pebrero ⸜(｡˃ᵕ˂)⸝♡

Defrosting from my block of ice! I’m so excited for spring to arrive!

February was all about trying new things and figuring out my rhythm as an artist and as a person. I’ve struggled endlessly with maintaining a proper work-life balance—it’s hard to separate the two when my whole life has been dedicated to art—but I’m practicing giving myself time to rest and enjoy non-pottery-related-things.

I’ve been trying to reconnect with my love for cooking! I have a dinky cookbook (which is just a folder with miscellaneous recipes stuffed inside) that I call “Novi’s Nookbook.” I started the cookbook a few years ago when my older sister had just given birth. I started thinking about all the things I would love to pass down to this little baby and my cultural heritage came to mind. Food is such an important part of any culture, and I hope that this child is able to experience the same joys that I experienced as a kid: eating lumpia by the handful, turning my nose up at the ampalaya that my mother would prepare for dinner, grabbing spoonfuls of palabok at family functions and devouring it. I hope to master these dishes so that I can pass them down, as my mother and grandmother passed them down to me.

Some recipes I’d like to add to my cookbook include:

• Dim sum egg tart

• Tini’s mac n cheese

• Crispy sisig (without the liver oops)

• Chinese red braised pork belly

• Sweet corn biscuits

As well, a recent watch that ignited my fire for both cooking and art was Hunger (2023). I’d never seen it until now! The film spoke to me as an artist; it made me think about the art world and the juxtaposition between academia-focused vs. self-taught artists. I need to re-watch this again in full! ★★★★★

Other quick topics that I’m spiraling about:

• Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance #benitobowl

• The Pitt / Filipino representation (aka my mom wishes I was a nurse)

• Heated rivalry. I watched half of the first episode and I’m sorry, it didn’t move me. Not enough slow burn. I’m still back in 2016 #yurionice

• Alysa Liu.

I’ve been so inspired by Alysa’s performances, interviews, and overall mindset towards the Olympics. She truly is right! Every time I step into my studio, I gain something. There’s nothing to be lost.

February was very prolific for me! I’ve been using my time in the studio to play with different forms and objects, trying not to get bogged down by details or perfection. I’ve been pushing myself to just have fun and make what I want to make.

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Experimenting with new products: new block print and wall hangings

The block print was inspired by the valentines I made for my partner a while back!

I turned some of my warped hair clip bases into mini wall hangings! I’ve been loving wall pieces recently. I can’t wait to make more!

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666 followers giveaway results

I hosted a 666 follower giveaway on my Instagram a few weeks back and I was finally able to gift my lovely follower their custom pieces <3 My next giveaway will either be at 777 followers or 888 followers...We’ll see! Follow me @magnovilee if you would like to be a part of the next giveaway (-:

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First commission + future commissions

I was so excited to receive my first commission this month!! I' love working with folks to achieve their vision. If you are interested in custom ceramic work by me, check out my commissions page!

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New retail locations: Passion Project Art Collective + Disco Bunny’s Art Vending Machine @ Gold Lion RVA

For folks living in Richmond, you will be able to shop my work at Passion Project and Gold Lion RVA starting this month! This was a huge step for me into the retail/wholesale market and I can’t wait to expand my reach further!

✶𓏲ּ꩜ .ᐟ

Poll: what would you like to see in a shop drop? Charms? Pendants? Ceramics?

I would love your input on a future shop drop! Please feel free to comment or reach out to me if you have something specific you’d like to see in a drop!

Thank you for reading if you made it this far! I couldn’t do this without you. May your March be filled with warmth, love, and abundance, always! Take care <3

Love,

Novi ⋆˚.༄

Find more of me here:

꩜ Instagram @magnovilee

꩜ Website/Shop