Duncan Polytechnical Portfolio Day

Duncan Polytechnical High School was created in 1985 as a 4-year speciality school organized around five career pathways: Agriculture, Heath, Public Service, Business and Industrial Technology. Duncan Poly is considered a model school for occupational education...So I was honored that I was asked to participate in Portfolio Day!

It started with a brief orientation and then I was off to go to my classroom! I had a group 9th graders first...who were so nervous and then a group of 10th graders! Everyone did an exceptional job! Each student had put together a portfolio of the work they had completed over the school year, plus talked about their career path. After each group of presentations I had to fill out an evaluation form...giving my feedback about the good and bad of each portfolio/presentation. The students were so enthusiastic and eager to share information about school, family life, and their special interests.

It was an amazing experience and I hope to be invited back next year!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Mother's Day Treats!

Sunday my Mom and I went to Farmers Market for an outdoor breakfast...I haven't been to Farmers Market since my previous career in retail...it doesn't change! Still fun, fresh foods, and delicious treats! We ate breakfast at the French Crepe Co....FABULOUS!!! My mom had "La Versailles" (Crepe filled with fresh strawberries and lightly sprinkled with sugar) and I went for the decadent La Napoleon (Crepe filled with Nutella, fresh strawberries and bananas)! After a breakfast like that we had to walk it off!!!

We hit up kiosks to check out the Pandora Charms, bought an adorable LA Dodgers jersey for my dog Shadow, shopped Anthropologie, Arden B., Marciano, Michael Stars, Nordies, and Tracey Allen Jewelery. Plus a major bonus was while we were shopping inside Nordies shoe department I noticed they were setting up for someone to sing...I though it was going to be some piano player doing show tunes for Mother's Day or something...I was WRONG! It was Robin Thicke (for those of you who remember the TV show Growing Pains it's Alan Thicke's son!!) who is a great new artist...I just fell in love with his voice! But we got to see him upclose! It was way cool!!! Only in LA!

After all of the shopping we decided to hit up Sunset Blvd on our way home...this strip is filled with beautiful upscale shops, along with kitschy boutiques, plus fantastic restaurants! We decided to have a late lunch-early dinner at Mel's Diner...where we saw our SECOND star of the day...this time it was Vin Diesel!!!

We had a magnificent time! The best thing about our trip wasn't the shopping, food or the stars...but it was spending a weekend with my best friend...my mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Shop till you drop!

My mom has got to be the #1 shopper...she knows her way around any mall, if she has been there before or it's all new! Absolutely AMAZING! On Saturday we hit up 2 shopping centers...first we started at Westfield Mall...which had so many stores...Charles David, Cole Haan, Dooney & Bourke, Juicy Couture, L'Occitane, O& Co., Restoration Hardware, Tiffany's, plus one of my favorites, The Container Store! My mom and I both agree that we could have spent several hours in that store!

Our next mission was the Beverly Center...we hit up, Nine West, H & M, Arden B, Aldo Shoes and Accessories, Guess, LeSportsac, Macy's, Bloomies, Pet Love, Pottery Barn, and Steve Madden! After all the shopping we had to grab a bite to eat...so P.F. Chang's sounded yummy! Then we hit up MORE shopping!!!

Once we got back to our hotel...there were about 3 events going on, a wedding reception, world poker tour, benefit (yes...stars were there!!). My mom and I dropped off our shopping bags and headed down to Trader Vics in hopes of seeing any famous stars! No luck, however this hot spot is really fun...totally feel like you are right there in Hawaii!!

Tomorrow our Agenda is The GROVE!!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Welcome to Hollywood...

We left arrived in Southern California Friday afternoon and it's absolutely beautiful here! Our hotel looks kinda 50's-Retro and the inside was simply beautiful!!!

With only 4 minutes to spare my Mom and I finally made it to Pantages Theater. Our seats were phenomenal...which made the actual show even better! I most definitely recommend going to see this show...especially if you are a fan of The Wizard Of Oz...I watched that movie as a child and Wicked totally captivated me in the same way. It was funny, heartwarming plus had a romantic side! It's a MUST to go see!!!

Oh how I love LA!!! Tomorrow is our day of SHOPPING!!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Mother's Day Weekend!

It's Mothers Day this weekend! I am so excited to be spending the weekend with my Mommy!
You guessed it, I am a Mommy's girl!


Our weekend is going to start off by driving down to Southern California! Friday night we have tickets to see the musical Wicked, which should be amazing! Then Saturday it's going to be a day of shopping!!!! Our plan is to hit up The Grove, Beverly Center, Kitson, Downtown Santa Monica, and hopefully the Fashion District! With all of that shopping we are trying to get in, it's a must to get some sun in too! We plan on hitting the beach (or at least lay by the pool of the hotel!). On Sunday our plan is to go to Farmers Market for breakfast. Next week I will post some pics from LA! It's going to be a blast!!!


Also...for Mother's Day I am creating 2 gifts for my Mom...the first one is a set of 4 coffee mugs. I was inspired by a mug that I saw at Starbucks...which I almost bought them for her, but then I thought hey...I can do that!!! So I used 2 base coats of Envisions Translucent Glaze, then created a cool design using French Dimensions, then added another coat of Envision Translucent Glaze! Can't wait to see it come out of the kiln...it's that magic factor that I love! The next gift is a painted canvas for her to hang in her kitchen...using Tulip Soft Fabric Paint, then adding embellishments with Tulip Fashion Bead Paint...and it wouldn't be me without some Tulip Glam-It-Up! Iron-On Crystals...I LOVE BLING BLING! The great thing is you don't have to iron on the bling...I am using New Aleene's Fabric Fusion Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive! Hope she loves her gifts!!


Happy Mothers Day!


Artfully Yours,
Ceramic Diva

Happy Birthday!!!

On Friday my friend delivered a little girl...now it's celebration time! To welcome baby Emily to the world...she needed something personal from me...so...I went to Target purchased onesies and
baby socks, then purchased Tulip One Step Fashion Dye...late Friday night I was up in the garage going crazy doing all different tye dye techniques! I created 10 little onesies plus matching socks! Once I get a picture of her in them I will post it on my blog! Baby Emily is ADORABLE!!!!

Then Saturday night we went out for tepenyaki to celebrate my sisters upcoming 18th birthday! It was so much fun...(Today is my sisters actual birthday)...so Happy Birthday Sis!!!

Yesterday I started a ceramic project using Translucent Envision Glazes and French Dimensions...once it comes out of the magical kiln I will be sure to share the photo and project instructions with you!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Coordinate Your Designs!

Last week I told you about the 21 NEW Duncan Oh Four™ Bisque designs that had just been released...this week I just have to let you know that not only did we just release 21 new shapes...but we also have amazing coordinating designs!!! I am thrilled about the new additions to our Asian Collection...plus using the coordinating designs are going to make serving take out so much fun! The Asian Collection was decorated with Neon Concepts® and X-Treme Dimensions™! It just shows that you can do so many other great things with dimensional glazes!


Click on the photo to take you to the project instructions.


Be sure to check out our website for other fabulous projects!


Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva