Versatile 'Vide Poche' Catchall Trays

We all have a need for a

 'vide poche' (French for...'empty pockets') 

to place your keys, loose change, rings, etc. These versatile ceramic trays

play a practical role as well as serving as decorative accents in any room. Each vide poche is custom made. No two are alike.

 

Approximately 4"x5"

Impressions made with lace, items from nature, custom made stamps

Birds and Bees on the rim add interest

Dark glaze is painted on then gently wiped off with a sponge

Thin coats of colored glaze are added

Final step...Clear coat of glaze for added shine

Find them at: http://www.moonriversoap.com/home.html

or send a comment to me (link at bottom of page) for inquiries on orders of 10 or more.

I kept hearing about this AWESOME soap store in downtown Rochester (Michigan) and had to go see for myself. My daughters and friends had all mentioned to me that they used products from MOONRIVER Soap Company and were amazed with the quality of the products. Well, it ends up that the soap they make (and all of their other products) really ARE incredible! I don't know what kind of magic they perform when they make these soaps, but they are absolutely the BEST soaps I have ever used. I especially like the 'nitty gritty' soap because if feels good as it gently exfoliates. It has a super fine grit in it. I have now tried lots of other scents and am so impressed with how this stuff makes my skin feel (soft and moisturized) that I have truly become a MOONRIVER soap junky.
A coworker and my daughter tell me the lip balm is the best they ever used. I bought the bug spray...love it for my little grandchildren. Everything is safe and natural. These folks know how to make Soap!!!
Yes, they ship their product.Check them out here.....
http://www.moonriversoap.com/home.html

The casual atmosphere of the store as well as a wide variety of products makes no-pressure shopping a pleasure.  After a few visits I realized my ceramic 'style' is a good match for the décor of the Moonriver Soap store. I asked the owner if she would be interested in selling my 'vide poche' trays as ceramic soap dishes in her store. So happy she said yes! Here are a few...

 

LUCKY STARS! ... how to make them using paper strips

These adorable little stars are fast, fun and easy to make. Once you get in the swing of making them you won't want to stop! That's what happened to one of my art students, Christina. She loved creating her own simple patterns on colored copier paper that she cut into narrow strips. Then she folded the strips into neat little 3D stars. It wasn't long until she had a bag full of them, which led to a small problem....what do you DO with all those stars? She used them to make a 3D work of art. And she gave some to me. I used them to fill a pretty little jar. Thanks, Christina!

Here is a short visual tutorial. If you would like more detailed instructions simply do an internet search for 'lucky stars' and you will be sure to find all kinds of tutorials online.

 Cut copier paper into strips about 3/8 inch wide by 8 1/2 inches long.

Tie a knot....

Ease the edges in to form a perfect pentagon as you press folds.

Fold the short end in...cut it shorter if you need to.

Turn and fold, turn and fold, turn and fold. Neatness counts.

Tuck the end in. Cut it shorter if you need to.

Let your instincts guide you as you gently push in the sides to form the 3D star. Use your fingernail or the edge of a butter knife or anything else with a fine, thin edge. Think 'pillow'.

 

 

Experiment. Explore new ideas. Create.