A Work in Progress

I always enjoy the holiday season...from feeding 14 at Thanksgiving all the way to making sure I get the Peeps for my father-in-law for Christmas.  I really really love the twinkley lights and the Christmas music playing everywhere. With that said, I am equally relieved when the holidays have come to an end. I make many of our gifts and am responsible for the hunting and gathering of the rest, so after all the festivities have been enjoyed, I am glad for a reprieve.

Before putting up all the decorations and outside lights, I have had a few moments to spend in the workshop.  Unfortunately, this is how I roll while trying to figure out a new idea.  This here...that there...and as always, the thing I am looking for is hiding under something else.  I have a new automata idea where a larger wheel (pictured left) will spin outside of a wooden box (center) which will move a circle of wire around a wooden 6- 8 inch tall dowel glued to the top of the box.  The wire will carry a small Superman which will circle around a person reading a comic book standing on the top of the dowel.  Clear as mud, right?  Now, you can see how my focus can create a work table that looks like this.  This time, though, I made a mock-up out of cardboard which will save a lot of wood from being unnecessarily sacrificed due to:  I think this is the right size...nope...how about a little bigger??...maybe smaller??

 A more completed idea

Yesterday I spent the day with BFF, who is back in the hospital.  Actually, that was day #22 for her second go around.  She is hanging in there but has moments of angst because all the test, doctors, pokes and prods have not been able to give the answers.  Watching someone go through this sure puts things in perspective. It is hard to complain about a bad day while others are so ill they are separated from their family and home, for days on end, especially during this time of year.  Yuck!

On a lighter note: You know when you are with the right person when he sees past the hair up in a bandana, Godzilla t shirt, and Christmas fleece pants and says that he thinks you are sexy while you are working with the scroll saw.  I think I'll keep him!

I hope everyone had a joyful holiday and safe new year!

Peace,
Hilari
 

An Automata Experience

Whoo Whoo

This is my first piece of automata completed without instructions or a teacher's help.  The copper cone was shaped and cut during art class.  The shaping did come with a lot of help from others who had more finesse than I.  I found it difficult to get a nice small shape with a large rubber mallet.  It looked so perfect I almost hated to cut it into its parts but I jumped on in and hacked away.  Before class was over I tried and tried to solder the piece to a copper base so it would be completed.  The teacher even offered to connect it for me but I was not going to let it get the better of me.  I had no idea what I was going to do with it, having no way to solder it at home, but I knew I would get it mounted somehow.  I wanted the cone to be flexible as intended so with this I can use the crank or pull it up by hand.  I could not be happier with it.

Many failed attempts... or a learning experience

I have new ideas zinging around my head and I cannot wait to grab a few moments in the shop to work on them.  I have 6 books from the library waiting on me to learn all their secrets.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving sharing our home with family and friends.  We were all fed and tucked into our respective homes by 4:00 and I do not know about the rest but we had our pj's on early that evening.

This weekend is devoted to finishing up and decorating for Christmas. I feel that I have a pretty good handle on things...at least I hope so!  We'll see...

Good night to all,
Hilari

Happy Thanksgiving!

I saw this little guy while eating dinner beach side while on vacation.  I could not resist snapping his picture.  I looked at BFF and said "Here I go" to give her a heads up.  Well, actually a bottom's up would have been more appropriate because I had to slip under the bench to capture his expression.  I must have startled him by the look on his face.  I didn't startle BFF though, she didn't even bat an eye.  Hence the reason she is my BFF.

Speaking of BFF, please say a little prayer for her.   She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, released today, treated for mini strokes.  She thought it was just stress and at 49 most people would.  The Dr. feels she should have a full recovery, as long as the blood thinners do their job, but it will take some time.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner it reminds me that I am thankful for so many things: our health, family, friends, our business and so much more. Our turkey is thawing, invites sent out, house attended to so we are ready to celebrate!

Oh, Hahaha...just noticed I have been showing my age...using BBF instead of BFF in my older posts.  I was just letting everyone know that she is my Best Best Friend.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Hilari

Beach Musing and a Cold Snap

Beach Muse

While time was flying last month, I was able to enjoy a quick trip to our closest beach (6.5 hrs away) with BBF.  We had no plans except to enjoy each others company and the sound of the beach.  BBF is a sun worshiper, and I, being a redhead, am not.  While she soaked up the rays I walked the sand picking up shells, watched sand pipers, and sat quietly communing with a resting pelican.  When I returned to our room and looked through my found goodies, the shells whispered the idea of this little lady to me.  She worked up quickly as we sat on the balcony watching a dolphin pod swim by.  We had a very relaxing visit to the shore and we each have a Beach Muse to remind us of our trip.

We are in the thralls of a winter cold snap and the last of our breautiful fall leaves have fallen to their demise. We even had a little bit of snow on the cold ground this morning.  What does this mean, you may ask...cozy fires, hot chocolate, and roasted marshmallows.  Our fire is burning so I am heading to the kitchen to heat up some cocoa and put a marshmallow on a stick and all will be right in my little world.

Sweet dreams to all,

Hilari

Twirling in the Storm

First piece created at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

One of the first questions asked was who was a jewelry maker... second question was who has soldered before...Hum...neither of those could I answer yes to.  I had to quickly figure out how to make this week long, much anticipated class (the description stated that it was for both jewelry and sculpture) on kinetic movement work for me. Day one was working with copper tubes and basic soldering. Day two became more jewelry centered.   Luckily, I knew where the town cigar shop was and during lunch I headed that way to get a base to work with.  While the other ladies, who were jewelry makers, were making copper rings that spin, I was making a wire lady to dance in the rain.  My teacher was a little thrown off but definitely not put off by this.  She was just as excited to see her come to life as I was.  

It took a little bit of trial and error but I got her to twirl around and around when her crank is used.  I had to solder, pop rivet, use the drill press and scroll saw, and bend copper tubing.  It was awesome.  

 

 

This was the second finished project.  When her crank is turned, her foot stomps in the puddle.  I had to work out how to connect the leg at the knee and not have it jam up when in motion.  Most of the time it is a pretty smooth movement but I am going to try using a jump ring for the joint the next time to see if it will be  any better.   I was thrilled to have new skills and two items to take home to share.

I have one less item for my Christmas list.  A family friend happened to have a commercial scroll saw that was in need of a home and we were happy to help him out.  I can't wait to go to the workshop and give it a workout.  I have lots of ideas running around in my head to play with. The only problem is that they always take more time to figure out that I think they will.  Wish me luck!

Each year October is our busy month.  Add in a week at art camp, a short trip to Myrtle Beach with BBF, and starting to lay flooring in most of the house to our usual assisting Mother-in-law with a 3 week craft fair (she is a potter by trade) and WHEW...It was a fun whirlwind but bring on November.

Peace,

Hilari

#arrowmont #craftexperience

Pure Self Indulgence

What a lucky girl I am!  I was able to spend the last week at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tn.  It was was my first opportunity to take a week long art class and it was more than I ever expected. It was about kinetics, mostly for jewelry makers, but I learned how to incorporate the techniques into my sculptures.  I was able to make Puddle Stomper move here leg up and down and a girl spin in a thunderstorm, both using wooden circles and a brass crank system.  It was my first time using a soldering apparatus and was apprehensive at first, but I soon got the hang of it...in theory, anyway.  I came home with a long list of items I want for Christmas: grinder with deburring wheel, soldering stuff, scroll saw, jewelers ring holder, a plethora of small hand tools, and...

-

an anvil!

It was wonderful to be immersed in an artistic atmosphere for a whole week.  Husband was very generous, never complaining about keeping our business running smoothly (we are our only employees so all the work fell on him).  Also, I was lucky to be able to spend time with my best friend.  She opened her home as a bed and breakfast, and chauffeur each day to help with with expenses. It was a joyful week.

This is my favorite time of year with the cooler breezes,  the leaves changing colors, the sun setting before 9:30.  I always feel a bit more calm...until I realize that the holidays are just around the corner.  Each year my goal is to have my shopping done before Thanksgiving, so when Thanksgiving rolls around I have a lot of it done...never all.  But right now I will just focus on the cooler breezes and beautiful leaves and playing with the new techniques I have learned.

Here's to hoping the 2015 class catalog for Arrowmont comes in the mail soon so I can start dreaming (and saving) for my next adventure!

Peace,
Hilari

#arrowmont  #craftexperience

A Lovely Color Pallet

Thanks to my sweet husband we have had a beautiful plot of zennias growing across the street on county land that we are responsible to care for.  By responsible, I mean that if we did not mow, trim, etc. the strip of manageable land would quickly grow into a beast of thorns, vines and poison ivy.  While our County Codes personnel are very quick to take care of any problems that arise, they need a little help with the routine maintenance.  Because I was determined to be able to see the flowers from out picture window, I built our planter box the farthest point from a water source, in direct sun, across the street, and on someone else's land.  In the past a rainbow of plants have met their demise, but this year Husband has been determined, and with great success, to grow a lovely color pallet of large blooming flowers.  Most days he lugs two 5 gallon buckets to the planter and gives the lovelys a much needed drink, but it has been well worth it.  We sure have been enjoying them, both from inside and out.

In this month's Cloth Paper Scissors magazine the readers challenge is centered around using wire and found objects...right up my alley!  I sent in a picture of the artwork from my last blog for consideration and will find out on the 12th if was chosen.  After putting myself out there many times and being rejected many more times than not, I now find it exciting to put artwork out for others to judge.  I find it interesting seeing what does and does not speak to people.  With that said...I hope it is chosen for print!

Hoping all have a lovely Sunday.  I plan on being creative although I do not have a direction in mind. This means I will either wake up and be productive or I could just piddle with this and that all day and get absolutely nothing accomplished.  Only time will tell....

Sweet dreams,
Hilari