and the production continues...

I spent the day yesterday again producing mugs!!!! I snapped some photos of them all in a row. They reminded me of little soldiers all lined up ready to be "issued" their handles and signature "lily" scribbled on the bottom. I'm on a roll cranking these little guys out. It's been awhile since I've been in a large "producing" mode, and I'm loving it! I know it's sort of boring seeing these pictures of "unfinished" mugs, but there's something about a "freshly thrown pot" I just adore.

I'll be sure you see some photos of the finished and glazed products!

tasty!!!!

here's some more pictures of goodies from my mom's shop the eclectic curio. I would love to have everything in these pictures for my house! I just can't wait to get to Cincinnati to see it!!!!!

I've been producing!

Yesterday I was down in the studio producing mugs. I'm working on creating a whole bunch! Here's some pictures of just a few, and i'm off to go make more today!

a peacock tree

I just finished a felt tree today...and it reminds me of the peacocks that I loved to watch at the zoo when I was little, so I named it "the peacock tree" and I thought I'd share it with you guys. This is the beginning of a series of felt trees and landscapes I'm working on. I'll post pictures of them as I finish.

The Eclectic Curio!

I am BEYOND excited to introduce to you all ...The Eclectic Curio! This is my mom's newest endeavor! She is such a creative and talented woman, and I am so proud of her! My wonderful mom, Sherry Wikoff just "opened up shop" this weekend! She has been a huge inspiration to me as I have started out on my own "artistic journey". She just moved into a space at the Mercantile Mall in Milford Ohio. My mom has been so busy getting ready for this opening! The Eclectic Curio is full of curious finds that Sherry has collected. She has breathed new life into forgotten and vintage items! She has everything from funky furniture to vintage items. Check out her blog "Eclectic Curio" and see more pictures and acquaint yourself with my super talented mom!!!

Thank You!

I want to take a minute today and thank all of those who have served us and this country in the US military. There are quite a few of my family members who have served in the United States Marine Corps. These men and women have given so much to serve and protect us so that we can enjoy the freedoms we don't even think about, but exercise each day. My Great Grandfather, Carl G. Wikoff served in World War II and my Grandpa, Carl J. Wikoff served in the Korean War. I admire my husband, Sergeant Isaiah J. Stratton, for serving 6 months active duty and finishing up his 6 year contract in the reserves this past year with the USMC and has only about a year left in the inactive reserves. These brave men are my heroes. The fact they are or were willing to give everything for my freedom and the great county we live in, is honorable and laudable, and they have my utmost respect. So a huge thanks to all of you, and all the sacrifices you've made! I encourage all of you who read this to thank someone and anyone you know who have served us in any way in the United States Military.

THE MARINE

We all came together,

Both young and old.

To fight for our freedom,

To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil,

We stand our ground,

And we protect our country

From all terror around.

Peace and not war,

Is what some people say.

But I'll give my life,

So you can live the American way.

I give you the right To talk of your peace,

To stand in your groups,

And protest in our streets.
But still I fight on.

I don't complain, I don't whine.

I'm just one of the men Who is doing your time.
I'm harder than nails,

Stronger than any machine,

I'm the immortal soldier, I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,

And leave from your home.

Fight for the people who hate you,

With the protests they've shown.

Fight for the stranger,

Fight for the young,

So they all may have,

The great freedom you've won.

Fight for the sick, Fight for the poor.

Fight for the cripple, Who lives next door.
But when your time comes,

Do what I've done.

For if you stand up for freedom

You'll stand when the fight's done.

Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert~ UNITED STATES MARINE~ USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

my vintage lamp find

Much to my delight I found this vintage lamp with green flowers! I was so excited to come across it and it is in great condition! I have a small obsession with lamps and the fact that it had green flowers...i was done! I bought it for my guest bedroom which I recently found a vintage dresser for. The best part about this lamp is that I paid a whopping total of $4 shade and all! I actually found the shade seprate but the total of the two came up to $4! I'll be sure to post a picture of when I get the guest bedroom all set up with the lamp and dresser.

Lily Pottery Sale Items!

I have updated the "Sale" page on my website, http://www.lilypottery.com/ Here are a few new products I've put on the website for a sale price. Be sure to click here and check out these great deals! Hurry, the sale items go fast!

A whole new "little lily" batch!

Lately, I have been busy brainstorming and working on expanding my "little lily" accessory line for little girls. This beautiful and sweet little girl came to visit me at my studio wearing the "little lily" goods and she let me snap a few pictures of her. She was absolutely beautiful and such a little natural!

This week, I made a whole bunch of new large and smaller flower hair clips, headbands, and a few new clip designs with square buttons. These little clips just make me happy :) You guys will have to let me know what ya think of the new square hair clips.

how's this for absolutely...FABULOUS????!!!!

My studio partner Barb Blair of Knack Studios never ceases to amaze me with her magnificent design mind. This is one of her newest creations that I can't stop sneaking a few peaks at from "my side" across the room of our shared studio space. This desk is so fabulous...I can't do much more describing with words, so I just posted up all these pictures and let your mind and eyes take it all in!!! When your done drooling, check out Barb's website here!!!

a jolly little assortments!

I was piddling and rearranging some of my things around in the studio, and when I clustered my squiggly planters together it just made me happy! So, I snapped a few shots of them. I have decided to take them home and plant in all of them and let their new home be in my kitchen window sill. I thought I'd share them with you...

some pots...

tumblers

bundt cake pan

large vase

citrus juicer

juice cups

Here are just a few more pots that came from my class in Asheville. I am now busy producing a place setting for my OWN house! I have such a "hodge-podge" of dishes of my dishes in my kitchen and now I have decided to make my own set! I'm excited!

a kindred spirit!

I stumbled onto Amy Allison's website sort of by accident, and I am SO glad I did! She is a talented artist who's two favorite mediums are clay and paper! When I read her story I was so happy to find another girl out there, who like me, just can't help but love both clay and fiber! Amy has some sweet little cups that make me so happy and her pillows are just out this world fabulous! I contacted Amy to thank her for her inspiration and sharing her beautiful artwork and asked her if I could share her work with all of you! It was so nice to find another artist like me! Check out amy's website here and fall in love with and be inspired by her beautiful work, like I did!

my newest goodwill find!

I actually found this dresser at the Salvation Army just up the street from my house last week! I am going to give it a bit of love and put it in my guest bedroom! I was excited to find this piece because it reminded me of the dresser I had in my bedroom as a little girl.

Yes, I totally shoved this dresser in the back of my jeep to get it home...and yes, I laughed the whole way home!!! I had to put up the photo of it all packed in the back of the jeep just to give you guys a giggle or two ;)

I'll be sure to show you guys the final product after I give it a little sprucing up, and when I put it in my guest room.

squiggly wiggly planters!

I created these wavy pots a few weeks ago and they are a product of my firing in Asheville. These planters are for inside or outside of the house. They each have a draining hole in the bottom and are great for titivating any regular house plant or sprucing up the back patio. I use these for my indoor herbs in my kitchen! They put smile on my face every time I pick a few sprigs of my herbs to cook with and they definitely brighten up and add some fun to my kitchen!

may day studios

I found these hand bound books and letter pressed stationary by May Day Studio on etsy! I have a huge soft spot for custom book binding and letter press print! May Day Studio is the brainchild of Kelly McMahon, a bookbinder and letterpress printer in Montpelier, Vermont. She creates unique handmade books and letterpress print funky cards and inspired special events invitations and announcements--using recycled and reusable materials whenever possible. Kelly also offers workshops all over the New England area! So if your in the New England area, sign up for her workshops! I would!!! And be sure to check out Kelly's unique papergoods and learn more at her website http://www.maydaystudio.com/ or on etsy.