Mother Nature and her Influence

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a love of gardening and nature. I am an earth person. Happiest when I am doing something with my hands and getting dirty. It's my way of feeling connected with the earth.

We all have people and moments in our life that have a lasting impression on us. It shapes who we are and perhaps what pathways we are to follow with respect to talents, loves etc. I also believe that we are all born with certain passions and talents, we just have to tap into them and discover them.

I was born in England. A magical moment for me when I was a little girl, was when my parents took us on a family picnic to the English woods. I was about 7 or 8 years of age. It was spring and I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful it was. I was in awe of the impressive old trees like oaks, birch etc reaching up to sky and blocking out the sun. Underneath was an endless sea of blue bells that took my breath away and the fragrance was amazing. That day is still so clear in my mind and the feelings I had as a result, I believe gave me a love and the connection I have today with nature.

My parents emigrated to Australia when I was ten. Australia is the place/country I call home. I love everything about our beautiful country. The flora and fauna constantly have me in awe,. The landscapes, colours and textures are so beautiful and as a creative person, I am constantly taking in my surroundings.

Like many artists, I take inspiration from nature and it is reflected in my work. This is what influenced my range of Australian native birds. The flock (range) is constantly growing. I really love seeing the people who buy them and their appreciation for the love, time and effort that goes into making everyone of them.

If you read my last blog, I mentioned that there was another new bird to my range. The "Rainbow Lorikeet' was a big hit at Coledale Markets on the weekend. Getting busy today making some more today, so its off to the studio.

If you are looking to purchase any of my little birds, please email me for suppliers or visit my Etsy shop. Link via my home page.

Thanks for dropping by today. Have a beautiful day.



Hot Out of the Kiln

Just opened the kiln and happy to see that my little brids have all turned out beautifully. My Galah's, Kingfisher's and Cockatoo's look great. More to go in this week too. Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots as well as my standard ones. Now to get busy putting the ribbons on each one of these so they can hang up and be enjoyed. I have them hanging in my garden. They look bright and pretty and lead your eye around the garden. Many have been bought to hang on the Christmas tree too. These make a lovely, inexpensive Christmas Gift. If you are interested in purchasing any of these, email me for me details. I am happy to post to anywhere in Australia. Merry Christmas everyone and keep an eye out for my next kiln opening.

So Much to Do........

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for reading my post today. Feeling a tad overwhelmed at the moment. You know what it's like when you know that you have a certain number of days until the next market. Which broken down into bits, means that you have stuff all time left to make, dry, fire, decorate and fire. Arghhh.... Anyway, BREATH IN, BREATH OUT...... it will all be okay. Well, that is what I keep telling myself.

I feel like I have a hundred and one things to do. YET, I keep making more things, just to make sure.

For those that read my last post, Mittagong Markets went quite well. It blew an ABSOLUTE GAIL all day which was horrible. If you attend markets with your work, you will sympothise with me about windy days at markets. It was my first time there as a stallholder, so I was not sure what to expect. I have not long been back on the market scene. Did it years ago when my eldest daughters (19 and 17) were little. Now that I am home with a 2yr old, I think I have time to do it all again. Hmmm.....

I have tried a few local craft markets in my area, but found that there just weren't enough people frequenting them. Times have changed. My biggest seller at the markets are these hanging birds.  I make Christmas decorations as well this time of year, which are also popular, but these little birds are my bread and butter. I guess they are pretty and CHEAP at $4 and $5. I probably sell them far too cheaply considering the time and effort that goes into making them but hey, they sell.

Ceramic Birds with underglaze & glaze, various other glazes and fired to Cone 6

Original drawings and cardboard templates that i made

I started out by making a few very basic bird shapes and have now expanded to include more detailed birds like Kingfisher, Cockatoo, Major Mitchell, Galah, Willy Wagtail and Parrots. They do take me alot longer, so I might add another few dollars to the price of the new ones?

Kingfisher's and Cockatoo's drying

Anyway, that's enough from me so head over to Mud Colony to see what everyone else has been up to this week.