Exciting New Work from Dina Wilde-Ramsing

We've gotten in some great new work from Dina Wilde-Ramsing.

I have been a potter for 25 years, and my affection for clay is very strong. I take great pleasure in being tied to the long stretch of artistic tradition which clay represents. Although my work is contemporary in design, it carries the influence of geology, history, archaeology. I make many types of clay work, some of which are purely decorative. However, I consider the content of my serious work to be narrative, figurative, and personally symbolic. I would like for these symbols to establish an intimate connection between the viewer and myself. Animal and architectural imagery in my work r...

Dina talks about her work - "I have been a potter for 25 years, and my affection for clay is very strong.

I take great pleasure in being tied to the long stretch of artistic tradition which clay represents.

Although my work is contemporary in design, it carries the influence of geology, history, archaeology.

I make many types of clay work, some of which are purely decorative. However, I consider the content of my serious work to be narrative, figurative, and personally symbolic.

I would like for these symbols to establish an intimate connection between the viewer and myself. Animal and architectural imagery in my work refers to the search for sanctuary, support, and comfort, forces which shelter and transport us through life.

Dina Wilde-Ramsing

Biography

Dina Wilde-Ramsing, born in Asheville, NC, holds a BA in anthropology from UNC-CH and a BS from ECU. Her teaching experience includes workshops, public schools and 16 years as ceramic instructor at Cape Fear Community College. She has been a professional artist since 1985.

To see the particulars about these pieces visit our website.

More Christmas Shots in Downtown New Bern

Today was beautiful! There were LOTS of people downtown and lots of people at Carolina Creations!

I took the time to go around town and shoot a few photos while the decorations were still up.

Christmas in Downtown New Bern

It has been a whirlwind and beautiful Christmas in our Downtown this year! We're thankful that we have been busy and that we have wonderful employees that make our busy time more enjoyable for all.

Our two Donna's, Lou, and Lori have all been with us for years and we hope we have them for many more.

We're looking forward to First Night next week when we hope our Downtown will be full of people enjoying all the entertainment. I'll post a schedule on this blog.

I've posted just a few shots I've taken Downtown. I'll post more later.

Merry Christmas! Jan & Michael Francoeur

More of what's hot - 300th, Peace

The newest addition to our collection of New Bern's 300th Anniversary souviners is this hand thrown mug, available exclusively at Carolina Creations. The medalion is carved out of clay as well. "Glaze Engraving"TM is an exclusive process in which original studio art is cut directly into the clay and filled with glaze, achieving a distinctive detailed image.

The process was developed by Peter Deneen assisted by artist David Christofferson.

All things peace... we've got soap, nightlights, dishes and of course jewelry! Only some of which we have on our website.

Couldn't resist trying out the cupcake bubble bath.

Mountains of bubbles!

What else is hot Ring holders, Bubble bath cupcakes, Carolina Hookers

One of our newer additions to our Personal Care section is a Bubble Bath Cupcake! These go out so fast I haven't had time to put them on our website.

I took a bath with one this morning and couldn't believe the bubbles! It was just like in the movies and the bubbles were still thick when I got out. I've never had bubble bath do that before. Great for your daughter. your wife, or maybe the two of you?!

The ever popular Carolina Hooker is great for that hard to buy for, has everything, kid of a guy. They all seem to get a kick out of getting a hooker for a gift.

It comes with a great story about how these two gentlemen met and came up with the idea.

You use it to flip meat on the grill.

We've sent them all over the country. See how to order a Carolina Hooker.

Blown glass ring holders are blowing out of the gallery.

When I met Terry this summer he told me about how people order them over and over and over. Well he was right! They make a great gift for your card group, a stocking stuffer or a gift for yourself. See them on our website

What's Hot Bucky Balls

Every year we wonder what is going to be the hot seller this year! This year we have several things but the most unexpected for me (Michael knew it would be big) was Bucky Balls!

216 rare earth magnets, come packaged in a little square about 1 x 1". It's odd that a round magnet has a positive and a negative side.
Don't let appearances fool you.

These are more than just super-strong, neodymium rare-earth magnets. They're an addictive, three-dimensional building toy.

They're a moldable desktop stress reliever. They're one-of-a-kind magnetic jewelry. They're a science experiment waiting to happen, and a portable geometry lab. Each BB-sized magnet can hold the equivalent of eight sheets of paper, and together they add up to an infinite variety of amazing possibilities.

Rolling Stone Magazine has named it the toy of the year.

We've given them to young and old and everyone finds them intreguiging. They are not made for children under 13.

We have them here on our website. Where you can also click on a video and see them in action.

Go figure.

Vicki Grant

We took a road trip on Sunday to ceramic artist Vicki Grant's studio.

Her work is fabulous, contemporary and colorful!

An inspiring view of a lake, a studio full of beads, glass, shells, driftwood and other found objects, a wheel, a slabroller and a very creative artist all come together to make amazing art.

About the Artist

Vicki graduated from the University of Maryland School of Architecture and has been practicing architecture for over 25 years. The focus of her work, be it Architecture or Art, has been towards creating visual experiences that engage the viewer both intellectually and emotionally.

Description of Process

“I have always felt that the most amazing forms, structure, color and textures are found within nature and that exposure to these elements have been my inspiration and teacher”.

Sketching is the inception of the thought; It brings an idea to a page that then allows me to move forward to transform the clay to reflect the original conceptual thought. After firing, oil pigments are hand applied, layer after layer, until the final patina of rich hues is achieved.

My studio is filled with interesting natural objects. Porcupine quills, fossils, stones, feathers, wood and shells are incorporated into the piece, again enriching the visual and intellectual experience.

We have pieces available for purchase on our website click here!

Our bags travel the world

When I worked for the Aspen Times in Aspen, Colorado, probably the best weekly newspaper in the country, we got photos from folks reading the Aspen Times from places all over the world.

So about six years ago we started getting photos from our friends with our Carolina Creations bags from all over the world.

On our website we have have great photos from the Cape of Good Hope, the Leaning Tour of Pisa, Sete, France, Switzerland and many places in the states.

Our newest photo is from the Ford Ironman Arizona that took place on November 23, 2009, where I understand they had a record setting event.

Stephen finished 58 minutes faster than last time. Good job Stephen!

Here is a link to the page on our website.

You never know

Some days we have the most talented people walk in the door and introduce themselves. This week we met Melissa Gray.


Melissa does needlefelting with wood and even raises her own sheep just down the road outside of Jacksonville.

She does both one of a kind sculptures and puppets. Here's what she says about them, "I really enjoy making my puppets, my goal is for accuracy, and I strictly limit myself to all fiber, I dye first and do not paint anything, I also don't use glass, beads, or wood as part of the sculpture.. no adhesives, or sewing, no fabrics, or anything but wool. I use the wool my own flock of corriedales provides me.

I think its hard for non fiber people to totally "get" what goes into a puppet... but the reactions of people who know what needlefelting is, it is so intense and rewarding. "

If you don't know what needle felting is here is a description.

What is Needle Felting?
Needle felting is something artists have been doing for years, yet most of us have never heard of such a thing. When we think of felting, we think of flat felt pieces and hats. From now on - think sculpture; think one-of-a-kind; think bears, animals, fairies, dolls etc.

We start with a piece of carded wool, such as might be used for spinning, a foam block for working on and one or more felting needles.

Felting Needles are straight needles with barbs cut along the shaft. When repeatedly pushed into a tuft of wool fibers, the barbs pull the fibers down, compressing and locking them together. The barbs are cut in one direction so that felting or matting together of the fibers will occur when the needle is pushed in and not when it is pulled out.

This matting/felting process makes a large ball of fluff condense down into a denser mass of wool. Poking more in one spot will depress that area creating a dent or depression in your sculpture to make, for example, an eye socket.

As you can see from Melissas work that description doesn't really do it justice. To see her page on our website, with prices etc.

Here is a video on utube, please note this is NOT Melissa and you'll see this ladys project is very simple compared to Melissa's but it will give you a little bit of an idea. See video!

Justine

Our good friend Justine dropped in this morning and brought us some great new pieces! We have them on our website if you're interested in seeing prices, etc, or ordering.

We're always excited to see what new she has come up with.

We'll be having a show, workshop, and tea with Justine the middle of May 2010.

Watch this blog for more information or better yet sign up for our newsletter and read all about it!