Made By Mom Gift Guide: Creating holiday gift items is 'joyful circle' for Chapel Hill artist
Since 2007, the mom of two has been designing and hand painting glasses, platters, and more, all inspired by nature and her surroundings.
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Mary Elizabeth is featured in this year's Go Ask Mom Made by Mom Gift Guide. Since we last heard from her, she's been busy working on new offerings and mediums.
"I spent the summer working on a new series of paintings using alcohol inks, which was a new medium for me," she tells me. "I’m now offering greeting cards and prints alongside what originals are left. But the biggest news is, that thanks to my new kiln and ceramic printer, I’m now producing pottery with my designs. Food safe and dishwasher safe mugs, plates, bowls, and pitchers."
She's working in collaboration with local potter Joe Sink of Joe Sink Pottery on the pieces.
"His clean pottery style paired with my botanical designs is something I’m very excited about," she said. "I’ve also been showing my larger paintings locally. This is the first time many of my canvas paintings have been seen by the public since I don’t list the large ones online because shipping costs are prohibitive. I’m learning what sells better online vs in person. And in person, people love large-scale paintings with lots of texture that they can take off the wall and bring home that very moment. The public response of my work has been very exciting, and that translates into more creative energy."
And, for Chapel Hill folks, you can see several of her original paintings at Bottle Rev or stop by the Ackland Art Museum store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, for its first holiday sale, which showcases local makers.
I asked her what she loves most - as a business owner - about creating items for the holiday season. Here's what she said:
Like most artists, I love knowing that something I put a lot of love into is helping to make someone’s holiday extra special," she says. "It’s joyful circle. I get so much happiness out of making my art, then knowing that happiness gets passed on to whoever gifts and receives the piece. It's like my own superhero power. People use my work to propose, to announce a new baby, to commemorate anniversaries. My work is a part of the emotional times in peoples lives and special holiday traditions. It’s a great honor to be a small part of their celebrations, and thinking of all those smiles feels really good."
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