Heartful Handmade Blog

modern ceramic replica of an ancient maya mask

This mask has the look of aged wood, but it's actually made of ceramic.  It's a replica of the funeral masks used by the ancient Maya.  Oscar Rudolfo Mendoza, the Salvadoran artist who created it, works to preserve the history of the Maya people.  His goal is to show that the Maya culture is still alive, "thanks to the modern Maya living in our country as well as to the handicrafts that reflect their art, beliefs and traditions."  I find this mask hauntingly beautiful, and the history that it holds and reflects makes it even more so.

Ceramic mask, 'Maya Nobleman'

The mask is 9-3/4 inches high and 9 inches wide.  It projects almost three inches from the wall.  The hieroglyphs along the top are all hand painted, and the colors were created from annatto seeds as was done in pre-Hispanic times.  This is a really nice mask. And it's on sale, today only.

beautiful stoneware mugs and bowls by karin lorenc

Karin Lorenc is a potter and ceramic artist.  She creates beautiful mugs and bowls and other tableware that she fires at high temperature to make them strong and durable for everyday use.  And that means you can wash them in the dishwasher and use them in the microwave.   I especially like the clean, elegant, modern feel of her white stoneware with brightly colored insides.  So that's what I'm featuring today.

Set of Four Stoneware Mugs, $86

These stoneware mugs are huge.  They hold about 18 ounces of something yummy.  So if you're trying to get down to one cup of coffee a day, this is the cup for you.  They're great for chili and soup, too.  This is the summer colors set.  You might also like this other design in spring colors.  Or this one in white and blue only.  You can also choose your mugs individually, and she also has some in sets of two.

Set of Four Ceral Bowls, $84

These festive cereal bowls are just over 5 inches in diameter and are 2-1/4 inches high.  So they're pretty roomy.  If you usually have to go back for seconds, these bowls may fill you up with one serving.  Karen has more bowls to choose from, including this set of four in lime green, and some nice nesting bowl sets. You'll also find casseroles, garlic graters, and some other pieces for the kitchen and table.  So click on over to Karin Lorenc and check them all out for yourself.

ceramic sculpture by cathy broski

I featured a ceramic sculpture by Cathy Broski just last month in a post on valentine heart art.  And here I am featuring her work again, because I find it so engaging and expressive.  Using symbolism and working primarily through figures, Broski builds layers of meaning into each piece.  And each piece is crafted individually as an original and unique work of art.  Cathy Broski's work is perfect for gifts because she has something for everyone.  Dog lovers?  Broski pays ceramic tribute to them with several works that will bring a smile to your face.

Blue Dog $300

This Blue Dog, nose-to-beak with a little white bird, is my favorite Broski dog sculpture.  It's 7 inches high and 14 inches long, making it perfect for a coffee table display. Wedding gift?  Birthday gift?  Anniversary gift?  House warming gift?  Gift for yourself?  Broski's work wordlessly captures and conveys a wealth of human (and sometimes animal) feeling.   And that's another reason I find her sculpture perfect for giving as gifts.  Because, while a beautiful gift of art is always nice, one that embodies a shared value or belief is a treasure.

One World Same Boat, $450

This sculpture, One World Same Boat, says so much so beautifully.   It's 15 inches high by 10 inches wide, and the figures are all individually crafted and removable. So click on over and check more wonderful ceramic artworks by Cathy Broski.

new handpicked handmade coffee mugs

When I told you about my handpicked collection of handmade coffee mugs back in 2010, I had no idea it would become one of my most popular curations.  But that definitely did happen.  It shot up to the top 10 list within a couple of months and has stayed there ever since. I don't know why I was surprised.  Coffee drinking is serious business and deserves a serious mug to drink it. 

Most of the years I worked in offices, the coffee was pretty forgettable.   Maybe that explains why I drank so much of it.  That ever-present cup of watery java on my desk was more the result of habit than a love of the brew.  And it was a pretty bad habit that made me jumpy and a bit spacey too.  But somewhere along the way I discovered good coffees and became what some folks call a coffee snob.  I started grinding the beans myself and got picky about where I bought them.  And when I started drinking the good stuff, I also started drinking way less of it. 

It's now mostly a morning ritual, enjoyed along with the paper (via Kindle) and (way too often) a peanut butter sandwich.

Anyway, I decided  this past weekend that a new edition of the mugs collection was in order.  You can click this link to check it out.

subtle lighting for a dramatic change of view

It's amazing how you can change your space just by adding a beautiful container of plants, or with lighting that creates a peaceful mood.  Both approaches have a way of transforming the energy and making everything seem new and fresh.  And when you're ready to change your space, here's the place for you to find that something special. 

Farrah Sit, who has a nice selection for you to choose from in her online shop, describes these elegantly simple porcelain planters and clustered hanging globes as "quiet minimalism."   And it's a fitting description.  But, all the same, the transformation of your space will come through loud and clear.  And Farrah Sit's pieces will be perfectly at home no matter what your style of decor.  They'll blend well wherever and with whatever, but their presence will bring a whole new point of view. 

So click on over now and check out Farrah Sit's porcelain energy changing decor.  This three-tiered hanging globe arrangement is $225.

handmade ceramic teabag and teaspoon rests

These pretty little handmade ceramic discs are designed as teabag holders or teaspoon rests, making them great for adding a bit of elegance to tea time when the brew is served up in mugs.  And they make really nice gifts, too.  The ones in this set are 2-1/2 inches round, and the set of four is $19.00.

 

They were made by the talented ceramic artist at Jules Ceramics, who also made this lovely cooking-serving spoon rest,  This one is 4-1/2 inches long by 4-1/4 inches wide and is perfect for the buffet table or stovetop.  It's $10.50.

Besides tea bag holders and spoon rests, Jules Ceramics also has a nice selection of ceramic pendants, and more nice pieces for the home or gift giving.  So click on over and check out Jules Ceramics now.

intriguing masks and colorful hearts for your wall

I was drawn into Mudgoddess by the intriguing clay masks created by shop owner Katherine Mathisen.  They're cast from molds she creates from live models.  She then paints the masks with colorful designs inspired by tribal art.  Whimsical hearts designed as wall art are also a feature of this shop.  Some are inscribed with words of love or affirmation, and you can even order customized hearts with a specific name or other wording.  This is a wonderful shop.  You need to click on over to Mudgoddess to check all out for yourself.  The mask shown here is $75. 

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Mudgoddess is also in Handmade Lookup. 

a stoneware butter dish that keeps the butter fresh

Lee Daniels, in Brinnon, Washington, creates stoneware pottery that is both beautiful and functional.  In fact, she suggests specific functions for many of her pieces:  Pouring vessel, cream pitcher, water pitcher, whiskey cups, garlic keeper, and more.  She has bowls of all sorts, and some very unusual vases, bottles, and jars.  When I saw her moth jar, I thought she might be getting carried away with use suggestions.  But it turns out the moth is the decoration on this piece.  This butter dish spoke directly to me because I use butter every day and I like my butter kept at room temperature.  This dish is modeled on an old French innovation designed to keep the butter fresh.  You pack butter into the container on the underside of the lid.  And you keep an inch or so of fresh water in the pot.  When the lid (and butter) are in place, the water forms a seal that creates an airtight bacteria-free container.  Clever!  $28.00

handmade mugs for coffee, tea, or gifts

I'm a serious coffee drinker.  And I like to drink my coffee out of mugs.  Big mugs.  Really big mugs.  That way, I can tell myself I only drink one (sometimes two) cups of coffee a day.  Never mind that I have to brew two of what my coffee maker calls cups to get one mug filled.  Which is all explanation for why I named my handpicked mug collection Handmade Coffee Mugs for Gifts and for Yourself.  So, if you're a tea drinker (or shopping for one), just substitute "Tea" for "Coffee" and this collection is perfect for you, too.  And, if you only drink your coffee (or tea) out of proper cups (with matched saucers), shorten the title to end with "Gifts" and you're also good to go.  So click on over and check out my handpicked collection of beautiful handmade mugs.

unusual white porcelain mobile by suite one studio

This unusual mobile is made of ninety-three handmade porcelain leaves suspended from a handmade porcelain twig. It is simple elegance and will work practically anywhere in the house.  I would place it where it can cast shadows that move in concert with the sun.  The artist at SuiteOneStudio, who made it, has lots of suggestions for hanging. An interesting one is to use it as a faux chandelier in an area with a high ceiling.  I pictured it immediately in a stairwell that has a window but no ceiling lights.  It would add an artful playfulness and make climbing the stairs a visually engaging form of pleasant exercise.  $160.00.