Category Archives: handmade gift items

All the New Stuff

I don’t usually try to create six new things at once, but it turned out okay. You know how I love to tell stories about the things I make. And I actually enjoy working out one new thing at a time, visualizing the idea, collecting materials, testing it and making changes if necessary, then sharing […]

Hot Off the Worktable: “Tabbies Tiles”

I’ve had tiles in mind for a long time. I just like them for decoration, but they are also useful as coasters or a base to display something. I don’t have a kiln at the ready and don’t really want one, so I’ve been experimenting with air-dry clay to substitute. The finish has the feel […]

A Few More New Things, Getting Ready for the Cat Show

I usually work out one project at a time, starting with my basic visualization and working out materials, size, method and details to make sure the idea is workable, make a few and show them to friends to get an opinion. That obviously takes time and I get impatient, and with a cat show coming […]

New Stuff, and Getting Ready for the Cat Show

I’ve been busy in my studio and the rough draft tiles above are just one example of what’s new. They are made of air-dry clay rolled thin, then pressed onto one of the inked linoleum blocks from my “Tabbies” series so they are a little dimensional and a little colorful. This is really fun! This […]

Thinking of Spring With Tulip Keepsakes

Ah, Spring, and spring flowers! These vintage cigar box keepsakes are covered with the colors of bright spring tulips from two paintings I’ve done, ready for early Mother’s Day gifts or for your own use as gifts or gift boxes, jewelry or photo boxes, or for decorative storage for special keepsakes. These cigar boxes are […]

Keep the Colors of Summer With the Summer Nature and Wildlife Sampler Box

Summer 2017 Nature & Wildlife Sampler Box

I’m happy to see gold-toned autumn colors creep into the local palette of trees and wildflowers, but the blues and pinks and bright greens of summer seem to leave too soon. That June morning when I found the back road in “A Bend in the Road”, the July morning I photographed the angel amid the […]

Decorate Your Autumn Table With a Tortie Tablecloth

Handmade of unbleached cotton muslin, this little accent tablecloth is 36″ x 36″ and has the same image, “The Roundest Eyes”, printed and hand-tinted four times, one on each corner. It is signed and dated below the design and has my handwritten “label” reading “handmade, hand-printed, hand-painted” and the year. Washing instructions are included on […]

Join Me This Weekend August 25-26: Sun Shadow Ice & Snow, Seasons on the Panhandle Trail

2017: Sun Shadow Ice & Snow, Seasons on the Panhandle Trail

Join me for my fourth annual exhibit SUN SHADOW ICE & SNOW seasons along the panhandle trail Paintings, sketches and photographs Opening Friday August 25, 2017 5:00 P.M. through Saturday August 26 9:00 P.M. Panhandle Trail Quarry Area as part of Rock The Quarry FEATURED WORK: “Dramatic Light”, digital photo, March 10, 2017 . . […]

Votives Made from Repurposed Jars

I see things others might recycle or throw away as creative possibilities. I save jars and use a fair number around the house for storage and for projects in my studio and recycle the rest. For years I’ve considered ways to make votives with my artwork just like the ones I’ve received as gifts and […]

Flowered Keepsakes for Storage and Gift Boxes

Any flowers are great for summer decorating and gift-giving, even if they bloom in spring! These large and small keepsake boxes are detailed with prints of my artwork and specialty handpainted finishes that coordinate and make the box unique. Some are the blank papier-mâché boxes from the craft store, others are made from vintage cigar […]