My Kiln

My Little Kiln

She is small but mighty. She gets the job done. 

The size of my kiln does limit what I can create, but I get a lot of use out of it. When I purchased this kiln, I planned to use it to fire my little clay houses and other accessories. So she has plenty of space for that plus more. I also use it to fire small bowls, ornaments, and other small items that I sell from my online shop. You can see how big it is inside in the photo below.

 There are many times that I wish that I had a larger kiln so I could fire larger things and fit more layers, but I can fill it with a variety of houses and accessories, as well as ornaments and bowls. If I am careful, I can get quite a few things in there and fire a load overnight. And because it is a small kiln, it really doesn't use a lot of electricity. A little larger one would be great to have, but this one works for me.

What I love the most about my little kiln is the automatic timer. After having this feature I could never go back to having to change the temperature manually. Well, I could, but I wouldn't want to! It is so easy to just set it in the evening and unload the kiln the next morning.

Type of Kiln

I use a Paragon Xpress with a kiln sitter.

I keep my little kiln in the garage. It only a requires 120V plug that we had an electrician add next to our electric panel in the garage.


Next Size Up:
I recently did a search for my model and apparently, this exact model is not available anymore. If you are in the market for a little kiln, look for ones that are 120V. But if I were going to purchase a new one, I would get the next size up. 

I just did a search for Paragon Kilns and the website where I purchased mine does not sell Paragon Brand any longer. But I did find one similar to mine on this website:

Paragon Kiln Xpress 66-3

I have no affiliation with this company. I'm just sharing where to locate this style/size kiln. 

It is 240V, so you would need to have the proper wiring installed.
Obviously, you would want to do your research on the different sizes that are available, based on your needs.

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth♥

Spring Colors

Spring has sprung and I'm enjoying the beautiful weather, but more than that, I am enjoying the time I am spending in the studio! Time really does fly when you are having fun!  I am working hard at stocking up on things that I want to sell in shows this Fall and to put in my Etsy shop. I am also working on some new designs. So I have really been enjoying it. The beautiful weather has been a little distraction, but I know fall will be here before I know it!
But for now, it's all about Spring Colors!

Beth♥

Holiday Orders and Holiday Markets

I can't believe it's almost December already. Since War Eagle Fair was over, I have been busy filling orders and preparing for TWO holiday markets that I am going to be participating in this year. These are all new opportunities for me, since moving to Northwest Arkansas.

The first event is next weekend!

Community Creative Center

Holiday Bazaar

(Facebook page)

December 6th at the Community Creative Center in downtown Fayetteville.  It is the same day as The Little Craft Fair at the Fayetteville Town Center, I think both will be great events. I hope that both Holiday markets will be on your shopping schedule!  Hope to see you there!

In my next post, I will share where I will be selling December 17th - 21st! Watch this blog!  I'll give you a hint...Bentonville! 
**Edit: The Bentonville Market was held from December 10th - December 19th. Blog post to come! 

I just thought I would share a few photos of the things that I have been working on.

I have made a lot of Believe Trees! Here are a few.

And I've been making some textured bowls. 

And a few plates: 

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving! 

Beth♥

Clay play

I pulled out the clay this week and started to work on some new pieces for some Fall and Christmas Art Shows.  It takes me awhile to make enough to fill up an art booth, so I will be busy working on stock all summer. I will be working on Christmas in June, July and August!
I also need to restock my Etsy shop with houses too. Recently my shop has been busy and some of my friends purchased quite a few of the houses. One buys them as wedding party gifts for wedding showers. Isn't she a great friend? She has inspired me to start offering a custom listing for brides/wedding parties, etc. They could also be done for birthday parties or other events. I will post more information about that later. in the meantime, I need to re-stock the Etsy shop.

This is a sampling of what I have been working on....more to come soon!

Beth♥

Whimsical and Custom Clay Tiles

I've been making clay tiles for about 6 years now. The first ones that I made had fish themes. Then I decided to make a whimsical house on a tile, which led to custom house tiles and my little mini clay houses.  I gave a whimsical tile to a friend of mine for her birthday several years ago. Then she bought another one from me. Then she decided she wanted to have a set of 3.  So I recently completed the final one to go with her set this week.  

New Whimsical Tile

Pictured is the final one, then the set of 3.  She plans to hang them on the wall.  Some people put them up on an easel.  

I also just finished a custom tile of a customer's house.  After remaking it once (because of cracks that developed), it finally is finished.  

The very first custom tile I created can be seen in a post (here), way back in 2008! 

So now it's back to the drawing board! Have a nice weekend! 

Beth♥

Set of 3 Whimsical Clay Tiles

Custom House Tile

Checking My List...

Norcross...done!  Last weekend we traveled to Georgia to participate in the Norcross Art Fest for the

second time.  I really enjoy going to Norcross. The people are so nice and it is so nice to be a part of such a well organized show.  The other artists are so nice and helpful. The weather was great and the crowds were large. The only thing I do not like about it is that it is so far away and so expensive for us to attend.  I really hope to find a show that is closer to home and just as organized and whimsical and creative as the Splash Festivals in Georgia.  I'm still learning this whole Art Festival business and still have a long way to go.  My booth is looking a little better each time we go.  I think it looked better this time, but I still have some ideas to improve on my display on the right side of my booth.  If we can find another good show, in Arkansas, I may have to try it out.
So, I can check off this event off my to do list for this fall.  Now I need to concentrate on working on commissions that have been waiting patiently for me to return and listing new items in my Etsy shop.

Next on my to do list.. some paint, some drawing, some clay....have some fun.

Beth  ♥

Almost time for Norcross!

.

I have been very busy preparing to go to Georgia.  I am going back to Norcross Art Fest this year! I'm excited to go back! Here is a peak at some of what I will have in my booth.  I will be located in booth S42 on South Peachtree Street, in downtown Norcross.  If you are in the area, stop by and see me! 

Click here is more information about the Festival:  Norcross Art Fest,  October 5 & 6, 2013. 

HeartHome Love...

I've been working on a custom clay Hearthome and I was excited to take it out of the kiln today! This special Hearthome is a going to Newlyweds. It has been personalized with their last name over the door (I blurred out the name for privacy and because they haven't received it yet!)  and their names and date of their wedding on the bottom.  It also can be used as a bank! It has a slot on the roof and a plug in the bottom to remove their savings, hopefully when its full!  So this house will soon be on its way to a home full of love and hope for the future. I've included photos of the progression of the hand built house bank made of clay, so you can see why the process can take a while. Lots of waiting for drying, then firing, then glazing, more firing...sometimes more glazing and more firing.

What a special wedding gift. Thanks to my customer for the story behind it and the idea and ordering such a special gift for her loved ones!

If you would like to order a custom house, you can look at this listing on Etsy:  Custom House Large

Bottom of house
with the plug for the bank. 

Beth ♥

I Love Connecting with other Artists!

I recently received an email from an artist named Teresa, whom I met at an art festival in Georgia last year. She contacted me about creating some churches for her to give as gifts.  So this is what I came up with. I have created some churches before, but I believe I will create more and in different styles. I love meeting other artists through art shows, organizations, and even online artists friends.  You never know when you will make a new friend!   

Beth♥   

Creating my own Mini Art Gallery...

Miniature Clay Art Galleries

One of these days I would like to have an art gallery/studio...but for now, I'll have to just create my own mini ones. Here is a photo of a couple that I have created.  I need to get busy creating a lot of new houses. I recently sold quite a few houses and need to restock...which is a good thing!  Now I just need to make the time to create.

Hope you are having a nice holiday weekend!


Beth♥