EARTH ANGELS: inspiration in her style...Cara

Thursday, October 13, 2011

inspiration in her style...Cara

I saw the signs as we drove down the narrow roadway on the outer road of the Skellig Ring last summer...in County Kerry, Ireland almost all the roads seem too narrow...but each has it's own cache of magic. And if you can make it to Cara Turner's studio, tell her the crazy lady with the kids who love her pottery and pets sent you....we've stopped two summers in a row and this year nabbed some more "fairy doors" and dotty mushrooms for our garden here in Warwick...

Here's Cara's own write up:

Nestling in a peaceful little valley, only just out of sight and sound of the main Ring of Kerry road, is the home and workshop of Cara Turner, who has been creating her whimsical ceramic sculpture in Castlecove since 1990.

On catching first sight of her bright yellow hand-painted road signs, with their trademark fairytale toadstool, one may begin to suppose that this is no ordinary craftshop. As you pass through the rustic wooden gateposts, topped by the magical creatures, and catch your first glimpse of Cara's orange-painted cottage, it's doors and windows bordered with stars, this impression deepens! Elfins figures, concealed in hedges and walls , and crops of ceramic toadstools sprouting alongside the lane, all provide visitors with clues as to what lies ahead.

On sunny days, the courtyard housing Cara's workshop and gallery assumes the air of a mediterranean market, with it's warm vibrant colours and stands of ceramics around the walls. But the quirkiness of her work is enough to raise a smile, even on the dullest of days. And, whatever the weather, don't forget to pay a visit to the Mushroom Patch through the back door of the gallery, keeping a sharp eye out for the hobbit houses.

Whenever you call to the gallery, you can see the ceramics in progress in the adjacent workshop. Cara's speciality is personalized, commissioned work, so you can even order a piece exactly to your own design. There are plenty of photographs to help you with ideas. Finished pieces may be posted out to anywhere in the world.

Expect a warm welcome, not only from the humans, but also the friendly dogs and cats. They will gladly show you around, but may also attempt to leave with you afterwards, so please check your back seat, especially for heat-seeking cats! And hide the sandwiches, they had several packed lunches and a pound of mince last year!