Stir Up a Bit of Love

"Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon." Dalai Lama.

Now there's a great quote for February, the time of year where there is abundant love in the air. Yes there also could sometimes be snow but let's concentrate on the love aspect of the month. I think that most of us have at least one person in our lives that we want to let know how much we are thinking of them. You know it doesn't always have to be a girlfriend/boyfriend situation. How about the mom, dad or best work buddy. Maybe it is the guy behind the counter where you get your lunch every day.

We have put together a small gift for you to let that extraordinary person know that you think of them often. We have once again connected with our good friend, Chef Scott Ingenito at The DailyChews.com. You may have remembered him from a previous blog, Cooking with Wood. We decided to get back in touch with him again for a good love meal that could be created from some healthy farmer's veggies this time. You see he has become a huge fan of the California farmers markets as we are here in the valley. No matter where you are in the world think about shopping for you local food and crafts at one. Anyway Scott has come up with what looks like a delicious Butternut Squash Soup for us. Great for this time of the year. What we are doing is with every wooden cooking utensil that you purchase from us; now until Valentine's Day 2013 you will receive a post card copy of his awesome recipe. What a beautifully useful gift for him or her. Tie a red ribbon around it and you are set to go.

Our complete selection of cooking utensils will be with us at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market this Saturday along with all our other pieces. Yes we ship through-out the United States. Of course we even have some cute heart necklaces for all you traditional jewelry givers. Check out our gallery studio if you can't visit us in person. Let us help you make for an unforgettable day.

Until next we meet…choose the right branch.

It’s a New Year

Welcome to the New Year 21 days later and also the heart of winter. Working in the studio can be pretty nice this time of year because the old Vermont Castings stove can sure put out a lot of heat when she wants to.

Steve has been collecting all sorts of oddly shaped branches from the back property since we moved here in hopes of one day turning and carving them into various canes and walking sticks. The first one created, Lucy Goosey we shared with you on December 21 2012 and since then Steve has finished 3 others. Two are simple in creation with not much fancy work done to them.

#876 Eagle Head Cane 

The third has much more detail on it which includes a hand carved and painted eagle's head. All are available at the Farmers Market where we vend on Saturday's or through this site. I know that there are a few other canes in the works so watch for more to come.

This week has been Ambrosia Maple week in our eyes. Steve tells me it is nice wood to work with and I can tell you that it is sure pretty on the eyes.

I have already begun to see the starting stages of a cute medium size bowl. It has this neat lip on it that reminds me of some of the ancient Native American pottery that we have seen in and about. I can't wait to see it in its finished stage but I know that Steve is meticulous with his finishes with constant sanding and rubbings in between each piece so I am gathering that it might be a good healthy week or two before I have it for display. As usual it heads to the farmers market with me first unless you
purchase directly.

So on that note our wood friends, stay warm and dry, appreciate art and craft and we thank you for supporting local small made in America business such as ours.

Until next we meet…Choose the right branch.

Lucy Goosey

Well if you haven't noticed by now we like to name a few of the pieces that emerge from the studio. Maybe because during the creation process an attachment is formed which continues through to the end with the tagging and photography. Tagging and photography that is what I do. So in the past we have had Daisy, Betsy, Chief, Black Skull Castle, Windemoor Castle, Elaine's (which still continue) and Santas.

Today I want to introduce you to Lucy Goosey. Steve started to collect various limbs off of the back acreage a year or two ago. Different lengths with various twists or bends in the piece. They have been doing nothing but resting on the wall until now.

#868 Lucy Goosey Cane
SOLD

This week Lucy was born with the face of a goose. A set of carved nostrils and jet black ebony eyes make her ever so sweet to look at. Her body is sinuous in look and feel with a coloring fit for the finest goose you will ever walk with.

As you have read she was already baptized with the name Lucy and she will make her first public appearance this Saturday at the European Holiday Market in downtown Harrisonburg. Bear in mind (not to switch animals here) but there is only one Lucy. Wouldn't she look great in your hand or maybe just leaning along the fireplace wall. You know just like Old Saint Nick did on Christmas Eve.

Until next we meet… choose the right limb.

Holiday Bazaar

I'll make this one quick I promise. The holidays are busy for us all running here there and everywhere in between. So the last thing that you need to do is read another long blog from me.

We just wanted to let you know that we will be in the following locations in addition to OASIS Fine Art & Craft and C'Ville Arts.

·        December 5: North Augusta Farmers Market Holiday Bazaar. Noon to 7:30pm. Government Center, Verona, VA

·        December 8: Harrisonburg Farmers Holiday Market. 9am to Noon.

             Turner Pavilion, Harrisonburg, VA

·        December 15: Harrisonburg Farmers Holiday Market. 9am to Noon.

          Turner Pavilion, Harrisonburg, VA

·        December 22: European Holiday Market. 9am to 2pm.

          Turner Pavilion, Harrisonburg, VA

Until next we meet…carve the right branch

Think back… Think forward…

So another year is about to come to a close in another month. Thanksgiving is over; the turkey has been turned into soup. We have so much to again be thankful for here at the studio along with some sadness. Our real estate agent Chris, who worked so above and beyond the call of his job to get us our new home and studio down here passed away this year along with one of our staunchest supporters, our neighbor Gerry. Gerry would help me in the garden. He was my go to man for gardening advice. He would visit Steve almost every day to see what was new in and around the studio. Gerry purchased the first Snake Spoon that came from the studio along with so many other pieces. Both of these fine gentlemen will be surly missed. We are blessed for having known them and proud to call them both friends.

Wood is still chopped, chiseled, hand carved, polished, buffed and brought to that meticulous smoothness that Steve's pieces are known for. If you doubt me stop by and touch one. Steve has incorporated more Osage Orange, Sycamore, Burls, Roots, Eucalyptus along with the ever present Virginia Cherry and Walnut into his personally designed pieces. Steve will be at a couple of the Farmers Markets this December so stop by and say hi. Got a good question for him, don't forget to ask.

Gracious hostess, super mom, awesome dad or even the unpredictable lovable brother or sister. Stop searching for we have what you want to give them right here. In our Studio Gallery we have over 100 available precious gifts for you to choose from. If you can't decide and need more pictures of that item just drop us an email, we are here to help you out.

In addition to Steve's work at C'Ville Arts and OASIS Art & Craft retail stores you will find us at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market on December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd from 9am - Noon. We are also going to be doing a new holiday fair at the North Augusta Farmers Market in Verona, VA on December 5th from Noon to 7:30 and that is an inside gig.

We look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones where ever you may be and thank you for supporting us again this year with your purchases, compliments and smiles.

Until next we meet…take the right branch

Gifts $30.00 and under…

Are you searching for that special gift for someone special in your life? Maybe it is your employee who makes that extra effort each and every day at work. Or how about the young lady who cuts your hair. Maybe your babysitter or the church minister? Each and every one of these people have a place in your heart and what better way to thank them for their year of service then with a uniquely designed one of a kind exceptionally crafted gift for just them. We have come up with a list of all current pieces in our inventory that are $30.00 and under. We also have many to choose from over $30.00 just in case. Some of them can be found at either gallery that we display at or with us when we vend at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market every Saturday. Please if you see anything that might strike your fancy just get in touch with us and we will make arrangements with you for your purchase. Some of them will be pictured in our Studio Gallery, others we would be more than happy to email pictures to you.

Inventory Number	Description	Price	Photo in Studio Gallery
#237	Finger Tops	$5.00	Yes
#274	Tiniest Oak Bowl	$15.00
#275	Tiniest Maple Bowl	$25.00
#302	Mini Oak Ladle	SOLD	Yes
#325	Wee Oak Spoon	SOLD
#344	Beech Spatula	SOLD
#362	Beech Left Handed Spatula	SOLD
#374	Tabletop Mushroom	SOLD
#378	Tabletop Mushroom	$15.00	Yes
#381	Wee Mahogany Detailed Spoon	$30.00
#407	Spirit Mushroom Ornament	$20.00
#440	Cherry Stirring Spoon	SOLD
#461	Small Cherry Scoop w/ Pyrography	$30.00	Yes
#465	Handheld Walnut Cross	SOLD	Yes
#482	Tabletop Mushroom	$20.00
#497	Cocobolo Bud Vase	SOLD
#515	Walnut Stirring Spoon	SOLD
#525	Bloodwood Cross Necklace	SOLD
#526	Cocobolo Cross Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#527	Cherry Foon	SOLD	Yes
#528	Maple Musical Note Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#537	Cherry Muddler	$25.00
#541	Bacote Necklace	SOLD
#560	Goncalo Alves Ring	$20.00
#563	Zebrawood Ring	SOLD
#564	Tulipwood Ring	SOLD
#566	Manzita Wood Ring	$20.00
#568	Cocobolo Wood Ring	$20.00
#569	Plum Wood Ring	SOLD
#570	Mulberry Wood Ring	$20.00
#584	Cocobolo Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#595	Walnut Stirring Spoon	SOLD
#597	Bloodwood Necklace	$20.00
#598	Tree Pin	SOLD
#599	Tree Pin	SOLD
#700	Tree Pin	SOLD
#701	Tree Pin	SOLD
#702	Wenge Necklace	SOLD
#706	Maple Tree Burl Necklace	SOLD
#709	Box Elder Music Necklace	SOLD
#717	Box Elder Tree Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#719	Box Elder Tree Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#720	Box Elder Tree Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#721	Box Elder Music Necklace	SOLD
#722	Box Elder Music Necklace	SOLD
#724	Box Elder Music Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#731	Medium size Scoop	$30.00	Yes
#734	Wenge/Osage Orange Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#739	Plum Tea Spoon	$25.00
#742	Oak Muddler	SOLD
#756	Locust Honey Dipper	SOLD
#757	Painted Tabletop Mushroom	SOLD
#759	Carved Santa Ornament	SOLD
#770	Cherry Spoon	SOLD
#772	Tiny Maple Bowl	$20.00	Yes
#781	Eucalyptus Freeform Necklace	SOLD
#783	Maple Burl Necklace	SOLD
#786	Bloodwood Necklace	$25.00
#787	Thulya Burl Necklace	SOLD
#790	Peace Burl Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#793	Plum Leaf Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#794	Bloodwood Crescent Moon Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#795	Black Birch Stem Wine Glass	SOLD	Yes
#797	Heart Thulya Burl Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#798	Spirit Fire Plum Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#801	Small Cherry Ladle	SOLD
#805	Yellowheart Shell Necklace	SOLD	Yes
#806	Beech Spatula	SOLD	Yes
#807	Maple Acorn Ornament	SOLD	Yes
#808	Oak Acorn Ornament	SOLD	Yes
#812	"Elaine" Stirring Spoon	SOLD
#816	Cherry Egg Scrambler	SOLD	Yes
#817	Cherry Egg Scrambler	SOLD
#820	Small Handheld Oak Cross	SOLD
#821	Small Handheld Osage Orange Cross	SOLD	Yes
#822	Large Handheld Oak Cross	SOLD	Yes
#825	Sycamore Spatula	$20.00
#827	Mahogany Soap Dish	$25.00	Yes
#829	Sycamore Icing Spatula	$20.00	Yes
#830	Mini Osage Orange Ornament	$25.00	Yes
#832	Mini Plum Ornament	$25.00	Yes
#833	Mini Plum Ornament	SOLD	Yes

 

Until next we meet…choose the right branch.