Gaga for Blabla…Knitted Toy Dolls for Easter
We are trying to maintain composure in the shop, but the new knitted toy dolls by Blabla Kids have us gushing over their adorableness! Super stylish with modern color sensibilities, the Blabla stuffed animal troupe is comprised of entertaining characters like Balthazar and Mirabelle the Rabbit Magicians, Socks and Suzette Fox, Josephine the Elephant Ballerina, Bandit Raccoon, Beauregard Wolf, Chloe Butterfly and Buzz Bee, and Mermaids Anemone and Coral.
Left: Balthazar the Magician and Mirabelle the Bunny
About Blabla:
Blabla means nothing and everything. It’s a small word for a big idea that “happiness fits in the palm of the hand.” Blabla searches for beauty, authenticity and laughter in its line of imaginative kids toys and clothing.
Left: Suzette & Socks Fox are a dashing couple. Their friendly smiles welcome little ones into a world of play. We are reminded of the movie The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Aren’t you?
One of Blabla’s goals is to create toys that look contemporary but feel like old friends. We can’t think of a more charming sentiment.
Dolls are 12″ tall and 100% cotton, filled with polyester material. They are extremely soft and cuddly. Blabla dolls are designed by Atlanta artist Florence Wetterwald and knitted by Peruvian artists. All materials are safety-tested to meet stringent US and European standards.
Are dolls easy to clean? Yes. Simply launder on gentle cycle then hang or lay flat to dry.
Left: Hercule Elephant and Josephine the Ballerina
Josephine’s tutu is made of individual strands of pink yarn. Hercule sports a green sweater and a derby hat. Too cute!
Large 18″ girl and boy dolls are designed for dress-up play. Handmade doll clothing is sold separately. Buy a single accessory or mix and match pieces to create an outfit.
Left: Alice and Celeste are ready to play!
Bottom Left: April and Coco dolls
Delight the little people in your life by giving supremely lovable, hand-knitted dolls this Easter.
Spring Gifts Inspired By Nature
We are no strangers to the beautiful woodland pottery of Maud Boleman, yet several new pieces of her work in the shop have us smiling in wonder. Maud’s creations enchant with their realistic bark textures, branch-shaped handles, deep river blue glazes and charming ladybug and leaf decorations. The new Acorn Covered Casserole, above left, is a masterpiece in our eyes. The handled is cleverly disguised as an oak leaf. Also pictured are the 11″ Cheese Tray with Vine Handle, center, and the Flower Mug with Ladybug. Each of these gorgeous handmade pottery pieces is a work of art that you will want to keep out on display.
Maud Boleman holds a BA in Art Education and a MS in Psychology. She taught for over 10 years at Nova Southeastern University. She is currently a studio potter and gallery owner at Black Mountain Studios with Austin Boleman. “Since moving to the mountains of Western North Carolina she has tried to incorporate the look of the mountains in her work. Her technique and style have developed into a synthesis of the rustic and the refined, with form and function playing an intriguing duet.”
About Black Mountain Studios:
We do not consider art to be some obscure, esoteric pursuit that is practiced by the extremely “gifted” and understood by few. Art is the work of our minds and hands, is the result of the creative process, and we are all creative. How you carve a piece of wood, dig a trench, fold your laundry, form a rock into a functional piece, or, yes, shape a spinning ball of clay all involve the creative process. The purpose of the work that we do at Black Mountain Studios is quite simple: it is to make objects that are pleasing to the eye and the hand, to make things of beauty, be they utilitarian or not. If you look at one of our pieces and have a little bit of your breath taken away, or hold it in your hands or lift it to your mouth, and it feels good, it feels right, then we have achieved our goal. -Austin and Maud Boleman
Spring Art Events in Polk County
Have you picked up the new spring edition of Art-i-facts Magazine? Published by the Polk Arts Alliance, Art-i-facts lists an outstanding selection of art shows, music, dance and theatrical performances in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Lake Wales and the surrounding areas through April. Pick up a free copy of the magazine at Brooke Pottery or click the photo at left to read it online. Polk Arts Alliance also posts a calendar of events on their website.
Celebrate Pi Day with us on 3.14
Celebrate Pi Day with Brooke Pottery on Wednesday, 3.14 better known as March 14. The Greek letter Pi is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. And since Pi = 3.1415926535…,Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th. Come get your free bite of fruit pie at Brooke Pottery on Pi Day!
First Friday Skyward Festival 3/2
For Downtown Lakeland’s First Friday celebration on March 2, SUN ‘n FUN brings its 3rd annual Skyward Festival. The festivities include a fly-over, a hot air balloon glow at dusk, an after-dark aerial pyrotechnic light show, portable sport airplanes and flight simulators plus the U.S. Air Force Reserve Generation rock band. Brooke Pottery is proud to sponsor this event.
Skyward Festival activities begin at 6 p.m. with the vintage Stearman formation fly-over Munn Park and Lake Mirror. Concurrent with the flight of the Stearman will be the preparation and inflating (weather permitting) of tethered hot air balloons on the northwest shore of Lake Mirror, just off the corner of Cedar and Massachusetts. At dusk, the hot air balloons will “glow” enhancing the beauty of the historic Lake Mirror Promenade.
At Munn Park, enjoy music from the U.S. Air Force rock band Reserve Generation plus a showcase of exhibits for the 2012 annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo – scheduled for March 27-April 1. After sunset, First Friday participants will again look “Skyward” for the evening’s aerial light show, by Roger Buis’ pyrotechnic helicopter, Otto. Following the light show, Reserve Generation will retake the Munn Park stage to continue the rhythm of the festival for the remainder of the evening.
