Category Archives: Shows

online show

Artist Life, Shows

I have been participating in Naglee Park Open Studios for a few years now. It’s always a beautiful day accompanied by selling a lot of my things off to new homes. With the coronavirus creating challenges for all businesses and art shows, NPOS has opted to do a virtual show. Every day leading up to the usual date of the show (June 7th), they are featuring a different artist – both via email and on Facebook. I took this opportunity to revive my online store. Naturally, this was a much bigger task than I anticipated. That’s how that goes, right? Anyway, the store is current and ready for action. Check it out!

Buttons!

Ceramics, Shows

With Stitches West coming up, I thought I’d try my hand at making ceramic buttons. They’re like jewelry for your clothes! They are relatively quick to make, but in order to make a decent presentation, I had to make as many sets as I could manage. That translates to hundreds of individual buttons. I will be offering small and large buttons, and in the large buttons offering two-hole and shank buttons.

BAMS and more

Ceramics, Jewelry, Shows, Uncategorized

My mother often describes the early fall period as the downhill slide into Christmas. I can feel the pull these days as I prepare for various shows, but it is a challenge I enjoy. As many of you know, I am all about deadlines. Being accepted off of a waitlist a week and a half before the Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild’s Art in Clay Holiday Show and Sale has propelled me into action to see what else I can complete in a short space of time. Thanksgiving will be here soon, then two shows in December, means inventory, inventory, inventory! Here is one of the Big Ass Mugs I have in stock, and there will be many more at the Art in Clay show. Be sure to check out my events page for the where and when, and if you can’t make a show, my online store is always open!

Big Ass Mug, Green and White from Steelhead Studio

fall

Artist Life, Jewelry, Shows

Summer shows are mostly over and we are heading into fall. Mountain View Art & Wine is coming up and I have been at the bench getting ready. Nothing like a deadline for a burst of productivity! I have also been converting some old jewelry to new jewelry for a friend and client. I’m not sure any other art form enjoys being upcycled like jewelry. I love giving new life to pieces or materials no longer at their best. I will post those when they have been delivered. In the meantime, enjoy this latest in the Drama Drop category.

SubZero and NPOS

Shows

This coming weekend offers many opportunities to shop local San Jose artisans, including me, of course. Friday and Saturday, June 5th and 6th brings us the SubZERO festival, a unique San Jose experience described as “street meets geek.” I’m not sure how street or geek my work is, but I will be part of the Higher Fire booth selling ceramic works at very reasonable prices! I believe the booth will be near William and Market.

This will also be my second year participating in the Naglee Park Open Studios, a wonderful collection of immediately local artists. You can find me on 14th Street between San Antonio and San Fernando. I will have the full booth set up, so I will be easy to see. Check out the latest in my collection of jewelry and ceramics, including a collection of Big Ass Mugs!

As the Open Studios and Sunnyvale Art and Wine festival are the same weekend this year, I had to pick one. But, if SubZERO and NPOS aren’t enough for you, feel free to wander up to Sunnyvale and browse the many artist who will be there. Get out there and support your local artists!

all about inventory

Artist Life, Ceramics, Shows

Now that I have a few seasons under my belt as a full time maker, I find that I really want to break the cycle of always chasing inventory numbers. Many who browse the booth assume that I have backstock. “You have more, right?” News flash: I’ve never had backstock, save for a handful of pieces! So, in entering the new year, full of resolutiony thoughts, I determined to work farther ahead and build up the collection. Well, this is the first time I’ve had a show in February, so the chasing continues…

In the meantime, here is one of the yarn bowls I created for the Stitches West show:

happy new year!

Ceramics, Shows, Uncategorized

Thanks to all who supported me during the busy month of December. It seems I hardly have a break before I get to leap back into action. I learned a lot in working with ceramics last year, and plan to continue as I have some orders to fill and another show to prepare for! Stitches West is a large, fiber arts convention where I will be a featured artist at the Purlescence Yarns booth. I will be selling yarn jars, spin support bowls, stitch markers, and who knows what else?

I have also been collaborating with author and lino cut artist Anita Dime. Here is one of my favorites below, which happens to be for sale:

Deep Sea Diver Tile/Trivet from Steelhead Studio on Square Market

show time

Jewelry, Shows

I am in the midst of inventory madness to prepare for September. I have shows two weekends in a row plus a martial arts camp the following weekend. First up is the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, September 6 & 7. Then, I get to enjoy some coastal time with the Capitola Art & Wine Festival, September 13 & 14. This one has been recommended to me by a few people and I’m really looking forward to it. I was waitlisted, then got a spot. Hooray!

To prepare for these shows, and be in decent shape heading into the holidays, I set some ridiculously unrealistic goals for myself. What’s the saying? Go big or go home? Anyway, it’s a fun game to see what kind of numbers I can get. I have a chart breaking down how many pieces I have in what category – necklaces, earrings, etc. – and in what colors. So if I have twice as many purple earrings as green ones, I know what to focus on for an even offering. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love the focus I get from an impending deadline.

The third weekend I mentioned is the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artist Camp. My other job is teaching kung fu. I was invited to apply to teach, was accepted, and am super stoked to hobnob with like minded folk. The icing on the cake? There is a bazaar where we can sell wares to promote ourselves and our schools. Do I want a table? YES. Yes, I do. I have some mugs in progress with a special saying and am working on some miniature weapon jewelry. It’s a little challenging to develop work for this while trying to crank through regular inventory, but I guess it keeps my brain fresh.

Sailing on

Ceramics, Jewelry, Shows

I have been keeping busy, as evidenced by my lack of blog posts. I am wrapping up a couple of commissions and preparing for two shows in September. Mountain View Art & Wine is September 6th and 7th, and Capitola Art & Wine is the following weekend on the 13th and 14th. Back to back weekends! That means inventory crunch through all of August.

Back in March, I posted a photo of some new styles in progress but have not yet posted a final sample. Here is the turquoise version of my porcelain sail earrings, which are also available for sale here. More colors are in the works.

Be sure to check the events page for details and future events. Hope to see you soon!

Turquoise Sail Earrings

So Much Jewelry

Jewelry, Shows

As I look at doing more shows, I am finding more and more are saying their jewelry categories are full or almost full. This already tough game is getting tougher. I guess this means I have to innovate and stand out from the crowd even more…or resort to bribery? At least the world has plenty of jewelry to choose from. On the plus side I am getting more commissions and have plenty to keep me busy. Plus, I have a trunk show this evening at Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale from 6-9pm. Just in time for Mother’s Day! Fingers crossed for the application I’m sending out today for Capitola Art & Wine. Who wouldn’t want to do a show by the beach?