Monday Mornings

This morning is especially beautiful. We keep bird feeders full during the winter months. Sitting on the front porch sipping coffee, I heard a loud happy energetic trail of chirps from a nearby tree. I think the birds know it is going to be a warmer week. The feeder sits right outside the porch with several softly chirping little black and white birds playing with the seeds. Nice start to the day......

Finished up two custom reborns for Santa over the weekend... sure feels good to have completion. The best part is dressing these little personalities! Hope the receivers of the gifts love their new baby dolls!

This little girl wanted to be something different then what was ordered so she will stay with me for the doll show in Orlando and I will start over today on another one. Sometimes these baby dolls have mind of their own!

During this week I have three more to finish for Christmas deliveries. After that..... it is clay work and cleaning out the studio. There are so many ideas rolling around in my head for the clay. Can't wait to see how some of them take shape.

Weekend Sleep Over

Now whose feet do you think are those sticking up in the air between the girls???







Over the weekend, my grand daughter and her best friend, Cassie spent the night. Sandy was lovin' life and just had to be the center of attention at all times, but....... we slipped out to the studio when she was not lookin!!


We worked on Christmas ornaments following one of Carol Duvall's shows painting a winter scene on acetate and slipping it inside a clear glass ornament decorated with snow. Unfortunately, we did not take photos of the finished work because they are Christmas presents!



I gallery sat Thursday and Friday last week catching up on some of my reading and also played with watercolors... since the weather was bad people were not going out! It was my first time painting and had fun using watercolors and oil pastel crayons... it felt good to experience some spontaneous creativity. It sure gave me a better appreciation of the skill needed to do watercolor landscapes!

Festival of Trees 2006

The Festival of Trees was a huge success this past weekend. Folks from all around the area came through and were such friendly and kind people! .... and five of my baby dolls found new homes!

If you live near by think about coming out next year. It is a great family event with Santa Claus and seemed like a hundred uniquely decorated Christmas trees donated by businesses, individuals and civic groups for fund raising... up and down the corridors of one year old Huntingtown High School. Each tree had a theme so we also have lots of ideas for decorating our own. My favorite was Christmas on the Beach!

There were hourly performances from singing to band music. Tricia Darrow offered bracelet making for $5 per bracelet and you pick out the beads! She has a new store opening in Prince Frederick December 2nd.

Kinda puts ya in the spirit of Christmas ....

Glazing Experiment

Using red colored clay does not work when glazing with other colors... so I found out! AutumnMan wall hanging was not supposed to be so shiney and dark. The glaze is a two tone with the edges a burnt reddish color and the rest a light to dark forest green. It will be interesting to see how it fires up on white clay. I will be picking up clay tomorrow or Friday from Baltimore since they wanted $86 for shipping cost! It will take alittle over an hour if there is no rush traffic.


Native American mask is well... the jury is still out! The glaze was called Autumn Feather, but not sure what happened to the different crytals that were suppose to explode in bursts of color!

Life's Bumpy Roads

It has been awhile since I have taken the time out to post anything. Lots has been going on outside of the studio. Preparations for this weekend's craft show is going into high gear today, but I have lots of items already to go.

Our daughter here in Maryland has been diagnosed with a brain anuerysm (spelling?) in her carotid artery. We are taking her tomorrow for an angiogram to determine which type of surgery she will need. It is a true blessing to have found it early.... thank you, Wil! My mother in Ohio is also going through the same thing on Wednesday for a blocked carotid artery. Her grand daughter and my neice, Dorothy, who lives nearby will be there for her! God Bless You, Dorothy! Please include our family in your prayers!??

..If you or your loved one experience regular headaches, or have high blood pressure, please encourage them to get a routine MRI and an MRA if there is a family history and consult your family physician.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving Day (and thankful for each day...)

Studio

Fall is here and ALL the leaves are now shades of golden yellows, reddish oranges, and coppers. My next greenman mask is going to be coppery and golden .... should I call him Autumnman?

Working on peices for the upcoming festival and researching kilns and options this past week. A company came out yesterday to give me an estimate to put in an outlet for a kiln, but he has to send in the electrician monday morning. Once I find out what my studio can support electrically, I can get serious about it and place an order for one. All I can think about is getting my hands into the wet clay and going crazy with it! It is like zoning out and then a shape and form appears like magic and something is created that takes on it's own character. It is so much easier and faster than using polymer clay.

This has also been a tough week dealing with intense absessed tooth pain and the pain killer did not and is not doing it's job. It is hard to feel enthusiasm and excitement with throbbing pain, but this is my favorite time of the year!

Time to get back to the studio and continue sorting and clearing out... thinking positive and making room for the kiln!

New Clay Work

Worked up 25 pounds of clay into fish, a greenman wall plaque, native american woman face mask, kitty plaque and some soap dish holders.... does not look like very much, but it took a couple of days. Now to get them dried out, fired in a kiln (found a local pottery shop having a slow time of it and willing to fire a load for me) and hand painted! These will be for the Festival Of Trees annual Hospice fair in Huntingtown, Maryland, November 24th through the 26th, 2006.

Clay Work

Been keeping busy studying kilns and working with earthenware clay along with preparations for upcoming shows and events. Had my monthly gallery sitting duty at ArtWorksat7th over the weekend and was able to take photos of some of my pieces there. It was interesting meeting and talking with customers. Many were from out of town and visiting North Beach as a getaway weekend vacation.

Butterfly Fae with her mushroom friend was fun to create from polymer clay.

In Loving Memory of Wil

My dear brother and friend, Wil, unexpectedly suffered a cerebral bleed October 18th at 6:30am in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He was only 54 years old. It has been a very sad and difficult several weeks for everyone. The photo is of Wil with one of his students.

His obituary read:

William Fredrick Mayne, Jr., 54, of Yellow Springs, passed away at Miami Valley Hospital on October 20 2006. He was born June 21, 1952, in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Wil is survived by his mother, Gloria A. (Sullivan) Mayne of Yellow Springs; father, William F. Mayne, Sr., of Florida; two daughters: Shannon Mayne of Columbus, and Dorothy Mayne of Kettering; fiance: Mary Gnau of Yellow Springs, and her children: Matthew Gnau of Columbus, Michelle Gnau of Athens, Ohio; sister Dianne Mayne-Forche; brother-in-law and best friend, Terry Forch, both of Maryland, and many friends.

He received an Associate Degree in Mental Health Technology from Sinclair College, Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Wright State University, and was currently working on his Masters Degree in Education at Antioch University McGregor. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam and attended Faith Community United Methodist. He currently taught at the Greene County Educational Learning Center.

Wil was a musician poet and collector of baseball cards, Beatles paraphernalia, records, coins and stamps......

Wil's presence will be sorely missed and I still find it hard to believe he is gone. This is Wil's poem/song that was included in the service:

RAINBOW

Take me back over the rainbow

That's where I know you've been

Take me back over the rainbow, And I'll be happy again,

Broken bits to mend

Old bones just don't bend

Open wounds to be cleansed.

Take me back over the rainbow

That's where I know you've been

Take me back over the rainbow, And I'll be hppy again.

Primary colors blend

Hearts and flowers to send

Gladness to befriend.

So, take me back over the rainbow

Pull me through again

Take me back over the rainbow

Where good times never end

Helpin' hands to lend

No reason to pretend

Nothing to defend

-Wil Mayne 10-30-2005

ArtWorks Gallery Opening

Busy weekend! Saturday was spent in preparations for the afternoon opening reception at ArtWorks Gallery in North Beach, Maryland. I was able to take some photos before customers arrived so you could see some of the beautiful original works. A few of the participating artists were there to help with the set up: Jackie, Glenna, Mel and her friend, Ruth, and Suzanne! The gala was a huge success!

My Blue Heron is made from polymer clay with an internal wire mesh armature. Screws at each end of the wire hanger on the back were embedded in the clay and wire before curing for added strengh. She is hand painted in shades of blue and metallics and coated with a high gloss sealer.... giving it a sun shimmering on the water effect! What do you think?

Sunday was a big family reunion/75th and 80th birthday celebration of Grandma and Pop on my EX's side of the family in Laurel. We all went to high school together and they will always be my family, too! It really makes you think and appreciate the power of time. People change and kids grow older.... isn't that part of the lyrics in a song? Stop and smell the roses!

Raku

If you do not know what raku is, I did not before today either or atleast did not fully appreciate the process! It is a clay firing technique that produces unknown and absolutely stunning color effects on the finished pieces. After putting on a special glaze and fired a second time, the glowing piece is carefully lifted out and placed in a dugged out pit in the ground that has debris of leaves, pine needles, etc in the bottom ... and a lid quickly put on it to block out the oxygen. Of course everything in the pit immediately ignites and the hot smoke breaks down or the chemicals in the debris alter the glaze colors... not sure which and sure Tammy will give a better description. Spent the day with Tammy and helped her out a bit while she explained and demonstrated the ins and outs of raku.... hard work! Watch Tammy's blog for a photo in the next day or so and be prepared for a real visual treat! I would think she will have a hard time parting with that torso!!!

While I was at Tammy's I dropped off my pieces to be fired and will get them back on Saturday... then the fun begins and the pieces come alive with paints, metallics, and stains! My greenwoman was finished last night with the sculpting so it should be ready to be fired in a couple of weeks as it is fairly thick. She will go in one of the galleries I am participating in along with her greenman just in time for the beginning of the holiday seasons.... just hope she behaves herself and comes out in one piece.

Daily Routine

Finally have The Bear Hollow Nursery website updated, uploaded, and running recreated in Dreamweaver. Still have about 100 detail pages to recreate in my spare time. Powerful program, but not user friendly... gosh, guess I will have to tax my brain! Ordered books from Calvery Library to help learn the neat tricks and tips... Dreamweaver for Dummies.

I have purchased one of Marge Bielefeld's spirit dolls in the past and they are wonderfully made and highly detailed. Thought you might like to enjoy her website: The Ancient Ones. She has a new Healing Spirit ready to go to a good home that is fantastic!

Packing up pieces today to visit Tammy tomorrow with a mother load to be fired in her kiln ... oh how I wish it was that big!!

Greenman

Lost most of the morning trying to get a comment field in these blog posts. Hopefully, with this post is might be working and if not... it will be for another day!

My Greenman wall plaque is resting and I will be doing some detailing when it firms up a bit more tonight or tomorrow. This is so thick it will probably take a month to get bone dry! Can't wait to paint it colors of Fall with some forest green splashed on....




This is what happens when I spend too much time on the computer.... !!! Sandy saying.... ohhhh....puuuullllleeeeaaasssee play with me!!!!!

Gallery Sitting

Saturday was my day to gallery sit at Fridays Creek Art Gallery and Winery. Took my camera, books, and laptop to keep me occupied and catch up on stuff in case it was slow, but the gallery had a steady flow of visitors. Unfortunately, my camera was missing it's battery. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and had hoped to get lots of photos of the gorgeous art work there.

Sunday was a premium outdoor day! We raked and cleaned up storm debris and made a dent in the acorns piling up everywhere on our property... that's the breaks of living under giant oak trees!

Today was spent rebuilding my other website The Bear Hollow Nursery . During a server conversion I lost everything and shame on me... did not have a backup (I do now!). It is about half ready and will work on it some more tomorrow or atleast enough to get it uploaded. Spent a couple of hours working in wet clay on a greenman plaque (mosquitos chased me off...)just had to get my hands back in it! Will take a photos tomorrow.

My grand daughter came over this afternoon while my daughter and grandson went to a basketball game. We made oatmeal cookies while Sandy chewed on my satellite remote.... she only disappeared for a few minutes... what was she thinking????!!!!

Going To the Dogs

NOT a happy camper!




Who could resist this face??

More Clay Drying

Yesterday was in the 80's and today low 60's... gotta love nature's air conditioning!

I have switched over to the beta version of blogger so will see if uploading photos is more reliable. Here is more of the work I have drying and you should be able to click on the thumbnail for a larger version.

Momma and Kitty!

Salamander in the Sand! Not sure why I am on this salamander kick.... read somewhere salamanders can walk through fire and come out of it safely. I also like their shape and think they fit in nicely in home decor.

Close up of "Friends"!

Tree of Life was fun to make, but will do it larger and a bit more focused next time.

Productive Day

Day five with Sandy (who turns out to be half golden retriever and half yellow lab and a Leo!!) is showing huge improvements and she is relaxing into the flow of things. Em helped out with a few of her primal growls and put down the big sister law.

Finished up a reborn baby doll for Sheree in Australia ... this is her third adoption! Joshua (brunette brown eyes) is going home tomorrow with a full wardrobe to share with his brother Caleb (blonde blue eye).

Lots of clay work done and drying between chasing around after puppy. Going to help my friend, Tammy Vitale (<--click on her name for a link to her blog... can't get the links to show up as underlined when published!) in her workshop Thursday next week and will fire up some of the pieces that are finished drying. This is a new medium for me which I am very excited about ( something new to experience). Tammy and I are sharing techniques and skills learned (something I have not found easily .... so glad to have met her!)

"FRIENDS" --->

There are more photos, but having a difficult time uploading the images here.... very frustrating!

Some of the new pieces are for the galleries I am participating in.... ArtWorks at 7th and Fridays Creek Winery Art Gallery where the entire upper level of the barn building displays beautiful art work from about 20 artisans and growing! I will be gallery sitting on Saturday, October 7th from 11 to 5pm so will have the opportunity to take some photos. They are in the process of updating their website to include the artwork.

Puppy Adoption - Welcome Home Sandy

My husband and I have adopted a one year old rescue puppy to our family. Click on her photo above for a larger view. This is day four and we are wore out!!! Sandy is adjusting very well to all the attention and care and that is encouraging. She is part lab which explains her optimism and forgiveness. Before she was rescued, kids had taken her out to a field to use her as target practice. Her tongue had been cut all the way through to about an inch in through the center.... very heartbreaking ... how could anyone could be so cruel?

Before this past weekend, our family included a 9 year old yellow lab who thinks she is human and insists on inner springs and a 12 year old black with a white heart on her chest... kitty! Sandy is our new addition to keep everyone on their toes and active! Em was missing her brother badly so we were also hoping Sandy would cheer her up.... it worked up until yesterday when sore joints and muscle pain set in, not to mention sibling rivalry. I feel her pain... also forgot how energetic puppy's can be, but we will persevere! Time heals all .....