Field Trip for Me!

I had such a good time this morning -- at 8:00 am I headed out to Westminster to Small Farm Ceramics, the closest traditional ceramic shop that I can find. I come from the traditional ceramic background -- start off with greenware, clean it, fire it, paint it with stains or glazes and fire it again (if glazes). The offerings from a contemporary ceramic shop just don't compare in any way, shape or form to traditional ceramics but it seems that traditional ceramics is slowly dying out here in Maryland.

Some of the differences are traditional shops offer a lot of items that are complex -- instead of a Santa with a smooth coat and fur, face, etc. -- something fairly quick and easy to paint with plenty of room to add your own creative flair (i.e. stamps, polka dots, patterns, stripes, etc.). In traditional ceramics Santa would be carrying a bag with toys sticking out of the top, his boots would have creases and soles, the hair in his beard would have more texture, there would be toys laying around his boots or perhaps Santa would be on a base with a decorated tree standing beside him.

With traditional ceramics you can also personalize your items -- carve out your family's last name on the belly of a snowman, turkey or Halloween pumpkin. Not that the contemporary shop can't do that, but we have to order it from the central U.S. and while I haven't done this yet my biggest fear is that it will break in shipping. If I go and pick it up myself, I only have myself to blame if anything gets broken and timeframes aren't met.

Anyway -- to get back to my field trip, I had a blast. It made me want to hire help at my shop so I could go play with greenware again, lol. I really wish I had my own molds and could have a combined traditional and contemporary shop. Maybe someday, lol...I definitely have the room for it. Well, I made it home with some adorable snowmen, a large turkey centerpiece, African violet planters, and a Mr. & Mrs. Claus set that are just the cutest! Oh, and I can't forget the adorable reindeer. The snowmen and reindeer have cutout areas that can be personalized -- you can put "Ravens" "Redskins" "FireWorks" etc. all via special order. Come into the studio to see them up close and to place your order. Here are a few pictures...