Once in a blue moon

So I haven't blogged in a long while, and since it's a blue moon tonight I thought maybe this is the time to finally get round to it. Lol. It's been a very busy year, I've been developing some new products such as the ones you see below. The Token range has come a long way since 2008 at the very first I Heart Market.

Over the last year or so, I've introduced small little dishes - the heart-shaped, tulip-shaped, lace imprinted bowls and small pie-dishes. Each one is hand-made and hand-glazed by myself. Recently, I've sought to expand that range to include these two new designs.

These little dishes are slip-cast in white stoneware and impressed with stamp details, and some have been hand-drawn into the clay. So each piece is unique.

I'm totally loving the new colour glazes I've introduced: the rich coral, acid chartreuse, light turquoise, lemon yellow and a new denim blue.The flower stamped bowls have a lovely muted matte glaze on the outside which really contrasts wonderfully with vibrant  shine of the inside colours

 

Those of you that are regulars at my stall at the I Heart Market have probably noticed these little plates below. These are the perfect size to use as a soup dish, teabag holder, spoon rest or just for popping your jewellery into at bedtime. Each has a contrasting glaze on the back too.

 

 

Well, that's it from me, hopefully it won't be another blue moon until I update my blog.
Here's a quick snap I took of a orange blue moon over Durban tonight. See you at the market!

new earrings

I’ve had such a busy year so far, this is my first blog post this year. With lecturing an extra day a week, I’m finding less and less time to do the little things, except maybe my Pinterest addiction (follow me here). I’ve also participated in the “All Fired Up” ceramics exhibition, still on at the Durban Art Gallery until April 24^th. So January and most of February was taken up by frantically making work for the show. I guess I need to work on my time management skills!

Here are some photos of Token’s new earring stock I have just completed. They are available at Mooi, in Glenwood, and at the I Heart Market. All earrings are hand-made in porcelain, high-fired and painstakingly glazed (they are so fussy to glaze). So each pair has its own, unique character.
I've included some new glaze colours that are fresh and versatile.
And, of course, all earrings have sterling silver pins and push-ons (um, ‘butterflies’ to the rest of us in SA).
Hope to see you at the I Heart Market this Saturday, 7^th April from 9 till 2pm at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
 

porcelain - small daisy round earrings

porcelain - various small daisy round earrings

porcelain - red, turquoise and charcoal round earrings

porcelain - red, turquoise and pale grey bird earrings

porcelain - black, bluebell and pink target round earrings

porcelain - various round earrings

porcelain - large pink, white and bluebell heart earrings

porcelain - large heart earrings

porcelain - small peacock heart earrings

porcelain - small heart earrings

porcelain - small mint star earrings 

porcelain - large star earrings

porcelain - various star earrings

wear a pendant close to your heart

Whilst going through my stock, preparing for tomorrow's I heart Market, I realised I have a lot of pendants. They come in many different shapes, sizes and glaze colours!

Here's some pics of some of the variety of pendants I make. All pendants are made from white stoneware clay fired to 1200 degrees and then hand-glazed. Each pendant comes on an adjustable cotton waxed cord, although this can be easily replaced with any other type of cord or chain you prefer.
A few people I know bought them for their cars to hang from the rear view mirror, great idea :)

Well, I'll be at the I heart Market tomorrow with these and all my other ranges of ceramic ware, so come and take a look.

Large heart pendants

round tag - imprint pendants

small heart pendants

small tag -imprint pendants

large star pendants

crazy for colour

I've been making these little bowls for a while now and I really enjoy their simplicity and smallness. To me they are just the right size for storing bits and bobs in. I use mine for just about anything, i.e. for storing rechargeable batteries (so you always know where they are), for chucking in loose change or those single buttons that one finds at the bottom of your washing machine and, of course, for jewellery on your nightstand.

Well, I've glazed a whole new batch in fun festive colours, don't they look charming?
These little gems are tougher than they look, they are made in white stoneware, fired to 1200 degrees celcius and then glazed, so they are durable. The bonus is they are priced under R80 so they also make wonderfully affordable gifts.

So hopefully the I heart Market tomorrow is as buzzing as last time and that the weather cooperates (please rain, stay away until later in the day).

collection of small bowls

ceramic flower-shaped bowls

ceramic heart-shaped bowls

This has got to be one of my all time favoutrite I heart Market posters, so joyful! Don't forget the market madness this December, there's 3 markets on before Christmas. Please concider the I heart Market for your gifting needs. Hope to see you there <3 :)

 

new goodies

I've had an extremely busy month preparing work for an upcoming group show and making up orders. Token is very proud to be stocked in two new stores: one in Pietermaritzburg and one in Knysna, but more on that in a later post...

I heart market - 1 October 2011 - Moses Mabhida Stadium

 Saturday is our second market at the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium. We're moving to the lower level opposite Ninos, under the trees and sheltered from the worst of the wind. So look for us there. Underground parking is still free before 12.

Here's a hint of some new goodies:

 some of this month's new bounty

flying bird brooch - grey/green glaze

little forest creatures - stamped brooches - new mottled black and off-white glaze colours

scalloped edges - vintage inspired and stamped brooches

some new glaze colours that I'm enjoying - especially the lemon yellow and indigo purple

Spring Fever

 

 

What does springtime mean to you? To me it's a time for rejuvenation, growth, lovely weather and, hopefully, more energy. This winter has definitely taken it's toll on my health and thus on my mood, so I'm going to make some positive changes and bring some colour into my life and wardrobe. I love wearing these cheerful flower brooches on a cardi.

With Spring in mind, Token's flower brooches will be on sale at a discounted price at both the I heart Markets this September (3rd September and 17th September).

large flower imprint brooches - glazed ceramic

 

small flower brooches - various shapes - glazed ceramic

small swirl flower brooches - glazed ceramic

And don't forget, there are two I heart Markets this month, Saturday (3rd Sept) at the usual spot (DLI hall, Greyville) and an extra special I heart Market at the Chelsea Preparatory Arts Festival in Durban North (check the flyer above for details on the address) on the 17th September and, of course, Token will be there. It's going to be awesome!

New Fridge Magnets

HEARTS - various sizes, ceramic fridge magnets

I haven't blogged about these yet - Token's fridge magnets of all shapes, sizes and colours. These little babies will brighten up any area with a metal surface that you can pop these onto, I've got a whole collection on the side of my computer tower :) So don't think your fridge is your only option...

SMALL DOGS - ceramic fridge magnets

SMALL OWLS - ceramic fridge magnets

SMALL BUNNIES - ceramic fridge magnets

VARIOUS - ceramic fridge magnets

LARGE RABBITS - ceramic fridge magents

I've taken a bit of a break from making new stock for Token as I'm making ceramic work for two upcoming exhibitions. Yay, for school holidays with no lectures or students!

Well, if you haven't heard already, the I Heart Market has moved to the beach for July for the 2011 Durban Beach Festival. Token will be there for the next two Saturdays, the 2nd July and 9th of July. It's going to be awesome! There's loads of stuff happening, so make sure you check it out. Please go to the I Heart Market blog for more info. Hope to see you there :)