Dear Toula,
 
Our daughter and son chipped in for a clay replica of our house for a gift last Christmas.  When we opened it and I realized what it was, I burst into tears.  It was something I had been wanting for a long time but never would have done for myself.  It was such a unique and perfect idea.

 
We have been in our house for 33 years and we raised both of those kids in this 100 year old house.  We like to think it has character and the miniature of it is so charming.  It now has a special spot within our home and hearts.
 
Following my emotional episode I told my grown children that they must never buy us another gift because nothing will ever top this, so there will no point in trying.  We have everything we need now that we are middle aged.
 
I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing this because they love their house, to do it.  What better way to remember that place than a tiny version of it to carry to the retirement home where it will surely find a place of honour.  It is also a gift idea that would be appreciated by many people.
 
I actually think this is the one thing we own that our heirs may fight over once we are gone.  They all have fond memories of this house.
 
Bar none, Toula created the best present that we have ever received. 

 

Maureen Johnson, Edmonton, Alberta

---

 "A house with a memory; it's more than a house. It once was home to me.” A beautiful sentiment and it was realized in one of Toula’s creations. Our family has wonderful memories of our first home; a rambling old farmhouse on the family farm where I grew up and where our three children spent their early childhood. They each have a Toula creation of that old farmhouse as a small reminder of their first home where warm memories continue to live. Thank-you Toula for a perfect gift.

Marian Gelderman
Nurse

Your exquisite rendering of the stately Wisconsin farmhouse my grandmother was born, reared and wedded in made a splendid gift.  My grandmother has taken much delight and pleasure from her clay house which in addition to being beautiful is wonderfully evocative of her early years.  Thanks for providing this unique and indeed perfect gift.
 

Mark Huyser-Wierenga
 

Toula is a magician. She takes a real building, and recreates it many times smaller, in clay. Walking through her studio is like being Gulliver in Lilliput -- everything is a fraction of the original size, the same as the original, only smaller. As a testimonial, let me share the following story:

The original St. Albert railway station is located at the Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton. The Museum celebrated the station's centennial in September of 2009. As our guests, we had invited the couple who had last served as the station's agent, the Sadlers. Mrs. Sadler was very happy to come back and tour the station. It was her favourite home. As a thank-you for attending, we presented the Sadler's with a  clay replica of the St. Albert station that Toula had sculpted. The Sadlers were delighted to have the clay replica of their favourite home. They went home with a smile on their face, and with their favourite home carefully wrapped up in the back seat.

As memories of childhood fade, nothing endures as a iconic focal-point quite as much as that house where we once lived. Weathered by the four seasons, glowing from within at night-fall and sunlit by day. More than just real estate, it remained our sanctuary. Fortunately that central character of a family narrative still exists in all its elegance amidst an idyllic landscape...forever? Built in 1920 and reminiscent of AMERICAN GOHIC style of architecture, we compare it to an endangered species. Ex-inhabitants, like the proverbial swallows have travelled afar and yet wait for a special day to revisit that coveted place of origins...to walk the path, climb the stairs and enter. Time and distance, however have made that hopeful prospect a mirage.

Down a country lane in the valley only a few miles away in TOULA'S HOUSE OF CLAY, Toula makes a careful study of the photographs and bits of information. They are about to be transformed into a tactile and enthralling objet d'art. All the elements were explained by the array of examples...our choice was an easy one. We explored the gallery to our heart's content. Everywhere we looked, the creative talent of this gifted artist was on display. What was being accomplished here was something very important to us and likewise to our community...the preservation of heritage in documentary form. Right from the genesis, Toula commanded a rich colour spectrum, employing ceramics and marqueterie techniques both ancient and modern. Under masterful hands and eyes, our house took shape in the studio. Something akin to alchemy was in the works from a subtle reference to a mound of old fashioned roses by the south door to the uppermost brick in the chimney and every nook in between. The replica was completed to our great satisfaction.

We hope to share the story of our cherished farm-house and this is an excellent way of perpetuating the memories. This micro-cosm was made possible, thanks to the rare dedication of Toula who makes TOULA'S HOUSE OF CLAY a class act in our neighbourhood.

J.C. McKenzie
Optician

Hi Toula,

While searching the web for something unique for my charity, House of Hope CDC, I came across some of Toula's work of clay housing sculptures. My agency provides housing for people in need in the Rhode Island area. I thought that her work could be put to use for an event that we were having. I took a chance and emailed to her contact information provided. I was so happy to receive a response a few days later and this started a telephone dialog. We provided Toula with a photograph of our headquarters which happens to be an antique New England style farmhouse. She in turn, made us an exact miniature replica of our offices in clay and shipped it to us. It is an amazingly accurate piece and we at the House of Hope are proud to display it in our building. Toula provides artistic, realistic work with clay and I am happy that I took the chance to ask her to produce this for us. It arrived in a timely fashion. We also purchased some of her original artwork of miniature houses and sold these at our event. I would recommend her work and integrity in following through on any project that she does.

Linda, Board President, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Warwick, RI

Hi Toula,

"I am amazed by the wide variety of Toula's work. From rustic log buildings to elegant mansions, from historically accurate reproductions to playful freeform reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, all of her buildings are a delight to behold."

"Toula's clay buildings bring forth the warmth of mankind through fond memories and pleasant dreams. I am very happy to own one of her houses and look forward to purchasing more."

"Seeing Toula's houses makes me smile."

Sincerely,
Kathy
 

Dear Toula,
 
Our daughter and son chipped in for a clay replica of our house for a gift last Christmas.  When we opened it and I realized what it was, I burst into tears.  It was something I had been wanting for a long time but never would have done for myself.  It was such a unique and perfect idea.

 
We have been in our house for 33 years and we raised both of those kids in this 100 year old house.  We like to think it has character and the miniature of it is so charming.  It now has a special spot within our home and hearts.
 
Following my emotional episode I told my grown children that they must never buy us another gift because nothing will ever top this, so there will no point in trying.  We have everything we need now that we are middle aged.
 
I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing this because they love their house, to do it.  What better way to remember that place than a tiny version of it to carry to the retirement home where it will surely find a place of honour.  It is also a gift idea that would be appreciated by many people.
 
I actually think this is the one thing we own that our heirs may fight over once we are gone.  They all have fond memories of this house.
 
Bar none, Toula created the best present that we have ever received. 

 

Maureen Johnson, Edmonton, Alberta

---

 "A house with a memory; it's more than a house. It once was home to me.” A beautiful sentiment and it was realized in one of Toula’s creations. Our family has wonderful memories of our first home; a rambling old farmhouse on the family farm where I grew up and where our three children spent their early childhood. They each have a Toula creation of that old farmhouse as a small reminder of their first home where warm memories continue to live. Thank-you Toula for a perfect gift.

Marian Gelderman
Nurse

Your exquisite rendering of the stately Wisconsin farmhouse my grandmother was born, reared and wedded in made a splendid gift.  My grandmother has taken much delight and pleasure from her clay house which in addition to being beautiful is wonderfully evocative of her early years.  Thanks for providing this unique and indeed perfect gift.
 

Mark Huyser-Wierenga
 

Toula is a magician. She takes a real building, and recreates it many times smaller, in clay. Walking through her studio is like being Gulliver in Lilliput -- everything is a fraction of the original size, the same as the original, only smaller. As a testimonial, let me share the following story:

The original St. Albert railway station is located at the Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton. The Museum celebrated the station's centennial in September of 2009. As our guests, we had invited the couple who had last served as the station's agent, the Sadlers. Mrs. Sadler was very happy to come back and tour the station. It was her favourite home. As a thank-you for attending, we presented the Sadler's with a  clay replica of the St. Albert station that Toula had sculpted. The Sadlers were delighted to have the clay replica of their favourite home. They went home with a smile on their face, and with their favourite home carefully wrapped up in the back seat.

As memories of childhood fade, nothing endures as a iconic focal-point quite as much as that house where we once lived. Weathered by the four seasons, glowing from within at night-fall and sunlit by day. More than just real estate, it remained our sanctuary. Fortunately that central character of a family narrative still exists in all its elegance amidst an idyllic landscape...forever? Built in 1920 and reminiscent of AMERICAN GOHIC style of architecture, we compare it to an endangered species. Ex-inhabitants, like the proverbial swallows have travelled afar and yet wait for a special day to revisit that coveted place of origins...to walk the path, climb the stairs and enter. Time and distance, however have made that hopeful prospect a mirage.

Down a country lane in the valley only a few miles away in TOULA'S HOUSE OF CLAY, Toula makes a careful study of the photographs and bits of information. They are about to be transformed into a tactile and enthralling objet d'art. All the elements were explained by the array of examples...our choice was an easy one. We explored the gallery to our heart's content. Everywhere we looked, the creative talent of this gifted artist was on display. What was being accomplished here was something very important to us and likewise to our community...the preservation of heritage in documentary form. Right from the genesis, Toula commanded a rich colour spectrum, employing ceramics and marqueterie techniques both ancient and modern. Under masterful hands and eyes, our house took shape in the studio. Something akin to alchemy was in the works from a subtle reference to a mound of old fashioned roses by the south door to the uppermost brick in the chimney and every nook in between. The replica was completed to our great satisfaction.

We hope to share the story of our cherished farm-house and this is an excellent way of perpetuating the memories. This micro-cosm was made possible, thanks to the rare dedication of Toula who makes TOULA'S HOUSE OF CLAY a class act in our neighbourhood.

J.C. McKenzie
Optician

Hi Toula,

While searching the web for something unique for my charity, House of Hope CDC, I came across some of Toula's work of clay housing sculptures. My agency provides housing for people in need in the Rhode Island area. I thought that her work could be put to use for an event that we were having. I took a chance and emailed to her contact information provided. I was so happy to receive a response a few days later and this started a telephone dialog. We provided Toula with a photograph of our headquarters which happens to be an antique New England style farmhouse. She in turn, made us an exact miniature replica of our offices in clay and shipped it to us. It is an amazingly accurate piece and we at the House of Hope are proud to display it in our building. Toula provides artistic, realistic work with clay and I am happy that I took the chance to ask her to produce this for us. It arrived in a timely fashion. We also purchased some of her original artwork of miniature houses and sold these at our event. I would recommend her work and integrity in following through on any project that she does.

Linda, Board President, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Warwick, RI

Hi Toula,

"I am amazed by the wide variety of Toula's work. From rustic log buildings to elegant mansions, from historically accurate reproductions to playful freeform reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, all of her buildings are a delight to behold."

"Toula's clay buildings bring forth the warmth of mankind through fond memories and pleasant dreams. I am very happy to own one of her houses and look forward to purchasing more."

"Seeing Toula's houses makes me smile."

Sincerely,
Kathy