Painted Glass

Colorful flowers on hand painted glass vases had me exploring SylwiaGlassArt on etsy. She uses ceramic, porcelain, and glass paints to decorate each piece freehand making them unique works of art. Be sure to see some of her vase pictures showing the beautiful stained glass room glow when a tea light is used. You can special order the perfect tea cup or coffee mug for mom or dad. All the kitchenware I looked at was microwave safe, but to give your painted work of art a long life, hand washing is advised. I found the serving bowls with holes for chopsticks very interesting.

You know how passionate I am when it comes to recycling. Sylwia hand paints Tabasco bottles with little houses giving them a second life of beauty and usefulness as decorative art works! She uses other rescued glass bottles for her colorful creations. In her shop, her favorite style of bottle to paint has a Sunflower design, but she can paint yours with any design you fancy, and has many vase and bottle styles available.

Originally from Poland, Sylwia now calls California home where she paints her pretty pieces. She ships internationally and is found on Facebook. If you see a pattern you like, but prefer other colors or a different shape, be sure to contact her for a custom piece. Sylwia's love of flowers and nature takes her outside with her camera, and you will find photography in her second etsy shop SeeWorldThruMyEyes.

Etched Porcelain

My introduction to clay involved a kick wheel, and it took me a while to get used to the electric version. I found an etsy shop, Sofia's Dad's Pots, that takes throwing a pot up a notch. Jim has spent many years experimenting and perfecting techniques to put intricate relief work on his masterfully crafted porcelain, creating impressive works of art. After applying a shellac resist, he uses hydro abrasion to reveal the design. I thought of how the Grand Canyon continues to be eroded away, and couldn't imagine how he accomplished this without using flowing water, but that is why he is a master potter!

 Jim's functionally artistic pieces are lead free, microwaveable, and dishwasher safe, so you can enjoy them for every day use or as intriguing focal point displays. He talks about the tactile quality in the etched pieces, and I do believe my fingers would be hard pressed not to dance on their enchanting surfaces. I can only imagine how many times his artistic pieces are caressed and marveled at during craft fairs. I find the brick pattern very pleasing, and done in yellow, has me remembering the Wizard of Oz - 'Follow the yellow brick road!'

Jim plays in the clay in Kentucky, ships internationally, and can be found on Facebook. Visit his blog to view an informative article he wrote for Pottery Making Illustrated that will take you through the process of making an etched bowl. He is a master in his craft, and I hope he is able to inspire and share his pottery genius with Sofia!