Mud Whimsy Holiday Lineup!

Join Mud Whimsy this holiday season! 

I've been working SO hard to bring new one-of-a-kind mugs, collectible porcelain creatures, ornaments, planters, jewelry dishes, and more to the holiday shows I am participating in this year! If you can't stand to wait you can find works in progress and daily ornaments on my Instagram feed @mudwhimsy.

Mark your calendars and come and say hello at the following events:

Horseshoe Holiday Market  (click to be directed to the Facebook event)
November 26th and 27th ....... 10am - 4pm both days
Highlands Masonic Temple
3550 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO

Crafted Life Market  (click to be directed to the Facebook event)
December 3rd & 10th ....... 1 pm - 6pm (*Mud Whimsy will only be participating on 12/3)
East Simpson Coffee Company
414 East Simpson Street, Lafayette CO

Firefly Handmade Market  (click to be directed to the Facebook event)
December 10th & 11th ....... 10am - 4pm
Twenty Ninth Street (Next to Trader Joe's)
Boulder, CO

Ways to Please a Lady (click to be directed to the Facebook event)
December 16th ....... 5pm - 9pm
2716 Morning Glory Road
Fort Collins, CO

If you are unable to make it in person don't worry- you can find me online at  www.mudwhimsy.etsy.com

I am always happy to create a custom project and ship wherever it needs to go! Please place all custom orders before November 26th to guarantee Christmas delivery. 

I hope to see you this season but if not I hope that it is filled with joy! 

Mugs

Octopus Mug

 I've been thinking a lot about mugs lately. I have a lot of gratitude towards them. I made my first mug when I was in a college ceramic class because I wanted something special to drink coffee out of. My first mug was clunky and heavy, made out of stoneware clay with some swirls applied to the surface. The handle was on crooked, the glaze didn't turn out to be the color that I wanted. I used it anyway, for years.

When I reintroduced myself to clay about 5 years ago, I made a decision to just focus on mugs. I didn't have a lot of space in my small house so I needed to make small things. And mugs are always useful for a coffee addict like myself!  I made about twenty over the course of the class.  I experimented with sizes and handles, carving, slip trailing, stamping. I really honed in my style of carving into the surface. I loved bringing out small details, creating texture, and making something unique.

I started bringing my mugs to coffee shops, and would receive compliments on them almost everywhere I went. I used to say "Thank you!" and then retreat with my cappuccino to a quiet corner. After I got more comfortable I started saying, "Thank you, I made it!"

After awhile, baristas around town got to know me from my mugs. And then they started ordering their own. Sometimes they'd want something similar to what I'd already made, sometimes they had their own ideas. That is what started the path leading me to where I am today! Even though I make and sell so many other things now, mugs will always have a special spot for me. I still love making them, I'm still experimenting with new ideas, and I still bring my mugs all over town, only now I carry business cards to hand out after someone says, "I like your mug! Where did you get it?".

Feather and Arrows Mug

Line Doodle Mug with Luster

Owl Mug in progress (for a custom order)

Custom mugs in progress. They were partially glazed in this photo. 

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring! I'm cranking out new work, filling orders, and selling stuff like crazy. It has been an exiting few months!

I have a few events coming up. The first one is next Friday, May 15th, at TESORO Gallery in Denver starting at 6pm. My friend CJ Troxell will be showing his amazing paintings that he collaborated on with the fabulous Heidi Bickelhaupt. The gallery is located at 918 W. 8th Avenue off of Santa Fe Drive in the the arts district. I will be selling my air plant wall pieces there starting that night (including a few that haven't been listed in my Etsy shop)!

The other event is the Taste of Louisville on Saturday, June 6th. I am still getting the details (I believe it is from 10-4) but it will be in downtown Louisville. I will be focusing on functional work made specifically for dining but will have other whimsical pieces as well.

Other news:
I restocked Alpine Modern with little planters last week, but they sell fast, so get there quickly!
Trident Booksellers and Cafe will receive a few new tea cups tomorrow, and more soon. Each one is individually made and glazed differently (I love that about them!). If there is a custom color that you would like special orders can be placed through Trident Cafe.
Willow Artisan Market  in Lakewood, Colorado is now carrying my wall planters and little creatures.

A good way to keep up with my latest news is to is to like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram (@mudwhimsy), and check out my shop at www.mudwhimsy.etsy.com.

But enough jibber jabber. Here are some pictures.... :)

Taking a Giant Leap

 It's been a busy few months. I found myself going to work at my other jobs, coming home and then going straight out to my studio and working until I went to bed. I spent all of my free time trying to catch up and I just wasn't getting enough done. Something had to give, so I resigned from my beloved job as a nanny. It was very difficult and very sad, but also absolutely necessary.

I have now been a full-time artist for a few weeks! It's sometimes frightening but so far the universe has given me a few high fives. About a week after I resigned from my nanny job I learned that my wall planters were published in Better Homes and Gardens DIY magazine! It's out right now if you want to pick up a copy for yourself! It's the Spring 2015 edition, page 55. Whoop whoop!

 (And just FYI, the headline makes it seem like they are encouraging creative thievery, but the caption underneath it reads "Want to learn how to copy Emily and Aaron May's smart, uncomplicated style in a small space (or any space)? Here's How:" /// The caption with my wall planters reads, "3. Wall art- A petite matte clay wall pocket planter with a glazed interior is great for growing herbs or housing easy-to-grow air plants. $22 each (including air plant) mudwhimsy.etsy.com")

 

It has been so great to have the time to catch up on orders (almost there!), receive new orders, and develop all of the ideas that have been percolating around my brain. Since this is now my full-time job you can expect more shop updates, a quicker turnaround time on custom orders, lots of new work, and a happier me! Also though, since this is now my main source of income, I need your support more than ever! When you are looking for a gift, an item to update your home, or anything you think I might be interested in making please don't hesitate to contact me. I love making custom creations.

 

 Check out my Etsy shop tonight- I am in the process of creating new listings and will have them live in about an hour. 

 

 If you would like more regular updates on what I'm up to be sure to check my social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mud-Whimsy-Ceramics/291216230907514?ref=hl

Instagram:  AnneBrownyn or #mudwhimsy

Twitter: MudWhimsy

 

And lastly,  I will be a vendor in the 2015 Spring Firefly Market! It's happening may 2nd and 3rd at Twenty Ninth street in Boulder. It's perfect timing for Mother's Day;  I'm working on lots of things that will make special gifts!

Spring!

Sorry for the long lag in postings... Honestly I just haven't had that much to write about as far as Mud Whimsy goes. I haven't had any news, any new creations, or much inspiration as Winter played out. But now it's Spring and I'm finding myself drawn into my studio once again! I've been busy making some new mugs, filling a few orders, and getting ready for a show that will include my mugs and encaustic pieces. 

HAPPY SPRING!

PS- Because I am so happy Spring is here I want to share that joy with you! Enjoy 15% off in any of my shops from now until April 7 by using the coupon code 'happyspring' 

(click on the shop names below to be connected with my Etsy shops)

Mud Whimsy

ReLove Projects

First 5

Cup Five

Cup Four

This weekend was a productive one. I finished carving the first 5 cups I threw last week and I began glazing my low-fire pieces. There is nothing quite like opening the kiln after a glaze firing and seeing what colors come out. Sometimes it's incredibly disappointing but it's all worthwhile when a few fabulous pieces emerge!

This week my goals are:
-Finish glazing the low-fire pieces
-Throw 5-10 more cup forms
-Dabble in some ceramic jewelry creating
-Clean the studio

Sorry to bore you with my to-do list but I'm afraid that if I don't put it out there then I will simply not do it- especially the cleaning.