Spring back to Winter...

I admit, it is hard to think about getting on that plane tomorrow--we are enjoying glorious 70 degree clear sunny days (image above was from today at Ocean beach)  and balmy star struck evenings here in San Francisco. I know, I know. I shouldn't be celebrating the dry warm winter here. We need water...always. And then there's global warming (which amazingly some 8o% of the population doesn't believe in???!!!) that no doubt is contributing to our rising seas..witness the demise of the Great Highway here at Ocean Beach.
But, in terms of instant gratification and soothing rhythmic beauty, you can't beat this weather.
But oh yes, tomorrow I get on a plane for New York, where the weather forecast is for a snowstorm and maybe temps in the 20's?? really?
But, all is well. I will go to the New York International Gift Fair--which I look forward to and catch up with family and friends and remind myself about winter and all its glory.
And then I will come home.

Heading to the Show...and New colors!

It's time to go back to New York City. Back to the cold, snow, salt stain ruining shoe weather--
It is almost 70 and beautifully clear and sunny here in San Francisco today. And YOU ask-why did she leave the East Coast?
But going back and visiting is always fun and I get to see all of my family and old friends--and go back to the New York International Gift Fair! This will be my second show--so I am a bit more seasoned now and know what to expect-

I am looking forward to it--I am bringing lots of new pieces as well as introducing some new colors to the palette box-
muted yellow, matte pink, matte wine, oxidized turquoise and a cool moss green...lovely for spring!

If you are headed to show too- I will be in Handmade Booth 9413- drop by and take a peak!

New Year, New Piece(S)Peace

It really doesn't feel like the start of the "New Year" yet. But just the same, I like to greet the new year with some new ideas and inspirations. I have always been inspired by belt buckles. I have quite a collection-many obtained in various parts of the SouthWest where, I believe belt buckles were invented (ok, I made that up) but it seems like it because there is such a fine appreciation for them.
I love my silver belt buckles; some plain, some etched, some turquoise...and I pretty much wear one each day. And sprung right from the theory that I should just make what I need to eat on, I extended this to my waist as well.
Why not make belt buckles? so new for the new year-fun ways to hold up your pants, or just spruce up your look a bit.  I am creating these in all my regular colors with brown, black and the oh-so-fun and retro white leather belts. Available now in small, medium and large. Drop me a line if you are interested.
lisa@lneimeth.com

And if you are headed to the NYIGF in New York later this month--I will be in the Handmade section-- Booth 9413--and do stop by!

Happy New Year....

Beautiful red tailed hawk out at Ocean Beach ringing in the New Year.
All that's good..

On the Camino Real...

Field trips. Typically dragging a car load of kids somewhere for a short period of time..and feeling wiped out afterwards. I tease my mother that she only went on ONE field trip of mine..and that was in pre-school. I have tried to do better, but now after fulfilling more than my duty- I pick my field trips carefully. So, when it was time to sign up to drive the nearly 2 hours south to the  Mission San Juan Batista--I jumped in.

I love the California Missions. They are plum with history and so beautiful in their Spanish, Mexican and Native American triumvirate of aesthetics and spirituality. This one is particularly special--as it is mostly intact including the vast land and plaza around it. You almost feel as if you were back in 1800's California -although minus the intensely obvious conflict and true grit of those times.

Alfred Hitchcock too, must have inhaled this authenticity when he chose to film part of his landmark film Vertigo here. In deciding to film a feature film actually in the out of doors--he picked classic San Francisco and San Juan Bautista to film this ethereal and favorite film.

I am always inspired by the patterns and the images laid out in these missions. The crudely painted borders.  The religious icons piled up to bring hope. The magical gardens.
These images are haunting and beautiful and ultimately worth sharing in photos and on clay. Look for some of these images on future plates.

Giving Thanks. Giving Back.

I am not a religious person in terms of adhering to a strict institutional approach to spirituality, but do feel "religious" and particularly can get behind the concept of tithing as an important way of contributing to one's community and beyond. I made a commitment to myself that I would donate a portion of the proceeds from my work to targeted non-profit organization at year's end. While I wish I could do more..I feel like even my small gifts have an impact and "keep me in shape" for future giving.
I think people feel like they cannot donate until they have a lot more money or because they do not have "enough" to give.  If everyone gave what they could--even if just a little--it would all add up for the organization in need.
This year, my kids have also decided to give to groups that do things they care about. They have saved money from gifts as well as from selling lemonade and handmade jewelry (my daughter is a budding designer!) My son: Grass Roots Soccer--an organization in South Africa that he visited this summer that is teaching township kids soccer and life skills.  My daughter: San Francisco SPCA.
As for me--I am donating to some dynamic local organizations:  Meritus Fund--provides financial assistance and mentoring to at-risk high school kids interested in attending college; Bernal Height Neighborhood Association--a stable force of low income housing development in San Francisco; San Francisco Food Bank; SF ARTS ED--places artists in the public schools in San Francisco to create art programming.
So give what you can this year and if you cannot give any financial help--give some of your time to help a local organization.

Stylemaker Spotlight?

Ceramicist has a lot on her handmade plates

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/26/HOJE1G9VT4.DTL#ixzz16bJSMqZY

For those of you that still read the newspaper and magazines..as I do...there are a few writers in the design world locally here in San Francisco that are still "walking the beat" and producing lively pieces on design, places to visit, ideas and just keeping a finger on the creative pulse in the city and beyond. One of those people is Anh-Minh Le who is a freelance writer for various publications. Her exciting new project which I am personally very psyched about is a new magazine-not an online expansion of a blog mind you ..but  a real paper glossy magazine called Anthology. She created this with Meg Mateo Ilasco another accomplished local writer who has written much on craft and business among other things. Anthology is available by subscription as well as available at Anthropology shops across the country.

Anh-Minh also produces a weekly column for the San Francisco Chronicle where she "spotlights a stylemaker" here in the Bay Area--and I was fortunate enough to be the pick of the week!
Very fun..and an embarrassingly large photo of me to boot--(I kind of look like the clay vigilante!)
It was fun getting to talk about a few favorite things and put in some friendly nods to local businesses that I admire as well-
So check it out..and also check out Anthology. We must encourage the magazine renaissance (not the bad ones..just the quality ones please--as it should be in this Darwinian print eco minded world we inhabit now!)