October 2011 BOC Spotlight Artist

Gaea Cannaday

of

Gaea Studio

                            Tell us about yourself

I just realized that this will be my 12th year making pendants and beads and my 28th year of loving and working with clay (and yes, I am counting my teen years! My parents and grandparents were all creative from poetry to silver jewelry to painting. My grandmother Betty was a professional artist who would let me watch her at work and always took time to show me her techniques, so whenever I visit an artist at their studio it's like having a flashback to her studio! She was my hero! Grandma never got to see my jewelry or beads but I think she would have really enjoyed them. My mom and I have always shared a love of jewelry, so I can safely blame that addiction on mom! Now she is making some beaded jewelry when she has time and we swap beads occasionally and take trips to the bead and gem shows. My name is the greek goddess of mother earth, which I find more than appropriate for a person who likes to play with clay. How did mom know?

What got you started in clay?

 As an art major in college, I had an open period and beginning ceramics was the only class that fit at the time I needed. It was taught by Lynn Creighton, who is a sculptor and artist. She takes her classes very seriously and where some of the other teachers treated the time like a free-for-all she had us studying slides and taking notes and really getting into the art form as a whole, not just vessels but all techniques and forms. She would take us on field trips in the evenings to art openings and galleries and really got us interested in art as a whole from creation to exhibit. She moved on to teach other classes and I was spoiled by her love of art and her generosity with information. Even though she wasn't teaching ceramics anymore, it was too late to worry about who was at the front of the room! I was addicted! And at the time there was a limit to how many classes you could take. I seem to recall intentionally failing that final class so I could take it over again. Addicted! So, when one of the teachers told us about a class outside the collage we jumped on it! My husband and I spent a few years at that studio having such a great time! It was at that time that I began to make molds and decorate my pots and forms with "jewelry". Years later I was looking for a way to make a bit of holiday money. The first pieces for jewelry were molded from sculpey and painted with acrylic. My husband, always the thinker, pointed out that we owned a kiln and I could be making the small pieces for my jewelry from clay. In 1998 I started to experiment with fired pieces and we just had such a good time playing with clays and glazes. They were all a bit rough but had a lot of heart. In 2000 full time art director job was looking like it would become part time and at that time I was pregnant with my son. When he was born in 2001 my job let me work from home but the company was going through some hard times and I could see layoffs coming. My fear of leaving my infant son led me to look for other work that would let me be at home. In 2002 I started with my jewelry part time at home I did what ever it took to not have to take my son to daycare. When I went into bead shops for supplies the shop owner would sometimes ask where my pendants and beads came from and I was always pleased to say "ME"! I knocked on a lot of doors and met with shop owners that were not always fun to deal with. Calling ahead for an appointment I would show up with my toddler in tow and boxes of beads and I remember one guy in the San Fernando Valley telling me "Your little tikki pieces are too much! I will pay you $1 each!" Um, Not so much. Most shop owners had children and were very understanding. 

Is Clay your full time gig?

Clay is my full time gig! I am so happy to say! Sadly my house work is suffering for it! My poor dirty dishes cry themselves to sleep at night. I'm thinking about dragging the clothes and dishes out into the yard for the next rain! I am glad that I get to make every pick up and drop off for school for my kids. There is never a missed birthday party or play date because my work will travel with me. 

Do you sell online? Do shows?

For years I resisted etsy until I realized that sometimes people don't want to wait the sometimes 2-3 weeks for an order. Many will wait because they want what they want. Etsy has become my friend. With young children I don't get to do many of the shows that other artist do. The travel sounds fun and meeting people but I keep close to home for now. Local events here in Ojai are about as much as I can do! Luckily websites can be viewed around the world and I get a kick sending packages off to Australia, England, Spain, Canada!

What inspires you?

Everyday things inspire me. Mostly nature (if you hadn't guessed), the ocean, fairytales! My kids are great inspiration. I think they could be in charge of the inspiration department! And they both like to make jewelry! I reward my daughter with strands of beads when she cleans her room or gets all her homework done. 

Artists you admire?

I have a huge list of artists that make me swoon! And they are all over the map. Salvador Dali has been a long time favorite. Alexander Calder who our son is named after. Artist friends like Andrice Arp (http://www.hi-horse.com/aa/portfolio.html), Tina Frugoli (http://www.tinafrugoli.com/) and Gerry Zucca (http://www.gerryzucca.com/). 

Where is your working space/studio?

My studio is in my home and we are in such a dusty rural area that I've given up on having a clean space! Work actually happens where ever the kids are and mostly at the kitchen table. When the kids were little I would put a tray together and sit with they by the bath tub or out in the yard while they played. Even the beach has seen some bead action! 

Advise to new clay artists?

When someone asks how they can start making clay beads, the first thing I advise is to take ceramic classes at a local collage or studio, particularly one that stresses health and safety. There are so many ways to damage yourself that you wouldn't think about. Clay dust and glaze dust can ruin your lungs as well as be toxic if not handled properly. So health and safety first. The it's just about discovering yourself in the clay and having fun!

Thanks Gaea for a great interview!

           You can find out more about Gaea and her work here:

Gaea on Etsy

Gaea's website

Gaea's Blog

The REAL August Spotlight Artist!

*** OK, I forgot that it was supposed to be Mellisa .......where is that rock....***

Mellisa Essenburg

of

Chinook Jewelry

Located in San Diego, CA

What do you call yourself?... artist, beadiest, ceramic artist, potter.???

 Hmmm, ceramic bead artist?? I usually just say that I make ceramic beads and pendants.

How long have you been working in clay?

 Since 2005. I started making jewelry over 10 years ago then came across Marsha Neal’s work at a bead show. I was smitten, found BOC and had a kiln within a few months.

What clays do you use?

I mostly work in porcelain but have buff, chocolate and red stoneware clays hanging around too.

How do you fire?

 Electric kiln usually in the mid-fire range. Since all my pieces are glazed front and back I suspend them from high fire wire or bars on a bead rack. Occasionally I’ll single fire when I’m in a rush to complete work but I usually do both a bisque and glaze firing.

Where is your working space/studio?

My garage is home to my kilns, slab roller, clay and glazes. I have space in our office for a desk to make jewelry and have all of my beads and packing supplies tucked away in the office closet.

Do you work alone?

It’s definitely best if I work alone… my type A quality control issues get in the way of anyone assisting me!

Name the steps you have to making a finished piece of your work.

 First I create the designs for my pendants with Photoshop and have them made into rubber stamps/moulds. I occasionally will make a mould from a found object or button using clay or moulding compound. Then it’s a matter of rolling out a slab, pressing it into the mould, cutting out the desired shape and adding a hole for stringing. Sometimes I use slip to add raised details to a pendant. I’ve recently acquired a shwack of handcarved wooden fabric stamps that I’m enjoying too. Once the clay is dry I come back with a damp sponge to smooth out rough edges. Depending on the rush, I either glaze and single fire the greenware or I bisque fire, glaze and fire again.

Favorite glazes?

I used to collect nailpolish, I had hundreds of bottles…I clearly have an obsession with glossy color! I’ve traded nailpolish for glazes and have more jars than I should but would buy one of everything out there if I could! I don’t really care for fussing with making my own glazes most of the time, it’s more convenient to just go commercial since there are so many extraordinary options out there and there are enough health risks in ceramic work without including mixing dry glaze ingredients.

Favorite themes, design inspirations?

I’m particularly influenced by architectural details as well as cultural designs…I love Mediterranean, Spanish and Indian patterns (I’ve always wanted a Sari!).

Ceramic artists you admire?

Of course Marsha Neal as she was my first exposure to ceramic pendants and I love her organic designs, Melanie of Earthenwood Studio has been a huge source of support to me and does such lovely small scale sculptural beads, and Joan Miller’s attention to detail always astounds me. I’m awed by all the talent out there in our medium!



Where do you sell and show your work?

I primarily sell from my website, www.ChinookJewelry.com but also keep a few things on Etsy and do an occasional bead or trunk show.

Advice to newbies?

Experiment with different clays and glazes until you find what works best for you. I think a lot of people want to know which clay or glazes they should start with but it’s all personal preference, especially if your goal is to find your own style.

Favorite piece tool or piece of equipment?

Can’t live without my slab roller, otherwise I’m pretty low maintenance.

If you would like to see more of Mellisa's Art please visit!

Web site  http://www.chinookjewelry.com/

Blog http://www.chinookdesigns.blogspot.com/

August 2011 Spotlight Artist

ME.....:-)

Marla James of

Marlasmud and BisqueBeadSupply

Located in Detroit, Michigan

What do you call yourself?... artist, beadiest, ceramic artist, potter.???Having had no formal training in Ceramics, I guess I don't feel worthy of any title like these.

I would probably say I am a Ceramic Crafter.

How long have you been working in clay?

Well...... Since 10th grade! So...let's see.....5 YEARS! Yea.....that's it....5 years. LOL

Actually I hate to admit that it has been..34 years. Gosh, I AM old!

What do you make?

I started out as a potter. I love throwing on the wheel.

Making large bowls and platters.

Sometimes coffee mugs. Now I mostly make tiny things.

Beads, pendants are 99.9% of what I do now.

What clays do you use?

I used low fire clay in High School. Now I like Stoneware, Porcelain and Terra Cotta.

I use mainly Porcelain and stoneware now.

How do you fire?

I have 4 kilns. 1 Baby kiln and 2 "junior" size ones in the studio

and the Grand daddy in the Garage. Mainly firing to Cone 6.

I would like to turn one of the smaller kilns into a raku only kiln.

Maybe next year.

Where is your working space/studio?

My "studio" space is my basement. My hubby has helped to set me up with a comfortable space.

Now I have to learn how to keep it clean. :-D

Do you work alone?

Most of the time I do. I have a dear friend, Joni Kison, that does designing for me.

She and I have marathon designing weekends now and then.

Starting out at the crack of dawn and working till the wee hours of the morning.

She and I met in grade school and have remained friends for 40 + years.

She is a fabulous Artist. Below is one of her designs.

What exactly do you do?

How much time do you have? lol

Well, I make my own finished ceramic beads and pendants.

I make Ceramic Bisque. And I head up the Beads of Clay Organization.

I started out just making my own work and finishing it. Then I thought about how

 I could help others that do what I do.

This started the idea of making Bisque Beads and Pendant.

My own finished pieces are designs by Me and Joni.

And the bisque pieces are molds and cut out shapes.

With a LOT of smoothing/rounding and sponging. Vladislav of Golem Designs, makes bisque for my store as well. All of the round beads I carry he makes and many others.

He actually helped in the planning of the bisque bead business. (THANKS VLAD!)

We have worked together on the bisque for 4 years now.

Thanks to the internet I am in business with someone in Bulgaria! Too cool. :-)

The Beads of Clay Organization?

How did you get involved?

In 2004 Melanie Brooks and Andi Fasimpaur wanted to start a group for
Ceramic Bead Artists to learn and teach each other and the world, about our Art.
Over the years Andi went on to other things and Melanie got pretty famous! :-)
So she offered up the group to someone to Captain it.

I was the only one crazy enough to say I would do it.
So in October of 2009 I jumped in with both feet.
Now, we continue to be a group of folks volunteering our time to something we believe in,
our Ceramic Art and continuing to bring it to the world.
And hopefully bringing new customers to our stores!

Favorite themes, design inspirations? I find inspiration in Nature. I think my favorite theme is a leaf.
My dear Mom used to take me for walks in the woods behind our home when I was young.
She carried with her a small handbook about trees. I learned how each leaf was totally unique.
She showed me the veins on the leaf and compared them to our veins in how
they carry life blood thru out them.
And to my hand and how the lines come together and break apart.
I guess my Mom could be considered my inspiration as well. :-)

Advice to newbies?

I would first say, "Welcome to our addiction!"

Then I would say, keep working till you find your niche.

Keep asking questions and learning. And most of all, TAKE NOTES!!!

How I wish I had taken notes when I started out.

So many glaze combinations I loved but can't repeat because

I don't remember how I achieved them.

And never let your studio get like this!

WHAT A MESS!!!!

I hope that this self interview helped you to get to know me better.
If you have questions about me or BOC, feel free to comment.

Marlasmud
http://www.marlasmud.etsy.com
BisqueBeadSupply
http://www.BisqueBeadSupply.etsy.com

http://www.BisqueBeadSupply.com

   (offline till September)

JULY 2011 Spotlight Artist

Allow me to introduce....

Sharleen Newland

of

Shaterra Clay Studio

Shaterra Clay Studio is located in

Groveport, Ohio USA

What do you call yourself?... artist, beadiest, ceramic artist, potter.???
craftsperson

How long have you been working in clay?.... since 2003 other than a 1 year class in
High School

What clays do you use? low fire, white and red

How do you fire? electric kiln and raku

Where is your working space/studio?

  Finished basement room; raku and firing in

garden shed

Do you work alone? yes

Name the steps you have to making a finished piece of your work.

For pendants I have been carving my own lino sheets. I roll out the clay into a slab, thicker
than what I want the end result to be, because the sheet thins again when I
re-roll it over the carved design. I use various shaped cookie cutters to cut
out the pendant, or sometimes cut out free hand with a needle tool. These
pieces are dried between 2 large sheets of drywall, weighed down with 25lb
dumbell, for 2 days.

 The dried pieces are smoothed of all rough edges with a

damp rag. Then comes the bisque firing. After that I glaze, and fire again. I
use a giant extruder to press out rolls of clay for bead making. These I
measure and cut according to how large I want the beads. I roll them in my hand
to the desired shape, then press or roll over the texture plates. I use poly
clay tools made for making holes to punch the holes. Dry beads for 2 days and
fire and glaze.

Favorite glazes? I love Duncan, but I use Duncan, Spectrum, Amoco and Mayco. I

have my favorites from each mtfg and have used them enough to know which glaze
would be the best for the result I have in mind. My working space looks like a
glaze store. I probably have 200 bottles. I love it when new glazes come
out. Can't wait to try the new colors!

Favorite themes, design inspirations? I'm a nature girl; animals, leaves,

trees, petals, the sea

Ceramic artists you admire? I admire anyone that has the guts and determination
to create and sell art work

Where do you sell and show your work? I have sold my beads at several bead

stores here in central Ohio for many years. Sadly, we only have 3 left, 5 have
closed in the past 2 years. I also have finished jewelry for sale at a gift
store here in town. I would like to do more of that, but lack of available time
to design jewelry prevents it. Occasionally I do an art/craft show.. I go to
the Michigan Bead Society Show twice a year. Mostly I sell on Etsy. 

  I LOVE ETSY

Advice to newbies? I know some people don't look at other artist's work because

they are afraid of being influenced by it and not being original. I don't agree
with that, I think looking at what other people can do/have done is inspiring.
Try to incorporate what you love about their work into your own work, maybe
it's a certain technique or use of color; while still being your own person and
expressing yourself in your own way. HAVE CONFIDENCE and don't let
failures/rejections get you down. There are going to be times when you are
completely bummed out and discouraged, expect that and keep going! Every year
you will improve. Try to get up and move around periodically while you are
working, stretch, don't get stiff and sore.

Favorite piece tool or piece of equipment? My current favorite are the lino

sheets I am using to carve my own designs.

Thanks for an awesome interview Sharleen!

If YOU want to see more of Sharleen's work please visit:

Websites

  www.shaterra.etsy.com

http://www.shaterraclaystudio.com/

Blog
http://www.shaterraclaystudio.blogspot.com/

http://www.365thingsthatinspireme.blogspot.com/