Words of appreciation that I appreciate

These are some of the thank you notes I have received over the years. I wanted to share them with all of you so you might understand how much people enjoy custom pottery as a wedding, anniversary, baby, or graduation gift. Most of my online orders are from the brides themselves and not their family and friends.

When it rains it pours

Business is good. Life is crazy. When I started my online website I was hoping for 2 orders a month, from January to the middle of May I had one order. About a month ago my online pottery business starting picking up speed. I got 10 orders in two weeks, both from family and friends and from my etsy site. At the same time I was working about 40 hours a week, and designing a pre-fabricated home for a design competition at home. I felt like I was in architecture school again, spending about 12-15 hours a day in front of a computer. I got everything designed, turned in, painted, printed, and mailed on time. And now that things have calmed down a little can appreciate my everyday life again and am enjoying my 1 or 2 orders a week. Thank you to everyone who ordered a plate from me and trusted me to make you something special for your special day. Thank you, Thank you!!

Invitation Inspiration Platter

Two new platters inspired by the couple’s invitations. I really like doing this type of platter because there is so much variety, and it’s a new challenge for me every time. The tree platter was a BIG challenge, but I think it turned out great. Part of the challenge is the paint. I am starting to work more with color. Black is the easiest, at least I have been working with it the longest. Up until recently, the brown text with flower platter, I only did small text in black. Every color has a different consistency; some are more unpredictable then others. The olive green for example started out very watery and then switched to being very thick and before I finished it was watery again. Luckily, I wrote the text somewhere between the two. The bottle must have not been used for a while and it had separated some. I am hoping not to work with that color very often.

Piggy Bank

Every little kid needs a piggy bank!

Graduation Picture Frame

My mom is by far my best customer the only problem is she pays me in laundry service and home cooked meals- well I guess it’s not too much of a problem after all. She never has to think about what she is going to get someone for a wedding present, she just hands me the invitation and says, “Here. what do you want to make?” In this case it was graduation presents, but the conversation was the same.

All About Me Picture Frame

I'm calling this new picture frame the “All about me picture frame”. Because it's true. It started as a gift to a good friend of mine who recently graduated from college. It's filled with words that describe her and what she has accomplished. It took me a while to come up with the perfect graduation gift, but I am pretty happy with the results. Next, I made one for my aunt who is going through a rough time right- and not because she turns 50 this year. Again I used words that describe her and what she has accomplished. I hope it brings a smile to her face.

EmilysStudio.etsy.com

If you would like to purchase a custom order like something you see here on my blog please visit my etsy site. EmilysStudio.etsy.com New items are comming soon... Picture frames, piggy bank and classroom signature platter!!

Monogram Plate

Similar to a Wedding Plate, a Monogram Plate is a great wedding or anniversary gift. I can work with you to design a monogram, if the couple has a monogram, or maybe something on their invitation I can scan and enlarge, I can copy the design onto a plate. Depending on detail and size of the plate, cost can range from $30 to $50. Monogram design is a separate fee.

Monogram

I can work with you to design a custom monogram, a great way to add personality to your wedding. Information like the couples names, date of the wedding, and location can be included. Or you could go more traditional and just do initials. It's really all up to you. I can also incorporate the colors of your wedding. Usually this is done over a few emails and within a week. When the design is finalized, the file can be emailed to you and you can use it for other items in your wedding, like a signature platter, a monogram plate, programs, thank you notes, etc. Cost $40.

Signature platters

Signature platters are a modern way of enjoying your wedding guest book. Hang it on a wall or use it for special occasions- either way I bet you will see it more than a traditional guest book.Step 1- Before the wedding. We will work together to design the platter. I can help you decided what goes in the middle of the platter. It can be a monogram designed by me, wedding inspired clip art, or something else of your choosing. I will draw design on the platter, and then it can be pick-up or shipped to you. Depending on how long it takes to design the platter this step can take 1 week up to 1 month.

Step 2- At the wedding. You set the platter out on a table at your ceremony and reception. It's best to have someone standing near encouraging people to sign the plate, like a guest book attendant. ONLY BALLPOINT PEN CAN BE USED TO SIGN THE POTTERY. It is important not to let anyone sign over the center design. Make sure everyone important signs the plate. It's a good idea for Parents and close friends of the couple to sign the platter before the wedding, so they don't forget later into the evening (they are usually the most busy and distracted most important) and also to give your guest an idea of how to sign the platter. Step 3- After the wedding. You drop-off or mail the platter back to me. Then I sign over everyone's signature with paint. Because the pen will burn off in the kiln when it is fired, anything you don't want, (say a misspelling or an inappropriate word or a little one who found a pen and started doodling) I will not copy and no one will see it. After copying all of the signatures I will paint the center design and any other details we decided on. This step takes the longest, at a minimum it will take 1 month before you get the platter back. At this point it will be complete and you can hang it on a wall or put it in a special place. Please email me for a cost estimate. There is a range from $80-160 depending on the size of the platter, to what you want for the center design, and how many signatures you have. photos to come

Baby Plate

The Baby Plate is a great gift idea for a new baby and their parents, grandparents, god parents, etc. The 8” salad plate includes the full name of the baby, date of birth, time, weight, length, hospital, and parents. Information can be added or removed. A foot print can be included (more easily done if the baby lives in St. Louis) or baby inspired clip art. $30.

Lead time of 2 weeks for local orders and 3 weeks for orders out side of St. Louis, MO.

Wedding Plate

The Wedding Plate is a great gift idea for a wedding or anniversary. The 12” rimmed plate includes the name of the couple and date of the wedding. The center design can be a castle with the line “and they lived happily ever after…” or something else of your choice. $50. Lead time of 2 weeks for local orders and 3 weeks for orders out side of St. Louis, MO.