tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61679021397371276822024-03-13T11:03:12.766-05:00Sugar Camp CottageStories of Santa Claus makers, collectors, fine artists, crafstmen, artisans, chocolate molds, chalkware, gardening, drawing, painting, sculpting, vintage Halloween, vintage Easter, holidays.Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-73301315826910449722011-09-30T15:57:00.000-05:002011-09-30T15:57:05.098-05:00Norma DeCamp Santa Artist DVD Slideshow<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GxYBw7Bz4/ToYqOvDcG2I/AAAAAAAAAO4/0CbMdviKNt8/s1600/Artistnorma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7GxYBw7Bz4/ToYqOvDcG2I/AAAAAAAAAO4/0CbMdviKNt8/s320/Artistnorma.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I think the last time I updated you on Norma Decamp she was living in the Dominican Republic working in her son's mission. She gave up her thriving Santa making business to labor hard physically in a very different climate and conditions than her North Carolina cottage. A serious illness made her reconsider her choice and move back home. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm sure all her collectors are happy to see her well and back making Santas. I understand her wanting to be right in the trenches working but I think donations from the proceeds of her Santas might be more helpful. She was given a talent and the best use for that is to keep right on fashioning her Santas and Belsnickles.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSeOWG_EQvs/ToYqUyAH_aI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Ecybxi_Bb6U/s1600/IMG_8958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSeOWG_EQvs/ToYqUyAH_aI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Ecybxi_Bb6U/s320/IMG_8958.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8stCUtAk2A/ToYqDs0ohMI/AAAAAAAAAO0/0kpveq7zkV8/s1600/2011+Santa%2527s+%25287%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8stCUtAk2A/ToYqDs0ohMI/AAAAAAAAAO0/0kpveq7zkV8/s320/2011+Santa%2527s+%25287%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V91eMcjpGz4/ToYqeeSPwEI/AAAAAAAAAPA/vn5cIcn1ZfI/s1600/IMG_7714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V91eMcjpGz4/ToYqeeSPwEI/AAAAAAAAAPA/vn5cIcn1ZfI/s320/IMG_7714.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Norma has 1000's of pictures of her Santas and she sent me around 300 of them so I could make a slide show so her collectors could see her past and recent work. I felt kind of honored to be entrusted with this.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VKoODd1-g0/ToYp4FmP8cI/AAAAAAAAAOs/I4OVOSITqbw/s1600/DSC00021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VKoODd1-g0/ToYp4FmP8cI/AAAAAAAAAOs/I4OVOSITqbw/s400/DSC00021.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I came up with a very simple DVD of about 300 of her Santa photos and I have it for sale </span><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180728303009"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a> <span style="font-size: large;">at $14.99 . Fifty percent of the profits go to Norma who sends them to her son's mission. A second DVD is already in the planning stages.The DVD is about 30 minutes long and I think might be a nice little "background" to put on the television at Christmas when a movie might be too intrusive. </span></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-58348227387263114112011-09-12T15:07:00.001-05:002011-09-12T16:38:14.622-05:00If Not Now, When?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25J58aQGD70/Tm5k6H_oQbI/AAAAAAAAAOo/WTaBH3v1eds/s1600/IMG_7676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25J58aQGD70/Tm5k6H_oQbI/AAAAAAAAAOo/WTaBH3v1eds/s320/IMG_7676.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> For too many years I've lived with all white walls. Too much moving from here to there and living in rented condos, apartments, houses, duplexes, all sharing all white walls. Now that I have my own home I want saturated colors on every wall, on every ceiling. And I'm certainly not afraid of color. My bedroom is orange walls covered in a red glaze to make a rich Chinese red. The ceiling is midnight blue. All taken from a poster I love.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A friend in her 80's stopped by to see my house before she and her husband were to move away to be closer to their children so they could keep an eye on them. She saw the bedroom and exclaimed "If only I had the nerve to paint my house this way". If not now, when? Haven't you been sensible long enough? Her new condo was taken over and painted by her daughters and daughter-in-law. Sensible pastel colors. Being sensible women they wouldn't have allowed exotic or strong-willed colors.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> A few weeks ago at a local antique mall I came across a vintage plaster lamp of three owls. The sort of lamp repulsive but compelling. $9. I had to have it. My friend rolled her eyes and my husband was hoping he would accidentally drop it on the way to the car. But I knew it would be the perfect lamp for the corner of my desk. And it is. Funny thing is I purchased a magazine a few days later (<u>Flea Market Style)</u> and on page 19 was my lamp. The article was about "cool, ugly lamps". That about covers it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div> My decorating style is mostly about happy accidents or just accidents. World Market had a great sale on a big wood table with 4 chairs and bench. Carrying it up the stairs we scratched (gouged) the paint. Rather than touch it up, why not repaint. My olive green living room is now a stormy blue. Not a thing was bought to coordinate. Everything I own has been bought independently, on a whim, and mostly from Goodwill and ebay. But it works. It works for me. You see I don't have to be brave to paint my walls red and ceilings blue or buy ugly owl lamps. I don't care what anyone thinks of my style or lack of it. I'm just compensating for too many years of all white walls. And I don't want to be in my 80's and thinking I have to have nerve to paint my walls colors that make me happy rather than someone else happy. There is no someday. There is only now. And if not now, when?Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-42277750543671881292011-02-27T19:24:00.002-06:002011-02-28T07:49:46.480-06:00What's New at Sugar Camp Cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BcfBfiHWx14/TWunpICLVNI/AAAAAAAAANk/tMl-W33YeeQ/s1600/IMG_6689+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BcfBfiHWx14/TWunpICLVNI/AAAAAAAAANk/tMl-W33YeeQ/s400/IMG_6689+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PZsywFVxe0o/TWrxqhUqQaI/AAAAAAAAANQ/rmp4otVNTGo/s1600/IMG_6766+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PZsywFVxe0o/TWrxqhUqQaI/AAAAAAAAANQ/rmp4otVNTGo/s320/IMG_6766+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about my business. My business is me. I choose everything I sell. I take all the photographs, write all the descriptions, answer all the questions, and pack all the boxes. Always, I want to improve and grow. I want this little business to provide a living for me. I've already found the most important thing is to keep the customers I have. I know I can't compete on price alone. There is always someone smarter and bigger who can charge a dollar less and there is always someone dumber who will charge a dollar less until they realize one day their business is a hobby.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CcZzmun1Its/TWrz990OGBI/AAAAAAAAANY/c6l5jFxhkHA/s1600/IMG_6691+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CcZzmun1Its/TWrz990OGBI/AAAAAAAAANY/c6l5jFxhkHA/s320/IMG_6691+%25282%2529.jpg" width="317" /></a> So I strive for customer service. I will always answer your emails promptly. If I don't know the answer to your question I will find someone who does. If I don't sell what you need, I won't try to sell you what I have. I'll find someone who does sell what you need and point you in their direction. I know I can't make everyone happy, everyone satisfied. But I'll try. I throw myself wholeheartedly in this business. I try to choose unique things you may not find anywhere else. I won't sell anything that I don't consider to be excellent quality. I've taken some things from vendors and donated them straight to Goodwill. I can't allow my reputation to be cheapened. I will go out of my way to help, whether it's what glue to use with German glass glitter or how to get milk paint to crackle and age, I'll take the time to explain it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to earn and keep your business.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In the photos are my latest offerings, my own collection of vintage chocolate molds, beautiful new and vintage millinery flowers, Debra Schoch figures put out by the Bethany Lowe Company and giant German paper mache Easter eggs. Just click on my ebay and etsy store links belowand have a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SugarCampCottage?ref=si_shop">Sugar Camp Cottage on etsy</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Sugar-Camp-Cottage">Sugar Camp Cottage on ebay</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2zdO_lHfmf0/TWr0qU9awPI/AAAAAAAAANc/QDZg1ZInkvg/s1600/IMG_6571+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2zdO_lHfmf0/TWr0qU9awPI/AAAAAAAAANc/QDZg1ZInkvg/s320/IMG_6571+%25282%2529.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YgggKMACu3U/TWr0vYoot5I/AAAAAAAAANg/AIjbWtAh6rU/s1600/IMG_6593+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YgggKMACu3U/TWr0vYoot5I/AAAAAAAAANg/AIjbWtAh6rU/s320/IMG_6593+%25282%2529.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-28733200707485622782010-11-29T08:40:00.000-06:002010-11-29T08:40:24.071-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuqABnHuI/AAAAAAAAAMk/a1zbBrUvu6U/s1600/DSC00013+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuqABnHuI/AAAAAAAAAMk/a1zbBrUvu6U/s400/DSC00013+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">The Sacrifices We Make</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOvCrjIUqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/zCjmbaDVcVk/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOvCrjIUqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/zCjmbaDVcVk/s320/IMG_8926.jpg" width="240" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">Norma DeCamp could have spent the rest of her life comfortably in her North Carolina Cottage. If you haven't heard of her, she is a Santa maker. One of few popular enough to make a living entirely from her craft. Norma, reaching a time when most would start thinking of retirement and a time to take a well deserved break, instead chose to spend her life serving others</span>. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuo1B8T-I/AAAAAAAAAMg/nfAV5f5gIYQ/s1600/DSC00010+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuo1B8T-I/AAAAAAAAAMg/nfAV5f5gIYQ/s320/DSC00010+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Her son, David, has a mission on Samana Bay in the Dominican Republic, and Norma chose to join him. Since then it's been a life of work, physical work, emotional work with little time for Santas. For the past 6 months or so Norma has been battling pneumonia and other ailments. Finally she has turned the corner and begun feeling better. I have pictures of her latest work. It isn't for sale. Norma has a loyal customer base and only needs to contact them for her work to sell. I think these pieces are some of her finest work. Maybe it was the long absence that was her inspiration.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOus_5kF-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/183SPXv0DHg/s1600/IMG_8935+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOus_5kF-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/183SPXv0DHg/s320/IMG_8935+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I really admire someone who would make the choice of service over comfort. As I sit comfortably in my own home with the holidays approaching, what would it take to move me to such a life? What does it take to move anyone to give up the life you know and venture off into the unknown? What can I do from the comfort of my home this holiday season?</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuv47ILeI/AAAAAAAAAM0/zJJpa4GbBpM/s1600/IMG_8957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TPOuv47ILeI/AAAAAAAAAM0/zJJpa4GbBpM/s400/IMG_8957.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-69458313751533023122010-08-21T00:22:00.011-05:002010-08-21T07:07:09.322-05:00Pink Holidays<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1inof53DI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oVjgMJ0G3N8/s1600/pink2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1inof53DI/AAAAAAAAAK0/oVjgMJ0G3N8/s400/pink2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1isj257BI/AAAAAAAAAK8/SbUhT61LsKE/s1600/pink1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1isj257BI/AAAAAAAAAK8/SbUhT61LsKE/s320/pink1.jpg" width="264" /></a>About this time of year my local hobby store starts clearing the aisles to make way for Christmas ribbons and ornaments. I used to groan, it's <em>way</em> too early for this sort of thing. But now after selling holiday things year round for several years the decorations themselves have become almost season less, almost meaningless. I'm sure a lot of you who make Santas or Easter Bunnies are working out of season. At first it was disturbing, I didn't like painting chalkware Santas in September or unboxing bottle brush trees on a warm summer day. These things always seemed as if they should be accompanied by Christmas music and cookies. I live in a temperate climate, in northeastern Wisconsin. At times I've loathed the bitterly cold days that keep you stranded indoors, the cold at times so extreme that spending any length of time outdoors borders on reckless. I have lived in a tropical climate with year round balminess, then on to a rainy place, followed by a dry arid place. Perhaps it's just because I was born and raised here that I like the rhythm of this northern climate best. The definite seasons, winter being broken by days almost unbelievably beautiful as the grass begins to grow again and the trees leaf out. We tend to associate holidays with these rhythms, a white Christmas, a pretty spring day for Easter, corn shocks and fields of pumpkins for Halloween.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As time passes I make peace with unpacking Halloween decorations in the middle of summer and Easter bunnies showing up right after Christmas. I've found I still really associate the holiday with the changing of the seasons and not the objects, the dinners and traditions and not the decorations. I have found the meaning lies not in the things themselves but the meanings we give them when we invite them into our lives and give them a place in our homes. These things we labor on out of season are just waiting for someone's family and home to give them meaning. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Just an added note, I didn't create any of the things in these pictures, I do show some of my chalkware Santas in another post.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1iyybUDwI/AAAAAAAAALE/Lp8SP4cKuC4/s1600/pink3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TG1iyybUDwI/AAAAAAAAALE/Lp8SP4cKuC4/s640/pink3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3CBR%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3Ehttp://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/so-just-what-is-pink-saturday.html" target="blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/bijw9y.jpg" /></a> </div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-42897161016600930172010-07-24T13:50:00.002-05:002010-07-26T20:12:43.820-05:00Walter Dworkin and the Pursuit of Pixieware<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEsuUQ0g1jI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_hyxnO3fwbU/s1600/pixie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEsuUQ0g1jI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_hyxnO3fwbU/s320/pixie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table> I thought I had seen everything. At least everything available in an antique store or antique mall. Not so. I came across Walter Dworkin a year or so ago and found that he had not only amassed a huge collection of a vintage collectible I had never seen, but he'd also written the definitive book on them. Pixieware was created by the Holt Howard Company in 1958 and was produced up until the early 1960's. Even though I'm no very familiar with Pixieware there is something instantly recognizable about it. Something from that era of new ranch houses, backyard grilling, bouffant hairdos and John F. Kennedy in office. I asked Walter how he started collecting and what follows are in his own words.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> " <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEssXNEAElI/AAAAAAAAAKk/SgVTCKdB3Lc/s1600/author_x-mas_book.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEssXNEAElI/AAAAAAAAAKk/SgVTCKdB3Lc/s320/author_x-mas_book.bmp" width="209" /></a>My infatuation with Holt Howard's adorable Pixieware condiment jars started when I was just a young boy. I had ventured into a neighborhood hardware store looking for an anniversary gift for my parents. This particular hardware store sold a lot of kitchenware items also. While shopping in the store, I looked up above the register and saw a real cute display of Pixiewares---there must have about ten condiment jars all lined up like soldier's. I think at the time they were selling for approx. $3.99 each, and I only had enough saved up allowance to purchase 4 of them. I remember buying the ketchup,mustard, jam 'n jelly & onions.</div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My Pixieware gift was well received by my parents and promptly displayed in our kitchen on a shelf. Everyday at meal time the Pixies greeted us with their great facial expressions, and I grew up with these whimsical characters constantly around me. But, for many years it always haunted me that I was not able to afford the rest of the Pixieware that I saw in the store that day. As time went on, I had moved into my own apartment, and then a house. My parents had to down size and were moving into a smaller residence and asked me if I wanted to adopt the Pixies, and so I did. Now I was displaying the Pixiewares in my own Kitchen window and still wondering why I never saw the rest of their clan anywhere. One day friends came over and notice the Pixiewares ( this was already in the 1980's) and mentioned that they see more pieces of these Pixies at the Atlantic City Antiques Show, and my hunt was on and a collector was born !</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I started tracking down the rest of the Pixieware clan at flea markets, antique shops and collectible shows, I had thought that there were only 10 condiment jars to the set (little did I know then that there were over 65 pieces created by the Holt Howard Company). After many years, I was able to obtain a vintage 1957 Holt Howard catalog and was shocked to see just how many different Pixieware items were made. I would not rest till I found them all !! After many long years of searching to complete my collection, I had finally found all the pieces to the entire Pixieware set (and Mr. Howard and Mr Grant Holt) and decided to write a book.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Today, Holt-Howard's Pixiewares are over a half century old one of the hottest nostalgic collectibles!" <br />
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<span style="color: #660000;">Walter has written</span> <span style="color: black;"><em>Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles and Related Ceramicware of the 50s & 60s </em><span style="color: #660000;">available on Amazon He also wrote</span> <em>Vintage Christmas Ceramic Collectibles.</em> <span style="color: #660000;"> He sells the wonderful set of Pixieware in the first picture on ebay under the user id twingableseast You can contact him directly at </span><a href="mailto:pixieproud@aol.com">pixieproud@aol.com</a></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEsr_p5BMDI/AAAAAAAAAKc/037tXmJpF3s/s1600/pixie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TEsr_p5BMDI/AAAAAAAAAKc/037tXmJpF3s/s400/pixie.jpg" width="400" /></a>Thanks for your interest in the Pixies. My name is Walter Dworkin, I wrote the 2 Holt Howard books on collectibles. These cute Pixies on the first photo were made by John Howard of the Holt Howard Co and he created them in 2003 to commemorate the vintage Pixies from the 50's--they are NOT reproductions since they are the only ones of their kind---they are orignals made by the same person by only in 2003, thanks Walt</div><br />
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PS---if you look in my latest Holt Howard book 2nd edition on pages 32-33 these pixies are in there--if you would like a personally autographed copy of my book $19.99 + shipping-or I can mail the pixies & book together and save you the additional shipping, thanks again, WaltDeb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-69969210928469710952010-06-26T01:00:00.006-05:002010-06-28T16:01:46.598-05:00Little Luxuries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TCUKn-NP-OI/AAAAAAAAAJg/hCgC694wTvI/s1600/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TCUKn-NP-OI/AAAAAAAAAJg/hCgC694wTvI/s320/soap.jpg" /></a>I was reading <em>Inc.</em> magazine the other day and came across some of the best ideas for a business now. One was for a cupcake shop. The premise being that in a down economy we may put the big purchases on hold, but we're quite happy to treat ourselves to a fancy cupcake. The absolute other side to this are all the discussions being held about "The latte factor", that those little purchases add up and are what is putting us in debt. You've heard the story, give up your $4 morning chocolaty coffee drink and in 40 years you'll have $810,764 or something like that. I've lived for many years like Scrooge, seeing myself in Silas <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Marner</span>--forgoing the latte, the cupcake, and a good many other things. Undoubtedly it did build my savings account, and I was good at it, but anything taken to an extreme like a diet can lead to anorexia. How to know when to stop. Living that way can lead to a feeling of scarcity, that if I don't save this dollar another one may never come my way. Better that I learn to make a few extra dollars here and there and have my little luxuries. It's hard to believe that the pretty roses in the first picture are actually soaps. I came across them in the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">etsy</span> shop Satin & Birch <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SatinandBirch">http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">etsy</span>.com/shop/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">SatinandBirch</span></a> They're raspberry roses with a splash of lemon. I saw them and lusted after them for days. I just ordered and I'm awaiting their arrival. I will update when I get them in. (They arrived and are sitting on a rectangular Japanese plate and sweetly scenting my bathroom, really lovel soap.) You get a set of 4 and I'm keeping 2 and giving 2 to a friend. One of those little luxuries.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The remarkably frilly tutu is from the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">etsy</span> shop of Tiaras Tutus <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/tiarastutus">http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">etsy</span>.com/shop/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">tiarastutus</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a little indulgence for my granddaughter. It's still being made and I can't wait to see it. I have no idea what possible use it's going to have. Maybe a photography session, maybe Halloween, maybe just for dress up. A play-pretty with no other purpose than being pretty. Life is just so much more delicious with little treats. We <em>need </em>clothing to wear, but don't <em>need </em>tutus. We <em>need </em>food to eat, but no one <em>needs </em>a cupcake. We <em>need</em> soap to wash with but it's not necessary that it's shaped into roses and scented. But, rather than worrying that today's little splurge will lead me into poverty in later years I should view it a challenge and an ambition. How to make the extra money to give myself this feeling of being unabashedly wealthy. Taken this way my treats aren't "guilty pleasures", they're spurring me to ambition and action.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TCULQse3tbI/AAAAAAAAAJo/27-T-6SlIuk/s1600/il_fullxfull_133104743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TCULQse3tbI/AAAAAAAAAJo/27-T-6SlIuk/s400/il_fullxfull_133104743.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3CBR%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3Ehttp://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/so-just-what-is-pink-saturday.html" target="blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/bijw9y.jpg" /></a> </div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-7409421057383137022010-06-19T15:37:00.001-05:002010-06-20T05:40:34.329-05:00Ginger Beer, Cream Pots and Estonian Beer Bottles<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0e4FbluVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/tO5e7tWiox8/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0e4FbluVI/AAAAAAAAAIo/tO5e7tWiox8/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a>How marvelous would it be to reach into your refrigerator for cream for your coffee and pull out this bottle? Or the 3 in the next photo? These are cream pots from England and Scotland from 1890-1900. The owner is a friend, Peter Anthony van <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">de</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Griend</span> of Belgium. He is a mechanical engineer and worked for <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Elopak</span>, the maker of the first paper carton and what we all see milk packaged in today. He traveled all over Europe working with their milk packaging machines. The interest in packaging and labeling led to collecting vintage packaging and containers. And of course traveling all over Europe for work certainly helped to grow his collection.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0evd-MCYI/AAAAAAAAAIg/ojTObH72Mpg/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0evd-MCYI/AAAAAAAAAIg/ojTObH72Mpg/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0175.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0iuxyNFCI/AAAAAAAAAIw/D4ad0Igrjwg/s1600/A11_Mamelok_foto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0iuxyNFCI/AAAAAAAAAIw/D4ad0Igrjwg/s320/A11_Mamelok_foto.JPG" /></a>I find it fascinating what people collect and why. How one innocent item picked up leads to another and another. In the pictures that follow you'll see the collection that grew and grew. It seems now we just contain things in the cheapest possible way and then throw out the container. But once bottles were so beautiful they outlived their purpose and became little works of art on their own. When Peter retired he continued to travel and collect. He sought out rare vintage scrap pictures for <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Mamelok</span> press who reproduced them. He is shown here with the director of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Mamelok</span> Press. He is on the right. He bought a house in the countryside in Estonia and began a new interest in items of the Soviet era, being so close to the border. But most of all he collected bottles. The earthenware can in the next photo is the oldest piece in his collection from the 17th century. It was made to hold wine and named the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Jacoba</span> can from the ruler of the time, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Jacoba</span> van <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Beieren</span>. Following is a rare pair of Latvian liqueur containers in the shape of a pipe and pistol. The bottles on the high shelf are all Estonian hexagon shaped beer bottles. The next display are all ginger beer jugs and bottles. And finally displayed above the kitchen cabinets, a long line of beautiful cream pots. Imagine all the homes these cream pots graced over 100 years ago, and they're still gracing a home. And what more fitting a home than someone who spent their life engineering packaged milk?!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jeHzBv8I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/7-mwU3JNAGc/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jeHzBv8I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/7-mwU3JNAGc/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0170.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jnC_QHSI/AAAAAAAAAJY/8Y1THxRjI90/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jnC_QHSI/AAAAAAAAAJY/8Y1THxRjI90/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0178.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jSv9JvwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/6m6XBpU8heI/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jSv9JvwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/6m6XBpU8heI/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jA2nlWUI/AAAAAAAAAJA/jBXAZ8sMomc/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0jA2nlWUI/AAAAAAAAAJA/jBXAZ8sMomc/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0i3VI2xqI/AAAAAAAAAI4/uXEGTEwwAUQ/s1600/Copy_of_DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TB0i3VI2xqI/AAAAAAAAAI4/uXEGTEwwAUQ/s320/Copy_of_DSC_0018.JPG" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-2973625415635409312010-06-06T18:24:00.000-05:002010-06-06T18:24:52.173-05:00The Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and Wendy Mullen<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine a life where a business trip involves going to France and Germany and perusing chocolate shops and antique stores! It really is true that if you follow your dreams you never know where they may lead. I can't even tell you how many times I've been on the website <a href="http://victorianchocolatemolds.com/">http://victorianchocolatemolds.com/</a> . I've admired the molds for sale, looked at every link to artists who use the molds for chalkware, paper mache-- even chocolate! But I never knew the person behind the site. Wendy Kolar-Mullen is the author of 3 books, two on chocolate molds and one on candy containers. She is a collector and businesswoman, wife and mother to 5 children. I wanted to know when she came across her first mold and somehow turned it into such a unique and intriguing business. In her words-"I first started collecting 22 years ago. I was decorating cakes and in a cake supply store in San Jose--looked up on the top shelf and saw my first chocolate molds!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkNuvrrmI/AAAAAAAAAIA/ogN9g3cDBBM/s1600/Mr+Rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkNuvrrmI/AAAAAAAAAIA/ogN9g3cDBBM/s400/Mr+Rabbit.jpg" width="300" /></a>Immediately-I loved them..asked the owner--he said if you ever see one buy it--they are very hard to find especially here on the West Coast!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was before ebay of course </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, I scoured flea markets, antique stores--called every store in the phone book. At that time few people knew what they were--they could only identify the heavy duty cast iron cake molds--very frustrating!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After a year of searching, I was at my local antiques barn in the country and there I saw a hinged group of 4 bunnies on the wall--$45 about lost my mind!! Still have the mold and love it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I started finding more and then with ebay -made a friend and - we bought a large collection from Belgium--I had so many unique molds I started photographing them and decided to write my first book. Then of course I had more info and more photos and did the second book--the third book was on Antique Candy Containers-- inspired by beautiful plaster type molds used to make the containers--</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had the good fortune to meet the Great Great Granddaughter of mold maker Anton Reiche and learned so much about the mold making process and history from her--she showed me around Dresden, Germany where the Anton Reiche factory once operated --it was very special. I also collect the chocolate mold catalogues and have done much research and identfication of the molds that way.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkV7oKiQI/AAAAAAAAAII/KrnDBYP9Xgg/s1600/Santa+with+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkV7oKiQI/AAAAAAAAAII/KrnDBYP9Xgg/s400/Santa+with+children.jpg" width="297" /></a>Chocolate Molds are magic...they are amazing...so versatile--I am still as thrilled by molds today as I was 22 years ago! My favorite are German Bunnies and Santa's--</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have used my molds for chalkware, papier mache, soap, candles and of course chocolate--most of the time however, they are on display!!"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I've included pictures of two of her favorite molds, a gentleman rabbit and a very unique Santa holding a child. The last photo is of her latest book on antique candy containers. It's full of beautiful pictures that are just inspiring to me. I'd like to drop everything I'm doing and learn how to make these. But it's more than just pretty pictures, there's also a history of the largest manufacturers and the artisans who decorated them. There are even photos of a house made of the discarded molds used in place of bricks.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkdjGsZiI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/DR17B-WOasE/s1600/CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAwkdjGsZiI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/DR17B-WOasE/s320/CC.jpg" /></a></div>Her two books on chocolate molds are absolutely indispensable not just to the collector of molds, but to those who make paper mache or chalkware Santas and Easter rabbits. Which mold is rare, how much is this worth, what does the number imprinted on the side mean? All these are answered in her books, <em>The Complete Guide to Chocolate Molds </em>and <em>Collector's Guide to Chocolate Molds</em>. <br />
And I'll be returning again and again to her site looking for that special Santa or bunny and perhaps your interest is piqued enough that you will be there too.<br />
Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-19111166380318017242010-06-06T11:13:00.000-05:002010-06-06T11:13:53.976-05:00Pink Saturday Glitter Winner<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to thank everyone that stopped by and left a quote for me. I love to see what get's other people motivated. The winner in the random drawing is Leann.</span>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-10859151480577549982010-06-05T01:00:00.007-05:002010-06-06T11:12:12.603-05:00Pink Inspiration<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZVIG2uhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/NL10ZP00BlE/s1600/glitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZVIG2uhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/NL10ZP00BlE/s320/glitter.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZyJn4jCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/cXz83nQ0lbE/s1600/rosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZyJn4jCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/cXz83nQ0lbE/s320/rosa.jpg" /></a> Today I'm trading a little something pink for some inspiration. I have six 2 ounce packets of German glass glitter and micro beads (all pink of course!) to give away. In the comment section leave your favorite quote that inspires you. The one that actually gets your butt off the couch and gets you moving. The one that works. I will put all your names in a bag and have a disinterested third-party (my husband) randomly pick one. The little glitter prize will go to the winner. I will announce the winner in this very post on Sunday morning. One of my favorite quotes is by Stephen <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Pressfield</span> and contained within <em>The War of Art. </em>Absolutely one of my favorite books, read and read again. The sort of book you follow someone around with reading aloud just in case they need a little <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">inspir</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">ation</span> too. "Creating soap opera in our lives is a symptom of resistance. Why put in years of work designing a new software interface when you can get just as much attention by bringing home a boyfriend with a prison record." You all know someone like this. And it works, drama gets attention and it's really not all that difficult. Studying, creating, writing, getting up each and every day and doing what you need to do is difficult. When you're starting a business or </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">learning a craft, or just trying something that's outside of your comfort, it would certainly be easier to stop and distract yourself and everyone around you with a little drama. And you will get attention, but you'll never get anything done.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me know what motivates you. What gets you off the sofa and on to writing your book, sewing your quilt, making pottery, creating your dream.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZhD1ldDI/AAAAAAAAAHw/GIjvYgzuYjg/s1600/honeysuckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAgZhD1ldDI/AAAAAAAAAHw/GIjvYgzuYjg/s400/honeysuckle.jpg" width="400" /></a>Photos are of Rosa rugosa "Sandy" and Lonicera halliana. I especially love the rose. The deer who devour everything else they can in my yard do not touch it, insects don't eat it, and it grows fast and smells wonderful. In fall there are enormous rose hips. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3CBR%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3Ehttp://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/so-just-what-is-pink-saturday.html" target="blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/bijw9y.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-66214873226709108892010-05-31T08:18:00.003-05:002010-05-31T08:29:58.289-05:00Made in Maine: Paper Mache by Jackie Wildes<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOw9ZQ236I/AAAAAAAAAG4/oE7dOFEf6pI/s1600/jack3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOw9ZQ236I/AAAAAAAAAG4/oE7dOFEf6pI/s320/jack3.jpg" /></a></div> I was familiar with making chalkware rabbits and St. Nicholases, but not paper mache. So I got in touch with a paper mache artist for some pictures and tricks of the trade.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Jackie Wildes lives in Maine and works full-time. She started making chalkware about 6 years ago but has been enthusiastically painting and making things since she was a young girl. Selling her paper mache on ebay is part-time and a passion. Jackie like to work with new reproduction molds that are clear and easier to work with. I've done that too and believe me it's much easier when you can see air bubbles before you unmold your piece. It's less expensive to get started too. Antique molds are very dear and becoming dearer by the day as more people discover them and want to collect.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> "Here are a few tips- Spray a thin coat of cooking spray in both sides of the mold and lightly wipe them with a paper towel. Mix the paper mache (craft stores sell bags of the dry paper mache or a paper mache compound called Sculptamold which I like because it does not shrink) with water using enough water to get a meatloaf mix consistancy. Fill both halves of the mold and try to press out most of the air bubbles. Using an old credit card plane the surfaces so both sides are flat and put both sides together so they line up and next clip the sides together using strong stationary clips. It will set and become firmer in about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the mold and and the humidity. Once it is set carefully pull the molds off the piece. Using a flat edge clay tool scrape off any of the paper mache that may have oozed out of the seams and fill in any holes that will appear using a small batch of paper mache and the clay tool. Once the piece is molded let it air dry . </div><br />
Painting is the fun part of the process. I use acrylic paint and depending on the piece I use a sealer or use decoupage glue with a dusting of glitter. If I want to get a real vintage look I apply a coat of stain and wipe it off to age the piece."<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxg_aewoI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/x83rOj0FE4c/s1600/jack1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxg_aewoI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/x83rOj0FE4c/s320/jack1.jpg" /></a><br />
Jackie's tips really make me want to try casting paper mache. And if you try it yourself you will appreciate the work involved, from mixing, to casting the figure<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxStXl9lI/AAAAAAAAAHA/dYC8cXpihTg/s1600/jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxStXl9lI/AAAAAAAAAHA/dYC8cXpihTg/s320/jack.jpg" /></a>, to painting, glittering and choosing just the right accessories for the piece. I especially like her pieces like the snowman where a little winter vignette was created.<br />
You can find Jackie on ebay under the ebay seller id jacksonrackson in case you'd rather forego the work involved and buy one of these pretty pieces.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOx_IBPRkI/AAAAAAAAAHY/gkziHeshjgI/s1600/jack4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOx_IBPRkI/AAAAAAAAAHY/gkziHeshjgI/s200/jack4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOyHE_BS-I/AAAAAAAAAHg/whlvPxxckMA/s1600/jack5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOyHE_BS-I/AAAAAAAAAHg/whlvPxxckMA/s200/jack5.jpg" width="98" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxY41-4lI/AAAAAAAAAHI/GMFeJ40MpN8/s1600/jack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAOxY41-4lI/AAAAAAAAAHI/GMFeJ40MpN8/s200/jack2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-25285212735128245402010-05-29T02:02:00.010-05:002010-05-31T08:30:41.994-05:00Pink Mountains, Scouring Powder, and Starry Nights<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAATpie6C-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/3JQ0iHk0KhI/s1600/pinkmt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAATpie6C-I/AAAAAAAAAGo/3JQ0iHk0KhI/s320/pinkmt.jpg" /></a>I noticed the other day that all the mountains </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">in the paintings I own were pink. Am I attracted to pink mountains? Or do many artists paint their mountains pink? Here in north central Wisconsin I am too far away from mountains to do my own research.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Many mountains are made of granite. Granite consits mainly of quartz (the clear white part), hornblende (the black part), and feldspar which can be many colors but is often pink. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> As an aside, feldspar is the most abundant mineral on earth. It's used as the abrasive in at least one scouring powder. The next time you're scrubbing your sink it may be with powdered rocks.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAATiZx4vCI/AAAAAAAAAGg/iueJpKK0WSM/s1600/pinkmtn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="489" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAATiZx4vCI/AAAAAAAAAGg/iueJpKK0WSM/s640/pinkmtn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAAT0rxwycI/AAAAAAAAAGw/K-I-bWjNqOc/s1600/pinkm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/TAAT0rxwycI/AAAAAAAAAGw/K-I-bWjNqOc/s320/pinkm.jpg" /></a>No two of us are ever going to see things the same way. Perhaps great art is brought about by not only seeing a little differently, but be being daring enough to paint, write, or compose that very thing we see or hear. When I see Van Gogh's <em>Starry Night</em>, I think of fireworks against that dark blue sky. I'm sure others of his time (and ours) couldn't or weren't willing to see the fireworks. Afraid to stray from what's accepted. The legions of us who color within the lines, never stray from the path and keep ouselves locked within, afraid, will never paint pink mountains or fireworks in the night sky. We'll stay at home content to scrub our sinks with the dust of mountains. Just once see a thing as it really is--to only you--and follow where it takes you. You never know until you put hand to brush, or clay, or loom, what may spring from your heart. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3CBR%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3Ehttp://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/so-just-what-is-pink-saturday.html" target="blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/bijw9y.jpg" /></a> </div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-42870305135618123312010-05-26T14:48:00.003-05:002010-05-31T08:30:20.302-05:00How to Make a Chalkware Santa<div style="text-align: center;"> I still remember<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kGN3T0JI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Sk-YgAHN8RY/s1600/santa6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kGN3T0JI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Sk-YgAHN8RY/s320/santa6.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kUcb4oMI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/8aY1jncbkOY/s1600/santa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kUcb4oMI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/8aY1jncbkOY/s320/santa5.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kNUnw2xI/AAAAAAAAAGI/r9iUnymBick/s1600/santa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kNUnw2xI/AAAAAAAAAGI/r9iUnymBick/s320/santa7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kb4TIvQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/pQMtL2qAtro/s1600/santa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_1kb4TIvQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/pQMtL2qAtro/s320/santa4.jpg" /></a> the very first piece of chalkware I poured. I had obtained a couple of molds, some plaster of Paris and a little spare time. I clamped the molds, mixed the plaster according to instructions and poured. How easy is this! It's like pouring Jell-O in a mold! 15 minutes later I open the molds--my <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">chalkware</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Santas</span> look like Swiss cheese--full of holes. I was so discouraged I put the molds away for a year or so.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now 100's if not 1000's of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">chalkware</span> pieces later I have a little confidence.</div><div style="text-align: center;">What you'll need:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Metal or plastic mold with open bottom, </strong><strong>Plaster of Paris or art plaster, </strong><strong>Cheap plastic or rubber mixing bowl, </strong><strong>Cold water, </strong><strong>Spring clamps, </strong><strong>Sanding pad and knife</strong></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="center">Don't count on the little clips that may come with your mold to hold up to plaster. Get some spring type clamps from the hardware store. Use more that you think you'll need. You can use 2 oversize ones to stand your mold upside down or place it in florist foam or packing peanuts, anything to keep it standing straight when full of plaster.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fill a large flexible plastic or rubber bowl with some cold water , (keeps the plaster from setting too quickly). Just estimate the amount of water based on the molds you have ready. Just start with one or two until you get experience.<br />
Gently shake some plaster into the water, as it keeps absorbing keep adding plaster. At some point you'll see the plaster (roughly a 2 parts plaster 1 part water ratio though I never measure) peeking up from the surface. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I wear a disposable lightweight rubber glove to mix. Just start squishing the plaster around, squeezing out lumps and making it uniform. Do this carefully to not create air bubbles It should be the consistency of a thick milkshake. If not add a little more cold water or a little more plaster. You only have about 20 minutes total before your plaster sets so work quickly. With practice this will become easy. If your plaster is too thin your casting will be weak, if too thick it will be difficult to pour. You're shooting for as thick as you can mix it and still pour.<br />
Slowly pour the plaster (I dip a plastic measuring cup in the mix) into the mold, not in the center, just carefully to one side. Keep tapping the mold while pouring if you can. This will release any air bubbles. Make sure your mold is perfectly upright and bring any sort of straight-edge across the bottom to level it. Now just sit back for about 15 minutes. <br />
The plaster will heat up and expand a bit. When it starts cooling down it's ready to <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">unmold</span>. Take off all the clamps and carefully pull the mold off. There will be seams along the edge. It's best to take a little knife (a woodworker's curved carving knife works well) and shave off all the seams. If there are tiny air bubbles here and there you can fill them with ready mixed <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">spackle</span>. Large voids are almost impossible and that's why careful mixing and pouring are so important. It keeps you from tearing your hair out when you're <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">unmolding</span>.<br />
For clean-up let the plaster dry in the bowl and flex it out when dry. Have a five gallong bucket ready full of water and clean the molds and clips in it. Don't put any of this water down your drain. Just let the clean-up bucket sit and the plaster will eventually sink to the bottom and dry. You'll be able to pour off the clean water and the find the hardened plaster at the bottom.<br />
Let your casting dry. Take a sanding sponge and smooth all the seams until they're no longer visible. Level off the bottom by firmly drawing it across a sheet of sanding paper on a work surface. Now you're ready to paint. But that's a story for another day.<br />
In the photos are some molds and finished and partially finished <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">chalkware</span>. Last photo is a St. Nicholas with lots of hand painting and embellishments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-13448123496459460502010-05-23T16:31:00.002-05:002010-05-23T16:38:13.947-05:00What Santa Claus Does in Summer<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The latest work from Santa Claus maker Norma Decamp and her son David Decamp. Accompanied by a bit of prose that Norma writes about each piece that she makes.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mb9Zkgo_I/AAAAAAAAAFg/e8Fyg7LZubM/s1600/IMG_8347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mb9Zkgo_I/AAAAAAAAAFg/e8Fyg7LZubM/s320/IMG_8347.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mcCaBsyGI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rqdrgaCW8EM/s1600/IMG_8352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mcCaBsyGI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rqdrgaCW8EM/s320/IMG_8352.jpg" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_369582040"></span><span id="goog_369582041">Benjamin has been carving birds all his life. </span> His father was once a pirate and Benjamin</div><div style="text-align: center;">grew up loving the sea. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Homer is Benjamin's grandson. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ben carves birds down by the sea each day</div><div style="text-align: center;">and brings his work home at night to paint.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He sells them to the tourists that come by</div><div style="text-align: center;">and Homer is usually close by his side.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He lovingly carved Homer's sailboat and horse </div><div style="text-align: center;">and Homer is so proud of them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>Benjamin stands 15 inches” and Homer almost 8”<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">They are sitting on a piece of driftwood from Samana Bay</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">It measures 15 inches”. The birds were all hand carved by David, and hand painted. The tallest is an Ibis and stands 3 ½” tall. They vary from Spoonbills to Peacocks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Work is designed and created by Norma DeCamp and David Decamp of Samana Bay Mission, Dominican Republic </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mother and Son</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mgLUJ2TTI/AAAAAAAAAF4/-VBCJww5Ego/s1600/April_Work_2_089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_mgLUJ2TTI/AAAAAAAAAF4/-VBCJww5Ego/s320/April_Work_2_089.jpg" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-87683025051675422312010-05-22T08:28:00.001-05:002010-05-22T18:12:43.160-05:00Which Came First?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWmk8Jk1I/AAAAAAAAAFI/Zn6_zWqwRPc/s1600/ballerina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWmk8Jk1I/AAAAAAAAAFI/Zn6_zWqwRPc/s320/ballerina.jpg" /></a>Imagine a caveman at work on his cave paintings, he mixes together a little iron oxide and lime and makes pink. Does he think "<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">hmm</span>, this go in daughter's cave". Do we grow up learning that pink is a more feminine color or would we just naturally respond to it that way? If we paint prison walls pink does it calm the prisoners? And if so does it just have a naturally calming effect or does it remind the prisoner of Grandma's powder room or frosted cupcakes and these things do not connect with bad behavior. I once bought my husband a shirt that was yellow and blue (when he had a job that required the wearing of a tie) and a little too flamboyant for him. He wore it once and gave it to Goodwill. He swears the shirt was pink. Pink may well be the most one of the most polarizing colors. You don't dress your baby boy in pink, paint your house pink (unless you're in the John Cougar song <em>Little Pink Houses) </em>or paint your pick-up truck pink unless you're really making a statement. You do put pink roses on a birthday cake, dress little girls in pink tutus, wear pink lipstick and plant pink roses. It's a color you choose carefully. You don't fall back on it because it's safe, it's far too powerful. It's strength lies in it's connotations. When our caveman mixed up his first batch of pink pigment he knew he couldn't paint animals with it, it wasn't a practical color it was an extraneous luxurious color. A color to delight in.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWwpBePXI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Fclb5RIHElY/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWwpBePXI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Fclb5RIHElY/s320/cake.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWrcI2yRI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/K6sCFNo861I/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_WWrcI2yRI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/K6sCFNo861I/s320/cupcake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3E%3CBR%3E%3C/P%3E%3CP%3Ehttp://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/so-just-what-is-pink-saturday.html" target="blank"><img src="http://i36.tinypic.com/bijw9y.jpg" /></a> <br />
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Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-11448979141726076732010-05-16T13:26:00.002-05:002010-05-16T16:56:04.168-05:00Santa Claus, Samana Bay and a Cat Named Mango<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_ApSsSNyqI/AAAAAAAAAEY/DuNX2cfAgpM/s1600/April+Work+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_ApSsSNyqI/AAAAAAAAAEY/DuNX2cfAgpM/s320/April+Work+001.jpg" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_Apcixh-PI/AAAAAAAAAEo/2__LxFsjVn4/s1600/April+Work+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_Apcixh-PI/AAAAAAAAAEo/2__LxFsjVn4/s320/April+Work+013.jpg" wt="true" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_ApZQMGo2I/AAAAAAAAAEg/6j4vjfREzVQ/s1600/April+Work+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S_ApZQMGo2I/AAAAAAAAAEg/6j4vjfREzVQ/s320/April+Work+007.jpg" wt="true" /></a></div> If you collect Santa Claus figures, chances are you've heard of Norma Decamp. For 35 years she's been making Santas. Her style is instantly recognizable, faces full of expression and character, beards of wool, robes made from bits and pieces of rich antique fabrics. And then there are the embellishments: little vintage dolls of German bisque, tiny handmade toys, bottlebrush trees, sleighs and wagons pulled by reindeer.<br />
In 2006 Norma discovered ebay and a whole new world of people discovered Norma. Her work was sought after, bid up and just generally created a stir. Norma sometimes sold molds of her Santa heads which were quickly snapped up so that others could try and recreate the magic that Norma has.<br />
She could have remained content in her North Carolina cottage creating her art and creating a stir, but success is not always measured in dollars and praise.<br />
Just this year Norma joined her son David at the mission he started in the Dominican Republic. This is from Norma's latest letter. "My son is the one that started this mission, it was a dream he had years ago, in fact he was only 15 when he thought of it, he wanted to try to help people to not only know the guiding light in their lives better, but to teach them how to raise gardens, purify their water, just how to survive in the country and like it. The cities are getting so crowded and so full of crime, country living is fantastic if one is willing to learn. We grow 30 different fruit trees on this compound, and have three different gardens here, there are lots of wonderful palm trees supplying us with coconuts, and we grow pineapples, bananas, plantain, we have avocado trees and mangos, in fact we have a wonderful cat named Mango that thinks he is a dog and hangs out all the time with our 7 dogs."<br />
The sailboat, the Santa, and the fisherman are all Norma's latest work. I wonder what effect living in a tropical climate will have on future work. Geography and a "sense of place" tend to have such an effect on our lives. And a sense of purpose will have such an effect on others through Norma's life.<br />
For more information on the mission visit <a href="http://www.samanabaymission.org/main/welcome">http://www.samanabaymission.org/main/welcome</a> </div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-48062411548499015352010-05-10T12:13:00.003-05:002010-05-10T19:34:52.425-05:00What Lies Beneath The Doll Collection Part 2<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gvvzu8mLI/AAAAAAAAADY/fYAwAlLq0Es/s1600/Puppen-Eckbank+compl+mit+Jessica+1+2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gvvzu8mLI/AAAAAAAAADY/fYAwAlLq0Es/s320/Puppen-Eckbank+compl+mit+Jessica+1+2828.jpg" tt="true" /></a>Looking at this charming vignette I wonder if it's not a portrait of the doll collector, Dorothea, as a young girl. A time more innocent, before WWII. Yesterday we met the doll collector and today we will see a few of her dolls. Her husband Manfred built this window seat and Dorothea painted the watercolor "window". When one flees ones' country with only the clothes on their back and their childhood doll I suspect either a person would either grow to love or hate dolls. Dorothea grew to love them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gszm9cIbI/AAAAAAAAADQ/-slpp8t81a8/s1600/Zeile+2+Abteil+1+Celluloid+2060.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gszm9cIbI/AAAAAAAAADQ/-slpp8t81a8/s320/Zeile+2+Abteil+1+Celluloid+2060.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a> Curious about the celluloid dolls in this photo I had to do a little research. Celluloid was first made in the 1860's and is semi-synthetic. It's clear and could be dyed to imitate many natural materials. The dolls have a sort of luminosity that you just can't get with the darker Bakelite. Celluloid has a few drawbacks, it's extremely flammable and deteriorates with moisture. Celluloid dolls needed some care to survive and to continue to survive. Most celluloid dolls were made between 1900 and 1950. When you think of war and upheaval in Europe during these times think how squirrelled away and cared for these dolls must have been to have survived. I can only imagine some young girl having one as her only possession and keeping her safe as she was kept safe.</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gv3H0s9hI/AAAAAAAAADg/l2K08bEGGPg/s1600/Zeile+2+Abteil+3+meine+Puppen+2062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gv3H0s9hI/AAAAAAAAADg/l2K08bEGGPg/s320/Zeile+2+Abteil+3+meine+Puppen+2062.jpg" tt="true" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gwFhq-mzI/AAAAAAAAAD4/hlrvsdHmd-Y/s1600/Neuer+Schrank+OBEN+2+3024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gwFhq-mzI/AAAAAAAAAD4/hlrvsdHmd-Y/s320/Neuer+Schrank+OBEN+2+3024.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Christmas scene and the grouping on the left are new dolls, some of them made by Dorothea and some made by other doll artists. I often wonder how anyone in this world can ever get bored when there are worlds within worlds. Worlds for you to create. Just open the door to the next room and create a miniature world. A world of never ending ideas for the next display and to come up with the suitable clothing and accoutrement's. The dolls dressed in their white lacy finery and perched atop little wicker chairs are antique. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gv74EG8MI/AAAAAAAAADo/7Pdv5TRaVzQ/s1600/Zeile+2+Antik+2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-gv74EG8MI/AAAAAAAAADo/7Pdv5TRaVzQ/s320/Zeile+2+Antik+2061.jpg" tt="true" /></a> The massive case divided into kitchens and schoolrooms and scenes of everyday life was built by Manfred who didn't take up woodworking until a few years ago. A retired man and woman in a small English seaside village create perfect little scenes of everyday life and care for the dolls. And someday a new generation will delight in these and take over their care and keep them safe.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-imHoe81XI/AAAAAAAAAEI/4FJOSCRKqhs/s1600/Gesamtansicht+Puppenschrank+2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-imHoe81XI/AAAAAAAAAEI/4FJOSCRKqhs/s320/Gesamtansicht+Puppenschrank+2088.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-56983373830839650042010-05-09T16:35:00.000-05:002010-05-09T17:15:21.880-05:00What Lies Beneath The Doll Collector Part 1<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cgURlsjOI/AAAAAAAAACI/AaZH3Tq3mqI/s1600/Dorothea+4+March+2010++Ausschnitt+3894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cgURlsjOI/AAAAAAAAACI/AaZH3Tq3mqI/s200/Dorothea+4+March+2010++Ausschnitt+3894.jpg" tt="true" width="140" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cgcNciL0I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZAzD99S80dI/s1600/Manfred-Texas-Auto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cgcNciL0I/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZAzD99S80dI/s200/Manfred-Texas-Auto.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How could you help but be absolutely charmed by this pair? Dorothea in a striking red cape by the sea and Manfred on vacation in Texas looking the perfect rancher. Perhaps you'd come across them gardening in the yard of their modest brick home in a small English seaside village. Their lives would appear quiet and idyllic and seem as if life has always been thus. Dorothea is a doll collector and maker and Manfred builds fine cabinets, merry-go-rounds, bay windows and other settings for her dolls. He has his own collection of 7000 seeds, but that is a story for another day.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Dorothea was born in Eastern Germany at the very end of the war. Her early life was spent often in bomb shelters and they could see the burning of Dresden from 40 kilometers away. "This time and this unpleasant start in my life had lots of effects to my life, my health and my soul." The family had never been communists and life was hard. She attended school in Eastern Germany until the age of 16. "I loved going to school and learning was very easy for me and pure pleasure." On the 10th of December 1960 she decided to escape to Western Germany and take her mother whose health was failing with her. It was 8 months before the wall was built.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"We left home in the very early morning and had to catch a bus to the next village and from there we went with the train to Berlin. Outside Berlin there was a train (something between a train and a tram).. a special transportation system in Berlin: some of the lines crossed the City and one was going in a ring road around Berlin... so for sure you came into West Berlin... but you had to KNOW when West Berlin started. When we entered this special train we could see this police pulling people out of this train ... just this one and an other one.. and 2 of this police man (in black leather coats with NO writing on) have been standing on both ends watching everything was was going on in between... and my mother could not move a step forward from fear... so I cried to her... come on we HAVE to go in this train and she came and we went in and the train started... We have been still on the Eastern side. I think we had 3 or 4 stops before we have been in Western Berlin. After 4 stops my mother asked a middle aged women what the name of the next stop is... this woman did not answer my mothers question, she said: you are safe now... If she could see (or read on our forehead or otherwise in our faces!!!) everybody else could have guessed what we have got in mind. The next stop WAS West Berlin and we have been safe on the Western part of Berlin. We had to go up steps and then I throw our key from home away... We knew we could never go back... All what was HOME, the past and the life so far was behind us... "</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"We had only the clothes on our body and a small bag and my DOLL!!!!! from childhood. Then we went to the place were all this people had to go first... and lived with 6 people in one room and had to go to several authorities and answer questions... why we came and if we would have relatives on the Western side (which we did not have) and were we would like to go.... we had NO idea.. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ohhh</span> I could tell you lots of stories which happened there... But I remember - as it was shortly before Christmas - there was a choir from the US-Army and they sung "White Christmas" for us... I still get goosebumps when I only think about it... And we get vouchers... for fruits, for milk, for chocolate and and the end of this 10 days we have been in different camps in Western Berlin."</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She needed to work to support herself and her mother and she attended school at night. She marries and her mother re-marries. But Dorothea has done it more for convenience than love. After 7 years she divorces and moves to Switzerland to work for a bank. The bank invests in her education and she becomes a personal manager and life is good. But about to get better. "In 1973 I get married again and this time it was like the biggest win in the lottery: when I write this, we are happy married for 37 years." 25 of those years are spent in Zurich, Switzerland and 12 more retired in the south of England. This is where you find this couple today in their modest brick home surrounded by gardens, living their idyllic life.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The story behind the story, so much more compelling. The road one takes to find their way home.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomorrow the dolls.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cqnqJhfaI/AAAAAAAAACY/ZrugnYOPEKU/s1600/Gesamtansicht+Puppenschrank+2088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-cqnqJhfaI/AAAAAAAAACY/ZrugnYOPEKU/s320/Gesamtansicht+Puppenschrank+2088.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-38864973076754275582010-05-07T14:32:00.000-05:002010-05-07T15:31:20.882-05:00Words Mean Things<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-Rq7lj4nzI/AAAAAAAAACA/zB9Ff3ga_40/s1600/lil.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468613419462074162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-Rq7lj4nzI/AAAAAAAAACA/zB9Ff3ga_40/s320/lil.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 259px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a> Consider the Common Lilac, Syringa vulgaris. Syringa stands for tube (like a syringe) and refers to a young state of the twigs of the plant and vulgaris just means common. Isn't it funny how something vulgar now is coarse and low, but really means common? Lilacs are exuberant flowers, you can gather them by the armloads from the roadside or abandoned farms. They're not royalty like roses, they don't last long in a vase and I've never seen them in a flower shop. In an old book of mine entitled <em>Rural Wreath, Or Life Among the Flowers</em> it shows that Lilacs mean "The first emotions of love" . And it would be a fitting flower to present to a new love.<br />
Nowadays we don't think much about the meaning of flowers. We give red roses to sweethearts on Valentines Day bound by tradition and the receiver knowing they cost you dearly. But there was a time when there was a secret language of flowers and you could give a bouquet fraught with meaning, delicious to the receiver. Perhaps a bouquet of Flowering Almond (Hope), Jonquil (Is my affection returned?) Snapdragon (Dazzling yet dangerous), and Tulip (Beautiful eyes) . What would such a bouquet say to the receiver? How much more flattering when filled with meaning? A secret passing between two rather than a showy display. A vase overflowing with Common Lilacs, the first emotion of love?Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-64837492758554635012010-05-06T14:01:00.000-05:002010-05-08T08:16:30.839-05:00Norma Decamp Update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-MSHpUzbKI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JCYXQeMdfU8/s1600/April+Work+019.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-MSHpUzbKI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JCYXQeMdfU8/s320/April+Work+019.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> Some of you are waiting for a cd of Norma Decamp's work. If you're not familiar with her she's an artist primarily known for her Santa Claus figures. Her work can be found in collections around the world, from Tom Cruise to Oprah. She lives now at a mission in Samana Bay in the Dominican Republic. The mission was founded by her son David, also an artist. Although she meant to devote herself to the mission, Norma can't help but create and she's still making Santas and other figures like this. The cd will be made in the near future and I'll be offering it for sale. In the next few weeks I'll do some installments on Norma's life and work. She recently generously shared lots of photos and a lovely letter about life at the mission, which I will soon share with you. <br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-72045911952189093102010-05-05T15:08:00.000-05:002010-05-05T16:39:14.919-05:00Pretty or Painfully Pink?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-HQe9IRbaI/AAAAAAAAABw/d3JLMt40GWw/s1600/pink.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467880652828405154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S-HQe9IRbaI/AAAAAAAAABw/d3JLMt40GWw/s320/pink.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I've always been a lover of deep colors. Jewel tones and spices. My favorite is Chinese red. Pastels just seemed too insipid. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Today these pink foil German Dresden papers arrived for my store along with some velvet millinery flowers. I just happened to have out some vintage French postcards. It was a perfect storm of pink. Somehow it doesn't seem too insipid. Somehow it looks rich and glorious.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Ever wonder what part color plays in your everyday life? I don't have the answers, just the questions. I just know that I lived in too many rented places with all white walls and the minute I owned my own place, the walls were sage and sunflower. Every last bit of white, even every ceiling was a rich color. And looking around makes me happy. A friend once looked at the red walls and midnight blue ceiling of one of my rooms and said "I sure wish I had the nerve to paint my bedroom like this." She was in her 70's. If not now, when? Who are your rooms for?</div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-84442140923479770992010-05-03T15:49:00.000-05:002010-05-03T16:02:53.363-05:00A smiling Face<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S98250D8tXI/AAAAAAAAABo/mnOV464E1OE/s1600/IMG_3554.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S98250D8tXI/AAAAAAAAABo/mnOV464E1OE/s320/IMG_3554.JPG" /></a> Today was a good day. I thought a smile would be appropriate. It's not my smile but it certainly captures the way I feel. Not that anything spectacular happened. I didn't win the lotto, magically drop 5 pounds or have Oprah or Martha Stewart call inviting me to appear on their shows. But it's a beautiful day, the air is filled with the scent of crabapple and lilac blossoms. I accomplished pretty much everything I set out to, all the nagging unanswered emails, the paying of the bills. I'll soon be on my way out the door to a drawing class I'm taking. I'm excited about the possibility of sketching a face that looks more like a portrait than a cartoon. Maybe it's just spring and life feels full of hope.<br />The little pumpkin man is a reproduction of a vintage Halloween toy. And really in honor of a friend recently passed who loved Halloween very much. And I miss her very much. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" border="0" alt="Posted by Picasa" align="middle" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" /></a>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-44247434588663593472010-05-01T15:55:00.000-05:002010-05-01T16:03:50.770-05:00Pretty White Dove<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S9yVagr05lI/AAAAAAAAABY/2Gn6_AArqNo/s1600/dove.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466408330403833426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S9yVagr05lI/AAAAAAAAABY/2Gn6_AArqNo/s320/dove.jpg" /></a><br /><div>What a lovely little image this is from The Graphics Fairy. I just love antique advertising. Imagine how long it would take to shop if we had labels like these to pore over when buying cosmetics or groceries. Instead we're looking for ingredients or to see if there are transfats or high fructose corn syrup. For me I'd love to see appealing labels like these. Sometimes I buy things just for the packaging, like tins of steel-cut oats or Caswell-Massey soaps.</div><div>A pretty white dove in the moonlight, what could be more appealing?</div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167902139737127682.post-32796663548507655002010-04-30T18:30:00.001-05:002010-06-19T08:40:08.817-05:00Faux French Chalkboard<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S9toP-JWg1I/AAAAAAAAABQ/pzs5E_nyaQg/s1600/cha.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466077196333777746" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zmy5yDwbwu0/S9toP-JWg1I/AAAAAAAAABQ/pzs5E_nyaQg/s320/cha.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div align="right"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"></span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">How would you like to have this on your menu for today? I love designing and painting signs and this one was done for a bakery. The chalkboard part isn't chalkboard and the lettering isn't chalk. It's all paint. Thus the "faux" part. I'm pretty far away from France, too. So I guess that's "faux" too. What is it though about our notion of a perceived French flea market style that's so appealing? I don't know, I just know I like to surround myself with things that have a story or appear to have a story. Or maybe I can make up a story how I came across this in Paris and all the trouble and expense I had shipping it back home.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Deb Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05520171872062394800noreply@blogger.com0