Next Blog Radio interview

Don't miss our next interview on Monday, Oct 5. (8PM PST) with an extraordinary metal worker, Jake Balcom from Lincoln, Nebraska and a fabulous potter from Virginia Beach, VA, the charming and effervescent, Crystal Bowers.
Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AmericaCreates
to listen in "live" or, for the archived broadcasts anytime!


Jake Balcom

Stone Soul Pottery and an AC Update

One of our most recent artists to join America Creates is Crystal Bowers, a wonderfully original potter from Virginia Beach. We immediately dug her work, simple, profound and each a unique stand alone. I spoke with Crystal earlier today and asked her about her process and experience.

Crystal hails from Troy in upstate New York, but found her way to Virginia through Hofstra, Hunter College, a six year stay in the Big Apple and a career that wandered merrily through music journalism, radio services for the disabled and blind, the United Way and serendipitously to a computer - an AOL chat Room - and her mate. Yes, Virginia, it can happen. Crystal met her husband in a chat room. Bless the Internet!

So how did she become a potter? Crystal says, "Everyone in my family is an artist. It came from my father and everyone could draw, but me. But when I was very young I was given an electric potter's wheel and that got me started. But it wasn't until I moved to Alexandria, Virginia with my husband and he encouraged me to take classes, that it happened. From the first class at the Art League - I knew. This was it."

"I am in love with the forms," Crystal continued. "Oh, I enjoy working with the glazes and of course, I spend a great deal of time choosing the right stones, beads and crystals that I use to adorn and embellish - but it is the form that comes up from the wheel that I take real pleasure in."

You should check out the forms and find one for you or a friend on Crystal's AC pages: http://www.americacreates.com/stonesoul/galleries

EXCITING NEWS FROM AMERICA CREATES

Promotion is everything, especially in this economy. We've been pursuing many avenues to get the amazing work of our artists in front of a larger audience. As many of you know we are working on an Internet radio show called "The Creative Road," which we plan to debut in September. The show will be interviewing AC artists and craftsmen and other creative folks around the country in many fields. We want to tell your stories.

We are in serious talks with a (yet-to-be-named) arts cable network about creating a program around our artists and the creative process. We are making progress on other fronts, which we will soon be able to reveal. America Creates has been revamping our search engine visibility and much more. But the best promotion is word of mouth. Please tell your friends and family about America Creates and BUY from a local artisan when you need that gift or certain something. Support the fantastic talent that inspires you.

-Larry & Sharon

Great Wedding Gifts on America Creates

Created my first press release for America Creates - Where to Buy Unique American Hand Made Gifts for Weddings?

AMERICA CREATES.com - the exciting new website & marketplace for American Fine Arts and Crafts - Portland, OR (PRWEB) June 10, 2009 – AMERICA CREATES (http://www.americacreates.com) offers the ultimate shopping experience for American fine quality hand made gifts. With summer just around the corner shop on America Creates for your weddings gifts, special occasions and your home and garden.

Shoppers can explore and purchase a wide range of useful and beautifully handcrafted goods through America Creates. The site offers handcrafted jewelry, clothing, lighting, home accessories, furniture, functional and decorative pottery and ceramics, glass, fine art and photography, metal art, candles, bed linens and bedding, beauty and bath lotions and soaps and much more.

Our fine hand crafted rings and jewelry are perfect for weddings and commitment ceremonies. Discover North Carolina Artist Amy Moore’s stunning sterling silver Birch Bark Ring symbolizing new beginnings, Oregon Artist Debra Carus’s and her exquisite rings and jewelry with carvings and semi-precious stones, Colorado artist Melanie Guerra’s Celebrate Ring is dazzling, California artists Eloise Cotton and Jamie Santellano’s jewelry is stunning and modern while Pennsylvania artist Hratch Babikian’s band rings are gorgeous works of art. These are just a few of our fine jewelry artisans represented on America Creates.
We also offer a diverse range of high quality unique hand crafted gifts for weddings and commitment ceremonies. From North Carolina craftsman Allan Buitekant’s glazed stoneware – wonderful oven use bakers & casseroles to Rhode Island artists David & Jennifer Clancy’s beautiful and functional hand blown glassware

You’ll find that perfect gift on America Creates. Other Featured fine artisans of the month are:
California : Valerie Adams modern fused iridescent glass; Michelle Copeland beautiful glass jewelry and glass designs.
North Carolina: Kari Weaver Hopkins fun teapots, wine bottle coasters & Cloud Server Casseroles
Oregon: John Dodero versatile Raku Fetish pots that are exceptional works of art
Washington: Martha Collins 3-dimensional wood designs with exotic hardwoods & bright colored veneers; Mark Ellinger hand blown vibrant colored art glass vases and lamps
New York: Howard & Renee Vichinsky’s Inspirational Judaica Pottery expresses the beauty of Jewish traditions.
Indiana: Steve Shelby - beautifully handcrafted brass metal sculptures, goblets and vases
Illinois: Ray Lapsys - stunning functional and decorative glass bowls and glass sculptures.
Minnesota: Bill Gossman’ wood fired stoneware casseroles

p.s. check us out on MYSPACE at http://www.myspace.com/americacreates; Twitter, Facebook & Kaboodle!

For more information, please contact:Larry Hitchcock 503-310-5745 info@americacreates.com