More of the Same for Me Please

After all that mayhem the festivities are over for another year and we're firmly ensconced in 2014. How are you feeling then...refreshed and revived and ready to take on a new year and all it's creative challenges? Or are you perhaps in need of a few quiet days to recover and regain a little focus...? I think I'm somewhere between the two but either way if you're anything like me you've probably found yourself pondering the year that's past and wondering what's ahead.

Creatively 2013 was a pretty good year for me. I got myself a new studio which gave me the space to try out new techniques like etching and more metal work. But the big highlight was to stop procrastinating and, with a lot of encouragement from my team mates here at AJE finally have a go at working with ceramic clay.

As regular readers will know I absolutely fell in love with it from the moment I took those very first glazed beads from the kiln...

I became completely obsessed with the array of gorgeous glazes available...

And had a whale of time putting them together in wonderful beady combinations.

And then I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle... This brought a halt to production for a while but I managed to get back on two feet again before just before Christmas and have since managed to glaze the first batch of stoneware bisque that came out of the kiln the day I fell.

Now the new year is here I'm raring to get back in the studio and start working again and although there are lots of new things I want to try, ceramics is where I will pick up since it's still such a new medium for me...new glazes, different types of clay...so much to experiment with.

One thing I'm very keen to do is to take some pottery classes as  I enjoy working with clay so much I really want to have a go at working on a larger scale. I'm not set up to do this at home so it may not lead anywhere but I really like the idea of working in a different environment from time to time and meeting other like minded people.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potter_at_wheel.jpg

 I always try to sign up for at least one course each year both as a way of broadening my skill base and as a little treat to myself for working hard. I was also lucky enough to be gifted some lovely books on this subject which are providing me with no end of inspiration.

So what have you got planned for this year..? further developing something you took up in last year...diving headlong into something completely different. Whatever it is make sure you join the AJE team for another year of creative, informative and fun posts - you never know, you might find yourself as addicted to all things muddy as me by this time next year!

All the best for 2014.

Lesley
The Gossiping Goddess

June Component of the Month and ... a giveaway!

News Flash: 
June is right around the corner. Hello Summer! And this month's CoM is... 

... earrings pairs!

April/May issue

I am thrilled to share these with everyone - for a few reasons:

• My kiln was broken for 2 months. My friend Marsha helped me trouble shoot causes, order parts, and taught me elemental repairs. ( Kiln humor - we replaced the heating coil elements as option 1). I am very happy to have my bestie up and running again - this was her first glaze load! 

• These organic earring pairs were included in Step by Step Wire magazine this past past issue. 

• I will be expanding this line to porcelain, and high fire glazes in time for Beadfest in August!

My pieces and Suebeads below. 

And you have heard that we are in the midst of a fabulous 52 week earring challenge, right? With a Pinterest board and all that. Here are the details if you are late to this... 

So without further ado: 
Organic ceramic earring pairs.

Hand stamped, from organic forms including star anise, poppy and eucalyptus pods!

Here's how the giveaway, challenge, and blog-hop will work (please read all the information carefully!):

• I will give away 1 earring pair to each of 3 winners selected randomly from those who leave comments below this post. 
• Please include your EMAIL address in your comment so that I can contact you ASAP should you win.
• Please (PLEASE) only leave a comment if you can commit to creating a finished piece and blogging about it on the reveal date.
• I'll choose the color, so you'll be surprised!
• The names of the 3 winners will be announced on May 31st in the evening so I can get international packages out if need be!
• The blog reveal will be Sunday, June 30th!

I am excited to share these with you! Do you want in on this organic ceramic goodness? 

Jenny

www.jdaviesreazor.com