Rose update.

They are out of control! You might think I know what I am doing.

Nesting.

I found this awesome yellow velvet rocker at Salvation Army yesterday! It was made in 1976, is in great shape, and only $35. The guest room finally looks like a baby room now that I added the Martha Stewart alphabet and my imitation Lorena Siminoich bird collage. The bed above was the guest bed, it will now be my "up-all-night bed." The paintings above the bed were made by my great grandmother. My neighbor Meg has kindly found me a used crib, SO for a total of $45.00 I have a nursery.Beat that "Trading Spaces." Now I just need the boring essentials. What am I going to do for the next 3 months?
I almost forgot to share this kick-ass onesie that Fort Coudy made for me! Can't wait for St. Pat's, he already has 2 outfits!

The Weekend. Is it time to work again?

First roses of summer.

Sandy Point Lighthouse

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse

Besides buying a couple of cool plates at Ikea, fixing my display boxes, and designing a stamp, I have attempted to not do much in the way of "work." On Friday, I attempted to make a veggie garden, Martha Stewart, watch out! Saturday, Jason took me to a maternity store to play "What not to Wear," I failed miserably, and left with nothing. We went to a Hypnosis show that night, not sure if I believed it, but I wanted to. Sunday we went to Annapolis to be tourists. We ate at a restaurant that had decorative plates as a border on the wall, I almost stole one. Later we took a boat tour of lighthouses in the in Chesapeake Bay. We ended up at a cookout with the three things I wanted; cheeseburgers, cheese curls, and brownies. Yum. Today I did groceries. Now I am bored. That about covers it. Can't wait to work again!

Tank You!

The Tank-You Vase from La Tete Au Cube. (via Pan-Dan)

Isa Form

LOVE THESE POSTERS from Isa Form of Sweden! They can all be personalized with baby's name, I wish I knew mine! The elephant poster says "Maja Lives Here."

Binth

Love the new numbers poster from Binth.

One Man's Junk...

While leaving the back of the Center for the Arts building at Towson University the other day, I heard a very familiar sound, ceramics being smashed to pieces! As I approached the sound, I discovered two men throwing pots and plates into a huge dumpster! I screamed "Wait! I'm the Broken Plate girl, can I see what's left??" They said that they were almost finished throwing out all of the work that students had left behind for the semester, all that was left was this blue vase if I wanted it. Half of me was bummed that I missed the loot, the other half couldn't wait to get to Home Depot to find a plant to fill my new pot! In years prior I might have gone back to dumpster dive, but this year I will just be happy to have a new un-broken piece of pottery!

Ouch.

No one said that breaking plates for a living is without its danger. Between cuts, solder burns, and the occasional misguided hammer whack, my hands have sustained the brunt of the injuries.

When this happens, I have one of two thoughts; 1. Charge twice as much, 2. throw the piece across the room to never see the light of day (this is what normally happens).

Yesterday, the above injury occurred while making a piece from a plate that I brought home from Florida. Charging double is not practical, and throwing it away would be sad, so I have a new plan for trouble pieces. I am going to donate half of the price to Art with a Heart, a local Baltimore charity who provides interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges.

This is my first addition (of many to come, I am sure) for Art with a Heart!

Afro Mud Flap Girl

So...cool....why...didn't...I...think...of...this....

Mixko

Via Notoct.org. Just cuteness from Mixko that I wanted to share.

The Green Life: Mom's The Word

I was honored to learn from a wonderful new customer, that I had a mention on The Sierra Club's blog, The Green Life. The post lists some Mother's Day gift ideas for the Eco-friendly mom, my necklace is mentioned for the quirky mom. Very cool!

Visual DNA

Here's a fun personalty test time killer!

Recycle Remake Redesign Recraft Reuse Recreate Reclaim Reduce

I just discovered a new blog called Recycle Remake Redesign Recraft Reuse Recreate Reclaim Reduce. It is the writers "homage to the many people out there who know how to make 'something from nothing' Those who are thrifty & can create from someone elses cast offs." This blogger knows a thing or two about recycling, she is Garbagebag from Etsy, she makes great bags out of recycled clothing like the one above.

What I did on my "working vacation" via camera phone...

This is the back garden of the Stuffed Pig were we got great breakfast before work. Jason basically paid me in pancakes.

There were constant reminders of the fun that I am not allowed to have, posted in the bathrooms.

We installed a phone system for US Border Patrol in Marathon FLA in the Keys, this is a holding cell for illegal immigrants.

Superior Electric from Marathon Fla has a great slogan - "We Show Up" - nice.

Not much grass to keep of off, but OK.

A storm pulling off as we drove to the job.

The Southernmost spot in the US - 90 miles to Cuba.

Squidfire Wrap-Up (a little late)

Admittedly a little late on my Squidfire wrap-up, but I have been away since 4am Sunday, it is all kind of a blur. I could not wait to get home and tell you all about it. We had a great time, met lots of great folks, and bought some awesome things which I will tell you all about later. Squidfire did Baltimore proud by hosting this great show - so thanks a million to those wonderfully creative boys! The location was perfect, and proved to those nervous out-of-town crafters that B-more is much nicer then it is rumored to be! I hope we can keep it up and prove that B-more can craft and host shows with the best of them! Also, I must that a million and one thanks to my sister who is the best helper ever!
On to my purchases...
We were lucky enough to be placed next to the awesome soap making sisters of Biggs & Featherbelle. Their yummy soap made even the damp streets of Baltimore smell great! I could not wait to get home and use the soap, it washed the day right off!

We bought this cool-ass bib and a camo onesie from Sheriff Peanut, so creative!

Finally, I broke down and bought this new bag from De*Nada Design and I love it! It is so well made that it is even pretty on the inside! The handles are the perfect size for my shoulder, however, I don't recommend wearing it on a sun burnt shoulder, OUCH! (Although, even if it was made of silk it would hurt right now!)

After these messages, we'll be right back!

Today is the big Squirefire show in Baltimore, I hope lots of you can make it out!

Tomorrow morning I will be flying out to to play "phone-girl" with Jason for a few days. If you want to be utterly bored, this is my other life. (Sorry Jason!) I shall return May 18th.

Pile of Craft!

I'm in! See you there!

Etsy Shop of the Week! Dandelionblu

Check out this awesome work from a new Charm City crafter, Sherry, of Dandelionblu. Her jewelry is a nice mix of old fashioned silversmithing and clever beading, all with really reasonable prices! I am loveing these earrings above. Her past life as a photographer also lends itself to a really attractive store. She is one to watch!

Damask pattern trash bags.

See, even trash bags can be gorgeous! From Organize.com

Porcelain Bird Plates on Modishoppe

Made from porcelain china, these small plates by New Work, feature silk-screened ornamental wallpaper patterns in sage green with a flamingo and bird image printed in blue on top! Sold out right now, but check back with Modishoppe.

Long Live Martha!

Say what you will about Martha Stewart, but her new crafts line , available at Michael's, is genius! It makes me wish I was a scrap-booker! The wrapping paper, cards and kids craft kits are must sees!

TU Metals Spring Sale

My work will be there all week, I will be there Wednesday AM and Friday afternoon. Printmaking and ceramics sales will also be going on May 11-12. Don't forget mom!!!!!

New work.

I have been busily breaking and soldering, getting ready for the summer shows. I bought a whole set of these beautiful Cronin China dishes at Goodwill the other day. I have been coveting them for a few months, but was hesitant to buy the whole set. I am glad I did, I love them! Any idea what kind of bird this is?

Sick amounts of cuteness

Boys clothes have really evolved! These are from Punk-n-Pie.

Thumbs Up!

So far, so good! We even got a thumbs up. Looks like he will be due a week later though, around September 12th.