look what the mailman brought...

if i could buy everything i love on etsy-- i would have to buy a barn to store it all in. so i try very hard to restrain myself. now and again though, i find myself compelled to secure something that just calls out to me. this brings me to "ramone" and lori koop, who has an etsy shop, LoriKoop.etsy.com where she sells her one of a kind "wabi sabi" ceramics on etsy. i met lori by way of the treasuries on etsy and included a few of her pieces in my collections. having been a potter at one time, i appreciate the art of ceramics and the fact that lori's pieces are entirely built by hand ( the old zen master's way). the sweet tactile nuances -- uneven rims, bumpy surfaces and organic personality shine through and give each piece its unique personality, and reveal so much about their lovely and vibrant maker.  another thing that's really endearing about lori and her work is that she names her pots. i fell in love with "ramone" and decided it was time to adopt another family member. i almost fell for diane--but it seems she has made her way somewhere else in the world.

 ramone arrived nestled in his comfortable bubble and peanuts. he came with a sweet offering of dried seed pods. it was love at first sight. ramone is charming, handsome and down to earth -- a great conversationalist, but on the quiet side. ramone is deceptively complex-- like most of us-- he is full of contrasts. he has a wonderfully grainy light dove grey exterior-- -- you can feel the earthy grog when you handle the bowl. ( beard stubble?)--- inside is a beautiful smooth glossy pale blue green celadon glaze- the deep clear waters of ramone's soul. he has incised dots and dashes on his rim both inside and out accented with rich iron oxide rubbed in for contrast.-- the secret code to ramone's heart?

i'm happy to have ramone come and live with us, he fits in beautifully with my other treasured family of pots. i am smitten. ramone is home.

here are a few samples of some of lori's pieces from her shop... i'm really loving the bird house--named lucy---ohhhhhh!