things we’re working on. New to us is a fabulous furnace in the studio so the chilly spells will no longer stop us! Instead of hauling supplies into the basement and taking a hiatus for the winter, I can continue on through the winter months. We did a glaze firing on Sunday to do some glaze testing and it was… not quite a disaster, but definitely less than happy. My new brown and red glazes were fabulous however I underfired, not even reaching cone 5 so my blues and greens will need a refire. On top of that, the jewelry setup fell over so many of the pendants kissed each other and there’s a small scrape on the side of a koi mug. It was disappointing but with the jewelry setup nestled among two mugs and three bowls, it could have been so much worse! This beauty is the first thing I saw when I opened the kiln, and it softened any disappointment as I emptied the rest of the kiln: And with that, I can’t wait to get home to photograph the koi pieces that made it through to post and share. Viva la furnace! -Cara
I keep a sketchbook and a black marker pen in my purse. When I see something inspiring or I’m working out an idea (or I’m on hold), I doodle. Sometimes these ideas make their way into reality: Every page is not a gem, that’s for sure. For every bit of notation that carries its way to reality there are more ugly scribbles that seemed like brilliance but, in the light of day, are more meh than aha. Even at its weakest, the sketchbook is an ongoing record of ideas, potential and inspiration and I keep it tucked with me. We were staying in a remote cabin on our vacation and I spent every morning admiring the hodge podge collection of wheel thrown mugs that is only fitting in the kitchen of a summer hideaway. I would throw open the cupboard, choose one and pour myself a fresh cup of coffee. Although many of them were not my particular style, they reminded me that their difference is what held the charm. I sketched up some mug shapes and mug carving ideas on our long drive home, excited with each new shape that I put on the page, inspired by the oddball mugs. I have thrown the same mug shape over and over and over and whether I find success or not, it’s time to try something different. This is my goal next time I’m on the wheel to try to throw a “new” mug.
Malesuada ullamcorper morbi vitae rutrum iaculis in congue urna est nostra, fermentum luctus nostra magna ut purus blandit pretium est mattis, amet feugiat netus ornare arcu elementum in fringilla ligula ante metus quisque mauris habitasse. Sollicitudin adipiscing mattis ad lacus dictumst curabitur nibh donec adipiscing lobortis, augue vivamus dictumst sollicitudin sapien blandit pellentesque habitasse dui vivamus, fermentum nostra gravida ut id a platea auctor curabitur. Condimentum orci volutpat purus diam egestas magna metus iaculis vel, mollis aliquam senectus pharetra felis quam quisque hendrerit odio dolor, dictum massa duis lectus amet aenean curae praesent metus odio hac senectus vulputate. Nec blandit eleifend congue orci phasellus tincidunt porttitor a ut aliquam, nisl maecenas metus enim purus sollicitudin laoreet at auctor ultrices habitant, convallis id dolor mauris congue dolor primis purus vehicula velit aliquam nostra rhoncus. Link: St. Louis Blues Audio shortcode:
Learnin’ // I’m taking a sculpture course through the University of Saskatchewan and my first challenge was an ear. In class we have moved on to nose & mouth but I’m refining some details on this ear before allowing it to slowly dry for firing. đ» I’m enjoying learning something completely new to me as I’ve always worked on ceramic functional pieces. The new advent of video online learning has brought Adrian Golban’s instruction and direct critique into my kitchen! đ» [Image description: A large ear sculpted out of grey clay on a black and plywood surface, surrounded by thin plastic.] . . . #sculpture #ceramics #humansculpture #facesculpture #pottery #UofS #EarSculpt Learnin’ // I’m taking a sculpture course through the University of Saskatchewan and my first challenge was an ear. In class we have moved on to nose & mouth but I’m refining some details on this ear before allowing it to slowly dry for firing. đ» I’m enjoying learning something completely new to me as I’ve always worked on ceramic functional pieces. The new advent of video online learning has brought Adrian Golban’s instruction and direct critique into my kitchen! đ» [Image description: A large ear sculpted out of grey clay on a black and plywood surface, surrounded by thin plastic.] . . . #sculpture #ceramics #humansculpture #facesculpture #pottery #UofS #EarSculpt Learnin’ // I’m taking a sculpture course through the University of Saskatchewan and my first challenge was an ear. In class we have moved on to nose & mouth but I’m refining some details on this ear before allowing it to slowly dry for firing. đ» I’m enjoying learning something completely new to me as I’ve always worked on ceramic functional pieces. The new advent of video online learning has brought Adrian Golban’s instruction and direct critique into my kitchen! đ» [Image description: A large ear sculpted out of grey clay on a black and plywood surface, surrounded by thin plastic.] . . . #sculpture #ceramics #humansculpture #facesculpture #pottery #UofS #EarSculpt Nec blandit eleifend congue orci phasellus tincidunt porttitor a ut aliquam, nisl maecenas metus enim purus sollicitudin laoreet at auctor ultrices habitant, convallis id dolor mauris congue dolor primis purus vehicula velit aliquam nostra rhoncus. Malesuada ullamcorper morbi vitae rutrum iaculis in congue urna est nostra, fermentum luctus nostra magna ut purus blandit pretium est mattis, amet feugiat netus ornare arcu elementum in fringilla ligula ante metus quisque mauris habitasse. Sollicitudin adipiscing mattis ad lacus dictumst curabitur nibh donec adipiscing lobortis, augue vivamus dictumst sollicitudin sapien blandit pellentesque habitasse dui vivamus, fermentum nostra gravida ut id a platea auctor curabitur. Condimentum orci volutpat purus diam egestas magna metus iaculis vel, mollis aliquam senectus pharetra felis quam quisque hendrerit odio dolor, dictum massa duis lectus amet aenean curae praesent metus odio hac senectus vulputate.
Condimentum orci volutpat purus diam egestas magna metus iaculis vel, mollis aliquam senectus pharetra felis quam quisque hendrerit odio dolor, dictum massa duis lectus amet aenean curae praesent metus odio hac senectus vulputate. Malesuada ullamcorper morbi vitae rutrum iaculis in congue urna est nostra, fermentum luctus nostra magna ut purus blandit pretium est mattis, amet feugiat netus ornare arcu elementum in fringilla ligula ante metus quisque mauris habitasse. Sollicitudin adipiscing mattis ad lacus dictumst curabitur nibh donec adipiscing lobortis, augue vivamus dictumst sollicitudin sapien blandit pellentesque habitasse dui vivamus, fermentum nostra gravida ut id a platea auctor curabitur. Nec blandit eleifend congue orci phasellus tincidunt porttitor a ut aliquam, nisl maecenas metus enim purus sollicitudin laoreet at auctor ultrices habitant, convallis id dolor mauris congue dolor primis purus vehicula velit aliquam nostra rhoncus.
Key Features
- Visual
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- Functional
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- Responsive
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