Bulusma IV

This week from December 12th to 15th, I will be showcasing my work at Bulusma IV in Istanbul.  I have been hard at work in my studio producing earth toned pieces (I love these new colors!!)  from my new Plateau series, as well as my signature porcelain jewelry with a fresh twist.  Misu, toz design, THOMASINE, Örge Tulga, livving and FELICIMOMENTI are the other great designers that will be participating in this gorgeous event.  Please come by to do some holiday shopping, sip some wine and just hang-out.

Event: Buluşma IV
Place: BOBBIN Showroom - Teşvikiye Bostan Sokak (Karakol Sokak) No:13/3, Kat:2
           Nişantaşı, Istanbul
           T. 0 (212) 260 06 82
Dates: December 12 - 15, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Istanbul Design Biennial

Today I went to the official opening and press meeting for the Istanbul Design Biennial.  The ceremony was at the old Greek Elementary School, where one of the two major exhibits is located.  Afterwards we headed over to Istanbul Modern to visit the second exhibit.  I have to say it was amazing!  There was so much positive energy and a lot of good work.  It's exciting to see such a well crafted event in my own home town.

But I have to admit for me the high point of the Biennial was to see my own work on exhibit!  I still consider myself new to the game and I continue to get excited when I see my work out in the real world.  Plus, how great is it to be featured right next to one of my first teachers, Nuray Ada!

Below are images of my bowls from the IKSV Design Store display at the Old Greek School and from the Istanbul Modern Shop.  I know, I know I took a lot of photos, but like I said I was excited!

In The Studio

This past Sunday I was in the studio putting some final touches on my bowls (for the IKSV Istanbul Design Biennial Collection), before loading them into the kiln for their initial bisque firing.

Out Of The Studio

This past weekend was a long one with Monday off for Mercè.  I took a much needed break from the studio and relaxed for 3 full days. (Well, there was a lot of cleaning and laundry to be done at home, but let's just ignore that)
I am a huge fan of Japanese food and I love anything that combines fish and seaweed.  I decided to make my own version of sushi with quinoa.  The final rolls were far from anything that actually exists in Japanese cuisine, but I must say they were extra yummy!
On Monday, the clouds cleared and we had a beautiful blue sky.  The gorgeous day was just calling for a walk and that is exactly what we did.  We climbed the hills behind Barcelona and walked around Tibidabo.  And we even took some photos to prove it.

In The Studio

Currently I am making more bowls from my new tableware line.  This time they will be all in white.  I am rushing to get them ready for a special collection that IKSV Design Shop is putting together in conjunction with the first Istanbul Design Biennial.  Lucky for me, the theme for the collection is "imperfection".  I think it's a good match, since I'm always trying to walk the fine line between perfection and imperfection in my work!

In The Studio

At last I am posting photos of the finished tableware set!  The set turned out just the way I wanted it to.  I am really proud of it and I hope you like it too!

In The Studio

I am getting so close to actually producing the final pieces for my tableware set.  This week I was trying out my molds and casting some test plates and bowls.  I will be firing them over the weekend.  I can't wait to see how they turn out!  I have also prepared 9 different colorant and slip mixtures to find the perfect grey colored porcelain.  My previous trial from a few weeks ago resulted in a light blue clay instead of grey, hopefully these new tests will lead to better results.

I have been finishing making my larger molds for the platters and serving bowls.  I need to make a mold for the large serving bowl and then I will be done with the plaster work!

These are pictures of some of the tools I use everyday.  I love how tools themselves can form really beautiful compositions.

In The Studio

I have spent the past week making molds for my new tableware line.  I like taking the time to make my molds pristine.  It's important to me to apply the clean and simple aesthetic of my finished work to the whole creation process.  I like treating the molds as mini sculptures in their own right.

In The Studio

This week I have been mixing up batches of porcelain Limoges Slip. I've been making dozens of mini test bowls to find the perfect white, grey and black colored clay bodies. Once I decide on the correct percentages I'll be moving on to testing a bunch of different glazes.

In The Studio

Plaster, plaster, and some more plaster!!! 

I have been carving away at the prototypes for my new tableware line.  My hands are dry and cracking, my nails are worn down, but I think it is worth it.  I just finished making the plaster models of my dinner plate and small plate.  They both have organic pebble like shapes with subtle curves.  It's exciting to see my ideas come to life!