taking off and staying put

Bonsai, mini "plant buddy"(left) and Maurice, from the "small owl" section of the shop

Guess who is taking off to Houston before the week ends? These two. Together! I couldn't have picked a better pair myself. They really do compliment each other, don't they? I'm not sure if they were purchased with the intention of being forever pals, but I'd like to think so. Bonsai reminds me of an old tree that resides deep in the woods, hence his name. I don't know why Maurice ended up with that name, but I love how the use of zippers translated into the clay, mixed with the black stain and translucent green glaze.

And Sunday I get to start making more owls!

I have plans to create more wall hangings and perhaps venture into creating more totems like these:

Mini owl, Bentley, where owl meets ocean

Bentley was a commission that grew out of a listing photo. I had lots of old starfish & shells from my life on Cape Cod (and an L.L. Bean coastal Christmas wreath from my parents) and decided to have fun balancing Bentley upon a conical shell, which, in turn was balanced upon a starfish. Other mini owls had been photographed balancing on mandarin oranges. It keeps things interesting for me.

Bentley's listing photo (left) that inspired the above totem, Ochre (right), gifted to an undoubtedly deserving teacher.

Bentley will be staying in Colorado, gifted to a mother of a friend, a lover of beaches and owls. Until the next firing, friends. I can hardly wait!

yoo-hoo!

Mickey (aka nosveratu) at full salute

It was an interesting day yesterday. It started off with a sick child whom I sent to school because I (Me! Me! Me!) had a workshop to attend that morning. "I don't want any phone calls from school! Only if you're puking! It's a short day (early release Wednesday)! You can make it! It's only a sore throat! You'll be fine! Here, have some Ibuprofen!" So, now you know. I'm a terrible, selfish stay-at-home mother...

The workshop was great. Not one that I'm a stranger to (which makes me even more awful - I've taken one before). Vision boards. And mine was all about wanting peace. HA! Good Gawd. Who am I kidding?

And left over on my old vision board was Etsy. When I made that vision board, I hadn't posted anything in my shop. Well, I posted stuff.

But at the workshop yesterday, I casually mentioned to some of the other participants that I wanted my Etsy shop to be my job. "Shennon, Etsy needs to be on your board then - BIG."

And later that night, while watching our favorite comedy on t.v., my husband and I heard that Etsy app "ca-ching!" Which was followed by high fives all around.

But not before I received the beautiful forgiveness of my darling daughter (who is now home sick from school today).

this is...awesome

popped a few tags today... and I only needed SEVEN dollars in my pocket!

a beak-less (I can fix that), outdoor owl that will next Halloween roost on my porch among the rats, a wooden owl pepper shaker with lovely red orange eyes, some botanically themed rubber stamps and  leather belt for imprinting clay. Like I said, this is... awesome.

going back to Cali

One of my all time favorite pieces found a forever home in California over the Thanksgiving holiday! Here he is getting ready to go, with a variety of other traveling companions. My "babies" are never lonely on the road to their new homes, nor are they boxed up for long. Herman was one of my first jointed-wing pieces. I love his 70s vibe and the fact that his wings don't match. I love me some asymmetry! So long Herman. I have a feeling his body design will resurface often. BTW, little brother, Russell, is still in the shop ;-)

a reluctant goodbye to Halloween

I'm always reluctant to say goodbye to little Templeton and Scabbers come November. I have seven of these squeaky Dollar Store rats and I really feel the need for more, dozens to be truthful. So, it seems apropos to post about the steampunk owl costume I made for my eldest daughter now, nearly a week after Halloween has passed. You could say that I over achieved, just a little bit, but I was so incredibly inspired with the subject matter! I have been, after all, referred to as "the owl lady" at the ceramics studio for several years. It was undoubtedly a whole lot of work, but my recipient was thrilled, her younger sister wants to be the owl next year, and it was a true joy to see that big ol' great horned owl excitedly flapping her wings and circling the park across the street from our house in leaps and bounds.

the details: front, sleeve and materials

acting the part

the full ensemble, still acting the part

adieu, bon voyage "Little Red"

"Little Red" the fox and his S.W.A.G. companion

I packed up Little Red today, my first etsy sale. I left him the hands of the USPS, completely mummified in bubble wrap, surrounded by packing peanuts and enveloped in cardboard. My little handmade heart is singing, knowing he will be treasured in his new home. And, as my daughters and I celebrated with some hot beverages and sweet snacks… my etsy shop had another sale! Blessed be the patrons of the creative arts...

etsy launch

clockwise from top left: Reginald, Little Red, Claude & Aretha

Here they are. My first 4 listings on etsy. My intention is to post at least two per day until all my inventory is online. That is my intention. I will do my best to see that that actually happens. So far, so good. I have received so much encouragement and support and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you!