Staff photo by Doug Koontz Ellen Pearl and her dog, Plum, operate PlumStuff Studio in Comus. The studio features coffee tables, side tables and foyer tables made with hand-forged metal frames and bases decorated with tiles and a sundry of objects to complete an artistic creation.

COMUS ----Stopping at PlumStuff Studio is like coming home. A cute white Jack Russell terrier named Plum is anxious to greet visitors in the yard as she rolls over to get her belly scratched.

The log cabin house, complete with plum-colored doors, is inviting, especially when Ellen Pearl, owner and resident artist, welcomes guests with a smile and friendly disposition.

Ms. Pearl and Plum, "CEO" of this artistic venture, have lived in upper Montgomery County for six years. Ms. Pearl loves working in the district with other artisans. She is adamant about preserving this agricultural portion of the county.

She believes she has "come full circle" in her life and feels she is "back at camp" as a youngster. Ms. Pearl, an experienced equestrian, completes this image by riding Quarter Horses quite often.

The artwork at PlumStuff is unique. Ms. Pearl creates one-of-a-kind glazed tile tables. Coffee tables, side tables and foyer tables are made with hand-forged metal frames and bases decorated with tiles and a sundry of objects to complete an artistic creation. As stated on her Web site, Ms. Pearl confirms "each piece is unique, useful and beautiful."

In her home basement workshop, cluttered with various materials, Ms. Pearl said this is "where I play." She doesn't push herself to finish a table because she wants to be inspired. The tables involve a long process of thinking and designing, she said, which is evident with several unfinished ones.

The process is like putting together a puzzle -- all the pieces have to fit perfectly. Ms. Pearl has been doing this form of art for 10 years, but clarified it was something she dreamed about for years.

Many of Ms. Pearl's tabletops are made with the conventional square glazed clay tiles. In the studio are colorful Mexican tile tables. These tables were Ms. Pearl's first effort in this artistic endeavor and were sold through art shows across the country. However, once she bought her house in Comus, she resolved to generate a genuine home business that would produce more profit by reducing travel and lodging expenses.

The tables are fashioned from Ms. Pearl's imagination. They are designed with handmade tiles sometimes shaped like leaves, fish or whatever Ms. Pearl visualizes for a specific table. Broken and cut tiles are used as well.

Figurines, horseshoes, nuts and bolts, antique items and nature objects are usually incorporated into the design. Ms. Pearl collected these innumerable items through the years from flea markets and her travels. Then, whatever her inspiration formulates, the items and tiles are grouted together to form an artistic scene.

One table was titled "Frogs Matter." Ms. Pearl used tan and sandy colored tiles, petrified wood and a frog figurine to realize a tabletop portrait.

Another table has Starbucks' logos cut from their paper sacks and secured under glass outlined by brown tiles. This is a true coffee table.

Ms. Pearl has also made similar tables with photos of people. She has a side table on display with her grandson's photo in the center tile. She has fabricated tables using numerous photos, she said.

Another table, which Ms. Pearl is currently working on, is utilizing a complete set of Chinese game tiles she purchased on E-bay. The table will be quite expensive to purchase once completed, since the tiles are manufactured from a costly material.

The table bases and tops, which are all metal, are mostly standard sizes of 22 inches high and 13 or 17 inches square for side tables. The foyer and coffee tables measure 24, 36 or 42 inches long and are appropriately sized in height.

Ms. Pearl may sometimes purchase a few of the table bases and tops from flea markets or antique shops, but most are hand forged by Iron Kingdom in Bladensburg. This company fabricates the bases and tops to Ms. Pearl's specifications.

The tiles are supplied from companies in three states. From Ohio, Ms. Pearl purchases the glazed clay tiles. Handmade specifically designed tiles are made in California. Glass tiles are procured from Pennsylvania.

PlumStuff was originally built on the making of customized tables. Ms. Pearl fabricated 75 of these tables including a most unique trapezoid for an alcove in a home for one of her clients.

Although Ms. Pearl received great testimonials from her work throughout many states, she has since decided to decline commissioned work, because she feels the edge of creation is lost.

"I want people to think when they see my work," she said.

PlumShacks is another side business venture. Ms. Pearl designed a most unique back yard structure similar but yet unlike a gazebo. They are built by Joe Nichols of Frederick.

The construction incorporates materials from antique buildings and interior fixtures, trim and other such items. It is movable and does not require a building permit, according to Ms. Pearl. This is a perfect place to have a picnic, house a hot tub or relax in a favorite rocker.

Sunday, as Ms. Pearl sat in her shack, she gave a brief history of her life. Raised in New Jersey, she went to summer camp in Maine she thoroughly enjoyed. She was a stockbroker in Palm Springs, Fla., for Paine Webber, then eventually moved to Bethesda as a registered assistant.

She later left this brokerage company and ultimately became the librarian for the Butler School in Darnestown where she and Plum work a half day every day.

Ms. Pearl is the mother of two daughters and four grandchildren. She recently vacationed with her grandson, 7, at the Grand Canyon, where they rode mules every day. A few years ago, Ms. Pearl took her oldest grandson on the same trip and plans to take the remaining grandchildren as they become of age. She said that practicing Tai Chi allows her to participate in what she likes to do in life.

Call PlumStuff studio to browse or purchase tables or PlumShacks. Ms. Pearl also sells a few select items from other American artists, including jewelry, mirrors, metal sculptures and clay figurines. PlumStuff will participate in the Montgomery County Countryside Artisans Tour this October and December.

During the tour on Oct. 13, she will reduce her prices. She said this has been a tough year, especially with high gas prices, and wants to liquidate her inventory to start designing new tables.

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