In The Studio

In the coming few months I plan to focus on my Off Circle vessels again.  There is something about the organic shapes and thick lips that keep me coming back to these forms.  It has been a long time since I have sketched out my ideas.  I was having fun in the studio with my large pad, favorite pencil and a hot cup of tea.  It's nice to just sit back and sketch.  Trying out a form quickly on paper is much easier than building it in clay!

In The Studio

These are the results of my color tests.  I tested 1%, 3% and 5% of each stain in both a clear glaze and in Limoges porcelain.  The top photo shows the mini test bowls before the firing and the rest of the images show the final colors.  Of course, as always, the colors are not exactly what I expected, but I think there are a lot of beautiful ones.  I am especially into the really pale glazes and the deep purply-blue porcelain.

In The Studio

I got a request to produce my tableware set in a color scheme of pale blues and greens.  I had been wanting to explore these colors myself so this little nudge was all that I needed to get going.  I like to add color both to my clay and to my glazes and you never know what the right percentage will be.  This leads to lots and lots of test tiles (or in my case mini test bowls).  I am testing 6 different stains at 1%, 3% and 5%.  I can't wait to see how they all turn out.  Sometimes the most beautiful ones are the ones you least expect.

Since the New Year

These are images from the first two months of 2013.

The gorgeous orchid was bought at 2am on January 1st by my wonderful sister and her boyfriend from a mini floral market that is open 24/7 and happened to be on our walk back home from the New Year's Eve festivities.  I am proud to say that 2 months later it is still alive and gorgeous, at last we have kept a plant alive!!

The little porcelain bits and bobs are some new jewelry ideas that I have been playing around with.

I have been enjoying using my own plates at home.  This image was taken while enjoying one of my favorite breakfasts - Wasa crackers, spreadable herbed cheese and cucumbers.

My birthday was in January and my adorable and thoughtful husband baked me a cake.  It not only looked amazing, but was also de-li-cious!!!

I have been hard at work in the studio working on a new plate design.  Above is the plaster model that I carved and will make a mold of.  I am hoping for some good results so I will keep you posted on how it turns out.

Tapasuma

2012 was a crazy hectic year.  I took on two very big projects.  The first project was creating a tableware set.  I blogged a lot about the process of creating the set from the initial design phases, up until producing the finished pieces (to see photos of the final set click here).  However, I never wrote about the second big project, which was designing our very own restaurant, Tapasuma!  I am an interior designer by training and every so often I take on architectural projects.  Designing and constructing the restaurant was a lot of hard work, but it was a true Butler family project.  I come from a family of designers, my parents are both architects and my sister is a graphic designer.  We all worked very hard on the project, but in the end I think it was worth it!

If you would like to see more images of Tapasuma you can visit our website www.tapasuma.com

Tapasuma
Address: Kuleli Caddesi No.43 Çengelköy, İstanbul, TURKEY
Phone: +90 (216) 401 13 33/34
Email: info@tapasuma.com
Hours: Open 7 days a week between 11.30am - midnight

If you are interested in the first Butler family project, Sumahan On The Water, please visit our website www.sumahan.com 

Photographs of Tapasuma were taken by Manuel Zublena

Bulusma IV

 I wanted to share some images from my mini booth setup at Bulusma IV.  This was the only art show that I did in 2012 and it was great.  I love the solitary tranquility of working in my studio, but I also realized how much I love sharing my work with others.  It's a lot of fun to put my work out there and see how people react to it.

The last picture is of my beautiful friend Burcu (owner of the amazingly delicious Cupcakery in Teşvikiye) modeling her new porcelain earrings!

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