fall catalog sneak peak...

I am so excited...my latest project is putting together my fall catalog featuring my new fall line of jewelry. My beautiful sister posed as my model, and wow! she did a fabulous job! here's just a few shots from the photo shoot. I'll be sure to post the whole catalog when it's finished...

A great book

Well, I'm back from the beach, and I'm glad to be home! We battled Tropical Storm Fay, so I had quite bit of reading time on my hands. This particular book struck pretty much every cord, "The Martha Rules -10 essentials for achieving success as you start, build or manage a business" by Martha Stewart. This book was absolutely amazing! Any of you ladies (or guys) who are trying to take your passion and "Big Idea" and start a business or are right in the middle of growing a business and want to take it to the next level, you HAVE to read this book. I couldn't really put it down and I was totally identifying with her and her entrepreneurial spirit and soaking in EVERY word. I am so encouraged after reading this book and wish I could give ALL of you a copy of it! Here's a link to Amazon where you can go and buy it, it's only $5.99!

I also encourage you to got to Martha Stewart.com and read about the "Dreamers and Doers" she features. These always give me a huge shot in the arm to read about other women following their dream and making their passion a successful business. so, if you can, pick up a copy of The Martha Rules. You WON'T be disappointed!

and the winner is...

Congratulations "Steph-a-ronie"! She is the winner of the Summer's End Giveaway!

Steph said,

"My favorite thing about summer is the spontaneity that it allows. I still have to work, but there's more freedom to stay out late and take unplanned adventures!"

I too enjoy the spontaneity summer brings with it and there is that sort of "freedom" that comes with warm summer nights. A huge thanks to ALL of you who participated in the contest! It was so great to read that you all had great summers! And if you didn't win this time, check back, I'll have another giveaway soon...

Steph-a-ronie, email me at lily@lilypottery.com so we can work out the details and get your new pair of earrings to you :)

Thanks again everyone, and enjoy these last days of summer!

sunshine and sand...here i come!

I'm headed for the beach! whooohooooo! i can't wait. I wanted to let you all know I probably won't be posting much this week cause I'll be soaking up the rays by the ocean! I hope you all have a great monday!

Summer's End Giveaway!

This summer is soon coming to an end. With "back to school" happening and all the new fall lines of clothing are popping up in stores, so I want to celebrate summer just a bit longer with a lily pottery give-away! Post a comment about your favorite thing you did this summer or favorite thing about summer in general. The winner will be announced Saturday August 23rd.

Feel free to link to and post about my give-away on your own blog and let your friends know about a chance to win a lily pottery earrings! good luck!

so many sofas...

I am so excited because it only a few short steps left in the renovation of my new studio! I have been busy dreaming up the floor plans and how I'm going to set things up! I want to have a warm and inviting sitting area for my customers, friends and family to enjoy when they come to my shows, so I'm on a sofa hunt...I've been looking online and here are a few that I liked...

westelm

Ikea

pottery barn (it's "lilygreen"!)

Ikea

stacksandstacks.com

this one was just so fun! :)

west elm

coffee anyone?

I am so happy with how the mugs turned out in this recent firing! I had over 100 mugs in the firing and I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled these two raspberry and cream colored mugs! I love the textured look this glaze has, yet the surface is smooth...

And how about these "carnival mugs"? I am lovin' the smooth shiny and bright surface this set has! These two colors together are so playful...

this mug was another favorite...love the mossy blue and green color of the glaze and the textures are so nice!! And believe me, a hand thrown mug makes your coffee and tea taste a million times better!

little homes...

here's a few more bird houses I just got out of the last firing. I love making these, there's just something so charming about them. If I were a little bird, I definitely make my home in one of these!

new pots!!!

I recently did a cone 10 gas reduction firing with a friend and we got some REALLY great results! I'll be posting pictures of some of my favorites this week! This first group were some of the larger pots I got out of this firing. I posted earlier about them before they were glazed...I'm pretty partial to the matte black ones :)

lovin' this necklace...

this lovely "circle cluster necklace" is one of the creative designs of Michelle of Blue Moss. Michelle is another Flatiron Studios Artist that we just all "oooooh and awwww" over her new work when she brings it in! this circle cluster necklace is made with different circles, including a vintage earring and pin, and hoops and even a circle hardware piece, work together to form a fabulous necklace. Brass necklace with silver accents -- hand-dyed silk ribbon. 19" long. adjustable. lobster clasp. You can check out more of Michelle's gorgeous vintage goodies at her website and her etsy shop.

Greenville Art Museum Fall Classes

I am so excited to be teaching Adult Ceramics at the Greenville Art Museum this fall! Many of you have asked about the details of the classes I will be teaching. They have posted the information online at this link: http://www.greenvillemuseum.org/CME_Sep08.html#ceramics

You can read about all the different courses the Museum has to offer, but I will be teaching two Adult Ceramics Courses the details are below:

True Beginnings: Wheel Throwing with Lily Stratton

Thursday, 8 sessions September 18–November 13 (no class October 16), 10 am–1 pm, $189
Thursday, 8 sessions September 18–November 13 (no class October 16), 6–9 pm, $189

Ceramic students of all levels will explore wheel throwing, firing, and glazing techniques, creating cylinder and bowl forms that can be used everyday. Students who have already mastered wheel throwing basics will have the opportunity to expand on the possibilities of the cylinder and the bowl, developing pitchers, vases, and lidded casseroles and teapots. This is a great class for those interested in continuing their experience as throwers but it will also be ideal for those who have always wanted to try. Clay, glazes, and firings are included in the course fee. Materials list mailed with confirmation.

This really is a great price for a ceramics class. I hope any of you who are interested will register for the course!

Second Saturday Art Market

We had a GREAT turn out for our First Friday show this past weekend! Thanks to all of you who came out! If you missed out on this past weekend, you still have another opportunity on Saturday, August 9th. Come see what the West Greenville Art District has to offer during our Second Saturday Art Market from 9-2:00. You can browse the open-air market in the parking lot across from the Village Studios as well as stroll down Pendleton Street and stop in the open galleries. Lily Pottery will be open!

Thank you!!!

Thanks to EVERYONE of you who voted for me to win the Designer Chick Contest Grand Prize...cause my little lily hairclips WON!!!! whoo hoo! so really, thank you all for voting! I'm so excited!!! :)

meet Kyle...

lovely Kyle

"the sniffer" by Kyle


We at Flatiron Studios are SOOOOOOOO excited to to have Kyle Buttram move in to complete the artists of Flatiron! Kyle is super talented and we are thrilled to have her bright and colorful spin on things! Kyle just moved in to her newly renovated space this week and has worked so very hard to set up her studio and gallery space. Kyle paints on textiles and it's so incredibly cool what she does. She also has just launched her brand new website kylebuttram.com She will be open for First Fridays tonight 6-9 pm and tomorrow Saturday 10-3 along with the rest of us at Flatiron. We hope you can join us and come meet Kyle!!!