I've had a thing for elephants since I was a little girl and we would go to see the animals at the Central Park Zoo. There is an amazing clock above the entrance with dancing bears and elephants that greet you as you enter

Later in life I was fortunate enough to visit these beautiful creatures in Africa and see them up close and personal. They are majestic and soulful beings. I share a love for them with a niece and I carry a picture of one every day with a black lab in my phone. (I consider these two to be good luck!)

Fast forward to a chance meeting with the fabulous Courtney of Riverbanks Zoo. Courtney asked if we would be interested in teaming up with the largest artists-in-residents the Mad Platter has ever worked with - the African elephants of Riverbanks Zoo! My heart swooned.

I present to you the ladies of Riverbanks zoo - Belle, Penny, Robin and Petunia! They are the largest artists we have ever worked with, and also the most giving heart! They are donating their artwork to the Riverbanks ZooFari on September 26 and you can bid on it.

But not if I don't first....

One of our favorite teen camps here in the studio is our Mirror Mirror Camp. A week long camp full of 14 different techniques for the campers to try out on a personalized mirror of their very own.

This past week our camper Avery made this spectacular mirror with so many creative tiles. Avery is the type of artist who just "gets it"! Her color choices were spot on, she knew where she wanted to go with each design and the outcome is just beautiful.

Well done, Avery! We can't wait for you to hang your mirror.

I have always been afraid of needles! Terrified to be exact. I look away when I give blood at the doctors office. My parents had no worries when I was growing up that I would get into any trouble with "the wrong side of the tracks" because I would quake at the thought of a needle. So a tatoo? Not for this chica...although, the art just fascinates me! (Fave customer Honey's feather is fabulous!)

When we were introduced to the Glass Tatooing technique a little over a year ago, we went a little nuts in the studio! We started with crabs (we so love the sea here!) and quickly moved on to initials, leaves, spider webs and jewelry.

Recently, Sims took glass tatooing to a whole new level with this incredible tree of life display! This is a 12 inch round clear base, 5 colors of frit,, black glass paint and a black metal stand for display.

We would love to show you how to create something this beautiful for your home or office. No wincing required!

Creatively yours - Margaret & the mp staff

A few weeks ago I sent Lindsay (camp director extrodinaire) and our friend Rebecca to a special class in NC to learn about an exciting new product line coming to the studio - stoneware! The two of them sent me photos and texts all day long about all of the fun they had & how cool this new line is. (I was in VT for my niece's graduation and was very jealous!)

I think you will love the new stoneware - dishwasher, OVEN, and micro wave safe! The weight is fantastic and the glazes are luscious.

Join us coming up on 6/26 for our Thirsty Thursday Class where we will be introducing stoneware mugs.

Hope to see you there - Margaret

A friend sent me a link on Facebook the other day to a shop on Etsy that sold slumped Mason jars. She wanted me to know that I needed to think about selling them. I was excited to let her know we already did - at almost 1/2 the price!

Here they are - blue, green, and clear. Perfect for spoon rests or cheese plates. At just $10 a piece they are great for gifts or that last minute hostess gift.

If you dream big enough, everything is possible!  Seventeen years ago I never would have thought this studio would be real.  Setting up the studio, people would stop by and ask what we were opeing.  I think they thought we were crazy.  People would ask - "do you think it's going to work?"  To this day people still ask me "do you think you're going to make it?"

It's been seventeen years and we're still here...I imagine it's only going to get better.  Welcome to the new blog and to a new era at The Mad Platter.