Faerie Knoll Folk Art

Season's Greetings

2010-12-05T20:58:00.008-05:00

For those of you still out there following my blog... I want to say thank you! I realize it has now been more than 4 months since I've updated anything here. :( We did get all moved back into the farmhouse, and we're just now about completely settled. We had some renovation projects to wrap up... and let me just tell you, we have been going like the Energizer Bunny!!! We are finally winding down and nestling in for the winter. As I type, we're having a Lake Effect Snow event that could dump as many as 12 inches of light, fluffy snow on us over the next 48 hours! The wood stove is stoked and I have a few holiday decorations out now, too. It's feeling more and more like home every day. :)

We see some really spectacular sunrises and sunsets here, too. The following photo was taken on a chilly morning very early in November... the sky looks like it's awash in flames!

I hope to get back into creative mode soon... though I will likely only be creating for myself and my family for a while. I'm signed up with Gritty Jane to take a Clay & Cloth doll workshop as well as with Dixie Redmond for her Izannah Walker style doll workshop. Sadly, I've started neither project yet... but my hopes are for some long days to play now that winter has come upon us and we are mostly house-bound for the next couple of months. I'll be sure to share some photos of the things I'm working on and perhaps even some recipes as I've also recently rekindled my passion for cooking healthy foods, too!

Our family has some traditions for celebrating Yule that I will post along with some pictures soon. Our Yule celebration begins on December 21st and runs for 12 days through January 1st. We have a special activity we do each day during this time. When I reflect on my own childhood, it is the time I spent with my family and our friends during the holidays that come to mind... those are the most precious gifts... especially as we remember those who are no longer with us to celebrate. We have chosen to forgo the exchanging of gifts beyond anything simple and handmade in favor of doing things together to build relationships and lasting pleasant memories. This tradition began out of necessity for us when we were extremely limited financially while my husband was a full-time student. We've continued to celebrate in this way because we've found the holiday season is more pleasant, less stressful and more meaningful to each of us.

It is my sincere hope that you may each be blessed with family, friends and good health, and that you will spend the holidays making many happy memories to treasure for years to come. I'll be back again next week with those Yule activities and some recipes for you.

Until then, Blessed Be my friend!

Peace,
Dana

Land of the Lost

2010-08-12T10:24:00.006-04:00

Hello out there... hello... ::echo::... ::cricket:: LOL!!!

I know I've not been very good about maintaining my blog this summer. Truth is, I've been neck-deep in so many other things... I just have not had much time to be online OR create anything new in months.

Some fun news... we are moving next weekend back to our old farmhouse. This great place was built in 1881 and is just an amazing home... we've been working very hard to get it all cleaned up, freshly painted, replaced broken fixtures, new carpet and sanding down the original maple floors in the dining room and living room. Kind of a long story on how and why we left and are now heading back three years later... but we're very excited to be moving back!!! We'll be sharing the home with my in-laws who are now both retired and looking forward to spending lots of time with our children on the farm. :)

I did a swap with a dear friend, Pam of GoldieLoo Woodworks for some of her AMAZING wood signs for our new "old" place. They are on their way to the farmhouse now... I hope to take some pics to share once we're moved in and settled. I made her a Pumpkinhead dude (we can't decide on a name for him, LOL) and I hope he arrives at her place today... I can't wait for her to meet him in person.

That's about all from the Land of the Lost... hope you are having a good summer... and are staying cool, because it's been a scorcher here in the Great Lakes!

See you in the Fall...

Peace,
Dana

Halloween Witch Kitty on Etsy

2010-06-03T09:44:00.004-04:00

Hello & Happy 3rd Day of June!!!

I have had a bit of a lull in the whirlwind of my life, and I snuck out to my little creative space to weave a bit of magic. :) Sometimes, these projects whisper softly to me for a long time, and sometimes they bellow loudly and make a lot of noise in my head until I bring them to life. This little sweetheart has been whispering softly for several weeks, I'm so excited to share her with you!

This is Samantha...

She is just a tiny thing at 8 1/2 inches tall... I opted not to give her eyes because I'm a fan of simplicity with my cat faces.

You can see more about here in my Etsy shop if you desire...

We're enjoy a good bit of summer weather here... including some great thunder storms and warm temperatures. My youngest sister is graduating from High School this evening, and next week is her graduation open house (read: PAR-TAY!). :) We're looking forward to celebrating with her.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead, thanks so much for stopping by.

Cheers,
Dana
xo

Been a BUSY bee...

2010-04-13T08:27:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I've updated... my family and I have been super busy fixing up a great little get-away we purchased for recreational use in the warm months of the year. It's 2 hours north of our home, and since there was a lot of work to be done, and no good place to sleep while working, we've been commuting. We get up EARLY, drive up, put in a good long day and then drive home. This has been going on since the beginning of the month. Today I'm home with most of my tribe while my hubby and my oldest son head up to put some new flooring down. It's going to be a busy day here because laundry has seriously piled up, LOL!

I have not had time to spend out here in my lovely creative space... and it looks like that time will be very limited most of the summer and early Fall. I hope to get back to creating again when we lock up the little north woods retreat for the season and are home more.

If I do get a chance to work on anything, I'll be sure to share some pics with you all... I do hope you're enjoying the lovely Spring weather wherever you may roam!!!

Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

Win this lovely doll!

2010-04-08T14:32:00.003-04:00

Please stop by Miller Campbell Designs for a chance to win this lovely doll!

Happy Spring!!!

Peace,
Dana

Thoughts on Collectible Dolls?

2010-03-26T14:46:00.004-04:00

Hello friends, and TGIF! I've been rather quiet lately... lots on my mind but not really much to say. ~smile~

I did create this fun little fellow last week. His name is Milton, he's from a fantastic pattern by P.K. Gracia of Soft in the Head. I've put my own little spin on him and dressed him up for Halloween. Isn't he cute with his pumpkin bucket of candy corn and peanut butter kisses? He's going to reside here in my creative space... he brings me so many smiles.

I've had the itch to create dolls again. For me, dolling is different that creating characters. The challenge I've been up against is developing one pattern for a doll base for which I can come up with numerous possibilities in costume design.
I think there's something special about creating a different spin on the same basic pattern each time. It creates something "collectible." I'm not sure which size to go with for starters. And round head, or flat body? I dread those round heads as much as I love them when they're finished. LOL! I've worked from very small on up to relatively moderate in size. I must admit, I tend to prefer working with a smaller scale. So it's off to the drawing board for some experimentation.

I have also decided to give good ol' eBay a try again. I have a few auctions ending soon on some of the finished pieces I have to offer. We'll see how well that venture goes. For now, it seems like it is the place where I get the broadest exposure.

That's about all I have to offer today!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead... I'm so thankful for the arrival of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and return of all the beautiful foliage on the trees.

Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

I know it's almost spring, but...

2010-03-16T20:16:00.007-04:00

I have two sweet little snow fellows who would love to find a nice home before being packed away in a tote for the warm weather season...

SO...

Here's what I'd like to offer:

Original asking price on both of these pieces was $75 (each). I'm reducing the price by $25 each and they will go for $50 plus the cost of shipping to the first two folks who request them.

:~)

Email me to request them, please let me know your PayPal email address for invoicing.

Here's to the coming of SPRING!!!

xo,
Dana

Introducing...

2010-03-14T14:16:00.004-04:00

The Thimbleberry Faeries!

I've made a couple of these now, and I've just fallen in love with them. I see so many different possibilities for these sweet tiny Fae dolls. I've listed the first in my Etsy Shoppe today. This is Genavieve, and she would love to bring a bit of whimsy to your home and a smile to your face! She's a cloth doll and just 5 1/4" tall, she literally fits into the palm of your hand. All of the details about her can be find in the Etsy description.

Just six more days until the Vernal Equinox and the official arrival of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere!!! I'm so excited... it has been in the 50's here with light breezes and some rain showers which means the snow is GONE and I could even join my dear neighbors for a glass of wine on Friday OUTSIDE! That was a really nice treat after a long, cold Michigan winter.

Here's to the coming of Spring, and the blooming of flowers. These are some Iris' from last year. I can't wait to see them again very soon!

xo,
Dana

PFATT Marketplace March Release

2010-03-09T11:21:00.007-05:00

Hello and happy 9th day of March!

The March release of PFATT Marketplace will be available after midnight tonight EST ... I'm excited to share with you a sneak-peek of my offerings. I was in a red, black & white mood this month ... with plenty of polka dots and whimsy! ~smile~

Folk Art Rooster Make-do

This folk art rooster make-do is made of needle-sculpted muslin that has been painted with acrylic paints, sanded & then stained before a finish of a bees/carnauba blend wax was applied. He’s been dusted with cinnamon in all his little crevices to give him a nice time-worn look. The rooster is attached to a wooden dowel that sits atop a wooden egg and two primitive wooden stars painted in hues of red, black and cream. The wood has been sanded and aged with antique stain before a finish coat of sealer wax was applied. Some strands of black tinsel garland have been tied around the dowel under the rooster to finish him off with a bit of whimsy.

The entire piece measures 8 inches tall by 5 inches wide and was created from my own pattern & design. Limited edition, this is piece number 1 of 10 and he will come to you signed and dated. He is $55 plus $6 for priority shipping to the Continental US, please email to inquire about further details.

Love ~ Amor Heart Make-do

Every day is a day to celebrate Love! This fun piece is dedicated to all of those who do.

The heart is made of muslin that has been stuffed, painted in deep, true red then sanded, stained and given white polka dots. It’s been finished with a blend of bees/carnauba wax to give a great look and feel (almost leather-like). The heart was then secured to the top of a 6 inch wooden candlestick that has been painted in black with an ivory ring around the base. Around the ivory ring the words “love”
and “amor” have been hand-written in black ink & separated by little black hearts. The candlestick has also been rubbed with the same sealer wax.

To finish it off, there is a black and white striped ribbon tied in a bow at the base of the heart along with some strands of black tinsel garland, and a black chenille stem coiled into curly-q’s with two rusty jingle bells on the ends. Overall, this sweet heart measures 11 inches tall and 6 ½ inches wide.

It’s the perfect piece to add a touch of whimsy to any room. It is my own design and will come do you signed and dated. The price is $40 plus $7 for priority shipping to the Continental US, please email to inquire about further details.

Thanks for stopping in to see me ... and have a fabulous week ahead! Spring is on her way!!!

xo,
Dana

Why "age" it?

2010-03-05T14:30:00.007-05:00

Pictured above are some vintage treasures from my past ... things that belonged to me (my first pair of shoes), my mother, my Grandma, Great Grandma, and made by my Great Great Grandma ... they are all special treasures.

Recently someone new to my style of artwork asked me the question, "why age it?" She received the short answer, the answer I normally give. But it really caused me to ponder that question and search for a deeper meaning. What draws me to the aged, time-worn look and feel of anything?

Anything that is new and pristine is beautiful in its own right. A new home, new furniture, a new vehicle, new bedding, new clothes, new shoes. They are perfect and unmarked. They are certainly something to be admired for what they are. To me, however, they are lacking depth and character.

When something has been well-loved over time, it bears the evidence of that love. There's a difference between things have been abused or carelessly looked after. That's not the depth and character that appeals to me. It's the creases in the binding of an old book from being read over and over again. It's the rubbing in the finish of a table where families have joined to share a meal or a game for years and years. It's the little dings and scratches that say, "someone loved me enough to keep me clean and polished ... but loved their family enough to accept that things do not remain new and pristine in a home that is lived in and loved by a busy, bustling family."

I love to go to the antique flea market in the late spring, summer and early fall here in southern lower Michigan. There are so many little treasures there. It is really something to stop and reflect on the many hands and lives that touched the things you'll find. There is often a warmth, charm and character to items that have been well-loved over the years that you just can not find with something that is brand new. Each item has a history, a story ... and you can sometimes catch little glimpses of those stories if you are still and observant. It's those moments I cherish.

That is the inspiration for the work I create. I attempt to recreate that look and feel of time-worn, well-loved and beautifully aged ... and I add my own story to each and every piece I bring to life.

The Humble Arts March Update

2010-02-28T10:16:00.009-05:00

Hello from a lovely snow-covered Michigan! I'm truly anxious for spring to make her debut, and I'm almost sure I'm not the only one who is growing weary of the winter wonderland scene given the amount of record snowfall many areas of our country have seen this winter. I hope you've all stayed safe and warm!!!

This evening, I'm honored to be joining the talented artists of The Humble Arts to bring you fresh new offerings for the month of March. I hope you will stop by to visit each of my new friends ... they are sure to have some truly lovely items to share with you!!!

Here's a peek at the two I have to share, my personal artist page will be updated by no later than 8:00 p.m. EST (likely between 7:00 & 8:00).

A Primitive Robin Box to welcome the coming of Spring...

A trio of Primitive Angel Bust Ornies ...

Have a wonderful week ahead!

xo,
Dana

Hurry, Spring ...

2010-02-23T13:52:00.003-05:00

I am hoping Spring will hurry ... but in the meantime, we have more snow. The fun part is ... the GIANT snowman now residing in my front yard!!! :~D

This frosty fellow was constructed mostly by my 14 year old son (who stands 5'9" tall!) and my hubby with the help of my younger kidlets. He stands about 7" tall, and looks amazing in the front yard.

So, until Spring decides to make her debut in Michigan, we'll take what we can get and enjoy it. :~)

I've got many irons in the fire this week ... and several pieces in the works for my debut on The Humble Arts, the March release of PFATT Marketplace & the March 15 release in my Etsy Shoppe, too.

Make it a GREAT day!

xo,
Dana

Enjoying Some Sunshine!

2010-02-19T14:16:00.009-05:00

Well, I don't know about all of you, but I'm SO ready for spring!!! These are my doggies, Ozzy & Bella, trying to stay warm. The sun has been shining now for two straight days and it feels REALLY nice and toasty here inside our home. The sun is a bit deceiving, however, because it's still pretty chilly outside. The snow is starting to melt a little from the roof and on the driveway.

I've spent this week giving my sitting room a bit of a face-lift! When we moved here in August of 2007, we painted all the walls in deep jewel tones. Last year, I decided I really wasn't fond of such dark colors on the walls, so I convinced my wonderful hubby to help me paint. The sitting room was the last room to be completed ... and wouldn't you know the color we chose just did NOT suit the space. It was a pale yellow, but it took on a funny shade of almost green in the room. By that time, both of us were so sick of painting that we just said, "fuggetaboutit" and left it. Now, I've had a really horrible case of cabin fever and needed the change the space up a bit. We moved furniture around and then I mentioned painting ... and I got the LOOK ... you know the one. LOL! I said I would do it all myself, and aside from a little help with taping the ceiling, I did just that. I *love* the color!!!

It's a little more blue in the photos than it is on the walls. It's a little less green than a true Robin's Egg Blue, I just love it! It totally changed the look and feel of this room. Here's a pic taken during the holidays where you can see the old color.

That's my tribe with their stockings. ;~) Notice even Ozzy ... with his little head digging for the treasures in his. LOL!

On that note ... I now have to get busy in the studio again preparing for my debut on The Humble Arts the end of this month, my March 10 release of PFATT Marketplace and my March 15th update in my Etsy Shoppe!

Have a fabulous weekend!!!

xo,
Dana

And the winner is ...

2010-02-16T10:40:00.003-05:00

I had RANDOM.ORG pick the magic number this morning from the entries here on my blog and also from our Facebook fan page ... and the luck winner is:

~Janie~

Congratulations, Janie! And thank you to EVERYONE who stopped by and left a comment and compliments here for my launch giveaway!!!

Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

February 15th Update - Etsy Shoppe

2010-02-14T23:47:00.004-05:00

Good Evening!

I'm excited to announce that my Etsy Shoppe is loaded with all of the items I have for my February 15th launch/update. :~) Please stop in and see what's on offer. I'd love to hear your feedback & comments.

Don't forget to swing by the give-away post and leave your name to be entered in the drawing to win the party kitty, too!

Hoping you all had a fabulous Valentine's Day ... I was spoiled with chocolates and a funny card from my sweetest man.

Many Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

Hagley the Hare on PFATT Marketplace ...

2010-02-09T16:01:00.005-05:00

Hello All!

I'm so excited to share a little sneak preview of my item for the February edition of PFATT Marketplace which updates late tonight or tomorrow.

Please meet Hagley the Hare ...

He will be available exclusively on PFATT Marketplace ... I do hope you will stop by and see him and the other wonderful offerings with the February release.

Please also don't forget to sign up on the post below to be entered in my give-away drawing on February 16!!!

Many Merry Wishes,
Dana

Launch Give-Away!!!

2010-01-31T22:31:00.011-05:00

Okay, I know I said I'd announce this on the 1st, but I'm so excited - I couldn't wait. It's close enough, right?

In celebration of the launch of my new Etsy Shoppe & my joining PFATT Marketplace on February 10, I'm hosting a give-away here on my blog for a Faerie Knoll Folk Art original creation ...

This sweet party kitty is made of needle-sculpted muslin that has been painted, sanded and put through a special prim process to give a time-worn look. She stands just over 9 inches in height.

Her hat is trimmed with vintage-style silver tinsel garland, a red glittered hat pin and a tiny rusty jingle bell on top. Around her neck is a piece of stained black & white gingham homespun. It's been finished with a rusty jingle bell and a bit of preserved sweet annie.

Here's how you can enter to win this folksy party kitty:

Post in the comments section of this blog = 1 entry*
Post my banner and a bit about my give away on your blog = 1 entry**
Make a purchase from my Etsy shop on the day of the launch (February 15) = 5 entries

All entries must be made by 12:00 p.m. PST on February 15, 2010 (3:00 a.m. EST, February 16).

The winner will be drawn on February 16, 2010.

*You are welcome to comment as many times as you like, however, each person will be allowed one entry for commenting.

**Please be sure to email me to faerieknollfolkart@gmail.com to let me know you've placed my banner on your blog. Click on the banner to save it to your own hard drive, please.

If you'd like to be added to my update mailing list, please send me an email to faerieknollfolkart@gmail.com and I will happily add you. I will be updating my Etsy shoppe with new items on the 15th of each month, and I will have new items on PFATT Marketplace on the 10th of each month.

Thank you for helping me celebrate my shoppe launch!

Merry Wishes,
Dana

Preparations Underway

2010-01-27T15:41:00.005-05:00

I am diligently working on pieces for the launch of my Etsy Shoppe ... I'm getting really excited!!! It feels so good to be creating again. I have a journal with a running list of things I know I'd like to make and it's difficult to stay focused on one long enough to finish it. :~) I'm having nightly dreams about art work again ... something that has not happened in a very, very long time.

In conjunction with my shoppe launch, I am planning to do a blog give-away. I'm not precisely sure what kind of goodies I will offer, but I promise it will be something sweet ... probably cat-related (since the cats are speaking loudest to me right now!) and will not disappoint. I'll announce the give-away on the 1st of February along with details on how you can win and play along if you desire! There is a fan page on Facebook for Faerie Knoll Folk Art, too, if you'd like to follow me there.

Another exciting announcement is that I've been accepted to the PFATT Marketplace and will begin offering my work there on the 10th of February! I hope you will stop by to see me and the other amazingly talented artists the 10th of each month.

I'd like to take a moment to say thanks to all of my friends and family who've offered support and encouragement in addition to the many compliments I've received ... it means a great deal to me. THANK YOU!

I'll be back in a few days with that announcement ... until then, make happy memories!!!

xo,
Dana

New Beginnings

2010-01-24T15:14:00.006-05:00

I've been contemplating just what exactly to do with my finished pieces ... since I do not have the room to keep them all (and I keep making more and more), and I believe I am ready to start new with selling my handmades. I have an Etsy shop set up, I like the store front there. You have to sign up for an account to shop with me, but it's free and super easy. I used to sell my soaps and things there, and did quite well with it, actually. So the "plan" is to update my Etsy shop on the 15th of each month with new handmade items. February 15, 2009 will be the launch!!! Currently, the shop is set to Vacation Mode ... and Etsy has a neat feature where you can sign up for an email alert when the shop reopens. I promise, they don't spam you ... but you can be notified one time when the shop is open and ready for business. :~)

I will have a few of these little cuties finished ...

I'm planning a few prizes and a give-away to celebrate my new beginning ... I'll announce more details about that in the coming week. I'm really excited for this next chapter in my journey and I'm looking forward to what's to come.

Today it is mild (in the 40's), raining and very windy. Our snow is just about all melted and I'm itching for an early spring!!! I've got a case of the winter blahs and there are many exciting changes on the horizon for my family ... neither my dear hubby nor I do "limbo" well, so this hanging out and waiting is making me a little loco. Tomorrow, however, the cold returns and brings along with it several days of snow showers. The return of winter may settle my restlessness a bit and help me focus on being productive in the studio.

This was an ATC I made a couple of years ago for Valentine's Day. I thought it would be fun to share here since it's coming up again SOON!

I've been working on "Wreck This Journal" by Keri Smith a bit. It's been a pretty good exercise in breaking through barriers put up by the obsessive, anal-retentive perfectionist in me. Creative destruction has been a lot of fun, but also pretty scary (smearing your dinner on your journal page ... ewww, but *I* did it!!!). I'm meeting up with a group of friends who are also embarking upon this journey on the 23rd of February to share our "Wrecked" art journals. I'm looking forward to that!!! Here's a Flickr pool of journal entries ... pretty neat to look at. :)

So, for now I say fare thee well and have a fabulous week ahead!

xo

A Snowy Winter Guy

2010-01-20T18:44:00.009-05:00

I've spent a fair amount of time in the studio the last few days. I've been working through some things in my personal life and so keeping my mind and my hands busy is a helpful thing for me. I've been working on this snow folk that I just LOVE!!!

He is from a pattern by my dear friend Tonya of Back Porch Pickins. He's actually not quite finished yet ... he needs a banner and perhaps some other small things. But for the most part, he's finished.

I really love black and white or black and cream. And I adore stripes, checks and polka dots (ESPECIALLY polka dots!). I'm just tickled pink with how he turned out.

I am hoping to be able to work on some small things for my Etsy shop now that I have this project finished up. You see, I knew that if I didn't make this for myself before I ventured back into selling my finished artwork ... that it probably wouldn't ever be made. Now that I have and I'm pleased, I feel like I can focus on some other things (first things like the laundry and chasing the tumbleweeds of kitty hair with the vacuum, LOL!).

Thanks for stopping by to have a peek ... I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

xo,
Dana

Faeries make me smile!

2010-01-16T14:15:00.012-05:00

Happy Saturday!

Today I took my two oldest daughters to a friend for a hair cut. My Aida donated her hair to Locks of Love ... doesn't she look beautiful!? She'd been growing her hair out for two years, not necessarily with the intention to donate it, but just because she wanted to grow it out. She recently asked me about getting it all cut short again, and I thought about my sister who recently went through a round of chemo for her lupus and how she lost a lot of her hair. She could have been fitted for a wig, but opted to do some fun and funky cuts and colors with what hair she had left and was totally gorgeous!!! So that got me thinking about donating the hair we cut and we looked into it together. We'll be mailing it off on Tuesday. :~)

I've been spending a little bit of time when I can in the studio. I must say, it's been a challenge to find a good balance between art when it's beckoning me and life with a large busy family. When the creative juices are flowing, it's difficult not to become completely overtaken. There are days I could spend hours in the studio while the house fell down around me. ;~)

Which brings me to my next thought! On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of viewing the documentary, "Who Does She Think She Is?" with my neighbor, Libby and a group of women. I believe there were 11 or 12 of us there and we were quite a diverse group. I liked the documentary. It was about women as artists and mothers and finding the balance between art and family life ... and how society expects women to choose one over the other. I have my own opinion of some things, but if you are able to find a place to see it, I would highly recommend it.

On a final note, I'd like to share my latest little creation. She's a tiny faerie doll ...

Measuring in at less than 6" tall, she's made of painted/sanded/stained muslin fabric with wool roving hair in nutmeg and hand-painted facial features. Her wings are made separately, hand-painted, distressed and sewn to her back. On her dress bodice is sewn a small antiqued metal flower embellishment.

Her skirt is made of quilt shop quality brown/tan polka dot cotton. Her stockings and little slipper shoes are hand-painted on.

I have yet to give her a name, but since she is the first one I've made, I've grown quite attached to her and I think I will be keeping her. I've got two more bodies sewn with the intention to turn & stuff and begin the creative process with them. Perhaps they will make it into my Etsy shop sometime next week!

Have a fabulous weekend!
Dana

Back in the Saddle!

2010-01-07T23:26:00.000-05:00

Hello & welcome to my new blog!

To some I am a familiar face and I'm so happy that you've found me back. For those that are new here and perhaps don't know me or recognize my artwork, I'd like to introduce myself.

My name is Dana, I'm first and foremost a life partner to my best friend and soul-mate, Jonathan. My full-time job is as a stay home mom to some of the neatest kids I know! :~) I'm also an artist. My medium has fluctuated, morphed and changed many times over the years. For quite a while I indulged my fancy for folk art & primitives through soft-sculpture art dolls. I had taken a very long hiatus because my muse left me, and for those of you artful souls out there reading this - you all understand how creativity just can not be forced. So I packed up a few small supplies and either sold off or donated the rest.

I ventured back into soap making for a while in 2008 with Moon Maiden Soap & Sundries. While it seemed to have taken off and was a successful endeavor for me, my muse was beginning to speak to me again & I was itching to create. After many months of pondering ... I moved my art supplies back up to my sunny space and began creating again in December of 2009. For now, I am mainly creating things just for my family to enjoy like ornaments for our Yule tree and sweet smalls for my cupboards and spaces throughout our home. However, if the muse continues to whisper as often as it has to me, I will rapidly run out of places to tuck my creations and will begin offering them for sale again through an online venue like Etsy or eBay.

I'd like my blog to be a place where I can share my creations with others like yourself. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll find some time to set a spell!

Thanks to Sandy of Sam I Am Creations for my neat banner!

Many Merry Wishes!

xo,
Dana