Pottery Class

Paul (my husband) and I were invited to attend a pottery class taught by the wonderful potter, Patti Connor Greene, at the Senior Center in Newland. We LOVE it. Who knew!?!

We take class with the most wonderful people. And there is never a dull moment! We laugh often and help each other with absolute abandon, whether we know what we're doing or not.

Paul is amazing at this stuff. He makes things like elephants and alligators, turtles and fish in submarines ... you know, things no one else makes.

Me? Oh, I just decided to try a bowl (see above) and "study" glazes and what they do and don't do. So far, that's a HUGE challenge, one I think could take decades to figure out! Goodness!

So, above is my very first attempt at a "bowl". It was rolled with lace, placed inside a bowl for a mold, dried and then fired. I glazed it the first time and fired it again but truly disliked the first finished glaze. So ... I glazed it yet again and re fired. I'm liking it better, but not quite content. Patti says to "live with it for a week or two" before making the decision to adjust it. So, it's home with me for now ... but we'll see how many more times I end up glazing it for just the right "look" for me.

I would just like to say right here and right now that I feel wonderfully blessed to be able to worry about something as frivolous as glazing a bowl when so many things are running amok here on planet earth. I am so very grateful for the audacity to even think this is important. Goodness.

Anyway, pottery is Friday's creative indulgence for us here at Artsy Matilda's. So hope each of you have had a wonderfully creative Friday activity of your own! Something that is also a perfect segue to your wonderful weekend.

Happy Trails and many blessings,

Matilda

An Inspiration Journal

If you know anyone who needs some inspiration in their life, these journals are FABULOUS for them. Please take a look see! The art work on the front is a piece from the amazing and talented Tammy Brinkley at Periwinkle Pass. There are several different prints that appear on the individual journals.

They are made with canvas on the inside cover with a pocket for trinkets and pens, etc.

They are embellished with paper pockets on some of the pages with homemade bookmarks inserted here and there. Some blank pages for art sketching or a dissertation ... small pieces of colored paper for dream lists ... use your imagination and GET INSPIRED!

There are buttons and broaches, sequins and lace ...

lots of colors for your spirit

Cloth pockets for the heavier treasures, handmade paper with ribbon pulls ...

Beautiful papers with SPECIAL words and pictures ...

Rick Rack even!

Spaces to really write and doodle, cypher and sketch, document and scribe..

(rant & rave?) even FRINGE for your wild side!!

Fun papers and colors all mixed together ... and layered for dimension and fun

Ribbons ... and paisley!

More pockets, brads, and FUN!

Special charms with words of encouragement, and colors to inspire the most creative ideas...

trims with carved roses and beautiful papers combined ...

bookmarks, pockets, trims --- what could be better? Birds! of course, birds are better...

And ceramic tiles by Sheeree at firedandfused.etsy.com with special words to create by! These journals can be personalized with initials or a name ... with family heirlooms of broaches and pens ... whatever! Although this one is girlie ... I've made manly ones too out of leather and such. Just ask! We'll work it out!

Look forward to showing you all more of these lovelies!

Count your blessings, life is good!

Matilda

Birdcage, Blackboard and Babble

I was given this very old mirror frame to do a mosaic in. I really thought I wanted to do a sunflower, since I LOVE them. However, Tammy (Periwinkle Pass) is always making birds and talking about making birds. Chrissie (in His Grace) had just recently mosaiced a bird she showcased on her blog which made me drool, and Jenni Horne (Mattie's Social Circle) is always doing birds and birdcages,a lot of them out of metal for jewlery ~ exquisite! So with their inspiration, and having just come through a real life miracle with our grandson, this bird and cage were born of a true group inspiration. Thanks for all the help, everyone! All of these ladies have blogs you can click on to the right ... enjoy!

I have had this bell for 35 years and wondered what it was being saved for! Now I know! The bird was tiled with the help of a trusty pair of tweezers and hemostats and a big bottle of weldabond! And the wire cage was made by my genius and sweet husband, Paul. (thanks, honey!)

I had a great time doing the tile work and thinking of Chrissie Grace, who was responsible for my falling in love with mosaic work. She really gave me the opportunity to learn about mosaic tile work with her sweet and generous spirit, answering all of my questions with the patience of Job. Thank you, Chrissie! I will always be grateful. I still look to her for assurance and information. I absolutely love putting things back together again. It's fun!! And I love these colors as I am sure spring is coming ... eventually (it snowed here yesterday!) ...

This little pink bulletin board got its start last fall. It took a while, but it finally made it to the bulletin board hall of fame. (pls forgive the photo quality. I tried every room in the house - glare it is! Argh! The top has "Notes" in white polymer clay) A lot of these tiles are from Sheree, the fabulous tile maker! Check her stuff out! I try every Friday in pottery class to learn to make tiles like she does. Don't worry, Sheree, you will still be getting orders from me for a long time to come! ;-) www.firedandfused.etsy.com

I have fallen in love with making these inspiration journals. They are so much fun because there are no two alike. I am NOT good with assembly work. These are right up my alley. And you can stop and start all you need to! The art work on the front is Tammy Brinkley's stuff. PLEASE check out her etsy site. Tammy has some gorgeous work. http://www.periwinklepass.etsy.com/

The pages inside are all creative and fun to inspire you to want to write and get those creative juices flowing! I just love making them! There is a pocket on the inside cover for your notes and pens, etc. There are lots of ribbons and dangley bits ... and even room for your etchings, sketches, scribbles, "to dos", choreography, lists, and all the stuff we write ... sans electronics. They make great birthday gifts, shower gifts, bereavement gifts, and just plain ole doing something nice for yourself or someone else gifts! And I make plenty of custom journals with initials and special memories inside. Let me know if you're interested and we'll design it to your specifications!

That's all for now. Still trying to link to facebook and etc. Gracious there is a lot to do!

Going to Atlanta tomorrow for a visit with that grandson of ours! Can't wait to wrap my arms around him and hear him talk to me!

Blessings to you all,

Matilda

Getting ready ...

Getting everything together to take to the Gallery.

There sure is a lot to do!

This is reminiscent of trying to get all those costumes finished for the show.

Only it doesn't involve as many people!

I don't know what I would do without my husband's help.

Thanks, honey. You are priceless.

Now ... on to more "doing things".

Happy Wednesday!

Matilda

One week from today

One week from today I will be taking art to the Gallery in High Point, NC for the opening of the new Gallery.
I am so excited.  I am so apprehensive.  Yikes! http://www.upstairsgalleryhp.com/.  Still a work in progress as it is brand new!
So, this week will be packed with art, mosaic tile, glue, grouting, and collecting pieces to transport.  I have a great piece for the center of the display I am working on.  Will post soon!
Please wish me good thoughts, as I am pretty much scared to death!  It's just art, right? Hope someone likes it! 
Thanks!
Cheri