Monday, June 29, 2009

Rosy June Morning

My paintbrush has developed this recent habit of gravitating to all the pink paint pots. This rabbit may be wearing a blue scarf, but the plaid accents are raspberry, a country cousin to pink.
I've looped a bunch of thyme over this rabbit's neck, and in back, there is a deep indention in the clay, at an upward angle, so he stays securely on a nail.
This bird is holding a necklace by Nina Bagley, a very simple but earthy one that seems to go with everything I wear. Even overalls, well especially them. The egg is glass and is a lampwork bead made by her sister, Ellen.
http://starcatcher.etsy.com

Pink again. See what I mean?


This jar contains rose petal jelly. I wanted the sun to light this up, so you can see the clarity and lovely pure rosiness of it. Its made by Jenny, who gathers the rose petals in her Utah garden.

The name drawn by my seafaring husband: Daffodil. I've written her, and want to thank all of you. you know I'd like to send you all a honey pot, but you do have my good wishes and gratetful heart.
xx
julie


juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

Monday, June 22, 2009

Heartfelt Giveaway

I feel so lucky. And in large part I owe that to my customers, many who have become friends. I'm showing my gratitude in the form of a honey pot. There's a teapot and pie painted on the front, which is still warm from the oven. A pink house serves as a pull. Its' hand built with a scalloped seam. There's a spoon on the back and what else but a Forget-me-not?
If you are new to my blog, please leave info so I can contact you if your name is drawn.
xx
julie

juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tea Party

These new mugs are the result of a few requests for a roomier cup for those who like caffe lattes, lots of milk in their tea, or just more of it. They are porcelain, so are lighter. I've added a very thin strip of clay to the base and wrapped it under to guard against leaks. Of course so far they are all different sizes. I don't seem capapble of making matching sets.
A squirrel with a peach pie, a fox with a basket of tea leaves, and a gardening lady whose been watering her herb garden. These are now on my kitchen counter, filled with water and sitting on a dish towell to make sure they don't spring a leak! Soon to be for sale in my Etsy shop if there are no tell tale water marks.

Here are my mug and honey pot, used daily. That's my dog, Emma on the front. I made the honey pot for my husband to commemorate a happy day at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. A memorable day on which we saw a painting by Paul Cezanne. That honey pot was in the painting. Cezanne must of loved faience pottery, because he painted it many times. I bought a post card of that work, brought it to my treehouse and recreated it as faithfully as I could.

This tea, Calming moment, came all the way from Finland. My friend Delila sent me four different varieties of Forsman Tea, with the ingredients transalted into english. Wasn't that thoughtful? This one is my favorite. It has a meadowy, summery fragrance, and I think I can say without any exaggeration, it changed my tea drinking life. I couldn't imagine going on without this elixier, and just so I wouldn't have to plead for more from Delila, I found a little company in Washington state who sells it! By the way, Delila has a charming blog, robinandthesage.bogspot.com



If you want to have a Finnish meadow in your kitchen you can find the tea here;
www.ForsmanTeaUSA.com


juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Pincushion Friend


This wanderer of hedgerow, lane
and wood, this spiny hog,
comes gently, snuffling, once again,
emerges from the fog
of centuries bygone, of dreams,
And curls before our sight,
And smokelike, grave and secret seems,
This denzien of night.
Yet charm as ever, conquers all,
As caring holds the key,
To woodland haunt, to coarse brown ball,
To hedgehog mystery!
frank marples

I think its time to form a Society for the Adoration of the Hedgehog. We can serve rosehip punch and custard. Ginger cookies in the shape of acorns. I can think of two people at least who would join in. What about you? Do you want to be the Hedgehog's friend?

In this grouping, there's a herb holder, a little portrait plate, and a lady holding her garden friend. There's a statue too, and a tiny cup to go with it, be advised Hedgehogs like LOTS of milk in their tea.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Ned Poon, Owl and Fred Mears, Rabbit



This is a surprise for my friend, Kary, who loves owls. I know he looks serious, and he is. An owl of few words. As soon as the sun slid behind a hill, he rose from his seat, flapped his great wings once, and glided away. One of his feathers fell away and drifted right onto the table. I've left it there for you to see.

Fred Mears, the rabbit was altogher different. Full of friendliness and charming stories of the district. I hope to tell you some at a future date.

In my pottery life, I've got a firing in the kiln and will be listing tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Gilbert White sits for his portrait



This is Gilbert White, named for the naturalist from Selbourne, England. Gilbert is the founder of the Ambleside Animal Association for the protection of the woods, wolds, moors, meadows, etc. of the Lake District Countryside.
He agreed to pose for me, and all was proceeding quite well, until a great Horned Owl showed up at the cottage to arrange for his sitting. Gilbert dashed out, knocking his mug over in the process. I feel I must make amends, and plan on making him a new mug, as his was cracked.

Portraits soon to be available in my etsy store.

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
Donkey with green paw