Red Hen Studios: November 2010

11.29.2010

Thanksgiving in the Adirondacks

We spent a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend

in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York,

in and around Lake Placid.

Over the course of three days,

it went from autumn to winter.

(Be sure to click on each picture for a larger view.)

Sunrise over Wilmington

Santa's Workshop, North Pole, NY

Adirondack silhouette

Mirror Lake living up to its name

Lodge reflections

Late fall landscape

Whiteface Mountain

In the distance

The actual Lake Placid

The mighty Ausable River

Our first snowfall

Schroon Lake, NY

The sun setting

11.24.2010

Cherishing ChildCraft books

My first babysitting job came when I was about 11.

My twin sister and I took turns caring for

my mom's co-worker's baby daughter.

Fast-forward about 30 years, when I caught up

with mother and daughter on Facebook and Etsy.

Beth graciously sent me nearly a complete set

of ChildCraft books from 1942

since she knew they would sell well on Etsy.

They are all filled with wonderful stories,

gorgeous period illustrations

and child-reading tips,

though some of those are very out-dated!

Each one is now available for sale in my Etsy shop.

In the meantime, I am enjoying them myself.

11.22.2010

No he wasn't a fashion designer,
even though it really sounds like he was.
Maurice of California was a company that made ceramic pieces,
including these ones, in the middle of the last century.

I found all of them at a recent local estate sale,
relegated to a spot under a table in the garage.
The colors and shapes drew me in for a closer look.
Since California pottery is highly collectible I took them all.

They are great for recreating a "Mad Man" vibe,
adding to a mid-century modern interior design
or even just using as a unique centerpiece.

Click each photo for a closer look
or the blue-highlighted text to go right to their Etsy pages.

Vintage Cherry Red Black Serpentine Ashtray

Vintage Orange Black Serpentine Ashtray

Two Vintage Gold and Fire Organic Ashtrays
(one has a repaired chip, so these two go together)

Vintage Golden Butterscotch Organic Ashtray

Vintage Organic Ashtray Black Red

11.21.2010

Craft show recap

The one craft show I had on my schedule this year is now over.

It went very well, especially the sales on Saturday morning.

Two of my boys took turns keeping me company, helping me out

and spending the money I made on yummy goodies!

I love my spot in the hallway with its loads of light

coming through skylights and from spotlights

aimed toward the brink wall. Perfect!

Can't wait for next year!

11.17.2010

Craft show weekend

You have only one chance to see me and my wares

at a craft show this year and it just so happens to be this weekend.

Classy Crafts for Christmas will be held

Friday 2 to 8 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm

at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church,
48 Aviation Road in Queensbury.

If I am in the same place as last year,
you will find me in the long hallway.
Come say hello!

11.15.2010

Jumping into vintage fashion

Up until today I didn't have too much

vintage clothing in my Etsy shop.

Now I have a wide variety!

Vintage Cowgirl Rockabilly Embroidered Western Shirt

Vintage Clip On Necktie Orchestra Ballet

Vintage Gingham BOHO Dress Turquoise White 70s

Vintage Wrap Skirt Tropical Flowers Black 70s

Vintage Wrap Skirt Spring Flowers 70s

Vintage Blue Beacon Style Indian Blanket Robe

Vintage Hilo Hattie Mens Shirt Purple Hibiscus 80s

Vintage Fruit of the Loom Men's Robe -- coming soon

Vintage Women's Geometric Rain Coat -- coming soon

11.14.2010

Of flags and horses

When the photo contest parameters said a flag must be included

I knew exactly where I would go look for my potential entries.

Just over a year ago, I took many photos at the burial of
an unknown New York state Civil War soldier
at the Gerald Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

It was such a display of patriotism, not just with all the flags

but because of all the military members present.

Civil war re-enactors, older veterans, Patriot Guard Riders

and the young soldiers who made up the honor guard.

This is the photo I chose to enter and it won,
just a few weeks before Veterans Day.

The contest was held on Facebook by local photographer
Mark Samu on his Where's Mr. Peabody? fan page.
For winning, I got to choose any print from his collections.
I chose Mr. Peabody with his barn mate,
a really fat goat named Little Jerry.

Be sure to check out Mark's beautiful collections --
the rural life, place your bets, the new cowboys,
equine conversations, hoof beats, the english subjects,
the rodeo and the mr. peabody collections.
They are now available on Etsy and at local retailers.