Iktomi, Whimsical Ceramic Clay and Art by Denise Ferragamo

I found this etsy shop a while ago. It gives me faith to return again and again to ponder the inspirational artworks listed by this florida artist.


Her works have a solid, grounded aspect I find comforting. Each animal spirit guide promises to share their secrets with us. The animal faces peer up at us ineligently, curious to hear from us our stories, noddingg sagely.


She also makes lively painted dishes, small animal sculptures, and little bitty houses. Checkout her etsy shop for the perfect gift for your spirit- minded friend.


http://www.etsy.com/shop/iktomi?ref=seller_info

SCRAPdannymansmith

SCRAPdannymansmith




It is hard to find an artist whose work is completely their own. I am excited to share with you my find today, SCRAPdannymansmith , an artist in fiber from Chicago.



I find it so refreshing to paw thru the listings on his etsy site. So much creativity and all unbridled! I especially enjoy his clothing. Most are custom pieces. Some are works he made for himself, then decided to sell. I tend to work this way too, I make the work for myself, then the world benefits from my need to make so much of it.



I have included a pic of his custom coat offerings. Beautiful and individual, each stands on its own as a solid, gut-felt expression. Yet each would be a transformative apparel, something brining the wearer to a new vision, a new place. New, though the journey ends at the wearers deepest core of themselves.



There are a lot of items in his shop, so I recommend using his shop sections to navigate through the items that most attract your fancy. Don’t miss it!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SCRAPdannymansmith?ref=pr_shop_more

Jane Dunsmore's ceramic sculptures

Jane Dunsmore's love of clay has lasted her lifetime. I remember her starting with the wheel, and throwing vessels in the late 1970's. Since then, she has moved on to show her talent in depicting the natural world.
Her works include murals, free standing sculpures, and often combinations of the two techniques. Some of her free standing pieces are made in large modules, that like a mosaic, are stacked together when finished, to create the final piece.
Jane's work is an integral part of the homes each piece inhabits. The rooster depicted below is a mural placed in the kitchen of a renowned Fredericktonian. I myself have a table with her mural work on hte surface, and it is the center of our lives. Anyone who visits, sees this table before anything, and it always recieves compliments.

Come visit us on Saturday, December 11, 10-6pm or December 12, 11-5 at my home/studio, 11302 Windsor Rd. Ijamsville, Md. You'll see Jane's work, and lots more!

Noralie Katsu's inspired stones and silver

I asked Noralie Katsu to tell me a little about her work, so I could share with you the excitement I feel for her work. She told me she studied painting at the Corcoran Gallery School of Art, but also
created and designed her own jewelry for over 10 years, mostly working in Sterling
Silver and semi-precious stones. I have seen and coveted her stones - the ones she chooses to work with reflect her love of unusual, striking stones. She works often with picture jasper, turquoise, drusies (stones with crystaline surfaces), boulder opals and so forth.  
The green pendant shown here is an Uvaravite drusy in a hand
engraved sterling wreath. The opal is an Australian boulder opal with
a fresh water pearl, the Purple pin/pendant is a Russian Charoite, and
the Shell necklace is set with antique buttons, coral, fresh water
pearls and seed beads.

I hope you'll join Noralie and myself at our open studio. December 11, 10-6pm, and December 12, 11-5pm. The address is 11302 Windsor Rd.

Beautiful things for Beautiful People

Thanksgiving, a beautiful time of reflecting on all the joys of the year.

I have met so many wonderful people, in so many places.

And as the year wraps up, the Chrismas/ Hanukah holidays loom, and we have every reason to pamper ourselves, and those we love.

As long as it is on sale.

So in the spirit of giving, I would like to invite you to my Holiday Open House Event.

~Beautiful Things for Beautiful People~

Featured will be the Ceramic art of Jane Dunsmore - the rooster is a ceramic mosaic. Checkout her other work at her website, Jane's work

Also Don Dunsmore's fantastic nature photography will be featured.

Checkout his work at Don's work

And Noralie Katsu's Sterling silver and stone jewelry will be there for your shopping bliss! Here's a picture of her work. Noralie's work

Please come by and see us!

December 11, 10-6

December 12, 11-5

11302 Windsor Rd, Ijamsville, MD 21754

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Energy Pyramid

You've heard of the nutrition pyramid, here's the enegry pyramid. Its all about prioritizing the greening of your home and home habits.

www.katherinesalant.com

We did an energy audit on our home this year, and while none of the reccomended changes have happened yet, the path is laid for our improvement of our 100 yr old home. I so highly reccomend the energy audit. Most homeowners of an old building are thinking of all the modern insulation they don't have - but when the auditor pointed an infrared camera at our walls, no temperature leakages were to be seen. Despite the lack of insulation, the lath and plaster, the diagonal one by six boards edge to edge, which make up our home, are darn heavy and solid!
An energy audit is the grooviest, I highly reccomend it!

the Saturn V Dream Quilt

Checkout the dream quilt - a huge undertaking aimed at... the moon? A Saturn V rocket overshadows Huntsville, Alabama. Like a cathedral spire it stands, inspiring the residents. It memorializes a dream thought to be impossible. Now the Saturn V rocket again will show the dreams of the world, for a better future.

An 80 thousand square foot quilt is being assembled to drape the Saturn rocket, quilts showing the dreams and hopes of children and adults around the world. Hopes are that when the piece is finished, that the quilt will travel on a global tour, along with the stories of its creators.

The website shows how to contribute a quilt for yourself, how to organize and contribute a quilt from an organization, and how to support others in their efforts. Wow! Just reading their website is like a shot of positivism. After the aids quilt, I can imagine the joy this project will create in all its participants.

What do you think? Want to give it a go?