Happy New Year

Put away Christmas and only left out my Happy Snowmen! Looking forward to a brand new year. Fresh start, Clean Slate, Etc........

Christmas 2011

Top: Lon and Shirley. Middle: Ryan, Tammy, Michael and Sean. Bottom: Sam and Me. Missing from family pic is my sister Tracy....Tracer you were missed this year. Congrats to brother Michael and Tammy for raising two fine young men! Mom and Lon, dinner and gifts FAB!!!!

Love When This Happens.....

Judy George gave me these cool Holiday Decorations decades ago. Folk Art made by S.Siegel. Well last week at Goodwill I found a 3rd reindeer. Missing antlers that I can fix.

According to the tag on the bottom. It seems that in 1987 Stephanie Siegel liscensed her work to Kurt's Adler to be made in Taiwan. They did a pretty good job! I am always glad when the original artist gets credit and hopefully paid for a great idea that stands the test of time. But what I really love is finding another reindeer for my collection.

And Thanks Jude,I still love these holiday decorations.

Happy Holidays / Lu Lu Belle

Have A Great Day! LuLu will now that I have quit trying to photograph her in her finery.

Peace On Earth

The best 99 cent gift you can give to someone is a Peace On Earth bag from Whole Foods.

Never hurts to quest for Peace along with saving the planet by bringing your own bag to the grocery.

Holidays at the Lodge

Since we have a cabin in the woods....our home has elements of the cabin.

Fa La La

This year I have cute packaging for family gifts. No small children ...everyone is at the gift card/cash age. Years ago I hand painted a bunch of jewelry boxes to sell as travel jewelry cases. It is time to let that idea go. Then I had a cool plastic snowman covered place mat that I no longer used. Time to recycle. The snow guys make cute gift tags.

The gift tag can be an ornament. The box can hold jewelry, loose change, trinkets, etc....The packaging that just keeps on giving!

There was a time in my life that the packaging was better than the actual gift. I hope this is not true this year:)

Snowman Collection 2011

No Man Like A Snowman!!
I love to decorate with snowmen because I can leave up most of the decor after christmas if I want.

Been collecting sleds, mittens, snowmen, for years.







The cool fish above this tree was a trade with folk artist Stephen Meadows. I love his work! I hope his family loves mine so he will want to trade again.

Number One Fan / Paula Burke

OK Paula is a fan of my jewelry but more important she is the ultimate UofL Fan!!! She stops off at my studio on her way to a game.

Note the attention to detail. Her outfit is carefully planned. She is wearing my Santa Baby jewelry set with her UofL shirt and Santa Hat. Although she owns every UofL item I make she played the holiday card. Wise move!

Next she hops in her sporty "Red Hot" car with the UofL plate on the back.

All I can say is Go Cards!

Montana Mike's W/ Jenny Elkins

Often I will meet Jenny Elkins half way between her home of Indianapolis, IN and mine, Louisville, KY. Pickens are slim as to where we dine. Usually Cracker Barell. This time Jenny suggested we get out of our comfort zone and try a new place.

Yes, two female artists did stand out among the hunter/gatherers.

Jenny, was wearing some cool hand crafted christmas tree ear rings. Chain mail technique. I wanted a picture of them to inspire me. Also an excuse to see Jenny's cute smiling face on my blog.

Painted Shoes / Robbie Moriarty

Love painted shoes! Pat Smith is always wearing a pair of Dansko's painted by Mona. So I planned to send these to Mona to pimp out for me. Then decided to paint myself in my "gypsy graffiti" style to match my Art Show Booth and my work. Now I am painting a purse to match. Because as you know I love Matchy Matchy.

Kentucky Boy / George Clooney

Just saying....

Me and Santa aka Taco Abbott

Susan Abbott's new adorable rescue pup Taco came to my Open House in his Santa Suit.

Yes, people did get their photos made with Santa Paws. And yes I did happen to have his favorite doggy treats.

When I posted this pic I realize that we have the same hair color. His is natural while mine.......................

Studio Open House

My Studio Open House was a big ass success. A good time was had by all!!! I am leaving the studio pimped out like a gallery until the first of the year. Call me if you have a jewelry gift emergency.

Home Studio Goddess

Jenny Elkins made my studio goddess a decade ago. Most of the time she is wearing a floral dress.

My artist peeps know that I can't help but Robbieize everything that comes into our house. So it was no surprise to Jenny that I came up with the idea to make other outfits for her paper doll style. New outfits just velcro.

So when I should have been cleaning up my studio for it's Big Opening....I was updating a new dress for her. She needed some bling.

Studio Open House

Winterfair / Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH

I will also be at the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church Winterfair in Louisville, KY along with Winterfair in Columbus, OH......What am I thinking doing two shows the same weekend!!! Thankfully, I have closed my store or I would have to make stock for 3 venues. Getting too old to keep all the balls in the air!!!!

Winterfair / Northern Kentucky Convention Center

This show is worth a road trip. Sponsored by the Ohio Designers and Craftsmen. Wonderful quality and selection. Give handmade gifts this holiday season. You will be supporting small businesses as each artisan is one!!!

Sam and Bear

Bear is a snuggler. The UPS and Mailmen would dispute as he seems like a ferocious guard dog. But given any opportunity or opening... he will find a way for you to pet him. As he did with Sam this morning.

Vacation Memories / Ron Thomas

Now we know where to get the paddles ... when we are up the creek. Photo by H D Trikes.

The Original Art Car / Gaye Medbury

In 1968 Gaye's father told her he would buy her a car. So she selected a brand new VW Bug. It came with all the parts in a different color. A convertable no less! Who knew that VW's were the original art cars???? Gaye always the trend setter even in 1968! Awesome!

Suitcase Fetish

Totally love this and wish I could say it is a wall in my home but alas...I found it online and saved in my pics....and not even sure where I found it.

From now on I will try to be a better blogger who attributes sources.

Just read the etiquette on pinterest.com

Now that I know there is a rule I will try to follow in spite of my tendency to break.

P.S. Gordon the Brit...did some investigating and found the source of this pic. Gail Reike's Studio in Santa Fe, NM. It was fun getting on her site and seeing her home and work. This pic is just a section of a large wall. Thanks Gordon!

Just Sayin.................................................

Earth Mother / Landscaping Inspiration

November 19 & 20, Heritage Hall in Lexington, KY

Excited about this new Holiday Show in Lexington. Our Kentucky Crafted will host the Market in March at Heritage Hall. So I am priming the pump.........

Election Day

Jewelry by Kelli

Kelli Pope is hard at work making her wonderful Jewelry at our Louisville Artisan's Guild Holiday Showcase. It is always fun to get to visit with my art peeps.

Also while standing there talking to Kelli I saw a necklace that I couldn't get out of my head and had to purchase first thing Sunday morning. Will show pic of it later when I locate in my show stash.

So now I need to get to my studio and "make christmas". I have non stop shows beginning November 19. Ending with my home studio open house. Yikes!!!!

Little Shop of Horrors / Center Stage

This year we (Kent, Rick, and Me) opted for season tickets at JCC's Center Stage. So far we have enjoyed the performances, sets, costumes.
Little Shop of Horrors is Yummy! Go on and go....go down to Skid Row..... where everyone looks like "plant food" to me!

Louisville Artisan's Guild Holiday Showcase

Setting up for the Holiday Showcase today. See you this weekend!

Louisville Artisan's Guild

The Holiday Showcase is November 5 & 6. 10-4. @ American Legion Post 2919 Bardstown Road 40205

Buy Handmade & Local!

Road Trip to Western Kentucky

Sally, Sandra, Shirley, Mary and Susanne. Had a fun day visiting relatives in Beaver Dam, KY.

Independence Baptist Church Est. 1896

Absalom Chapman my great, great, grandfather made the church pews from trees on his land and donated them to Independence Baptist Church, Mc Henry, KY, in 1896. The church ultimately replaces the 1896 pews with new.

Now one of Absalon's originals resides on our front porch. Perfect fit as if it was made just for our porch. A pew with a past.

Aunt Mary and Mom

This year Aunt Mary celebrated her 90th. B-day. Most women don't want their age known but when you reach 90 and are sharp as a tack and look as good as Mary.....all bets are off!!!!!!

Bear and Sam Wait for Trick or Treaters

Sam was wearing a witches hat just minding his own business....sitting on the porch swing waiting for Trick or Treaters when Bear decided to jump up and join him. Bear never ever misses an opportunity for a snuggle and a swing. So Cute!!

Bear was also feeling pretty good since his girlfriend, Fiona, came by wearing a Jack O' Lantern costume. They kissed thru the fence. Very Cute!!

Every year we hope for 100's of tricksters. But only about 30 show. So Sad!!

Vintage Jack O' Lanterns

Used battery operated tea lights in these paper mache pumpkins. Scarry!

The Pirates of Harris Place

Bear's girlfriend Fiona belongs to the Pirate family. They live on the corner and daily when we walk by Bear and Fiona have a moment of love. Often Fiona will stick her head out of the gate and Bear will lick her face. Sometimes he just pees on her fence. It is Love!

Ahoy Matie! Arrrgh!

Happy Halloween 2011

A bit of Sam's Halloween Collection.

Zombie Garden Gnomes / Ed and Jenny Angleton