Monday, July 7, 2014

plate du jour

Faience plates are finicky. Its taken me years to figure out how to do it and even now this isn't perfect. But flaws are what make us human, so  a bump there and a errant brush stroke are only because I am so very flawed. Kinda like this plate. ))
I put a flower by this Sweet Pea plate to show the size which is just about 12 inches in diameter.

with a new cup. And the cup is pretty good sized too.
This one is different; rolled out without much trimming , a plate rustique.
(I'm using all these French terms because I've been watching a French Movie)
and its smaller, a plate for crème brulee or gauteu l'orange.

Have you seen the work of Danny Mansmith? He is a needle artist; and I think you should see what I received in the mail.....
a gorgeous bucket bag. He free stitiched over the black and white bird fabric, its like a heavy linen, added this tiny wreath medallion on the front , sturdy reliable and arty and expertly made.
It came wrapped like a gift from Pan too,

See? He has a shop; www.dannymansmith.etsy.com
and right now there are some very wonderful bags; one inparticular called Botanical
I wish someone would buy before I do. And you won't believe how reasonable his prices are.
My last news is that I have a new bedside lamp and I can read again before I sleep, and I started with
Borderland, by Robert Blythe. Little snippits of gold in the form of a Country Diary and the perfect thing to center oneself before sleep and so full of wisdom it fairly drips on the night table. Next I'm reading his "Wormingford" which is supposed to be his crowning achievement .
Hope you all are having a lovely summerxx
julie

22 comments:

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Julie, your plates are beautiful. I think they are perfect, and I think you are too critical of yourself!

Summer is going fabulous! As a teacher right now every day is Saturday except for Sunday! LOL

Claire said...

Swoon, sigh........oh Julie, these plates are wonderful.
Love the way you've decorated them.....different but still you. Keep at it, they are amazing.
I missed out on purchasing a little something from your etsy shop last week. I set my alarm and hopped up a couple of times during the night but everything was snapped up.........
If you want to watch a wonderful French film, see if you can track down a copy of 'Intouchables' a very fun, feel good movie.....
Oh, the sun has finally come out I better go and hang out a load of washing ........Claire Xx

kathyd said...

love those bags . thanks for the link . also love the plates !
xxoo

Katey said...

So lovely & beautiful. The birds & sweetpeas on your plates are just dainty & wonderful. Thank you for the book recommends! They sound much better than my current read. Hoping to slow down soon to enjoy this quickly passing summer. Thank you for sharing your art. Katey

Librarian said...

The plates are beautiful, your flowers and butterflies look so delicate!
I hope nobody buys the "Botanical" bag before you do :-)
What you tell us about the book you are reading sounds very good, just the kind of thing to read before drifting off into a healthy, restoring sleep.

Rachel Lucas said...

Absolutely gorgeous plates, dear Julie! I long for them!! You are so amazingly talented. And that bag is very beautiful too...visiting that shop right now. Have a happy day xoxo

Jill Butler Design said...

Your plates are just beautiful!

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Love the plates especially the sweetpeas...
Hope you're enjoying the Summer although I can hardly wait for Fall as you make your lovely buttons then.
Susan x

littlemancat said...

I love your plates! The simplicity - seemingly - of the images and the "empty" spaces is wonderful. A haiku of a plate -:-)!
Thanks for the tip about Borderland - looks like it will go on my book list.
Mary

Mary said...

Julie, such truly beautiful plates. Would be hard to choose a favorite, but I do love the twining sweet peas which remind me of my childhood in England. Mother and I loved growing them up a string trellis we concocted each Summer. The perfume was heady and the pretty mixed color flowers made lovely fragrant vases scattered about the house.

Danny's work is awesome - love the scarves too. His choice of fabrics are amazing - the stitchery unusual and definitely one of a kind - true works of art. Thanks for sharing this artist with us.

I'm back from the Baltic and Russia - must say I enjoyed much beautiful art in every country visited.

Happy Summer days dear.
Hugs, Mary

A bird in the hand said...

Love your plates. I like to see the hand that made the piece, otherwise it looks machine made. xo

felicity said...

I am attracted to things that are flawed. I'm not one for perfect objects all the same, I like an object (or persons face)to tell a story. Your plates are beautiful, and I like the white glaze very much. I also love the fabric bag, I'm just going to check the shop out too.Flissx

Melody said...

Gorgeous bunny cup and plates! Happy Summer to you~
i am off to look up "Borderland" now... ;))))

Lovejoy Bears said...

Your work always amazes me Julie!!The plates are divine, I adore the beautiful bird!! hugs ♥ Vicky ♥

A Mermaid's Tale said...

Beautiful plates Julie. Your delicate paintings look perfect on that white background. I have only just started planting things into pots in my new garden; I can only use pots as there is nowhere else for me to plant. On my latest trip I bought two wonderfully scented old-fashioned English roses - 'William Shakespeare' and 'Mary Rose'. The colour of William Shakespeare is deep magenta, divine! I don't know if you can get hold of them over there in California. x

Pixie said...

..beautiful plate Julie..such wonderous work..xx

jone hallmark said...

Your plates are it of this world, dear, DEAR Julie.....wow.
I am left almost breathless just from the photographs...

I am humbled by your incredible gifts and talents...you are of another world of magic, indeed......

......wow...........xoxo

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

Thanks so much peeps. Jone you are such a generous spirit.
xxx

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

The plates, your writing, your wit and charm - all so perfect. You are delightful!

sharon said...

Your plate and images are do die for, and your posts are making my summer more enjoyable!

Linda said...

I adore your pottery and I have pinned some to my Pinterest board
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740161988775/

Katherine Dunn/Apifera Farm said...

I am just sure there will be donkeys and small statured goats waiting for me in whatever Heave form takes place after I die- I do believe, I do believe, I do believe. Love those bags too!

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