Operation C.U.P.

by Arthur Halvorsen

I wanted to tell all the followers of the Boston Handmade blog about the movement I got off the ground starting last year. The movement is called Operation C.U.P. (Citizens Using Pottery) and the point of it is to get handmade cups into the hands of people that normally wouldn't buy handmade. So it works like this, you and I buy a handmade cup the point is to then gift it to our best friend. Who else do you know better then your best friend? On my fan site Arthur Halvorsen Ceramics I am posting a daily link to a cup up until Christmas, that I find online through etsy, online galleries and directly through the artist as well. This has been a labor of love and I'm really excited to be doing it for a second year in a row. So please become a fan on facebook so you too can be part of the Operation C.U.P. movement.

*If you do partake in this I would love for people to post a photo of their cup in use, best friend opening the cup or whatever. I would love to see those photos!

San Francisco Vegan Fashion Show Update

by Laura Collins of Pansy Maiden


The San Francisco Vegan Fashion Show was a fantastic success! The event was well orchestrated and very well attended---we played to a full house with people standing in the back. The brands represented were all amazing and the people I met were super nice. The best part--my bags were incredibly well received! Better than I could have even imagined. At one point in the show, Rory Freedman (the emcee and author of Skinny Bitch) announced "That is the cutest clutch I have ever seen." And it was my new vegan suede "Use What Ya Got Clutch!" I was so tickled! Oh, and my two minute presentation on Pansy Maiden wasn't so bad. I had been so nervous to speak in front of so many people!

One of the goals of this fashion event was to prove that cruelty-free fashion can be more than just hemp, polyester, and plastic. I believe that this show definitely proved that point, and hopefully, audience members will take that knowledge and run with it. There is no longer a reason for vegans to "settle" for blasé fashion that just "happens to be" vegan. There are many up-and-coming vegan designers out there making it easy to be both fashionable AND vegan! Even if someone isn't vegan, they could still wear any item from any designer represented at the fashion show and feel (and look) good about what they are wearing.

Twist Fair in Northampton, MA

from Melissa of Pressbound


Start your holiday shopping early or just treat yourself to some handmade goodies! Please join Boston Handmade members Pressbound and Julie Beck this Friday and Saturday November 12 and 13 at Twist Fair in Northampton, MA.

Twist is a fresh kind of fair, showcasing original goods and art from 60+ talented vendors. Twist is held twice a year, in May and November. Save the dates for an exciting feast of shopping and fun!

Location
Northampton Center for the Arts
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA USA

When
Friday November 12, 2010
VIP Reception 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Gen Admission 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday November 13, 2010
10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Admission
Adults $4.00
Kids (6-12) $2.00
5 and under FREE

Kathy King

by Arthur of Arthur Halvorsen Ceramics

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking a workshop with the one and only, queen of black and white herself, Kathy King. Kathy was a joy to take a workshop with, she has us laughing up a storm from the minute we walked into the room. She talked about her interest in comic books, graphic novels, drawing, and other ceramic artists. You can totally tell from her work where her interests lie.

Kathy teaches at the Harvard Ceramic Studio presently, but has also taught at many other colleges and universities around the country. In addition to teaching at the university level she teaches workshops around the country at places like Penland, Haystack, Watershed, and Arrowmont. I feel very fortunate that I can call Kathy not only an awesome friend but also call her one of my mentors. I hope you enjoy some of the photos I took during the workshop.

Kathy carving away at the base of the tulipiere.

A robot thought bubble after she had demoed how to paint with china paint.

China paint has a long history where women got together and china painted, *basically gossiped about each other.

Kathy working on her tall stacked form called a tulipiere. Each of those spouts would hold flowers.

Some of Kathy's finished work for an upcoming show.

Monday Mosaic - Industrial

1. Robots 11 x 14 Matted Photograph by Kerry Hawkins Photo
2. Susan's Star in Silver and Diamond by Cristina Hurley
3. Black Diamond Pocket Notebook with Lined Paper by White Sparrow Bindery
4. Industrial Series Necklace in Silver and Black by Lush Beads
5. Dogtag Keychain or Necklace by Stitchy McYarnpants
6. Spun Cotton Vintage Inspired Robot Figure by Vintage By Crystal

Clay workshop, Mudflat Studios

By Kerry from Khawkinsphoto

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending Arthur Halvorson's clay workshop along with Boston Handmaders Lucie, Allison, Diane and Leah. When the workshop came up I jumped at the chance to work with clay.

When we arrived, Arthur gave us a tour of the Mudflat Studios, including the kilns and individual artist studios. There were shelve after shelve of completed and soon to be completed work. It was fun to see all the different styles, shapes and sizes of the pieces, some simple and others very elaborate.

Arthur taught us how to work with the clay to shape it the piece we wanted to make. We were able to choose from many of his own molds (top photo) to make our dishes or plates. He has made these molds from everyday plates and dishes. Some of the Arthur's molds are of his own design, too. I choose a small mold that was made from a paper plate. I thought better to start off small. We were taught how roll out the clay to form bases to put a on the bottom our pieces. Arthur has a whole set of fun homemade tools and methods to make the bases original and interesting.

After forming the pieces, it was time to decorate our pieces with glaze and maybe, even add texture with liquid clay. I choose blue and green glaze and added a bit of texture. It will be interesting to see how my piece turns out. Arthur will be firing our pieces in the next few weeks. It was fun to see everyone's designs and color choices. I can't wait to see all the work when they are fired and done.

Arthur was a great teacher and teaches all ages the art of working with clay. These was fun to spend the afternoon learning something new but also, learning his process. He has beautiful work and it is nice to see all the work behind the finished pieces.

Food, Fuel, and Crafts?

by Sharon of Stray Notions

On a recent trip on the Maine Turnpike ... I stopped at the West Gardiner service plaza to check out the Maine Center for Crafts ...yes you read that right. The Center is a retail operation and Gallery operated by the Maine Crafts Association and features the juried work of Maine artisans in a large retail setting with a smaller space dedicated to curated exhibitions (currently jewelry artists). On a previous trip I listened as the cashier surveyed each customer who made a purchase as to how they heard about the Center --- the majority (unlike myself) indicated that they'd come in to use the rest rooms. (Gosh --- if I had a nickel (or a sale) for everyone that had to go to the bathroom :) ).

New Work...

By Marla of Sea Glass Things

Here are two more additions that will be sent to Eco 1st Art! Eco 1st Art carries upscale earth friendly items. I haven't heard yet if there has been an official launch - however, there are now many items for sale - check them out!