Windows are in

A couple of weeks ago we found out that all our windows in the house needed replaced. Tried to get someone local to come and give me an estimate but no one called me back. So I called Home Depot. Within minutes I had an appointment for the next business day for someone to come and give me a price. Then within a couple of days, I had someone come and take the final measurements. In a week they called to tell me the windows were in and scheduled a day for the crew to come and install them.

They came yesterday to install. 10 windows including one picture window and 2 large units. It took all day but I have to say I am a happy camper! These guys were the best! Took pride in their work and it showed. One guy was outside and one inside and they worked like clockwork.

Today its the big snowstorm and we are expecting 12 inches of snow. I can tell you that right now we have more than that on the ground and its only 12:30 pm Sat. I expect we will get at least that much more this afternoon and tonight. Here we are snug as a bug in a rug with new windows watching it snowing! Know I have to go out and snow blow the driveway and fill the bird feeders but right now I am enjoying just watching it snow. Right now is when its pretty. After I get outside, the joy will quickly be followed by exhaustion, cold fingers, cold toes, and I'll be a bear by the time I get back inside. LOL the joys of winter in PA.

Getting the itch

Started to get the itch to create something.... trying to get a focus for it - I think it will be a building - round barn - castle - maybe a castle! That would probably keep me occupied for some time.... I need something with lots of challenge.... then I start thinking - not a good idea when you want to create - think about not having space to just let my supplies out so I can pick them up again quickly when I want to work on it again..... 4 inside cats...... lots of small things for them to play with.... would have to pack everything back up every time I wanted to work on it..... See, this is what stops me every time. I love my furballs but they can be a PITA! Someday, I will figure something out.....A cart or table that rolls so I can roll it out of the way... nah. no place to roll it to. ..... still thinking.....

On A Roll

Okay, so if you don't post in a couple of months, guess that means you have a lot to say when you finally do post.... Times are scary. Orders are down. But ya still have to buy inventory for what is selling.... but vendors have their minimums so you try to keep everything tight.... Would love to get some new products but minimums being $500 or more - well - that kinda stops you from going forward. Feel like I am rambling here.... Maybe I should go over to associatedcontent.com I read where they pay you to write articles. Now if I really had something to write about, I would probably do that for some extra income. Those of you who have tutorials, rambles, etc should write and get paid for it. Yeah, it might not be much but once you get a following, it could add up. Some people are making a living at doing it...... Check it out for yourself though.

Been a while- life happens

Yes, its been months. Life happens sometimes and everything just goes to pot! LOL Recently we decided that the house needs repainted. The rooms are needing some refreshment. So, this is a big job since we have The Clay Alley inventory in every room - this is going to take some time and patience. First day we got the ceiling in the kitchen, dining room and bathroom done! Wow..... okay, maybe we can do this! The next day we started the living room..... well. got the ceiling and 2 walls done...... next day, did the other 2 walls...... took another 2 days to move everything back in its place.... by now, the rest of the house is in need of attention.... mow the grass, do the laundry, cats need their nails cut, ah well.... next room is a biggie.... not a big room - just gobs of stuff in there. Lots of inventory - shipping boxes, bubble wrap,,,,, yeah, you get the idea. A real mess..... gonna start packing it up here this week - might get a chance to paint by Thurs or Fri...we'll see

More on Fiber optic lights

I just thought of this but have not tried it yet. .... what if you were to color the strands with pinata inks? Would the lights then be different colors? Its an experiment that I have to try some day soon

Hair and glue

Just ran across a wonderful tip on how to adhere mohair, or any type of hair to your sculpture! Use regular clear caulking. Squeeze out a little on the opening of the tube, pick it up with a needle and spread it onto your doll head. Then lay the hair into it. You can then use the needle to smush the hair down into the caulking.... giving a wonderful base to the hair. This really does work. It can take a bit of getting used to but well worth the extra effort.

Fiber Optic Lights

Just got in some fantastic fiber optic lights! These will be so cool to work with. .... I am imagining artists using them to light up fairy wings..... or as a setting..... or just about anything! Jean Bernard is going to have an online class using these. Check out Jeans class at http://www.jeanbernardart.com/

Air Dry Clay and food dehydrator

Just read an interesting article in Doll Costuming and Crafting magazine. seems you can cure your air dry clay faster by putting it into a food dehydrator! You can even build up the sides to make it taller! Sounds like something I will be searching for on my yard sale/free cycle adventures!

Alley Goop

Many questions about whether or not you can bake clay in the Alley Goop molds. Yes, you can. Alley Goop will withstand temps up to 600 degrees. But as with any rubber mold, heat will eventually reduce the details faster. My favorite thing, is to put the clay into the mold, put the mold into the freezer and in a few minutes when the clay has firmed up, just pop it out of the mold. Works very quickly and I keep the details of the mold. I have molds that I have made over 15 years ago that are just as perfect as the day I made them.

sculpting anatomy

Also on Lisa's videos, she did something that I never saw anyone else do. She made her armature, and then used modeling clay in various colors to sculpt in the different muscles. Needless to say, this visual was exciting! and although she then transferred that into batting and polyfil, I thought the whole sculpting in clay was marvelous!

Her armatures are totally wonderful, in that they stand and are balanced then you can put them into any position that you want. A wonderful artist.

Making eyes

Just watched the video by Lisa Lichtenfels, a well-known soft sculpture artist. And she makes her own eyes for her dolls from glass marbles, painted with acrylics, and sealed with clear fingernail polish.