Top shelf of the kiln.  Mandala Orbs #4 and #5.  The big platter was thrown with 4 lbs of wet clay.

This is the full load lots of stuff to glaze and new stamps to try.

Greenware!

Violet Crown Festival 2011

On May 7 I will be participating in the Violet Crown Festival. This fun family event has moved from Brentwood Park to the Burnet Road Market. I'll have my pottery, including two new kiln loads that haven't been posted at tinalewis.etsy.com.

I will also have a nice selection of my sister Linda's beautiful cast concrete leaves. She grows the leaves in her gorgeous yard and then selects the best to cast in her special concrete mix. After the concrete cures, she peels back the leaf and begins the process of hand painting. Linda adds layers and layers of colors to create vivid realism to these permanent leaves. She then seals them so they can be displayed outdoors or indoors. These are beautiful simply on the wall or a shelf or displayed as part of custom bird baths, butterfly baths and fountains.

March!

March is already almost gone! SXSWi with EtsyAustin was amazing. Had a great time helping set up and remove the Wall of Wow at Venue 222. Quoted on a CNN blog. There was so much free stuff, bands everywhere, street crafts and food everywhere. Overwhelming and amazing especially compared to the first one - with only 100 bands and 700 registrants.

I have also started working on my FB page and contemplating the simplest way to simplify. Adding to my Etsy shop and thinking about Artfire.

I will be back in the studio tomorrow making things for the Violet Crown Festival at Burnet Road Farmer's Market on May 7, 2011 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Etsy for Christmas -10% off coupon!

Craft Riot was great fun and a successful event! It's the only show for me this Christmas season so I'm loading up my Etsy shop as much as possible. I'm also trying out the new coupon code - 10% off if you type in the coupon code "AustinFB" between now and December 10. I'll keep adding items but if you saw something at Craft Riot and it's not listed, just convo me.

Thanks to all who came out for Craft Riot and the hard working EtsyAustin team for such a fun event.

First Kiln Load of 2010

I finally got a kiln load together after a long break. I really missed being in the studio and forgot how soothing a couple of hours in the mud can be. Two weekends of throwing and hand building was enough for an almost full kiln. I can't wait to glaze these, it is like having so many wonderful blank canvasses. Bowls, luminaria, beads, apple bakers, car cup holder liners, cat sculptures, mugs and tiles. I'm also finally signed up for an arts and craft fair on March 20 with Team Etsy Austin. Booth will be full of new work!

Etsy Selling and Buying - It's People!!

It's People! (To use a favorite line from an old movie.)* Buying and Selling on Etsy is a labor of love and it's about the People. I like that Etsy means buying from real people that love what they are doing. As a buyer I am always amazed at the personal notes, extra handmade touches and care that goes into shipments. It's like getting a gift even if you are buying supplies! Yesterday I received some card sleeves from www.cardmaven.etsy.com. She included a really nice note and a nice pile of cut out scrapping paper. Very nice! I'll pass some on to my customers, etc. with my stamp on the back. Thanks Card Maven!

I try to keep the love going whenever I make a sale. A photo of free gift wrapping on my latest Etsy sale is pictured. I was excited to sell one of my favorite pieces to a customer in Arizona who purchased it as a gift for someone in Wisconsin. I sometimes charge for gift wrapping but if there is time and ready supplies I'll gift wrap for the fun of it. It is such an honor that someone likes my work and will give it as a gift. I found an old travel atlas in great condition and am using it for wrapping. This then went into a bigger box with peanuts. All recycled!

*First person to convo me at tinalewis.etsy.com with the name of that movie gets a free magnet! Don't comment in case someone hasn't seen the movie. It's a spoiler.

Etsy Austin at Blues on the Green

Etsy Austin has had a booth at 107.1 KGSR's Blues on the Green series and last night I was able to participate.  What a great time in Waterloo Park!  The music (Carolyn Wonderland who was joined by Shelly King) and the crowd were wonderful.  We received VIP treatment from KGSR and all the volunteers.  Lots of great vendors and plenty of parking...very nice.   We even had some cloud cover and shade!   There is one more show left, on August 12, it should be a good one.  If you go, be sure and take some cash to spend in the Etsy booth.   

This was also an opportunity to try out a smaller table display.  It can be a challenge displaying pottery in a 2 foot table space.  Fortunately I found some items to repurpose and came up with a simple display for beads, cardholders, votives, magnets and other smaller items.   You can see a picture of the "back" part of my display.    

It was also fun to share the booth with some of the wonderful Etsy Austin crafters and artists. Here they are setting up.   Lots of fun, Lots of heat..... Austin outdoors in July...

Etsy Austin Jewelry - Jill Phipps

I was looking forward to Etsy Austin at the Handmade Market this weekend.  The market didn't happen so I missed getting to see some of the work of fellow Etsians.  I was especially looking forward to seeing the work of Jill Phipps.  You can see her sweet jewelry at: www.underthesunart.etsy.com.   I really like her Owl necklaces.   Jill also has a really fun blog called QueenofTheArts.   www.queenofthearts.blogspot.com 

Cancelled - Austin Handmade Market

Cancelled.  It will be rescheduled for May 2 but I'll be at the GACA member show - Sharing a Passion for Clay.  I'll post a link in a second. 

Magnets!

               I just emptied a nice kiln load with the last of my cobalt glaze. This firing included a ton of magnets.  I sent a bunch to Milly with the Etsy Texas Crafters for promotions.   These should be in Ft. Worth for next weekend's Funky Finds Spring Fling.  Click on the title Magnets and you will go to their great vendor list.  The list includes some of our Etsy Austin team members.  It's free and indoors!  If you go, make sure to stop by the Etsy Texas Crafter's booth.