Thoughtful Thursdays: A Look Back!

This Christmas and New Year brought some absolutely gorgeous, early Spring-like weather to the New Jersey coast. Being grateful sometimes makes you think of why you are. So I thought you might enjoy a look back at my blog post from right about this time last year...

Well, I'd love to say that as a work-at-home artist, I am diligently working away on this Monday. But I would be fibbing. I am actually still in my pajamas... I mean, who is going to come to my door today? In fact... being the tiniest town within the Township of Neptune, Ocean Grove is always the last to have their streets plowed. And the likes of this snow is something else. Perhaps they'll get to us around Wednesday?

Here's a few highlights from the neighborhood. Although they are all taken from inside my house as I can only open the door this much right now...

This is our neighbor's house... what you see here is her front door and the clothes line! There is no working back door! Good thing she is away visiting her son!

View from the front porch...

Duuuuude... where's my car?

Neighbor's house directly across the street. Check out the snowdrift on the right side of the house!

Good thing it's plastic "wicker" furniture...

Winds still whipping the snow around...

Various neighbors digging out. We're going to wait until the plows come through though.

   

Whew! What a difference a year makes!

Blizzicane of 2010 - Ocean Grove, NJ

Well, I'd love to say that as a work-at-home artist, I am diligently working away on this Monday. But I would be fibbing. I am actually still in my pajamas... I mean, who is going to come to my door today? In fact... being the tiniest town within the Township of Neptune, Ocean Grove is always the last to have their streets plowed. And the likes of this snow is something else. Perhaps they'll get to us around Wednesday?

Here's a few highlights from the neighborhood. Although they are all taken from inside my house as I can only open the door this much right now...

This is our neighbor's house... what you see here is her front door and the clothes line! There is no working back door! Good thing she is visiting her son!

View from the front porch...

Duuuuude... where's my car?

Neighbor's house directly across the street. Check out the snowdrift on the right side of the house!

Good thing it's plastic "wicker" furniture...

Winds still whipping the snow around...

Various neighbors digging out. We're going to wait until the plows come through though.

   

If you're stuck in this... enjoy! If not... enjoy that too!

Ocean Grove Boardwalk Art Show...

Hey Folks! Mark your calendars... I'm going to be in my first ever Art Show at the end of the month... right here in my hometown. I'll be persuading onlookers to take home all types of mixed media creations such as handmade cards, collages, assemblages, dolls, framed photographs, prints, accessories, home decor items, Tillie stuff, and so much more! I'll even have a few winter-themed items that would make great Holiday presents (never to early to shop, right?). Here's what you need to know...

Boardwalk Art Show
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Free Admission
Saturday, July 31st
9am - 4pm

Stop by for a visit... and see what I've been up to! And don't forget the sunscreen...

Coney Island Mermaid Parade...

I'd heard about it for years... and decided to take the trip up to Coney... and go under the Sea for a day! Mom joined me for this maiden voyage... and what a treasure trove of jewels there were...

Mobile fish... with matching mohawk!
Mermaids of fire... and some like ice...
Plenty of bubbles...
A little burlesque-style (okay... a lot!)...
And plenty of BP references! A common theme among mermaids!
Some Marie Antoinette's... with a private message...
"All hands on deck!" At least that's what the sailors said...
Everything was great... to the very tail end... thanks for the memories... Coney Island!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone...

Ahhhh, Love! One of my very favorite intangibles. You can't see it... or box it up... or buy it at the store. But you can give it to someone... and you can receive it... and you can feel it too! Pretty cool... huh? I hope you have lots Love in your life... today and every day...

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow!

Boy, another big snowstorm here on the eastern seaboard this weekend... dumped about a foot here in Ocean Grove. I'll tell you a little secret though... I don't mind one bit! It's Mother Nature's way of making us slow down and reminding us that we are not in control. And there's another 10"-12" on the way for Wednesday! Wheeeeeeee...

Suzi Blu... Where Are You?

OMG... you're at the Ranger Booth! How cool is that?

I was just finishing up an order with a customer at the CHA Show, when one of our Signature Designers, Suze Weinberg, grabbed me and dragged me along, adamantly stating... "I have someone you really, really want to meet!" And I'm thinking, "yeah, yeah". But when I rounded the corner and saw the long pink wig... I just knew it was you Suzi Blu!

After absolutely loving her online Petite Dolls class, it was so nice to meet her in person. I showed her around the Ranger booth and introduced Suzi to her newest favorite product... Stickles! Bling in a bottle... a must have for all you little Petites out there! Later, we met for dinner and shared many, many artistic tales!

So, this CHA turned out to be a little different... it was all about the people. I also got a chance to have dinner with two mixed media artists I really admire... Lisa Kaus and Sally Jean Alexander. And one of the new Exhibitors was another fav of mine... Susan Lenart Kazmer. Love to get the hugs from her! She squeezes me real tight and says I'm the tiniest person she knows! Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her mixed media jewelry is simply delicious.
Add to that time spent with best bud and Ranger Signature Designer Claudine Hellmuth and the "Rangerettes" who also double as my very good friends... and you have one very satisfying trip. Oh, and we took tons and tons of orders too! This is a good economic sign.... CRAFT ON!

© photos by Suze Weinberg, Claudine Hellmuth & Lisa Kettell

Holidays Are Over... Now What?

So the holidays are over and you know what that means? Yup, it's the busiest time of the year for me at Ranger! We're preparing for the Winter Craft and Hobby Association trade show, and we're working our little butts off! Creating new packaging, marketing materials, mockups, preparing class curriculums, make-it-take-its and all kinds of stuff. I was working on a special project all weekend long which I'll reveal next Monday. It's part of our yearly company challenge for the show... and I had a blast creating it! Can't wait to show you... more to come...