kristin
Wow, Marshall’s, you’ve really kicked it up. I stumbled across a Grand Reopening of the store on S. Florida Ave in Lakeland, a week or 2 ago, and was so impressed with the store and new selection. Marshall’s was my very first “real” job, over the holiday season back in 1983. I only put away clothes from the fitting room, but I must have fallen in love with retail then and there.
kristin
I found this clunker at Salvation Army and I knew I wanted it, though I didn’t know why. Our Tea largo store needed something fun in the front window… The arms are mosaic’ed with painted ceramic tiles, chunky beach glass, beads, glass marbles, and ceramic addons. Grouted with lowe’s shade of chamois.
kristin
As you may know, I own a contemporary tea bar adjacent to my pottery painting studio. I’ve been making rooibos latte with a traditional Italian moka pot for 3 years now. It’s just a stove top device that makes a “shot” of antioxidant-rich caffeine-free red goodness, and I just add a splash of milk and a dash of caramel syrup for a healthy full-bodied latte.
Well, I found a new way to use it! Espresso! No espresso machine or coffee bar needed ! I’ve bees drinking espresso drinks for 20+ years since I had my first when I worked at the famous South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Ca.
Homemade is just as delish as the $4 cups…in a way their better since that $4 will buy your gallon of milk, and then tip yourself with the change!
kristin
I never would have thought of this…thanks Katie for the very creative tip! Your private school kindergarten education is paying off!
kristin
I haven’t thought much about my grater/zester thingy until my 2 year old niece came to visit this weekend. “Miss Mia” was looking in my cabinet drawers of course for entertainment and found this lil guy. When I asked her for it, he stole my heart too when he beckoned me too. Those precious, piercing machine-cut eyes, and that smile that would just slice right thru ya. This ad is the “Dont’ Take Chances, Take Charge” promotion and I just think it’s brilliant…and it makes me smile.
kristin
Since it’s the coldest week of the year here in Polk County, Fl (getting down to 28 on Wednesday!!!) I ordered a few extra books from my pals at Amazon.
There is a new trend emerging in art magazines that feature working art studios and the artists who created them. I first stumbled upon the magaine by Stampington, Where Women Create. It’s published 4 times a year and features a wide range of artists, including celebrity artists. Another special publication is from Cloth Paper Scissors, a mixed media mag featuring fiber art, called Studios. I cant say i prefer one over the other, and find inspiration from each page and each artist, whether i am familiar with their prefered media or not.
Its amazing how inspiring the work spaces of other’s can not only be inspiring, and art-provoking, but also…beautiful. Its artwork itself. 
kristin
This guy was soooo cute! Looks like rocks, stones, mirror, bottles and other found objects in concrete and colored concrete.
kristin
Ok so there’s really no such thing, but isn’t it a lovely sentiment for the new year? And what wonderful typography and design, of course. The mix of fonts and sizes in a handmade style is used all over the place now. I’ve even seen auto giants use this type and style in their magazine ads. Handmade/homespun is so hot.
kristin
Visiting my mom and dad’s house today, Christmas Day, brings warmth to the heart and comfort to the soul…as well as creative found objects that have nurished that artsy side of me for 42 Christmases now.
kristin
Between chilly weather to cool our kilns faster and morning jaunts to the studio at 6am to glaze the prior day’s pieces and pull kiln cones, my wonderful staff and I have pulled off another successful Christmas season. Time to sit for an hour and 41 minutes with a cup of coffee under a blankie…atleast until it’s time to finish shopping, fix meals, and entertain 4 kids and a hubby off work!
