Bells and Tailsmans: Mt. Washington Pottery....

Beth Katz, Mt Washington Pottery Bellls and Talismans

Beth Katz is the creative force behind Mt. Washington Pottery, a beautiful collection of functional and decorative ceramics.

Beth makes all the work by hand and on the potter's wheel in her Los Angeles, California studio. Her work has an elegant simplicity, which marries the wabi-sabi aesthetic of traditional Japanese ceramics and the modernism of Scandinavian design. These elements are clearly visible in the fluidity of her forms and in the literal mark she leaves of her own hand: the remnant of her fingerprints at the bottom of each piece.

About Beth Katz:

I grew up in the 1970's hippie enclave of Topanga Canyon in Southern California, where I learned the art of pottery. Not realizing ceramics could be more than a hobby I continued my studies in art thinking they could lead to a career as a painter or textile designer, like many of my relatives, or I would follow in the steps of my father and become a clothing designer. 

Bluebells..each bluebell is hand formed and hand carved of porcelain and glazed in subtle shades of blues and turquoise. The colors of the bells and beads varydepending on the atmosphere of the kiln and each firing is slightly different - in stock currently the blue on the right

After many years and two long careers, one as a makeup artist in the advertising world and the other as a Creative Director at a top women's magazine, I decided to go to graduate school to study Spiritual Psychology, the best decision I ever made. Studying Psychology led me to the realization that it was time to make my lifelong hobby of creating pottery my primary focus. 

Talisman 156. Mt. Washington Pottery’s good luck talisman is inspired by the Indian “Nimbu Mirchi”. In the tradition of the Evil Eye Warder our talisman’s intention is to keep homes and businesses safe from all evil spirits and promote happiness and prosperity within your home and/or business.

The entire breadth of my experience continues to inspire me and influence my work each and every day. My taste and style are a reflection of the freedom of my childhood, the Southern California landscape, and the world of fashion and advertising. All the choices I have made in my life have led to this singular point in time, a time that serendipitously coincides with the resurgence of a new American Craft Movement, which I am blessed to be a part of. 

 To see more of Beth's beautiful work visit her website here

Flower Mandala: Finley Jordan for Aniela Parys

Flower mandala

There are good things about social media and bad. The bad is when people save photos with no links (i have been guilty in the past) but the best is when you put a picture up and invite people to tell you about it. This happened yesterday with the picture above... woo hoo!

I discovered flower mandala's a few years ago and often make them with my little boy (well i make and he destroys) but this outdoor bath scene with a flower mandala really took my breath away.

I quickly learnt that the mandala is the work of Finley Jordan for Aniela Parys's elegant lingerie collection/label and had to share with you guys.

I am sure not many of us would have time for such an elaborate bath time ritual but it is a good reminder for us to take time to relax and treat ourselves every once in a while... especially in the presence of natural bath products.

Aniela Parys Look book

Flower mandala: Finley Jordan for Aniela Parys

Natural Light :Ceiling to Floor Windows...

Ceiling to Floor windows in a stunning Wooden frame

In these colder darker overcast English Autumn days I am really thankful for the floor to ceiling windows in my sitting room that let in as much light as possible. My garden may not quite be the urban jungle retreat I would like it to be (it is getting there) but it is great to pull back the curtains and let the natural light flood the room (or creep in on more overcast days).

Each of the rooms i have chosen here have large windows and whether it is another building outside a woodland or an elephant (!!!!!) each of them makes the most of the natural light, which is so crucial to our health and wellbeing.... yet modern mass-built houses seem to forget this detail...

Ceiling to floor windows

Olsen Kundig

I recently read this little excerpt (below) which I found really interesting so I thought I would share with you guys about how light effects our mind and bodies....

"We evolved from exposure to natural day lighting. The sun provides a specific wavelength (blue range) in the early morning that lasts until early afternoon. At that point a different light wavelength is produced (red to orange range). We recently discovered that the retina has a specific photoreceptor that detects light and sends it to a special part of the brain known as the suprachiasm, located near the hypothalamus. Once the suprachiasm is triggered, it sets off the hypothalamus, the master gland that in turn triggers the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands of the brain and body. The hormonal reaction to light is what causes and promotes the diverse actions of the body and health.  

The blue range of light helps our bodies become aroused, alert, attentive and focused. As the day proceeds and we enter the afternoon when the blue range of light shifts to the red/orange range our bodies begin the process of slowing and ultimately sleeping. Our body slows in blood pressure and we enter the four stages of sleep including deep sleep. Melatonin is produced and growth hormones are triggered.  

The circadian rhythm (means approximately a day) is critically important to our health as it has effects on our immune system, ability to fight off disease, hunger and obesity, blood pressure, and cognition. It controls our sleep wake cycle so important for brain function and body regulation."

(Source)

Source Unknown

Large windows overlooking a river

P.s thank you for your comments and emails following my last post. My little unexpected break from blogging is now over and I have some exciting interviews, reviews and features coming up... so watch this space

xx Gabi xx

Geodesic Domes.....

Geodesic Dome Via Shelter Protects

 

Shuhei Endo’s “Bubbletecture H” Building

See the full tour of this dome home here

Geodesic dome house interior

Geodesic dome house

Oh mama!! These Geodesic Domes are just awesome aren't they?

So organic and warm :)

I have a huge collection of pictures of houses like this that i have stored on a secret pinterest board so i will be sure to share some more of these beauties in the near future....


p.s

A massive thank you to those who emailed (especially lovely moonpoppy) and asked if I have been okay due to the lack of blog posts this past few weeks. I am actually really okay. I have had a tough year, going back to work after having my little boy was a real struggle for me and keeping up with blogging on top of motherhood and working has been hard, I cringe to think of all the forgotten emails and projects that i have planned (sorry to those who i have missed on the way).

We have naturally fallen into an attachment parenting style which although so right for us does have its slight drawbacks..... co-sleeping with a wiggly toddler doesn't make for a good nights sleep, although it is more than magical to wake up and look at his beautiful face... so i haven't been 100% mentally but i am getting there......

Thank you for your support and encouragement, Moon to Moon doesn't earn me money like other blogs does because i really love supporting smaller businesses so your lovely comments and emails are so very much appreciated

xx Gabi xx