Where the Elves Come From and How It All Began Elfstone elves come from Fairdale, a very tiny, quiet town in rural northern Illinois. More specifically, they come from the hands of Susan Meyer - that's me. In 1986 Larry Meyer, a functional potter, and I married and formed a partnership, Elfstone Pottery. It was then that I began using the skills I had developed as a medical illustrator and dentist to create unique sculptures reflecting my life-long love of mythology, fables, legends, and fairy tales. In 1998 Larry and I parted in order to pursue individual areas of creative interest, forming Elfstone Studio and Elfstar Pottery. We do, however, continue to collaborate in various aspects of our work.
Glaze colors cannot be guaranteed due to chance variations in firings, but every effort will be made to send only pieces representative of the best quality Elfstone Studio has to offer.
The prices for my work are based upon my costs and the time and effort I put into making them and preparing them for shipment. Please do not ask for discounts. If you are interested in a particular design, please email at least two weeks in advance to see if it will be available at a particular art or craft show. Emails also allow me to give better, more considered answers to any questions or concerns you may have. info@elfstonestudio.com, or elfstone@tbcnet.com
Purchasing Elfstone Studio Artwork Elfstone Studio creations may be seen at many arts and crafts shows and renaissance fairs throughout the year. While all pieces of a given type are similar, the individual forming and firing processes render each piece unique. Therefore, actually seeing the individual pieces at an art show or fair offers the best opportunity to make the best choices. If that is not possible or convenient, however, pieces may be ordered by telephone or online. Online purchases can be made using PayPal and will be shipped via the U. S. Postal Service or United Parcel Service. Shipping weights will be greater than the sum of the item weights due to the weight of packing materials and will vary depending upon the item(s) ordered. Please check the availability before completing PayPal payments and allow 6 to 8 weeks for items which must be made to your order.
Bas Relief Sculpture Elfstone Studio tiles and wall art are bas relief, a type of sculpture similar to the sculpture used to create images on coins. It demands skill in both drawing and modeling. I turn the sculptures as I work on them to check the harmony of the lines and surfaces from different viewing angles. Most of the tiles have a flat, glazed background with a raised, unglazed sculptural design. The glazed and unglazed elements provide an interesting contrast in texture and color. I make my own glazes in a pains-taking process using formulas developed by Larry Meyer to give Elfstone tiles their unique colors.
Tips for Use and Care of Porcelain and Stoneware Sculpture All of the pieces are made of porcelain or stoneware clay which has been fired to over 2220 degrees farenheit. The tiles come with hangers so that they can be hung as wall art immediately. They can also be used with commercial tiles in permanent installations. Neither water nor sunlight will harm the tiles, and they more resistant to chipping than low-fired ware. They can be cleaned with any household cleaning product. The tiles can be used outdoors but it is best to bring them indoors during freezing weather. While stoneware and porcelain do not absorb water as does low-fired ware, the expansion of ice in areas of fine or deep detail might damage them. The hangers provided are subject to rust and should be replaced with rust-proof devices for hanging out-doors or in damp environments.
The Process of Creating the Tiles and Other Artwork I sculpt the original artwork in modeling clay, often as demonstrations at art and craft shows. I then make plaster molds in a multi-step process that allows me to further refine the sculptural detail of each design. After removing the clay from the molds and allowing it to dry until it is firm enough to work with, I complete whatever assembly and detailing is needed. While molds allow me to make multiple copies of my designs, I must devote hours of attention and effort to each individual piece to insure its beauty and quality before it is dried and bisqued. I then stain, glaze, and fire each piece to over 2220 degrees farenheit to give it its final color and durability. The unpredictable magic of firing gives each piece a personality all its own.
