ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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HELLO! and . . . welcome to my website! That's me, Carol, on the right with my daughter, Jennifer, helping out at the many craft and artist festivals we frequent on the weekends.
I'm a retired educator with a Ph.D. in Education who has taught and worked with many fine teachers, and students in the North Texas and Oklahoma school districts.
As long as I can remember I've always wanted to "dabble at the wheel" and try my hand at "hand building." I was totally "hooked" after my first day in class! I've enjoyed many semesters of pottery classes, both public and private under the tutelage and direction of many skilled artists/teachers in North Texas.
so, it's not surprising that I immediately HAD to have a dedicated studio in my backyard with a separate kiln shed that overlooks my husband's roping arena in Tom Bean, Texas located 60 miles north of Dallas. Yes, we're a little bit and ("a lot bit") country!
HELLO! and . . . welcome to my website! That's me, Carol, on the right with my daughter, Jennifer, helping out at the many craft and artist festivals we frequent on the weekends.
I'm a retired educator with a Ph.D. in Education who has taught and worked with many fine teachers, and students in the North Texas and Oklahoma school districts.
As long as I can remember I've always wanted to "dabble at the wheel" and try my hand at "hand building." I was totally "hooked" after my first day in class! I've enjoyed many semesters of pottery classes, both public and private under the tutelage and direction of many skilled artists/teachers in North Texas.
so, it's not surprising that I immediately HAD to have a dedicated studio in my backyard with a separate kiln shed that overlooks my husband's roping arena in Tom Bean, Texas located 60 miles north of Dallas. Yes, we're a little bit and ("a lot bit") country!
It is here, that as a former Master Gardener, I incorporate my love of nature and gardening into my art. For example; many of the textured patterns that appear on my crosses come from imprints of clay taken from the bark of such trees as Cypress, Maple, Oak and Ponderosa Pine that grow on our property. This area serves as the home for such lovely native flowers as Magnolias, Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush and Dogwoods; many of which adorn my crosses. I try hard to capture the beauty and fragile quality of flowers and they usually appear in my art. I am a work in progress; enjoying both the wheel, hand building, and sculpting in my fifth year of my journey.
Of all the things I make, I LOVE, making my crosses! They are my biggest sellers. Making them gives me a special sense of comfort and peace, especially in the wee hours of the morning or at night (usually when I can't sleep). I find it almost spiritual or very ZEN to go out to my studio and work in the quiet of my thoughts, with no one around, but our grazing horses, sleeping chickens and my trusty blue healer cattle dog, Dally, Not bad for a former Chicago girl! I thank the Lord everyday for repurposing my soul and helping me to create organic, unstructured pieces; some of which are functional, like my bowls and platters, while other pieces, such as my crosses, floral branch arrangements and seasonal art are purely decorative.
Many of my specialty cross variations have come about and have been inspired by customer conversations and requests; such as Canine Crosses for bereaved pet lovers, or Service Crosses to honor our many soldiers and Veterans in the Armed Forces. I make crosses that acknowledge and give tribute to Fire fighters, medical professionals, and teachers to mention a few. We also have Awareness crosses to commemorate and show solidarity for our family and friends who are fighting the fight of their lives. I have seasonal items, as well. Autumnal Leaf crosses, Ghost votives, and decorative pumpkins for the fall, and Holly and Poinsettia crosses, Santa Gnomes, Angels, snowman votives and my newest Santa Snails are a hit for the Christmas holidays. Please keep Crossfire Pottery in mind, as we also donate crosses to many church functions and charitable organizational fund raisers, etc.
I always get tickled and am honored when one of my crosses becomes an addition to a customer's cross wall collection or is gifted to family and friends. My creative efforts are not only a humble attempt at being mindful of the Lord's goodness and sacrifice, but all my creations come from my heart as I continue to “throw" my life away as I give tribute to HIM.
With my husband being a retired team roper, it also seemed only natural to "work with what we've got" and I had an idea to incorporate his many "vintage lassos" in a mixed medium effort by soldering them into what has become known as my "Roping bowls!" I've made several Roping bowls using a cowboy's winning lasso to go with his first place buckle! Now, . . . if I can only figure out how to repurpose all the "cow patties" from our farm . . . I might be on to something! : )
Thank you for visiting my site! Please take a look at my offerings . . . they make wonderful gifts for family, friends, holidays, commemorating: (Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, Veteran's Day), birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, hostess gifts, births, deaths, gravesite additions, remembrances, cross collections, gardens and landscapes. Any thoughts, ideas or special orders are always welcome! Take care!
Of all the things I make, I LOVE, making my crosses! They are my biggest sellers. Making them gives me a special sense of comfort and peace, especially in the wee hours of the morning or at night (usually when I can't sleep). I find it almost spiritual or very ZEN to go out to my studio and work in the quiet of my thoughts, with no one around, but our grazing horses, sleeping chickens and my trusty blue healer cattle dog, Dally, Not bad for a former Chicago girl! I thank the Lord everyday for repurposing my soul and helping me to create organic, unstructured pieces; some of which are functional, like my bowls and platters, while other pieces, such as my crosses, floral branch arrangements and seasonal art are purely decorative.
Many of my specialty cross variations have come about and have been inspired by customer conversations and requests; such as Canine Crosses for bereaved pet lovers, or Service Crosses to honor our many soldiers and Veterans in the Armed Forces. I make crosses that acknowledge and give tribute to Fire fighters, medical professionals, and teachers to mention a few. We also have Awareness crosses to commemorate and show solidarity for our family and friends who are fighting the fight of their lives. I have seasonal items, as well. Autumnal Leaf crosses, Ghost votives, and decorative pumpkins for the fall, and Holly and Poinsettia crosses, Santa Gnomes, Angels, snowman votives and my newest Santa Snails are a hit for the Christmas holidays. Please keep Crossfire Pottery in mind, as we also donate crosses to many church functions and charitable organizational fund raisers, etc.
I always get tickled and am honored when one of my crosses becomes an addition to a customer's cross wall collection or is gifted to family and friends. My creative efforts are not only a humble attempt at being mindful of the Lord's goodness and sacrifice, but all my creations come from my heart as I continue to “throw" my life away as I give tribute to HIM.
With my husband being a retired team roper, it also seemed only natural to "work with what we've got" and I had an idea to incorporate his many "vintage lassos" in a mixed medium effort by soldering them into what has become known as my "Roping bowls!" I've made several Roping bowls using a cowboy's winning lasso to go with his first place buckle! Now, . . . if I can only figure out how to repurpose all the "cow patties" from our farm . . . I might be on to something! : )
Thank you for visiting my site! Please take a look at my offerings . . . they make wonderful gifts for family, friends, holidays, commemorating: (Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, Veteran's Day), birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, hostess gifts, births, deaths, gravesite additions, remembrances, cross collections, gardens and landscapes. Any thoughts, ideas or special orders are always welcome! Take care!