The process begins

Here is a email from one of the owners of Artistry Of Poland explaining the process for recreating the Victorian Santa I entered into the Design Like a Star contest. I can't wait to see Mirek's clay model! This is so exciting ! This success is largely do to the efforts of Suzanne Urban encouraging the members of our group American Holiday Artists to seek out these opportunities, something I would never have done on my own. Thank You Suzanne!

Hi Susan,

Sue Myal here. I am half of Artistry of Poland located in sunny Tucson. Sue Sprunk (business partner) is in the San Francisco area--and leaving Sunday for 3 weeks in China.

So I guess it will be me that guides you through the ornament production. First of all we LOVE your design and it has inspired us to continue with a collection of Santa Heads. Who knows where that will take us.

Now to work. Your design as been emailed to our workshop in Krakow Poland.Our sculptor (his name is Mirek) will take your entry and carve it in clay. I should have a carving photo in about 2-3 weeks.
This first step is very important as once you approve the clay model there will be no mold changes accepted. Be sure it is exactly what you want at this point. Mirek then makes a plaster mold and then the foundry makes the final metal mold. Several pieces will be blown to test your paint colors. If you have PMS colors available it always helps as the workshop has a PMS book for color comparison. Color changes are usually not a problem. The important thing is that the finished product is what YOU want.
I am anticipating the shipment of your ornament leaving Poland August 20th-arriving here in Tucson about the first of September. I will then send your 10 free ornaments to you via UPS ground.

I can't wait to see the finished piece!! ~Susan~

Connie Porcher of Celebrate 365

http://www.celebrate365.com/

To my shock and amazement, Connie Porcher, publisher of Celebrate 365 magazine , notified me today that I won the Design Like A Star contest! I am still in shock and a tad bit nervous . I have never had anything I have created reproduced, so this will be a completely new experience for me.

I want to thank you, Connie, for the opportunity !! Please visit the Celebrate 365 online to learn more about her wonderful magazine. Celebrate365 has provides its readers with up-to-the-minute ornament news as well as carefully researched articles of interest to ornament collectors.

A premiere magazine for the year-round ornament collector featuring : Artistry of Poland, Christopher Radko, Bethany Lowe and many other designers and manufacturers. ~Susan~

Finally it is starting to look like spring around here ! The apple trees with their delicate pink and white blossoms and the flowering weeping cherry tree ,which I call my fireworks tree because the branches turn downward and are covered in pink blossoms too.
Sadly we lost our dwarf cherry tree and our multi fruit bearing tree this winter ... way too much snow and fridge temperatures for them, I guess.
I have been busy getting things ready for Spencer's Alley tent sale this weekend, cutting it close like I always do. My kitchen has exploded with boxes and package peanuts! arghh!! I hate those things. All my orders were delivered today one right after another much to my chagrin...... makes it easier on me and husband's heart if things are spread out a little more. I know he's afraid to ask how much I spent.... probably better if he doesn't ask, I believe in a firm policy of don't ask me and I won't tell!!!
I have finally listed three new Halloween pieces on Ebay . Woo-Hoo! one that note I will say bye for now.... I have a hundred hang tags to make up still for my items for sale. ~Susan~

Hooray!

Okay EBay was on top of things so that what could have been a nightmare turned out to be a positive experience. So there's one Hooray! Maybe I should say Hip Hip Hooray! Because several of the members from American Holiday Artists [aha] made it into the Celebrate 365 quarterly magazine as well as my offering Spring Chick featured here on my blog. Spring has been featured on the front of the magazine along with many other wonderful artists work ! I feel very humbled to apart of such wonderful and creative artist. Other artist from AHA were Suzanne Urban designs leader of AHa [suzanneurbandesigns.com, Sheryl Parsons co leader of Aha [merelyamothersdream] Melissa Valeriote [queenofholidays] Amelia Schaefer[sweetbfolksart] Shannon Martinez [originalartdollsbyshannonmartinez]. To see the cover and more of the magazine visit Celebrate365.com or americanholidayartists.com .
Congratulations to everyone who participated ! ~Susan

Ebay ID thief

Very Scary stuff happening today. I was just notified by Ebay someone hi-jacked my Ebay account and listed 165 items there. Fortunately EBay was on top of things and caught what was happening. I still need to check my Paypal account since I am not sure what the point of listing all these things were if they can't collect the money. I have now picked a strong password and ID application and added it to my account . Please check your accounts too their are some really evil people out there! Hugs Susan