Kramer Studios

Kramer sculptures are handcrafted in Canada by the father/son team of Richard & Boris Kramer. These unique pieces are forged on the anvil, each hammered from a hot piece of steel as blacksmiths have done for centuries. The designs are simple and elegant expressions of human relationships. In addition to being a sculptor, Richard Kramer is also a poet, and each sculpture is accompanied by one of his poems, adding another dimension to the work.

Karen Card, a Santa Cruz, California artist has always loved the spontaneity and surprise of raku firing as well as the beauty of the human form. It was a natural progression for her to bring these two loves together into raku fired ceramic sculptures created directly from human models. The two torso's (male and female) are known as "Winter Shadows" were partially glazed before hand and then raku fired to achieve the beautiful colors and the shadow effect you see here.

Ecosphere

The Ecosphere is a complete miniature world. These amazing creations are self-contained, self-renewing and biologically balanced. Within the glass globe are micro-organisms, bright red shrimp, algae and snails - all in filtered sea water. Ecospheres are self-sustaining and require no care other than light and comfortable temperature.

These three ceramic vessels are the creation of Santa Cruz, California artist Sandi Dihl. Both functional and unique, they are made of porcelain and white stoneware that is high-fired in a state of oxidation. The two vessels on the left are Japanese Wishboxes. When your wish is written on the scroll on the inside your wish is meant to come true. The Japanese characters on the side also have meaning such as "Love" and "Happiness".

First exposed to clay as a high-school student in 1979, Elaine Pinkernell today has made clay her full-time pursuit. The three-dimensional raku fired wall hanging seen here is an example of some of Pinkernell's most dynamic work with clay. Beginning as a soft slab of clay these pieces went through many transformations before it was fired at 1800 degrees and finally decorated with imported silk weavings.

Schlanser Design Studio is an innovative new company that transforms sheet glass into a stylish line of decorative vases and bowls. Both functional and artistic, each piece of kiln fired plate glass is made in Southern California. Every piece is also signed and dated by the artist and comes in a variety of colors and styles.

A California native, Jay Trenchard has been working with clay since 1968. Inspired by Japanese and Korean aesthetics and design, Trenchard's work perfectly combines style and utility. Not only are his pieces oven, dishwasher, and microwave safe, but they are also created with non-toxic glazes. Pictured here is a double-sushi tray with wasabi and soy sauce bowls. Jay Trenchard also creates rice bowls, saki sets, fountains and much more in a variety of colors.

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