altered image of ceramic pieces being glazed in my studio
Hello to all you readers of Art Bead Scene. My name is Mary Harding. I am delighted, excited and honored to tell you that I have accepted Heather Powers’ invitation to become a member of the ABS Team. I have long been a follower of this wonderful blog and cannot tell you how pleased I am now to be writing blogs posts here.
I thought in this first post I would tell you something about me. I am a ceramic bead maker and have been since 1998. Although I am mostly self-taught, I did major in English and Art History in college and lived in England and Germany for a number of years as a guest and participant in their visiting artists programs. I moved back to the United States and Upstate New York afterwards and have since been focused on the land in this beautiful rural farming area. Once I began making ceramic beads, and pendants I found that my interests and inspirations were nature inspired.
I love colors and enjoy hand painting the glazes onto my ceramic work. I am especially interested in creating work that reflects the wild, native plants of where I live in Upstate New York. The area is rich in pasture, woodlands and swamps. It is these plants that I enjoy hanging out with for endless hours in my studio. Since my studio is a long enough walk from my house, I see many of them each day as they grow and change along with the seasons of the year. Right now there are only a few that have managed to stay above the thick layer of ice over our land.
In addition to making ceramic beads, I enjoy learning about and experimenting with different media. I like to
design jewelry using art beads and try out different techniques. My favorites are off loom beading and working with wire.
Wire wrapped necklace by Mary Harding with her handmade ceramic and copper beads and toggle clasp
I am fortunate that I am able to share my experiments, skills and creations with others on my personal blog and each summer in the classes that I teach at the Thousand Islands Art Center in Clayton New York.
One of the classes I taught last summer at the Thousand Islands Art Center in Clayton, NY.
Here at the Art Bead Scene Blog I will be starting out writing some tutorials and participating in Inside the Studio write ups and giveaways. I look forward to your input and would love to have you leave a comment about future blog posts you would like to see from me here at the Art Bead Scene. I am always open to new ideas and suggestions.
Picture of me wearing my Louise Bourgeois Maman shirt
You can see more of my work in my Etsy shop and on on my website and Facebook page.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
TesoriTrovati
January 16, 2014 at 6:17 pmWe are so glad you are here, Miss Mary! I love your unique and very lovingly crafted ceramic pieces. You package each order with such care (would make a great post!) and I love to see how inputs (from art, nature, etc) show up in your designs as you put your individual spin on them. Looking forward to learning more about you! Enjoy the day. Erin
Saraccino
January 16, 2014 at 6:20 pmYour work is so beautiful! 🙂
NuminosityBeads
January 16, 2014 at 6:24 pmBeautiful work. I look forward to witnessing your unique vision here. Thanks for sharing.
Sajuno
January 16, 2014 at 8:01 pmWhat inspiring and gorgeous multi-faceted work. Can't wait to see and hear more in your future posts.
Sarajo Wentling
January 16, 2014 at 9:21 pmCongratulations, Mary! Looking forward to what you have to share here on ABS.
Lucy Kalstrom
January 16, 2014 at 10:34 pmI enjoyed seeing your work and your fabulous T-shirt. 😀
Lucy Kalstrom
January 16, 2014 at 10:35 pmI enjoyed seeing your work and your fabulous T-shirt. 😀
Patti Vanderbloemen
January 17, 2014 at 2:11 amWelcome, Mary! I, for one, am so enamored of all your artful skills and look forward to reading your posts! I find that your jewelry components and the jewelry you make from them are always so creatively beautiful! You are inspiring!
sandi m
January 17, 2014 at 3:51 amCongratulations Mary! I've followed your blog for some time. Love the interpretations of nature in your pieces. And, love, love your freeform beadwork – the colors are delicious. Look forward to your stories and tutorials!
Shaiha
January 17, 2014 at 4:50 amI have picked up some of your clasps in the past and just love your work! I am looking forward to reading your posts.
maryharding
January 17, 2014 at 7:43 amThank you all for such a warm welcome and for all your kind words about my work. I am so happy to be here at Art Bead Scene!!
Linda
January 17, 2014 at 8:56 amCongratulations Mary. I look forward to reading your posts. I love your distinctive and unique ceramics and your color palettes. I always enjoy behind the scenes peeks at artist's creative processes.
lake ave
January 17, 2014 at 2:43 pmDear Mary, It is a pleasure to count you as my teacher, mentor, and friend. Congratulations on this new venture.
I look forward to seeing your posts! Linda
Rising Designs
January 17, 2014 at 3:56 pmWelcome, Mary. I look forward to all your posts. Thanks so much to you for accepting the invitation.
As always your generous, beautiful, and inspiring nature is so welcome.
Marti C.
January 17, 2014 at 5:05 pmCongratulations Mary! Looking forward to your posts!
Karen M
January 17, 2014 at 7:04 pmYay!!!! I am so happy to know that you are now a contributor to ABS, congratulations!
I follow your work and am always very pleased with the quality of your pieces. I especially LUV your toggle clasps.
Kathy Lindemer
January 18, 2014 at 1:25 pmCongrats Mary! I have loved your beads for awhile now. I had no idea before this blog that you also made gorgeous jewelry. Your photos are lovely too! You have it all going on.
Marie Cramp
January 22, 2014 at 9:27 pmLove you Mary! Think you are fantastic!!
Stories They Tell
February 3, 2014 at 1:59 pmGreat to see you here, Mary! I think you'll bring an interesting point of view to the ABS. I've been a fan of your work for so long– you're probably one of the first artists whose work I became aware of when I discoverd Art Bead Scene. Can't wait for your next post.
Cindy
February 3, 2014 at 6:50 pmA big belated welcome to you, Mary! I am happy to see you are a contributor now on ABS – what a wonderful addition. I enjoyed learning more about your background. One thing I have known for quite some time is that you are so talented no matter what medium you use – ceramics, beadwork, wire and now polymer too. I look forward to your posts, reading your words and seeing more of your work! 🙂