World's Best Cup of Coffee

Do you know why this is the world's best cup of coffee?

Because I made it.

I'm not talking about the coffee. I'm talking about the cup. It's my first ever coffee cup made by me.

My coffee sure did taste better today as I sipped it from a piece of clay that I struggled to make into a cup. It's not going to win any pottery awards, but it's my best cup yet. Of course, it's my only cup. Yet.

Collaboration Inspiration

Here is the poem that I chose to do my collaboration art piece from:

WALK WITH ME IN MORNING LIGHT
by Kit Rohrbach

Only ashes remain from the fire we built on the beach.
Its warmth is something now just out of reach.
Pale shells wash up across moth-colored sand.
Things aren't turning out the way we planned.
Make me believe that everything's alright.
Come walk with me in morning light.

Collaboration X

A while ago I blogged about my art history and my new favorite place and Marie who has been encouraging to me by challenging me to just dive in and do art. And so to fly.

At her urging I entered a poet / artist collaboration exhibit. Looking back, I was crazy to do it. I had only just learned how to make a clay tile when I said I would be an artist in the exhibit and use clay tiles as my medium. At the time I didn't realize just how difficult a medium it is to work with. Making flat tiles is tricky because the clay has a tendency to want to curl up. Painting the tiles with ceramic glaze is an exercise in adjusting your expectations.

I can do it.

My counselor told me to put little signs around the house with truths that I need to believe to replace the lies I've been listening to. One of the lies I've believed is that "I can't do it." It took various forms at different times. Sometimes it was, "I can't do anything." Or sometimes, "I can't do anything right."

I think my counselor had post it notes in mind when she told me this, but I've been trying to feed my creativity, so I decided that an evening spent painting would feed that creative part of me while I remind myself of the truth that "I can do it."

Heavens to Etsy

In my blog jumping, I've found Etsy. I'd known about it before, but I'd never really discovered it. It's a little like someone finding God - the difference between knowing about God and really knowing God. The similarities probably end with that. There's a huge difference between the two for most people.

One thing I discovered on Etsy is that there are very many talented, creative people out there. These artisans are offering some really good art at pretty reasonable prices. On Etsy you also get to interact with the artist when making the transaction. Buying art on Etsy is like buying fresh organic produce at the Farmer's Market instead of the big box grocery store. Next time I'm tempted to buy art prints at Target or Hobby Lobby, I'll first check out Etsy right after I check out my local art gallery with art sold by local artists. "Buy Etsy" is almost as good as "Buy Local." Of course, there's a shop local option on Etsy, too.

There's not just art on Etsy, though. You can find anything there as long as it's 1.) something made by the seller, 2.) something vintage - 20 years or older, or 3.) supplies for making something. Besides the shock I got that clothes from my high school years are considered vintage, I've really enjoyed looking through the Etsy stores and seeing what people make, and what people like. It's actually very inspirational to be looking at so much creativity.

You can even take a taste test to find stuff you might like on Etsy. Here's my etsy taste test. While I wouldn't say it captures my taste exactly, I did find some really cool stuff there. I can take the taste test again if I really didn't like what it came up with for me.

There is a function where you can find friends on Etsy, and I would love to know if any of my own friends are selling stuff there. But the friends that were in my email contact list only are buyers, no sellers. If you or if someone you know has an Etsy account, I'd love to know about it and be able to "shop" there. Post a comment with the link to the Etsy page. I may just purchase something. At the very least feature it in a blog post. Who knows?

Her voice