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Winter Solstice at BEAR HOUSE and Other Adventures!

Oh my!  Look who has arrived at BEAR HOUSE today!  Non other than Krampus himself!!!  A few days early, he is here to warn and punish any Bears who may have forgotten their manners...

Krampus was my surprize 'Ornament Exchange Gift' at our annual Castle Christmas Party.  Karima, Queen of the Castle created him with all the love and attention she showers onto the Castle on a daily basis!  Here I am receiving my gift, just look at that grin!  Fortunately for me, my number was high - so no one could steal him away!

Our annual Christmas party is one we all look forward to the whole year.  The highlight is our 'Ornament Exchange' complete with stealing allowed.  The one rule is that each ornament must be handmade! This year I made a miniature winter parade scene, of a Raindeer with Rabbit and Squirrel Passangers - rushing to greet everyone at the party!  Raindeer wears an antique paisley blanket on his back, and Rabbit and Squirrel have 'flower hats' on.

John McRae Won mine early on, and it was stolen twice before it finally found its way home to John again...

And so the adventures continue...

Masks Galore!

I've been making Masks like crazy these days.  Many of them are now at the CASTLE.  But some will also be featured as a window display at FABRICATIONS in HEALDSBURG over the holidays.  (116 Matheson Street, downtown Healdsburg)  Here are a few of my favorites for you to see.

When my daughter saw the long earred owl and mouse above - she screamed "Oh Mom, thats Scary!"  So I made the mouse detachable with velcro - just in case you feel the same...

The little House Mask below, is my favorite design so far...  Inspired by gnome houses and gingerbread dreams - I hope it brings smiles...

This friendly Dog Mask, was inspired by a pug, but seems to resemble a bulldog... oh well...  Thats a lost red velvet slipper in his mouth - attached with velcro again, perhaps you could hang your extra 'lost socks' there instead...

This lovely Moth Mask is quite large - a real statement mask!  The colors on this one remind me of Venetian Sunsets...

The Swan Mask below, just spoke to have feathers added.  Perfect for one who dreams in ballet...

And who better to partner a Swan, than Jack Frost?  His Icy cold spirals glistening in snow...

John's Reliquary...

If you are a regular at the Castle, you know John McRae!  His talents know no bounds!  Although he has not taken my Reliquary class, he decided to create his own version in memoriam to someone very special. The result, above, is truly exceptional!

Gilded Fairy Chair Tutorial Available Free From The Castle Crier!

Have you ever wondered how to tempt a fairy into your garden?  Here is the perfect answer!  I have created a Gilded Fairy Chair Tutorial, that you can download free HERE!  A miniature version of my French Wedding Chair, this delightful little Dresden wonder will surely make you popular among the fey!!!

If you have not done so yet, please also take this opportunity to sign up for the Castle's Crafting Newsletter and Class Schedule HERE!    (Newsletters will now only be sent out via email.)

Free Christmas PDF's to Create and Inspire!

 

I just LOVE this little Snow Baby on a Snowball Box designed and created by Karima, the owner and Queen of Castle In The Air!  Best of all, there is a FREE PDF HERE so you can make your own!  You can also buy a kit Here, which comes with everything you need to create your own delightful little Snow Baby Box!  I'd like to make a whole family of these, just to put around the house!

 

Here is another amazing FREE PDF from the wonderfully creative Ann Wood!  I have always loved her magnificent paper ships, and now she has generously shared her pattern and instructions for making a enchanting paper boat just in time for you to sail away on Christmas time dreams!  Complete Instructions can be found HERE!  Can't you just see a family of Snow-babies riding away on one of these? 

I think this little 3-D town calendar from Canon is delightful too!  I love how each month gives a new scene, and yet you can see all of them at a glance!  You can print your own calendar for free here!  

And just for fun, I found this wonderful old 'Cook Book' illustration!  Doesn't it make you want to cook a holiday feast?   Link 

 

Welcoming the New Season, and Playing Catch Up!

Where does the time go???  I've been overwhelmed with classes, events and projects, and seem to have neglected my blog.  I'm so sorry!  I promise to catch you all up as soon as I get some more rest.  Yesterday and last night was the CASTLE'S Christmas Transformation .  I was the first to arrive at 9:30 am, but not the last to leave!  At 11:30 pm, 14 hours later for me, I had to head home, and leave the rest of the Castle Christmas Magic up to the remaining elves...  Do come and visit soon!!!

Illustration above by Theodor Kittelsen of Norway.

BELOW:  A peek at our 'Christmas' Window (using antique Chinese Theatre Puppets) created by the ever talented John McRae!

More ABC's of Altered Books At The CASTLE!

I am falling a little behind in posting - sorry...  This last weekend I had 10 wonderful women join me in learning 26 plus plus plus techniques at the Castle.  This is a fast paced class, where students focus on 3 to 5 techniques per alphabet letter.  Its amazing to see how each student renders the techniques, and no book looks the same in the end!  We use Moleskine Japanese Accordian books to present the letters, so that everyone goes home with a colorful lineup of multiple techniques.  This class is perfect for those who want to learn about altered books in a two day intensive!

Now YOU get to guess which letters are shown here!

Playing Hookie today!

I am off to the CASTLE today, to take John McRae's 'French Sedan Chair' Class! So why the image above? It is called 'A Lady Descending from a Sedan Chair' and is a study drawn for the painting 'The Porteous Mob' by James Drummond, in 1855. Isn't she lovely?  Drawing  Link , painted scene here.

Tomorrow I hope to show you my completed chair, till then you must imagine what it will look like...

Globe de Mariee Class this Thursday!

There are still a couple of spaces left for this Thursdays French Wedding Chair Class to be held at the CASTLE!  Nancy of Fete et Fleur did a delightful post about our day playing with this theme HERE!  Today I have been gathering lovely hand-dyed velvet's and charmeuse's to use for our chairs - I hope they will inspire!

Castles In The Garden...

Finishing up a two day class at the Castle today, in the NEW CLASS ROOM, so I thought these Asian Vogue photos would be appropriate!  Wouldn't you love to have a castle or two to stand in your garden???

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Mayday Festivities Among Raindrops...

MAYDAY began with a flurry of raindrops and drizzle here in Northern California. But as you well know, Magic comes easily here at the CASTLE - rain or no rain. When I arrived in the morning KARIMA asked me to create a MAYPOLE for our window maiden to carry.  I immediately envisioned something out of my childhood in Scandinavia, a (paper) flower topped wheel for our young lass to carry in celebration! Here she stands, in all her glory, eager to welcome our guests and wish everyone a JOYOUS MAY!!!

 

John's Enchanted Optical Illusions...

Spending a day with John McRae at the CASTLE is always like taking a bath in creative inspiration.  Ideas and images get tossed across the shop, as we chat about new finds, discoveries and directions!  Yesterday was no exception!  John ALWAYS has something new up his sleeves!  Here he is with one of his magical 'Optical Illusion Spring Tableau's', a truly enchanting Victorian style handheld folly, made from a convex mirror, miniature trees and foliage, dresden, and an antique handle.  Look within - at the mirror -  and you are immediately transported into a three dimensional illusion of a springtime tableau!  Magic as only John can do!!!

 

Paper Pinwheels!

I'll be working with John McRae at the CASTLE today and on Monday!  If you are in town, come by and say Hello!!!  I've been wanting to share John's Paper Pinwheels for a while now, so today seems appropriate.  This is also a great post on how one artists mind works - namely Johns!  

John came to my house a few months ago, and admired my hand-tinted 'French Merchant' prints that I have hanging in my hallway.  One in particular caught his eye immediately.  Called 'Merchande de Moulins a vent' (Windmill Merchant) by Carle Vernet, it shows an older woman with a basket full of wonderful toy pinwheels. See image below.

Let me tell you, I've had this print hanging in my home for over two years and not once did I think to take direct inspiration from it.  John did!!!  A couple of weeks after his visit, not only had he recreated the pinwheels in the print, but he come up with a few of his own designs, and created a class out of them!  Combining juicy papers, Dresden, wooden sticks, and cotton batting dolls John's Whirling Wonders would be perfect for any party!  

If you'd like to make your own Paper Pinwheels, John's class will be held on Saturday May 30th, from 11:00 to 5:00.  (Call 510-204-9801 to reserve a spot!)

  

Wardian Adventures...

What better way to spend a pouring rain kind of day, then playing with friends and creating treasures?  Yesterday I treated Nancy of Fete et Fleur and myself to a day at the Castle, to create Wardian Cases with John McRae!  I was intrigued with John's inventive use of Mica and Dresden and have totally fallen in love with his techniques! This morning I looked in awe at our creations again, did we really make those?  Above you see our finished pieces all lined up in a row, pretty wonderful don't you think???

Here's John putting his 'golden hands' to good work.

We were all happily focused and content...

My case is the one to the farthest right, with a half golden ball (below)...

And here is Nancy's - in front to the right with the delightful chains hanging from it...

Santos Hand Reliquary Class Sample!

Inspired by 18th Century Spanish antiques, this unique version features a paper-mache hand on top of a decorated 'arm', that contains your own personal reliquary.  No soldering skills are required.  You will learn a new technique for creating special little reliquaries (boxes) from matt board, metallic tape, Apoxie Clay and metallic powders, plus plenty of beads, seed pearls, and other tiny wonders!

Fee:  $125.00, includes all materials but please feel free to bring your own small ephemera, beads and pearls...

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009  10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Please call the CASTLE at 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

Note on photos:  The small hand measures about 5 inches tall.  I added butterfly wings, and an old cameo to the inside of the reliquary.  The larger hand is about 7 inches tall and has a long reliquary that features a real 'mouse spine' inside.

Royal Fleur-De-Lis Figural Theatre Class Sample!

The Iris was chosen by the Kings of France as their royal emblem, and stylized as the elegant Fleur-de-lis.  A hand-molded face, painted by you, is surrounded by lovely crepe paper petals - in Iris colors of your choice.  Ms. Iris wears a layered costume and shows off a delightful scene under her skirts!  (here a little tryst is in the works...)

Fee:  $130.00 includes all supplies.

Saturday March 28th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the CASTLE.

Please call 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

Victorian Papercut Heart Box Workshop At The Castle On February 4th!

Victorian Papercut Heart Boxes

This class is a wonderful introduction to the art of paper cutting.  Decorate red or pink German paper mache heart boxes with wonderful  paper cut ‘love tokens’.  We will use beautifull calligraphy printed papers, giving these boxes a wonderful romantic feel.

Half day.  1:00 to 5:00  (Limit to 8 students)

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4th, 2009

$75.00

Call 'Castle In The Air' at 510-204-9801 to reserve your spot!

'Lovers Eye' Brooch Workshop at the CASTLE - February 10th!

'Lovers Eye' Brooch Workshop

Georgian ‘Lovers Eye’ brooches were created as a way to keep one’s lovers identity a secret by not revealing the whole face.  In this half day class you will create your own version of these rare and very sought after pieces of jewelry.  Ulla will introduce a ‘faux soldering’ technique that uses a combination of beveled watchmakers glass; silvered foil; Apoxy clay; beads and pearls; and a photo of an eye.

Half day.  1:00 to 5:00  Limit to 12 students

Tuesday,  February 10th

$85.00

Please call the Castle at 510-204-9801 

This should be a Fabulously Fun class, hope to see you there!!!

Christmas At The Castle!

As they say "better late then never!"  Here are some photos of this years displays at the CASTLE.  The center tree has over 1000 ornaments on it and took 3 people 8 hours to decorate!  ENJOY!!!

Castle Time!

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I am off to the CASTLE today, teaching a two day class in Soldered Jewelry.  Although we do not have clocks like these two, we do have an entire wall of wonderful cuckoo clocks to delight and charm!!!