An Enchanting Arrival!

I've long been an admirer of the work of folk artist Jennie Hepler-Takens, of Prim Pumpkin, so like many others, it was with a glimmer of hope that I recently entered her blog giveaway.

And guess what?

I won this beautiful *Topsy Turvy* doll (two dolls in one, changed by flipping her costume upside down), which appeared in the spring issue of Art Doll Quarterly!

Isn't she sweet?!

She's holding a little quote from Mae West, which reads: "Few men know how to kiss well"...

..."Fortunately, I've always had time to teach them."

Indeed, hehe!

Jennie, thank you soooooo much! I will treasure her, and she will live in a place of honor among other original Halloween keepsakes in my studio space.

To which I must return now - but I'll be back soon, I promise! In the meantime, do visit Jennie's blog and take a peek at some of her other wonderful work!!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

"Friends in Christmas"

What a perfect start to the holiday season!

Friday afternoon found me traveling to West Virginia with friends Hugh Luck and Jennifer MacNeill Traylor, to see artist Paul Gordon's annual "Friends in Christmas" show.

The event began with a gathering at Paul's home, to which we were graciously invited. And what a home! He's created a place of warmth and magic, every surface adorned with treasures. With Paul's permission, I took a couple of photos. The first is a cabinet filled with sooooooo many holiday collectibles...

Next is a Christmas table display. Beautiful! And another thing that really grabbed me was the paintings on the left - hanging not on the wall, but on a door. Since there can never be enough art, I think I may have to try this. ;)

Finally, a shot of the dining room, and the most incredible walls I've ever seen. It doesn't show here - but the ceiling is a deep cerulean blue. It almost gives me hope for my own dining room walls (unfortunately covered in old, plaid wallpaper - ugh.)...But perhaps we could see what's underneath those years of paper and try a similar glazing technique, yes?

A magical evening altogether, and just carried over to the next morning too, when we arrived at Paul's studio to discover some of the finest folk artists in the country exhibiting their work. These photos by no means cover everything, just a few highlights.

Pat Murphy, of Murphy Bears created these whimsical little birds...

A polar bear shadowbox from needlefelt artist Deanna Ellis...

An array of pincushions from fiber artist Deborah Hartwick, of Heartwells Designs...

And an incredible piece from our host, Paul Gordon. I love the child climbing the tree inside the lantern below...

And look at this beautiful doll peddler from artist Allen Cunningham. Such fine detail in all those little dolls!

And after missing out on one of Allen's snowmen a couple of years ago (I was too slow, and they sell FAST, lo), I was just delighted to capture this darling Snow Queen, adorned with antique lace...

A couple of small gifts were also purchased, holiday tokens for friends who love handmade treasures as much as I do. ♥

All in all, a truly magical way to begin the holidays, made even more so by the invitation Paul extended to participate as an exhibitor next year - heeheehee!!! This will be my very first Christmas show, and I'm so honored to be in such company. So yes - TWO shows for which to prepare next year, which is making me think I need to acquire some serious organizational skills. (Stay tuned, hehe)...

In the meantime, it's off to the studio to complete a commission, then a little Thanksgiving shopping. We'll be spending the day here at home, with dear friends joining us for the feast. Daughter Courtney has weekend plans with her beau. And extended family....well, they celebrate together, sans us. But truly, family is not always the group of people we are born into, but the group of people who are accepting and supportive of us despite differences. Some people are lucky enough to have that, and some people have to create it for themselves. Whichever you have, I hope you spend the day in the company of people who love and accept you.

Until next time, wishing those here in the US a very Happy Thanksgiving!

♥ Carolee

Sneak Peek...

La Befana, the Christmas witch of Italian folklore...

She'll be up for grabs this Saturday morning at 10AM Pacific/1PM eastern, when PFATT Marketplace opens its doors...UPDATE - SOLD.

 In the meantime, it's back to the studio - with more Christmas and Yuletide goodies on the way soon!
♥ Carolee

"Visions of Sugarplums"

Just popping into share this new print, which joins several more (also new) in my Etsy shop today...

There are only a couple of each available, so please drop by and take a look - I know I'm just wee bit biased, but I think they make great holiday gifts!

OK, back to work, and I'll be back in a day or two with a new, original Christmas piece!

♥ Carolee

A Mighty Storm

Like most of the east coast, having prepared as best we can, we're now hunkered down, awaiting Sandy's wrath.

"Sandy's" wrath?

Sounds kinda silly, doesn't it?

A facebook friend pointed out yesterday that people might take these storms more seriously if they were named after terrifying mythological creatures, or perhaps demons. "Sandy" just sounds so innocuous. That said, the weather service is doing a much better job with winter storms this year; Draco, Gandalf, Iago...now THOSE are storms. ;)

As is this one, name notwithstanding. The rain began last night, and has continued steadily, and as I type this, the wind is picking up. Our little backyard already looks like a bit of a mud bath covered with leaves -  and while I can't imagine another six inches out there, that's the prediction.

As long as we have power, the painting will continue, although if downed tree limbs become an issue, I may forgo my usual spot under the skylight for a safer interior room. Despite all the preparation the last couple of days (food, water, lanterns, extra propane, clearing the yard of possible projectiles, etc), I did manage to get one more piece painted - a small Cosmic catnip box, which is listed on Etsy now....

I think it would make a wicked cool stocking stuffer. ;)

And speaking of stocking stuffers (see how I did that?), look for Christmas and Yule pieces beginning next week. I'm determined to finish a couple of  commissions first, but truly cannot wait to get started (as usual, more ideas than time!)

In the meantime, we'll see what Sandy brings, and make the best of being temporarily grounded. Ever the optimist, there's a hearty stew simmering in the crockpot, a baroque playlist on spotify, and if all that goes down, there's reading, knitting and board games by lantern light.

Be well and stay safe, my east coast friends!

♥ Carolee

Yikes!!

It's almost midnight, Saturday the 27th - the day of Vanessa Valencia's fabulous Halloween party - and I just now realized I completely spaced it off!

Apologies all around, and in my defense, like so many others, we're in the path of Hurricane Sandy here. Which means the last several days have been all about obtaining emergency lighting, propane tanks, non perishable food and water, pet food, etc etc... Add to this a visit to the emergency room for daughter Courtney, and surgery for furkid Arthur (our big ginger cat), and well...my mind has been elsewhere.

I do intend to spend a bit of time making the party rounds, just as soon as we're sure we've battened down the hatches here.

In the meantime, I wish you all a very Merry Hallowe'en, and I wish all those in the path of the hurricane safety...

♥ Carolee

A *Magical* Weekend!!

Have you ever had an experience that lingers long after it's gone? A moment - or hour or day - whose memory leaves such a blissful imprint, that the high seems to continue?

Such was the 2012 Ghoultide Gathering...

Months of preparation, of wild imagination and flights of fancy, all for a few brief hours of magic. This is hands down my absolute favorite weekend of the year, but this year truly topped all others. The new venue (in Chelsea, Michigan - more about this wonderful little town later) allowed all the artists to be under one roof again (the first time in five years!) and I must tell you the Halloween energy was just *electric* Seriously, you could feel it. Pure, creative, Halloween intensity!

Here's a little video, courtesy of  Lori Davis, of the moments just before the doors opened (and the near stampede to Scott Smith's table when they did, haha)...



The band you hear (and can see on the hay wagon to the right, in the far back, in places) is the Appleseed Collective. They were perfect, and most of the artists came away with CDs. :)  My own display is not shown here, being on the other side of the aisle, and near the door - but here are two photos taken by my dear friend Jennifer Mac Neill Traylor, who was also my "second" in the King of Mice Studios booth (and a HUGE help - thank you Jen!!)

The entire display...

And a close up of a few of the goodies...

 

 Of course, the tables didn't look like this for long, hehe...

Most of these pieces are now residing in their new homes - but a few are left - and looking for a good home for Halloween. ;)

The first three will be available on today's PFATT Marketplace (10AM Pacific/1 PM eastern), and I've marked them down just a wee bit in the interest of not only finding them homes, but also reclaiming my dining room table!. ;) 

OK, where was I? Oh yes, back to the show, and to Chelsea, Michigan...

What an utterly charming little midwestern town!

It's easy to see why actor Jeff Daniels still calls Chelsea home. A charming Main Street with Mom and Pop businesses, a clock tower, and right in the center of town, the Jiffy Mix plant. Doesn't get more Americana than that. ;) But lest you equate small with provincial, I should add that Chelsea is also home to one of the best and most sophisticated gift shops I've ever visited; The Potting Shed...

Is this gorgeous and overwhelming, or what? Shabby Cottage meets Paris Apartment meets Vintage meets Halloween meets Christmas!

We also visited a delightful little place called The Bumble Shop, but alas, didn't take any photos. The proprietors of each shop went out of their way to make us feel welcome, even to the extent of little gifts, and putting up posters all over town that said "Welcome Ghoultide!" How cool is that?!

And as for our Chelsea restaurant experience, I have just three words:  

Mango. 

Chipotle. 

Margarita.

'Nuff said. ;)

 All this makes me want to visit again as soon as possible, but I suppose next year will have to do.

In the meantime, there are those few Halloween pieces left, Look for them on Etsy this Friday, and if anyone is interested in any of the following pieces and would rather not wait, just shoot me an email. Remaining pieces include:

• House of the Black Cat innkeeper's sign
• Seek Magic sign
• Something Wicked sign
• Annabel Lee coffin box
• Harvest Moon oval box
• Witch Haven table
• Halloween Time Pendulum clock
• Tuxedo and Tabby Tea Box
• Wicked Jack sign
• Wicked Candy Corn pennant

(This list is absent the three pieces which will be on PFATT Marketplace today.)

Finally, thank you Scott and Stephanie for all your hard work - just when I think you can't possibly produce a better show, you completely outdo yourselves!  And farewell until next year to all my Ghoultide Gathering friends...I miss you already!!

 Next up: finishing a few commissions, then switching gears to Christmas and Yule!

(No rest for the wicked, eh?)

Be well, and enjoy the season!!
♥ Carolee