Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Inbetween

Good morning to you in the haphazardness of the season. With so much of the pre holiday season to prepare for I did forget to physically sit and type my Thanksgiving wishes to you all. You were all in our hearts and minds and are truly blessed for having you read, admire, touch and purchase so many pieces from The WoodArt Studio. Without you we would not have gotten as far as we have so a huge THANK YOU! 
Remember to keep your stress levels down this time of year and enjoy all that is given to you and do forgive me if I miss a post or two. We are here to fill your holiday needs with many gifts of wood. You can find us daily at OASIS Art & Craft Gallery, C’Ville Arts, Etsy.com and via our site here. We will also be at the following:
November 30: 2nd Annual JMU Artisans Holiday Bazaar in Warren Hall between 11am and 5pm.     
December 3: Harrisonburg Farmers Market 9am – 12pm.
December 4: C’Ville Arts Artist Steve on the floor.
December 10: Harrisonburg Farmers Market 9am – 12pm.
December 17: Harrisonburg Farmers Market 9am – 12pm.
December 24: Bonus Harrisonburg Farmers Market 9am – 12pm.

Wishing you at this time an enjoyable, stress free season.
Until next we meet…

Friday, November 18, 2011

Life Busy

I quite often find it interesting to see the cycles of life. From the large picture or one’s entire life down to the smallest of day to day issues. Yes I could go smaller down to the minute but we need to keep the blog short and sweet. After all who wants to hear about our minute by minute daily ups and downs? That is one of the reasons we don’t use twitter. Who can guarantee a signal when one is out in the woods or would I really want to disturb the serenity of the moment anyway?

The early part of this week was so absolutely beautiful weather wise that we just had to get outside and cut and haul some wood. While Steve does the large chunks I deal with the kindling type pieces. It gets hard this time of year because we are hauling wood in to burn so that the studio stays nice and warm with the VT casting stove but what do we do when we find that wonderful log that Steve knows he can get a nice bowl from. Well the answer is simple enough. The bowl or bud vase, new turned ornament or great cooking utensil will win out every time. Most often we will be able to find enough wood to burn but oh the precious pieces that just call out to be turned can sometimes be rare. Beauty is in the eye of the wood not just the beholder.
#463 Walnut & Osage
Orange Ornament Sold

Now later on in the week it is turning a bit chillier along with some light rain. So first we are happy that we cut and hauled and second we are now even happier to be doing inside work. Steve is in the studio and I have been busy adding to the Etsy site. We now have a total of 15 pieces up and showing, most of which are the holiday ornaments. Some you may never have seen via our blog so be sure to drop in there as the door is open 24/7.

Ornaments are how Steve got started with woodturning and I am pleased to be the proud owner of one of his firsts. It is a simple spiral from a piece of padouk, very similar to our Spiral Canary Wood one. I chose the spiral design because it had reminded me of the crystal icicles that use to hang on the tree when I was younger. Now any size, shape, design and wood type will emerge from the studio and hopefully, without much deciding difficulty, into your home where it too will become a cherished heirloom. We currently have 29 unique, one of a kind ornaments that you can find with us at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, at C’Ville Arts Gallery, OASIS Art & Craft Gallery, The WoodArt Studio on Etsy, or via this blog.

Until next we meet....

Friday, November 11, 2011

Holiday Rush

So let’s talk about the holiday rush. To rush or not to rush that is the question. How early is too early to be pushing the holiday. Walking through Wal-Mart the other day I was surprised and a bit dismayed to hear holiday music blasting from the invisible speakers. Now don’t get me wrong, after all we were in the music industry for many, many years. From Thanksgiving (and sometimes before) out of the lesson studios we could all hear the interesting arrangements of “Jingle Bells”. Thank goodness Steve would not dig out his holiday CD’s until Christmas week.
#444 - #446 Mini Tree Assortment
ALL SOLD

So it is not okay to be hearing the music but is it ok to see the decorations? Or how about the shopping. I say hold off until Thanksgiving for the decorations. Starting your shopping now can have its benefits.   
  • Frees up time to spend with family and friends.
  • Eases up the one huge money crunch in to smaller sizable bites.
  • You will be able to have that one of a kind, hand crafted piece now and not regret passing it by later.
  • Gives you more time for holiday baking.
  • Reduces stress levels.
  • Allows you to really just sit down and enjoy the holiday music.
So with that all in mind know that I have warned you. I want you to start your shopping (or at least start to make the list) and we are here to help you. I am starting small with our Mini Tree Ornaments. Most are about 2” tall. Great for the tree or tie one onto a package. There is even one with white ribbon for the new bride. If you are really bold you can remove the tie ribbon and put your own cord through and use it as a necklace. It’s all up to you.


#453 Mini Tree
SOLD

Until next we meet…Jingle, Jingle

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Last Minute Book Report

I feel like the kid who left the book report to the last minute. Not that I meant to as I believe that I am past that stage in life. Or at least I thought so with most things but with the computer giving us daily attitude it managers to put us behind a bit.
Whenever Steve leaves the studio with a piece or two I set about to become instant photographer so that we have a log photo of every piece. I know many say why bother but maybe it is the genealogist in me that needs to record all of these daily adventures in The WoodArt Studio.  Yes I am a genealogist but that could be a whole other blog. And as I said the computer has been not cooperating to say the least. Glad we spent all that money to get it fixed.
#462 Birdhouse Ornament
SOLD
So today was catch up day for one and all. Steve has been very busy out there creating many new and old pieces for everyone’s holiday giving. He has also been working hard on a huge bowl that came from the General Stonewall Jackson Prayer Tree which fell this past spring. He will hope to bring it to his next woodturners meeting this month, which also reminds me that I need to photograph that also. We had the unusual Halloween snow as most of the Eastern seaboard had so that caused us to shovel a bit but today it was like springtime. It was perfect weather to take some time and go for a nice walk and trim some of the bushes for the winter.
Dinner and a shower then reminded me that I needed to write and post the blog that you all eagerly wait to read?? With that in mind here I sit contemplating the last minute book report routine, cramming and hoping that it will get a passing grade. I am so beside myself that I think I am going to post it now, the day before. So it is up to you… Did I pass or did I fail? I’m waiting to hear from you all.
Until next we meet…