Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail

It's been a VERY long time since my last retail sales event, but I am gearing up now, slowly and steadily making work for the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail this April 29-30, 2023 in Western Massachusetts.

 I have been invited as a guest of Tiffany Hilton and will join her at her studio, 221 Pine St., Studio #336, Florence, MA. Many mugs, tiny dishes, tiles and decorative plates, coming soon!

Pop-Up SALE this Sunday Dec 17th!

Joining my friend Jade Moran at her studio this Sunday Dec 17th for a Pop-Up Sale! 257 Highland Ave Somerville. Stop by and say hi- coffee and sweet treats will be served! One day only- love to see you!

New England Folk Art- Weathervanes

I've been bringing my son to a homeschool class at the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston, every Friday. They have a great program that consists of one hour of discussion in the galleries, followed by an hour of project time, centered around a weekly theme. I haven't spent much time at the MFA and I realize that it is now one of the highlights of my week. I tag along for the gallery portion and always encounter something I've never paid much attention to before. Then I have an hour to sketch and contemplate.

I really love the small collection of weathervanes, especially the animals. They are making it to some plates this week.

Weathervane Sheep Plate- #1, work in progress

Weathervane Goat Plate #2, work in progress

Looking back, Achla Designs

Downspout Trellis, wrought iron

Its been two years since I left being a full-time studio artist to join my family business, Minuteman International Achla Designs. While I continue to work in the studio in fits and starts, I have put a lot of my energy into designing and marketing the products we sell, and also learning to photograph them. I am gardening-obsessed in the summer and use my own garden as well as borrowed landscapes. I get the opportunity to seek out fellow planting enthusiasts, ask them to try out some of the items, and come back to photograph later.

Looking back, I am pretty happy with some of the designs- a good concept does not always result in a successful outcome, given the constraints of production and cost. It's a whole new process with new materials- I am learning...

Some of the 2017 introductions that I designed (and photographed) this year-

African Daisy Birdbath, in brass

Lily Pad Birdbath, brass with colored patinas

Hexagonal Copper Trays,  stainless steel with  copper plating

Deco Watering Can, solid copper

Prints!

Spring Onions

 

I'm taking a break from ceramics and have resumed working on my series of tiny prints. Linoleum and woodcuts, views of the 'Ville, my garden and such.









I hope to show the series of city snapshots at Somerville Open Studios in May, but for now many are for sale through my Etsy shop.

Birds in Nest

18 A Spring, edition of 50

Foray into Fabric

My first fabric collection is finally progressing and it has been quite a learning process for me! Concept and design has been the easy part, but technically, the execution has been tricky. I got some great help from a course I found from Pattern Observer's textile design lab. Got a quick study in the slice of Photoshop needed to put together the design and set up repeats.

This first project, for home furnishings, uses a client-driven concept based on shells, stones and seaweed found on the coast of Maine, using artwork done with watercolor.

Here are some of my painted elements and the first group of digitally printed test swatches. Hope to have the main collage design with two coordinating accent fabrics done soon!

What's new you ask? FABRIC!!!

Besides bringing up bebe #2, (one year old already!) I have been busy with a few new fun projects.

I was asked  to design some fabric prints for a designer I work with using some of my watercolor paintings. That got me dabbling in Spoonflower and the wonderful world of digital printing on fabric! I took some of my clay designs and turned them into fabric prints as well. This came from a wall of tool tiles for a show at the Society of Arts and Crafts I did a few years ago. I used a photo of the wall to create tool tile fabric- perfect for knee patches!

I'm also working with a seamstress to create some home accent items, so look for pillows and tea towels making their debut in time for holiday shopping! Fabric prints are also for sale at my Spoonflower store.