Weirdgirl Creations has been around for over ten years now, evolving into what it is today through a lot of trial and error and the will to make it work! Meg and I now run a paint your own pottery studio/gallery which offers everything from clay classes, birthday parties, wedding gifts and signature platters, baby hand print impressions in wet clay, ceramic bead painting, jewelry, and more. Running a successful business has required us to find a balance between what clients love, and what we love doing, We have found wedding signature platters and clay classes to be a steady source of business.

Weirdgirl Creations has made its way into bridal shows, web pages and magazines. I think we stand apart from the rest because we are so flexible with our designs. We have done custom vases, platters, and other ceramics, painting everything from simple, loosely painted hydrangea to platters with pictures of the bride and grooms travel with images of sushi, the Eiffel Tower, canals in Venice, and a even pet ferret. We put our own bright spin and style on our orders and the customers are always happy to see the final product.

Clay classes have been an excellent way for us bring children and teens into the studio and keep them involved in art after school hours and during the summer. Meg has worked with clay for over twenty years, attending SUNY in Newpaltz, NY and continuing her art education through various classes and art experiences. I am currently attending Rhode Island College for my B.F.A. in ceramics and a B.S. in art ed. Some of our favorite artists who never cease to inspire us are Picasso, Pollock, Anthony Quinn, Betty Woodman, and Viola Frey.

This past year, CCSA (the Contemporary Ceramics Studio Association) asked us and other studios in the US to think of a way to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Companies could paint specially designed products, run specials at their studios, and so on. Meg and I wanted to come up with something more related to the cause, and something that Weirdgirl Creations could do that would remind people of this cause daily.

We also have our own personal reasons for raising awareness. Our wonderful, strong, kind, and favorite Aunt Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer just last year. She underwent chemotherapy and recovered quickly. But despite the chemotherapy, they continued to find traces in her, and she is now undergoing hormone replacement therapy. We were even more determined to come up with a great prototype which would raise money to find a cure.

I had been working on a school project, using an existing wall hanging mold of a female body to create clay dresses and bodies. These body molds were lying around our basement and studio. This brought on the connection to the bust as a representation of women. Meg began throwing slabs, and draping over the molds and cutting along the edges to get our bust form. We let them sit and stiffen for about hour depending on how damp or warm it is. We began utilizing a parking space outside the studio to dry the busts because the sun is very helpful and speeds up the drying process. Customers often stop and look curiously at these busts outside and are very supportive when we tell them what they are for.

"Aunt Mary" was the obvious choice as a name for these pieces. Each bust is hand made, and hand painted with a unique pattern, scene, or design. We have done beach scenes, various flowers, or signature "scribble hearts," night scenes, spatter (inspired by one of our favorite artists, Jackson Pollock) and the ideas are continually flowing! I think that any person could find a bust that they either love, or can relate to.

Our Aunt Mary's will be shown and sold at our studio, as well as various shops, restaurants, and galleries in the MA, RI, and NY area. Half of the proceeds of each bust will go directly to breast cancer foundations. We are so inspired by our Aunt and all of the mothers, sisters, Aunts, and daughters beating breast cancer. We will continue making these busts, taking orders, and making donations until a cure is found.

Weirdgirl Creations pottery studio is at 33 Kent Steet in Barrington. You can call them at 401/247-1397 or find them online at www.weirdgirlcreations.com Meg and Kyla have been running Weirdgirl Creations for over ten years. They sell to various retail and gift stores in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Meg has been involved in the arts since she was in high school. She decided to further her art career at Suny Newpaltz in New York. She specializes in ceramics and painting. Kyla has been involved in art, thanks to her mother since a very young age. She is currently a student ar Rhode Island college working for her B.F.A. in Ceramics and a B.S. in Art Education. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]