Sunday, August 7, 2011

I want to keep them


But so does my client


My hand painted tiles, just out of the kiln this morning






I have a rod iron table which needs a few tiles







Yes, I painted them but now they don't belong to me anymore


That reminds me of a story



A story about a bicycle, a bicycle I almost owned when I was eight years old






We were refugees from East Prussia,
(part of Germany before WW II).
We had very little.  Certainly not extra money for a bike.






I knew that I would never have a bicycle







But one evening, at the dinner table, my Father told me that he had a 50/50 chance of getting a bicycle for me.   I really, really wanted one.  What eight year old wouldn't? 

He had asked the man, with the beautiful bicycle,  if he would give it to him.  The man said NO.
 
I was disappointed in my Dad for telling this not so funny story. 






I've had fancier bikes but this is my favorite, the kind of bike an eight year old would have loved to own. 








So, why don't I just paint a few more tiles.  My very own tiles for my rod iron table. 


Gina  

Note: All ceramics hand painted  by Gina




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37 comments:

  1. Barbara F.August 7, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Gina, you know how much I love your tiles (you didn't forget about my ram, right :)?) and now I see it looks like you jar your own olives?? I am truly impressed. xo

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  2. GinaAugust 7, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Hi Barbara, Was I supposed to paint a ram for you and if so did I not mail it to you? I usually paint an order right away. Please help me figure this out.
    No need to be too impressed. What you see are peas, not olives. My little peas became too large and rather than freezing them I had to put them up in bottles.

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  3. Theresa CheekAugust 7, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    this is one of my favorite patterns that you make Gina. I know they will be wonderful for someone's home!

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  4. Barbara F.August 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Gina, the only tile I have is the "lioness", about a month ago I asked for the ram, you said you had to paint it, never received it. I saw one in Etsy but I don't have an acct and it is hard to order from Etsy w/o one.

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  5. GinaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Hi Barbara, I have sent you an e-mail.
    Gina

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  6. GinaAugust 7, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Hi Theresa, So nice to hear from you. Thank you so much for your comment. Your visist are always so appreciated. Hope you have a great week.
    Regards, Gina

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  7. FrancesAugust 7, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Gina, these new tiles are so splendid, that I can quite understand why you'd be reluctant to part with them.

    That bicycle is a beauty! It is too scary, for me...though not for others, here in New York to ride a bike. One of my dreams is to eventually relocate to a place where bike riding would be the perfect pace for vehicular traveling.

    Best wishes!

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  8. eileeninmdAugust 7, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Gina, your tiles are beautiful. You are very creative and your photos are wonderful. Have a great week!

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  9. black eyed susans kitchenAugust 7, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Interesting story about the bicycle...you have to wonder about our parents idea of humor sometimes. Your work is just beautiful...you have a real gift.

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  10. VeeAugust 7, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Hmmm, dads can be interesting. =/

    Lovely pictures of that bicycle...hope it's yours! And, yes, time to make yourself some of your beautiful tiles. I don't imagine that you'll find any finer anywhere.

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  11. NancyAugust 7, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Love the pictures of the bike. The basket looks very useful. Nice tiles. It is hard to let go of your work, isn't it? Nancy

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  12. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Hi Frances, I wouldn't ride my bike in New Yark either. Here, in the country it's a piece of cake, Thank you for your lovely comment and visit.
    Gina

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  13. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    Hello Eileen, What a nice comment. Tthank you. It is so appreciated.

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  14. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Hi Susan, Welcome and thank you for your visit. How nice of you to take the time to comment.

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  15. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Hello Vee, No doubt my Dad thought that it was funny. He didn't know how badly I wanted a bike. Thank you for your visit. Hope to see you again.

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  16. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    Hello Nancy, Yes, sometimes it is hard to let go. Thank you for visiting and thank you, also, for leaving a comment. It is so appreciated.

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  17. Niki @ SunflowerAugust 8, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    Gina, these are so beautiful! I'm happy I discovered your lovely blog today! Have a wonderful week :)

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  18. GinaAugust 8, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Hi Niki, Great that you came by for a visit. Thank you so much for your compliment. It is truly appreciated.
    Gina

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  19. FrancescaAugust 8, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    I confess, the story of the bike made me smile, though I can understand how a little girl in love with a bike would not. But sometimes life is like that, a 50/50 chance, out of our control, could turn any way.
    Hope you make more tiles for your table - it must be a nice feeling to know that that is totally in your control :)

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  20. Mark D. RuffnerAugust 9, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Your tiles came out beautifully — I'm guessing they will make a fine surround.

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  21. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereAugust 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Gina, Your talent always amazes me! These tiles are beautiful and I can just imagine them as a fabulous table top. I love the piece you gave me and I just showed it again in my International Table post. Thanks for joining my Open House party this week. Take care.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  22. The French HutchAugust 10, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Your tiles are amazing, the colors and pattern are beautiful. Your blog is wonderful to visit.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  23. GinaAugust 11, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Hi Francesca, you hit the nail on the head, life is like that...a 50/50 chance.

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  24. GinaAugust 11, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Hello Mark, I think it's going to be part of a kitchen back splash. I was promised a picture, once installed.

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  25. GinaAugust 11, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Hi Sherri, Yes, I noticed that it was part in a group of pictures. I am so pleased that you like your tile.

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  26. GinaAugust 11, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Hi Emily, thank you for your visit. It is so appreciated. Please come by again.

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  27. xinexAugust 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    WOW! Aren't you good! These are really pretty...Christine

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  28. FABBY'S LIVINGAugust 12, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Gina, you're a very talented artist! I know about hand decorating ceramicas, china, tiles, like you, my hubby had a Ceramic Co. up to 3 more years that he sold it. We used to make china, tiles, accessories for bathrooms, etc. Hope uou visit to see something, I jnow you'll like it, wish I had you at the factory, nothing better than to see the pottery coming out of the kiln. Have a great weekend. FABBY

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  29. FABBY'S LIVINGAugust 12, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Gina, I love the bicicle story, it reminds me of a pretty black doll I fell in love with when I was five in the 50's and my mom wouldn't buy it for me cause she said she didn't have any money left, after shopping! The first thing I did for my first daughter was to buy her a black doll, she later loved and I was so happy. I'm your newest follower too. Hugs, FABBY

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  30. KarieAugust 12, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Beautiful! Karie

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  31. GinaAugust 13, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Hi Christine, Thanks for the compliment and also thank you for your visit. It is very much appreciated.

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  32. GinaAugust 13, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    Hi Fabby, We have talked before. Your factory made beautiful ceramics...quite different from all the rest.
    It is amazing what we remember from our childhood. You made right when you had the opportunity. Your little girl must have been thrilled. Hope you told her your story.

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  33. Denise at Forest ManorAugust 13, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Hi Gina,

    Your painted ceramic tiles are absolutely gorgeous!! I am so impressed; I really love the colors. Your pictures of the bicycle are lovely as well. It certainly looks like you lead an interesting life. Thanks for sharing this post and Happy Seasonal Sunday to you.

    Denise

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  34. MarlisAugust 13, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Oh that is a sad bicycle story. I'm glad you finally have one. Your tiles are amazing. It's always hard to give up something into which you have poured your heart and soul. xo marlis

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  35. GinaAugust 14, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Hi Denise, When you have lived as long as I have, interesting things do happen. I'm a very lucky one. Thank you for your visit. Maybe we will meet again.

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  36. GinaAugust 14, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Hi Marlis, I'm almost getting too old to ride a bicycle, but this one is so easy and it does remind me of the bike I so wanted.

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  37. The TablescaperAugust 14, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Wow, stories of our past always make us reflect. YOur tiles are glorious and I can well understand your apprehension to sell them. Thanks so much for making your insightful post a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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