tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76249738034259359172024-03-13T20:53:10.189-04:00Dirt GirlDirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-39036793709807278232010-07-11T16:09:00.004-04:002010-07-11T16:18:33.504-04:00Potion Making<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWA8BP_XzrGYRZAXH82XOtE4V5I51V_CHRnus6px0Cju-zRVdXcwmyvyd4IsEvlFYYK3zRSCwAt_QNDnDW1N7C3m7ZsDMuHKsu5d20Rob2QUIBUoEup4s0eMICRUvCnB06oRNPqqABUUs/s1600/008_picnik.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWA8BP_XzrGYRZAXH82XOtE4V5I51V_CHRnus6px0Cju-zRVdXcwmyvyd4IsEvlFYYK3zRSCwAt_QNDnDW1N7C3m7ZsDMuHKsu5d20Rob2QUIBUoEup4s0eMICRUvCnB06oRNPqqABUUs/s320/008_picnik.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492743758463258498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids, my son especially have been really into potion making which mostly entails water, food coloring, baking soda, vinegar and occasionally salt and other spices I allow them to play with.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkjBnKv6EMf2JQ9nrZ_3FhjD7vcaAxJqvL4ivjBTSbJYJZxmmjGZNBmAThfwd2ylPlh8q2fV5RWFXCdzXZbBM53cNC0_4z3wQV1zLIa9tYokc-_AfpFto5a04AsPqD96YCSIcbZZII6m-/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkjBnKv6EMf2JQ9nrZ_3FhjD7vcaAxJqvL4ivjBTSbJYJZxmmjGZNBmAThfwd2ylPlh8q2fV5RWFXCdzXZbBM53cNC0_4z3wQV1zLIa9tYokc-_AfpFto5a04AsPqD96YCSIcbZZII6m-/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492745040661223570" border="0" /></a>I like the look of the creations after he's done. <br /></div>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-86153157763234140652010-06-24T13:53:00.000-04:002010-06-24T13:53:16.894-04:00Mini Bud Vases<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGhlII1IlJFM9DwcjHsqv2Uc45EF-bSmDz3EobidlxTNEm3g7gPOvSSh5hQVxJM6K1fqQUC5K_nIOiWB37Z5qo_isbwO0QdItf713Izprl6OGM5du57v1bA9CLJ0w2dy3u7q1JumAeRW6/s1600/003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486393647225256626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGhlII1IlJFM9DwcjHsqv2Uc45EF-bSmDz3EobidlxTNEm3g7gPOvSSh5hQVxJM6K1fqQUC5K_nIOiWB37Z5qo_isbwO0QdItf713Izprl6OGM5du57v1bA9CLJ0w2dy3u7q1JumAeRW6/s320/003.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48873045/pretty-brown-stoneware-bud-vase">Small bud vase</a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My daughter and I went around the house this morning with scissors in hand and cut some flowers and then placed them in glass jars and stoneware vases and pots. I love keeping them in groupings on the kitchen windowsill and in various places in the house. </div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmc8T9NflXnhQWTb2rrU9Yu6SPF2rPldn8YKZBtUiiQrffboKuy9S-QRAtsEyTjOmkQkP4vcbr3aNzwNQ0HHmZtkRSFLkVA4flsc_mkAmmFGtdDUyQXSsJ5Z9bAb9H0qod9lozayNbnmd/s1600/002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486393363317122370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmc8T9NflXnhQWTb2rrU9Yu6SPF2rPldn8YKZBtUiiQrffboKuy9S-QRAtsEyTjOmkQkP4vcbr3aNzwNQ0HHmZtkRSFLkVA4flsc_mkAmmFGtdDUyQXSsJ5Z9bAb9H0qod9lozayNbnmd/s320/002.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>I love keeping the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48864959/five-mottled-brown-mini-stoneware-bud">mini bud vases</a> in groupings on the kitchen windowsill and in various places in the house. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-85855172481055160762010-06-07T20:31:00.007-04:002010-06-07T20:48:17.391-04:00Ready to jump in again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ0uspn5q51s6MSKSk3gl0vcqV6WDz-7t00w77MD5B54l808GBOtNnS4ofa6qmYUzcmaONiSSsENY4FT3A8c3X-0x0RFFtgUkubhHySv3h88IUNlX7fZ2l4BfdKiMjUq5l-Q3SxLMuJ87/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ0uspn5q51s6MSKSk3gl0vcqV6WDz-7t00w77MD5B54l808GBOtNnS4ofa6qmYUzcmaONiSSsENY4FT3A8c3X-0x0RFFtgUkubhHySv3h88IUNlX7fZ2l4BfdKiMjUq5l-Q3SxLMuJ87/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480197273735852722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48880768/four-mini-green-stoneware-bud-vases"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Four mini green stoneware bud vases</span></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />It feels so good to be doing my thing again! I've had a lot of changes in the past year; moving, family health emergencies and small business challenges. Sometimes putting things aside for a while is healthy. Now I'm ready to jump back in. Check out my <a href="http://www.dirtgirlpottery.etsy.com">Etsy shop</a> for some new additions to Dirt Girl Pottery. I've had some fun with my newer cone 6 glazes. <br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNII4O6fJejBA-f6Oz1l9xgSDZ_ehAnoqHnIHBDrmBQRQXrAIDoNBDYYh9fPDWQMOrhmFmLxVQtsj5xTg4ohyphenhyphenu0nKQnq-rZ4tV29v2p45wV4jW5USp3OsCOjSFxgxLHnhyCgUUn4qlYiwI/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNII4O6fJejBA-f6Oz1l9xgSDZ_ehAnoqHnIHBDrmBQRQXrAIDoNBDYYh9fPDWQMOrhmFmLxVQtsj5xTg4ohyphenhyphenu0nKQnq-rZ4tV29v2p45wV4jW5USp3OsCOjSFxgxLHnhyCgUUn4qlYiwI/s320/032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480196158777862914" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/48875771/green-and-blue-stoneware-soap-dish">warm brown and burgandy soap dish</a><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzBeLxksmVX0mgLYu79rG_LwHg1x9xPo_T6pLALDm-Z5AK3G3c2uDr6zgA6P-1hCPlzkrA7Wdwung_mCWhDPzY99DdbFu3J81EOCGb1gb2NPpUXpxL55uLEz2kemklb7tIpv4bo010Z92/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzBeLxksmVX0mgLYu79rG_LwHg1x9xPo_T6pLALDm-Z5AK3G3c2uDr6zgA6P-1hCPlzkrA7Wdwung_mCWhDPzY99DdbFu3J81EOCGb1gb2NPpUXpxL55uLEz2kemklb7tIpv4bo010Z92/s320/035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480196812081002946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jrCAJV_L6bUMZMSUdQrZerXtubEtIJrsJG2XkFGNkczIJ0E0oY8wQI_1luydCzTUI0IQNFXQ-iSfqdvcvBHFRCWGAZdK6X-eSalSb6k5fO2pTsMLPY_qE8EbcISJUFAyU7vyU9G_jgQ7/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jrCAJV_L6bUMZMSUdQrZerXtubEtIJrsJG2XkFGNkczIJ0E0oY8wQI_1luydCzTUI0IQNFXQ-iSfqdvcvBHFRCWGAZdK6X-eSalSb6k5fO2pTsMLPY_qE8EbcISJUFAyU7vyU9G_jgQ7/s320/036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480197504320877042" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-style: italic;">can also be used as a jewelry catch-all</span></span><br /></div>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-47976759471352414322009-06-22T18:40:00.007-04:002009-06-22T18:49:51.513-04:00Construction and 7 year old photography<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_KI2p7a7eA9biyUNHXi-wFiooVIeyvRN9GNqrCIvH417P02nlTmFhGE3oHUFoIvVLHmtZqcJmCHUYgGr1naBpEEdeSN8G5H2cjpOSlbxkE0ZVIqs5URDgeubqzOKINwzJqLGCUI5TTcN/s1600-h/Wheelers+2009+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350285870841136210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_KI2p7a7eA9biyUNHXi-wFiooVIeyvRN9GNqrCIvH417P02nlTmFhGE3oHUFoIvVLHmtZqcJmCHUYgGr1naBpEEdeSN8G5H2cjpOSlbxkE0ZVIqs5URDgeubqzOKINwzJqLGCUI5TTcN/s400/Wheelers+2009+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a daily site that my neighbors and I get to see while we are going through a major contruction project. The city is doing the right thing by having all the sewer and stormwater pipes separated from the regular water pipes. But for us, it has lowered the quality of like since the end of March. Hopefully they will be done next month.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUt_nzUnUYzckTCdBAN8FStgMDr8Vi_Dn_gpmt59dzoh0QJbnkaWhfmKQxAaDFKL80RqPeEk8rSIoUZ-yQBLukv-bb82b_LxdXW3Q3LrrSpqB3bSbbPItzYQgp4qZ9hLf_jQaD-1qJaKr/s1600-h/Maine+ave..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350285771294715778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUt_nzUnUYzckTCdBAN8FStgMDr8Vi_Dn_gpmt59dzoh0QJbnkaWhfmKQxAaDFKL80RqPeEk8rSIoUZ-yQBLukv-bb82b_LxdXW3Q3LrrSpqB3bSbbPItzYQgp4qZ9hLf_jQaD-1qJaKr/s400/Maine+ave..jpg" border="0" /></a> Here are some pictures taken from my daughter's point of view of her world. Her focus at this time pertains mostly to still-life arrangements, as you can see here in these two examples.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350287386834494418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlbtJgD9rQd-SZevJ9ouLtDDNgwboejp_L13T3NPWVVtLzz_ao0QXLfjvUD6Jc37yagWUyl3eKJavtvrN5seo229-xNZZrlOV52UB11UC826pE3ZIKBGKAbHU_0CQtW0wEgYFoN0Fl55t/s400/Wheelers+2009+074.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350287775443677506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnGMeFPrugmF8mw3OkcPXYqu3QUrjWSasOxb0sMMTzv-WwiC5yG264T6qILIBCPLAsitwNrqxRTJg2YB9WqGuzRPCfKK8nAKWm-XpmosvLyMAxMRKNR17GUlaIqgIHcFfpYBWwgz7EO6d/s400/Wheelers+2009+112.jpg" border="0" />Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-66023351726526644812009-05-27T19:31:00.005-04:002009-05-27T19:41:01.569-04:00Hostas and Clouds<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86zbrilYQx4SfW-rmanC6dqAn-_WruVmo2yKfH6MWYqCUAzNnpbh8C8hE917HI9LR79aPkOgz4PLxY6t7vkYC-3Kq6E97RiRblQZJNxBF21uW3uF6DM6fCyjCOgbgcz7fAQESc0G1B4vX/s1600-h/hostas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340650724775168882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86zbrilYQx4SfW-rmanC6dqAn-_WruVmo2yKfH6MWYqCUAzNnpbh8C8hE917HI9LR79aPkOgz4PLxY6t7vkYC-3Kq6E97RiRblQZJNxBF21uW3uF6DM6fCyjCOgbgcz7fAQESc0G1B4vX/s400/hostas.jpg" border="0" /></a>Three years ago my generous uncle spilt his hostas and gave me some. They are doing so well in my back yard with partial sun/shade. Right in front of them we have a bird feeder with a family of black and white warblers nesting inside. I haven't heard any peeping yet, but I felt the bottom of the house and it's very warm. I don't want to peek anymore in fear of the parents taking off.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340651497694047458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBxbiE5paraNGouJYwghWSig3ZS7JhRQRaWANrF80PHXGPZvlcVNCv1E3xM-isyU8K4IRFRnNC1cGB1LF6nCF2_jpQ0CFaK7kzX2Kb4luxPZYfq_RcMj251pdtt7TXi4UYXin8dD3Ki3c/s400/birdhouse.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><p>I've been working on drawings of clouds in preparation of clay sculptures in their likeness. This is an idea for a four-panel painting/sculpture.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340651814225170354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9TlQfXY4rDwhuX1tZgZHOpKDayAaio2NUgCTt3gpv55w3LHlg7g1QdwO3u9M4VvPQpSr6_YY9txcoflOGJ5Gpr4ql4WBNgBlJAX4CAN0gnY2QPruL7Abs82Ol5MXSUCAXLAlDTKqn0kw/s400/Wheelers+2009+015.jpg" border="0" />Here is drawing for a landscape with clouds and trees. I'm am really looking forward to summer vacation when I can devote more time to my personal art. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340652588189052930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkZANX3tDXcFbK7XTW1soryA0uTetLrNC5L1fS3H8rkKX1_yU1HL2Z74Fj3GW1KIYGhyP49u_nSftUjFyHYd_R4jhOYMqRocFSjbs6Dawel2KJU6nh6fRn6KA_XYokDrqLAhlxf79_B6x/s400/Wheelers+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /></p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-56402450138441937592009-05-17T10:24:00.002-04:002009-05-17T10:34:12.873-04:00Issues with Privacy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVIW9Z6yK-UN1801-fVvDHpRga0ag11YZ9JMjCIDQg6Yhes_RXX6n6Tmr3VBUZSTd5jNbo4RlXxOrC7ivo6Zky-bxrBKJ6QA_U78PW2gT4PVmG0OyhN-_PXvzPFjgT04ACLqYq-o-GLb3/s1600-h/buttons+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336798771580271538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVIW9Z6yK-UN1801-fVvDHpRga0ag11YZ9JMjCIDQg6Yhes_RXX6n6Tmr3VBUZSTd5jNbo4RlXxOrC7ivo6Zky-bxrBKJ6QA_U78PW2gT4PVmG0OyhN-_PXvzPFjgT04ACLqYq-o-GLb3/s400/buttons+017.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's been months since I've blogged! To be honest, once you've taken a few weeks off from blogging, it's so hard to get back into it again. I had originally intended for my blog to be used just for Dirt Girl Pottery and my personal art, but sometimes that gets kind of old. But, I have promised my husband and mother-in-law that I would never enter my kid's names or publish their photos. Then, blogging about my personal life can be tricky when I have so many privacy issues. I am so happy that I have never put their pictures or names on my Facebook or here on my blog. I would love to share with all of you my life with them, but with all the crazies out there, that will not happen. I will not take the chance with my kids, and since they don't have a voice....I am their's. So, here is my little guy with an etch-a-sketch drawn by his dad.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-37129891281369887922009-02-20T15:05:00.005-05:002009-02-20T15:12:54.373-05:00NYC tripI went to NYC this weekend with two Portland friends. We stayed with a college friend of their's, so the trip was much cheaper than it could have been. We went to the <a href="http://www.moma.org/">MOMA</a> and I was able to see in person the pieces of art that I most admire. Works from Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso and Matisse made my mouth drop open seeing them in person. Here are some highlights:<br /><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304973979883945490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXoAk8ttPJ1s6vUQncbNz3DglYGi6l9qKvkm4iQKHcnNpKO0H5qKJUNCkMqyotKRxs1-9Dtx83hMzbDi7pQ2JNVWED0-88dIeyMLjM_0qPy8AP315ZB5sPifXvfN_tBXIZc3JHkeoUAmF/s400/me+and+Pollack.jpg" border="0" /></div><p>Jackson Pollack<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304974214568111170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2VW4EqocdO3tsYlb_qj-Ms9PFryEJEj8YP8ALzNZwp_7l2g8GHNDyd9sdnZ9QYOo9qonOtxw9Lfrud1Z-uPAcUuMN3a6QQ8jcn03dl4qQ7e69sFMmimdY4cbtOavJe2PsJV74rxsCnxF/s400/NYC+016.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><p>Wassily Kandinsky<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304974834501125826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_OLDkRm55xXTl0iuIjB47VaMzG2l50YfNVrRYe5XMLX79Vb0U2Ipbrp38vuTXfmI63FX7irLT4WJG3KzkfG8XJht626gLQjRY7Vd1XfRSbqawiSeQl70lqj7LY_qdO02QPTUkn7KIGLt/s400/NYC+025.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>Magritte</p><p> </p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-79021577478303441722009-02-09T13:58:00.004-05:002009-02-09T14:03:50.819-05:00Happy Valentines Day!<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1d84PpJNJuGWyUwZoDPOyrrcdWbBDyQ-o1qTTE-wPD9zj-7THIWDf3RHYibxBr_BHBL7K3Jc9ogrFbqNXkt9fMno1ZXCOCD82NsUCV_yFJvpJJWjUWrJ0xCjiDVokaBtoiL3WPBV2iuT/s1600-h/pottery+106.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874100344120594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1d84PpJNJuGWyUwZoDPOyrrcdWbBDyQ-o1qTTE-wPD9zj-7THIWDf3RHYibxBr_BHBL7K3Jc9ogrFbqNXkt9fMno1ZXCOCD82NsUCV_yFJvpJJWjUWrJ0xCjiDVokaBtoiL3WPBV2iuT/s400/pottery+106.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's that time of the year again! I've been busy during these cold night making sweetheart pendants. Hearts in general are always a very popular symbol for my ceramic jewelry.<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874598724125058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAF-_gd1dhKyxDB4WKKG8ZxAk1-6nsdeOYhbmg6_xNcbWQymwbnMpqqPYoj3L0WhvEzvdrsa2iZ2Ex9gsCdOdAXnuPpeNIwT3Vx47Z6HTVt1Ue92pOKTIbg3L-9feXgD0vv1qP5l0L4Mi/s400/buttons+010.jpg" border="0" />Heart Buttons!<br /></div></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300874806749522626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 379px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogX7itM_xvBI6nPkuKU47nmOtjoHnq4rhHpfEwv3ZwdpIJkLD1HD8NIGpmvIP6eLzoeFw74BOU-VPyWkwbGNl8U8vHlofuj7YAhfhlE1GaHt7T4hj2r-8dJrENIMXQZGVEFbopb0XtBy8/s400/buttons+007.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300875099913330402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 379px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QhdAXy1J3EgFPEuB3sFB66vbXSGEt5MSdky89FXRC1Kq4Hjtk1Rnz3hKtwTpc70ZvLaEzI2CvC2uMq4OU7kc_LLtmgjcVMtYWNJiRcsiOGdMjlYaW2KyB74F96z5_xTYV_CJ6eql_TPD/s400/buttons+013.jpg" border="0" />Happy Valentines Day everyone!Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-65166597201316774872008-12-31T18:17:00.003-05:002008-12-31T18:20:17.716-05:00Holiday Colors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBOUr287JzeD44KxT4fQR5gI1b0pI2eGkLzJcUUzpPBwvPbipsxv1taMwJxULrcwxqOb6NI4cZc3Et32aoyV4au4DBR2K7f0AQG4hwlLLPKOvXxprZ0NN3tbQ7Aizh9W-WuSE1asr5j9N/s1600-h/Wheelers+2008+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286097596953123234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 393px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBOUr287JzeD44KxT4fQR5gI1b0pI2eGkLzJcUUzpPBwvPbipsxv1taMwJxULrcwxqOb6NI4cZc3Et32aoyV4au4DBR2K7f0AQG4hwlLLPKOvXxprZ0NN3tbQ7Aizh9W-WuSE1asr5j9N/s400/Wheelers+2008+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRcQNmxdUvkCwsI92IvV1HmDkO6E7dNOPjQ6CXW89sXhE0fsBTIH3IIy6F6wJJdRhbTD0-KqMgW55eU1JIPw4XMW6Mrp5IitqlN5NPE8Y5FxhTP4ZI50wr0rK5rmwjHCg5qoNZ3CyIG6W/s1600-h/Wheelers+2008+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286097537372041970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 373px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRcQNmxdUvkCwsI92IvV1HmDkO6E7dNOPjQ6CXW89sXhE0fsBTIH3IIy6F6wJJdRhbTD0-KqMgW55eU1JIPw4XMW6Mrp5IitqlN5NPE8Y5FxhTP4ZI50wr0rK5rmwjHCg5qoNZ3CyIG6W/s400/Wheelers+2008+040.jpg" border="0" /></a> Christmas colors, a few days late I know! Happy holidays and Happy New Year to you all! Thank you all for making Dirt Girl Pottery very successful this year. Here's to a great new year!<br /><div></div></div>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-27134531032867862442008-12-06T19:38:00.005-05:002008-12-07T00:12:46.787-05:00Studio Sale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlG5JpQIi8w4LHcvfJTDMwPCE2ZBxdVob2g2a4v6fmc48PIQLKRJGLGY5rBq4LZy6LpE1De557LTBPFJKRG6EByfY6dyyoO4cTi_wTHeWwzg5h1ezaFL0vW0iUe9dUD2hvct0EJqNd2jz/s1600-h/studio+sale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276841191555481314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlG5JpQIi8w4LHcvfJTDMwPCE2ZBxdVob2g2a4v6fmc48PIQLKRJGLGY5rBq4LZy6LpE1De557LTBPFJKRG6EByfY6dyyoO4cTi_wTHeWwzg5h1ezaFL0vW0iUe9dUD2hvct0EJqNd2jz/s400/studio+sale.jpg" border="0" /></a> I had my 2nd annual Studio Sale today. Well, it wasn't exactly a studio sale, more like a "move all the furniture out the living room and put my show set-up sale." But, you get the point. I almost did have a sale this year because I've been so swamped with craft shows and gallery stuff, but I really wanted to do it. It's great for me to connect with friends and neighboors.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276841755986454754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbcaaTXG65fbKQZeDxFmx7sw2r3m2rEB8SeqbLH0Rdm3YCnmNrfSu7hlbwgMMI_1wf6ELBAAyKmLEKMYDAZ-ak1NnrE22YkUudnyQB9D0s_SC27Zf-BHfrnxqYWcClGZgLApFY1sgYNKT/s400/studio+sale2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276841861384014434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxUBtlZCojK_ew03Er3S87qVfEk_sE0twqL_gMi6QGB58YYi3AAjB-n23h8hCI0BPxKIOZukEYwE3RXQR30qzwbvKNBrlu4RxgiP350Zcjyhgj1RczGI9Ix6OFiqGCt3HUqJP7Efb21Jz/s400/studio+sale3.jpg" border="0" />Now my living room is back to normal and my pottery is back in the basement until next week! I'll be showing at the <a href="http://www.oldcrowgallery.com/index.html">Old Crow Gallery</a> for their holiday show.<br /></p><p align="center">Holiday Art Show<br />Opening Reception<br />Saturday December 13th 2008<br />5:30 pm - 9:00 pm<br /><br />331 Cottage Road South Portland<br />Show runs Dec.13th thru Dec. 24th<br /><br />Paintings Photography Glass Textiles Jewelry Pottery Sculpture<br />HolidaySale hosting over twenty local Maine artisans<br />207.347.8181 <a href="http://www.oldcrowgallery.com/">http://www.oldcrowgallery.com/</a></p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-53153927610032265592008-11-30T21:27:00.005-05:002008-11-30T21:38:28.892-05:00The Dreaded Mug<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdIJLAqjH86jWGj9sUKiiuuncdZX-p6Bya13w3U_cz3XHuWntTRUNYDcbxW9NEZYTlirKp6UlHie_WiyI-w7YSMsLhiYAZ2dbsrzNVxVqJAjLbJYFE9fV0AkmCY89EMm3c2Ub_fZJOetW/s1600-h/000_2538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644417404301714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdIJLAqjH86jWGj9sUKiiuuncdZX-p6Bya13w3U_cz3XHuWntTRUNYDcbxW9NEZYTlirKp6UlHie_WiyI-w7YSMsLhiYAZ2dbsrzNVxVqJAjLbJYFE9fV0AkmCY89EMm3c2Ub_fZJOetW/s400/000_2538.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was talking to one of my dearest friends <a href="http://shannawheelock.blogspot.com/">Shanna</a> about throwing mugs last week. I love mugs. I love drinking out of them, love heating them up in the microwave and sipping my favorite beverage. But making them....hmmmm. Let's just say that the mug is not my most enjoyable form to throw. It's the handle. Let's face it, when I make bowls and tumblers, it's the few steps of weighing the clay, throwing the form and then trimming. With mugs you have to add the extra steps.... <div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274643869451426386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL2V5uNJPnGYUIoM5oW3d9JJwqT0YC5t3iLb84CRuZeUb5XnJPxI9G08e59s3Qua5YJxhFQj1bYIV6yMuTPdIGe8VLmVthP7izZ8XNMCuwyiUvNsuGfzg45ed1WKllsrkbGAEpqwoTai-/s400/000_2412.JPG" border="0" /></div><p>of pulling the handle, and then.....<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274644122658577538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_ig5pGhmzzdcYmT-1C9bX9GL2guR_O2t1FgqH6e4yIxLmeShOQ0aX1cCkL0oeaeBr1_6iLZMGpKuRxTw0p77QmBtmaBrwTZ9wGnrlkZC8qWRnrZ9FpqZOB9epiB7Q_WMoO2QyWafLl9k/s400/000_2414.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>drying them ever so slowly upside down for days and days so that the handle dries and the same speed as the rest of the mug. </p><p>Don't get me wrong, I love mugs, but this time of year, I'm mugged out! What about a nice tumbler or tea bowl???? Yeah, I know, you all want mugs. grumble grumble</p><p>Just kidding really! Okay, off to heat up my coffee in my favorite....mug!:)</p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-13620059158586555772008-11-26T06:56:00.000-05:002008-11-26T08:00:29.783-05:00New Encaustic Work<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsHlzisuDCLVGx8jJMhRO2XBWVbIbLd-IIAUO9IWWJ35L2igSEP1JUWDyzyU_RaIdzPJmviwgCVoWwEsRrGDqcGZJHvtUPSV2Yz7LHL-BWNFCDr88i9wP-W2bqjhjd5buLo6Iq1qytAsI/s1600-h/Orange+Leaf.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272934267248551298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 390px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsHlzisuDCLVGx8jJMhRO2XBWVbIbLd-IIAUO9IWWJ35L2igSEP1JUWDyzyU_RaIdzPJmviwgCVoWwEsRrGDqcGZJHvtUPSV2Yz7LHL-BWNFCDr88i9wP-W2bqjhjd5buLo6Iq1qytAsI/s400/Orange+Leaf.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are some new encaustic pieces that I've finished in the last month. Above is titled "Orange Leaf". A few of these will be in <a href="http://www.riverroadsgallery.com/">River Roads Gallery</a>, a wonderful little space in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=skowhegan,+maine&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title">Skowhegan</a>, Maine that has been showing my pottery and small clay sculptures since February.<br /><br /><br /><br />Showing paintings is something very new for me. In the past, my paintings have been created just for me or given as gifts.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272935886201828658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzg0g5Pexmc78_g_eUES1G83ncB1-9IqJxL4UixEGFH4BaIvw3R3AqW-u2HdcIspyDNy8jtHHggKZwEB5f6avIuvGjRpY1raA_3hrVtBW1yZsNg70h97r3uRQxbCt-kfK0c2DDfl1f-8T/s400/Tree+Sky.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><p>"Tree Sky"</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272936346270308818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGLwTOYcfjaY-Ms732DfCpzl550ugE5Bh5NvzHnXfJlrm_6AAWb0GfsU8N1d7hwNu7U4zKYVSwc2NHqWl9jcgsi06pvcQQYKLRTN0qkZOpui6Oi8fZg0FnxuesvtE9oLKqc8fF5fKZ7Ck/s400/Green+Leaf.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>"Green Leaf"</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272936681695294450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sBut_4hDMOvx3ANwlKsRSo9-9tcVN1bPfSdoPuQvPOwUfW_sSE42XfMl4r-W8QWPp1F42u6KnCnqGv3TnFydJoA6MtAnQi18uP0dk9GWePJbIMzF2l-1NWKkBFvo2sXMGjVZ2KZDc5LP/s400/Green+Ovals.JPG" border="0" />"Green Ovals"</p><p></p><p>I will be in the Holiday Show at the <a href="http://www.oldcrowgallery.com/index.html">Old Crow Gallery</a> in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=south+portland,+maine&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title">South Portland</a>, Maine, from December 13-24 next month. If you're in the area, stop in and check out all the local artists. I'm the only potter so I'm really looking forward to some good sales.<br /></p><p></p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-21489930003473169832008-11-01T17:49:00.000-04:002008-11-01T18:03:22.811-04:00Cool Uses For My Buttons!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe2zR82-2Vw1GLrfJ4z_OcO1R7du1e7SCwyuV8u5u-xpFJUknREOt507s950fEsDnPF7Tt3CsuzwbN1XPnbQiZ7Gn6BRjlKtxcEnnAEOp3f2z_2bXpUubtUJmEpA_6j94z0NuRiZhnzSK/s1600-h/2248818691_59c99af5ae_m.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263812512401646226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe2zR82-2Vw1GLrfJ4z_OcO1R7du1e7SCwyuV8u5u-xpFJUknREOt507s950fEsDnPF7Tt3CsuzwbN1XPnbQiZ7Gn6BRjlKtxcEnnAEOp3f2z_2bXpUubtUJmEpA_6j94z0NuRiZhnzSK/s400/2248818691_59c99af5ae_m.jpeg" border="0" /></a>I've been making <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtgirl/sets/72157603802209987/">ceramic buttons</a> since last winter and love them. They are really enjoyable for me to make since they are whimsical and just plain fun. They are awesome "kiln stuffers" which fill all the empty spaces in a firing so a potter saves money because there is no dead space. Carol Dean from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=25439">SandFibers</a> makes the most beautiful woven bead creations. She bought a few of my large buttons several months ago and listed one of them in a felted wrist cuff.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263812026515115954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcuoZi6n-221x5qt03WitckkZFh5oDx6g1neVpOvFSvmdPwdJ-R8tWLbSIrrQab_07cJZDPhWovst1AuanVV_qfW3_60UIfLSOcawr-8xNX6iuvedO7zPS3z489ZzQoVVCq24ddgbvDqB/s400/il_430xN.39407095.jpeg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263812141544146802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4ud99WnhulG8SYwP4w-semCJhd0kyT_3tdUiuWCAUCtj9HAxTMoqjohMcLLjZQqkaJM63WT5fO_UOlt-cb11ppA1qe8FH6VUpXbA0qvWZxlv5Q1o9M4TCxvWFYjpk0IPpzp44vFWaWVm/s400/il_430xN.39407168.jpeg" border="0" /><br />And.....she sold it!Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-36288810936204448562008-09-16T18:25:00.000-04:002008-09-16T18:40:11.195-04:00Picnic Portland!<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I2c7OXKYoOauZGlWmXoANNoNmf18250Sh7nT_UTWQhtyeX8F_MIaF42pJAZ8IlFZP4rOmdEUTyfzCVp5LaJM2j9Kt1k7TvBop01flcsG9jy6OrvIKN63nUDkYk3xzuefqSsDVvUYF3vG/s1600-h/000_2512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246750512985746946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I2c7OXKYoOauZGlWmXoANNoNmf18250Sh7nT_UTWQhtyeX8F_MIaF42pJAZ8IlFZP4rOmdEUTyfzCVp5LaJM2j9Kt1k7TvBop01flcsG9jy6OrvIKN63nUDkYk3xzuefqSsDVvUYF3vG/s400/000_2512.JPG" border="0" /></a> I had an awesome time showing at <a href="http://picnicportland.wordpress.com/">Picnic Portland</a> in Lincoln Park this past Saturday. I shared my tent with my long time artist friend Allison Villani, who makes recycled paper jewelry. The weather forcast was pretty sketchy, but then it cleared up and became beautiful. My 6 year old daughter was dropped off an hour into the show and stayed for 6 hours. I was completely floored that she was able to handle it that long, but she made a bunch of new friends and ran around the whole time throwing stuffed animals into air.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246750779936476082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwqvbZtn6WXuUbcx0BaJwPv2FVPirBDdrLJ23SqhHU6gDoUOgto3TO_YsEtVVk9jL0dVV929FmyLhbqf0Q_tw47nd5kdwMPEk86FEQ7hnMp8lXpxC38PRbpJ1nzh2_BoLnF1VlxIuM2Zv/s400/000_2510.JPG" border="0" />Here's our shared space in my tent. We had so much fun hanging out. I remembered that Allison and I had met in this park 13 years ago while walking our dogs. We both lived in the Old Port at the time.</div></div></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246751691096395394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7LyrJjqskFltlSJ1jh-dANCkK_FGMyZ19d5Y9rUWGcPinRweDwH_h3J3NyzzBo8yHz6Wnno8_L7hX19d9ZBXOxMsouqcTLbyJ_1mUljHAHyBp1AI5jICETzpWAb5Gjg552lXgGJnfHgL/s400/000_2511.JPG" border="0" /></p><br />This was the booth next to us. The guy who makes these large fabulous birdhouses actually made this set-up out of recycled cardboard tubes that had rolls of fabric on them. It took him and a few friends close to 2 hours to rig this up, all the while we were biting our nails watching. It took them 5 minutes to take down. I was happy for him because the birdhouses were priced at about $150, and he sold two. Phew!Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-25807446621244103032008-09-14T19:57:00.000-04:002008-09-14T20:11:40.712-04:00Check out Wordy Smith!<div align="justify">MaryAnn from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5014105">Backwoods Creations</a>, a fellow <a href="http://etsymaineteam.etsy.com/">Etsy Maine Team</a> member, came up with a great <a href="http://etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/2008/09/whose-got-blog.html">cross promotional idea </a>a few weeks ago and I am just now trying it. She has encouraged all team members to blog about each other. I love this idea! I have chosen by good buddy Kellie, from <a href="http://kelliejsk.etsy.com/">Wordy Smith</a>!<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14600872"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246031765367026626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRpATWHwwineiJ0Bi7pgj0kcQAZ1vIZ8C6AjcsBYezncphGlmWXrOC3PfvXDadQ9ymzSxgggnD7L7n4kxiSyNj2fKQjsfwkjRfB_ljsyyIL9KDuBflOS5fWQ9EL2Ued6h3vtVhSH-OTE6/s400/il_430xN.35953909.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="http://etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/2008/07/meet-your-neighbor-kellie-smith-aka.html">Kellie</a> has so much fun making her amazing decoupage work. I have some of her bamboo tiles that she thoughtfully crafted just for me. She found many vintage pictures of potters and clay pots and decoupaged them onto the tiles. I later glued magnets on the back and get to see them everyday on my fridge! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9713671"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246032757039484258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivg1xlusWRtteIXDJ7yArtqDFJynFHeIv7dw2Tl-m82qd5x-xdaHl-M9AHNXv3C1ce_O7MlzmOYrs6ohduaNSn4RyWfA4sJfHpuy6N9tCU54yWHvAj6IQWjqkk0YmC3_NrZBe90KRO_A7f/s400/il_430xN.20035243.jpeg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify">I been to a few etsy Maine Team meetings with Kellie and I love hearing her talk about her process. She enjoys finding the right phrases and passages and words in her vintage finds to create her pieces. I know that anyone who purchases one of her goods, will have something very special, not to mention funny as well! Kellie is a hoot, a great team member, and an awesome friend! Check out her <a href="http://kelliejsk.etsy.com/">shop</a>! </p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-5611172488450607362008-09-09T20:49:00.000-04:002008-09-09T21:23:08.143-04:00Making Encaustic MediumWell, I FINALLY took the time a few weeks ago to make my very first batch of encaustic medium. This is the method I learned from <a href="http://www.kbernard.com/kim">Kim Bernard</a>, my encaustic guru. What is encaustic medium you ask? Well, it's kind of like what gesso is to oil painters, encaustic medium is to encaustic artists. The medium acts as a base for the paint, among many other purposes. Since I intent to do a lot of scraping in the wax, I need a thick surface on which to work on.<br /><br />I felt like I couldn't really start anything in my studio until I had accomplished this task. It was a very impulsive evening in August. The weather was nice and the kids were happy playing outside and I thought, "now is the perfect time!" It was 4:45 and by 5:00 I had the hot plate plugged in and everything set to go.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244189363803977394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1STj2Femm9LIDVDO1pbew0HKIiJiMn3ImDy27yUgovLFb7tT0UuopcvhTCcTTq0RGgw8p1FcqUHwzVrHxQs-AJpMxeznJrC04dG5gFhwE8qWARLm5PCLJsmBcxJcw2iJtHDUUdblhC0QH/s400/000_2453.JPG" border="0" />Here's all the equiptment: hot plate, stainless steel pot, stainless steel bowl, colander and ladle, silk screen, clothes pins and stirfry spoon.</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244190016118829202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgensT2I-IjkJukEoRxytfistv5pjdIokx2geT61gKHxlgy6RDiF5D4ok5O-e0xqoJrbo3s8OM6DSU_Eb1QcA3AAW0igpEmK7RID-tecJmS_o-igvIJhuHVWM-RuvnqSPa1Ph48AKxMWmwY/s400/000_2454.JPG" border="0" />To make encaustic medium you need 5 parts beeswax to one part damar resin, which comes from a certain family of deciduous tree that grows in the East Indies. They have to be melted together slowly over low heat. The white stuff is the refined beeswax and the golden chunks are the damar resin.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244191231091908002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZcReEtNDniCOa6eMR4POGeUGqdMjkfjhz_E6T4C6h-B7AZDWChMjHE21N3m8pQZLNbUZ2IKUo7rmtrhNm54QZxw5qnweVQTyaVVv2ut6QkubFI-Mew3T94X-yXgzCJYY2JAiJsSs3Ccg/s400/000_2461.JPG" border="0" />Okay now the damar is really melting now. Here is a gooey chunck stuck to the stirfry spoon. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244191928449763746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCXxCVcu54YUq6ffwim7T6MmqqA4uhjUTF5Nm509Uft1IOHcwmYqjU3RFflc9RQx7Vgg20PU9vqm9gqt0ofzYsw8JqC9DdjP-AVvoIx43sAcuuvUfEv9ZUsyLtE_II13Ry_g02Vo_Maqz/s400/000_2464.JPG" border="0" />All done! Now it's time to pour it through the filter.</p></div></div></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244192310065130194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yQiEelkTJYp67yvBU7lyHcm6-zSZdJQ8OIIYqMnXTjXo_aXafZmLP2qZNOZfomaSZaLBT4TWijp7u5wAXj7dJ3INpMyc33AoBnHbP1bidWOXDr9FDKwMxYqh9P6isAQPahDcw7m-Nynx/s400/000_2466.JPG" border="0" />Ooooh nasty! That junk was all in the damar crystals. It's bark and maybe some elephant hair. </p></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244192775452656386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsnoteTchfVYzaRa5x2aPTnMpOaRQa6Oghu2C_4hLVxaLyBMCaJvFK31BcuohjpVx-tmJL5E7aikqI4x4Mf_fhz-j3_uPX5C-1zrZ-PTg8X1FSY4Kl0PMBsxGkC_gB-jPtd7utL093Ndc/s400/000_2467.JPG" border="0" />The wax is now poured into silicone muffin tins and tuna fish cans. I ordered the wrong size muffin tins. They said on-line that they were the standard size. Maybe for kids cupcakes....they were a lot smaller than I expected so I have to scrounge and find every tuna can laying around. Thank goodnes my daughter loves tuna sandwiches!</p></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244194369196414258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS6RA9pXg3B8oHszT3qYLao0I1Jn_AdXxa7ISqaMbNa85EY-0QwblAcPh7L9yccxGkUGQgxcdT_Czo_im8oOXVGLa9VcT9agAr31Vb6DeyGoNnN66Uk2waWNruqQDgEw9f3FTDibmJiMM/s400/000_2469.JPG" border="0" />Aren't they purdy? Aren't they just lovely? I'm so proud of myself. I gave myself soooo many hours to do this, thinking that I'd begin at 5:00 and slowly start the melting process. By the time 6:00 came I was already filtering 1/2 the batch and pouring the rest of the beeswax in. By the time 7:15 came, I was pouring the wax into the tins! I thought it would take much longer. Well, I must have done it right because nothing got set on fire in the process.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-69771380288083115212008-08-18T19:43:00.000-04:002008-08-18T21:35:21.960-04:00Surviving Craft Show SeasonMy booth at the UMC show.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AblJazF11LbssdkHz66GphQGAHy_KUAmVHEZc_fvlu9jGD8vY5IYyyJM8qzZ6wO9CcCqpOUaScleVdsKFZUW-iIlg7VBfc2GRHWK8LmV_eFa4-WBQfk21AaDioJJkt7EKLJvmQrkFE-F/s1600-h/000_2312.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236008896135254914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AblJazF11LbssdkHz66GphQGAHy_KUAmVHEZc_fvlu9jGD8vY5IYyyJM8qzZ6wO9CcCqpOUaScleVdsKFZUW-iIlg7VBfc2GRHWK8LmV_eFa4-WBQfk21AaDioJJkt7EKLJvmQrkFE-F/s400/000_2312.JPG" border="0" /></a> I spend August 7,8,9 and 10th (four days!) at the <a href="http://www.unitedmainecraftsmen.com/">UMC </a>Cumberland Craft Show. It was looooong, but I felt I made a lot of great sales. As usual, my ringholders, spoon rests, and mini pots were my best sellers, but I also sold quite a lot of mugs and cereal bowls. And 12 pendants, which is very exciting since they are just simply fun for me to make and are a total bonus when they sell. I'll definately do this show again next year, but maybe do it outside in one of the animal stalls. I know that sounds gross, but the spaces are huge and cost a lot less than what I paid.<br /><br />Rob made these shelves for me. They where so easy to set up and display.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236009174381489282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRCR52sW_SX6O4ZV2hCerfBKpGMy85UcK35XosYF9bdQQ5GHxdyOyK5MdbCwJrIOFRi0Z6KirS1-dbZnoEJrK4mRfFc8lfZKyLOZ59j11pT8xNr492DJN6T7Ug2gG45rKtaM_maVrOihO/s400/000_2317.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><p>Close-up of my jewelry and button display. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236009749849784658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8qXiVy51E4YuevAx-tg9iZuJd6T9eu375pvBTw3I_xx-y-WyEa0pHNG8lfZC5tq4xTaY4iwpRaC7daIAX9B20OZ7p1HzVYP8grxcGAy0h0_rl9DZRboJeDpo7fnqTj3G6wtyb_DAJXqI/s400/000_2318.JPG" border="0" /></p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-66805174077302261252008-07-16T23:22:00.001-04:002008-07-17T09:50:50.980-04:00Some Encaustic Work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipApiRKuFNgVIPeFs_yQG-N59Gy8Kp28fNW8hZzQHTSvTGERBhFCm7Tpfwim81q6vfcyKrJh7kWFFXL1YMJ2CZW5VQ5LjDI-h_H2YJcaaE1N7Vhfxk0933Ep63XIEBp1LEOv-3NibQO-3A/s1600-h/000_2245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223818518859616754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipApiRKuFNgVIPeFs_yQG-N59Gy8Kp28fNW8hZzQHTSvTGERBhFCm7Tpfwim81q6vfcyKrJh7kWFFXL1YMJ2CZW5VQ5LjDI-h_H2YJcaaE1N7Vhfxk0933Ep63XIEBp1LEOv-3NibQO-3A/s400/000_2245.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is one of the encaustic pieces I made at Kim Bernard's workshop during July 4th weekend. We made our own supports which are basically shallow boxes turned over. The sides of this piece are about 1 and 1/2" thick. The supports keep the piece from warping. If it warps the wax could crack...very bad. This piece has another mini box inset near the top where I poured wax into the cavity and stuck one of my mini vases in before the wax cooled. Underneath are a row of periwinkle shells. I'm having so much fun playing with the wax and trying some cool things out.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here's a close-up:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223819810590932418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKC3s7yrELbCTWshOL3mTOe8XjLiH2sgxOoPPQJxifMhmvih4fQgYPciet3N4IFPBNO__n2sSTt9GwKlFsxF_K6XDcMrmG7fO7KE_WrrzdAsPlja0c3STT3Rre3JqS_6XKPcXrwKsgZUK/s400/000_2246.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />I think I can put dried flowers in the vase and they won't fall out. My daughter said this is ocean art because she says the blue part at the bottom looks like waves, plus the shells. Maybe instead of flowers, we'll collect some feathers we find at the beach and put those in the vase.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-37368965497432664562008-07-02T09:52:00.001-04:002008-07-02T16:43:40.691-04:00Buttons and Boxes!<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13011702"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218414376130080738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKdQ_ntN9ycaPi8v769_VgzaDbnE4z4BTeYgr2U7IeFYaK5PExv6BlP7ib4uS84A1Nrs4uOGl2o1SjiRKAZo8j8yxjAMzS-Pis7NqdRijSQXBpGQwjAIZeFIgERvjJvpXJ6BTVP-Mkgi3/s400/000_2181.JPG" border="0" /></a> These are my new buttons that I'm having fun with. I myself don't enjoy sewing but used to enjoy running my fingers through my mother's button box when I was little. I loved the feeling of the smooth buttons on my fingertips. These buttons and nice and large measuring anbout 1 and 1/2" wide. I've sold some in my <a href="http://dirtgirlpottery.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a> and at craft shows. People seem to really like them. I had some shoppers ask if I could make them smaller, so I'm working on that now.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218415901416336178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4Xa7UfkY-gsBNouLSLZJwKeeaUERfngyllY6jTEn1RjJ_odtvddNzUkihF_8sHZuX5xA0L0MVslMAlLdBL7YauED8jicGgaQf4Ly3fGioq4kyw10T8QfV4x45rFaIgTfh1QasFRdpq_w/s400/000_2175.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>I'm also working on some sculptures for my <a href="http://dirtgirlbecky.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-won-fellowship.html">fellowship </a>work. I'm taking a weekend long workshop with <a href="http://www.kbernard.com/">Kim Bernard</a> on the 5th and 6th at her studio in North Berwick, Maine. I needed to make some supports for the encaustic to adhere to. Anything pourous will work. I am so excited to try this on clay. I've been making these clay wall boxes for years and can't wait to see what I'll come up with. Here are two different sizes in the green stage. The "green" stage means that they are still wet and not leather hard yet. My basement is nice and cool right now with the humidity (as long as I keep the dehumidifier on all the time), so everything is drying nice and slow, perfect for slab work.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218417508286039954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rLNcT2uNz8_QYJYlMYkbg7_mnVhTGDpJn5ToHW-oSmY8b_Drx_8rwr1_SU7O50H6phfboFJTvXJe0dJlxGu0yXxzbWqIhDZu-TNr-67a2wibNvBFMaBFGUbXUuVoo-eS9gr6CRRGVxTQ/s400/000_2186.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218417179449316098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuEquC6Sy1FAQ5Nw8dkSilXlYoFFu6h493n5XbJdP6G05_5yqkUFIefnUhrh9GOzbHuUAItguTyqNPETB_Tx2Q7-TyTbzTVgC4LfV-qpp2sao-cVK2SlhfSqYiA94RdJ9TuImzbs6igKL/s400/000_2185.JPG" border="0" /></p>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-61888437404769546792008-06-24T15:51:00.000-04:002008-07-02T16:45:09.481-04:00New glazes!Okay, it's been waaaay too long since I've blogged. So this will just be a quick update blog post of my newest glazes until I get back into the swing of things. I've been very busy doing some craft shows and <a href="http://dirtgirlbecky.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-won-fellowship.html">fellowship </a>stuff. Here are my new cone 6 glazes. I'm so happy so far with them.<br /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215538949941067858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpq0SZhr5WrlHkWTPsGB1wYWbK2NZBKxvaTG4DWvrBiuu_eB2op-_9H7hyphenhyphenUoAHQ4PF-M97mbLQvgJXhiQLzQEQ2mRo3QRTeFnycq0S_BGFyuXOOMMD5CDtcDYOCvjQFiRGz_oOQbsLIKM4/s400/000_2075.JPG" border="0" /></div><p>From the top left to right: semi-matte cream (in some parts of the glaze it comes out a beautiful blush color), raspberry (kind of touchy, need to work more with this one), semi-matte light green. On the bottom left: greenish-blue, then royal blue. </p><p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12774301"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215539551677927362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZhQDN4u5KGkZeTNWsERcGhaxxlUpddyc7gnTmEAqxwSnoyD0J7DgyJhxobLn71uuVY0BXLkslOI2oMyZhY3QTh5uSVkBGJGtQLCYBb0Acuxlbcrfan_KLb3x66Fe_VQKATsBTBsOUwXk/s400/000_2103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the raspberry glaze on a bud vase.<br /></p></div><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215540321466809858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FOcZ8-s-wBG1RKPZpsD8-zbjs6bMdj_WBnE1Tk4MLAxxJePIOtms4YkFJ3lYvRLIDitYyZgrC9_TaaGwCh9w39bGryqpWZx2UsvTah6gdHUrA05TEHxL8HxSCJ6gjgUn3-8VVGep111E/s400/000_2089.JPG" border="0" /></p><br />Here is the cream glaze on a bud vase. I love the speckled coming through on this glaze. There are dark and light speckles that occur.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-61360192389835787862008-05-23T22:12:00.000-04:002008-05-23T22:47:26.035-04:00Encaustics!!!!Well I started my <a href="http://dirtgirlbecky.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-won-fellowship.html">fellowship</a> over Mother's Day weekend by taking the encaustics workshop with <a href="http://www.kbernard.com/">Kim Bernard</a>. It was so inspiring! It felt like being back in college taking art classes again. I haven't taken many workshops or classes at all since I graduated with my B.F.A. from <a href="http://www.usm.maine.edu/art/">USM</a> in 1995. I'm so used to being the one leading or teaching, that it was so nice to be able to listen, think and reflect for once. Kim's one big rule was we were not allowed to create works of art. We were supposed to just play and experiment. 16 hours of playing and experimenting! I never do this. I always work for a finished product. It was hard at the beginning to let go and just try something new without worrying and fretting over it. Here are some pictures from my weekend:<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>This was my work space. A griddle to heat up the wax, heat gun to melt the wax, vent to suck out harmful fumes.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203763733549503410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFagSZ6n2QH795vZXvIwp4mu6vRdwAXy8KDQqtIEc8ZjYCAjlge9LdtMq0nvtSJX00phHoCFGVuAcfxb6Do7FMSf-YrCMWxu4dH4yy4C4x2IlwYFmdFx8AVWlQC8y8bchIA-KCXZkusRti/s400/000_1908.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><p>My tools: various clay tools for scraping and incising in the wax, natural hair bristle brushes to paint the wax with, and vegetable oil to spread the oil pigment sticks around the wax.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203764480873812930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-4e-DZuax4gkOiFWIvFoqWtNf9fp1bBq02AnOo66eGay5dAIq5A2-AvrOz6IEev6GizoKv_9OLb6Vk_Xq2WQzs1TgFWnWNECC1s7zwRDKWm4aLzTQS96dZshG_1bJbNUxIVX6xJWksUd/s400/000_1909.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><p>My painting station with the encaustic sticks. I melted them straight onto the hot surface of the griddle, set at 200 degrees. The clam can is holding melted medium, which is a combination of beeswax and damar resin. Smells so good! It's hard to believe that this wonderful smell (it's fabulous too) is harmful if inhaled too much. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203765378521977810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe1mlDBLroe_hecDCnMhfdZUh4oy4vrB380puazH6gufhKMoKWY52QnTUOhq4Y-CLtHoR8UJR9bVrC0-Gm-xqVDPhjjD-3w68y4vwV4Oovhll5fOHhULjmw65LEOsADSVzJ_h_CrWIrWB/s400/000_1912.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><p>Preparing a wood panel. I'm painting this with melted medium in one direction, then apply heat with the heat gun, then let cool, then paint another coat in opposite directions, apply heat, and so on for a total of three times. Then the panel is ready for encaustic paint.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203766641242362850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG__olkwde7MLvykTkZNZXoWw04GJQCLFfMFayWNktOR0IbeEe6a0JiXnIYoLCXYkZWJPj5q-EZGXjRefYmOqvrH2whJoLg2mz27S0XjzOzE_JP71YGMYQQx22pL6aPG2rCli4U8b9wybP/s400/000_1913.JPG" border="0" /></p></div><div>This panel is cooling, you can see how the bottom right hand side is still warm and not cooled. It's almost ready!</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203767182408242162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTCL5SG-6Ej1tr609ylsbJfW-wn8xXh2VA25fHQKSEdGlEkwApYZTQipR8KWWOKsXB-DWRy2lwD1GY3MjhaTV3lwA2MW7fgMnP4Z1TM8raJFGc0_DRNcZgjS3Uc85Xe77F7gi5YzJLy6T/s400/000_1910.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>This is my first experiment, well actually my second. My first one was so bad, I heated it up and scraped the entire piece off with a razor blade. You can see here that I tried incising and inlaid approaches. I also used pigment sticks for the little scratched green lines and the black lines. I'm totally addicted to those pigment sticks.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203767899667780610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJvkyMVNHGdqthgCAkApNB1pvObhyHSR4Sr4BHc7SA0PZst3mv29icJ2ZHdc3bQ9YRP2aQbLrY4hIEmyDyg2RTiot8_HdjjB5eANkCbHyfKSFpWTWJA5vmc0PIBAU9Q6VoNS3-py6Uba5/s400/000_1905.JPG" border="0" /></p>Here are four experimental panels. The gray one is a transfer from some cool medical drawings I photocopied of the spinal cord and skull. The upper right shows incising and pigment sticks to bring out textures. The lower left has collaged pieces of wood and a ceramic textured tile. It's blah, but good practice for when I try this on more clay work in the future.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203768741481370642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMlAb04WUiCUVlfuvoC_5_tV3d_3rgLE-bLiSYyfkGRU9hUunfsP61KZNnAMj5mAluxvDZahcF3RmkmvAilFfQuAV77yOwu1buz34t6vTmCTfqSkqnIM5NXXNaroCq3tRUotzjTx0a7rr/s400/000_1916.JPG" border="0" /> Here is a close-up of the transfer I did. I gave it to Rob, sort of as a joke about his back issues. <br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203769725028881442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoyqmUbN9odcPw5GeL4NeRfv5b-ALU_xykVdd3kiAh7ODcPytXpzdwnfa0Ww-lZmE8A9W-XocouWQkggu-WxFG46LZg-n4HcVrazSIOmG6m97C0LVgRh2TWtk5pLOyRFpZS1fshk15JiU/s400/000_1917.JPG" border="0" /></p></div>Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-62123118480405857152008-04-26T19:48:00.000-04:002008-04-26T19:59:36.389-04:00Prepping Studio WallsWell, it's time. It's time to paint the studio walls. And when I say "studio", I mean "basement", and when I say "basement", what I really mean to say is "crap crap crap!" In January I wrote about my <a href="http://dirtgirlbecky.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html">studio</a> and how terrible it looks. I want to feel inspired when I work down there. Yes, it is a basement, but I need to keep my costs down. I can't rent a studio space, especially with a spouse that works nights and two small children at home. So, I need to spice things up. I finally bought a new heat gun today. I needed one anyways for my <a href="http://dirtgirlbecky.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html">fellowship </a>to work with encaustics.<br /><br /><div><div><div>Here are my new fab tools! A heat gun and razor blade.<br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706930463355106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb9PDwfCK_1AGBRYkBADgOXlsezwdv59APX7Rz5Mb2qR82khJBZbgJPkhAfVHJb8ng7NzrlBMTHml4XTvAWdhJdno-cf6QlL3OChd5PlNKkEuaa1U6Z9UPK1X0lhqgZ09G6z_x-XN8OaN/s400/000_1878.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><p>This is a before shot of some ugly adhesive on the concrete wall. Before heat gun:<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193707269765771506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8X815IWdpFerEd7mekKIx0PO11eTXuEZEKLo2ZYFpQ9MQGRHkYc_yybkAXMMFsEXAks2X8OcbtJ2av2cn14dySHDI-LjUi1aBIFpcOgDEr2bXHn2-0yAuw_iXnvFulpwD9BIMUsbTlF_/s400/000_1879.JPG" border="0" /></p></div>After heat gun: You can see that I tackled the spots at the top and haven't done the bottom ones yet. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193707583298384130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h7U8-EfncBHu9pdBnfkdby_V-Hz9gUNPAyslda81QUhy52L1CIlCsuJZKo8InTK5XdP1RYaUDedbbfNDjklbaaoOMlFk4JV4TgzeHSJEzTiIEn0hAq3lH7OT9PHhOuA8RKRQxw1N2oKW/s400/000_1881.JPG" border="0" /><br />Now my arms ache!Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-43649489692648534222008-04-22T21:23:00.001-04:002008-04-22T21:31:19.447-04:00Makin' Magnets<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192246194906116226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM77opiKycfTJCPlJRzF3OEXepA4D6O6wO3twbNcHbOgvy_joVqaaam45drWQsljZr6nHV69KC_Oc_76K_CRzEcFUUxzs5mYDzM8Pq1RZLvj8wDM2udN-T1KBZwKYkn-aHsaY0HVCQfQk/s400/000_1854.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBa1lOKNZGRn4rCRA3qg9XiZ2zNy3QDFoyPqwSYf-gHxkf18UvjrFthO0yrP9m0ii1_Lu9_18ac5PwwVM3BeQBHOMl8vi9k0BsMAQ3desbuOC4SpFVWcQ3cX1VhTkecGolhm57jVoqbwo/s1600-h/000_1843.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192245417517035618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBa1lOKNZGRn4rCRA3qg9XiZ2zNy3QDFoyPqwSYf-gHxkf18UvjrFthO0yrP9m0ii1_Lu9_18ac5PwwVM3BeQBHOMl8vi9k0BsMAQ3desbuOC4SpFVWcQ3cX1VhTkecGolhm57jVoqbwo/s400/000_1843.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is my new thang: magnets! I love them! It took me a while to get a few sets because my daughter would always want the pink ones, so I'd never have a set of four to post in my <a href="http://dirtgirlpottery.etsy.com/">shop</a>. I've actually had these made for a while now, but was too "busy" to glue to magnets on. Then I had to work with epoxy, which to be honest, I haven't used since those college days when everything you make in art school breaks because you don't have a clue. <br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192246031697358962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoapD9kZ7Ch6JH5_8iJ5aPgCYtRmDAeTOJyeksLD9mzMOrgJUDJBIg9weKrCvrK2YvcoznWpQA0qiDkrTgDvlXKbiY8SRC2cWVEnfZQNtXaX-KYV2nc5NKI3mV3G7OrZT9EDullOqj0FyH/s400/000_1849.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br />This one is meant to fit together like a puzzle, or break apart like an abstract relief sculpture.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-38468296652611771692008-04-15T17:27:00.000-04:002008-04-15T17:40:55.589-04:00New Colors and Etsy Maine Team<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjxbo7HgBa0AiG9qgAgcM_CLJxyU8j9iWwkioyrVGjKLXtMZbcqZ2CCgm2C4GtSWlureznVjiyzc-INxH9iHw0p84ediZAIAqZtNYOrADLJWlMXMnjXFlKhS9ue4FR9LIreEoQibFZKTG/s1600-h/000_1839.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189588178633247874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjxbo7HgBa0AiG9qgAgcM_CLJxyU8j9iWwkioyrVGjKLXtMZbcqZ2CCgm2C4GtSWlureznVjiyzc-INxH9iHw0p84ediZAIAqZtNYOrADLJWlMXMnjXFlKhS9ue4FR9LIreEoQibFZKTG/s400/000_1839.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>I fired my kiln to cone 6 (2165 degrees f) overnight last Friday and it just wouldn't reach temperature. So after 18 hours, I made the decision to turn it off. The results still came out kind of cool, I just didn't put enough glaze on most of the pieces. Here are some photos of my square plates in the red and green. The green was supposed to come out spearmint, but this plate reminds me of the 70's refrigerater we had when I was growing up. Or, I could consider it mod and feel really hip and cool. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189587981064752242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGsg1oWhK_GTTr4ci1vafYZq3jEtYWsXGa3-2W2amp4kF-MmEWQZLmMa3f3A_d3hi3v6bp77tE8OJTuvd0LBUHP5lP84GN8lI7y9iMP8a3SuaWQWMbXyQ_oo3C20A_k9LcBpV73Z_kQ53/s400/000_1838.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p>Here is my new yellow, supposed to come out a bone color, but I think it looks like oatmeal. Here it is on a spoon rest.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189588655374617746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gwqnOV1QETAZu1MnEWdVNjLeJuP77P6mdoiO5ytqQCtqtJWqFQ1cW5KVry0PVfIaxbQRGQKf7Xv8LrT6bZ9MTnW0OrNyUgYqwpjpE7lckpzI-r4XQJqwis8oK9h-A0pPxpDCtTh8VkFA/s400/000_1820.JPG" border="0" />We had our second <a href="http://etsymaineteam.etsy.com/">Etsy Maine Team</a> meeting last Saturday in Augusta. We have a <a href="http://etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/">blog </a>now which is awesome and private forums in the making. People on the team have really come together and are working hard to make the team work. We now have weekly blog writers and private forums in the making. Very exciting.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624973803425935917.post-22683120167887427832008-04-11T21:02:00.000-04:002008-04-11T21:06:12.698-04:0050 Things About Me Part 2Here's the second installment of facts about me:<br /><br />26. I’m obsessed with checking my e-mail. I must check it literally over 20 times a day.<br />27. I was a vegetarian from age 16 to age 29. I started to crave chicken when I was pregnant with my daughter. I caved in completely when pregnant with my son a few years later while craving bacon.<br />28. I’m no longer a vegetarian, but try to only use animal test free products.<br />29. I was a hippy-goth girl in high school. Picture this: tie-dye and black make-up with hair in the face.<br />30. I listened to the Cure and Edie Brickell in high school. Does that make the picture clearer?<br />31. I didn’t take my first plane trip until I was 26.<br />32. I love making banana bread with the kids. My husband can’t stand the smell. Hmmm...maybe that’s why I love to bake it soooo much.<br />33. I Rob sooooo much!<br />34. I chew my cuticles.<br />35. I yearn to sing like Ann Wilson (ya know, Heart?) Barracuda!<br />36. I can do 50 sit-ups in a row holding an 8 lb weight, so there!<br />37. I hate squats, but I do them for my butt.<br />38. I need to do more squats.<br />39. I have a B.F.A. in Art and teach elementary art.<br />40. My students have stopped asking me if I’m a college student. Does this mean I look my age now?<br />41. I’m torn between teaching full-time and teaching part-time to pursue my art and pottery. Hard decision financially.<br />42. I stress about decision making. It consumes me, ask my friends and family.<br />43. I love Sharpie markers. I believe them to be the ultimate art supply for professional and student artists.<br />44. I’m not a good house cleaner. Sometimes I admit I’ll see a dead fly on the floor and ignore it. It may still be there a few days later until I get around to getting rid of it. Still want to come over for coffee?????<br />45. I used to LARP (Live Action Role Play). I cannot believe I’m actually admitting to doing this on my blog. People might read this!<br />46. My characters have included (including LARPs and table top): vampires, ghosts, risen (zombie like creatures with brains), humans, werewolves, dwarves, rebel fighters, super heros, fae, orcs, magic users, warriors. All of these geeky characters come from the beloved games of: D&D (admit it, you’ve played it and like it), World of Darkness, Warhammer rpg, Star Wars, Magic the Gathering, and so many other games I can’t remember.<br />47. My husband owns Game Geeks <a href="http://gmgeeks.coms/">http://gmgeeks.coms</a> with his brother Paul. Now you see....I’m married to the biggest geek of them all!<br />48. I have two tattoos, one of a sun that I designed on my right ankle, and another of a tiny ladybug on my left foot. I got it done in Seattle last summer. It’s illegal to do foot tattoos in Maine.<br />49. I want more tattoos, they really are addictive.<br />50. I think I need more nightly sleep.Dirt Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07564549247171959077noreply@blogger.com1