A Bewitching Good Time!!

It was as if someone waved a *magic* wand, and a blanket of Halloween enchantment descended on Mill Race Village. The atmosphere before the show was electric - you could actually feel it, warming the chilly, Michigan air, as throngs of Halloween lovers lined up to capture work from their favorite artists...

Orange "Ghoultide Gathering" totes in hand, they waited in the rain for hours, and when the doors finally opened, it was one big Halloween party!


Cider and hot cocoa abounded, and to the delight of children and children at heart, the artists offered treats at their tables, both artistic and edible! (My own table included a platter of Lancaster County pumpkin fudge - yum!)

Sooooooo many Halloween goodies in one place, I imagine it was difficult to choose! Here's a bit of the Halloween goodness which greeted collectors (snapped just before the doors opened)...

Laurie Hardin of Monkey Cats Studio brought these wonderful characters and more...


Pam Gracia of Soft in the Head shared her imaginative soft sculptured goodies...


Will Bezek's amazing cast of characters included this beauty, teehee...


The absolutely stunning work of Scott Smith (check out the witch with the little pumpkin guy in a cage!) Soooooo cool...

Vergie Lightfoot's amazing treasures...

The fabulous folk art of Johanna Parker...

Deb Schoch's fantastic (and very full!) display...

Aron Lowe's gorgeous needlefelting...

Paul Gordon's magical work (truly stunning)...

Nicol Sayre's enchanting dolls...

The spooky cool work of Katherine Webber...

Sheila Bentley's wicked and wonderful witches...

The Whimsical Whittler (sooooooo fun, and so beautifully carved)...

"Trick" and "Treat", Joyce Stahl's *Little Enchanted Ones*, happy to join the party...

Judi Vaillancourt's vibrant chalkware (love her canvases too!)...

Kristen Beason's wonderfully whimsical characters...

The gorgeous work of Lori Ann Corelis...

And my own display...


There were quite a few other artists too, but unfortunately some of my pics came out with far too much glare to show any detail (a photographer I'm not, haha)...But you can easily check them out (and all the artists shown above) on the Ghoultide Gathering website! :)

There was music too, from the talented Appleseed Collective...

LOVED them, and we were lucky enough to listen as they played in the church's choir loft during the show!

SUCH an amazing experience, and I'd be remiss without a note of profound thanks to Scott Smith and Stephanie Rawson for all they do throughout the year to make the Ghoultide Gathering the finest Halloween art show in the world, bar none. We heard comments throughout the day from collectors and artists alike, expressing their absolute delight with every single detail. I can't tell you how much of a pleasure it is to participate in an event like this - Five years into it, I'm still pinching myself, hehe!

Finally, it was SUCH a pleasure to meet so many of you in person (always my favorite part of the show!) Collectors, blog readers, facebook friends - thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming out and introducing yourselves, and supporting your favorite artists!

I'm off now to play catch up now, after a week away from home (a bit of a snag on the way home with John's health found us in the Pittsburgh area for a few days)...Details on all this later, and details on an upcoming blog sale too! We very nearly sold out at the show, but there are a few pieces left, and a few more coming, so stay tuned. ;)

Until then, Happy Halloween season!!
♥ Carolee

A *Magical* Weekend!

Well, it's almost that time again...

Just a few weeks until some of the finest Halloween artists this side of the Milky Way gather in Northville, Michigan for the fifth annual Ghoultide Gathering!

Five years, and I'm still pinching myself, wondering if it's all a dream...

Actually, not only is it REAL, but it's TWO days of magic this year, with so many enchanting details added I can hardly wait.

There's a total of thirty artists this year, and on Friday night, as Mill Race Village is aglow, collectors will be able to enjoy assorted treats at each of the artist's tables as they browse - kind of like twilight trick-or-treating, but with fabulous Halloween art to purchase! (Not sure what I'm doing yet, but I was thinking maybe some Lancaster County, homemade pumpkin fudge?)

There will also be cider and other beverages available in one of the buildings, and live music outside!! Yep - Scott and Stephanie (the amazing people who bring this show together every year) have booked the coolest band; The Apple Seed Collective. Sort of a mix of gypsy, folk and dixieland...Check them out here. :)

How perfect is THAT?!

Of course, as in years past, my favorite part of the show is meeting friends and collectors in person. Spending most of my time creating in a home studio, keeping in touch via email and facebook, I can't tell you how exciting it is to share my work and meet people in real life instead of cyberspace. It's just the best, and gives me the warm, Halloween fuzzies. ♥

Anywhoooo - if you love Halloween, and Halloween art..if you're close enough for a day trip (or farther away and in the mood for a weekend getaway!), you do not want to miss this show. You can visit the website for details on discounted accomodations, directions, etc., and in the meantime, I'll leave you with this video from the 2009 show (I know I've posted it before, but I could watch it again and again, hehe)...


Back to the studio for me - I'll be bringing lots of new goodies, and hoping to see you there!!

♥ Carolee

Ringing in an *Artful* New Year!

Here we are, a week into 2011, and I'm only now managing to pull together a New Year's post! Some things never change, and I'll spare you the resolutions, because let's face it - you'd only giggle if I told you I'd be better organized, or more on-schedule and on top of things this year. ;)

Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of resolutions anyway. I prefer wishes and dreams, journeys and adventures. Are all artists like that, I wonder? Loathe to be pinned down, avoiding structure and schedules and rules like the plague?

My wish for this year (aside from world peace and perfect health for my loved ones) is simply to make it a year bursting with creativity; that my paintbrush infuse each new piece with magic and joy and wonder. :)

I'm rather proud of the start so far - a nearly finished checkers game commission (which I'll share very soon!) and these works-in-progress for Sunday evening's PFATT Marketplace update....

Some of my Halloween friends have been teasing me that I may need an intervention soon, but I can't help it, hehe...I ♥ Valentine's Day, and yes, I'll say it, I ♥ cats and mice and rabbits too.

That said, there's plenty of spooky work on the drawing board as well, including the first ceramic piece I've done in almost three years (a teapot). Look for a wicked cool lazy susan too, and the first Halloween clock of the year. And of course, the EHAG Emporium update on January 31st.

I should add, you may have noticed the little blurb about commissions on the upper right sidebar of my blog here. I am currently accepting just a few orders for spring and summer completion, but the window may close soon, as late summer and early autumn are devoted to creating for the Ghoultide Gathering. If there's a special piece you have in mind, shoot me an email. ;)

That's about it for now, except to express a heartfelt *thank you* for your visits, your encouragement and your support of my work! I can't tell you how blessed I feel to ring in another "Artful* New Year!

♥ Carolee

*Enchantment* to Share!

(This will probably get long, but I have much to tell, hehe!)

Last week, my friend Jen (the photographer here) and I visited Ravenbrook, the enchanting realm of our friend, artist and collector Hugh Luck. Having seen Ravenbrook in photos, and knowing Hugh's exquisite taste in antiques, we were something like children in a candy store. It was like stepping into a folk tale...

The exterior of Ravenbrook, decorated for Halloween, a gargoyle standing watch over the front door...

Even the garage is enchanting....

The handsome Mr. Luck, seated in his study. Notice the collection of antique globes...

A few of those globes displayed with a Scott Smith original Hugh acquired at last year's Ghoultide Gathering (love this piece!)

In the living room, an English tavern sign with carved raven. Just magical!

In the same room, an antique table once owned by Carolyn Wyeth - and I do believe another Scott Smith piece. :)

A view from the opposite end of the room, with an antique wrought iron gate in the doorway...

In the tavern room, a surprise; the fellow sitting on the corner is an original figure from Disneyland's "Pirates of the Carribean" ride!

In the "Halloween Room", whimsy abounds...

And one of Hugh's original paintings hangs on the wall behind the display case. I wish I could show it larger here, it's just infused with Halloween spirit. If you look closely, you'll see Hugh's black cat Spooky painted in...

And here's the real Spooky in the kitchen, one of my teapots to the left, and another of Hugh's paintings behind. Again, I wish I could show the painting in it's entirety; it's a mouse-eye view from inside a jack-o-lantern!

Truly one of the most stunning homes I've ever seen!

Bidding a reluctant goodbye to Ravenbrook (but not to Hugh) we all set out for a drive up the Delaware river to the first annual Spookytime Jingles Soiree, an art show where a few EHAG friends were exhibiting. We met these friends and a few others, old and new, and had great fun seeing all the Halloween goodies offered.

As many of you know, I don't do photos, but here are some of my friends, who DO, hehe...From left to right, here's Amelia Schaefer, a.k.a. "Sweet B", Chris Klingler of Designs by CK, Jennifer MacNeill Traylor of Gypsy Mare Studios, and Lori Rudolph of Retro Rudolphs...

And a shot of Sweet B's display, with Lori's right behind it...

We also met fellow EHAG artists Kim Hardt and Jorge de Rojas, as well as several other STJ artists, who were all just so sweet.

After a good bit of time oohing and ahhing at the show, a few of us ran up to Lambertville for lunch, to this wonderful place Hugh recommended (if you're in the area, you must go!)

It was an altogether delightful weekend - good friends, good art, good food - what more could anyone want? (OK, maybe the good wine my friends enjoyed at lunch, but I was driving, so had to behave myself, hehe)...

Back to reality, I settled in the next day to tackle some overdue commission work (those of you with orders, I'm making headway slowly but surely, I promise!), and begin a few sketches for Christmas and Yuletide pieces, and hopefully a few cards. Stay tuned...

Next up are two very cool Halloween parties (one an over-the-top Willy Wonka themed gathering, complete, I'm told by the hosts, with "lickable wallpaper" (martinis needed for this one, methinks!), followed by Cabin Ladies Weekend over Halloween. More on this in another post!

Are you cross-eyed yet? Either way, I suppose I should give both of us a break and head back to the studio, where those commissions are calling my name. ;)

Stay tuned for new goodies on eBay and Etsy very soon, and in the meantime, I wish you a magical and enchanting Halloween season!!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

A Halloween Art Contest!

As many of you know, I'm honored to be a member of the online Halloween art group EHAG, or The Eclectic Halloween Artist's Group.

At the suggestion of one of our talented members, EHAG is hosting the First Annual Next Generation Halloween Art Contest....


Just click here for details. FUN!! :)

That's it for now....I'll be back very soon with new work to show you!

♥ Carolee

Blog Sale and PFATT Sneak Peek!

It's been awhile since I've had a sale here on the blog, and I thought it would be fun to try some smaller pieces. By saving on listing fees, I'm able to offer these a bit less than the eBay or Etsy prices, and considerably less than commission prices.

These pieces are available on a first come, first serve basis, via email to carolee@kingofmice.com, and payable via immediate paypal or credit card only. A brief description, dimensions, price and shipping information follows each item. Please click on the photos for a larger view. :)

And don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom for a sneak peek at tonight's PFATT Marketplace listing, "Butterfly Blessings". :)


"Eek!", hinged wooden box, 3" x 3" x 3", $35 + $7 shipping anywhere in the US. SOLD



"Magic Moon", hinged wooden box, 3" x 3" x 3", $35 + $7 shipping anywhere in the U.S. SOLD


"Seek Magic", wooden box painted in acrylics, 6" x 3", $39 + $7 shipping anywhere in the U.S. SOLD


"Starlight", wooden box painted in acrylics, with magnetic closure. 6" x 3", $39 + $7 shipping anywhere in the U.S. LISTED NOW ON EBAY

Spring "Welcome" Signs on light sage green background, with free personalization offered at the bottom of the sign ("The Clarks", "Friends", etc) Two available, $39 each with shipping in the US anywhere from $7 to $14 depending on your location. LISTED NOW ON EBAY

Thanks for looking, and again, just email carolee@kingofmice.com with questions or to purchase. :)

Finally, a peek at tonight's PFATT Marketplace update. I've painted this magical birdhouse with blue butterflies against a celestial background...

It lists tonight at midnight (Pacific time, I believe) and is up for grabs to the first person to email. :) SOLD

♥ Carolee

Of Fairies, Forums and Friendship...

As I watch the snow melt and see the very first harbingers of spring appear in the form of tiny buds on the lilac trees, it's been a week for reflecting here.

Sometimes it's easy for those of us who work at home, tucked away in our own little world as we are, to have a slightly different take on reality...

In my own little world, there's magic in a snowfall, I have meaningful (albeit one-sided) conversations with cats and dogs, tea parties for one, and the gardens I tend to dream about this time of year become Fairie Havens...

I love the idea of setting aside a bit of garden for the fairies, don't you?

Another slightly different take on reality (at least for me) comes in the form of friendships and bonds formed on the internet. I'm constantly amazed at the sheer vastness of the online arts community I've discovered since starting this little adventure back in 2001 - while at the same time marveling how small a world it really is, and how truly connected we are.

When I first went online, I discovered a few "communities" and immediately felt drawn to some. The first was a group of ladies whose common thread was a love for Victoria magazine. The best way to describe these women is gracious, with common interests such as reading, the arts, travel, teatime, and so on...After a time it became clear that some of us had more in common than others, and an offshoot group was formed, of which I'm still a member. And what began as an online relationship with complete strangers has blossomed into true, real life friendships. I love these women, these kindred spirits, and am thankful they're in my life.

Shortly after discovering the Victoria ladies (and in part inspired by some of their entrepreneurial stories) I began selling my work on eBay - and quickly gravitated to Halloween and fantasy art, where I discovered yet another group of kindred spirits; the artists of EHAG (The Eclectic Halloween Artists' Group). This particular group is juried, meaning one's work and reputation must be of a certain caliber to join, so I was honored to be approached. We've gone through changes and growing pains over the years to be sure, but I'm still proud to be a member (and more recently co-leader) of the first, and premiere, online Halloween art group. We chat, we have great fun, and we work in a mutually supportive way to bring collectors the best of Halloween magic and wonder. :)

(In fact, regular readers may remember we recently debuted an online marketplace, The EHAG Emporium, of which we are just soooooooo proud. And I'm happy to announce we're also offering four giveaways during the month of March, the first one posted now! You can click here for details.) :)

Another online community I discovered was the artists of PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea), and the PFATT Marketplace - separate entities, but with much common ground....

These women are all artists, and have formed a sisterhood of sorts, coming together not only to support each other's work, but in times of trouble as well. If you scroll back a couple of posts, you can read about the recent "Penny Tree Auction", which is a perfect example of this group's spirit.

There are other groups out there too, each with their own, unique feel, some juried, some not, some supportive, some less so, some drawn to whimsy and some to the darker side of things. As a friend of mine says, "There's a lid for every pot". ;) I just know I've found my cyber home among the groups to which I now belong, and cannot recommend my fellow members' work and ethics highly enough.

Oh, and lest anyone think I'm one of those people who "live" on the internet hehe, I should mention in closing the many longstanding friendships I'm blessed with, many dating back some 35 years. Whoever said "friends are the family we choose for ourselves" hit the nail on the head, and no matter how "real" the internet seems at times (especially to those of us working in a solitary environment) there's no substitute for tea and sympathy with an old friend.

The key is balance, I think...to appreciate each form of friendship for what it has to offer. To approach online relationships slowly and cautiously, while still appreciating the miracle that brings artistic souls together across miles and even continents.

We live in an amazing time, don't we?

♥ Carolee