Shop the Nest: more neck.clays.

 Hello lovelies!

Today I'm tucking a few more of my pottered pieces back into the SHOP.

These neck.clays all feature my signature delight of pressing doilies into the clay before firing them in the kiln.

So, here's the sweet trio for your viewing (or, buying) pleasure:

 This doily pressed neck.clay is a real statement piece.

The growing trend towards large neck 'bibs' or 'shields' in jewellery nowadays would be in good company here.

Features: unglazed white pottery (feels like a smooth pumice stone).

Suspended from metal hoops to a creamy silver coloured chain with twisting clasp.

$20 PayPal.

(FREE shipping).

 This sweet lil' doily textured piece has a real shine to her.

The 'honey' pottery glaze created a lovely range of creamy white to caramel orange tones here.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

Here's the final delicate neck.clay... with a more matte finish.

Suspended from a knotted strap of cinnamon suede.

Metal clasp at the back.

$20 Paypal.

(FREE shipping)

----------------------------------

If you're interested in purchasing any of these neck.clays (or ones from previous listings) I'd love to hear from you!

needleandnestdesing[at]live.com

Hope you're having a beauty day,

creatively yours.

Mel ;o)

Pottery Studio Tour...

 One of the highlights from this fun weekend was attending the open house for the Kawartha Potters' Guild.

I was eager to see where my ol' pottery teacher George had moved his Park Street Pottery shop to.  Yes, he's as happy as he looks.. the sweetest potter around.  His old shop was a wonderful spot for me... a past creative outlet.  I love(d) working with clay and seeing the unique treasures coming out of the kiln, (I was even selling some at my last craft show).

Seeing this big, bright new space for the potters got me tempted to jump back in the clay!

 Actually, daughter Azriel did just that... she was flipping this lump like a pancake endlessly.

Hudson shows his happiness in the space by doing bicycle kicks.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting.. with yummy goodies and mulled cider, too!

 There's over a dozen unique potter's represented in this new space... which makes shopping for the perfect piece quite an adventure.

I finally decided on this gorgeous smoky tan and turquoise mug/vase... it's my go-to cup for all my daily brews now.

If you're a local, check out their website for many classes/tours available!

Pottery is such a calming, beautiful process to take part in.

Missing my clay,

Mel ;o)

handmade holidays: GIVEAWAY! [Closed].

 Well friends, it's that time again.

I'm feeling crafty... feeling cheerful... feeling festive.

Annnnnnnd I want to share it with you!

You dear readers are a sweet spot in our nest.

I'm blessed to have you perch here as often as you do.

Whether you're a devoted 'follower' who patiently endures my daily postings,

or an occasional 'check-in' and catch up type of reader... I'm honoured to have you stop by.

So here's a wee thank you:

 This hand pottered ornament features a gorgeous indigo crackled glaze on one side, and a sketched oak leaf imprint on the other.

(If you chose to turn it in to a necklace pendant I would cheer you on!).

The winner also gets to choose ONE painted feather ornament in the colour of their fancy (ivory or brown feather with accent colour option).

Those delicate large doily earrings will be included in the prize too (like snowflakes for your neckline).

------------------

This is just a small token of my big appreciation for your presence here.

Whether you're a new reader - or an old one.

Whether you comment often - or never make a peep.

I'd love to send you this Christmas warming gift!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to enter the GIVEAWAY:

1. Simply leave a comment and SHARE a favourite Christmas memory.

Bonus:

2. While I don't like 'bribing' people to be forced followers of my blog ..IF you are a follower, please mention which forum you use (google reader/bloglovin'/facebook)... you may just win some extra goodies in your care package! ;o)

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giveaway ends next Friday, November 30th, when the WINNER will be announced! 

Thanks for being here friends,

Mel ;o) 

D.I.Y: bohemian beaded necklace.

 Time to get groovy, splash on the patchouli, and add some hippy.bohemian vibe to your wardrobe.

This is such a fun and simple project to release your inner artsy side (even for those who don't think they have one):

 Supplies Needed:

*embroidery floss / twine / or necklace wire

*various beads: wooden / glass / stones / shells / mini doilies / etc. 
(*hint: I'll often thrift necklaces just to bust them apart for their beads!)

*a few larger 'feature' pieces: pottered tags I made seen here

*attachment clasp

 1. Stretch out your thread nice and long (4'-5' roughly).

2. I threaded a needle to push it through the beads easily... now start stacking those beads.

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:  the key to capturing the 'relaxed.eclectic.non-conforming' nature of the bohemian style is to not stress the pattern.  The more random the clusters of bead types, the better.

(For some of us OCD brains... you may want to grab beads blindly and string them on!).

To create gaps along the strands, just thread through a bead and loop back around and through again (seen in orange above).. this will anchor a bead in place.

I used some pottered pendants that I had made as feature pieces along the necklace.

You can find a larger focal point for your necklace in any jewellery/bead store.

Enjoy!

Have a funky day you free-spirited friends,

Mel ;o)

colour me: in wood & clay...

 Yes, my crazy creamsicle hair is fading into a soft tangelo tone it seems.

(That's the pain of using reds - they never last, but they never quite disappear either).

So I like wearing navy to punch out what little colour is left here... but I do plan to dye it again!

Anywho, I just wanted to show this delightful brooch I bought recently!

I was hunting around Etsy for laser-cut wood brooches (since I've adored them for months) and found this sweet one: fairy girl sipping tea on a toadstool... yes, please!

Kit Chase has lots of sweet woodland illustrations on her site too.. I'm such a sucker for woodland creatures... I should just pack up our house and live in a tree, really.

Sometimes I treat myself to goodies from my own shop too (since I'm not a far walk, and I charge a pretty decent rate for myself)... so here's a neck.clay I kept for me.

There's still some available if you're interested - shop here.

------------

Dressed in wood & clay,

having tea time with the fairies,

Mel ;o)

Shop the Nest: [pottered jewellery]

The Shop is now OPEN!

Each pottered neck.clays is handmade and completely one of a kind.

If you want to own one of these little beauties for yourself feel free to contact me!

needleandnestdesign@live.com

 Currently Available

 Currently Available

<SOLD>

<SOLD>

 Currently Available

<SOLD>

 Currently Available

 Currently Available

(Smaller Neck) Currently Available

-----------------------------------------------

Each neck.clays comes with either a chocolate brown suede cord - or circular wire - as seen above.

*Prices listed in Cndn funds, PayPal ("donate" button) is available at the side bar ------->> 

 Special Promotion: FREE shipping worldwide (2-3 week delivery).

*Note: the back of each piece is unglazed pottery (similar texture to a smooth pumice stone) for anyone who gets squeamish with that type of texture!

Thanks for shopping the Nest here, 

if you have any further questions please feel free to ask.

Hands in the clay,

Mel ;o)

 

...more creations from this nest.

Oh it's really starting to look like Christmas out there today friends!  I love those big snowy doilies falling from the sky... it feels like we're living in a snow-globe today.  I'm also feeling festive from all this crafting for tomorrow's Focus Fair... like a Santa's elf here.

During yesterday's peek at my pottery I forgot to mention that I will have my bird ornaments all perched and ready to sell too (above: Azriel like hers birds in a row).

And here's more of the goodies I'll be cramming onto my display table:

1. Doily earrings are back again (these ones are larger 'snowflakes').

2.  Deer painted stencils on cosy fabric hoops.

3. Bird painted stencils on festive fabric hoops.

4. New line of felt/embroidered brooches with wood buttons.

Currently I'm sewing up wrist warmers for the whole family - there will be toddler size and adult - all in a cosy deer knit pattern.  These are the 'fashion trend' to enjoy for yourself this winter.

Now, off to finish all the last minute details, and have a date night with my Ben!

See you on the flip side friends,

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

sneak peeks ~ pottery.

 As promised, I'm going to show you a few more of the goodies hot off the press for this weekend's Focus Fair.  These are some of the pottered pieces I'll be selling...

The neck.clays are glazed in browns, honey and soft sea foam greens.  Some of the pendants also come with turquoise beads.  They've all been pressed with doilies to create the ornate textures here.  They hang from suede or wire bands.

 My wee bird nesting bowls... a sweet spot for a pinch of salt or your favourite rings.

Doily pressed bowls in honey white and sea foam green.

 

More clay wrist cuffs with suede straps.

 ***

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the treasures for this weekend's show.  I'll post a few more peeks at other projects I've been sewing.painting for it tomorrow!

Have a beauty.filled day!

Mel ;o)

A happy place...

Do you have a place of joy.contentment.delight in your life?  That one special corner you can always find inspiration and creativity in?  My art studio is one of those spaces for me.  Park Street Pottery is another!  I've mentioned before how rare it is for me to actually get over to the 'shop' now.. but I was blessed to sneak in a session there this past Friday.

That jovial fella is George - the owner.potter of the shop - to know him is to love him! 

Here's the potter's playground: a chaotic collection of creativity!  Sure it takes a bit of time to discern all the hand scribbled notes on buckets of glazes... and to navigate amongst the other potters/customers/visitors... but to me, it's bliss.

Once I settle into my zone it is pure contentment.  Hands in cool clay.  Gently massaging shapes from formless lumps.  Stiring the glazes into saturated soups of reds.browns.gold. 

This batch I've been working on will use glazes of honey white. turquoise. and brown - I get so excited to see how the pieces will come out of the kiln - it's like Christmas every time.

Here's a sneak peek of the (unfinished) goodies I'm creating for the upcoming Christmas show.

There will be more of my doily pressed neck.clays and bracelets.  Bird ornaments.  Doily pressed nesting bowls.  Bird pouches.  Can't wait to see/show them soon!

That's the surrender part of pottery.

You form the clay.  Hope it doesn't crack.

You glaze it next.  Hope it comes through the kiln glowing pretty.

You have to create... and then let go.

Don't force it... just let it move.flow.shape.

Maybe that's why this is such a happy place for me - it teaches me much about the simple truths of life.

Dusty hands, delighted heart,

Mel ;o)

confessions [of an artist] part.7.

Recent pottered works.. waiting for their final glazing.firing.

To clay or not to clay.

This is my dilema of late.  How do you give up an outlet of creativity when you know the 'practicality' of it falters?

Lately I've been sneaking out to our garage for a fast flurry of pottery making (these warmer Fall days make it so inviting).  But in the back of my mind I hear the clock ticking... my time with pottery may soon be up. It's not that I don't love hand-building at home, I do.  It's just all the steps of delivering it to my wonderful local Pottery shop... waiting for sweet ol' George to fire it in the kiln... then finding the time to go glaze it.. and waiting for it's second/final firing.  Yes, it's a few more steps than I can dance to usually.

So I confess friends, this may be my last round of pottery making for a while at this nest.  I want to use up the brick of clay I have, and make a bunch for the upcoming Christmas show I'll be in.  Then ... it will be put on the shelf for a while I think.

I'll keep my hands busy in my crafting.sewing.painting.upcycling adventures... but playing in the mud is sadly coming to a close soon.

For anyone who has never pottered I do encourage you to take a class/course at your local pottery shop (if you have one)... it's a beautiful process to be a part of!

Playfully clay-fully,
Mel ;o)

D.I.Y upcycle your granny's doilies.

Source: ish and chi.

Ah, the doily.  What a sweet little web it weaves.  Lately I am smitten by their intricate patterns... having sewn them into brooches and neck.laces.... and pressed them into pottery.

I first saw the above picture on Pinterest. [The blog that showcased this idea is a beauty to peruse for any home decor lover].  I knew I wanted to make such a table runner for our house.  It seemed fitting since I had turned a lace tablecloth into a skirt... that now I would upcycle doilies into a tablecloth.

   [Please ignore the crop-circles all over our table... I still need to sand.re-paint this beast over the summer!] 

 So I collected a stash of these lil' pretties over the course of many second-hand shopping sprees.  Deciding on a lay-out was going to be the real challenge.. yes, I too struggle with composition.balance.arrangement issues.

 Here's what was going to be the final arrangement.... and then... my husband Ben walked into the room. 

"What are you planning on doing with all those?" he asked.

"I'm sewing a pretty table runner for our table" says me.

"What.. and make our house look like a Grandma's Tea Parlour?" he says incredulously.

By this point we are both laughing... as this is just one more project I am trying to 'argue it's merits' to my unconvinced husband.  The joys of an artist being married to a minimalist.

Anywho, this wasn't a hill [of doilies] worth dying on... or forcing my husband to enjoy.  I figured that being the 'cougar' in this relationship - I should avoid introducing 'Grandma' vibes to our home.

Thus, the end of this upcycle project.

Don't worry friends, I'll find another use for them!

So maybe it will inspire you to make one instead... or inspire you to remember the beauty of compromise when it comes to your partner.

Mel :o)

all in a clay's work.

Hands in the mud.

molding.shaping.rolling.stretching.smoothing. 

I'm getting back into another round of pottery making.  There's a table in the garage all cleared out for my hand-building now... which is fantastic fun for me!  I'm making some more little pottered birds, doily bowls, wrist cuffs... and maybe some fun new projects too.  

I'm a little worried by whom else I have inspired to get in on the action... as today I discovered a trail of bat (or mouse?) poops on my work station.. ugh!!

Anyways, just thought I would put it out there - if you have a custom pottery order idea in mind - drop me a line and we can incorporate it into this current batch being made.  Glaze colours abound as well.. so we can work that out... you can e-mail me at needleandnestdesign@live.com.

Have a wonderful sunny monday,

Mel :o)

do what you LOVE what you do

[Source: Etsy]

The ability to create is a beautiful gift.  I don't take it for granted.  There is a an unceasing delight in crafting something with my hands.  Getting paint under my nails.  Sewing a quirky stitch.  Molding a lump of clay.

My husband thought I'd be sick of creating after the frenzy of this week.

I'm not.

My mind and heart still flutter with ideas.

It's like oxygen to me...

...I love what I do!

projects...and sniffles

grandma and azriel

Pssssssssssss! Okay friends, just wanted to keep you posted.  The pottery is now finished [fired up and ready to wear fashion]!  I am in the midst of getting these pieces bound with leather strapping - for wrist cuffs/necklaces.  Then I will be posting pics [as long as my camera decides to comply for once] and showing you my latest line-up.  So stay tuned.

In other creative news... I've been sewing some very cute [if i do say so myself] little owl stuffies.  I found a fabric that i adore for them.  So hold your breath, and those pics should be coming soon too.

In other, other news... my wee one has been up with a croupy cough/fever these last two days.  Mama has been snuggled in close for both nights as her giant kleenex/sippy cup.  Hoping she's better soon, for both our sakes!

Did anyone else notice it's snowing out there?!  What the heck... where's the Spring we ordered?
Anywho, have a lovely day despite that silly snow! ;o)

tea.. a drink with jam and bread.

Today is brought to you by the letter "t"... I have always loved the comfort of a warm mug of tea cupped in my hands.  There's almost a sacred moment in the whole ritual of steeping... stirring... sipping don't you find?  So today I share some photos of:

• My favorite tea - a generous sprig of Mint leaves bathed in hot water, and honey!
• My knit tea cup cozy - I can sew these lil' guys in custom colours too!
• My tea bag study... pile them up and document it!
• My painting... "A measure of peace"... since each tea bag represented a peaceful moment of my day... I then measured that in days of tea bags!

What I should have also included here was the pottered tea mugs and tea pot I have made in the past... but alas, I'm having issues with my camera/lap top compatibility currently... stay tuned.


So take a little sip, take a little sip with me... and enjoy your day with tea!
Cheers,
Mel :o)

just breathe... sit... repeat.

Do you ever forget to breathe?  Now I don't mean the 'smell the roses'... or yoga 'centre yourself' kind of breathing. Just the in and out deal! So there are a few things that happen to me when I am caught up in art-making:

• I get a euphoric buzz...my heart seizes up and I realize I'm not breathing
• My lower lip gets chapped from 'concentrating'
• I forget to sit down...
• I get positively giddy from the excitement of creating!

So picture the scene today... I'm excitedly working away on my new line of pottery (at the dining room table now)..licking my bottom lip fiercely, gasping for breathe, rattling on about nothing (due to my giddy euphoria).. and my sweet husband says "sit down"! Now at first I don't even realise who he's talking to (maybe the cats, since our daughter was napping?).. and then I realise I am once again, hovering over my work like a monkey guarding its last banana!
So I need to be reminded (often by my husband - every five minutes)to just breathe,sit down, and savour the giddy delight God's given me for the joy of creating!