Companion Gallery Photos

Just a little up the road from Jackson is a cozy vineyard/winery with a pottery studio and gallery up on the hill. The owner of the studio is my friend Eric Botbyl, and he spends his days making gorgeous pottery, teaching other people to make gorgeous pottery, and displaying/selling all of this said gorgeous pottery in his gallery. It's a neat place! A while back I photographed the gallery before a big sale they had, and I wanted to share the results. If you find yourself in Humboldt, Tennessee (or any place close) you should hop over to the Crown Winery for a bottle of Chambourcin (or whatever you fancy...it's all good) and then go get a Botbyl Pottery goblet to drink it out of.

Amelia Stamps (AMAZING!) 

This colorful work is by my friend/former roommate/running buddy, Kelsey Nagy.

The Companion Gallery also carries soap from Made on Acorn Hill and a variety of jewelry, even some bracelets by the young Botbyl girls.

I've got so much pottery that I'm running out of room for it. No matter, I'll just keep stacking them deeper and deeper. Rhett complains that I have way too much, but I just ignore it. You can never have too much pottery! I love knowing exactly who made the mug I am drinking my morning coffee from. Some of my favorite pieces are from my best buddies who are potters (looking at you Kelsey and Paige).

Do you guys use handmade pottery?

Surrounded by Claydies

I think I've mentioned it before, but both of my roommates are clay artists. (claydies=clay ladies...see what I did there?) They are both immensely talented and creative, and I have known them both since the beginnings of their craft. I can tell you it's incredible how far they have come! We have some of their earlier work at the house, and it always stirs a little laughter.

 Marilyn's Art School by Paige | Tea set by Kelsey

This Thursday, they are putting up a joint show at a local University, and I photographed a piece by each of them for the gallery postcard (above). I wish you all lived around here, so you could come to the reception with me on Thursday! I haven't seen most of Kelsey's pots, but she's been working on a gorgeous set of vases that I know will look amazing. Paige just finished up a sculpture last night that I'm curious to see. She's always adding such interesting details to her pieces! I don't see Paige being able to sell her pieces online since they're worth like a grand a piece, but I am working on getting Kelsey started on Etsy! She said after the show would be a good time, so here's hoping :)

Shepherd's Haven Shop Update

It's been a while since I posted a shop update for Shepherd's Haven. I have added lots of new things lately, but several of my favorites have sold already! It really gives me so much joy to see sales going well for them. Here are some of my favorites that are still in the shop...

oval bowl

soup mug

spoon rest

cross ornament

Most of these are my favorites because of the color. I love all the fun glazes they've been using (especially the blue on that cross ornament). Isn't that bowl so great?! I feel like it looks very Easter-y with those pastel colors. I don't care much for the pink on the spoon rest, but I know it's right for someone. I just love that we have a spoon rest in the shop! And let's talk about that awesome drip glaze on the soup mug...wow. I really love functional pieces that are also decorative. That mug is the PERFECT size for soup, or even an extra big cup of coffee (we all have those days). 

I hope you all like these! I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with next year :) My visit to the Shepherd's Haven Day Center last week was so much fun. I'll definitely post some pictures for you guys. I took lots of the people working on their ceramics. They were having so much fun!

a lot of lately part two

The other day I posted some pictures I'd taken for some Etsy shops. Well now I want to show you the pictures I've taken for my potter friends. They each have totally unique styles, and I love all of them! First is Ally. She had her senior art show this semester and it turned out great. She does triathlons during her time off, so she used that part of her life to inspire her show.

She projected a heart rate monitor loop onto the wall of plates. Interesting, right?! Next is Kelsey. She also had her senior show. Her work is so exuberant and fun, just like Kelsey's personality! I love all of her colors and decoration.

 My mom now owns that little jar on the right. I've got to get her some stuff to match now! 

It was like a color explosion in there! Next is Paige. She has already graduated, but she's working at the university and gets free studio space. I took some photos for her just so she'd have some documentation.

So that's what I've been doing! Pottery is kind of a pain to shoot, but I'm happy with the way these turned out. I'm hoping Paige will do an article for Ceramics Monthly and use one of my pictures. That would make my day! I'm also hoping that Paige will get some stuff together to start an Etsy shop soon. But she doesn't seem to need to right now! Whenever she gets things made, she sells it all pretty quickly. All three of these talented ladies are quite popular around these parts :)

Botbyl Pottery

A few weeks ago (right before Valentine's Day actually), my roommates and I went to a local gallery for a Valentine's Day pre-sale thing. Our friend Eric runs the gallery, makes awesome pottery, and teaches pottery classes there. It was fun getting to see all of his work and even work from some other people we know! All of us bought a cup, and my mom joined us after a little while. It was a nice Saturday afternoon spent with friends, and here are some pictures from the day...

 my friend Amanda's jewelry set-up. She's so talented! I'm hoping to set her up an Etsy shop someday

 Kelsey and Paige talking to Eric (the gallery owner)

 that mug is MINE now!

 I just love his work. I really want that big serving platter...maybe someday. 

 This is more of Amanda's jewelry

 my lovely, lovely mommy looking at some earrings

 Kelsey, me, Paige, and Eric 

 it was SUCH a pretty day. We had to get some roommate shots :) We all look a little insane in the 2nd one!

the gallery is a part of this great winery. It's seriously one of the most gorgeous places in this area!

Ally's Ceramic Work

My friend Ally is a ceramics major graduating THIS YEAR! Pretty soon all my friends are going to graduate and I won't know anyone in the department anymore. Sad :( She asked me to shoot some slides of her work from last semester, so I thought I'd share some on here. I love the small details that she adds!

She gave me this adorable batter bowl :) I've already made pancake batter with it a few times, and it works really well! Don't you love the paint splatter effect on it?

She's so talented! I can't wait to see what her senior exhibition will be.