Ah, the Merry Month of May! We experienced the Art Doll/Art Bear show in Philadelphia, PA promoted by the Quinlan's and their doll/bear museum in Santa Barbara, CA. Wonderful eye candy for me....more doll artists....just LOVE to see the creative work!! I took a doll class with Ankie Daneen, a professional doll maker, and learned to use creative paperclay and create an "innocent face". Very fun and educational! Hope to continue in this.....
The photo shows "The JazzBeard" a figment of my imagination created from a George Gershwin tune  titled "The JazzBird". I heard this on a Melissa Manchester CD titled "Naughty Lady" which I have not been able to find again for sale. (Was going to add this CD to the bear package sale). The JazzBeard shows the direction I'm going in right now....incorporating hands and fingers to give more "action" to my pieces. The costuming was from vintage fabrics....faille (which I cannot find here in Syracuse, NY) and a metallic piece that I had stashed. The shoes were created from a heavy knit of metallic/glittery black fabric; she wears vintage rhinestone jewelry to complete the look. Vintage jewels adorn the fingers, too. Just LOVE IT!

I see that I haven't been on here in a LONG time!! 2012 is flying by......I'm creating items for the Philadelphia, PA art doll and art bear show for May 3-5 this year. I am excited about attending this show; it was just MARVELOUS last year and so much fun!! Great EYE CANDY for creative people. I'll try to post some "pics" of my current work...new ARTIST pincushions that I have enjoyed creating.

A Total of 67 Years!

I think I'm beginning to feel my age! I'm not moving as fast as I was, and when it comes to WORK, I just THINK about it! It's already Thanksgiving time here at Newm'sNook, and I'm the one who is hosting the annual feast. So, clean the house today; make up beds for the company. Then tomorrow catch up the "loose ends"....however many that may be. This too shall pass...Smile.

Sales have been slow to non-existent except for the Jewels at The Artisans Guild in Oneonta, NY. These have been keeping me in "pin" money, which is very helpful. I'm very concerned about the direction of our country, the USA. We seem to have forgotten our roots and most everyone is only concerned with their own little corner of their "world", not able to give up the "me-ness" to consider the needs of others. I still try to keep up the creating anyway. Creating is great therapy! Pictures show the great Santa bears made for this year's Christmas. This first piece is "SnowShoe Santa and Friend".

This piece is my "Trike Santa" with his trike cart filled with all sorts of gifts from dolls & bears, toys, to musical instruments and golf clubs. Both of these pieces are found at the Crawl Space Artigiana and Gift Shop in Little York, NY. A great gift shop and gallery.
Hope everyone who may read this (LOL) have wonderful holidays and perhaps anewed prosperity will come about next year...2012! (When I was a kid, I was never going to live this long!)

WOW! Time flies when you're having "FUN"!

I've just seen the date of my last posting and it has been a long time! I've been creating new jewelry, which I never seem to get any pics taken to show off, before I take it to the Artisans' Guild in Oneonta, NY for selling! I've done a few new handbags....sales have slowed down for these....and now need to figure out new bears and "art" dolls for November shows coming up.

The creative room is a mess and I need to spend time cleaning out that space. The summer has been mostly spent helping Sister Risha unload the stuff in her house so that she can sell the house. We had an auction and then sent much stuff to the Rescue Mission here in Syracuse.

We did a show in Clayton, NY...I LOVE that town! Small items sold and people used their credit cards for these small sales, but we made enough to meet expenses. Our close friends are experiencing physical troubles due to age-ing, and we "worry" about their health. It has been a weird year with me not doing much traveling to any place. I have read a lot of books though; enjoy reading and the reclusiveness of that. THE HELP was both a good book and a good movie! Enjoyed!

This piece was my Teddy Bear Artists' Invitational art gallery piece for 2011. It sold! The theme was "Treasures" of which I felt that "Old Friends" was one of my most valued treasures.

Winter?! Sigh....

We're well into March now; the IDES are tomorrow, and the snow continues. An "old fashioned" winter here for sure.....like what I remember from kidhood! But with no Florida reprieve, my sunny personality (HAH!) is draggin' somewhat. I've been creating most everyday....something about "idle hands being the devil's workshop" and now have a PILE of sale-able stuff for shows, shops, or whatever. New critters and pincushions are available; the jewelry is already at the Artisans' Guild in Oneonta.

Time ROARS by....

There is a song that tells about "time slipping away". Well, at my age it seem to be roaring by! November whisked itself off with (meaningless?) busy-ness and now December 3rd is here already. Lots going on....the USA collapsing as I watch....the One-World-Government at the back door. It saddens me, since even though I KNEW this was Scriptural-ized, I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd see this in my lifetime! I'm not really afraid since I know that GOD has promised to watch over and care for His own; but I do have a lot of questions...What's going to happen? When? How about "old" people like myself and my husband? Are we going to be able to sustain ourselves through all the coming changes? What's  MOST important right now? How many Americans are truly aware of what's going on? As a "watcher", I've had to reassess my values and basic world view...to re-think what I'd always believed in.

We did the Hunt Valley, MD teddy show in November and had a lovely time. The Embassy Suites is a great place to stay...much ambiance with an atrium in the center of the hotel. We did well there, and I was pleased. I'm showing a few pictures of current bears that I have offered on my etsy.com shop that are still available.

http://www.bagsbeadsbears.etsy.com

We had a houseful for Thanksgiving: the Button Clan. I am thankful for God's blessings to us. His Son Jesus, is our Savior from our (continual) sins. We have (still) a roof over our heads, and an income that has provided for us in our retirement years. (Love the taxes!! NOT...LOL) I believe we still must retain our faith and belief in Him in order to meet and live through the coming trials and tribulations. SELAH...pause and think about that, Maggie.....