Busy Summer

 I didn't realize just how long it has been since I last posted. My apologies to anyone who may have been looking for any kind of update.

The painting is complete, and the house has been back on the market for 3 months now. 

I decided to introduce a new friend to my collection, as well as a new Limited Edition Christmas Gnome.

Black Bears (Brown/Grizzly/Polar to come soon)

A Black bear came to mind, inspired by a couple of my favorite clay artisans. Theirs are SO very different yet very inspiring. I have made 17 so far, and only have 2 or 3 remaining finished ones. I am making more for Mistletoe Market!

In addition to the Black Bears, I will make some Brown/Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, and more Gnomes, Cats, Fox, Owls, Ghosts, Snowpeople, Pumpkins, Angels, Santa Hats, Mushrooms, Penguins, Bluebirds, Cardinals, Hedgehogs, Mice, Bunnies, and maybe more... Ideas keep percolating in my head.

2024 Limited Edition Christmas Gnome

As I was making some Polka Dot hat gnomes, I decided that I would make the dots multi-colored, like the Christmas Trees I started making. The background colors so far have been black, purple, and yellow. Anyway, that inspired me to create the Limited Edition Christmas Gnome for this year with a Christmas tree for it's hat. I have pre-orders for 40 of them! I will make plenty extra to bring with me to Mistletoe Market.

In other news... I am frustrated with the fact that nobody has come to look at the house in 2 months! I had both bathrooms worked on (as per my previous post) as well as painting the one bathroom, and painting the large kitchen wall. I then hired a crew to trim the greatly neglected trees and shrubs. We lowered the price. We would rather not lower the price too much more. The house is 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,300+ square feet of living space with an out building and 1.55 acres. Our agent grew up on this street and her dad still lives in the neighborhood. Any pointers on getting people to at least come and take a look?

I know it will sell when the time is right. I just am stressing about how long it is taking to get to the right time.

I will do my best to update things before Mistletoe Market (which is November 1 & 2 this year!)

Limited Editions...

 

I have the photo of the glazed Valentine Gnomes. I had pre-orders for 25 and made 41. I only have 4 left that are not spoken for. Not too bad in my opinion.

These are photos of the prototype for the limited edition St. Pat's gnome. I have pre-orders for 24 (the cut-off date was 1/28/23), decided to make 35, and have had 4 additional ones ordered from that surplus. Again, not too bad, in my opinion. 

This guy has a red/brown beard to be close to the traditional depiction of Leprechauns.

Today I received the glaze I want to try for the upcoming limited edition Easter gnomes. The prototype is on my to-do list.  I will have pre-orders start in mid to late February. I usually make 10 - 15 extras, depending on how popular they seem to be.

Preparing for the first Limited Edition of 2023

 Last year, about this time, I decided to create some Limited Edition Gnomes for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. I made 12 of each. I had NO idea that they would be so popular! I had so many requests afterward that I decided in the future I would take pre-orders for any of the Limited Edition pieces. It has worked well.

I am now working on the Limited Edition Valentine Gnomes for 2023. I am taking pre-orders until next Saturday, January 14, 2023. I will have them finished before February 1 so I can ship (those that need it) and have them arrive at their new homes prior to Valentine's Day.

As of this morning, I have taken orders for 23!  So far, I have made 27. I plan to make 10 or so over the pre-order total so I can have a few for those who may not have seen the pre-order post in the facebook group. Not everyone does facebook, I totally understand that.

I will post a photo of them once they are finished.  The plan is to give them white hats and a red heart with gold accents.

A New Limited Edition Gnome

 

The Autumn/Halloween Limited Edition Gnome is ready for pre-orders. I drew the concept a few weeks ago and shaped the prototype this past weekend.

Pre-orders will end at 11:59PM on Monday, August 22, 2022.

Choice of hat color will be purple (as on the gnome to the left in the photo below) or green (as on the angel in the photo below).

Once pre-orders end, I will make 10 more than the amount pre-ordered. 

They will all be signed and  numbered

There will be no more like them made in 2022.

As with any of these handmade pieces, there will be variations from one to the next, 

no two will be exactly alike. 

When completed, they will be ready for shipment/pick-up no later than mid October.

Keep in mind that I am also preparing stock for Mistletoe Market the beginning of November.