ho ho ho

thank you so much for all your support this year. 

wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a fab 2013!

see you in a new year, everyone! 

xm

anticipation

working in the studio at this time of year is hard. thermometer said minus. turn the gas bottle on the first thing in the morning to warm up the frosty shed. wedging cold clay freezes up my hand. the radio helps me to build up the mood gradually and i start working on the wheel. ticking things to do this year. almost there. ready to fly in January.  

apart from the studio work, it is officially my last working week of this year. bringing up fun and relaxed mood by making decorations, printing tags, wrapping presents. winding down near the fire with fabulous Ed Sheeran on in the background. nearly there… xm

smile maker of the week #7

A beautiful pair of ‘molecule’ earrings by Northern Ireland based glass artist Catherine Keenan 

For quite sometime I was looking for dangling earrings in this particular colour to go with my favourite range of clothes (I like combining purple accessories with my greenish dress) and wondering if it can be done with her gorgeous handmade glass... I was delighted when Catherine kindly accepted my request! And it has arrived just before Christmas! Thank you so much Catherine. 

Visit her site to see the wide range of her glass work here. You may find your fav, too! xm

London Delight

We went to London last weekend. We had a wonderful time meeting artists, seeing their work and just spending our free time together. Today, I would like to share three fabulous artists and work, who we met during our stay. 

The main aim of the visit was to go to Makoto Kagoshima’s solo exhibition. Makoto’s ceramics are ever so popular worldwide today and I too absolutely adore his work. On this occasion we actually met him in person whilst he was visiting London for a week. It was interesting to peek his insight, listen to his philosophy and his view of making ‘utsuwa’ (vessels for food) not art pieces. (though, I think they stand well as art!) The image is beautiful blue & white pieces that we brought home. Can’t wait to use them with family at Christmas! The exhibition is still open at Gallery Eclectic until 23rd December, but the stock is getting small so you’d better hurry. 

Next, visiting open studio of Japanese ceramicist Mizuyo Yamashita. I’ve sort of become a blog friend of her and also met her before at Origin (blogged here), but visiting her actual studio was the very first time. The view from her studio on the 7th floor was just amazing, gazing twinkles of London architectures and sky. (I am so envious!) We liked Mizuyo’s recent thrown pieces with curving design, including these tiny goblets. It would be nice drinking mulled wine in them or can be used for snacks and vegetable sticks? I love pondering the possibility over the food, table and ceramics. What would you use them for? 

Finally, and this was an exciting surprise, Buddug was at the same studio! You may have seen her gorgeous enamel work from the lovely shop collaborated with Jessie Chorley in Colombia Road. We did not know that she was a part of this open studio and I’ve always loved her style of work, so you can guess how much I was delighted! A very very charming lady she was. Her spoon is a kind of iconic piece (tradition of her home country Wales) and this was actually a second, but isn’t it just beautiful? Thank you so much and lovely to meet you, Buddug! xm 

Giveaway Result!

Thank you for entering my giveaway. 

The three lucky winners are…. (drum roll please),

Giveaway 1: a set of four ‘mazekoze’ postcards is going to 

Imen

Giveaway 2: ‘POTCANFLY’ porcelain brooch is going to 

Rozalinde

Giveaway 3: porcelain Christmas hanging is going to 

Simone

Congratulations! 

Please email me to makikohastings@gmail.com your full name and address, so that I can post you as soon as possible. Don’t forget post code and country name! Thank you. xm

the simple things

A new lifestyle magazine THE SIMPLE THINGS current issue 4 is featuring my favourite shop PASH as "shop of the month". In this article, there is a nice image of the fabulous shop including my ‘mazekoze’ display. Issue 4 is all about Christmas, so if you fancy a bit of ideas, do pop over to a local book store or you can purchase online. 


my GIVEAWAY is currently open till next Tuesday. Don't miss this chance! xm