Green Men peer out from masks of turkey fig tree, oak and hydrangea leaves. A cherubic face nestles in the curve of a blue-glazed moon. A deep green wall vase holds a cluster of paper flowers.
If you have been to a local craft fair in the Carolinas, chances are you have run across Gail Edmunson’s “Handmade Clay Creations.”
Edmundson and her older sister, Betsy Edmundson-Small, sell Edmundson’s unique pottery art at craft fairs across North and South Carolina, as well as through her online Etsy shop, edMUDson. Their next stop is the Holly Springs, NC, Christmas Market today, December 14, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Gail Edmundson sells her unique artwork at the Cary, NC, Ole Time Winter Festival December 7.
Much of Edmundson’s artwork incorporates Green Men and wood sprites, including profile faces bedecked with leaves, all in a style reminiscent of art nouveau and art deco.
“It’s that whole time period I really, really like,” said Edmundson, who recently sold her wares at the Cary, NC, Ole Time Winter Festival. Although the weather was chilly, customers continued to trickle by the booth to view her creations.
For her pottery pieces Edmundson, who also paints and makes jewelry, uses local flora for inspiration for her pieces.
A customer browses Gail Edmundson’s artwork at the Ole Time Winter Festival.
“I liked pottery,” said Edmundson, who took various art classes at a local technical institute. “I use a lot of oak leaves … I just press them in, use them as a pattern.”
Each of her pieces is different, even those that follow a certain style or theme. Although her artwork is unique, Edmundson rarely takes custom orders, due to the fact that each piece of art is spontaneous in its creation.
“If I make something for someone, I always say, ‘If you don’t like it, I’ll sell it at a craft fair,'” explained Edmundson, laughing. “With glazes, you never know what color it’s going to turn out.”
The Holly Springs, NC, fair will be the Edmundson sisters’ last fair for the season. After that, you can peruse their Etsy store, or follow them on Facebook. You can email the artist directly at: thousandeyes -at- aol.com.
Some of the clay creations available from artist Gail Edmundson.
