Halloween Time!

I'm up to my ears in timepieces this week as I paint several of these beautiful, artisan made, maple clocks...At least three of them will go with me to the show (different designs, of course), but one is up for grabs on eBay.....

Sooooooooo many hours in this one, but I just love all the detail. :)

In other news, the fall e-newsletter went out today, and for those of you who don't subscribe, I'm opening the commission window again for a very brief period. I'm booked through mid November right now, but will take on just a couple more projects prior to Christmas and Yule....So if you have a piece in mind, and are OK with letting the creative process evolve (I work better without strict guidlines) shoot me an email. ;)

I'm off to grab a very late supper now, then back to the painting! (No rest for the wicked, eh?)

Until next time....
♥ Carolee

Burning the Scented Candle at Both Ends....

September madness is in full swing here, as I prepare for the big show and still try to keep up with auctions and commissions. The house is suffering and the dust bunnies are winning, but I've always been of the opinion that a clean house is the sign of a life misspent, so I'm not too worried. ;)

I do have a couple of new pieces to show for all the late hours I've been keeping...

First, back by popular demand is Wicked Jack, listed on eBay now. He's long been one of my favorite characters...the perfect combination of wicked and whimsical!

The next piece I have to show you is very special to me...."Familiars"; a table/bench featuring two beautiful autumn cats, modeled after my own Merlin and Arthur. Handsome boys, aren't they?

This is one of those I was sooooooooo tempted to keep, but sell it I must, so it's listed now too. :)

Let's see....what else....

Oh! I picked up several hand crafted mantle clocks today and can hardly wait to get started on them...Most will go to the Ghoultide Gathering with me, but I'm thinking I might paint just one for eBay as well, so stay tuned.

On the home front, it's apple time!

Seriously, nothing says autumn to me like fresh local apples, and the prices at the farm stands can't be beat right now. These are a combination of granny smith and gala, which will make their way into an apple cake and a batch of homemade applesauce this week....soooooooooo good!

Not a lot else new here, just painting, painting and more painting...and feeling more than a little overwhelmed by everything that must be done before we leave for Michigan. It will come together though, it always does. ;)

Again, many thanks for all the kind comments and emails - I WILL catch up when I return from the show, I promise! In the meantime, there are Halloween pieces calling my name....

Back again soon!
♥ Carolee

Sneak Peak

A bench-like table (or table-like bench?) in progress, featuring a pair of autumn cats....


Merlin and Arthur make great models, yes?

Look for the finished piece on eBay tomorrow. :)

♥ Carolee

"Twilight Parade"

Flying in quickly this morning to share this month's PFATT Marketplace offering - a hand painted wooden treat box in deepest purples, with a little wood and paperclay Jack on top.

It listed last night at midnight, and is available for direct purchase on a first-come basis (just shoot me an email at the address on the right).

Look for another eBay auction soon too - and of course sooooooooooo many pieces in the works for the Ghoultide Gathering!

That's it for today....I'm off to brew a pot of tea and put some tunes in the CD player, then to WORK!

Wishing everyone a magical and *creative* Thursday!

♥ Carolee

The Final Stretch....

With less than a month until the big day (the Ghoultide Gathering!) I'm feeling quite the combination of euphoria and panic...

The house looks like an explosion, wood pieces and painting supplies everywhere you look, an embarassingly thick layer of dust on the furniture (who has time for dusting when there's painting and sculpting to be done?!) and brightly colored Halloween art on just about every surface.

Add to all this eBay, Etsy, the PFATT Marketplace, commission work and correspondence, and it's easy to see why sleep has been limited. Ah, the joys of self employment. ;)

Soooooooo, yes - absolute bedlam here at the moment, but I do have a few things to share with you.

First, a sneak peek at this month's PFATT Marketplace listing, available after midnight on the 10th of the month. LOTS of fun, this one....

Second, a tiny trinket box, listed now on eBay....

Third, one pair of complimentary passes to the Ghoultide Gathering.

I'm offering these up to the very first collector attending the show who shoots me an email (address to the right). PLEASE do not take the passes if you're unsure about going - let someone take them who can make use of them. Thanks. :) *UPDATE* - the tickets are taken. :)

And finally, I have an apology for all of you who've left such kind comments here on the blog, and have received no response. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness, and can only plead the temporary insanity that descends every year at this time, without fail...And I will catch up in October, I promise....

In the meantime, there's some Halloween art calling my name. ;)

Wishing everyone all the blessings of autumn!
~ Carolee

Fun and Games!

It's what Halloween is all about, yes?

Oh, I know, some people think it's about horror and terror and all that, but personally, I like the whimsy of it all; the vibrant colors, the dressing up, the parties, the revelry...the magic and fun of it all!

It never fails to inspire...

Of course, sometimes I get a little carried away, working well into the night to finish a very special piece...

Losing all track of time, letting household chores fall by the wayside...

Living in my own little Halloween world until the minute I'm ready to share...

This Halloween checkers game has occupied my every waking moment this week, but I think it was worth it. ;) It's one of those pieces I'm sorely tempted to keep (can you just picture it holding all those Halloween magazines?!)...

I thought I'd share a little preview here, offering it for direct sale just until tomorrow, when I'll otherwise list it on eBay.

If you're interested, just email me for details - first come, of course. *UPDATE* - SOLD.

The rest of the holiday weekend will be spent finishing two commissions and beginning another table/bench - something very special for cat lovers!

In the meantime, I'm off to have a very late dinner and catch up on some reading. Wishing everyone here in the U.S. a relaxing holiday weekend...

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Hi, My Name is Carolee...

..And I'm a magazine addict.

The addiction is especially acute this time of year, when all the Halloween issues begin appearing on the stands. I can't help it, once September hits, I start jonesing for every issue of glossy, autumny, Halloweeny goodness out there. Thankfully, my addiction is currently being financed by the last of several Barnes and Noble gift cards presented to me at my 50th this summer.

I was especially anxious to check out Somerset Studios "Holidays and Celebrations" issue, which includes a full page ad for the Ghoultide Gathering, and shows a piece of my work...

Hardly a feature, I know, but I was still VERY excited to see my work in print!


Sooooooo, yes. Definite magazine addiction. And this morning - since some kind of dreaded virus seems to have hit - I'd love nothing better than to set aside work for the day, brew up yet another steamy mug of Echinacea tea



....and settle into a big, comfy chair for hours of reading. If wishes were horses, right? ;)

As it is, there's a large storage table and soon-to-be Halloween checkers game calling my name, so just as soon as I photograph some commission work for a collector, work on the new piece will begin. Assuming of course, Arthur is willing to give up his perch...



I'm picturing this one done in the brightest orange and black, with all sorts of Halloween characters, and maybe a little verse around the edge. We'll see how it evolves.

That's about it for this morning. I'm off to brew up a cup of liquid magic and wellness, then to work....

Oops! One more thing!! Almost forgot to tell you about the monthly PFATT giveaway! Run over there and sign up for the drawing - there are some wonderful goodies up for grabs!!

Wishing everyone a happy, *creative* and productive Wednesday!

♥ Carolee