Your Valentine Will Love This!

     

We've been working on some new designs for Valentine's Day and thought you might like to see how they would look on your special Valentine. The jewelry is made from our earthenware clay and impressed with a textured heart design. Around the outside edge, there is a 22kt gold luster finished with a gloss glaze. We've added some glass beads and accents for fun and sparkle. Choose from other styles, available in our gallery.

Warm the Heart

Nothing warms the body like a pot of tea and nothing warms the heart like an expression of love ... especially when you choose to express your feelings with something handmade. You can find that perfect personal gift of love in our gallery. Choose a thoughtful gift this Valentine's Day by giving the gift of art. Stop by the gallery ... we have many new items on display.

Soups On from Dine-In-Diva

Tamara Mitchell, one of the talented, creative, and supportive chefs from Dine-In-Diva has begun testing soups for our Empty Bowl Project, March 21st at the Akron Art Museum. These look so good. She's tested two vegetable based recipes - Corn and Butternut Squash Chowder and Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Cheddar Chowder (using Adams Reserve Cheddar). Both look so good. I'm going to Trader Joe's on Saturday morning and picking up some really good cheddar ... just might have to try the Broccoli, Pepper, Cheddar Chowder. Check out the recipes on Tami's  Garden, Grocery, Gadget Girl blog.

 

Shop our Valentine's Day Collection

Looking for a gift for the one you love? Shop our Valentine's Day gift collection at our studio.

New Red Hot Designs

We're starting to think about spring and love and all the stuff that gives us hope for a new season and we've got some exciting designs in our gallery just in time for Valentine's Day. The jewelry is especially spectacular this year with carved hearts, 22kt. gold lustre and beautiful glass beads. We've designed the earrings in both posts and wires and are available in purple and red. The necklaces too are designed in much the same way also available in both colors. Other Valentine's Day items are added to our gallery every few days. Stop by our gallery and also check out the photos on our Facebook page. The gallery is open Monday thru Friday 11-6 and Saturday from 12-9pm. We'll be happy to gift wrap your item at no additional charge.

SOLD OUT!

Empty Bowls reservations are official closed as we hit our 200 bowl limit. Thanks to everyone for your support. Our goal is for all of us to help out in whatever way we can and so many patrons, chefs, volunteers and the Akron Art Museum have really been generous. From the phone calls we received from those not being able to reserve a bowl we really appreciate your support. We want to keep this event the size that it is and make it special and about community. We're looking forward to making this a solid fundraiser to help alleviate hunger in our area. We our truly overwhelmed by your support. Thank you!

Bowls are stacking up

Bowl by bowl we're starting to gain on the number of bowls we need for the Empty Bowl Project. Usually it's not until later in the day, after the studio quiets down, that we can sit at the potter's wheel and begin to throw. There is a meditative quality about just being focused on the clay and the hum of the wheel that melts away all of the other daily distractions that happen in the studio.

Potter Alan Caiger-Smith said "Shapes which are repeated begin to mature without undergoing any obvious changes. The form evolves by itself, and ... you find the shape has become more agreeable simply by being made often." What you start out with goes through a natural process of subtle change and the more you make the more the bowls begin to reveal themselves as truly individual shapes never exactly what's in your mind's eye and no two ever the same.

Let the bowls begin!

We're starting to make the bowls for our upcoming fundraiser at the Akron Art Museum on March 21st. Reservations are now open for the Empty Bowl Project. All money collected will be donated to Akron's Good Samaritan Hunger Center to fight hunger.

The making and decorating of over 200 bowls is the fun part with a dozen or more bowls made at a time. The hand-thrown bowls hold eight to twelve ounces and no two are exactly alike. We've designed a new bowl this year for people to add to their collection.

We've definitely improved over last year with additional and different chefs being added to the mix. Adding a few new restaurants this year helps to keep the event fresh and interesting as different soups are added. Attendees will get to sample THREE soups instead of two. Also new this year is the addition of live music. Check out the participating restaurants below. Only 200 bowls will be made so reserve your bowl online at www.akronartmuseum.org/bowl or 330-376-9185.

Stop by New Years Weekend

We'll be open this New Year's Weekend (Friday and Saturday) and offering our customers 20% off any gallery purchase. If you're looking for something fun to do, why not stop by the gallery and enjoy a warm cup of cider while you browse the many items in the gallery. Bring your out-of-town guests and show off the creative side of Akron!

Still looking for a great gift?

We have so many wonderful gifts to choose from and a wide variety of price ranges, too. Everything is made right here in our studio. When you stop by you'll be able to select from the many handmade beautiful pieces of pottery and ceramic jewelry. And don't stress out ... we'll even gift wrap your purchase-FREE! Make last minute shopping an enjoyable experience. Stop by, look around, play with the dogs. Hey it doesn't get any better.

Friends and family will be able to toast the holiday season every year when you give them a pair of our signature wine glasses. Our stemware is available in three "styles". We have glasses for white wine (good for all-purpose), red wine, and the ever popular martini which also makes a great glass to serve some type of frozen dessert. We have special holiday pricing - any 2 for 98.00 (reg. 116.00 pr). Plus, don't forget we offer FREE GIFT WRAPPING. Stop by the gallery this Saturday between 12 & 9pm. We'll have some light refreshments available while you browse.

Took a break this morning and headed up to The Sculpture Center in Cleveland to see the work of Japanese ceramist Yasuhisa Kohyama. The show is in its final days at the center and it was now or never to see this incredible work. "The work of Kohyama, 73 years old, is an expressive and bold bridge between the ancient techniques of Sueki and anagama firing and contemporary Japanese abstract ceramics." The surface is unglazed but the the variety of surface textures, colors, and sheens are beautiful, giving each piece an amazing amount of depth. Even though the pieces are thick-walled, there is no sense of them being awkward or cumbersome. In fact, they almost seem to float off the display pedestals. There is a certain richness to the surface that can only be produced by this type wood firing. Kohyama has achieved the perfect balance between form and surface.

We're full of it....

Gift ideas that is. Are you stumped about what to get that special someone? Heading to that holiday party and want to show your appreciation to the host? Stop by our gallery and view the variety of handmade items and latest creations from our studio. You'll be amazed at the possibilities. Many unique, finely crafted and best of all, affordable items for you to choose from. We also offer free gift wrapping.

Location, Location, Location

Our local newspaper ran a story today, appropriate for this time of year, about the unique businesses in our downtown area. They ranged from a peanut shop to a religious artifacts store with some really cool galleries in between. But the thing I noticed immediately was the absence of any mention of the shops/galleries/studios located in the Northside District that obviously includes us plus the Glassworks plus the Red Light studios.

At first I felt slighted but then, as with what usually happens with a story like this, it gave me pause for thought. I started thinking about why we settled where we did and, in fact, it was probably that very reason we were overlooked by the writer of the story. The fact is, this is a very special area and people do have to seek us out in order find us and that's what makes coming into our studio/gallery a great find. I mean, we've been here 18 years and somehow people have managed to find us amid all the other commercial clutter. I like the people that still have a sense of adventure and inquisitiveness about things and the intuitiveness to keep looking for that special find because it makes them feel unique. We're not on Main street or in a strip mall, we're tucked away where, well, not everyone can find us.

I remember being in San Francisco and while walking, unknownly taking a wrong turn down a dimly lit alley and coming upon a small basement restaurant in Chinatown. To this day, the meal and experience of discovery that I enjoyed that night is in the top three of my life ... and that was 30 years ago! That's how I want people to feel when they walk down our "nicely lit" alley and experience the gallery that awaits them behind those old brick walls.

Most of the people in our building and neighborhood are some of the hardest working people I know and refuse to give up or give in to modernity. A few artists will come and go but most are here for the long haul. Yeah, I might feel a little overlooked sometimes but for the most part I'm glad to be under the radar a bit and off the beaten path. Because, when a person walks through our door and looks at our work and enjoys the experience, I know they'll keep coming back.

Gifts for Him and Her-Don't Worry

With great stocking stuffers, we take the stress out of finding that special gift this year - affordable, handmade jewelry by us! Stop down this weekend and visit our gallery. Also head over to Akron Glassworks and check out a glass blowing demo this Friday and Saturday during there holiday open house. We'll be open till 8pm this Friday and noon til 9pm Saturday

Thoughtful Gifts for Clients and Customers

Why not show your appreciation this season not only to your friends and family but also to those loyal clients and customers. Choosing to give a gift from Zeber-Martell Studio & Gallery means giving a gift of quality and beauty. We have many affordable gifts that are designed to last for generations. Just look at our set of coasters. Each piece is handmade one at a time with care and patience. Isn't it wonderful to know that we as artists take so much joy in the process of making and that same joy will be felt by those who receive a gift you selected from our studio. Take it from Meg Dyer of Akron Life and Leisure magazine. She picked up several coaster sets to give to her clients as "thank yous". Stop by the gallery and check out the great gift ideas. We're open 11-8pm on Friday and 12-9pm on Saturday. Don't forget about us the other days Mon-Thurs 11-6pm. We know you'll have as much fun as Meg!

Make Your Home an Artful One for the Holidays

Before guests arrive for the holidays, why not add an artful touch to your home. Our gallery has a beautiful display of many decorative accessories that will enrich your living space and have your guest saying "WOW!". Whether it's a fabulous ceramic table ornament that reflects the season or a wonderful, sensuous, 5-Pear Centerpiece (above) for your table or mantle, we have a great selection of unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces to choose from. Many new pieces come out of the kiln daily, so our selection changes often. Stop by the gallery and treat yourself to your own holiday gift. And while your there, pick up some stocking stuffers for the other people on your list. We're open 11-6 M-Th, 11-8 Fri, Sat 12-9pm (and usually working in the studio longer so just call if you want to stop by after hours @330-253-3808).

New Design Popular

Thanks everyone for a great turnout at our Annual Holiday Open House and Artwalk. So many people loved our new work and holiday items, especially our "hot red" design pattern. We'll continue to make more and restock the gallery as fast as we can.

It's so much fun this year having a finished display area where people can really take their time and enjoy the surroundings while viewing the work. Customers who haven't been in the gallery since we've remodeled were amazed at the transformation. If you haven't yet made a visit, this holiday season is the perfect opportunity to check out the new space. Stop by for a complementary glass of wine to enjoy while you browse.

Holiday Ornaments Make the Perfect Hostess or Office Gift

Whether your giving a gift as a token of appreciation to the host/hostess at your holiday dinner party or just want to show your appreciation to a co-worker, a handmade, beautifully decorated Christmas tree ornament is the perfect gift. All of our ornaments are made one at a time and fired as much as four times in order to get the desired finish. They have a clear, gloss glaze with a 22kt. gold lustre. Each ornament comes wrapped in colorful tissue in a ready-to-give gift box. Eliminate the stress of finding the perfect gift and let us make it easy to celebrate the season. Why not keep a couple on hand just for those unexpected drop-in guests. Just stop by the studio and we'll have it wrapped up in minutes!

Holiday Open House and Artwalk This Saturday, Dec 5th, 10am-10pm

Come to our annual Holiday Open House & Artwalk and shop for the very best selection of jewelry, gifts, art objects and our new tabletop ornaments. Choose unique, affordable, finely crafted, handmade items for your gift-giving this season. We'll be open from 10am-10pm.

During the Artwalk portion of the day from 6-10pm, stop upstairs and check out singer/songwriter Angie Haze. With her passionate lyrics and capturing hooks, Angie delivers a satisfying taste for soulful tunes. She is self-taught on many instruments including the piano and guitar. Playing individually or with her band, Angie will tug on your heart strings, captivate your soul, and have you asking for more.