Category: folk art

From Germany – Day 1

No orders shipped between December 3 – December 13.

I am in Germany “educating” myself at the Christmas markets.

Friday, Dec 4, Stuttgart, Germany

We left home at 12:45 PM Thursday afternoon for the Dayton, OH airport to catch our flight to Atlanta and then onward to Germany. We caught our flight at around 6 PM and traveled through the night.

Are we supposed to be “refreshed” and ready to go after a long night on an airplane? Who can sleep? Too much to look forward to!

We arrived in Stuttgart Airport at about 9 AM … there is a six hour time difference. Our tour manager Christine led out to our motor coach and whisked us away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a fairy tale drive to Hohenzollern Castle.

After our tour, we drove to our own castle in the Black Forest — Schloss Weitenburg, our base for two nights. Of course, I hotel was incredible. But, you know me. I was thrilled with the wireless internet! What can I say?

As early as 1062 Weitenburg Castle was built high above the River Neckar between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alps. What used to be a fortified stronghold is today a three-winged inhabited castle. Its various architectural styles reflect the spirit of the Renaissance, Baroque and neo-gothic periods. It has also had various owners ranging from plundering knights to devoted monks. In 1720 Baron Rupert von Rassler bought Weitenburg Castle and his Baron Max-Richard von Rassler still owns the castle today.

Explore for yourself!
December 4 – 6, 2009
Hotel Schloss Weitenburg
D- 72181 Starzach, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 7457/933-0 Fax: +49 (0) 7457/933-100
info@schloss-weitenburg.de
www.schloss-weitenburg.de

And, don’t forget that wireless internet!

Arriving in mailboxes next week …

Fall 2009 Issue, Celebrate365
Fall 2009 Issue, Celebrate365

The Halloween issue of Celebrate365 goes to press today! If things go smoothly and they aren’t backed up in the bindery, I should be able to begin mailing on Friday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Graphic designer turned folk artist designed the cover. She was inspired by Dennison’s Bogy books, popular in the 1920s and 30s. The originals regularly sell for over $100. Luckily, reprints are now available on Amazon.

You can purchase a reproduction Bogie Book and Celebrate365 will earn a little something for the color fund. Search the seller and you will find other years available.

Reproduction Bogie Book on Amazon
Reproduction Bogie Book on Amazon
Fall 2009, Celebrate365: Back Cover
Fall 2009, Celebrate365: Back Cover

On the cover:
Row 1: Christopher Radko Pumpkin Pose
Row 2: Lisa Nelson Green Gretchen; Amelia Schaefer Yellow Two-Faced Sweetie
Row 3: Kristin Beason Pumpkin; Carrie Murtha Owl Spook
Row 4: Arbutus Hunter Melon Mobile; Lori Rudolph Little Winker
Row 5: Debbee Thibault Little Dickens
Row 6: Swirly Designs Pumpkin Head; Jennifer Fernandez Veggie Cart; Patricia Breen Catty Trickster
Row 7: Artistry of Poland Katrina; Robin Seeber Lyticia Foxglove; Eric Cortina Estate Garden Urn

In this issue:

Meet Robert Brawley, the Halloween Fanatic
Behind the Design with Johanna Parker
Artist Lori Rudolph Reprises Dennison’s Bogie Book
Meet Halloween Folk Artists:

Agnes Espinosa
Amanda Rigne
Amelia Schaefer
Arbutus Hunter
Candace Navarrete
Carrie Murtha
David Everett
Dawn Tubbs
Elaine Thomas
Jenny Fernandez
Linda Quintero
Lisa Nelson
Liz Stevens
Nancy Malay
Sally Willingham
Swirly Designs

There are four extra pages in this full-color issue. You’ll see ornaments and folk art from:
Allen Cunningham, Anthony Costanza, Artistry of Poland, Bethany Lowe Designs, Bruce Elsass, Casey Mack, Christopher Radko, David Strand Designs, Debbee Thibault, Debra Schoch, Elaine Roesle, Eric Cortina, Greg Guedel, Inge-glas, JingleNog, Jorge De Rojas, Joy to the World, Kristen Beason, Lori Ann Corelis, Old World Christmas, Patricia Breen, Soffieria De Carlini, Susan Arnott, Vaillancourt Folk Art, The Whimsical Whittler

Click to PURCHASE A SINGLE COPY in the Celebrate365 store.

You can find many of the glass ornaments and folk art from our advertisers’ web sites:
Apple Tree Gallery
Bethany Lowe Designs
Cascini Designs
Chicken Lips
The Christmas Tree
David Blair Designs
Debbee Thibault’s American Collectibles
Elaine Roesle’s Snow Children/St. Nicholas Collection
The Frame Workshop
The Heart Cottage
Historical Christmas Barn
Kitty’s Ltd.
Vaillancourt Folk Art
Williams Nursery
Willow Springs, a family farm

Folk Artist Susan Vanderhoek Designs Like a Star!

Making an Ornament
Making an Ornament

Susan Vanderhoek, folk artist and member of American Holiday Artists (aHa) is the winner of the 2009 Design Like a Star contest sponsored by Artistry of Poland and Celebrate365.

Susan’s Design Like a Star Victorian Whimsy Santa is now available exclusively at the Celebrate365 store. The ornaments is 5″  high, handcrafted in Poland and retails for $54.  It will be a part of Artistry of Poland’s 2010 collection.

Meet this talented artist as she talks with C365 publisher, Connie Porcher.

Susan Vanderhoek
Seasonal Whimsies

Susan Vanderhoek's Halloween "Squashman"
Susan Vanderhoek's Halloween "Squashman"

Do you sell your work directly to collectors?  If not, how can collectors find your things?

I sell directly to collectors through eBay at aHa Art (seller id seasonalwhimsies). I also accept orders and commissioned work.  In addition, my work is available at Spencer’s Alley in Salem, Oregon and at Season’s Greetings in Houston.

Will you be doing any holiday shows in November or December?

I will be selling items at Blackberry Junction in Albany, Oregon in November and at Spencer’s Alley.

What kinds of things do you create?

I focus upon holidays.  I love everything about Christmas so I create ornaments, Santas and snowmen. Halloween is my second favorite. I enjoy creating fun and spooky things for the season, especially pumpkins and witches.

I work with large gourds and paper clay the most. I enjoy the entire sculpting process from beginning to the end. I am constantly amazed when everything falls into place to create a one of a kind piece.

How would you describe your style?

I think my style is light hearted and whimsical. I am influenced by antique German paper mache Santas and Halloween pieces. Hopefully my pieces spark the childlike wonder of those old things.

Do you have any formal training?

I have taken some art education classes. I take classes from other accomplished artists online.  I am interested in all kinds of art and plan to continue learning new techniques and methods.

Susan's Halloween Pumpkin Box
Susan's Halloween Pumpkin Box

How long have you been doing this?

I have been sculpting for 9 years now.

What honors have you received?

I have been honored to appear in Celebrate365 magazine and recently won the Design Like a Star contest held by The Artistry of Poland and Celebrate365. The winning design is a sculpted Victorian Santa Claus ornament.

Artistry of Poland and Rucus Studio Collaborate …

German Santa with Lantern
German Santa with Lantern

You love his folk art … now you can collect his glass ornament!

Scott Smith (Rucus Studio) has collaborated with Artistry of Poland to create a glass ornament based upon his full figure German Santa candy containers.

The 5″ moulded glass ornament is finished in red satin paint.  The Polish carver has certainly captured the essence of Santa’s stern face!  Santa’s face is painted with a porcelain-bisque like finish that brings the character to life.  He bears an arm load of holiday toys and a tradition German-style lantern to guide his way from house to house.

Scott’s artwork shows Santa wearing a flannel robe with fluffy wool trim.  Note the special “glitter” on the coat & hat that recreate the look of Scott’s concept.

This ornament just arrived from Poland last week.

If you love folk art and ornaments, you’ll want the Rucus Studio “Traditional Santa” for your Christmas tree.

Scott Smith's Original Ornament Design
Scott Smith's Original Ornament Design

Available in the Celebrate365 online store for $54.

Enjoy free shipping when ordering this ornament on Sept 22 and 23.

AirTran WiFi … Just Way Too Cool!. And, Debbee Thibault, too!

DT-ridinghood

How cool is this? I edited this great new Halloween folk art piece from Debbee Thibault while in the Atlanta airport. I always make use of the wait time … makes it go so much faster!

Even cooler though – I’m uploading this blog post from aboard the aircraft during flight. AirTran now has WiFi in the air and they were offering a free trial today. I guess I won’t be able to nap anymore!

I had a nice visit with Debbee at the July AmericasMart show which ended today. She introduced seven new figures for fall as well has a nice selection of jewelry.

Little Red Ragamuffin was one of my favorites. Debbee told me that she imagines the figure as a child’s doll who wants to go Trick-or-Treating, too! Not to be left out, she dresses up as Little Red Riding Hood, sporting that fairy tale red cape. Don’t you just love her basket of treats? I’ve included a close up view so that you can see all of the detail that Debbee Thibault has included.

Here are the facts:

Little Red Ragamuffin
Red/Coral
8.25″ high
Edition of 300
$210

This figure will be available from many retailers including my favorite, Kitty’s Ltd in Delaware. Debbee will be making an appearance there in late August as well as at the Golden Glow Convention in Sacramento earlier in the month.