HUH??

On Saturday Sue, from the Artistry of Poland, sent photos of the artist Mirek's rendition of the Victorian Santa. Imagine my surprise when I received these pictures shown in white. These were his sculpted version of my piece.
HUH?? The only thing I could see that looked like mine was the hood! I'm thinking Holy Cow did he even look at my Victorian Santa or did he not like it and decide to do his own version instead. I, having no experience with this type of process was at a loss to say the least! I didn't want to be critical , it is obvious that he is a talented artist in his own right, but sniff , it didn't even closely resemble my piece.
I finally decided to print out a copy of his work and sketch my changes over it. Thinking to myself that he should save that one for another Santa in the series and start over on mine completely.
Sue, just contacted me, she sent him the wrong picture! She was wondering why his Santa looked like a Andy Warhol version of mine! lol ! Yay! I was really feeling intimidated by his version!
What a relief!! She has sent him the correct pictures now and should be on track for the August completion date. Hopefully will be done by next week. ~Susan~

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