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| Coming soon to a mailbox near you … Celebrate365’s Spring 2010 issue! Cover design: Sheryl Parsons – Mother’s Dream Artworks Celebrate365 is beginning its second decade of reporting holiday, ornament and folk art news. I can hardly believe that it has been 10 years since this little “retirement” pastime began. How technology has changed in those 10 years! Back in October 1999, I used my brand new, top of the line 1.5 megapixel Sony digital camera to take photos for the the Halloween test issue. I must say that my camera and editing skills have improved significantly over that first black and white issue. I’ll be announcing 10th Anniversary celebrations and surprises in the coming days and weeks. Stop back often for updates! To purchase a single copy of this issue, CLICK here. |
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| Inside this Issue: | |
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| Illustrated in this Issue:
On the Cover Designers: Bethany Lowe Designs Allen Cunningham for BLD Debra Schoch for BLD Johanna Parker (BLD) Bruce Elsass Christina’s World Christopher Radko David Strand Designs Debbee Thibault Elaine Roesle Eric Cortina JingleNog Joy to the World Collectibles Maggie’s Memories Ornaments to Remember Soffieria De Carlini Teena Flanner Thomas Glenn Vaillaincourt Folk Art: Carrie Murtha Elizabeth Howard David Everett Flora Thompson Lori Rudolph Inside the Issue (Easter): Bethany Lowe Designs Greg Guedel Carrie Murtha Christina’s World Christopher Radko David Everett David Strand Designs Debbee Thibault Elizabeth Howard Flora Thompson Folk Art from the Heart Ginny Diezel Greg Guedel JingleNog Laurie Hardin Lori Rudolph Mary Lesniak Nancy Malay Patricia Breen Design Sheryl Parsons Soffieria De Carlini Inside the Issue (Atlanta 2010): Bethany Lowe Allen Cunningham Debra Schoch Dee Foust Johanna Parker Maggie’s Memories Vergie Lightfoot Bruce Elass David Strand Debbee Thibault Christina’s World Christopher Radko Elaine Roesle Eric Cortina Inge-glas JingleNog Joy to the World Klassics by Kurtis Old World Christmas Ornaments to Remember Teena Flanner Soffieria De Carlini Thomas Glenn Vaillancourt Folk Art Shop for Items Illustrated in this Issue: |
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Category: Halloween
A Day With Connie
While driving over to Atlanta Saturday morning to meet up with Connie and her sister Benita of Willow Springs … a family farm at AmerciasMart Atlanta an idea came to me. We all enjoy the beautiful publication Celebrate365 that Connie creates for us, so I thought a behind the scenes look at what goes on would be fun to share.
The day started off with me arriving in Atlanta around 10am, trying to find a “reasonably” priced place to park near the AmericasMart -Atlanta $25 a day to park in the garage was a bit too steep in my book. I did find a place a few blocks away. Walking in the bitter cold back to the Gift Mart had me rethinking the value of the parking deck. After meeting up with Connie & Benita, Connie took me to get my badge “that must be displayed at all times”.
Elaine Roesle graciously let us store our coats and excess “baggage” in her showroom closet. When Elaine was not busy talking with buyers, you could watch the great care that is taken with each individual piece in action. I was also introduced to Luca Terruzzi of Soffieria De Carlini Italian Ornaments.
Benita and I wandered off to attend the keynote address by Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business. The session was a very informative reminder as to why we need to be using blogs, Facebook and Twitter. After that we met back up with Connie on the 20th Floor. Then we headed to the Press Room for credentialed media types like ourselves and had a nice lunch.
We stopped off for a few minutes to chat with Debbee Thibault and she showed off some of her beautiful work to us. 
We then headed over to see the JingleNog and Thomas Glenn displays. Connie had quite a bit of work to do at the Thomas Glenn booth. Since photographing and measuring every ornament would be time consuming, I wandered off to see other parts of the Gift Mart.
More treats were in store for us this evening as we made our way back to the 20th Floor to attend Halloween Carnevil – a whimsical little Halloween party that included a meet & greet with the artists along with a signing event.
What a wonderful surprise it was for me to see old friends again – Glenn Lewis and Debi Thomas of Traditions. This year I had the pleasure of meeting Debi’s mother. The last time I saw Glenn or Debi was in 2001.
We left the Gift Mart around 8pm, wrapping up glitter jam packed day. This is only one of eight days that Connie will spend gathering information for all of us to ahhhh and ohhhh over.
This has been the first of three guest posts by Leslie Kirk.
Reporting from Atlanta … America’s Mart, Day Two
| AmericasMart, Atlanta – Day 2
We completed work in the Radko showroom today. That’s one down! I’m still working on those photos so you’ll have to be patient. As I mentioned previously, this year’s line is much more focused and shows a restrained hand with fewer colors, less glitter and less “doo-dads”. I was impressed! Good job, Heather and Radko staffers! Hey, Atlanta has SNOW! I have never experienced it here. Being from Ohio, I’d call this a very light dusting … but it seems there is the dreaded black ice beneath. Plus, these Georgians just aren’t equipped for the white winter stuff. So, schools are closing already for tomorrow. Here are some photos of new introductions from several showrooms. Let’s play the “Whose is it” game again. Please use the comment form beneath this post to make your guesses. But, if you can’t find the “comment” link, feel free to send me your guesses using the CONTACT tab at the top of this page. Connie |
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| America’s Mart, January 7: Day 2 | ||
| Meet Vergie Lightfoot | ||
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Folk artist Vergie Lightfoot was on hand this afternoon at the Bethany Lowe Designs showroom on 20. It is always a Halloween wonderland! | |
| New Designs from Bethany Lowe Folk Artists | ||
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These folk artists have very recognizable styles! Who are they? |
| Photo 8 | Photo 9 | |
| Finial Debut | ||
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Fabulous European glass finials mix 21st century contemporary with Old World tradition. All will retail for under $100.
Which designer debuted these beauties? |
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Junior Halloween Fanatics!
We aren’t sure that these two can READ yet … but they definitely enjoy the pictures! They recognize their daddy Robert Brawley, the “Halloween Fanatic,” who is featured in this issue of Celebrate365. I’m betting they already have their own Halloween collectibles!
Way to go, girls!
Arriving in mailboxes next week …
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.
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