WINTERFEST!

last evening across this great land an event occurred that none can beat... clayamies winterfest!

a virtual gathering of good friends and good --well sometimes a bit silly -- conversation and sharing of gifts and wishes. gera was our winterfest coordinator this year and did a super phenomenal job of selecting secret santas, counting us down with preparations for the big party, such as gathering a candle, writing out wishes that were sent out to the universe in the wish burning ceremony, and preparing our snacks and drinks...

it was great. it was wonderful. such a sharing group i shall never know elsewhere...

i was astounded, amazed and delighted by tina's gift to me . . .


here she is...Allura. . . she is so perfect!

eyes of green tiger eye, and those spectacles... have you ever???








and here is the ultimate...

where oh where did i put that large green crystal. .. .

thanks, tina, and for remembering. . .


i just can't wait to see all the other secret santa gifts, as the descriptions were delicious......

Hooray, i won!!!

what a wonderful show! and what a super day. our land o lakes artisans' guild Christmas show was a huge success. we had many people come and peruse our work and many had very good sales.
all in all it was a magnificent end to a great year for our guild. we are on our way to many more years of exciting work and great creativity from our members.

here is a photo of me in my booth. you can see my winning ornaments in yesterday's post. i wish the photo could do it justice.... the little camel and there is a sheep behind mary.... patting myself on the back maybe, but it did turn out very well and very adorable... and amazing to me because i don't usually have any luck working so small ---

thanks lynn and committee for a fine job! and thanks carolyn for coming and for this great photo.

Last Show of the Year...

Sunday will be the Christmas Show and Sale of our Land O' Lakes Artisans' Guild for 2007. this show will be the culmination of our first year as a guild, and we have done wonderful things this first year in business--so to speak. we were introduced at Arts By The Lake, a lovely show put on by Ron and Susan Wulf, guild members and glass artists.

at that show we had our first challenge, a toilet roll cover which i have already posted here with the winning cover, done in cast paper by bonnie mclean. we do it as a people's choice award, and ask all attendees at the show to vote for the one they like the best.

we are having an ornament challenge for this christmas show, and here are my entries --


little tree with hanger











little nativity scene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . little cabin in the snow

the little tree is about 2 1/2 inches tall, the little round shadow box ornaments are also 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

NB. thank you to those who comment here and in former blogs. if you would identify yourself, i could answer your questions.

Winter is Here!!!

the last few days have seen snow on and off, winter storm warnings calling for freezing rain, ice pellets, snow and all manner of winter stuff. so far it doesn't seem as bad as they foretold, but perhaps more is coming... as it is the storm that shut down the mid west a few days ago.

here are some photos of my winter wonderland. . .


path to the front door from the carport . . . detail along the way . . . my shop and driveway from a living room window. . .

Finished. ..

i am quite pleased with my geisha, but as always, that parts could be better will keep me working onward. and new ideas continue to come into my head so i will continue to work on these kaleidaladies and kaleidasculptures... so here she is...

My Geisha and her kaleidoscope --


note: The 'scope fits under her skirt, the photos do not show my geisha or the scope in the same size format.

She is about 12 inches tall and the
'scope is 5 1/4 inches tall.





another two views...














and two images . . .

Steps along the way. . .

well, here is my geisha, ready to go into the oven for the second time... last time i baked her, her kimono feel apart, so this time instead of standing up, i will bake her lying down with --as you can see-- lots of padding for support!

i am a bit nervous about this time, but i have learned a great deal along the way about how polymer clay works and doesn't work...

i will now be able to finish her scope and hopefully all will work out to take her to the gallery tomorrow for the open house.

i am happy to say that so far my scopes have been well received.