Christmas Warmth

I have never loved the kiln as much as I have this past week.  The warmth alone has made me want to make my bed and snuggle beside it, but the works of art that are coming out of this machine makes me smile.  I am not a machine person, anyone who knows me can attest to that.  But can I say that I love our kiln and am so thankful that it is in great working order and that we are not dealing with a break down right now (because to be honest, if this kiln broke down, I would too - seriously).  So I am thankful for the warmth that our kiln is bringing not only to my life this Christmas season, but hopefully to yours as well.

Giving a Hoot!

Owls are everywhere now and as far back as I can remember owls have been part of the art world for me.  My parents used to have this huge orange and black painting of two owls in a tree (insert all sorts of laughter here).  It was awful hideous and my mom still refuses to get rid of it, because she knew that owls would come back into style and she was right of course, though I prefer these with the purple, yellow, pinks and blues. So let us save the owls of the art world, and make them look great!

Santa Claus came to town early

One of my sisters and mine favorite things in December was when Santa would come by our house on a fire truck.  We would rush out of our house normally without a coat and freeze just to be able to wave and shout out what we wanted for Christmas that year.  We would try to be extra good by asking if he would like some hot chocolate and we would talk for however long Santa would stay so we could make sure we could get what we wanted that year.  It still makes us smile today when we talk about Santa coming to visit us.  Santa made a special stop by the Studio this past Saturday to bring lots of smiles.  He painted, he got wish lists and posed for a ton of pictures.  We are so glad that Santa thought we were important enough to stop by and we and everyone who was able to come out enjoyed his visit.  We at The Studio at Fulton wish you lots of smiles, laughter and joy this Holiday season!

Santa giving Painting tips

I still love to tell Santa what I want for Christmas

I love Etsy

So I love the site of Etsy.com if you haven't been there I highly recommend it.  Lots of artist selling their handmade pieces.  I know have a shop on etsy too.  I am going to be adding more items as I make more.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/rondajones2003, I hope that you enjoy it.

Peace Out

These past few weeks we have been having some fun with tie dye and peace signs at kids club.  So much fun making different projects that would make any parent proud.  Here is a picture that captures just how talented our kids club artist really are.  I can't wait to see even more fun projects in the next few weeks.  Enjoy!

Tradition ... Tradition!

okay so whenever anybody starts talking about holiday traditions it gets me thinking about Fiddler on the Roof (confession: that is my favorite play - I have seen it 4 times live on stage)  Though I love the traditions in my family and think that they are what makes the holidays all the more special to us.  We as a family play tons of games on Thanksgiving (football, board games, we even sometimes throw in some floor hockey).  This year I have seen lots of different types of turkey platters made for grandma or for the start of a new tradition in the family, and I love it. (I would also love to see pictures of these platters being used, please send them to me at fultonpottery@gmail.com).  Here is to being thankful for the traditions that we have and for the ability to make new ones.  Wishing everyone a very wonderful Thanksgiving. 

PS. One of the Studio at Fulton's traditions is the ornament giveaway on Black Friday (we open at 11am) to the the first 30 people in.  Lots of fun!

Creative Holidays

Someone told me that Christmas is in under 6 weeks, they were excited about this, for me it got me thinking of all the gifts I need to get working on.  I will be teaching a class this coming Ladies' Night, December 4th 6-9pm and showing everyone how to make this beautiful, personalized platter (that if you really creative you could give with cookies, though just as nice without the extra baking)  I invite you to come relax, and make something wonderful for a friend or family member that it tricky to shop for.  This is really so easy and it will cause you no stress!  Who doesn't want less stress this holiday season.

masked fun

If you didn't know we love teaching classes here and seeing the creative talent of others as they take an idea and make it their own.  We do this in Kids club every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 - 6pm, and these kids (who really are artist!) make beautiful, wonderful, amazing things every week.  Here is a a pictures of some masks they made out of clay during our Halloween themed fun. 

Vacation mode

Painted by one of our talented customers

I'm about to leave on vacation and I can't wait to get in what I call vacation mode, that totally relaxed feeling that is so refreshing.  It is a good feeling, and I know that some of you can get that mini vacation feeling while painting pottery.  That totally zen, relaxed state that makes you feel refreshed and ready to face whatever comes your way.  We at the Studio at Fulton want you to have that feeling every time you come in here, we want you to leave relaxed, having had fun.  As I leave, I know that our great employees will help you to feel like you had a great mini vacation while creating a memory that will last a lifetime.

Meet C & T, two of our great employees!

Making Presents

I just finished painting my mom's birthday gift, and it made me think of how much fun it is to make gifts for the holiday and to think of the colors, piece, and design that my friends and family will love.  I have a friend who request a different mug every year, and she says she only uses the homemade mugs that I give her.  That makes me feel great when I sit down and paint and think about what will make the perfect gift.  I know that in two short months Christmas will be here (can you believe that, time is going so fast) and that I will have lots of gifts to make in the meantime.  I love to hear about how great the gift was that you made here at The Studio at Fulton.  It brings a smile to my face when I hear that grandma loved the teapot, or the handprint plate was the perfect gift for our aunt.  So I'm going to be ready for the season of giving this year by making it the season of crafting.  I can't wait to see the gifts that everyone else makes too!  Not to worry, I won't post pictures of any gifts until after the holidays, I wouldn't want to spoil any surprises.

Hands Down the Best

A lot of my friends have been having babies lately, and they are all so precious and adorable.  We love babies at The Studio at Fulton and we think that painting their hand prints and foot prints on your platter, frame, or bowl is one of the best gifts you can make for grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and yourself!  We are happy to help you  to capture this memory of a time when they are small.  The hand prints are always my favorites that people make as they are always one of a kind.  I look forward to seeing even more ideas over the coming holiday season.

Art Therapy

made by one of our talented customers

So I love to be able to play and create something beautiful at the same time.  I love that I get the chance to play at work too.  I was just reading an article about art therapy and the benefits that people get from doing art.  It is true that there are times that I feel the stress of life melt away as I pick up a paint brush and start painting.  I would like to invite everyone to come and enjoy some art therapy with your friends or just by yourself.  To come and let yourself play, relax, unwind, have fun, & smile.  There is something about creating something out of nothing.  Starting with just a white piece of pottery and making it a work of art that also gives you a big sense of satisfaction.  Not to mention that while painting you start to improve on your problem solving skills.  So come in and paint, and let the stress of life just melt away!

Creative Power Push

Kristy and I enjoying a day on the bay

So we all have those days when we are not feeling overly creative, and then I have those days when all I want to do is sit down and create all sorts of awesome projects and for those days I totally blame my older sister (and fellow craft junkie).  Kristy has always pushed me to be more creative from art nights with friends, to giving me ideas to make my pieces of art turn out even better.  It is nice terrific to have a sister that encourages you especially on those days that I'm not so creatively inclined, and I love that we run this business together and get to be creative and have fun together.  So Kristy here is to lots more fun and whimsical creative days ahead!  We love to help others be creative too, which is one of the reasons that I love this job! 

Happy October

A platter that makes me think of Fall, thanks CCSA

I love fall! The leaves changing color, the cooler weather, the marshmallows roasting on an open fire.  And for me the fall always means celebrating!  Both of my parents birthdays and mine are in the fall.  This past weekend was my dad's and we celebrated with dinner out and staying in to watch a movie.  And next weekend is my mom's and I'm busy making her gift this week, so that I can get it ready in time (I will post pictures after I give it to her, no hints mama).  And then in a little over a month it will be my birthday!  I love the excitement that birthdays brings, from the presents to the cake, to the very special phone calls from friends and family all over the world.  I love watching how others celebrate too, and picking up new traditions because I see something that I like.  My best friend always makes us tell her our favorite memory of her from the past year, I'm going to steal that one this year.  What about you, what makes your birthday special (I would love to hear even more fun traditions!)  Don't get me wrong, there is a lot I like about Autumn, but I know that the excuse of getting together with friends & family makes it my absolute favorite season!  Hope to see you this Fall!

Fall is in the Air

Leaves are starting to fall, the weather is getting cooler (I actually put on a sweatshirt this morning because I was cold!)  Fall is definitely here and I was so ready for it.  I love Autumn and hope that all of you get to enjoy spending some time this fall with your friends and family!  We recently had two customers come in and make these beautiful tile pieces that just made me think of fall.

Daddy Dates

My sister & My dad

Painted today on daddy & daughter date

My dad is the greatest!  He is the one I call when my car breaks down, or I have a handyman question, or I need some help painting a wall.  A lot of my childhood memories involve my dad as well, he told the best bed time stories and played games with us, without letting us win (building a major competitive spirit in all of us.)  He coached our softball games, and helped us with our homework.  One of my favorite memories of my dad is when he would take us out individually on daddy & daughter dates.  We had so much fun from flying a kite in the park, going out for ice cream or doing a craft project with us.  I was reminded of those fun dates today as a dad and his little girl came in to paint today and had the best time being together.  Though the pottery painted turned out beautiful, I'm sure the memory of spending the day together will be a treasure for both dad and the little girl for years to come.  Here's to more daddy & daughter dates!

Under the Tuscan Sun

I love all things Italian, the language, the food, the scenery and lets not forget the wine.  It is a dream of mine to start taking Italian lessons and learning to speak this beautiful language and then go to Italy and just have fun sight seeing, and eating and enjoying pretending that I am Italian.  And seeing Eat, Pray, Love made the desire to go to Italy even more so for me.  A customer recently came in and made this plate and got me craving spaghetti, pizza, and spiagga (beach to those non Italian speakers).  Now to plan an Italian adventure. 
Ciao, arrivedercci

Coffee Time

Made by one of our wonderful customers

I know that I enjoy my cup of coffee every morning, hot or cold, and always out of my favorite cup.  I don't like it when others use my cup at all, I am possessive that way.  I took the time and hand painted my own mug for my use, it is a trend that I see all the time here at The Studio at Fulton, people making mugs for themselves or as gifts, something that you can call your own and personalize til your hearts content.  Here are a few that have recently come out of the kiln.

Made by Christine, a great employee, who would love to show you how to make your own Animal Print Mug!

Shopping Spree

Well I have to say that we are total girls here and when it comes to going to convention, our favorite part is the shopping.  We bought tons of new pieces just in time for fall!  Cute pumpkins, scary spiders, beautiful pasta dishes, and cute plates that would make wonderful gifts.  I can't wait to get painting and show off my creative works of art.  Just to show you here is a new paint color that we just got in, now what to paint first?

Last Day

This is our last day of camp for summer 2010 and I for one can't believe the summer went by so quickly.  I guess time really does fly when you are having fun and being creative.  We have loved all of our campers and hope to see them all soon.  I will be posting pictures of our last week glass projects some time next week, but here is our campers in the midst of the creative process, can't wait to open the kiln on these projects!

A little trip around the World

A pottery adventure that took us to France, Australia, Hawaii, and the Southwest.  Pottery around the world camp had so many creative campers who had fun working with clay, painting pottery and taking an adventure that was not for the weak at heart.  So much fun it was like we were on vacation (and who doesn't like to go on vacation?).  So enjoy these few snapshots for our wonderful trip!   

Gargoyles taken from Notre Dame

    

Fantastic Campers

Just wanted to share that we have the most fantastic campers in the world.  They are creative and lots of fun.  I love how great they are and wouldn't trade our campers for anything in the world.  Pictures of their wonderful projects will be coming soon.

Pottery Makes me Hungry

So many different food options to paint, and some of them look good enough to eat!  Here are a few examples of our talented customers and staff painting their favorite foods, just think about what you could put on your next plate, platter, or jar!

Field of Flowers

This warm weather makes me always think of gardening and making things grow.  I do not have a green thumb, but sure glad that our customers do, look at this garden of delightful flowers sure to cheer up any dreary day.

Love is in the Air

Wedding season is here, and we are proud to be apart of couples big day be it for a wedding present, anniversary present, or even part of the ceremony or reception.  We had a cute cake topper made here recently that a friend of ours used at their wedding and lots of fun platters and presents made that I had to include some pictures of the special things our customers have made to celebrate love.

I love Camp!

Let's Eat camp is in full swing and we are having a ton of fun, painting pottery and making really yummy snacks.  We have a very excited group of campers, who are having a good great time making beautiful serving pieces, including fun burger and fries salt and pepper shakers.  Here are some of our campers pretending to eat their fries.

If the Shoe Fits

Blast with Glass camp was so much fun last week, here are some of the awesome shoe creations made by our campers.  So artistic!