Well, I have some exciting news to share in a few days, but I can’t do it quite yet! Meanwhile, I’ve been having great fun with some new logo products that my sister designed. Ooops, I mean Rachel at Hyde Creative! She made my new fancy header for the website, and is working on some price tags and literature to go with the horses. She also designed this branding iron, and I had the brand custom-made from Maker’s Mark found on Etsy. More news to follow soon…
The Big Crafty was an awesome experience, and we had only a little bit of rain, so it was a great day! I loved watching all the kids play with my puzzles and boxes, and ride the horses. One boy who returned over and over even told me my booth was his favorite! And I was proud to make a custom order for a puzzle for some twins that were with their family on their first vacation in Asheville.
Next up, I deliver 5 finished pieces to the Folk Art Center for the Southern Highland Craft Guild final jury. I toured their semi-annual craft fair in downtown Asheville this past weekend, and was amazed by all the high quality art there. I’m a little intimidated thinking about adding my creations to their ranks, but I can only try! I spoke for a while with Russ Jacobsohn, a rocking animal maker, for quite a while. He makes all kinds of amazing rocking animal creations. He encouraged me to keep applying if I don’t get chosen the first time, and also shared other great helpful tips, thanks Russ!
I have all day today to get all the last minute details figured out for my first big craft fair! Big Crafty! In downtown Asheville tomorrow, Sunday the 13th from 12-6. I really enjoyed seeing the Heartwood name in the list of vendors, with a link to my website! I’m going to be located somewhere right near the front doors to the Art Museum, outside on the patio. I’ll be so excited to put out my fabulous new business cards, designed by my amazing sister Rachel Hyde at Hyde Creative! I also used her designs for the sign I’ll hang on the table, and for the tags I created for each horse. Thanks so much Rach! Also very excited and relieved that my Paypal card reader arrived today at the last minute, so I can start swiping credit cards at the craft fair! Visa MasterCard Discover AmExpress, I’m ready for you! I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow, but have an alternate set-up prepared in case it does, so I’ll be out there! Check out these quick photos of my process (and look for our photo-bombing dog Butters).
I’ve been working on this walnut horse for over a month now, and couldn’t resist rubbing one coat of oil in after sanding all day to see what colors arise. I have loved working with this walnut, and am so glad to have tried something new! I always thought walnut would be very hard to work with. What I found is that it is harder than poplar, but that means it doesn’t splinter as much, and it’s a little more predictable. It is like carving into a block of frozen chocolate, whereas poplar is like carving into a mealy apple. Well, maybe not that bad. I still like the poplar, but the feel of slicing the walnut is great fun!
With this reclaimed lumber, none of my grains match up very well, but I enjoy all the variety and seeing the different lines and colors. Maybe I’ll try harder in the future to use colors that are more similar. But for now I really love this one, and it will be very unique! I still have the rockers to finish, and the mane to install. And then lots more oil and buffing! Here’s a sneak peek for now!
I’m very excited to have made it past phase one of the jury process for acceptance into the Southern Highland Craft Guild! I will bring 5 of my horses in to the Folk Art Center in August for the final stage, and see what happens next!
I am looking forward to vending at The Big Crafty Sunday, July 13th! I have heard so much about this event, and am so excited to be a part of it! There should be crowds of people and tons of creative, inventive, fabulous artists selling their wares. Hope the weather holds out for this indoor/outdoor event at the Asheville Art Museum. Artists will also be outside in Pack Place and Pack Square. I’m excited!
I am currently starting a Classic style horse out of dark walnut! I purchased this wood from a shop going out of business in the area and planned to make my rockers out of it. But it is so beautiful that I can’t help building a whole horse out of it! Check back in a few weeks to see the progress!
I have been officially accepted into the Art in the Park event here in downtown Asheville, NC! I reserved my booth space for Oct 4th, 2014. Can’t wait to be part of this exciting group of artists from all over the area! Here’s a preview of my display ideas, not very fancy yet but kind of what I was thinking of. I need to sew a better table cover and am currently carving a new sign. Maybe I’ll use a smaller table as well…and a tent!
I have updated the site with the most beautiful photos from Julie McMillan at Silver Birch Studio Photography. What a wonderful experience! Julie is so pleasant to work with, and creates beautiful elegant photos that really show off the details of the horses. She went above and beyond for me, working hard extra to meet my application deadline at the last minute for the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Check out her website and facebook page to see more of her amazing work!
Hello all! I am eagerly awaiting wonderful new photos from Julie McMillan at Silver Birch Studio. They will put the final touches to this new website. I’m so excited, the sneak preview she showed me was so beautiful! Check back in a few days to see the updated site!
Heartwood Rocking Horses 