Breakthrough

 I have had a breakthrough! For some reason, I have been in a creative slump these past couple of months. I have been imagining things I can create, but just have not had enough mental motivation to actually create much of anything. Oh, I may make a thing or two, but the drive to actually create, has been hard to come by. It happens to most all creators.

What started getting me out of the slump was to create a project for the creative group that meets once a month at our store. I had chosen paper quilling as the medium. 

I found a free pattern and tutorial on line for the crab. I made it to her dimensions in the red. Then, I doubled the length of the strips and made it again in blue. (thepaperycraftery.com) The bear and the squirrel were from the instructions in a kit we have at the store by Quilled Creations. The gnome, I designed myself. When we had the creative session, a few people made the gnome into Santa by making a red hat with a white pom pom at the tip.

The flower is one I created on-the-go for my aunt's 87th birthday last week. 

The beagle is another design-as-I-go for a birthday card for a friend (she has not seen it yet). I know improvements can be made if I make one again.

The bear is another birthday card for a friend who has not seen it yet. 

And, finally, this weekend I made a concerted effort to take out the clay and get started. I created 20 pieces over the two days. (I possibly could have done more, but I had to take care of other things like laundry, sorting through some boxes, running the dishwasher, paying some bills, and some R & R to re-charge for work this week.)

The creative slump is over. I may not be moving at a record pace, but I have broken through and hopefully will keep some momentum going. Next weekend I should be glazing and firing these so I can re-stock gnomes and angels at the store... they are seriously low. 

I hope all had a safe Memorial Day weekend and that you have a good week ahead. May the moments you share with those close to you be full of wonderful memories.

February Check-in

 

I brought in my little work-horse of a kiln so I could change the elements where the temperature is a bit more comfortable. Rick & Alice had removed the old elements in December when they were visiting, with all intentions of putting the new ones in. Unfortunately, I had ordered the wrong size. (Fortunately, they will fit the larger kiln.) 

I then ordered the correct elements. (They have tripled in price since the last time I bought the size for this little gal.)

Once I got the new elements in place, I decided to change the sensing rod for the kiln sitter. I then discovered that the old sensing rod was permanently fused to the collar that holds it in. So, I had to order a new Tube Assembly. The old tube was broken for years, but I was able to use it despite the break as it was supported by the kiln bricks that form the outer shell of the kiln.

The new Tube Assembly arrived and has been successfully mounted. Now to make the connections of the elements to the control box. That will wait until Sunday when I have more time so I can make sure I do it right without feeling rushed.

*** Frustrating update - because the parts are not labeled on the website as to which kiln-sitters they fit. I, of course, ordered the wrong one! It is too short and does not clear the bricks, so it is not useable for me. I have ordered the longer version and hope it will be here by Tuesday, USPS willing... they delayed the last one's arrival...****

~~~~~~ Update! The correct part arrived, has been installed, test firing completed, as well as a bisque firing and one glaze firing! ~~~~~~~~

Next, I tried creating a new Friend... This is one chunky, floofy-tailed squirrel! 

Stay tuned for more new Friends.

I hope you all are having a good start to the new year. We have had snow this winter, the first in 3 years! I know it is nothing compared to what is falling up in NY, PA, and elsewhere with it being measured in feet rather that fractions of inches. 

My heart goes out to all of you dealing with WAY TOO MUCH SNOW! 

(Not to mention the frigid temperatures!)

Busy creating for Mistletoe Market

I've been busy creating stock for Mistletoe Market. The show is in 1 week. The creative flow has been difficult at times because I need to clean and put everything away every time I leave the house for more than 10 minutes, just in case someone wants to view the house.

Glazed and ready for the final firing.

Some angels ready to assemble. Other items I ran out of time to glaze for tonight's firing.

The last of the items formed for next weekend's show. (I will make more after the show too!)

Collapsible bar that comes with it's own carrying case.

And a shelf underneath for boxes, bags, and tissue.

I have stopped shaping things for the time being so I can finish those that are already shaped. I will resume after the show so I can build stock for the store. I also found this wonderful collapsible bar that I can use as my wrap stand for the show.

When Life throws you a Curve Ball!

 Well, I was creating, as I mentioned in my last post. Unfortunately, 2 days later I tested positive for COVID and was unable to create anything more before Christmas.  I just did not have the energu or motivation to work on things. Once I started to feel better, I was able to finish glazing some things that were ready and then fire them and add gold afterward. I did get one more shipment out just before Christmas. (The recipient knew it was late getting out and they were OK with it.)

I am hoping to get some things made this week, but they won't be finished until after 2023 rolls in. I am feeling a LOT better, but the cold weather (unseasonably cold for SC) and drying time will keep me from finishing all before Sunday morning.

I made over 700 pieces of Gnomes and Friends in 2022. WOW!  And there are not a whole lot of them remaining in my posession. THANK YOU ALL! 

Here's to a 2023 that doesn't throw us those cruve balls and is void of anything but good things. (I know, life isn't that way, but one can hope, can't they???)

Still creating for the holidays!

 

I am working on filling a few special orders and also building stock.

It is the busy season at work (retail does that) and my energy in the evenings isn't always there. I tend to create more in the mornings.

Last weekend, and the next two, we are open until 8:00 PM both Fridays and Saturdays. There is a Christkindlmarkt out on the village green those evenings and it only makes sense to be open.

This particular piece is already sold, but I am making more! And more angels are in the works too...

If, by chance, I do not get back to the blog before then, I hope that all of you who celebrate have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy 2023! It is unknown territory for us, being the first without both Mom & Dad. The most important thing is that we do have eachother and each of us has a circle of friends who are like family as well.

Thank you all for your support, it is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

I had a wonderful Mistletoe Market. 

Thank you to all who came and adopted my creations.

I am posting in my group on facebook (Cindy's Gnomes & Friends) what I have left so non-locals (and those unable to make it to the Market) can pick. I am making more!  I have wish lists for more that what remains. That makes me smile.

I have taken the week off from creating because I needed a little break. 

Again, thank you to all. I appreciate you and am humbled by how much people love my creations. I get so much joy out of their creation, and even more joy seeing the response and knowing they are going to loving homes.

Ready or not...

 I unloaded the last glaze firing destined for the Mistletoe Market this morning.  I just need to add the accents and sign, number, and price them all. Easily done.

I started more packing of product for Friday. It is amazing how many gnomes, snowmen, etc. fit into one of my cases compared to mugs and coffee pots...

I'm ready. I'm looking forward to this wonderful show.

Home Stretch

 Mistletoe Market at the Anderson County Museum is one week from today!  EEEEEEEEEEK!

That being said, I am 95% sure I am ready.

Some of the hand painted wood ornaments I will have this year.

This piece is sold, but I can take orders. It is larger than the rest and the tree is attached to the snowman.

This piece is also sold. Again, it is larger and the tree is attached to the Santa Gnome.

A few of the friendly snowpeople.

A close-up mug of the newest friends of the batch - Hedgehogs!

Some of the trees (and a few cardinals in the background).

I am excited. I love, Love, LOVE this show! 

The organizers are wonderful, the customers are too! 

And the other creative folk showing are fab-u-lous!

I have most items that are finished already priced, some packed, some in progress still, but I only have 2 - 3 more kiln firings, one glaze firing tonight, and maybe just one more glaze firing, I think it will all fit. If not, 2 glaze firings, I have time for that. 

(And time to add the gold and other acccents, sign and price them.)

I wish all of the exhibitors at the show a wonderfully fun and profitable time!

I thank the museum staff and volunteers for all they do to help this be such a great show.

See you Friday!

Some new Friends added

 I have been making the Angels for 8 years this coming November.

 I started the Santa Hats a couple of years later, but only made them for 2 years. I have brought them back this year. Now stoneware rather than porcelain, they will be easier to make. (Porcelain can be finicky to work with.) I just need to figure out a better way (in my view) to create the hooks.

I started the Gnomes last fall, introducing them at Mistletoe Market in early November. Since then I have made over 300 of them, including some limited edition ones and some custom requests. 

I have added new since then... first the Mushrooms. They come in all sorts of color combinations.

Now I have addes Owls.

Snails...

Penguins...

Cats... (including a couple of custom ones to look somewhat like specific pets.)

And I am making a sample Fox! Who knows if I will make more or not...

The Fox is still drying and I have not figured out exactly how I will glaze it... 

I am also painting some wood ornaments to add to the price variation for those who may not want to spend 10 - 20 dollars on a Snail, Gnome, Angel, or any of the others thus far...

Out with the old...In with the new

 

My old vehicle (blue) needed a new head gasket. It is 15 years old (I owned it for 10 1/2) and has 122,000+ miles. A new head gasket would start at about $3,000. It was time to take the money and invest it in something that will hopefully last me another 10+ years. 

So here is the new-to-me, 3 year old (red) vehicle to get me around as needed. A pretty little Buick Encore. It is a little bit smaller, but still big enough for me to fit show supplies in (should I be accepted), as well as being able to transport more than one passenger at times.

It is a bit daunting having car payments again  after a few years without them, but, it is worth the investment.

These little owls are the only 6 remaining after an initial batch of 15. The rest have flown off to their new homes. I am making more!

This little turtle was a headache to make, I love it, but need to find a way to make it less fiddley. For now, it is a one-of-a-kind. I have at least 5 or 6 people interested in it... 

I hope you all are having a good Spring, Summer is just around the corner. Time has been flying by so fast! I have cats and snails and gnomes and this turtle to start glazing tonight... It keeps me out of too much trouble! Behave yourselves 'til next time... - C.

Keeping busy

 In my "off" time from my full-time job, I try to find times to create. The gnomes and angels have been well received. The mushrooms are a little slow on the uptake, but still moving. I do plan to bring back the Santa Hat ornament this year. 

That being said, I have worked on some new ideas that seem to be doing pretty well, and they have not even been finished yet! The owls are leading the pack at the moment with a few requests for them already. The first two are in the glaze firing now to see if I like the glaze technique I used. The kitties have had a few requests as well. The snails have been a little sluggish... (OK, you don't have to laugh or even grin at that.)

Here are a few pictures of some of what I have done the last week or so... 

A painted gnome on a wood plaque.

Gifted to a friend.

Some of the Patriotic Gnomes after they arrived at their destination.

Bride & Groom Gnome

Shipping box art.

New friends...

A few more kitties.

Some fun things...

 A few things I have been working on lately:

Mushrooms

Owls

The inside of the shipping boxes for the Patriotic Gnomes 

(limited edition gnomes - sold out.)

The Limited Edition Patriotic Gnomes

Sold-out

owls (angels in the background)

I am thoroughly enjoying the process of making the gnomes still. 

Each of them has their very own personality.

About two months ago, I started with the mushrooms as well, and then recently have begun work on the owls. They are not finished yet.

There are so many additional ideas for decorations on the hats of the gnomes, and ideas for other things to add to the collection of friends that are floating around in my head. (As you can see in the background, I am still making my angels as well! I will also be bringing back the Santa Hat ornaments.)

Recently, I submitted my application for the Mistletoe Market at the Museum (Anderson County Museum, Anderson, SC) again for this year. I am always on pins and needles waiting to see if I get juried in or not. I understand the process, and the fact that the jury may be different people each year.

I hope the year has been good to everyone so far. We have been busy at the store. I am still the President of the Pendleton Area Business Association. Dad will be 91 this August. My car unfortunately needs a new head gasket... the possibility of buying  new-to-me car is out of the question right now. 

Busy weekend ahead

 The first full weekend in April for these last 45 years has been Historic Pendleton's Spring Jubilee. 

This is a juried art festival with over 70 artists displaying their creations. There will be entertainment, food vendors and what appears to be beautiful springtime weather. 

We have a store full of fun things for all ages, including not only my gnomes and angels, but Terri's fused glass jewelry, toys, games, bulk candy, candles, gourmet coffee beans, and more.... We will also be open on Sunday (when we are normally closed).

Many years ago, when I was still making the Ebonyware mugs and table ware, I was in the show twice.

 It is a wonderful show and if you are ever in the area the first full weekend of April, stop by and check it out.

Gnomes!

 I have been busy, busy, busy making mini gnomes since November!

I made 40 for the Mistletoe Market and then they started flying out of the store. By the end of December I had made 94!

I then decided to make some limited edition ones for Valentine's Day, St. and Easter because a friend had asked me to. Silly me didn't think they would be in high demand, so I made a limited run of 12 each. I now have people waiting in line for me to finish any gnomes!

None of the ones in any of these photos are still available...

they have all been claimed or sent to their new homes.

The only ones I have that are not claimed yet are these 30 every day gnomes that are not finished yet.

I am not complaining at all! But, I do need to get some more angels made as well, there are only 4 of those left.

Thank you all for appreciating my creative venture. I appreciate you!

PS: The facebook group Cindy's Gnomes & Friends was started to help people see what I have available and to let people know a little more about my process.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1302988350199628