ceramics

I am lucky enough to have a pal from art school who happens to be a ceramics wizard.  His name is Patrick Johnston and he lives in venice, CA (my old stomping grounds). PJ or Peej as I like to call him met when I was a sophmore at RISD. I walked into a grad level ceramics class having never touched clay in my life and somehow convinced the professor to let me in. Patrick immediately recognized that I was a novice and became my mentor through the duration of the class. He taught me how to hand build, make molds, and create this really weird final project idea I had--I wanted to make paper thin pieces of flat porcelain and hang it from the ceiling? so dumb.. Anyway, Peej is a great friend and when I told him about my ceramics idea he was so so helpful--let me use his studio, retaught me everything (again!) and finally helped me figure out how to wrap each piece that I made so that they would never ever break in transit.  so Peej is to thank for the ceramics you see below.   

here are some shots that describe the mold process...

leifshop

I hired some help a while back for my bigger orders which is such a relief knowing I am not the only one producing.  I have always loved team work, it makes anything seem do-able.  now I can spend more time on new designs and paintings which is such a treat.  several weeks ago I got a custom order from an online shop called leifshop.  I decided that because my small little factory is swamped with other orders it may be best for me to make these custom items (runners and tea towels) myself from start to finish just like I used to.  I have to tell you it was actually really nice to be hands on all week instead of doing all business-y things like invoicing, dealing with taxes, organizing paperwork, keeping materials in stock, making sure deliveries are running on time, etc. Its crazy that just under 2 years ago I was making pillows and blankets every now and then for friends and family.  things have grown in a way I never thought they would.  so today I wanted to say thank you leifshop for reminding me where this all started and why I love block printing so much.

Farewell Summer

This summer has been such a whirlwind! I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept that it's already September. The NY NOW gift show happened with the AmDC booth, I saw my two sweet sweet nieces all together with my family in Fenwick Connecticut, helped my best pal with her rad pop store LaOnda that opened in masapequa, taught a fun workshop at ISA, Celebrated several weddings including my very best friend who created one of the most memorable nights of all time. It's been a full and wonderful summer and even though I am not quite ready for it to end I must say I am excited for pumpkin pies and spending more weekends in the city. Below are a round up of pics.

more pics after the jump

design love fest

I am so thrilled and honored to be on Bri's amazing blog today. check her post out here:
http://www.designlovefest.com/?s=caroline+z+hurley