Oh The Magical Web We Weave with Halloween Folk Art Friends

 Blanch darling, you're trying too hard to make friends I see. Who could ignore that spooky but sweet little face, ready to haunt your home?! Blanche is available at MothersDreamRtWorks

Big old Bufugly is truly a creature after my own heart. Warty and grumpy, with a bit of wrinkly glare, Bufugly will keep the tricks away for sure! He's also at MothersDreamRtWorks

Broken China Heart Pendants

When we lived in the west desert of Utah we loved to explore the different dirt roads for treasures. We came upon an abandoned dump from an old mine about 8 years ago, where there were remnants of broken china and depression glass, eek! We will never know if someone intentionally broke up the kitchenware but we found fragments of Jadeite and gorgeous depression glass bowls and such. I'm such a collector I gathered up bits and pieces of the most intriguing pieces to bring home and use in some creation or another. I initially planned on creating mosaics with the pieces, but never got around to it. Well today I pulled out some of the pieces and created some pendants for necklaces. The two hearts were easy as the broken pieces already had a somewhat heart shape to them. I'm itching to get them turned into a one of a kind jewelry creation so I'm off to the table to play with beads and chain.

More Creations for Chief Joseph Days

 I have managed to squeeze more jewelry making while trying to spend quality time with Nature Guy. We have gone fishing, got skunked, rats! Took a ride up towards the Hells Canyon Lookout and had a picnic, then collected flat rocks for paving some areas around the deck and garden boxes, yay! Now I'm ready to rock and roll as Nature Guy is on the road to visit his sons.
The bracelet above is created on memory wire using ceramic turquoise beads, red stone beads and bright shiny silver beads. All my pieces are one of a kind.

 Another fun and funky, chunky necklace for rodeo queens or any chic and fashionable lady who loves turquoise colors and silver.

 To mix things up a bit I will have some home decor products such as these re-purposed china dishes that are now suitable for vintage style soap pedestal dishes, or jewelry caches.

One of the best things about being in Wallowa County in the summer is a possibility to find fun vintage pieces that can be re-purposed and useful. I will share more of my fun finds soon so stop by again when you can. It's time to head to the studio to sculpt so here's to a good day for all!

Just a little Santa....

Wow! I'm back from my 4000 mile trip and have loads to share, but work before play so I'm back at it, listing some new pieces on ebay. This is short and sweet, just like the Santa I'm offering because I still need to find my way through the mess of one trip after another, and lots of creating in between. I'm so glad hubby is patient. :-) To see the auction for this little fella stop by My Ebay Here!

Craft supplies on ebay.....

 In my continuing effort to find focus in my art, and make room to work in my tiny studio room I'm getting rid of pieces I know I will never use. Above is a nice batch of wood textile bobbins that would be great for art doll bases or Halloween shakers, among other creations.

 These tin canisters are so cool and I had imagined painting a nice apples or cherries border on them and spiffing them up for a kitchen with glass knobs for the tops, but alas, I just can't seem to find the time and so I'm letting these go as well.

Here are a set of children's blocks, some are very old and very cool, but again, I know that I'm never going to get to them. I planned on using them as bases for Christmas creations such as Santas or snowmen. What would you use them for? They are all starting at very low prices so check them out if you are looking for a good deal. Here's the link to see more about them... Simply Sheryl's

A Running Jump At Art

 Last night I attended a Fireside at church that was quite uplifting. I got there just as the meeting was starting though so I ended up on the back row with a family who has a toddler who loves to color. It was interesting watching him as he would lay his paper on the floor and then back up quite a ways. He would then run towards the paper and jump just before he bent down with his crayon to add color to his picture. He did this over and over again and was quite entertaining. No, he wasn't the best part of the night, but a fun part none the less and got me thinking.

 Is this how I and others sometimes approach our art? I have a tendency to have an idea, but rather than sketch it out I will often rush right into the creating. I will have to back up and jump in again and again until I have a finished piece.

 Sometimes I'm pleased, and other times I have even better ideas after the fact. Is that how it is with you or do you always sketch your ideas out to see whether they are what you are wanting? Some folks like the spontaneous feel of just going at it, but is that a good thing to do?

As part of a challenge we were given last night we were asked to think of a bad habit to give up and or a virtue we want to develop. We were told to write it down, but not to reveal it until Christmas day as a sort of gift to the Savior. So I want to apply this to my ability to create. I'm wondering if I can improve and grow if I'm willing to slow down and really think and sketch my ideas out. I believe our talents, what ever they may be are a gift from God, and that we have a responsibility to develop them to the best of our ability, and then learn to rely on divine inspiration to fill in the gaps of our human shortcomings. Am I saying that this will be a part of my challenge response, well I'm not sure yet. I will say this, each of the pieces above were done on the run so to speak without a real plan. I just wonder......
So how do you approach your art? Are you always on the run, or do you plan each piece with careful deliberation. As an FYI all of these are now on ebay. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

A Primitive Victorian Retro Vintage Christmas?

Christmas is the icing on the cake as we slowly slide into winter. We've put the gardens to bed, the harvest is lined up in gleaming rows of jars in the pantry or frosty bags of goodies in the freezer. We've shared a Thanksgiving feast with loved ones, celebrating the good things we've been blessed with this year. Now all the trimmings are up in the house, evoking a sense of warmth and childlike delight as we anticipate the gift giving season.

As an artist who has created Santa figures and ornaments for years, I have tried many styles, and love them all. My collection of decorations that I've either purchased or created spans the gamut of many styles, with the exception of western or northwoods, even though I haven't left that out on purpose. I do love the rustic woodsy style that's found in many a northern home, and I am toying with the idea of a western themed Santa or two for fun.

What is your style? Do you have a strict theme or color scheme, or are you more eclectic, gathering decorations or collectibles that catch your eye?

My original one of a kind hand sculpted ornament above can be found here:http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/mothersdreamartworks.html

Frosty friends

There's a chill in the air, and snow is on it's way soon enough. These handsome fellas have dressed for the occasion with their stocking caps, and warm wraps. The first jolly gentleman has a pocket made of clay that I textured to look like waffle weave fabric. His pocket is filled with antique fruits from Blumchens, cinnamon sticks, pipe cleaner candy canes I twisted my self, and glittered "pinion" branches. He is dusted with vintage mica flakes and sparkly teeny tiny glitter. He is a large fellow, standing 12" tall.

The second snowman is the same height, and carries a feather tree from Blumchens, as well as the fruit and leaf embellisments on his hat. He has also been dusted with vintage mica flakes and sparkly glitter. You can click on their photos to find them up for purchase or auction.