Are You Ready for 'Vintage Black Friday'.....

OK...I only just found out about this 'Fun Event' this morning from my good friend Patty's Blog

Anyway...sounded fun and involved the color 'Black' (right up my alley) so I thought what the heck. It seems this event takes place the First Friday of each new month...and the Only Rules are that you display something on your blog that is A.) Black...and B.) Vintage!!! So I literally grabbed the first thing I could see .. Richard's 'Cybister Beetle' It is an Aquatic Beetle from the La Brea Tar Pits (Los Angeles) and lived between 10,000 - 40,000 years ago...that's pretty Vintage!! It rests in a matrix of asphalt. Richard has had this in his collection for about 25 years ...for from what we understand pieces like this are no longer being sold...the museum is now hanging onto all things found in the 'Pits' . I loved the Tar Pits as a child...located right in downtown L.A. ...we would go there on school field trips ...and they found many a 'ancient' bone in there...the Pits even 'bubbled' coooool stuff!

So there you have it...My something Black and Vintage... thanks Patty for the fun event!! Come on everybody...join in....

Hugs,

Jodi

Commission Complete!!!!

AT LAST!!! Our Commission is complete and in the collection of our Collector!! Just wanted to share a few of the photos with you. I must say this piece has taken us much longer than expected... between bouts with colds (both of us) , the Holidays, short trips, unexpected happenings on the home front ...it seemed at one point we would never finish this piece....but our love for it kept pushing us forward ...and not until that last day with the final touches...did we take our final "WHEW'S"....

We are most pleased with the outcome and the Collector is over the moon happy...so all is right in Creager Land!!!

If you have not seen them already there are early shots of the 'making of the Rickshaw' on our blog.... since those shots much has been accomplished with this piece...the dolls for example....no dolls in the early shots. The Rickshaw has been painted and trimmed, cloth cover added to the folding shade top (that moves up and down to shade him) , metal blackened and polished... there also is a base (not shown) . The dolls hats and shoes were made by Richard as was the fan he holds. I made the dolls faces and hands as well as clothing and misc. details on the clothing... The gentleman riding is comfortably sitting up against 2 Chinese silk dragon pillows...edged in silk rope trim.
Richard carved the wooden seats inside the carriage and I painted to resemble leather...as always, the details never seem to show up in photographs...bummer.

So at last... we are happy to share what we have been doing for the past few months...among a few other things of course... Now onto some Miniatures ...Doing a Frankenstein to go along with 'The Bride' that we did ...and I think I really have a hankering to do some Alice in Wonderland Figures... we will see what falls out when I shake that creative tree...hmmmm maybe a Cheshire Cat!!!

Hugs to All,

Jodi and Richard

A Shout Out for a Couple of Friends...Must See Blogs

I am a very fortunate individual, I have been blessed with meeting soooo many wonderful and talented artists over the years simply because of my Profession. It always seems that the Moon and Stars align just right to put me on the perfect pathway to meet others walking the same walk. These artists I have meet over the years have enriched and fulfilled my artistic and spiritual journey that I can't help but feel blessed. Each and every day I cross paths with New 'Travelers' on this artistic journey... and most days I consider myself the luckiest Person in the world...

One of the Terrific ways of sharing art of course are through 'Blogs' and Web Sites... And we have two very talented friends that I would like share with you. Kathryn Uster Profera (Kate) has been my kindred Spirit friend for the last 8 years ..we know we are sisters that somehow were 'split apart' at birth. Kate is a very talented Lady whose artistic skills are demonstrated boldly in whatever she is working on...be it collage, painting, jewelry, sculpture or working to keep the Earth Green and Safe ...my friend shines! Here husband Tony (a Musical Genius) and Kate are our best friends here in Havasu, and the only people that can keep us up talking past 1:00am....LOL!!!.

Kate has been working on her 'New Blog' ...Please pop over and Say 'Hi' to my Buddy... KATHRYN USTER COLLAGE

Richard and I have known the Multi-Talented Tom Banwell since the very early days of our careers... We actually did the California Harvest Festival Circuit Together back in the 80's ...back then he blew us away with his Wooden Creations... Over the years Tom has worked in Numerous Media ...Leather, Glass, Resin just to name a few...Tom was the very talented artist that cast our Anatomy Studies that we sculpted years ago. We lived in the same neck of the woods at one time and have enjoyed dinner and wine on several occasions with he and his wife Jill...."HI' Jill. I remember Tom having a real thing for Hats (me too!!) But his hats were like no others...now he is creating Marvelous Steampunk Designs that take our Breath away... yet another wonderful artistic direction Tom has taken...and once again....his Artistic Star Shines Bright. Please visit his Blog... TOM BANWELL LEATHER AND RESIN PROJECTS

A Tale of Woe..& That's How it Goes!!!

For anybody who has read my past blog posts or talked to me in person...you know I am one to go on and on about our Magical Tipi , and how much we adore it... well 'Woe' came a knockin on our door this morning... when we stepped outside to the backyard to assess any damage that might have taken place during our recent rain and wind storms...we were not fully prepared to see this gaping hole in the side our our statuesque beauty.... It literally took our breath away for a second or two... as if something very precious was taken from you and you were helpless to do anything about it...

My second reaction (after the first one of shock) was the need to quickly cover the hole with anything I could...not to keep anything bad out ( after all it was a bright sunny day with no rain in sight) but rather my knee jerk reaction was to cover the hole so as to not let anything out!! I know it sounds weird but I do believe very good things dwell within the canvas skins of our magical tipi...be they spirits of those before us, energy harnessed from visiting friends or even Dreams gathered and stored there....whatever it was...I did not want them to escape and be lost forever! The hole was facing the S.W. so this was good as it would not confuse the Morning Sun as it entered our tipi from the east.

Richard and I both realized that something like his would happen at some point...yet we really did not speak of it ...EVER! You see...we leave our Spiritual Abode up year round (can't even imagine not having it up to enjoy)...and with our blistering summer heat with it's relentless penetrating rays constantly beating up against her skin ..and the hot and cold winds that blow from both North and South , and the summer rains that drench her and leave her damped for sometimes days ...Our Spiritual Lady was bound to suffer this tragic end at some point . We painted her to protect her...and those colorful markings still hold true and strong... but her more exposed canvas accepts all that nature has to offer....and she did a wonderful job for 3 years straight. So now it is time to take her down and let her bones dry out a bit in the sunshine and to expose the ground for all manner of critter to scurry . Come this late spring when they finish the road work on our street and the weather warm and drys out ...we will buy our lovely lady a New Wrap and paint it pretty once again...

Soon there will be a new energy , spirits will once again gather and dreams will fill the inner walls of our magical place..

Hugs,

Jodi

Article Published in ADQ!!

Howdy Do....

Just got notice that the New Art Doll Quarterly Magazine hit the stands (Spring Issue) ...actually found out through a friend on her Blog.... Artists are always the last to know!!!LOL... Anyway...this is the magazine that I wrote an article for on our Little Joury Nell ...also some steps that went into making her...it was a blast to write and I hope to try my hand at some more in the future. I have not yet received my copy...but I am guessing this is now on stands.

Check out the cool doll on the cover...wild!!! I so enjoy the direction many of the new dolls are taking these days... Over the Top Creations...so much imagination!

Anyway...just thought I would let you know, a few wrote to me privately and asked for me to let them know when it hit the stands.... It Hit!!!

Hugs ,

Jodi

P.S. Hey if you have not done so yet.... put your name into the hat for my Necklace Giveaway....

OWOH -One World One Heart Blog Giveaway

Back in 2007 ...Lisa at a Whimsical Bohemian (Cool Name Huh!) Started this great way of Bloggers meeting each other...Bloglandia can be a pretty big place and this unique way of bringing us all together is genius. I do look forward meeting tons of new people and enjoying their blogs. Be sure to pop over to Lisa Blog and participate in all the fun adventures that await you... hold onto your hats...it is going to be a fun exciting ride through Bloglandia!

This is my First Year to Participate (Thank You 'Sprite') for letting me know about this fun event.

My 'Giveaway' is one of my Sculptural Wear Necklaces...primarily I am a Doll Maker but I do love to dabble in jewelry (as long as there is a face involved).

This necklace is handmade from Polymer Clay, Art Papers, Vintage Stones, Brass, Ivory, glass and stone.
From bottom stone to ivory beads on top...is approx. 8 inches. Silver hook on leather cord finishes the pieces off nicely.

Here's How to Enter... Simply leave a comment on this post (Thank You for that) ... Last chance to enter will be Midnight (EST) February 14th . I will use the automatic generator number picker to select the winner...and then will announce the winner here on my Blog on the 15th.... I will contact you at that point....

Again Thanks for stopping by my Blog... I look forward to visiting yours...

Hugs,

Jodi

Rain Rain Go Away

Pardon the Play on Words 'Pun -isms'...could not help myself...the rain is making my brain soggy!! We have been blasted with the stuff... we are getting it on the tails of poor California...UGH! I actually like rain...but when it brings hundreds of little 'leaks' I am not amused! That's what happens when you have a house in the 'dry' desert...rain happens and leaks pop up everywhere from shock! On top of everything else...boy Richard and I have developed little head colds...nothing bad from what I can tell and keeping fingers crossed won't go anywhere beyond a few sniffles, a sneeze or two and desire for hot tea with honey... not sure where we got this one ...I am so good about being in public with germs... but this too shall pass...wow...two colds in the span of two months...UNFAIR!!! But even as I type this I am feeling better....

WOW...just took a peek...I am at 299 Followers... one shy of 300!!!! ZOWIE...DING DING DING ... I could not be more thrilled...

OK...off to chew some more gum to patch the new holes.... if it does not stop soon... Richard's next project might be an Arc!!

Hugs,

Jodi