Vol* XII. No. 4 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
August 1910 
FEW of our correspondents have 
asked questions which we feel 
should be answered on the edi- 
torial page, as the reply is of inter- 
est to many of our readers. 
Mrs. S. asks if we will give any 
lessons in design for ceramics. 
We expect to follow Miss Jetta 
Ehler's thorough lessons in china 
painting, with a series of lessons 
on ceramic design by Mrs. Kathryn E. Cherry. Both of 
these courses, as well as that on pottery, which we will 
give later, will be published by courtesy of the American 
Woman's League. 
Which reminds us : A short time ago we announced on 
the editorial page that "thirteen full paid subscriptions for 
Keramic Studio would entitle any woman to become a 
member of the American Woman's League." What we for- 
got to add was that this offer is not made by us and has 
nothing whatever to do with our own club rates advertised 
on other pages. We as a publication have no connection 
with the League, except that of being one of the magazines 
which receive subscriptions through that medium. Also, 
through the association of the editor with the pottery work 
at University City, we have been enabled by the courtesy of 
the League to publish their very thorough and reliable 
courses in ceramics. But if any one wishes to become a 
member of the League by sending thirteen subscriptions for 
Keramic Studio they must send the full price of $4.00 for 
each subscription to the American Woman's League, not to 
us. And they should make all inquiries and address all cor- 
respondence regarding that offer to the American Wom- 
an's League, University City, St. Louis, Mo., as we assume 
no responsibility whatever, and are not soliciting subscrip- 
tions for the League. We are solely in the position of having 
become acquainted with a good course of study which is 
available for a little exertion, and we are always glad to 
help others to the information we receive, although person- 
ally it pays us better to receive subscriptions direct than 
through any agency. But we accept the League orders to 
help along what seems to us a philanthropic movement. 
Mrs. S. also asks: "Could not the violet designs in 
June Keramic Studio be just a little more like the natural 
flower and still be good style?" 
They could. But we have to publish designs as they 
are made for us by the contributors. Those who wish to 
copy them or use them as suggestions can modify them to 
suit themselves, but we are such a short time away from the 
naturalistic treatment of china decoration that it is in no way 
extraordinary that we hear from time to time homesick cries 
for the old days before the new becomes "homeier" and at 
the same time better and more lasting. 
Moreover, even in the conventional work there must 
still be a difference of style and taste. What appeals to one 
will not always appeal to another, and there are several 
styles of conventional work. Those who still love the flower 
work will find some dainty adaptations or compromises in 
the little flower borders of Mrs. Kathryn Cherry in the later 
issues of Keramic Studio. Meanwhile, any one who has 
any really good naturalistic studies of flowers and fruit 
should send them to Keramic Studio on approval, as it is 
always difficult to get good studies from which to design. 
Miss A. also sends out an appeal for a conventionali- 
zation which will leave the source of inspiration recognizable. 
She says: 
"But have we not had enough, or rather, have not those 
who want them had their share, of those heavy, blocked out 
black and white designs? A ray of hope of a change came 
with the May number, but the cloud settled down again with 
the June issue. One thing, in using these designs on china 
one can not print the name 'Conventional So and So' under- 
neath, and there is not always enough likeness retained to 
do without it. Take, for instance, 
cover over the title and ask some one, as I did, what the bot- 
tom one is. The answer I got was 'conventional elephants', 
and the top one, conventional butterflies, and yet the designs 
are very pretty. Therefore give us enough of the realistic 
in these designs to know them unnamed and keep them 
dainty, pretty and suitable for the china they are supposed 
to adorn, and we will not get discouraged." 
Do you remember with any distinctness the designs on 
your grandmother's china? The flowers might belong to 
any family in heaven or earth or the waters under the earth, 
— but you loved them and love them now, — there was no 
attempt at drawing or shading, there were several splashes 
of yellow, a dash or two of red, a few splotches of green, and 
a few dots of blue, and there you were with a dainty spray 
arranged regularly or irregularly around the plate, as con- 
ventional as anything might be to-day, but cruder both in 
color and thought. To-day we are evolving a new style, 
one derived from the inspiration of grandmother's china and 
the study of the historic styles, together with the modern 
thought in design inspired by the Japanese. 
Do any of you feel that you cannot love a Chinese or 
Persian decoration because you can not name it? Or the 
dainty conventionalizations of the Japanese? Xo. The 
trouble is that we are finding it hard to dissociate ourselves 
from the false ideals of our crude young country, which are, 
however, but a passing phase. It does not follow that all 
naturalistic things are bad, and all conventional good. The 
naturalistic treated as the Japanese do, is delightful, but it 
is really conventional, and the conventional badly under- 
stood and as badly executed is an abomination. We prefer 
white, unsullied china. 
We have had requests for decorative designs for an 
Empire coffee set and chocolate set; also lobster design for 
salad bowl or platter; also studies of nuts carefully drawn 
with leaf and burr or case. Have any of you anything really 
nice for these subscribers? If so, send to us for examination. 
* 
We call attention to the unique designs of plates with 
monograms in this issue from the skillful fingers of Miss 
Maud Mason. This is an interesting departure and should 
bring some very satisfying results. 
