Back To The Drawing Board

We are basking in the afterglow of Christmas in our wee cottage on Curry Road. It was a wonderful time filled with family...and yes even a bit of creating (family needs their wee folk also). One would think that the days following, would be perfect for putting the feet up and hanging a vacation sign up on the online venues. Holiday handmade show season is finished for everyone...but the Trade Shows are just getting fired up. Trade show or no; it is a rare day that pens, needles,brushes or sculpting tools will sit idle all together in this home. There is always one tool in use at some time during the day or night. A dead giveaway of a truly creative soul.

Creating has always been a part of my soul, drumming to it's own beat and never mindful of weekends, holidays or even to be containing itself to a 40 hour work week. It tags along on vacations and soothes me when I am sick. It is known to have me jump out of bed at odd hours to dance a bit with my journal.  I am fortunate that although Tim can't fully grasp how the gears all work in my head....he sees the joy that wraps around me and is ever beside.

I am literally back to the drawing board as the February show is just around the corner. Tim shakes his head and keeps me fed as I sit for hours drawing. Yes...hours. The concepts may come quickly, but the inking can take many hours. It is delicate and non forgiving; but when complete, it reveals my heart and soul.  These inked labors of love will go on to become many things .... but best of all, they will bring more smiles than I can visualize.

It's dark now, and I am enjoying the glow of our tree as I write. The day has been full of orders to pack and drawings to work on. It's time for a hot cup of tea and my drawing board once again. Well...perhaps I'll take a few minutes to put together a custard pie before I sit to draw. We don't have such treats often...but tonight I am feeling a bit nostalgic. I'm missing the winter of a different time when I would sit at my Gram's table after dinner and draw, as she would make a custard to take the evening chill off from the house. It is a fine season indeed and no matter how much the creating part of me may rule, there are new memories to make in this wee cottage on Curry Road.

Making Christmas

Tim and I are celebrating a year together. When I sat my suitcase down last year, and two unruly pups walked in with me, it was a whole different house. There were three rooms in chaos as sheet rock and paint were coming together. We simply celebrated how we could, but mostly we celebrated being under the same roof. It took years and faith to be together, but it was right.




This year we are settled in and even though there is chaos still, it is of a different sort. There has been a big show in Ohio, a wave of wee folk that have been adopted as never before....and pattern orders that have not slowed down in December as they usually do. In it all, we are trying to find our way as to making the Holiday season ours by making our own traditions. It is our hope that some day, the kids will take from them as they start their own families.

It didn't take much arm twisting to decide that the theater is one thing that we would like to keep doing. Last year we saw the Albany Repertory Production of "A Christmas Story" and we loved it.  After a couple years of a slow economy and a reminder that supporting our area small business would help and create jobs, why not make the theater top of our list? The arts usually have the biggest and first cuts. We are just outside the city, why not take advantage of it all? This year, it was off to Proctors Theater (which has a long history of it's own) and "A Miracle On 34th Street".  I'm loving it all! This small town country girl has had a wonderful time seeing the city light up this holiday and I'm loving the window displays!

One tradition now has a great start. Now for our Christmas. Christmas Eve is spent with Tim's family and is always great fun. A dish to pass, gifts to exchange and babies to enjoy! Our Christmas day will be one of travel, as long as roads are passable, we will be there for my Mom and my girls. 

It is our Christmas Day meal that we have long pondered. Tim is Irish, I am a good mix of Scottish, Irish and Welsh....but mostly Italian. We decided that Christmas dinner should be a wink and a nod to the Irish/Scottish and Welsh  side of things. So off we go today, to see the local butcher to order our leg of lamb.We will make a side of colcannon and decide upon our dessert. It will all fall into place and we are both full of happiness, not only to be celebrating as a couple, but in starting our own traditions. Not to mention, supporting our local businesses. The circle goes round as we put our earnings into small businesses as many of my customers have done for me. Thank you everyone, for all of your orders and adoptions. You have kept me working and made it possible for us to  in turn keep others working or possibly creating jobs. I can't help but think that while it is nice to make Christmas for ourselves, we've done a greater thing by making so much more for others.

Blessings and Fate

I love olde pictures. Scratch that... I love olde things, especially pictures. I've adopted many a tintype, cabinet card and even given large framed portrait or two a home with me. Tim will often pick at me and tell me that these aren't even my family.... All the better, I say! I love to have them surround me, to wonder about their life or how they spent their days.  I hope that they find comfort here, knowing that they are loved and not forgotten.

Blessings has been a piece that I have wanted to make for myself, for several years now. I decided that it was time to take on this project when I came across these wings~how perfect are they?  She turned out so sweet, that I just had to share her on TDIPT. She is full of timeworn sweetness that touches my heart. I was reminded as I was giving her those wings; of a picture my Grandmother kept in her room. Mother and child, clipped from an olde postcard perhaps? Wrapped just so, with satin and velvet creating their background and clothing. There is beauty in the simplicity of it and most likely a story within the fabric scraps used. It was old when I was little, and now brings new meaning. Simple items within the home can become the biggest treasures. I look at Blessings and see many more possibilities in creating time captured angels and I am excited! From sweet to whimsy, my noggin is full of ideas that I have been writing in my journal the past couple mornings.  


Blessings refused to be photographed last night for TDIPT. Try as I may this morning, she didn't want any part of it until late. I have struggled whether to just keep her here with me, or offer her online. I finally decided to let fate show her the way home, be it mine or another. She is a good sized hanging; a nice 30 inches from bow to toe. Her wingspan is just over 17. I can only offer her to my US friends ~ with shipping and insurance she would be $40.00.

Until fate decides, she will hang hear at the bottom of the stairs where she can keep watch of our family. Should you want her to live with you, simply drop me a line at: thegoodewife.folkart@yahoo.com.

Small Show Love

Yesterday we did the last show of 2011. This was the second year that I have done this show in Canajoharie. It's small and delightful, hosted by the Arkell Museum. As you can see, we were a bit punchy. Yes, the silly bald man is in his glory here as I hurriedly make any last minute adjustments before the doors open.




I love shows, big and small. A young man stopped by my booth with camera in hand. He had, "The LOOK".  It is the reason that I love doing shows. You can see an instant connection being made; first in the eyes and then with the smile. It doesn't matter if they purchase anything, it is simply, "The LOOK" that makes all those long hours and sandwiches for dinner worth it all. He politely asked if he could photograph the booth and I for the local paper.....well of course! After photos and an interview, he had to bring one of my paper ornaments to live with him. He picked a wee little mouse in Regency dress that he had been eyeing through the whole interview. After he left, I thought back to one of his questions. He asked which I liked doing better, the really big shows or the small ones like this? Both was my reply. I am thankful to be invited to do the big shows, travel and meet people that I have enjoyed for many years in books and magazines. I have made many wonderful friends and we all gather at these shows, like family ~ enjoying catching up with everyone.  It is the small shows, though, that make my heart smile. To see the connection made; to enjoy the friends and family that stop by (especially when they bring pizza)...to give back to the community and people that gave me my humble beginnings. 

I am beyond excited as I look ahead and put my plans for 2012 in motion. Today, I will start some of my paper works for the first and biggest show of next year....opening in less than 2 months. The paper works will be where most of my time will be spent for a few months, but I am excited to plan a few pattern releases and  a sculpted Wee Folk or two. As Spring breaks out in new leaves and birdsong, I will be planning all the local shows. This Goode Wife can't wait to meet friends, family, and mostly watch for that look to come across so many faces.  

Oh What Fun!

Even though I haven't been feeling too well this past month, I've had plenty to keep my busy. From commissioned work to an amazing amount of pattern orders~ my days remain full. Add to it, some show scouting for next year, and POOF a month has just vanished!

 I'm just finishing the last of  the wee folk and my last show of the season is Saturday. If you are in the region, it's at the Arkell, a wonderful little Art museum in Canajoharie. The area is beautiful. The show is this Saturday, the 10th from 11-4.  There is plenty to see and do there, a perfect way to spend the afternoon! Please do stop in and say hello~ I'd love to see you.

That said, I'm getting excited, not just for the Holidays, but for my new work that I will begin in earnest on December 26th. Already, I have been making notes, drawing and gathering supplies. 

As you can see, sometimes I'm a bit indecisive about what I want and have to put it on paper and see how they play out. Just like the fabric wee folk, these take on a life of their own at times. This is just the beginning of their journey. They will go on to Monahan Papers and then who knows. There is excitement in that! I am discovering a different world and am so inspired. I will settle down though and with my plan for next year in hand, I will begin to set it in motion, just before the New Year begins.