Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water...

I was lucky enough to hear Paul Simon sing Bridge Over Troubled Water in concert this past week. The lyrics to this iconic tune as well as so many of his other memorable songs ring true to me today as powerfully as they did when I first heard them on my transistor radio, record albums or in the classic movie, The Graduate. Music can bind together gender, generations, culture, background, race, and religion. It is a universal bridge. 

This little village of Historic Huntsville Homes are part of a custom collaboration I’ve created for Harrison Brothers Hardware in support of the Historic Huntsville Foundation.

As powerful storms wreak havoc on so many of our neighbors in the United States and the world, it’s hard not to think about bridging the troubled waters life presents us with. How can we connect together as the world around us swirls apart? Bridges come in all sizes, shapes, and forms. They are a link that join together. 

This custom order wedding bowl will soon be gifted to a newly united couple, bonded together by the vows they are about to promise before friends and family.

Bridging can go beyond a physical structure. Daily living gives us ample opportunities to unify relationships, connect within our neighborhoods, and reach out to understand parts of the world that are so different from ours. Bonding together helps strengthen all sides. Be the bridge.

Urning Trust

The email I received on June 10 started, “I am looking for a covered urn…one that can be secured,” and ended, “I have a terminal illness and was looking for something to hold my remains.” I have never met this person, but she had purchased one of my tray and bowl sets from The Muse in Frederick and loved the pattern and color. Thus began our conversation and collaboration. 

We spoke on the phone just once. Over the next several weeks, we carried on our conversation through email. We explored a variety of possible shapes, textures, and colors for the finished piece. I sent Elise sketches and photos of ideas. She sent me commentary and a photo of a vase she had that she liked. Through our back and forth messages, we built a common trust to design a satisfactory final resting place.

This past week I developed the agreed upon shape in the studio. It took two attempts before I was satisfied the urn reflected the image I had drawn and Elise desired. It would take some time to dry before it could be bisque fired, glazed and fired a final time. I offered to deliver it in person and donate half of the proceeds to one of her favorite charities. 

At the same time, the owner of The Little Green Store in Huntsville, Alabama asked if I could make a special kitty urn for one of her customers who had seen my clay art there. Again, I drew a rough sketch outlining what I could create in the studio. The customer visited my website numerous times to add creative detail to our collaboration. I like this sort of challenge.  

Previously, I have created urns and memorial boxes for family members and friends. I had created some prototypes of standard pet urns I showcased at a few local veterinary practices too; now I think these items need to be personalized and reflect a more unique vision for each customer. 

These owl-themed memorial boxes will hold some of the ashes of my mother-in-law, Helene.

I heard from Elise on Tuesday, June 19 around 1 in the afternoon. She knew I’d made the urn; we were ‘discussing’ how I would deliver it to her home after it was complete in the next few weeks. Around 6:30 that same evening, I picked up an email message. Elise had died. Even though we had never met, this news made me very sad. I’m glad Elise and I had the opportunity to collaborate on her special urn and I’m sorry she did not get to see the final result. The urn has been bisque fired and is going in the glaze kiln later today. It will be ready for the memorial service this coming Saturday.

Custom Collaborations - You Make Me A Better Artist!

I often say I get some of my best ideas from my customers. It’s true. This is one reason I love to collaborate on custom pieces. Your vision, suggestions, likes, and dislikes guide me to new shapes, color combinations, and GREAT results I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. So keep them coming!

I've been asked to create some additional garden art for this backyard installation that I completed several years ago. We are working together to come up with some new shapes, colors, and designs to add to the existing display.

This December, I'll offer an ornament/gift tag making class through The Muse. This idea started at another craft workshop when Whitney (the owner of the Muse) created this fun piece out of one of the components of the wind chimes our class was making. We will decorate the holiday shapes with acrylic paints and Sharpie markers. Look for class details later this fall. 

Is there a particular shape or color you'd like me to make? I'm all ears! Fill out the simple form below. I'd love to hear from you!