tis the season; for tradition, a story, a new shop, a few updates and a sale to be

okay, so maybe i am getting a bit ahead of myself, or even the season but when you spend as much time as is needed creating for the next season- i have been waiting with anticipation for thanksgiving to pass and for the holiday season 'to begin'.

as a child, it was the day that the boxes were hauled from the attic and the tree was placed, that the holidays began to come alive. box after box of lights and tinsel and every ornament lovingly placed upon the tree, after a close inspection and the recant of a story as to its origin. every year since i can remember there was a gift of a new ornament to place on the tree. when we were just little tots, they were ornaments we made ourselves from clothes pins and paint or macaroni and glitter; as we got older they were symbols of events, of adventures and travels and each one a memory- if only a memory of a smile of a moment in time.

my great aunt is responsible for my love of creating ornaments. she would spend months sewing and gluing; beading and tacking; sequins, lace and shiny gold hangers- she made ornaments. dozens of ornaments. little dolls with locks of yellow yarn and gingerbread men with white rickrack icing; soldiers with big red top hats and green felted christmas trees with tiny little bells- she was a master. one year she created an entire felted manger scene. dozens of little ornaments all strung on lines of gold; wisemen  dressed in long colorful robes bearing gifts and  large white camels with bright turquoise saddles; donkeys and sheep and a barn with a manger and a bright shiny star. every one a gift, every one more detailed than the next and every one destined for that tree; and then the box, and then the tree. year after year. the ornament box comes out and the memories flood back like hidden treasures tucked safely away awaiting to be discovered again.

so it is no wonder that i tend to go a wild when it comes to creating ornaments and fun little celebrations of the season.

between local shows and deadlines, i have managed to stay pretty on top of things so far this season- which i have to say i am pretty proud of *pat on back*- i spent this morning adding new listings to the etsy shop- so stop on by to check out the new ornaments- new this year; i have added gift boxes! so many people asked for gift boxes so they could spread the love- i thought it would be much simpler this year if i just added them to the listing- so if you purchase an ornament you have the option of purchasing a gift box. gift andddd DOne!

due to a great new promotion that artfire was having- i closed my shop over there and opened a brand new one- also "Whisperings 13"- ends a lot of confusion and is allowing me to tidy up the branding of the studio. I hope to have enough inventory to add some things to the new artfire shop the first week of December- but i have to wait until after the old fashioned christmas celebration on the 4th. the etsy shop will be closed the 3rd through the 5th as i re-sort and restock.

e-commerce will never cease to amaze me. it is unpredictable and predictable at the same time. when something doesn't work- it really doesn't work. when something works, it takes off and leaves your head swimming as to why, why, why as you dogie paddle through the bliss of a successful campaign. i find myself in this conundrum with my holiday SNoWiEs. two days after i listed them, my email was flooded with requests and my custom order drying table looked like this:

these sweet little snowmen (or whats left of them)  have been a wonderful hit and i am very excited as to how they have been received! as i finish up on the last of the latest orders, i am coming to the realization that i am going to have to put a deadline on orders for multiple SNoWiEs- but that is to be determined. in the meantime there are still a few available in the etsy shop.

a *super SNoWiE* three times as large as the other SNoWiEs-

only one being created! will be listing later this week.

keep your eyes out for a sale coupon coming this week, just for blog readers, hive members and facebook fans of the studio. *how cool is it that etsy finally caught up and allows us to run specials now*

i go back to greedily awaiting the first snow of the season, the warmth towards others that people seem to find and the magic that envelopes the world.

live well.

love each other.



Welcome to the Studio!

Welcome to Wadsworth-Noll Studio! The gracious and talented Karen Valentine, over at My Desert Cottage, is hosting today's event- and has given us this great opportunity to take our noses off the glass, open the doors and invite everyone in to our creative spaces! So, please, do come in, we don't stand on ceremony around here- please make your self comfortable, take a look around, please touch everything - there are interesting (and some odd) things in every corner. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to yell them out- okay? I am going to go about my business here- but I will check back with you guys and see how you are doing. The photographs are unlocked- so if you want to get a better look at things- click away!

As many of you know, my studio gets its name from the women in my family. Their strength and fire are inspiration to me in so many ways. Independent, loyal teachers of integrity and honesty and the passers of wisdom. May I follow in their footsteps. Their influence is everywhere in my studio. I am the collector of their history, of my history- and this is what inspires me to create. Warm remembrances of their presence in every corner.

My sewing corner: My great aunt's sewing machine. I used to dread sewing. hated it in fact. Seriously- if there was sewing to be done- it would come last... way last. Then this lovely little machine came into my life- whirring smoothly as the day it was first used. I think of all the things that were made on this machine, all of the little baby clothes; the trousers that were mended; the shirts repaired- and now I don't hate sewing sew much. I still would rather not sew- but at least now I feel connected when I must.

I have a serious thing about mason jars. All of my collections of tesserae are in mason jars- they are not only functional (you can see the contents at a glance) but they also make quite a colorful display adding texture and light to my space.

This was one of the first things in my studio. The inspiration board a/k/a the collection point of all sorts of clap-trap that inspires me, reminds me and just makes me happy. The board is 8 feet long and 4 feet high- and I am proud to say that I made it myself! Now that may not seem like such a large feat but, alas, I do not measure...anything! It's all eyeball for this girl! So when things worked out, all the frames fit, I cut enough fabric and batting and ribbon- well- It was a major accomplishment for me!

Great googly moogly bins of paint! I used to have them in all kinds of containers and such- but I found that I could access them better if they were in open bins; grab what I needed and throw them back! It has had quite an impact on the cleanliness of the studio! No more piles of paint tubes everywhere!

Do not forget the pile of art magazines: instantaneous gratification when a surge of inspiration is needed! A must for those days when you just need a little push to get moving!

I think the trick to a creative space, is not the size of it or how "pretty" it is- I think it is what you put in the space that you have. How you surround yourself with the things that inspire you most and how you feel in your creative space. Do you feel comfortable where YOU are. Looking through your own eyes and not someone elses. Creative space really isn't about impressing anyone but yourself and the Muses of your life.

A huge part of my creativity is inspired by books... loads and bushels of books. Shelves upon shelves of inspiration:

And, so- okay- when the shelves get overloaded they move to the floor- I guess you could say I have books to the ceiling!

Even if the only space you have to create in is a table in the kitchen, or a closet in the hall; the important thing is that it is YOUR space and that you are creating. Fill that space with things you love, things that are important to you and things that make you laugh.

I didn't always have this great creative space (believe me- I know exactly how blessed I am at this point in my life!) Circumstances change through your life- my last creative space was my bedroom floor! The space before that was a converted (I hung cheap muslin on the walls) 5x5 garden shed. To this day when I think of when I moved out of that little shed studio- I am amazed at the amount of stuff I hauled out... It was as though it was enchanted (remember the tent in Harry Potter....)

I also keep reminders around... This was my first newspaper publication. Out of the blue- there were my little creations front of the "Our Favorites" section of the local newspaper.

Things will ebb and flow- as with everything in life- and these little reminders show me that I never know when something great is going to come along and surprise you!

A color copy of my first full color two page spread in a magazine (Art Doll Quarterly)- I cried.

It is always good to set firm studio policies:
These are mine: There will be a 5.oo charge for whining and a 10.00 charge for just being a really big pain in the butt. I think that is fair- don't you?

Did I mention that it is good to have a supply of paint brushes? A Large supply of paint brushes, in fact is better.

Having back-ups to that large supply is perfection!

And Affirmations. Lots of affirmations. Little words and phrases that remind you on a daily basis of all of the great things that can be accomplished; reminders of the things that are important. So often with the day to day of things that we "have to do"- it is easy to get lost; distracted from the good and pulled to the mundane. Affirmations are a great way to keep focus.

My grandmother needle-pointed this for my grandfather in 1942. I think it pretty much sums things up.

Remember I mentioned about things that just make you laugh?

This little guy is a candle- I just set him inside of that antique juicer cause he fit- but guess what he does!

He glows! Now who in their right mind could burn that?

This angel was made by my great aunt (she is still alive- 98! WOO HOO) I am showing this to you because she made this 40+ years ago! It is made out of a Styrofoam ball and a bed sheet. with a bit if brickabrack for embellishment. Best that I can figure out- that is 35 years prior to Paverpol! At the time- it cost her 47 cents to make (today= approximately 5.00) Want to know how she did it? well- OK- but it will have to wait for a future post! check back for the secrets of the angel!

OK- back to the studio:

Thorton here is guarding the oven. (Thorton will be available on Artfire in August!) GREAT oven! No need to spend hundreds on an oven to bake your polymer clay- but you do need something other than a regular toaster oven (they tend to not regulate their heat- and things burn- a lot; that and they are just too small!) can everyone say... Target? Not only was this glorious piece of fine element engineering cost under 75.00 but it also has a rotisserie adaption.. why would you need that you ask? because it is "built-in" hanger bar! just pop the bar in- and Poof- instant hanger for your larger pieces, arms, ect- that you don't want to have a flat spot on! Cool- huh!

Those baby tubes of water colors kept getting lost in the googly moogly bins of paint- Since I only use them as a layer on mixed media paintings; and have a few favorite colors- this old wine carafe seemed to be the perfect fit for them- and I always know where they are!

The MOST important piece of equipment in MY studio! LOL

Late nights, early mornings, constantly testing and playing and pushing the envelope with products- I have had the, eh-hem, pleasure of using these babies twice so far in my studio!

Believe me- there is NO bigger wake-up then the realization that something has gone amiss and you have just set the back of your studio on fire! Whew! luckily- there are five of these bad boys in the studio- always in reach- so no actual damage has ever been done- just a bit of a heart flutter on my part! (sheesh)

sounds good to me!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed your little tour of the studio! Make sure you check back for tips, tours and travels! Soon to be on my 100th post! I will be having a special give away and I am putting together my show/gallery schedule as well as a grand opening special for Artfire! Be sure to check out Etsy, as well- lots of new things being posted there as well! As for me- I am off on another sailing excursion! There is a limited opportunity to feel the water on your face and the wind at your back~ take advantage of it any chance you can!

Make sure you stop over at My Desert Cottage and visit Karen; say hello, check out all of the other great studio tours and give her the kuddos she deserves for putting this all together for us!

Live a Blessed Creative life- anywhere you can!

Merry part and Merry Meet again!

Treasures, Blessings and Crazy Bird Love

I came home from work on Friday, just being happy that it was Friday. Small blessing for those with 9 to 5'ers. Happy to turn down the drive, to be welcomed by the tall trees and the mountain greening all around. I took a deep breath as I got out of the car, thinking how blessed I really was. I turned down the walk and stopped with a gasp. The peonies I have been waiting to bloom had burst open in my absence! And this is what was displayed before me! Finally, after weeks of waiting, anticipating and worrying whether the blooms would last the rains- there they were in all of their glory- and I thought to my self- this day can get no better than this. Boy was I wrong!

I walked into the house with the usual "I'm home!" -for anyone that may have been in earshot. Delighted further that my son was home from school/work (and in a good mood- teenagers! lol) He yells from the top floor " Hey mom! You have a package!" A package? I don't remember ordering anything... I wonder what it is. Dropping my parcels on the table, I began my search. You see- my son thinks it is hysterical to hide my packages. He relates it back to my hiding his presents on various holidays, and finds it perfectly acceptable for him to hide anything that comes in the post for me. A treasure hunt, and who can get angry over a treasure hunt? I found the box, acrossed the room, behind the couch, under a pile of art mags. Not so tough. YEAH! It was from Sonia! Dear, crazy, super-friend Sonia! But it was such a big box! what on earth?

I couldn't believe my eyes!! are you ready? wanna see? Look! Look what that amazing woman sent me!

------------------->>>>>

OMG! She is sooooo! cute! Look at that face! And those toes! With nail polish! I can't believe it!

And she is wearing .....

SHOES! HAHAHAHHA!

And vintage jewels!

Isn't she just AWESOME!

Check out those tailfeathers! This little girl has some serious attitude!

Oh- but that is not all!!

One of the things that Sonia and I share- is our demented love for..... rocks. yup. rocks. pick 'em up, put em in your pocket and carry them from state to state to state. The best of the best... heart rocks! They are everywhere, if you just look for them. Little reminders that love is everywhere, in all shapes and forms...Well. I don't have to look very much further! With that sweet crazy bird lady- came an altered box. Another one of my loves. Boxes. They always seem to hold something mysterious, something historical, or just something loved. WELL. Not only is this a very special wooden box, altered with delightful penny knobs and a heart rock (including lock and key)- on no. This is SONIA we are talking about.... it has to have that special touch, that extra, that little thing that makes it ones own.... ready> I'm gonna open the box now....

DUDE! It's PINK with Polka dots and Skulls!!!!

Filled with rose petals no less!

My three favorite things! All in one box!

WOW. Leaping lizards! I am one lucky girl! And I just thought that today was going to be just another Friday. A Friday that was a blessing just because it was that day.

And off I go in a tangent of what special treasures I will put in my heart rock box... maybe my collection of small heart rocks... who knows.. think think think... (what is that noise?)

It seems that in my excitement of my new gifts, I turned my back on the little girl- which - by the way- when she got out of the box, and fluffed her feathers- she announced in a rather loud voice that her name was Lulu Loli- "NOT as in Lolita but as in Lollipop!" can you imagine! Lulu Loli. - alrighty then! Lulu it shall be! but I digress.....

I turned my head, to see a blurrrrr flitting down the stairs.. It seems that I was not the only one to be excited about our new arrivals....

Peckerhead (as the gals at MMMM lovingly refer to him) heard the commotion and flew out of his room- He looks as though he has a crush! Though Lulu was not at all receptive of this new found attention at first.... A little put off as it were- I told Peckerhead to give her some room- to adjust to her new home - but he wouldn't have it!

It took her a while, but she eventually warmed up to him, (not that she had much of a choice- Peckerhead is seriously smitten!)

So I went on about my business of the night: dinner and some light house cleaning - preparing for the evening thunderstorms....

I went back to check on them several hours later...........I think there may be some nesting going on....

Hmmmm. a budding new romance at the Noll! Well - it's about time! HAHAHA!

Sonia- THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have once again added smiles, blessings and inspiration to my world!

For those of you that have not yet become acquainted with the wonder that is Sonia- please visit the Dark Ravens Nest- and get to know this wonderful human being and fabulous artist! And make sure you stop by and visit her new Etsy Shop! You too can have one of her wonderful creations.... just not these... these are mine. mine - ALLL mine!!!!

Muuuuuwaaaaahaaa ahaaaaa haaaaaa!

I'll be back soon with more news and new creations and thanks for all of the amazing blogger awards I have received these past weeks....

Bright Blessings:

In The Spirit of the "First 5"

OK- we'll see how this goes- since I can see between 60 and 80 of you gals (and guys) out there checking out my blog on almost a daily basis (Thank you!!).. lol.. it's ok. I always say, it's the quiet ones you want around you - it means that they are thinking! But, maybe this will bring a few of you out of the shadows , hopefully atleast five of you! and if not - thats okay too. I know your still out there, silently cheering me on- so it's all good. So let's get to it! (Sonia- I hope this does you justice!)

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, Sonia. My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

(but there's a pretty good chance you might!)

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done by May 20Th

4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

I love surprises!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re post this on your blog and

offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to

do so and leave a comment telling me they did it will then win a fabulous homemade

gift made by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Have fun playing!

**It took me a few times reading this to understand what is going on- basically- you re-post the above on your blog. By doing so- you commit to making five things for the first five people that respond. Then, quick like a bunny- jump back to my blog, leave a post that you are in on the game. Be one of the first five people to come back here and tell me that your going to be a part of this mad swap - and you get one of my five gifts! Instead of the twelve or twenty pieces involved with most swaps- it's oNly five! (woo-hoo!) So come on ! join in the fun- we all know we ALL have atleast five wips in our studio spaces that we just need an excuse to finish!! :o)

It is just temporary

Ok - April Fools - I saved my blogger template to a different computer! AH HA! - so - As a result- everything that i am used to seeing - has gone for a walk for the moment. Perhaps, maybe to visit with you and have a cup of tea?


If you see any of my wayward widgets - could you send them home? they are horribly missed.


Actually, I have finally given in to the fact that I just can't do everything - Well - let me clarify that - I could do everything - it's just that there is not enough time to do everything! LOL - no need to cut myself short here! So as a result I have farmed out the templates, webpage and all of the glorious html coding to a brilliant professional- so that it gets done sometime in the next millennium - As a result - since I already have the design in my head as to what it is going to look like - there is nothing out there that i feel comfortable in - and as a result - (like ya' have not noticed) I keep changing the background every time I sign in - cause - it just doesn't feel like home. (pouting)



Oh well - things could be worse!


I know that time is limited and I have three posts to catch up on (fellow artists to gush over and items to post)- but life seems to throw you for a loop now and again - reminding you to slow down- so instead- this weekend I will be attending a funeral.



I have no regrets. No "wish I should have could have". But as it happens, when things like this happen- it makes you take a step back, take account, and make an extra effort.



See you next week.


wake with a smile

listen to the space between your heart beats

and love each other well


And if you need something to giggle over - check out the size of those bunny feet!

Lets do the time warp, Agaaaaaaaain!

I 'm not sure why it happens - but I do know that it definitely happens - those times when you have to do sooooo many things and you know you have to get them done - but the studio calls you. Screams at you. So you go. You go to the studio on the pretenses that your only going to spend an hour or two. That's it. Just an hour or two , and then, then you'll go on about with the everyday chores and the to-do list. Promise. You look at your clock. ready. set. go. You bring out the paints and the clay and the wire. And you start. And then someone calls, or knocks~ breaks the "zone" in some way. And you say... What the.... I've been working for like 20 minutes~ I said I'd be back in an hour or two. And they give you THE LOOK. You know the look. It's the wooooooo. is she completely out of her mind? look. Because in actuality. In the reality of it all, the "all" outside the studio that is - hours have passed. 5 to be exact. FIVE HOURS. GONE. not lost. just.....missing. And so, my friends.... that is where I have been. Lost in the time warp, again! and then a step to the right..... I put my hands on my hips, and pulled my knees in tiiiiiight....... ehem. sorry.


<----- Gotta love it

Back to reality.

I have added more items to the Etsy shop. There are more to be added however, it really is a slow go. I guess if I actually sat down at the computer for a few hours - i could get it all done - but between the carpal tunnel, the arthritis and SHEAR BOREDOM - I just can't do it. I've tried. really. I used to work on computers, fix them, keep up on all the latest software, hardware, etc. But then. I'm not sure - I just have no patience. Maybe that was about the same time that I became acquainted with the best IT guy and **poof** no more patience for computers. If it is going to take more than fifteen minutes - it becomes a two or three part session. If I were being honest with myself - I would actually admit it is because..

THIS IS MUCH MORE FUN:

She is such a tease! She is waiting for her hands to be completed and is stubbornly withholding her name until she gets them!

And then there is Thorton.... but he's another WHOLE story... with picturey in progress photo goodness. But - I think I will wait until tomorrow to introduce you to him.

Cheers!