Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.
Considering how frustrated I was last Friday night when Twitter was down for maintenance, I think this just might be the perfect mug for me and my end of the week obsession.
Lenny Mud: Lenny is the name of my studio cat. I make the pots, Lenny breaks them. This way, I never run out of shelf space.
{ I like her! }
And just in case you’re not a Twitter addict, this is what I’m referring to.
With my five year wedding anniversary fast approaching I have been thinking about what fun it was to make registries. The excitement of a new life, new belongings and maybe a new place to call home. Even with all of these presents, building your life is always a work in progress. You find new objects you love more than the ones you already own, styles and aesthetics change. But there are some things which are timeless and Gleena is the perfect blend of classical and modern which will never get old.
The medley of white and blue is soothing. I love that the middle plate, being half blue and half white, brings the large plate and bowl together. Each piece has their own personality yet they are still a cohesive set.
It is in this set that you can best see where the artist draws her influence from. She grew up in Russia, summering in a country house surrounded by her grandmother’s gardens. She seems to handle these memories carefully as they are important to her. Asya displays detailed images on hand-shaped forms, showing that memories can change shape over time. I love the cheery yellow she chose. Makes for a great presentation.
These plates don’t need a special occasion. I would love to have these for everyday use. The sea inspired glaze adds a dash of color without overpowering the simple design. The typeset imprints make for a great detail.
This cup is my favorite out of all her work. The blend of color and form are just darling but the quote and stamped letter make this cup perfect. Sharing tea is most certainly a celebration, toast to something grand.
Asya does a great job of mixing her love of form and function with her passion for graphic design. This cup displays her happy union of numbers, letters, color and shape. I love her subtle introduction of color, it is never overpowering and always just right.
These bowls make for the perfect presentation. Asya makes even the simplest of pieces elegant with her attention to detail. She carefully adapts the form to better serve it’s function. In keeping these bowls white, she draws attention to her beloved form which were inspired by gourds found while traveling in French Guiana.
I think celebrating five years should call for an updated registry. My wedding was lots of fun and I would love to do it all again with Gleena’s shop at the top of my registry list. What would be on your list?
Village Clay Works bio: I grew up in Sierra Madre, Ca. in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. I’ve had my hands in clay for the last 11 years. I’ve tried other mediums in art such as water color, drawing, intaglio etching, photography and woodblock printing. I find that I can combine most all of these art processes when creating a piece in ceramics. I form a ceramic object, a mug or a bowl etc. and use it as a blank canvas to draw or to carve on.
A few years ago I first saw a dragonfly on a lake in Cable, Wisconsin and was fascinated with its flight and vivid colors. I began to draw other bugs and insects, the “dung” scarab beetle, cricket, praying mantis and the house fly. God created each beautiful and intricate insect and I feel compelled to draw them and tell their stories.
I try to make my process of creation as “green” as possible. I fire all of my work in an electric kiln that is supplememted by solar panels on our roof. In addition we travel to the various art shows we do in our diesel truck that runs on recycled vegetable oil.
Chrys Bonnay-Lewis: Totally cosmopolitan cups, traditional celadon glaze on porcelian and fired in salt kiln (makes the glaze sparkle). Made by me from wheel-thrown prototypes, slip-cast in porcelain and then assembled. Each nubby is individually applied.
Crackly and smooth, brilliant color and blazing neutrals. These bowls are sensational.
Handmade pottery by misslo.
