Vacation

We are back from the coast, well rested and we satisfied our lobster craving, for now anyway.

These are views from the marginal way in Ogunquit, Maine. The first couple days of our stay were rainy and the sea was riled from the storm, which gave us a chance to see some big waves crashing ashore.

We made the most of the weather by shopping in Kittery and walking on the beach when it wasn't raining. The wind was strong and we were bundled up in sweatshirts, which the local shops said they were finally selling, since it had been such a beautiful summer so far.

The week finished with a drastic change, sun and heat, perfect beach weather. It's always hard leaving the coast but always good to wake up at home.

Pictures as promised

Robin's new wood decor line fresh from the Rutland show.

All of these pockets are designed to hang, but can be used just sitting on a shelf or mantle.

These candle holders will stand or hang also and are fitted with an electric candle.

Love the eggs!!

The Rutland show was a good experience for Robin, she made some good contacts and got to see some different vendors. The crowds were smaller than she was told they would be, and as she has seen with other shows, the economic climate is still weary. Robin went into this show with a different set-up, different crafts, and being a first time vendor. All these things considered, I feel she did excellent this weekend, it was a challenge that she met head-on. We are looking forward to this weekend in Lake George, familiar set-up, back to our bread and butter but with some new wood decor items.

1/4 dozen...

One of the unique designs from Robin's week.

Day one of the Art in the Park show in Rutland has come to a close, now it is time to relax and gear up for tomorrow. It always feels good to have Robin home after the first day, I don't know who is more nervous, her or me. Sounds like she had a decent day and made some good contacts, one of her designs will hang on the door of a college president in Vermont, not bad for a new line of hand made products.

Packed and ready

Well the week sure went by in a flash and Robin is all packed for the Rutland show starting tomorrow. She is excited and nervous about this one, because like I've said, this is out of her comfort zone a bit. It will be great experience for her and sometimes you have to put yourself out there and see what happens. Her new wood line is great, and with some good weather, lots of people in the green mountain state will get to see how hard she has worked these past couple of weeks. Stay tuned.....

Shifting gears....finding new ones

Robin is going to a craft show in Rutland, Vt. this weekend. It is a juried show and they wouldn't let her bring her usual items, it is a chance to test another market, so she did what she needed to do....create. She has been very busy over the past week, making a variety of wood crafts, some I have shown in infancy and others I will post this week. I talked a little about production work last week, and she has done as much as she could of the same designs, without it getting stale. I think Robin was faced with a pretty big obstacle and turned it into an opportunity. She was able to get into a different creative state and think outside her usual comfort zone. This has been a liberating week for her in many ways, she is using almost all of our power tools, and seeing how far she can go with new designs in wood. I think it's a great step forward for Robin's Floral Designs, keep it fresh, and keep evolving.

Stars of summer

Robin has this star hanging from a shepard hook in front of the hydrangea bush. I like pulling in the driveway and seeing it. I think it's very regal looking, is that wierd?

This star is on the front porch door and is hooked to a small grapevine wreath. Robin painted this to add depth to the cut out star in the middle. Love the reflection in the window in the background. I will enjoy these green pictures in the winter months.

And finally, you remember our ladders from a month or so ago, this one is decorated with a pipberry garland. Robin's Floral Designs is constantly changing. Robin was asked to make several duplicates of the wooden creations we have been making. So we had a conversation about duplicating or mass producing certain crafts and we just don't have that mentality. After making six or so of a certain item we are ready to move on. To us each item we make should be a little different. Where is the spice of churning out a dozen of this and two dozen of that, we make six wooden sconces, and each one is hand cut and a little different. If I'm turning at the lathe, trying to turn six or eight snowmen, I take one at a time and let them come out of the wood the way they come out. When Robin is creating designs for sale she starts with a certain idea and may end up with something totally different. That's what makes it special, she would actually be sad when she sold some of her favorite florals, she liked them that much. Anyone who is crafty/artsy/creative knows how hard it is to duplicate, especially by hand. And isn't it great knowing you have purchased the only one of something?

Crafts and turnings

Today was a good day in the barn, I was able to turn two candlesticks and this spurtle.

We also assembled a couple of these square pieces to hold potpourri and some pips.

These birdhouses will be painted and will be decorated with pips and moss etc... fun day in the barn.