BRiZEL HANDCRAFTS

Michigan Finds... Pewabic Pottery Museum

2012-02-12T00:03:00.003-07:00

After 8 years of not traveling out of state... I finally succumbed to my parents multiple requests and visited my family in Michigan last month...

Meet my parents ! Aren't they darling ?

The trip celebrated a number of exciting events... such as my father's birthday ("Happy Birthday to ewe")... the acquisition of my step-mom's first Apple computer ever (woohoo)... a visit to a known gallery which features incredible modern art glass sculptures (wow)... and a little tour of downtown Detroit to visit some Pewabic Pottery sites...

Pewabic Pottery Museum

The weather was un-seasonally beautiful and 'mild' - even tolerable for a Californian girl such as myself. It made the journey to the Pewabic Pottery museum, shop and studios, a better pleasure to enjoy.

Here I am... wearing my handmade fleece outfit, gloves made by my friend Valerie (KnitByValerie) and a fabulous pair of pants that really tied it all together (a superb find at a thrift shop down in Oakland last summer).

We entered and browsed through the museum shop... omg... such fabulous displays... who wouldn't want such a fireplace ?!

... Gorgeous tile art framed in a Frank Lloyd Wright / Art Nouveau inspired wood frame...

Beautiful nature themes: such as pine cones & in a variety of different colored glazes...

I absolutely LOVE the moody satin matt blue-green glazes and the lovely shaped vases and urns...

Then there was this lemon green glaze with a garden insect theme that was sooo delicious too... Lots of carved tiles with leaves, insects, numbers, celtic / art nouveau designs... what a delight !

And then moving into the second room... a whole new world opened up...

Nancy Cannon's art pottery... so awesome not only in color glazes but also in their bold flowing shapes and surface motifs. I found a miniature vase that was meant for me :)

Funnily enough, Nancy used to have a shop on Etsy but it is, with regret, empty at this time. Here are some highlights from her bio/profile tho...

"Nancy Cannon's work reflects a life long love affair with the earth. Having spent her early childhood torn between playing in the woods and devouring a new box of crayons, she has now resolved this conflict by making clay creations in her studio near Lake Huron. There she lives with her husband on eight wooded acres that supply endless inspiration.

"I am never more at home than when I am walking through the woods. It is there that I return to the deepest sense of myself, an awareness that I am part of a greater unity and divine mystery."

The earth is not only the object of her passion, but the medium through which it is expressed. To create the finished product, Nancy interacts with all the elements: earth, air, water and fire. After an initial firing, she fires each piece again using the Raku method. "I am especially drawn to the spontaneous and random effect of this method. It enables me to remain close to the process and at the same time requires me to surrender to the unexpected and unpredictable.""

You may have noticed a horse sculpture on her table... here's another one... it is quite extraordinary, i think...

My photos do not do her work justice- the indoor lighting made it difficult- but they give you a little flavor none the less. You can find her animal theme raku tiles on the web at one of her sites: http://www.allearthtiles.com/

Regretably, their gallery was in transition so we did not get to see their latest show. That's alright because their shop really was an entire feast of its own.

We concluded our visit there by wandering through the Pewabic Museum's working studio & workshop spaces and talked to some of the potters that work there - mold makers, carvers, glazers and... we also got to see one huge kiln in the process of being loaded up. It was a lot of fun. Highly recommended if you happen to be visiting the Detroit area !

I'll be posting more about Pewabic art tiles in a second installment... Keep your eyes peeled !

Heart to Heart...

2012-02-11T00:08:00.001-07:00

'Heart to Heart' by yarnmiracle

Are you ready for Tuesday?

(Tuesday is Valentine's Day - here are some gift ideas from Team EFA)

Brown Rust and Pink Graphic ... BarkingDogBlan... $25.00	Original Mouse Painting Mini... SavageArtworks $20.00
Journal - Hearts and Pawprin... BeadedTail $12.00	Blue Skies - Brown and Aqua ... happyshackdesi... $65.00
Romantic Bobby Pin Set sdunderkoffler $10.00	Red Glass Beaded Letter Open... marjoriescorne... $14.00
Cropped Vest in Chocolate Br... ekneverfeltbet... $125.00	vintage metal buttons Pansy ... brizelsupplies $5.95
Sasquatch Bigfoot Wooden Kok... licoricewits $17.00	Original Mixed Media Collage... QueenBe $17.00
Woofie Pies - All Natural Do... shortysgourmet... $5.00	Happy Valentine's Day Pr... Kondrup985 $13.00
Heart, Fine Art Photo, Home ... thebluewindmil... $15.00	3/4" dog collar Against... TheModDog $17.00
6 Burgundy White and Gray P... Purplecorner $2.35	Vintage CHINESE Carved BLACK... EurekaEureka $7.25

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Let it Snow...

2012-02-10T00:28:00.001-07:00

'Let it Snow' by kathleenlaufman

Here in the Midwest, we're not getting our usual snow. I'm happy to not have to shovel! But my friend, Patty, loves snow. So this is for her.

let it snow - original scree... lisastubbs $20.00	Stash Builder Lovely Snow Wh... ChenilleBliss $10.00
20% OFF - Winter Photography... EyePoetryPhoto... $30.00	Geraldine's Big Snow - v... BootsNGus $5.00
Snow and Ice Photography by ... DaydreamersUni... $18.00	Owl in Snow Illustration Pri... 100owls $20.00
Milk Glass Square Dish Flora... TwoStoryVintag... $10.00	SLUGS Fleece Snow Rain Boot ... WithTheRain $20.00
Snow globe ring sterling sil... RomanticEccent... $75.00	Ski and Snowboard Season - L... BoardingAllRow... $32.00
Vintage FireKing Snow White ... BewitchingVint... $35.00	Photography Llama Fine Art S... lucysnowephoto... $20.00
Barclay Winter Village figur... modernpoetry $14.00	Bridal Hair Picks - Silver H... SolBijou $45.00
Butterick 5686 Vintage Ski J... box241 $16.00	vintage sewing buttons Snow ... brizelsupplies $4.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Got Caught with my Head in the Clouds...

2012-02-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

'Got caught with my head in the clouds.' by ttehr

Whoops! I got busted day dreaming, again. Enjoy the journey!

Summer Sky and Swirling Clou... bettinastreeho... $30.00	Original Mixed media Paintin... kittyjujube $30.00
Cloudburst 10x10 mixed media JaneRovers $250.00	Head in the Clouds Beanie Strangedayknit... $25.00
ladybug print doll aceo siz... boopsiedaisy $4.00	Clouds Over Louis Head, Nova... sixtydays $350.00
8 x 8 Photograph Shes Got He... MaryMataPhotog... $20.00	Cloud Painting Landscape Sky... TheMaineHouse $70.00
destash fabric Fluffy Clouds... brizelsupplies $7.95	Head in the Clouds ceciredhurst $175.00
Abstract Light Blue Color Fi... AppleTopArt $10.00	Head in the clouds Number9Studio $35.00
Homage to Rene Magritte-- Sk... LoudCufflinks $29.00	Debi Hron, Coastal and Quain... luckykaerufabr... $8.25
Dream Big Art Print With Afr... thedreamygiraf... $18.00	Head in the Clouds knitted c... feistydove $18.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Beautiful gifts...

2012-02-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

'Beautiful gifts...' by NataliaDecor

Crochet Pin Brooch Artistic ... vanessahandmad... $26.00	Crochet handbag in chocolate... zolayka $85.00
Glass Tea Light Candle Holde... NevenaArtGlass $39.90	Zip butterfly brooch or hair... ZipperDesign $19.00
LOVE Philadelphia Sculpture ... stoevvalentin $29.00	Hand painted silk chiffon sc... klaradar $77.00
Hair Stick Wood Carving Maho... mariya4woodcar... $18.00	KNITTING PATTERN Rustic Wint... PATTERNSbyFAIM... $4.90
Hanna funky Skirt over pants... cocoricooo $49.00	Cuff Bracelet - Leather on C... HelloVioleta $29.00
Hand Knitted Black Slippers nelliangel $25.00	Handmade brown genuine leath... TIZART $18.00
Brown Organza Handmade flowe... Sunshineskiss $5.50	Newborn Crown Belia in Brown... cioco $23.00
vintage jacket buttons Fake ... brizelsupplies $4.95	Brown Beige Yellow fingerles... fatoss $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Upcycled Romance...

2012-02-07T00:17:00.001-07:00

'Upcycled Romance' by thewoodenbee

A collection of upcycled creations with a touch of romance.

100% Team Upcyclers

love2upcycle.blogpost.com

Romance is Golden Upcycled -... aboundingtreas... $40.00	Vintage Bridal Veil with Ost... BreatheCouture $175.00
Dimensional Recycled Cotton ... creativecustom... $10.00	happily ever after single ca... PendropsCoutur... $5.00
Cherish love & light paper l... NaturallyHeart... $39.50	Owl Locket - exclusive origi... DaysLongGone $38.00
Fabric bouquet -- The Butter... kmj165 $65.00	SALE Upcycled button brooch ... Onceat7 $21.75
vintage metal buttons Snowfl... brizelsupplies $5.95	Valentines Day Special - lar... RootsinRust $16.00
Pride and Prejudice Elizabet... bibliobags $14.00	Hand-wired Pop Tab Bracelet ... FabTabulous $18.00
Gold Pull Tab Necklace PopTopLady $20.00	Upcycled cozy - Coffee with ... LadyshipDesign... $5.00
Doily Sun catcher - Gold GlitterPony $20.00	Upcycled Burlap Banner LOVE ... enduredesigns $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Valentines for Animal Lovers...

2012-02-06T00:12:00.001-07:00

'Valentines for Animal Lovers' by KneeDeepOriginals

Things close to my heart... and wondrous finds for your animal-loving valentine, featuring items by members of Etsy for Animals... benefiting animals charities all over the world.

ACEO Print Cat Nap SavageArtworks $5.00	Saturn. Gray Crazy Lace Aga... amaniworks $35.00
Baby Harp Seal Pup Whitecoat... ADelicateWorld $4.95	Necklace dark brown wood and... diggerbren $22.00
One Tube White Chocolate Lip... layla $3.00	Heart, Fine Art Photo, Home ... thebluewindmil... $15.00
Vintage Tribal Style Copper ... blindwolfspiri... $25.00	Barn Owl - photo print, 8x10... oceloteyes $20.00
Ravenwood Cashmere Bear - Cr... yarnmiracle $78.00	Alice In Wonderland Hand Sta... TwoStrayCats $10.00
apple wood Brigid Cross hous... brizel4TheAnim... $35.95	White, beige, blue and green... davir $17.00
Relaxing greyhound ladies ho... thedoghouse $10.00	Winter White on Taupe Snuggl... rendachs $67.00
Thinking of You Pug Greeting... jessicalynnear... $10.00	Mosaic Paw Leash Holder - Br... craftsforcanin... $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Celebrating Brigid...

2012-02-05T00:03:00.009-07:00

CELEBRATiNG BRiGiD

HAPPY iMBOLC !

One of Brizel's Apple Wood Brigid Crosses

St Brigid's eve and day has come and gone but Imbolc - the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox is still very much upon us. Happy Imbolc to all who celebrate !

I am still very much in process with this year's Brigid retreat as i have been incorporating both its spiritual ceremonies and my usual mundane activities into my daily schedule and routines. This is a first for me because in the past there was usually 2 to 3 days set aside for the event. But this year is different... I am doing the work alone, and so i have been baby stepping through the rhythms of the past in a new and different way.

Because Brigid is a solar divinity- sun days prove to be the perfect days to honor Her. This sunday, I'd like to share with you- not only the apple wood Brigid Cross (pictured above) which is a special & unique handcraft which i make each year... but also a wire wrapped Brigid Cross made by Dana- an Etsyan who approached me some weeks ago wanting some apple wood to make her own cross. Both these crosses share a passion of celebrating Brigid- an ancient triple celtic Goddess who still draws dedication from many of us today. For more information about my Brigid Crosses, please click here.

Dana's wire wrapped Brigid Cross

You can view an Etsy Treasury created this morning- called Imbolc by clicking here or scrolling down to the previous post on this blog.

I'd also like to share the lyrics to a song called: Brigid of The Highlands- written by Helen Farias and Craig Olson and set to a traditional celtic tune called Brigid O'Malley.

BRIGID UPON THE HIGHLAND

Oh Brigid Upon the Highland,

'tis you've left my heart shaken,

with joyous adoration

as before you I stand.

'Tis wonders of admiration

your quiet face has taken,

and your beauty can awaken

the ones of the Golden Land.

Oh the white moon above the pale sands,

the pale stars above the thorn tree,

are cold beside my darling

but no purer than she.

I gaze upon the cold moon

'til stars drown in the warm seas,

and the bright eyes of my Darling,

are ever on me.

Oh Brigid of the Mantle,

sweet nectar from the bees, now.

My heart is thrown open,

my heartbreak is healed.

Oh, joy springs forth within me,

as apple blossoms on the trees, now.

Forever will I love thee

in green Avalon fields.

Oh Brigid Upon the Highland,

'tis you've left my heart shaken,

with fires of inspiration,

and the Promise of Spring.

Please stay with me, my darling,

to never be forsaken.

Of your beauty and mystery

I ever shall sing.

Of your beauty and mystery

I ever shall sing.

Credits go to Big Sky High Winds,

released on the 15 August, 2006.

Listen to this beautiful song...

(you'll have to pause the blog's usual music all the way at the bottom)

<a href="http://craigolsonband.bandcamp.com/track/brigid-upon-the-highland">Brigid Upon the Highland by Craig Olson</a>

Imbolc Offerings...

2012-02-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

'Imbolc ' by dryadmoon

Squirrel Lights---Set of 24 ... TeaandSquirrel... $15.00	Snow Drops alineofsightph... $35.00
Goddess Ceramic Celestial Fa... MyMothersGarde... $122.00	Dainty St Brigid's Cross... AFMetalsmith $52.00
Ornament Snowflake White Gli... TheHappyPiper $26.20	Goddess Moon Offering Bowl H... DeBaunFineCera... $15.25
silver dollar plant, Lunaria... Cycane $14.99	Twelve Packs of Organic Seed... cubits $40.00
Into the Spring PaganHearthand... $38.00	apple wood Brigid Cross hous... brizel4TheAnim... $35.95
Wee Shock of Wheat Vermorlian $4.00	Silver Snowflake Necklace wi... lakeshorecreat... $20.00
Wire Wrapped Ring Snowflake ... holmescraft $23.00	Soy Floating Candles ReKindleCandle $9.49
Winter Photography, Tree, Sn... EyePoetryPhoto... $30.00	Organic Herbal Eye Pillow - ... cosmeosherbal $12.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.