Etsy Shop Update Saturday Evening

I've been working hard on getting new work made, photographed, edited, listings created, and so much more for this Etsy Shop Update at 7pm EST tonight 2/2/13. 

And I'm pretty excited about launching this new line of work.

Terrarium Ceramic Mushrooms Sculptures Marsha Neal Studio

Terrarium Ceramic Sculptures Marsha Neal Studio

Terrarium Bird Nest Sculpture Marsha Neal Studio

Terrarium Tendril Sculptures Marsha Neal Studio

Textured Finger Bowls Marsha Neal Studio

Small Ring Holder Marsha Neal Studio

Textured Rustic Ceramic Discs Marsha Neal Studio

Spiral Ceramic Shards Marsha Neal Studio

I am so excited at how this new line will grow and develop as I work through the mountains of ideas that these forms and colors are creating.

By the way - if you purchase something, and go back for more - while I have your item in house (orders will most likely be packed up by Monday 2/4/13), and have already paid for shipping, use checkout coupon code FREESHIP to avoid excessive shipping fees.

If you pay by direct checkout - this is especially important as I cannot credit your account for the excess fees. I can only send credits back via PayPal.

Handmade Bead Pairs Process

When I have time to work with clay in my studio, there are a few "modes" of process that I fall into.

This is my most comfortable, my meditation... 

My handmade production mode.

 I roll out clay coils, cut them into sections, roll them into balls, then form them into beads (here they are being made into my clay shards for a custom order and Etsy shop update).

After they are dry, they are loaded into bisque containers to load into my kiln for a bisque firing.

I load in the mornings so the kiln can fire during the day as I can be present to tend to it.

Peeves, our cat, loves the early morning one on one time.

 When pieces are unloaded the next day, the pairing begins.

I like to work in pairs.

There are lots of reasons in my mind that justify this way of working...

From logical marketing to whimsical visual thoughts to romantic ideals of things that are meant to be together... 

 There are many that do not have mates, and they go back into the tray for sorting through later.

But I find that since I work in batches, and when I work with clay, my mind and heart take over and things never quite turn out the same. 

Imprints of things going on in my life are put into these small objects - my physical and mental state affect how the clay works in my hands as well as how the glaze is applied to the work.

 So working in this routine and rhythm of pairs works for me.

Because I have been firing my beads and pendants for years in the same manner (on hooks, on rods, on racks, in kilns to Cone 5/6) I have a firm grasp on how to load and fire efficiently.

I cringe at wasted kiln space and using excessive energy, so I avoid that.

Keeping pieces together in pairs allows for more controlled results in the firing itself as the kiln atmosphere varies and can change a glaze easily.

 Opening a glaze fired kiln is like receiving a gift that was unexpected and very thoughtful and perfect for that moment - a pure delight... For the most part (there are those disappointed times too).

With unloading there is a process as well.

I have different size hooks rods that need to go back into their proper containers.

And pairs that need to stay together to avoid excess work later...

 Looking at a tray full of finished beads is such a delight.

Taking them off the rods to see their entire surface is beyond words at times.

The way the clay texture and glaze interact is so awesome.

Ceramics and Glazing can be magical...

And for me, this process of working in batches, keeping things in pairs, keeps me organized and helps cut down on excessive repeat sorting work, which could take hours - not to mention the headaches of matching (and matching, and matching...)

In the end, this process of making handmade beads in this sort of production mode will allow me to have more creative time to see what other new ideas will emerge.

Etsy shop and website updates are happening very soon!

First Friday Art Walk Weekend on Etsy.com

It's First Friday Art Walk Weekend on Etsy.com!
And the AWETeam (Art Walk Etsy Team) is hosting this monthly weekend long event of artwork on Etsy by AWETeam members.

So I'm going to quick show off some of my work that is over in my MarshaNealStudio Etsy Shop, something I should have done back in December. Some work is new, some is from December.

Marsha Neal Studio Line Curls Crescent Earrings

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Clay with Patina Glaze Disc Bead

Marsha Neal Studio Chocolate Clay Crescent Spiral Textured Beads

And realizing that my OOAK random 2mm silk strand color palettes were down to a couple,

I spend an afternoon relaxing with the kids watching some movies, and pulled a bunch of new palettes and then listed them in my Etsy shop.

This is one of those things that happens 2, maybe 3 times a year.

So grab some while they are fresh!

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Marsha Neal Studio offers 2mm Hand Painted Silk Cords

Which now makes me think. Darn. I just reshot a bunch of the ones I keep in stock and have multiples of. Do I need to re-shoot them too? Eh. Not right now...

Marsha Neal Studio offers three kinds of silk cords/ribbons (2mm, Fairy, Silky Silks)

Also, I just purchased a self paced improve your photography class:
Photographing Fine Art & Craft by Brit Hammer
Which I found through an email I received from Susan Lomuto of  Daily Art Muse

So far, I read up through page 41 and I am digesting it all.
Letting my mind get around some of the basic concepts she puts forth and letting my mind settle in and relax a bit to be able to enjoy photographing my work instead of getting overwhelmed with it.
(I'm not to lighting yet - and that is the part that always frustrates the heck out of me - so we'll see...)

The new terrarium pieces are still being glazed and preparations are underway for them being photographed with this new state of photographing my work in place...

And don't you know... I got a summons from the State of DE for Jury Duty on Jan. 8 (figures!) so their arrival into the public realm will definitely be more mid-month than early.

Happy First Friday!
Hope you are out there seeing some amazing art (or if online, checking out some of the awesome work that is out there!)

Tiny Garden Mushrooms and Accents

After the Christmas and New Years Crazy Holiday time is over - these pieces will be available for purchasing... 

(I know I have been saying that for a while. But the pieces are being photographed and things are moving forward. And I am driving my husband crazy, and that alone is enough motivation to get these out there to you all).

So start to look in my Etsy shop and my Marsha Neal Studio Website in early to mid-January 2013.

(get on my mailing list for the details and head's up!)

Or add these to your Pinterest boards to remember to look for them soon...

In the last few years I have been creating, testing, thinking, re-making, re-testing glazes, and now I have begun to focus on the marketing of this new body of work.

Tiny Garden Mushroom Sculptures by Marsha Neal Studio

I want these tiny sculptures for your terrarium, house plant, or non-frozen garden to be seen in a particular way.

Not just as something that you can buy.

(Although - Please... DO buy them so I can pay bills and make more art...)

For me, they are more than that...

They have a story.

They are part of a journey.

They touch on many things from deep within.

Things that go back to childhood.

Texture detail from Mushroom or Textured Tendril by Marsha Neal Studio

They touch on obsessions with color and texture...

Texture Detail of Tiny Mushroom or Tendril by Marsha Neal Studio

They are meant to be part of daydreams and personal healing.

Texture and edge detail of Tiny Mushroom Sculpture by Marsha Neal Studio

They are something that you can stop and look at.

Tiny Porcelain Terrarium Tendrils by Marsha Neal Studio

Move them around in your environment (they have a small piece of wire fired into them that comes out from the bottom of the sculpture to insert into your medium of choice to help keep them standing up).

Think of them as little zen sculptures for your mind and table top gardens.

Water Nest Sculpture by Marsha Neal Studio with Nikki Thornburg Glass Bead.

They can be tucked into nooks where they can be discovered...

Bird Egg Nest by Marsha Neal Studio with Nikki Thornburg Glass Bead.

In my minds eye, I become child-like again with the joy and pleasure of these objects.

I am able to explore them by sight and feel.

Although, be aware - these are not intended to be used by children. They are porcelain and stoneware clay, that is covered by glaze (which is glass) and they have metal spikes coming out of the bottom. All of which can be sharp if broken or poked into you. So please be mindful of where these are when little ones are around (be aware of pets too - they love to get into trouble sometimes). 

So now that I have my new creations ready to make their way to you, how do I best do that?

I think I have packaging and shipping 80% figured out.

Pricing will be in line with all of my other work (never an easy thing to do, but once done - phew!)

I am easily excited and overwhelmed with all of these thoughts.

I am working through them, which seems to be taking forever...

Every one of these is unique although they are somewhat similar in the way they are made.

They are family for sure.

There are variations in styles and clay bodies used.

Variations in sizes - height and diameter (although all to be held in your hand easily).

And Colors are limitless (and every kiln firing producing different results adds to the natural variations within color palettes).

Sorting of Small Garden Sculptures into Colors by Marsha Neal Studio

And with that, I am off to put pen in hand to paper and get this communication and ease of ordering figured out.

Glaze Firing Peek!

Words cannot describe the events of yesterday. I tried to not watch the news or be on FaceBook a lot because every time, my heart was wrenched...

I took some time in the early afternoon to spend some quiet time in the studio as my glaze kiln cooled enough to open then unload. I did remember to take photos!


Above = before glaze firing.
Below = after (cone 5 which is @ 2230 degrees F)





I wanted to make some smaller, more tiny sized Terrarium sculpture pieces.


Perfect since I needed some meditation time (this is one of my new nature texture pendants from this firing - a test firing for them).


And as I am working, if distracted, accidents can happen (this wire had to be trimmed - way too long!).


Then finally the kiln was cool enough to unload...


There are many spiral texture textured discs in this load.


And some more tests of that new ocean/sea object spiral impressed plate.
I wanted more blue, so back to more tests...


Then, the bottom shelf. Above = before glaze firing. Below = after Cone 5 firing.





There were a few fatalities (with firing new shapes, with different weights, in new ways, there are always lessons to be learned!)


I want to get some of these petite pieces fired ASAP! Loving these glazes...


There are so many combinations and directions I can take with these.


The ideas for colors and use are overflowing... Now if only I had the time!





This is going to be so much fun moving forward with these!!!


Then it was time to get the kids from school. And now a weekend full of family time (maybe eeking in some glaze time and a small glaze firing) and parties and food making!


Off to start my day while the house sleeps in for a bit...

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