Woodfiring at Wheaton

WheatonArts is so many things to me. it is my place for employment, inspiration, my studio space for ceramics and a place to spend time with friends. Today was my birthday and I went to WheatonArts to participate in their woodfiring.

This woodfiring was the last class of a series of ceramic classes. The participants of this class spent two classes, taught by Terry Plasket, learning how to make pots for the wood kiln. Terry is a mentor and a dear friend of mine. I began studying under Terry when I was finishing my undergraduate degree at Rowan University. Experience is really the best way to learn and he offered me a concentrated time for hands-on experience that a formal education couldn't.

WheatonArts offers a variety of classes (glassblowing, ceramics, woodcarving, silk painting, knitting, etc.) Check out their website to learn more about WheatonArts' classes

Our Puppy/Dog

She is getting bigger by the day! My husband took this photo at the state park where we take walks.

Etsy Progress
I am revisiting my project to get an Etsy page up and running for The Little Teapot. I have a small inventory of items that I hope to be selling in time for the Holidays. These include scarves, flower broaches and prints. Stay tuned!

Antiques and Photos

This old lantern belonged to my grandfather. Before that it belonged to his mother. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to hear the stories associated with this lantern directly from him. I found it as I was looking through his barn...my grandfather passed away a few years ago. He was always a very to-himself type of man. He was in World War II and from what I understand after that war his demeanor became very quiet.

He practically lived in his barn. He kept all his tools and garden equipment in this space. It was his and no one else's. As a young child I was never able to go into the barn because it had a large pit, which he would drive his car over in order to change the oil. Without a car over the pit, it was a good 10 foot drop onto hard concrete.

As I explored his barn I found all sorts of tools and notes to himself written on the worn wooden walls. It was like getting to know the man I never really knew. I didn't take much from that barn....a couple lanterns and some old gardening tools which my husband and I used to grow our first garden.


A Blog Give Away...and the chance to see magnificent photos!

As I think about family memories I would like to share a great site with you: Samantha Lamb Photography. This site has amazing photographs...Visit The Ardent Sparrow blog to enter for a chance to win one of this beautiful prints.

My favorite is Framing Light.

Harvesting Catnip

This season I planted one catnip plant with the hopes that I could make a few handmade organic catnip toys for my cat. Turns out that plant grows like a weed! I now have a beautifully lush catnip plant. Last night I harvested some of the capnip. Using twine I tied the sprigs into small bundles to dry. Tomorrow I will begin to make patterns for the hand-sewn catnip toys!

Fresh Cut Wildflowers