The Many Faces of ALFREDO

ALFREDO is a whimsical lidded Creature container...

He looks as good from each side as he does from the back or front,

The back of him is doing a happy dance while holding his head

in place with a rubber band; you know how easy it is

to loose your head while dancing...

The other side shows him between the happy dance 

and the blood shot eyes of the morning after...

He needs his rubber band in place the next day to keep his head

from exploding from too much partying...

ALFREDO was created to enter in the January 2018

Creature Feature Exhibition

happening at

The Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA.

Cheltenham Center for the Arts Members' Show Entry

I just finished up my piece for the Member's Show 

at Cheltenham Center for the Arts

and renewed my membership there for 2018. 

What a privilege to belong a center which strives to do it's utmost 

to support the arts in the Cheltenham neighborhood 

and provide ceramic studios for all of us 

who exist to have our hands in clay. 

Did you know that in addition to supporting the center 

by being a member you can also be a sponsor of the Members' show

for as little as 15 bucks...? 

Being a member, having a piece in the show and sponsoring the event 

are three way of saying thank you to the director, board and staff 

for a whole year of programs we can't live without, 

so, yes it is important. 

The meaning of the Pentaphilia necklace lies in the five parts of the bib 

signifying Change, Freedom, Adventure, Transformation, Idealism, 

Motivation, Individualism, Imagination and Knowledge. 

The number five“5” symbolizes the need for change or coming changes, 

usually in the form of positive transformations. 

Movement itself is freedom; in the hands of an imaginative individual, 

knowledge leads to trans-formative adventures 

resulting in positive changes!

Pentaphilia is made from chocolate stoneware clay hand decorated with 

under glaze patterning on both sides, making it reversible 

and able to be worn as two different necklaces. 

A complementary pair of earrings

 are also part of the ensemble and reverse as well.

Copper Paddle Earrings

I finally got around to making a few more pairs of the earrings with the

hammered copper 'paddles' made from 12 gauge wire.

I was also able to use some of the newer spirit hole clay discs painted

 both sides and ranging from 5/8" to 3/4" round.

The Perfect Begging Bowl...

I always have an eye out for that perfect bowl;

one which can be caressed in the hands for warmth

when filled with hot soup or red beans & rice

but also holds an ample dinner size portion...

I'm delighted to say I found a "functional beauty" a few weeks back

in the work of Lucia "Verde" Welsh.  Thrown, multi-glazed and gas-fired,

this substantially sided bowl was everything I wanted in a 

BEGGING BOWL!

I like to call it a Begging Bowl because it is the right size to hold

a meal's worth of sustenance be it a hearty winter stew or 

green tossed summer salad...

And YES, it fits oh so comfortably in the hand while complementing

all it holds and all who hold it!  Thank you, Lucia...

She Flies Again...

Norbel, owner of SHE FLIES AGAIN 

and the creator of these luscious wearables

made from my very own spirit hole discs, plain and hand painted!

It's so great to see what other artists do with my components...

Visit her Etsy Shop for more goodies!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SheFliesAgain?ref=l2-shopheader-name

New Fun Earrings
for the Holiday Season...

Earthenware Wall Pockets

Just because a piece comes out of the final kiln firing looking like it needs a pick me up, doesn't mean you can't be the one to supply it!

These earthenware wall pockets were accented with African Bronze Guilder's paste (cut with Renaissance wax) and one adorned with 

strung hand formed clay beads as well...

CLAY...I love where it takes me!

Wasserglas Meets Ceramic Clay

I'm finally getting around to fashioning some new earrings 

 for my galleries and 2017 Fall/Winter shows.

The beautifully colored Wasserglas was cut, tumbled & drilled

by my good friend Emily Cohen from Catfish Studio.

The glass itself is so thin and lightweight, it makes a very

comfortable pair of earrings even with clay!

Earthenware Wall Pockets

I used Earthenware leaves to form these nicely-sized wall forms 

to hold your favorite floral cuttings or herbs.

The wall weed pot below is more compact 

and suited to indoor use...

This earthenware wall pocket measures 4" across, 9" high and 3" deep

and has clay leaves and flower applications not to mention a BUG!

Happening in September...Making Beads in Clay Workshop

https://bhclaysmith.wordpress.com/

A one Saturday workshop happening at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts - http://cheltenhamarts.org/beads-clay-workshop - check it out!

Ahhh...Earthenware for Beads!

These one inch round pinched discs made from earthenware red clay

really show off the underglaze lines and dots made from

Mayco Designer Liners! The above is one side

and below is the other...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/553212725/one-pair-of-ceramic-earthenware-spirit?ref=shop_home_active_1

Tiny Catchall Dish

 This dish is a mere three inches square 

and could be used for almost ANYTHING 

from dipping sauces to catching loose change or earrings.

And this is the "other" side of this tiny treasure...

In my world, there is no neglected other side, no matter what the item.

Think about it...

New Vintage Vamp Earring Displays

 Ceramic Clay Earrings

Niobium Ear Wires

(Hypo-Allergenic)

Accented with Copper,

Beach Glass, Chain

and Enameled Charms.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BHClaysmith?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=22045220

Chile Bound Clay Work

 Two small ScrapBach dishes will be off to Chile with Barbara Palma...

They will be accompanied by a complementary personal pitcher.