I went on a whirlwind mind-trip recently, skipping down memory lane while developing a talk for the Ventura County Potters' Guild. They wanted to know about best business practices – and I've certainly had a lot of practice!  While skipping down memory lane, I made stops at each of the four studios I've had in the past 25 years. Both my work and my hair have changed dramatically through the years! First studio in my backyard shed in 2000: Studio at the Old Schoolhouse on Cambria's Main Street in 2010: Larger studio on Cambria's Main Street in 2017: Home studio in 2019 ..read more

Thank you to International Ceramic Artists Network for selecting one of my pieces for their August pin-up in the 2022 calendar. I'm honored to be one of the featured artists ..read more

Working in two different studios with two different mediums, my sister and I have been coming together via zoom to collaborate on a joint exhibition of our work. The exhibition will combine her modern art quilts with my ceramic pieces. Sharon's bold colorful pieces have been nationally recognized in the field, and she's always thinking beyond conventional patterns and designs. Unlike traditional quilts, modern art quilts are designed to hang on the wall.  Both of us feature bold graphic shapes in our work, and this collaboration gives us an opportunity to merge ideas and take our des ..read more

We are taking the big plunge and putting in an elevator down to my studio! I'm so grateful that we are able to do this. After dealing with a foot injury for almost a year now, and trying so many alternatives to keep things going, we decided to invest in our future here and make sure it can accommodate us for years to come. When I first relocated my studio from a brick-and-morter studio gallery to my home, we put the wheels in a converted greenhouse and the rest of the studio in a revamped garage and attached glaze/work room. But the logistics of carrying work-in-progress pieces from the "throw ..read more

Due to an injury, I'm having to postpone my online event scheduled for May.  Torn ligaments at the bottom of my right foot have sidelined me for a bit. Though I'm continuing to work in the studio every day, I've had to adjust processes, equipment, work flow... pretty much everything. And I'm finally accepting that the other duties – wrapping, packing and shipping – are beyond me right now. I'm hopeful I'll be able to have an online event this summer. In the meantime, please see "Where to Find My Work" for galleries. They will ship purchases. Thank you for those who shopped the last event ..read more

When it's time to unload a glaze firing, I'm like a kid at Christmas. The thrill of discovery is still there. In every glaze load, I try at least one new process, color or form. This time, I used a red underglaze on a few pieces and really liked how they came out of the final firing. Success! (Some of these pieces will be in my next online event, tentatively planned for late April.) I also had a few surprises when I discovered some pots with color that was pulled down the side of the pot. When that kind of glaze drift is a planned part of the process or fits with the concept, it can bring won ..read more

When I opened the online shop last Tuesday morning, it quickly sold out and – after pinching myself – I've been busy wrapping, packing, and shipping. Yesterday, Mike helped me with the last local pick-ups and deliveries, and we took ourselves out to a celebratory lunch. Mike was celebrating the return of a calmer partner, and a bit of peace and quiet around the house. Today, I'll convert the "shipping department" back to our spare guest room for the holidays. And Mike will relish the absence of boxes, wrapping, packing – at least for a while. In the meantime, I'm celebrating all of you.  ..read more

It's a very rare occasion. Between the California drought and time, the tub sits like a remnant of a different time in the corner of the bathroom. But, yesterday – after my online event was sold out in just hours, after months of working, after weeks of preparing, after late hours and early mornings – I was drawn to it like a bee to honey. Even though it was the middle of the afternoon, even though my printer zipped out orders, even though I really need to scavenge for more boxes... I took a bath! My hour in the tub made me feel extravagant, and totally pampered. I may even do it again tonigh ..read more

It's been a whirlwind in the studio, as I work to get as much finished as possible before my holiday online event. I'll be restocking the online store and launching the holiday shopping event on the last day of November. It'll go live at 9 a.m. (pacific time) on Tuesday, Nov. 30. All Studio Friends will receive free gift-wrapping and shipping to U.S. destinations. If you haven't already, please sign up for Studio Friends. You may also want to sign up for an account so that you can get right to shopping on launch day. In the past, pieces have sold out VERY fast. You are not able to "hold ..read more

Yes, it's true! At the ripe age of 64, I've become a calendar girl. When the next calendar rolls out for the International Ceramic Artists Network, my work will glisten from the pages. For all of 2022, I'll be known as Ms. August (albeit, in a very small circle of clay geeks) and will glory in the spotlight.  Though I jest about being Ms. August, it truly is an honor and such fun for me.  I've been a bit on Cloud 9 about it, resulting in one of my friends bestowing me with a "congratulations" card. Guess what she's getting stuffed in her Christmas stocking this year? :)))  ..read more