Welcome to my Folk Art and Fancies Blog

I am a wood crafter artisan from the southwest Missouri Ozarks.I may just ramble on here about my art workings, my life, and my fancies about what I find fun and interesting in this world.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

More to come....

You might think I'm a little slow or something. I've only written 3 posts in a little over a month. (since Feb.22) I have to admit I am a bit of a procrastinator, but I am a newbe to blogging. I was reading someone's post on a etsy shop that she had started a DAILY blog, and I thought "oops"!
Well...I doubt I'll ever get around to daily, but I'll be back soon. I have some stories to tell...about... Hidden Treasure, and the Jealous Aunt; and The Tornado; and My Great Garage Sale Finds; and maybe I'll show you my process on an art project or two...
My husband has to connect the scanner to my computer, and my daughter has to bring me back her camera that she borrowed back, just because she was going on a little cruse. ( I guess I should get my own camera, huh?) And would you believe my dog ate my homework? guess not... I forgot...I don't have a dog. Don't think I'm a bad person tho.... I like to look at other peoples dogs. I guess I'm rambling on a bit, and now I have to go get ready for work... (which I figure is another good excuse why I don't blog daily.) anyway.....I'll be back soon.......

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Country / Farmer Wannabes! -Or --We sure miss "our " cows


 
Ain't they beautiful!
This was our wonderful view out back of our home here on Mulberry Lane, when we moved in some seven years ago. Okay, so they weren't our cows, but we sure did get a kick out of sittin' on our back porch watching em. Sometimes we'd even moo at em, and embarrass our teen aged daughters. We enjoyed the calf's too, buttin' heads, and kickin' up their heels. My dear husband was inspired, so he built us this windmill. (I made the flag, and painted the propellers)

He put up the little corner fences, and planted morning glories-you can see climbing up the fence too. Our builder said he knew the owner of that land, and he would never develop it. He was half right--he didn't develop it but he sold it. I had a feelin' it was too good to be true. Anyway, we had a couple good years of "our" beautiful cows.
(with none of the responsibility) Here's our view now. The low spot where the cows were in the picture is a sink hole, so they didn't build very close- that's a blessing. But also, as you can see, our beautiful windmill is gone too. Since it was a homemade contraption, it wasn't latched down quite right, and a major windstorm propelled it right off the stand and busted it. My hubby says he's gonna rebuild it one of these days, but I just don't think he's quite as inspired without "our" cows. So now if we wanna be inspired we might take a Sunday drive in the country. So you real farmers out there be patient with us if we're drivin' too slow, cause we're just admiring those gorgeous cows of yours, an bein' wannabes

Monday, March 1, 2010

Who am I?

 Word is, you might like to know a little bit about me. My name is Jennifer. As I said in "about me"- I'm an empty nester. Well,  mostly...I still have one daughter, Shawna, at home, but my son, Ben and other daughter Melanie are both married, and out of the nest now. I miss them very much, however it did free up some room in this here nest!
 I set up my new art room, and started researching on the internet, where I found etsy, and made some things to set up my shop there. I enjoy creating things for myself and for others, and it's fun to meet new people who share a love for Folk Art and other handmade things. It makes my day when I get nice emails and feedback about my work.
   My dear husband organized the garage so I can get to my tools,  wood, and supplies. (I do all my own woodworking. I'm not afraid of major power tools.)  While he was at it, my husband, Dale, made me this lovely porch swing!  (We will be married 10 years this July.)
  Aside from an occasional gift, or custom items for friends, I haven't been crafting much for about 15 years, when I got a "regular" job.
  In the early 90's, as a newly divorced mom I started my craft business-- Country Folk Artworks. I did craft shows, and had a booth in a craft mall in Branson, Mo. I started wholesaling to some local gift shops, then I got a sales rep. who took my samples to gift markets and got orders for me from all over the country, and some in Canada. I also had 3 items that were sold through The Country House Catalog, including my Santa Checker Board. I sold over 300 of these Santas one year.
  My love for art, and drawing and painting started in my childhood. My mom painted in oils and two of my Aunts were artists at Hallmark Cards, one in design, and the other in production art. They both were oil and watercolor painters also. My grandpa was an artist, and sign painter, also. We had a lot of art books around the house from which I learned a lot. In the early 80's when I discovered Country Living magazine I really learned to love Folk Art, and woodcrafting. Here are a few of the first things I made for myself. ---( The cow, and Angel and horse weathervane reproductions.)
 If you're not bored yet, I might ramble on more, about me, another day. Thanks for your time, Jennifer