The Folk Art Tree

Round Robin Reveal

2011-03-22T13:55:00.016-04:00

I posted the premise and inspiration of this Round Robin Challenge below, in a previous post.

...Here is the beginning of my bracelet before Carla and Steph added their magic...

The Round Robin began a couple of months ago, and during that time our three bracelets have been shipped across the country, pondered over and creatively expanded.

~~~~~Here is my finished Bracelet!~~~~~

I can't stop looking at it and rolling it around my arm and appreciating all the little bits of it!

It is soooo gorgeous and it is already one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry.

And the personal feeling it gives me, knowing my friends thoughtfully labored and created;

warm emotions just overflow my heart.

Steph added some fabulous metal daisies near the closures that I just adore! A world charm, to represent the distance between us, a snowflake (appropriate for Maine!), a C Koop enameled ring and some bright colors that are showcased in aquamarine, swarovski crystal and Lucite that are so very Steph! The colors mesh so well with the other vintage bits!

Carla added some silver with an oxidized silver anchor that represents hope, a beach stone bead from her own beloved lakeshores, and aquamarine because she knows I adore the color! As is Carla's style, it is simple and understated. Carla is my hero when it comes to simplicity and restraint!

I loved getting their unfinished bracelets but I anguished over adding to them, since both ladies have such different styles than mine. Carla is earthy and outdoorsy and loves order. Steph is bright and colorful and sparkly. I was hoping I had something in my stash that would honor their styles, but still reflect my vintagey feel. As soon as they have posted their bracelet on their blog I will post their links so you can see all three finished pieces.

I am still blown away by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and care used to pick and design each other's pieces.

Then there was the journaling aspect of this project...

I began with watercolor paints and markers and stamps and everything I think I own in my scrapbooking stash...heaven forbid I keep it simple....

Here is my first page.....

Steph has 25 jobs, runs 48 businesses (yes, I'm slightly exaggerating) and has a wonderfully artistically talented young teen daughter and husband. She must have a cache of elves to keep her household running because she is juggling so much in her life, I am amazed how she does it all! As we began this project, she was leaving on a bead-buying trip to Tuscon and had barely a moment to begin her journal. But she added a beautiful page to mine! It even has glitter! Oh, I may love the old rusty part of me, but glitter does something to make the girly in me happy! (I did some photoshop editing to the picture of her page to highlight my favorite part)

Carla is a wonderful photographer and she shared her thoughts and processes with me in pictures and newly acquired scrap booking supplies. As usual, Carla's eye for balance and symmetry was reflected throughout the pages she created even though this was a medium she had never played with before. I appreciated her thoughts about the challenges and learning experiences she experienced. It was like a revelation when she said this was a group project and she mostly works alone. Huh. Me too. Us artists can be a solitary bunch. All the more reason to participate in things like this Round Robin. It reshapes our creative ways!

(This photo is also photoshopped!)

I know we all have grown as artists.

Every bead, charm and embellishment was thoughtfully placed and every page is full of the essence of who we are. I have learned new things about my long-distance friends and gained an insight into their character and lives. It is amazing how you can discover such incredibly extraordinary people through such an impersonal vehicle as the internet.

Through this Round Robin Challenge, not only have I acquired a bracelet, I have gained friendships with two very wonderful women.

And THAT, dear reader, is the real treasure.

Please check out Stephanie's Journey here at Pixybug Designs

Fiddlehead Fever

2011-02-28T10:14:00.006-05:00

I have finished my sewing project and today I am indulging in some clay playtime. I get lots of requests for these little fiddlehead pins and necklaces so I am gearing up for the spring rush.

For those unfamiliar with fiddleheads:

Fiddleheads, an early spring delicacy in Maine, are the young coiled leaves of the ostrich fern. Ostrich fern fiddleheads, which are about an inch in diameter, can be identified by the brown papery scale-like covering on the uncoiled fern, as well as the smooth fern stem, and the deep ”U”-shaped groove on the inside of the fern stem. They emerge in clusters of about three to twelve fiddleheads each on the banks of rivers, streams, and brooks in April and May. You must cook fiddleheads thoroughly before consuming them.

With another 9" of snow arriving today, it seems these tasty treats will be hibernating underground a few more weeks.... I am anticipating the spring day when the first bag of fiddleheads are dumped into my extra large sink for the 3 or 4 washings before cooking. Spring will truly be here!

A Jewelry Round Robin

2011-02-07T17:35:00.007-05:00

Inspired by an article in my last issue of Belle Armoire Jewlery I decided to ask a couple friends I have met online to join me in an exciting Round Robin. The premise is, you begin a piece of jewelry and begin a journal as you create. You send the unfinished piece and journal onto one of your friends and they add to your jewelry and journal in your journal, while you receive one of your friend's pieces and add to it and journal in their journal. It continues around until all the friends have added their part to everyone's jewelry and you get a finished piece at the end of the project!

So my friend C sent her piece to me for the first round.

She lives on the shores of Lake Michigan and is an outdoor kind of gal. (She sells those gorgeous blue beads in her Etsy shop.) So I have been pondering what I can make that is unique to me that would be a compliment to the style she has begun. I began a little experiment this afternoon and I think it is going to work. I can't show you pics, since we want the bracelet reveal to be a nice surprise, but it is earthy and beachy!

My bracelet was mailed to my friend S. Here is the foundation for my bracelet. You know it HAD to be old stuff, didn't you?

Lovely old buttons and trinkets. I like to imagine who the original owner of these little baubles were. They are such silly things, but so pleasant to gaze upon. I will update our progress as we move along in our journey!

Organized and ready for Creativity

2011-01-18T11:49:00.009-05:00

It is done. I love to be organized and sitting in a space that makes me feel happy. Now I want to get to work!

The Great Reorganization

2011-01-10T14:30:00.008-05:00

With children leaving the nest, hubby and I have been doing some home renovations which included moving my studio from the upstairs to the first floor. Having worked in the same room for 15 years, you can imagine the accumulated dearth of "stuff" collected over all that time. It has been wonderful to clean out and reorganize, assess some needs (like new tools!) and rearrange my workspace into a more user-friendly configuration.

Although there are still piles of stuff stacked on the floor and desk waiting for their new home on the 12 ft wide wall of shelves (thank you, my helpful hubby), I have organized things to within an inch of it's life and the "done" stage is almost in sight. The room has beautiful blue/green walls, chocolate velvet curtains and

some gorgeous primitive watercolors done by my friend H..... I have surrounded myself with colors, creative inspiration, and objects I love to look upon. I may never want to leave this room again. When it is finished and looking properly organized, I'll post some more pics. I love this organized life.

It is a New Year

2010-12-31T11:38:00.004-05:00

As 2010 sweeps gently over into 2011, I have purposed within myself to make some changes. I have been watching my children slowly leave the nest, and every trip they make home becomes shorter and more bittersweet. They are truly becoming men, with their own lives and responsibilities. As much as I sometimes long for a few moments to have them as young children again, I am filled with joy as I watch them grab hold of who they are and what they stand for. A mother's heart can't get any bigger than mine. With less child rearing, I have found more time to reconnect with myself as an individual. "Mom" and "Wife" have been my job titles for 25 years. I will always be a mom and wife, and I will never regret the commitment I made to nurture my family. I have left a part of me within each of them but I wish to re-discover parts of me long buried. It is quieter now, a more suitable time for introspection and rebirth, and I am longing to discover a depth of creativity within myself that defines me as an artist. Therefore, I must diligently listen and respond to that quiet voice. My creative voice. The voice that communicates who I am through works made with my hands. I am mom and wife, but I am also an artist. It is this part of me that I wish to nurture in this season of my life. I must plant new seeds of possibilities and reconnect my hands, my heart and my vision. 2011, I joyfully greet you.

Maple Meadow Farm Festival

2010-06-27T19:24:00.023-04:00

I bundled up the leftovers of my booth and left the Maple Meadow Farm Festival in Mapleton, Maine with a smile today. The Gregg family graciously opens their farm to the public and introduces them to past farming practices, including the tools, machinery (or horsepower) and a way of life that is slipping into the annals of time. The squeals of children playing rang through the air and the bustle of farm life demonstrations occupied the entire property.

I watched hundreds of families wander the grounds shopping for antiques or Maine made handmade goods, riding horse drawn carriages or just talking "farming" with the demonstrators. The family aspect of this event is heartwarming. I appreciate the Gregg family's vision and the commitment to do the work necessary to hold this event. The past is honored, family is celebrated and communities are knit together. It was a wonderful weekend. Thank you Gregg family!

2010-04-09T14:14:00.003-04:00

Carla, one of my delightful customers and fellow Etsier posted a lovely blog post about Folk Art Tree on her blog. I tried to be normal....

Carla has another shop selling delicious beads for you jewelry makers!

Thanks Carla!

Early Spring

2010-04-07T10:31:00.005-04:00

In the spring, at the end of the day, one should smell like dirt....

We have an early spring here in northern Maine, and I've been drooling over flower and veggie catalogs. Nothing like the faint wisp of muddy earth to bring out the farmer in me!

So I have been playing with some old seed packet images and came up with these little earrings. I just love them!

Simple Joys

2010-02-03T14:51:00.008-05:00

You know, sometimes the simplest things can bring us such joy. I have been selling my little art projects for over 20 years. I could create every day and be content. But the real satisfaction comes when what I make actually connects me to another person. When someone tells me what I made brought a smile to their face, or was a gift for someone special, that moment satisfies and elicits such joy in me. I have met some truly beautiful people through the selling of my work. I refrain from listing you by name, but you know who you are. We may have never met in person, but through a simple purchase, we have connected. Thank you, my dear customers, for the opportunity you have given me to interject my world into your life. I am so honored and so amazed and so grateful.

Thank you.

Pam

It is All About the Ride

2009-11-27T20:34:00.016-05:00

Thanksgiving dinner is tucked in the fridge into a myriad of plastic containers. The "good" dishes are all packed back into their boxes until Christmas dinner. We are on the verge of tipping into December. Christmas preparation time. For most, it is like a bobsled ride, high velocity, twisting and turning and 'tucking in' to maneuver the holiday sled faster and smoother. We plummet through the starting gate on Black Friday shoving into stores at 4 a.m. looking for the perfect Christmas gifts. We build up speed, writing out Christmas cards, reconnecting with friends we haven't heard from in a year. Half way through the month we shift ourselves once again, preparing for and attending parties, spending more time with our co-workers, friends and family than we have in months. As we get closer to the 25th we become more conscious of the time left...we need to increase the pace! Wrapping gifts, last minute shopping, stocking stuffers, baking, wrapping, shopping, cooking,...and suddenly...it is Christmas. We crossed the finish line in record time. With wrapping paper and ribbons in shreds around us and empty boxes stacked high, the day is over. I try to remember the days that led to Christmas. It went too fast. I didn't get to spend time with people I wanted to. I hardly had a moment to reflect or appreciate the beauty of the season. I was too busy! The last month is all a blur...the twinkling lights, the smiling faces, the dinners and family visits....they are a dull roar and blinking lights as I passed through it. It makes me sad.

I realize I need to change my mode of transportation. Maybe a sleigh ride would be more appropriate. I don't have to drive. I can sit in the sleigh with a warm blanket wrapped around me, sipping hot chocolate, singing carols to my heart's content and watching the landscape pass with an appreciative eye. I could even stop and visit a friend I haven't seen in months.

A sleigh ride. Not a bobsled race.

May your December be a wonderfully meaningful and pleasant ride.

2009-11-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

Go to Etsy Maine Team Blog to find the list of participating team members.

Transitions

2009-10-05T12:30:00.006-04:00

As fall begins to change the natural world around me, I realize I , too, have begun a transition. Usually at this time of year I am gearing up for seven or eight craft shows over the next couple of months, making my life very busy and chaotic. This year I have one. My life has become more manageable and peaceful. I have taken time to stroll through fallen leaves and smell the crisp fall air. I am doing more volunteer work and trying to eke out as much time with my youngest child as he readies for graduation in the spring and college next fall. Even while I create, my focus isn't on what will sell, but on what I really want to make today. I have made a list of new skills I have determined to learn and I am working on some new projects that I intend to submit for publication. All new and exciting, but without all the stress and chaos of my usual fall itinerary. I am settling into a new season of my life. I think I really like this season.

Etsy Maine Team Supports Fundraiser

2009-07-03T09:51:00.003-04:00

Jennifer Collins, the owner of Allsey on Etsy, orchestrated the Etsy Maine Team’s and Etsy.com’s sponsorship involvement in Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Portland’s fourth annual “fun-raiser”, Purses with Purpose, etc.

Jennifer’s teammates rallied to help her with this off-line community effort to raise financial support, increase local community awareness and recruit volunteers for RMH. Shannon Hanley of The Clever Kitty, Jennifer Lisa of Quench Metalworks, and Kellie Smith of Wordysmith, worked together with Jennifer to create the Etsy Maine Team (EMT) promotional materials.
Heather Desimone, of Leetie Lovendale and The Beadin’ Path stuffed "eco friendly tote bags" that were donated by Etsy and given away to attendees.

An amazing number of EMT artists, fifty (50) to be exact, donated items they created for the silent auction. The list includes:
Allsey Apple Tree Jewelry Askey Illustration Ava-Loo's Backwoods Creations Beadin' Path Beads On Hand Beantree Pottery Blue Moose BunnyBeads Calobee / Six Hours Clever Kitty Coco & Milkweed Cozink Deb Donnelly Designs Dirt Girl Pottery DooDadSmith Earthly Girl Designs Fitz-U Folk Art Tree Good Quill Hunting Jamie Ribisi Art Judy B Junque Revival Karhu Moon Kari Herer Photography Kreatus Krista Sharp Pottery Lauren Kennedy Photography
Linda Layden Scrimshaw Louisiana1966 Lynne Forrest Pottery Oceanhouse One Woman Studio Paige's Beaded Designs Phoenix Farm Posy Studio Ps and Qs Purplebean Bindery Quench Metalworks Scire4 Silverdust Is… Suzee's Jublileez The Knitted Brow / Moebius Three Bridges Sewing Tuizui Veldie's Remakes Woodshed Designs Wordysmith Yummilicious

Angela Clark, a RMH staff member, designed the "Purses with Purpose, etc." Logo. Shannon Heckethorn, Community Manager of RMH, along with many other RMH volunteers also played key roles. The fundraiser was advertised in several publications and numerous radio spots, and formal invitations were sent to past guests and RDH donors.

Both the EMT and Etsy.com produced 5x7 sponsorship ads for the program, which were distributed to the 200 attendees. Those who came to the event had the chance to bid on a wide variety of one-of-a-kind handmade items crafted by Maine artists and artisans. The participating Etsy Artists enjoyed working together and having an impact on the community while sharing their artistic talents with a local audience.

Jennifer was impressed and grateful for the response of her teammates. She said, “I would like to thank all the Etsy artisans that participated in this year’s fundraiser especially during the current economic climate. I am speechless at the sheer generosity demonstrated by our team members. I’m already looking forward to 'Purses with Purpose, etc. 2010'.”

No grass is growing under Jennifer’s feet. Planning for the "2010 Purses with Purpose, etc." is already in the works. For more information about next years event, contact Jennifer by going to her Etsy Shop, Allsey, and clicking on her contact link. RMH is accepting donations and sponsorships now. If interested, please click on this link to email Shannon, the Ronald McDonald House Community Manager.
If your group is holding a promotion on or off line, email Coco the "scoop" at mailto:coco@handmadenews.org?subject=Here.

Etsy Maine team Artists featured in Bangor Daily News

2009-05-16T09:48:00.002-04:00

5/16/09
Handcrafted in you backyardEtsy.com one click away for a wealth of locally made, unique gifts or personal items
By Emily BurnhamBDN Staff

When you’re decorating your home, or you’re decorating yourself, you have two options when it comes to where to buy such things.
Option No. 1: Go to a big-box store and buy all of the mass-designed, mass-produced, made-in-China stuff you want. Option No. 2: Point your Web browser to Etsy.com, look around and buy a handmade, one-of-a-kind necklace, picture frame or set of thank-you cards made by someone in your backyard. Literally. It gives new meaning to “buy local.”

The Web site, which provides artists and artisans the world over a way to sell their wares to the public, was launched in 2005 and now boasts tens of thousands of sellers. Most items are priced between $10 and $30, but the selection runs the gamut from crocheted baby booties made by a grandmother to handblown glasswork from a professional artist.

There’s a plethora of folks from across Maine who sell their stuff on etsy.com — too many to name here, though a visit to http://www.etsymaineteam.blogspot.com/ turns up a long, well-organized list of Etsy-ites working here in 207.

One of the items most available on Etsy is jewelry. In Bangor, the ironically named husband-and-wife design team of (1) Buy My Crap (buymycrap.etsy.com) sells molded resin rings and earrings, such as the striking white-and-red ring, A Little Drop of Bella, inspired by the book and movie “Twilight,” which retails for $35. Gerry and Elaine Bard of By My Crap have been making resin jewelry out of their home for the past year, and it’s anything but crap.

Farther north, (2) Folk Art Tree maven Pamela McFarland sells her work at folkarttreefandangle.etsy.com. At her home in Ashland, McFarland uses found art, vintage materials and other unique items to make an assortment of accessories, including the Intense Earth Vintage Celluloid Button necklace ($22), made of glass beads, jasper, metal chains and a vintage celluloid button.

Moms and moms-to-be can find a wealth of baby stuff on Etsy, including wee things from (3) Coco and Milkweed (http://www.cocoandmilkweed.etsy.com/) out of Portland. Husband and wife Evan and Lila Maleah and their daughter Coco handmake bibs and blankets, including this sweet, funky gift set featuring Woodsy and L’il Hootie, two big-eyed owls, a soft but very durable bib and blanket, which retails for $52.

Niche markets find a home on Etsy. For example, the gaming community has a friend in Amy Provost of Cornish, whose (4) Broake and Thumb Studios (http://www.sparrowhawk9.etsy.com/) makes nerd-tastic, Dungeons and Dragons and medieval-inspired crafts, such as this little drawstring bag, perfect for holding 20-sided dice — or other small items you might need to hold together. It sells for $11.

Unique is the name of the game on Etsy. Case in point: Mary Robbins of South Portland makes T-shirts, hats and bags inspired by her Moroccan family and years spent abroad. She sells them on her Etsy shop, (5) Moth Designs (http://www.mothdesigns.etsy.com/). This T-shirt, which retails for $22, features an Arabic phrase meaning “Whales in love”— sweet, funny and a wonderful way to bring together East and West.

Personal care products are another big Etsy item, like the felted soaps from (6) Becky Rose Designs (http://www.beckyrosedesigns.etsy.com/). Rose, based in Bar Harbor, creates soaps mixed with felt, which works as a built-in washcloth, like this mango and cocoa butter soap that sells for $8.
(7)Long Winter Farms (http://www.longwinterfarms.etsy.com/) out of Alna is the brainchild of Amanda Nolan, and in addition to soaps and body creams, she sells luxurious lip balms, like this three-pack that sells for $8.50.

If you’re searching for the funniest, sweetest birthday, thank-you or holiday card, then surf over to (8) Sock Monkey Cards (http://www.sockmonkeycards.etsy.com/), a line of hilarious prints and cards made by Laurie Jenson de Paolo of Cape Elizabeth. De Paolo takes your average sock monkey and puts it in interesting situations — going camping, getting a massage, going surfing or playing scrabble are just a few. The cards are $3 each.

You can decorate your fridge with handmade magnets by (9) Kristina Meyers of Auburn. Meyers, a teacher and mom of three, makes jewelry and magnets, including these cute dinosaur bottle cap magnets retailing for $7 on her Etsy site, http://www.kristinamyerscrafts.etsy.com/.

Jennifer Payson of Warren has seemingly mastered the art of origami. One look at her Etsy page, (10) Whimsidoodle (http://www.whimsidoodle.etsy.com/), reveals an assortment of handcrafted paper lanterns that are perfect for affixing to white string lights to hang indoors or out. A pack of 50 origami boxes sells for $50, but Payson sells packs of 20 for $20-$24.

If you’re buying gifts for others, or you’re just casually looking for a little something for yourself, you can support the work of people in Maine by buying on Etsy.com — and in these tough economic times, every little bit helps.

Haiku Monday on The Etsy Maine Team Forum Thread

2009-05-04T09:12:00.005-04:00

Remember English class? Grammar, punctuation, haiku? The Maine Team has begun conversing in the Team Forum on Mondays in Haiku. Can you Haiku?

Here are the how-tos of Haiku:

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. It often centers around nature.
Haiku poems don’t rhyme; they follow a pattern.

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables

Come on, try Haiku

Twist your mind around some words

Count your syllables

Leave your Haiku here

on this blog you must create

word picture Haikus

Watching the Red Sox and Making Faces

2009-04-30T11:18:00.004-04:00

I spend my evenings watching the Celtics and Red Sox, so in order to justify the "down time" I prepare things for the day to work on at night. This week it has been some more primitive ladies. I've been sewing them closed and making their faces with embroidery thread. I stop every once in a while when the game gets really intense, but the ladies gradually appear as a little audience in front of me. I know they are wanting my teams to win too.

My Jewelry Making Space

2009-04-08T11:33:00.007-04:00

For you, Peggy...
My jewelrymaking workspace I procured from a space in my hallway on the first floor. I have been so happy here in this warm part of the house, working on jewelry, scrapbooking and encaustic painting. It needs to get cleaned up before hubby gets home, though!

Encaustic paints and griddle and 20 cat foods cans are under the desk...My studio is in the cold upstairs, so I will photograph it later, on a warmer day.

My new shop http://www.folkarttreefandangle.etsy.com/ has been filled with products made from this very spot.

New Etsy Shop

2009-04-03T17:39:00.003-04:00

I have opened a new shop called Folk Art Tree Fandangle dedicated to my jewelry. I have found I am really enjoying making wearable art with old buttuns, charms and beads mixed with new findings for fabulous adornments. So come check it out!

folkarttreefandangle.etsy.com

My Donation to the Ronald McDonald House Auction

2009-03-23T10:57:00.011-04:00

On June 4, the Ronald McDonald House of Portland will be hosting its fourth annual Purses with Purpose, etc. ‘fun-raiser’ at the Woodlands Club in Falmouth. At this patio event, guests will bid on purses, jewelry and accessories donated by celebrities, designers, businesses and craftspeople in the much-anticipated silent auction; then guests will be invited to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and watch as the fashion show and live auction festivities continue. Admission to the event is by ticket only: $40 per person.

---------------------------------------------------------------------ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP THE HOUSE--------------------

Become a VOLUNTEER:http://www.rmhportland.org/volunteers/volunteer-get-involved

Help cut House costs by donating common household items or services:

http://www.rmhportland.org/giving/donate-items-our-wish-list-

Stay connected. Sign up for the House enewsletter:

http://www.rmhportland.org/volunteers/volunteer-get-involved

QUESTIONS? Email Jennifer at

purseswithpurpose@gmail.com

I hope this fundraiser is a huge success! Let's lighten the load for people who are dealing with the stressful situation of a sick loved one.

My First ACEO "Abandoned Ways"

2009-02-19T20:19:00.013-05:00

The Etsy Maine Team has challenged it's members to create one (1) ACEO with a “Maine” theme using re-cycled or up-cycled materials. So in keeping with the challenge, I used a copier to resize an 8 x 10 image of a barrel I had photographed in 1982. I copied it onto scrap paper I had in my 'stash' and cut it down to an appropriate size. Using a paint chip card I had saved from earlier house renovation days, I used it as a mat for my photo and layered it atop a scrap of black cardstock. I used chalks to hand color the photo. Voila, my entry for the Maine team challenge..."Abandoned Ways".

2009-02-07T15:59:00.005-05:00

New pendants and Necklaces...

I finally tried Encaustics

2009-02-01T15:28:00.017-05:00

Thanks to my friend Jamie Ribisi (http://www.jamieribisi.etsy.com/) I have tried my hand at encaustics. (She sells a GREAT tutorial and has the paints you need to try it yourself!) I have wanted to explore this medium for a while now, and after my first efforts, I have to say, I'm pretty confident I'll play with them again. So much fun! Thanks Jamie, for your tutorial and paints!

I will be sealing these paintings with resin and making pendants out of them to sell in my Etsy shop.

Valentine's Day is Quickly Arriving

2009-01-22T11:02:00.014-05:00

Valentine's Day...Romance...kisses...love...jewelry....what a great day......

Love, country style.....

Bamboo tiles, decoupaged on both sides with LOVE....

I love this one with the soldiers on both sides...being a military wife, I know how bittersweet the partings and reunions can be....

For more Valentine jewelry, check out my Etsy shop: folkarttree.etsy.com.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with those you love.

Merry Christmas everyone!

2008-12-22T20:07:00.005-05:00

We had a blizzard here the last day or so...makes it look so wintery!

December 12 Ice Storm

2008-12-12T22:54:00.003-05:00

What a wintery day...

The elves have been busy here...

2008-11-15T22:02:00.006-05:00

I scheduled 4 shows this month so I have barely come out of my studio for food or sleep. I think I'm making things in my sleep. Here are a few pics of current projects...

It is only October...

2008-10-22T11:40:00.002-04:00

but here it is...snow...I just want to pull up my electric blanket and go back to sleep....

Maine Team Profile: The Clever Kitty

2008-09-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

The Clever Kitty is Shannon Hanley, a designer with a passion for creating, and a fun sense of style. She grew up in Iowa, and spent much of her time as a child doing art or craft projects. When she graduated from high school she knew she wanted to continue her creative ways, and decided to go to the Kansas City Art Institute, where she earned a BFA in Fiber Arts. She lived in Kansas City for several years working as a designer and garment

cutter, until she and her husband embarked on the adventure of moving to the east coast. They now reside on the beautiful coast of Maine with their adorable daughter, who keeps them joyful and inspired...and quite busy! In addition to being a full time mom, she is currently working part time as a floral designer, and in her spare time she is constantly making things. She strives to make unique designs, and always takes the time & care necessary to make a quality hand-crafted product. To see more of her work visit her website : http://www.thecleverkitty.etsy.com/

Uncommon Jewelry: Etsy Maine Team

2008-09-15T13:04:00.000-04:00

The first installment featuring my etsy team members .....

A somewhat wayward artist, Sidney is trained in color theory, painting and art history but has always fostered a not so minor fascination with personal adornment. Her work is born from a love of unusual combinations and proportions, and each time she finishes something the outcome is utterly balanced and wearable. Each piece is named for a goddess, or a wonderful woman who has brought some small meaning to her life. She believes every woman is beautiful and deserves a little something to remind her of just how perfect she is. Her work is also sold at Abacus Gallery in Portland, Maine so if you're ever in the neighborhood stop on by.Visit her on Etsy at http://www.uncommonjewelry.etsy.com/ or www.myspace.com/uncommonjewelry to see more photos and past work.

Etsy Front Page!

2008-09-11T08:38:00.000-04:00

September 10, 2008
My sachets are the 3rd pic down on the right.

I Was Granted This Award

2008-09-07T09:55:00.000-04:00

Jody of Primgals Primitive Palette gave me this award yesterday and I get to give it to seven more people! Woo Hoo! Thanks so much Jody! Check out her Etsy shop http://www.primgal.etsy.com/ and blog http://primgalsprimitivepalette.blogspot.com/. She is a fabulous prim painter!

Here are my 7 Picks:

1. The Broken House http://the-broken-house.blogspot.com/

2. The Country Cellar http://thecountrycellar.blogspot.com/

3. Louisana 1966 http://louisiana1966.blogspot.com/

4. Backwoods Creations http://www.backwoodscreations.blogspot.com/

5. Sweet Peas http://sweetpeas.motime.com/

6. Solace and Savor http://solaceandsavor.blogspot.com/

7. Long Winter Farm http://longwinterfarm.com/blog/

My Favorite Faces

2008-08-12T11:26:00.001-04:00

More Santas

2008-08-12T11:17:00.001-04:00

"Sheep Farm Christmas"

No airsickness for Santa this year! Santa wanted to stay on the ground while he was delivering presents to GOOD little boys and girls in New England. The Woolwich Farm in Sheepscot Maine gladly let Santa borrow Harry for the Christmas Eve deliveries. Harry has never been outside the east pasture, so he is really excited about what else there is to see beyond his home. Santa sitting on Harry is approximately 12 inches high.I sculpted santas face from polymer clay. He is wire armature covered with batting. His sweater was purchased (I can't knit!:)) but I created his pants and shoes. I made the pull toy base and mounted a purchased sheep form that I covered with wool. He is available for purchase in my Etsy shop!

http://www.folkarttree.etsy.com/

Black Swan Box Santa

2008-07-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

My box Santas were a combination of chancing on a good buy and a bit of hard work. I found these boxes and loved them, but they were covered with some awful paper. After many hours of peeling and scraping, I had bare wood which I then coated with some prim colored paint and sealant. I held onto these boxes for two years before I finally connected santa and the boxes in my mind. I plunked an armature with a santa head on it into the box and my imagination began to run wild. I only have 6 of these boxes, and every one is different, but this one is particularly appealing to me because it has elements I love. Driftwood, boats, water birds and santa! They remind me of a couple summers I spent on a lake with my family. If summer lasted all the time, I would be so content! I picture him displayed in a lakeside home. I hope he gets that home!

Santa's January Vacation

2008-07-27T11:58:00.001-04:00

This santa's face looked like he was having a fabulous time doing something...vacation makes ME smile, so where would santa vacation? On the slopes!My fave vacation spot would be on a tropical beach somewhere, but santa is a winter sports kind of guy. So here he is, tucked for maximum speed down the mountainside. Santa is such a speed junkie... If only the reindeer had "turbo" buttons... So his thrills are sought on the ski slopes, and by the look of him, I'd say he is relishing the ride!

Hang onto your hat, Santa! Big jump ahead!

The Bird Whisperer

2008-07-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

My first Santa is done for 2008! I love him! I think he is so sweet and gentle looking. Off to my studio for the next one!

Box of Heads

2008-07-14T17:25:00.000-04:00

I have been a sculpting fool this past couple of weeks. I've made so many santa faces I'm dreaming faces! Each face takes me an hour or two to sculpt. I use glass or plastic eyes (plastic...not a good idea when I am baking the heads, but if I bake longer and at a lower heat, I can manage it without distortion.) The eyes tend to speak to me as I lay the clay on. Sometimes just one swipe of the modeling tool sets me on a whole new track in where I am going with the face. I may start thinking, 'he is a serious face', and then, with a little more clay on the cheek than I wanted, suddenly his eyes sparkle and I am adding more clay and making him laugh. They evolve for me, taking me with them as I bring forth the face they want to be. Once I add the wool to these faces they will take on a whole new look and feel. Some faces that I am not too happy with will sometimes be the ones I step back from and admire as a finished santa, and sigh with pleasure. I never know where this process will take me.

Check back for the next stage of santa building. Bases and bodies....

The Process of Santa

2008-07-09T12:36:00.000-04:00

I have a show soon in Cumberland and since I can only make stuff from one category, I chose to make santas. I thought it would be fun to share my creative process while I make them. So here is the first stage. I begin with a ball of tinfoil and shape it into roughly the size I need for a 16-22 inch figure. I then add a pancake of polymer clay to the back of the head and bake. Then I set the eyes, and fill in any deep crevices with polymer so there are no air pockets. I bake them again. This is the result of the second bake.

These creepy little faces are the basis for my santa faces...really...they look better later...

Summertime

2008-07-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

Summer seems to be passing so quickly for me this year. I was sitting on my side porch in the warm July sun and as I listened to the birds and felt the warmth of the sun on my face, I noticed the flowers were as eager as I was to absorb the sunshine. I wandered around my yard with my camera and tried to capture the smell and warmth and quietness of a Maine July day so I may refer to them in the depths of -20 degree days in January to remind me that winter is not forever.