Bye Bye NYC!!!

Yes...today is the day that we are flying home...but I wouldn't live with myself if I didn't go out with a bang! So...yep, SHOPPING!!! My mom and I headed out early again, hitting up a fabulous find called Laila Rowe.
They had accessories for every color outfit you could possibly own at cheap, cheap prices!!! Think Claire's accessories but not made for kids...totally amazing! After spending an hour and a half in there we went over to get our daily Starbucks...then to keep on truckin'...

Time Square was going to be our last stop before we had to check out of the hotel...but I got caught up being a kid again at Toys R Us! The photo on the left is the Farris Wheel inside of the store! OH MY...LOVE IT! What kid wouldn't want to hang out here all day! On our way back up 7th we still had some time before checking out and there is this place I read about called Alcone Company...which sells make up to theater/broadway, TV and movie stars. They are so helpful and I had such a fun time in there!!! The staff was super knowledgeable plus they didn't push their products on you...plus the prices were reasonable!

Now it's check out time...so sad to leave NYC...but I miss home!! Can't wait to see my husband tonight!!! Plus get back to work (sounds crazy I know but I love my job)!!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Top of the ROCK!

Monday morning my mom and I were out of the hotel by 7am! (that's 4am Cali time!) We took the subway down to Chelsea Market and walked around there...then had a yummy breakfast at The City Cafe! Now that we had a full tummy we were ready to tackle a day of shopping & sightseeing! We hit up H & M (yes, I am addicted!), Maolo Blahnik, Tiffany & Co., plus other delightful stores!

The photo on the top is my mom and I "On Top of the Rock". Absolutely breathtaking...then we went down to the Ice Skating Rink in front of Rockefeller Center!



We had a great day shopping and enjoying spending time together! So...to end a wonderful full day of shopping we hit up "Chat n Chew" for dinner! What a fun atmosphere and cute place! If you like diner-ish food check it out!!! After dinner we hit up some more shops plus checked out a "Chocolate Bar" called "Chocolate by the bald man Max Brenner"...it was something that I had seen on Food Network, so I HAD to go there!!! I ended up getting some yummy gifts for people at home!

Tomorrow we leave to go home...I can't believe it's been about a week that I have been here!!!

I love NYC!!!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Soaking up the city!

It's Sunday and a beautiful day here in New York City! Today my mom got up early and headed out for our shopping extravaganza in "Soho" (slang for South of Houston Street)...there were so many stores we didn't know which to hit up first!!! MoMA, Sur La Table, H & M, MAC, and tons of other boutique stores!!! After all that shopping we headed to Lombardi's for some classic NY Pizza...oh my...it was AMAZING! If you are in NY you MUST hit this place up for lunch or dinner!!! After lunch we hit up a couple more shops...then took the subway back uptown to our hotel to get ready for the show tonight! My mom and I went to see The Color Purple, the musical...it was FANTASTIC! Such a great story and message...I am going to read the book now for sure! Since we had a late lunch we went out for dessert at Serendipity 3...we were totally SICK after eating that much but it was so totally worth it!!!

Tomorrow is going to be full of sightseeing, and of course shopping!!!

Artfully Yours,
Ceramic Diva


(On the left is the Frozen Hot Chocolate my mom ordered and on the right is my Hot Fudge Sundae!)

It's Over!!!

NAEA is over! Although I am sad about today being the last day...it was a great experience meeting educators from around the world! Here is the final photo of our booth...isn't it totally awesome! It's so sad that we had to pack up and go home! Next year NAEA is going to be held in New Orleans! I can't wait to talk about our fabulous Duncan products again!


After a long day of work on Saturday we went out for a yummy dinner at Ruby Foo's...what a delicious dinner!! Plus keep in mind that today is St. Patricks Day...so it was WILD in the streets of NY! I love this city!


Check back for the shopping 411 on Sunday!


Artfully Yours,


Ceramic Diva

A Room With A View

Day 2 was another success for Duncan Enterprises! I had several teachers say that all they use are Duncan Glazes!!!
So today I am a little tired...mainly my feet hurt...plus with the change in weather it doesn't help. Talk about a challenge trying to walk in the snow without falling on your bum! The photo on the left is the balcony off my room. Totally amazing...but really cold!!!

Tomorrow is the last day of our event...which makes me sad! I love to share all of the wonderful products that Duncan has to offer...plus I love to talk about the techniques and project ideas available on our web!

Well..it's almost dinner time here! Talk to you tomorrow...hope I don't fly away from the 30 mph winds!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Day 1 of NAEA

Doesn't our booth rock?!! Today was the first day of NAEA! What a great event...there were so many people today. Attendance is said to be anywhere from 5000 to 8000 educators! Everyone was so enthusiastic...plus the majority of them use DUNCAN products which is awesome!

The photo to the left is myself and my boss before the show started...below that photo is a picture of our booth! Don't you want to jump in the Ocean Habitat?!

Today in NY the weather has totally changed! Tonight the weather channel said that its going to rain, then snow!!! Oh my this Cali girl might turn into a popsicle!!!

After Day 1 at NAEA I am so excited to go back tomorrow to meet more people and share all of the wonderful products that Duncan has to offer!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

It's here!!!

Today our Duncan Team met downstairs for breakfast before tackling setting up our booth! I decided that today was going to be a fabulous day...3 things were going to happen:


1. Booth set up was going to be a breeze!
2. Our new Duncan 2007 Creativity Guide will be delivered to us no problems!
3. My luggage will arrive!!!


So...it was time to head for the Hilton Towers to set up for NAEA and get started on my 3 fabulous things for the day!
We got to our booth area and sure enough, other exhibitors were busy getting all of their stuff set up! It was crazy...but good crazy! When we were about half way finished setting up our booth...the 2007 Creativity Guides had arrived!!! Yes! That is one off my list! It didn't take long to set up our booth...the hardest part was the lining up the wallpaper (check back for pictures tomorrow)!!! So sweet, another one off the list...that's 2 out of 3! Back to the hotel to check on my luggage...guess what...IT ARRIVED!!!!!! I was so excited I could have done cartwheels in the lobby! Yes...it's an absolutely fabulous day today!


After a great day, our Duncan Team set out to hit the town..."Uptown...Downtown...all the way around town"...we took the Subway down to catch the ferry to Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty, but we were about 5 minutes late for the last ferry! AHH! Then we headed up to check out some other "tourist" attractions...we past by Trinity Church, which the architecture is amazing there! We went through the tribute to 9-11 which was so moving...but very very sad. I attached a photo of Firehouse 10 which is right across from Ground Zero, next to the tribute. To pick up the mood after that we headed back on the Subway to 34th Street...to check out The Empire State Building, all the way to the top! 86 floors!!! The view was absolutely breathtaking...I took a photo from looking up and then several from looking out. (I am attaching my favorites!) After soaking up the views, lights, and plenty of wind we headed back to the area of our hotel to grab a bite to eat!





What a day today! Check back tomorrow for photos from our AMAZING booth!


Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Finally NYC!

Yes...we have finally arrived in NYC!!! It was the longest flight today...before we landed at the LaGuardia Airport we flew right over the Statue of Liberty. What an absolutely amazing sight! I couldn't wait to get off the plane and start soaking up the city!

Unfortunately I had a slight issue...my luggage was LOST!!! I still am going to remain positive...I am in NY, the fashion capital of the world...so I could definitely shop for a new mini wardrobe!!!

Tomorrow we are going to be setting up our booth for the NAEA event here! I can't wait!!! Check back for tomorrows stories!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Week Ahead!

Yes, it's Monday and of course I could use at least one more day off! Saturday and Sunday were absolutely beautiful here in Fresno!!

On Saturday my friends and I went for our fabulous pedicures at Aqua Nails Bar then we headed to lunch. We were planning on going to Rhema but unfortunately they aren't open at lunch...dinner only! Rhema will defiantly be put on hold for "date night" with my honey! So we ended up going to California Pizza Kitchen to have a yummy salad...plus we sat outside which was wonderful! Sunday I spent the day with my husband and packing for my trip!

Be sure to check my blog everyday this week as I will be updating you from the big apple!!!

Artfully yours,

Ceramic Diva

Its all about being CREATIVE!

Yes...just as I promised...a little sneak peak!

Ok, so I can't show you the entire Duncan Creativity Guide but you can at least check out the cover to see how absolutely AWESOME it looks! I am so excited for everyone to take a peek at our new bisque designs! Be sure to contact your local Duncan Distributor at the end of the month to get your copy!!!

The next exciting thing on my plate is...A pedicure this weekend at my favorite spa Aqua Nails Bar!!! Plus we are going to try this fabulous new French Restaurant here in Fresno called Rhema! I will keep you in the loop on how yummy and relaxed we are after Saturday!!!! Aside from the wonderful things that I am doing this weekend, next week our Ceramics Team is going to be attending the National Art Education Association (NAEA) which will be held in NEW YORK! Keep checking my blog...I am going to blog about the events for each day!!

Check back on Monday for the info on Rhema!

Artfully yours,

Ceramic Diva

Sunny Days!!!

Last weekend was full for me...From testing some new products to helping out by painting our Contempo Pitchers for an upcoming show...which is the NAEA held in New York! So this weekend I was determined to get outside and enjoy our fabulous weather!! Which was an amazing 70 degrees all weekend!! So on Saturday I went for a walk with my sister and her friend Emily...(check out our picture)...we had such a great time! Then we hit up Starbucks after that, for a much needed refresher! On Sunday, it was another amazing day to enjoy outdoors!! My husband and I enjoyed our day off together by reading the paper...savoring coffee and the awesome sunshine...then it was time for a little yard work! After enjoying the great outdoors we dropped by over at my sister-in-laws house to see our little niece who is 7 months old! Every time we see her she changes! What a doll!! This next weekend I am hoping for a little outdoor time again...although I am going for a pedicure with friends on Saturday at Aqua Nails Bar. Check back later this week for a sneak peek on our Duncan Creativity Guide!!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

A little R&R...

This past weekend my husband and I headed up to Bass Lake for a weekend of R&R!!! We had an absolutely wonderful time!

On Saturday we packed a lunch and headed up to Yosemite National Park...It was a perfect day for walking around and enjoying the amazing views! Neither of us had been to Yosemite for quite a few years, it just took our breath away...the waterfalls were flowing!! The top photo on the left is Bridalveil Falls and the one below is Yosemite Falls. These photos don't do justice to actually being there!

We also stopped at the Awhanee Hotel...this will most definitely be our next hotel we stay at for relaxation! Every afternoon at 4pm the hotel staff sets up an area for crafting...plus they also have a fabulous fireplace set up in The Great Lounge, perfect place to get a good book and relax!

After a full day of hiking, taking pictures and rediscovering Yosemite it was time to go back to our hotel at Ducey's for our delicious dinner!

If you haven't been up to Yosemite National Park you really must go...it was romantic, fun, educational, interesting and FABULOUS!

Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

Aqua Nails Bar

Over the weekend my mom and I went to the most fabulous nail salon... Aqua Nails Bar ...not only is it totally trendy but the staff was awesome!!! Upon sitting at one of the pedicure stations and dipping my tootsies into a granite bowl filled with lavender scented warm water, I was given a warm scented neck pillow. My amazing pedicure included a great scrub and massage followed by a wrap in a warm scented towel…the cool thing was instead of toe dividers they used warm stones place between each toe!

You have to try it!!!

Artfully Yours,
Ceramic Diva

Masterpiece in Minutes!!!

I know I have told you about Masterpiece in Minutes™ (a.k.a. MIM)…an innovative concept from Duncan Enterprises…Well incase you have forgotten, it’s a one stop shop ceramic station…you pick from 3 vases, coordinating glazes, and your lid embellishment pack (lid to vase & raffia). It’s an absolutely fabulous project for anyone…not only is it so easy to do…but when you see the finish results…AMAZING! You have created an art gallery piece in minutes!

This photo shows the “Ceramic Diva” herself painting a project from MIM! This picture is posted on the Duncan Ceramics website…be sure to check out all the cool ceramic projects and GET GOING ON YOUR OWN MIM!!!

Artfully yours,
Ceramic Diva

The Most Amazing Concert…JT!!!!!

On Wednesday my family & friends went to see an amazing concert at the Savemart Center…Justin Timberlake! Our seats were phenomenal…one row from the floor!! We could almost touch him!! JT sang some songs from his first solo album “Justified” plus from his new album “FutureSexLoveSounds”!! What an absolutely talented person…he sang playing the piano, the guitar, freestyle, plus while dancing all around the stage. It was just absolutely AWESOME!!! Can’t wait for his next tour!



Artfully Yours,

Ceramic Diva

IADCCT (International Association of Duncan Certified Ceramic Teachers)

I am so inspired by the fabulous group of people that I met at the IADCCT event!!! It was wonderful getting to know our Duncan Certified Teachers plus being able to talk about our new and exciting products that are available!! The event was held in Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget hotel…each day we had quite a schedule of events! On Sunday we set up our booth and got things in order for that evening, which was our “make & take it” event! As you can see there were quite a few people who attended! Monday was a full day of amazing classes taught by Arlene Smith and David Hoff!

If that wasn't enough fun for everyone, that evening the IADCCT put on an awesome awards banquet! The “Party Favor” defiantly fit the theme of the event this year, which was “Create, Motivate, and Educate”!! Each table was decorated from Card Night to The Red Hat Society! What made this so totally creative is the raffle they did for each table…the winner received a basket full of Duncan Oh Four™ Bisque, Duncan Glazes or Duncan Underglazes, Duncan Brushes plus detailed photo instructions of the centerpiece at your table!!!

I am looking forward to attending this event next year!

Artfully yours,
Ceramic Diva

Happy New Year!

Finally the mad rush and overdose on sugar has come to an end!!! At least until Valentines Day! Speaking of Valentines Day…Duncan Enterprises has some awesome new bisque designs for January 2007 plus we also launched 4 new colors in our Concepts® Underglaze Line…you have to check them out!!! The photo on the left is my favorite project right now, perfect for a romantic Valentines Day dinner! It features our new HarmonyWare designs plus our new Light, Bright, Dark Pink and Really White.

I put some New Years Resolutions together for 2007 on some pretty cool paper and have it posted on my refrigerator at home! One of them is to turn a guest room in our home into a crafting room!!! Another resolution is to complete at least 1 ceramic project a month! With all of the amazing new bisque designs it shouldn’t be hard!

Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and lets get going on projects for the New Year!

Artfully yours,
Ceramic Diva

Jazz it up for the holidays!!!

After a long weekend of baking, shopping and putting the final touches on our home for Christmas Day it seems that I am getting more excited each day! I know that for kids its all about getting gifts but for me the joy is giving gifts….it’s so awesome to give someone that special gift that they have been wanting or needing! It’s my favorite time of the year!!

This year Christmas Eve will be at my Mother in Laws home and should be wonderful! She is so talented with cooking, baking and decorating! My husbands family will all be there and it should be so much fun!! Then Christmas Day will be at our home with all of my family, with the exception of the few that will be in Acapulco (lucky!)!!! We have a feast planned that should be outrageous from Honeybaked Ham, My Mom’s Famous Broccoli Salad, and Frozen Peppermint Pie!! My husband and I are really looking forward to being with both of our families this Christmas!

Speaking of family…the ornaments that are shown in this picture were given to me this year with my birthday gift from my cousins. My Grandma Gwen painted these about 50 years ago! The entire collection of ornaments was made from Duncan molds (before bisque was here!) and Duncan Glazes. Of course she “jazzed them up” with some crystals and gems she had which was so her style! Now when I look at them it reminds me of how ahead of her time she was with her stylish and retro ornaments! I plan on using them as a centerpiece on our dining table for Christmas day!

For me the best holiday gifts are my family and friends!!!
Enjoy your holiday!

Artfully yours,
Ceramic Diva

My Heritage!!

Ok...I was just reading Fashion Girls blog and she mentioned how her friend had done this really cool thing on http://www.myheritage.com/. It's a face recognition site that matches your face to celebrities! It was so much fun!!!!! Check out the faces that I match up with...you totally have to try it!

Artfully yours,
Ceramic Diva

After suffering a terrible loss in my family last week, I have been reminded this holiday season just how important family is. I hope you all get an opportunity to see your family for the holidays just as I will. It's truly a gift.

I have so many things going on!! This week we are having a potluck for our Marketing Team and this Friday is our company party!!! Plus this weekend I am hoping to get some baking & crafts done. My plan is to make some yummy cookies and package them into cute containers embellished with Tulip® Fashion Bead Paint!! My other goal is to add handmade cinnamon ornaments to each gift I wrap to give it a special and personal touch! This weekend will be filled with shopping, crafts and baking!!!!

That being said...What do you have planned for the holidays?


Artfully Yours,
Ceramic Diva