The blessings of the assembly line

Ok, ok, I'm a believer. I have read countless (countless!) books, blogs, articles about being a small, business owner and specifically, a creative business owner. If you're making accessible, affordable art for sale, you have to find ways to save time.

My goal for this week is to have 10 journals finished to completion. Finished. And so for the first time, I worked on 10 cover sets rather than one at a time.  

Granted, this is the easy part, but so far so good! Gotta get back to it... xo

One potato, two potato...

 

 

...three potato, fifty!!! We had no expectations when we went to dig our sweets this week. The heat was crazy this summer, our other plants did horribly, but we dug up oodles and oodles of potatoes. Such fun.

Wishing you a lovely weekend! xo

Rachel Akin: : Ceramics

Today we are visiting Rachel Akin. Rachel is one of three Artists in Residence at Craft Alliance in Grand Center.

Rachel knew in high school that she wanted to be a potter. She attended the Kansas City Art Institute, and then earned her MFA at Ohio University.

She creates here about 20 hours a week. She also has a home studio.

 Today she's making a bowl.

 Rachel uses a mirror to ensure her work is symmetrical.

Rachel's work is constantly evolving, but the one constant? "I want my work to be soothing," she shares. "With the fast nature of life, it's nice to have objects around you that bring you down a little bit and calm you."

Rachel tells me she is so thankful to be a working artist. "I did my share of waiting tables, but since I've finished my MFA, I have been able to focus on producing my own work and teaching."

This is Rachel's view, when she's sitting at her wheel.

 These pieces are waiting to be glazed.

Rachel teaches ceramics classes at Forest Park Community College and at the Craft Alliance. Her 1-year residency began in June, and in addition to loving the space, she loves working side-by-side with fellow artists.

 Works in progress...

 This is one of the classrooms at The Craft Alliance.

 Rachel waxes the bottom of each piece so that nothing sticks in the kiln.

Rachel is also very committed to creating collections with a wide range in pricing. She wants people to be able to afford her work.

 

Access to a kiln this size is a dream come true for many ceramic artists.

Recycled goodness? Rachel can reuse all of her porcelain, from the tiny slabs she slakes off her work, to a bowl that might break or crack. Her "slop" bucket is kept to the right of her wheel.

Rachel won the Local Artist Award at this year's Laumeier Sculpture Park Art Fair.

Rachel's website

You can also find Rachel's work at:

Craft Alliance, The Loop

Necessary Extravagance, Chicago

Craftland, Providence

Thank you Rachel!
And special thanks to the Craft Alliance!

goldness goodness!

Lots of journal-making over here! I have four of these little Readers Digest Condensed Books. Their covers are so beautiful and the paper inside is perfect for all kinds of collaging. I was surprised though to see that the tops of all the pages are painted gold. Love this. And now (because of this little surprise element) I'm second guessing my decision to cut these books up. We'll see.

chandelier crystals + save the date!

So I'm experimenting this week with chandelier crystals...necklaces or Christmas ornaments? Do I make them myself or do I make them available as kits? (They are super super fun to play with!)

If you live in the St. Louis area, I hope you'll mark November 26th on your calendar! Often known as "Black Friday," I'll be collaborating with seven other local artists for a home sale here in the city. Details coming soon. xo

Every year...

...I say we'll be ready for Halloween.

And every year, we're carving pumpkins, decorating, getting ready at the final hour, the bewitching hour! (hee hee)

Although the school's party on Friday helped a little.

 But even then, we were still behind.

 Next year....next year will be different!

Hope you had a lovely weekend! xo