Another show...

The show went okay,
not as well as the first but that is okay because I learn something new every time:)
My booth for this show was considerably smaller and tested my display skills for sure.


I was thankful for the years I had spent working for a design boutique in Temperance, MI.
The store was small but my bosses purchasing habits were not!
Every Christmas was the same story how do we fit 400 yards of goods into a 20x40 space?
With a lot of imagination, coffee, humor and little sleep.

The booth still needs lots of tweaking and
I have started sketching out some new ideas for the next show.

So many people commented on my hand painted floor cloth, that I may add these to our
product line next year, in a much smaller version of course:)
The other comments that we found interesting were
how many people thought my ornaments were decorations for baby rooms.
I guess it must be my color pallet and whimsical
style?
Lots of folks also wanted baby's first Christmas and personalized ornaments.
I had a few pieces that accommodated their needs.

Like this fun little hat ornament.
I brought it back to the studio and I
added two little paper clay stars for the name and year of birth.

Of course this got the wheels spinning,
and I am already working on new designs for baby.

I have also received some special request via email for these custom pieces.

Two personalized Quilted Tree ornaments
and a new doggy garland with yellow Labradors.



Now with the shows behind me and the custom pieces completed
I can focus on hand made gifts and my holiday decorating.

As soon as I have some holly jolly set out I will share some photos
of our little nest:)
Hope all your holiday projects are coming along well and you are having a jolly good time.

Until next time my dears,
gingerbread kisses and eggnog wishes!

xoxo
Mary

Winter has arrived...

The snow has been falling steady since early this morning.

Turning the view out my studio window into a winter wonderland.



I wish the pups and I could go out and play in it but there is just to much work to be done.
The show went so well last weekend (thank you for the well wishes):) that I have decided to do another one this Saturday in Boyne City, MI.
I should have my head examined!
Oh well no time for that now maybe after the New Year. LoL!

Here are some photos from my booth,


and of me and my Mom Rita Roo!

We even made it on the front page of our local paper,

Big thanks to the owners of the paper, Kathy and Scott Swanson!
You guys are sweet but sneaky:) Tee hee!

Okay enough silly pictures of me here is the good stuff...
the latest yum, yums out of the elf factory.

Ta Da,
please meet the Elf Elders Gate Keepers to the Land of Glee.


If you are pure of heart and on a true quest for Glee,
access they will grant to thee.

A little FYI, legend has it they can be bribed with peppermint bark
from the Forest Of Fa La La.




I have also been working on a new collection called Christmas at the Cottage.

Images of holly berry, cardinals, snow capped roof tops and festive wreaths
are depicted in a vintage pallet of vanilla, antiqued red and cheery greens.

I wrote this little verse to compliment the collection:

Christmas At The Cottage.

Cardinals flit about with winter on their wings.
Then huddle in the holly when bells begin to ring.

Horses trot through the deep,
past frosted trees fast asleep.

Beyond the branches a dim light gleams,
while skaters dance on crystal streams.

Snow begins to fill the air,
now over the bridge you're almost there!

Past the pines through the gate,
Where your cottage faithfully waits.
Copyright 2009 Mary Wadsworth

This is my favorite piece so far.
This wall pocket is sooo "cottagie" with its scalloped edge and polka dot sash.

Hand made from paper pulp and paper clay.



A stocking hung with care...
And a cozy cottage for two,

I love this color palette and imagery so much
I know this collection is going to grow and grow.

Hope all of your holiday projects are coming along.
I will be checking in with all of you later.
So until then happy holiday creating my little elves.
Peppermint wishes,
Mary

Snow and a Show

Well I guess I can start talking about Christmas now
because it snowed here the other day (just a little)
and I had my first holiday show yesterday.

The show was hosted by my friend Kathy Vantreese
the talented artist and owner of Cold Nose Productions

and her crazy sidekick the ever elegant yet odd Madame Stella.
Stella arrived late and by the looks of it I think she had already been dipping into the eggnog
a bit earlier.
Oh Stella!


Kathy is currently working on her new website
and I have been trying to get her blogging, we'll have to wait and see.
So until she does I will share some photos of her work and provide her email,
coldnose@charter.net just in case you see something you must have for the holidays.
She salvages wool blankets and sweaters,
felts them and turns them into fun and festive creations.
Such as:
Embellished gloves, patched pockets for sunglasses or cell phones,
decorative pillows,


and these super fun felted garlands, that sold like crazy:)!
She also makes rag rugs, felted stuffties and Christmas trees.
Her work is happy and homey with a touch of nostalgia,
truly a delight.

The sweet little plaid flower brooches are the handy work of my talented friend Mary Kushner.
Are these not the cutest, I just love plaid!

Here is a close up.

If you want one or a "bunch":) let me know and I will put you in touch with Mary.

Kathy had me set up my display in the front of the shop with the window as my backdrop.
It was a lovely bright day and my ornaments glistened in the sunshine.
The Perfect setting to introduce some of my new pieces...
A new garland in a Scottie dog theme
New mitten ornaments,


and new wall tiles, take a close look at the ribbon.
Hand made out of a muslin strip embellished with paint and word stamps!

I love how this turned out I think this would be so sweet for a child's first Christmas or an adorable addition to a nursery.


And cottagie fish in fun colors.




The show was a great success and so much fun!
Just what I needed to get me in holiday motion.
My next show is the day after Thanksgiving at our high school in Indian River.
So the next few weeks are going to be a paper mache marathon!


I have more new pieces to share but I have to get some house projects done and packages ready for the mail so that's all for now my dears:)
I can't wait to settle in with a cup of tea later tonight and visit with all of you via blogland.
xoxo,
Mary

Gathering the Goodness of Fall

I love to capture real life moments with words and paper mache.

The other day I was sitting on the window seat in my studio,
working on my to do list for the day when a squirrel caught my eye.
He sat on the branch of our big old oak tree munching away.
His tail curled along his back like a blanket.


I let my eyes fall down the moss covered trunk to my flower bed below.
The flowers had begun to bow to the autumn chill
while still clinging to their faded blossoms aged by wind and rain.



Such a beautiful pallet of browns, pinks, purples and greens.

The blue sky was alive with flocks of birds
that moved with effortless grace like choreographed dancers.
I was so inspired by this moment
I was moved to create a piece that would capture this beautiful scene.



Sometimes when I make a new piece or a painting,
a story starts to emerge and sometimes just a few short lines.
I love incorporating words into my work.
To me this adds one more dimension or layer to the piece.
Drawing the viewer in an enveloping them into that moment.

As I looked out the window I was reminded of the old saying " birds of a feather flock together"
and decided to incorporate this into the work.
This piece has a an excerpt from the poem below which I wrote in free verse form.


The wind whips and the trees dance. Leaves swirl to the ground like bits of confetti. Sun kissed clouds blush a pale pink against a forever sky. While the squirrels and birds of a feather flock together gathering the goodness of fall.


The excerpt on the tag reads,
"Birds of a feather flock together, gathering the goodness of fall."


This birds on this piece are made with a liquid paper mache mix
which my husband and I have perfected over time.
We pour the mix into a mold that we make out of silicone.
Any molds I use in the making of my pieces are my molds
we have made from my original sculptures.
The original birds where sculpted using paper clay.
Most of my pieces are a compilation of my original castings and hand sculpted components.
Some of my pieces are sculpted all by hand, it just depends on what I am making.


Once the bird castings are dry they are sanded, primed with gesso and then hand painted.
I also seal my pieces with two coats of varnish.

The flowers and small acorn on this garland are made by hand in paper clay.

And as always bits of yarn, ribbon and tattered fabric embellish the piece.

This Garland of Goodness will be available in my Etsy shop on
Wednesday.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bloomingideas


We have had a lovely season for fall this year in northern Michigan.
I am sad to see it go...
The winds have turned colder and the colors are beginning to fade
as the stage is being set for winter.
So as a fond farewell to fall and all it's splendor I leave you with
my Michigan Moments in Autumn.


A country road some where near Mackinaw city.





A trip to Just A plain Farm for pumpkins



In the woods
Apples harvested from my brothers farm

The views out our front window,
across the bay.Spiced pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting,
and warm apple cider.
I hope you have a had a fabulous fall
filled with pumpkin kisses and apple cider wishes.
xoxo,
Mary