Artisans Collective

Tea Time-Buttermilk biscuits

2011-02-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest baking debates in my family is biscuits. My grandmother's recipe (the current biscuit champion) can't be duplicated and she doesn't write any recipes down. I've been searching for the perfect recipe for years. I've tried every combination of ingredients- cake flour, white lily flour, butter, oil, milk, cream.
This recipe although nothing like my grandmothers has become my go to recipe.

2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tbsp butter cut into small pieces
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients together.
Mix in butter with a pastry blender.
Add buttermilk. Mix until just blended.
Pat dough out until 2 inches thick. Fold in half. Repeat three more times.
Cut with a biscuit cutter. Makes approximately 7 biscuits.
Put on cookie sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Tea Time- Comfort Food

2011-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there is nothing better than a warm cookie and a glass of milk.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/4 cups oats
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
4 oz bittersweet chocolate (roughly chopped)
1 stick softened unsalted butter *
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 lg egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper

Cream butter and sugar together- add egg and vanilla- mix
In separate bowl mix together dry ingredients
Add dry ingredients to wet and mix
Add chocolate and mix gently
Shape into 12 cookies and put 6 on each cookie sheet

Bake approximately 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown

* a note on the amount of butter in this recipe- Inspired by Cat trying to cut back on diet soda- I've been trying cut back on butter. Normally these cookies are made with a stick and a half of butter. Now I don't see the problem with 1 Tbsp of butter per cookie but since I'm trying to curb my butter addiction I thought I would make these cookies a little more healthy. (Both Jan and I agree that while they are good this way, they are better with more butter.) So however you choose to make them enjoy!

The Trend is Our Friend - grab your popcorn (well, maybe we should skip the popcorn)

2011-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Movie and television hits (and sometimes misses) can turn into huge trends. So let's take a look at what will be hitting the big screen this spring and summer.

Water for Elephants was a wonderful book and with the Twilight actor in the lead of the movie that hits theaters in late April- you will certainly see anything with an elephant, circus theme or related to prohibition and depression era America trending big-time.

A new Pirates of the Caribbean movie comes out in May and this franchise has been huge for years so look for pirates to be hot again.

The final Harry Potter in July will have Potter fans out in droves and have anything wizardly trending

Cowboys and Aliens from Stephen Spielberg (who says Hollywood can only do remakes) also in July is almost certainly going to continue the western trend kicked off with True Grit.

The Smurfs 3D is set to introduce a whole new generation of kids to the little blue gang- not sure how this translates into a trend for us - but maybe smurf blue will be Pantone's color next year!

Some other summer movies that could be trending include : Bridesmaids, More Marvel Comics ie Green Lantern and Capt. America, Thor (lots of Viking/Nordic styles could get hot), Cars 2, The Hangover 2 (lots of 2's, 3's and 4's).

Also I should mention that the HBO gangster series Gangland beat out Mad Men at the Globes and could absolutely set off a gangster trend.

How these trends translate into out own work (if at all) is up to us, but they are maybe things to keep in mind this year.

1. marysgranddaughter
2. illuminated perfume
3. jude mcconkey
4. wool and water

Tea Time

2011-01-27T15:54:00.000-08:00

Jan and I are both chocolate lovers. This week's recipe is sure to satisfy any chocolate craving.

Tipsy Truffles
12 oz bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 stick softened unsalted butter
2 Tbsp whiskey

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Heat cream in sauce pan on medium high making sure not to burn. Pour hot cream onto chocolate. Stir slowly to melt chocolate. If necessary put chocolate on double boiler or microwave 20 seconds to finish melting the chocolate. Add softened butter and stir in. Add whiskey.
Place mixture into fridge for 45 minutes to let it firm up.
Spoon into piping bag (or you can use a ziploc bag with the end cut off if you don't have a piping bag).

Pipe out 1 1/2" rounds onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Approximately 3 dozen. Place cookie sheets in the fridge for 10 minutes to cool truffles.

Mix together unsweetened cocoa and cinnamon in shallow bowl or pie plate. Coat your hands with a little cocoa and gently roll truffles between your hand to shape into a ball. Then place in cocoa mix and roll around to coat. (If you want to get fancy after you have coated approximately 1/3 of the truffles add half of the powdered sugar to the cocoa mixture and stir together. Coat another 1/3 then add remaining powdered sugar. This will give three different shades of truffles).
Serve at room temperature.

Tea Time- Sourdough Starter

2011-01-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we posted how to make sourdough doughnuts. One of the ingredients was a cup of sourdough starter. We thought it might be a good idea to come back to this ingredient and show how to make a sourdough starter because it can be used in so many recipes. There are typically three ways to get a starter. The easiest way is get a cup from someone who already has a starter. (This is great especially if you can get your hands on a really old starter which has a lovely flavor, I had a wonderfully old starter which I carefully tended until it exploded on a plane-but that's a whole other story). You can also take approximately 1 cup of the leftover water from boiled potatoes and put it in a glass jar. This starchy water will attract natural yeast that is floating around in the air. Feed the potato water a Tbsp of flour a day. Within a few days you'll see bubbles forming and smell that distinctive yeasty smell. (This is the most traditional method and if you have the time is fun way of getting a starter going). The third method is to take 2 tsp of yeast, 2 cups of flour, and 2 cups of water- mix them all together and wait overnight.
The next day you'll have a bubbling happy starter.

There are lots of different theories on how best to keep your starter going. Generally if you don't use it everyday it's best to keep it in the fridge and feed it 1/2 a cup of flour and 1/2 a cup of water once a week.

If you do keep it out on the counter it really should be fed twice a day. 1/4 a cup of flour/water in the morning and again at night. However this means you'll have to use 1 cup of starter up a day to not be over run with starter. So bread, doughnuts, pancakes, chocolate cake, english muffins, waffles,bagels, muffins, carrot cake cupcakes, pizza crust, etc.
Well I better get back to baking- Christina

The Trend is Our Friend Friday - something old, something new ...

2011-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

In our last trend poll, we voted we were more likely to incorporate the figurative trend into our work than the neon/natural combo trend which the team was just not feeling (sniffle).

Trendspotting is about getting us inspired to innovate and one of my favorite sites for the latest innovating business ideas

(many are still in a beta testing phase)

is springwise.com - some of their recent posts have included:

1. Belly armor for expectant mothers
2. Medical cottages that enable senior care at home
3. Buy one, give one $99.00 eyewear
4. Pop up stores
5. Review a website and get a website review in exchange

They definitely focus on the big picture trends of upcycling, technology and consumer driven business models - alot of what they feature is technology driven, but if you are not familiar with this site you might want to check it out.

This week's small picture trends are brought to us from Style.com's latest posts.

From the bib style neckwear whose popularity continues to be hot, the new honeysuckle (am I the only one not recognizing this pink shade as honeysuckle?) color that is being called the next turquoise (cobalt blue is also hot) to chickens in the city (the urban farmer and consumer's quest for a more sustainable lifestyle) and mad men inspired red lips and pencil skirts - some trends they are seeing include:

1. cobalt blue trend brought to us by Swept from the Sea
2. bib style neckwear brought to us by Quench Metalwork and Tickled Pink Knits
3. mad men 50's/60's inspiration brought to us by Deb Babcockand Half Pint Salvage
4. urban homsteading brought to us by Blackbird Tees and Uncorked
5. the color of 2011 brought to us by Amber Alexander

In this week's poll on the left we are asking which is your favorite new trend - urban farming, mad men or the color of the year!

Tea Time: Chocolate Torte with Blackberry Coulis

2011-01-13T17:46:00.000-08:00

This week's tea time features the Dark Chocolate Torte with Spiked Blackberry Coulis recipe from Bon Appetit/April 2006 (with a few changes). You'll want lots of friends around to share this rich, chocolate treat!

Coulis is a berry syrup made from berries, sugar and liquor (optional). The berry mixture is cooked until the berries are mushy, releasing the juices, and then strained to remove skins and seeds. You'll want to make the coulis first so it has time to cool before adding to the icing.

For this recipe, I frozen organic blackberries (about 1/2 cup), granulated sugar (about 2 Tbls), and a splash of merlot. Most coulis recipes make about 2 cups of syrup. I adjusted downward so the amount of syrup I got was just about what I needed for the icing later on.

Chocolate Torte Ingredients (These differ slightly from the Bon Apetit ingredients--try both ways!)

1 2/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder

5 large eggs
1 cup sugar

Melt semisweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup butter in medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Whisk in cocoa and espresso. Cool 10 minutes.

Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar in large bowl on high until thick, about 6 minutes.

Fold in melted butter, chocolate, cocoa, espresso mixture just until blended and pour into greased and parchment paper lined 9" spring form pan.

The torte is done when it is dry and cracked on top and a toothpick comes out slightly moist. About 35-40 minutes. Cool in pan about an hour. The center will fall, so use a knife or spatula to press the cake even. Invert onto a plate. Remove spring pan bottom; peel off paper, and allow the torte to finish cooling. (I was taking the torte to a friend's house for dinner, so I slid it back into the spring form pan).

For the glaze, melt the bittersweet chocolate and remaining butter in a small saucepan until smooth. Whisk in 2 tablespoons blackberry coulis. Cool glaze 15 minutes, then pour glaze into the center of the torte. Smooth the glaze over the top of the torte, allowing some of the it to drip over the sides.

Refrigerate uncovered until glaze is set. I added berries on top for a garnish.

Enjoy!--Janyce

Tea Time

2011-01-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

As winter continues to surround us here in Maine I'm tempted to hibernate but I guess I'll settle for a good book, a cup of tea, and a sourdough doughnut. For those of you who keep a sourdough starter this a good way to use up that "cup a day". For those of you thinking of trying out sourdough it requires lots of baking which is both a blessing and a curse. -Enjoy

1 cup sourdough
1 egg
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
approx. 2 cups flour

Pour sourdough into bowl add egg, and oil.
In small bowl mix together dry ingredients.
Add dry ingredients to sourdough and mix until combined (be careful not to over mix)
Cut doughnuts out with doughnut cutter or water glass.
Let doughnuts stand 20 minutes or so to rise.
Fry in hot oil for few minutes per side.

The Trend is Our Friend Friday

2010-12-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

In our last trend poll, we voted we were more likely to incorporate the rope trend into our work than the paint by number/missing pieces trend.

Big Picture Trend 2011 - (by David Report)

RESPONSIBIZ (responsible business)

The keywords for this trend are holistic, sustainable and ethical.

This trend isn't about greenwashing but integrating social responsibility into the soul of business. "The types of products and services we will see more of in the future will more visibly benefit both humans and the society at large." (davidreport.com)

This is a trend that small designer/makers can embrace when we make educated sourcing decisions for our materials, create long lasting work, work with recycled and upcycled materials and packaging, pay ourselves a living wage and educate our customers about our practices.

Small Picture Trends 2011 from Trend Bible - Figurative characters - think embroidery, string art, watercolors and strong linear interest
Small Picture Trends 2011 - Natural Neons - think about combining natural elements like wood, glass, metals and fibers with bold, bright neon color

1. wire cups 2. in a pale place 3. marysgranddaughter 4. esthercoombs 5. corporan glass 6. wren willow 7. Trend Bible 8. lulu bug jewelry and the gorgeous vase top right from white earth studio incorporating another Trend Bible 2011 standout from the London Design Festival - white textured ceramics.

So for this week's poll we are asking if you would be more likely to incorporate figurative characters or the neon/natural combination into your own work?

Tea Time

2010-12-16T17:57:00.001-08:00

As winter settles in up here in Maine few things are more comforting than a slice of bread with a little butter still warm from the oven.

Here is the recipe*
3 cups unbleached white bread flour
3 tsp yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
Dissolve yeast in warm water for 5 minutes
Mix together flour and salt add water and yeast
Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth (10 minutes)
Place dough in a large oiled bowl and let rise until double (45 minutes)
Punch dough down, cover and let stand 5 minutes
Shape into a round loaf and let rise on baking stone or cookie sheet 45 minutes
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until bread is brown on the bottom and sounds hollow when you tap on it.
*In all honesty I very rarely measure anything and this is my best attempt to do so. Making good bread comes from practice- so don't be afraid to experiment- you can add honey, maple syrup, fresh or dried herbs, oatmeal, the possibilities are endless. You'll have to play around with the proportions but this recipe is a good jumping off point.(Christina)

Tea Time: Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce

2010-12-10T01:42:00.000-08:00

This week's tea time is a recipe from Bon Appetit, November 2006. There's no better description than the one they provide. "Here's a grown-up spin on the caramel apple--in tart form." Makes 8 servings.

Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce

Caramel Sauce

1 1/2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

Bring sugar, cream, and butter to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking constantly until sugar dissolves.

The caramel will get thicker. Boil the sauce (whisking often) until the caramel coats a spoon thickly.

Crust

1 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, diced
2 large egg yolks

Mix flour, powdered sugar and salt together. Add butter and blend until a coarse meal forms. Add egg yolks. Mix until moist clumps form. Gather dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disk. Wrap and chill 1 hour.

When ready, roll out dough or pat out dough into a 9 inch pan with removable bottom.

Filling

2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
6 large McIntosh or Golden Delicious apples (about 2 3/4), peeled, quartered, cored

Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon and cardamom in a bowl. Add apples and toss until evenly coated.

Arrange apple quarters, cut side down, along the outer edge of the crust. Cut remaining apple and fill in the rest of the crust.

Bake at 375 degrees F until apples are tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with some of the caramel sauce. Cool to room temperature. Rewarm the caramel sauce and drizzle a bit more over the apple tart. Any leftover sauce can be served separately (we scooped vanilla ice cream over our tart, then added a bit more sauce).

Enjoy!

Creative Inspiration: Snow

2010-12-06T07:44:00.001-08:00

It wasn't difficult to find motivation for my blog post this morning. When dawn broke, I took a look outside to see the world covered in a dusting of white. Here in the northeast corner of the United States, we are having our first snowstorm of the season. The temperature is 29 degrees Farenheit and the white stuff is coming down at a steady pace.

Snow and snowflakes are a wonder. The natural beauty of a single snowflake boggles the mind.... how does water form into these 6 sided crystallized, symmetrical marvels? I'll leave the science to the experts and will always admire snow with childlike fascination.

Lucy Snowe

Snowman mischief

Lisa Hopkins

paper snowflakes from Apartment Therapy

Jude McConkey

chicken prints

Tea Time: Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-12-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

OK, chocolate lovers, here's a recipe for you: Chocolate Cupcakes from The Barefoot Contessa. This recipe makes 14-15 of the yummiest chocolate cupcakes. They're sure to "hit the spot."

Ingredients

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 extra large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, shaken, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup good cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cream butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Add eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Stir until well blended.

In a separate combine buttermilk (we used Kate's Real Butter Milk--OMG! The absolute best!), sour cream and coffee. Whisk together. Then, in a third bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

Add wet and dry ingredients alternately to the butter mixture, starting with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended.

Line muffin tins with cupcake papers (we used If You Care unbleached and chlorine free papers).

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 10 minutes and remove from pan. Let cool completely before frosting.

We frosted our cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting.

These cupcakes didn't last long around our houses. We hope you enjoy them, too!

Postcards From Home #19 Nancy from White Earth Studio

2010-12-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Nancy for sharing this beautiful part of the U.S. with us! Another AC team member who lives on a National Wildlife land! I am sure they have snow by now so we also get a little glimpse back at summer and fall! Enjoy and leave comments!

I live just outside of Onalaska , Wisconsin, (Sunfish capital of the world) , Population 14,000. Our home and my studio are built on the banks of the Mississippi river. We are on a National Wildlife Refuge so are really amazed to watch all the migrating Eagles, Great Blue Herons,Pelicans and all kinds of Ducks. I never seem to get used to the beauty of it all. Also tons of racoon and ground hog and possums that get into the garbage, the sweet little things.

My Home and the Maple tree we planted 5 years ago.

View of the back of our house from on our Pontoon boat while out fishing this summer.

View from my studio window. That is the Mississippi river and on the other side is Minnesota.

Me in the studio cleaning up Thousand Petal vases. I dressed up for the photo by removing my wrist and elbow braces !! Too many years of repetitive motion! Take care of yourselves!

Postcards From Home #18 Fierce Mally

2010-11-26T14:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mallory Larson from Fierce Mally for this week's postcards. She was very prompt in sending them to me and describing everything wonderfully. I, unfortunately, had a "senior moment" and totally got sidetracked by the holiday. So, I totally forgot to post them on Wednesday!! Please accept my apologies and enjoy them today. Leave comments and let Mallory know what you think of her charming neighborhood!

I moved to Brooklyn, New York about 6 years ago from Fargo, North Dakota. It was quite a change, but the Park Slope neighborhood where we live is a little like a small town (but just a little).

The street I live on is 1 big hill and can be a workout to climb with an armload of groceries.

Just outside my “office” is our tiny kitchen. This is where I find a lot of my inspiration and often grab things out of the drawer to draw. It’s of course also the source of that wonderful life giving fuel, coffee.

This is our little kitchen garden. We don’t have a backyard so this is the bit of nature we have to tend. The plant on the far right is a relatively new addition and it’s a Peruvian Purple Pepper plant (hot hot!).

A couple of blocks from my apartment is beautiful Prospect Park. This is my favorite bench to sit on and people watch.

Just at the edge of the park, is a street lined with beautiful old homes. This little cluster is one of my favorites. I love the old iron entries on the 2 little brick houses in the middle!

Also in the neighborhood (I don’t get out much) is the paper shop where I work as the buyer, window decorator and invitation designer.

At home, this is my workspace. (Note the “storage room” under the desk. )

Finally, here I am along with Melvin the turkey in Times Square. I bought Melvin during an afternoon out, so lucky for him he got to tag along to dinner and a show that night near Times Square. Melvin and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tea Time: Cinnamon Rolls

2010-11-25T07:01:00.000-08:00

Christina and her husband are off celebrating with their family for the day (it's Thanksgiving in the United States). She and I were thinking we'd skip "Tea Time" this week, but I made cinnamon rolls this morning, so I thought I'd share the recipe. Enjoy!--Janyce

Cinnamon Rolls (from the Betty Crocker Cookbook)

Dough

1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup lukewarm milk (scalded then cooled)
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
2-3 teaspoons cinnamon

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, then stir in the milk, sugar butter, salt, egg and 2 cups of the flour. Stir until smooth, then mix in enough remaining flour to make the dough easy to handle. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise until double (about an hour or so). Punch down dough and roll out onto a lightly floured surface (roughly 12x18 inch rectangle). Mix sugar and cinnamon together. Spread dough with butter, then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture evenly across surface. Starting with the long end, roll the dough tightly. Pinch edges of dough to seal well. Slice the roll into 18 one inch slices and place in greased muffin tins, cookie sheet, or cake pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. I like these plain, hot out of the oven, but you can glaze the rolls when they're cool using a mixture of 1 cup confectioner's sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and a tablespoon of milk.

Favorite Tool/Creative Process - Karl of Half Pint Salvage

2010-11-23T05:54:00.000-08:00

This week’s Favorite Tool/Creative Process comes from Karl of Half Pint Salvage who creates uniquely-original, eco-friendly and household items using vintage, salvaged and recycled materials. I asked a few questions and Karl gives us a bit of insight into his work.

How did you start your craft?

I always envisioned my space looking a certain way, but could never really find creative household items that matched my design aesthetic. So out of necessity, I started creating those items myself. One fateful morning, while shopping at the local Goodwill, one of my first creative breakthroughs took place. Instead of seeing solely discarded possessions, I began to envision these items as materials, ideas and projects. Suddenly a whole new world took shape. I painted old picture frames, upcycled wooden furniture and used vintage finds to fulfill my storage needs. But the seedling (of what has become Half Pint Salvage) really sprouted when I found a vintage 80's television, still encased in its original wooden cabinet. I gutted the tube and it's attachments, painted the exterior, added a few internal shelves, attached a vintage window and presto--it became my new (and current) television stand.

More and more crafty projects would follow. And what at first was a part-time hobby, slowly became a full-time passion.


Half Pint Salvage studio space

Retro Eights-inspired Mini Chalkboard

Favorite tool/process? Why?

My favorite tool is simple: my paint brush. A paint brush is a magic wand for the upcyclers and recyclers of the world. You can take the nastiest, gnarliest piece of wooden furniture and instantly transform it in to a living room masterpiece. Plus, painting is such a visually rewarding process. And the routine of painting can be so relaxing; somewhat meditative too. Even better still, gratification through painting, is a fairly quick process. Typically, I round up 7 - 10 items that I want to paint, pick a couple stylish colors to use, lay on some paint layers and within 48 hours, my projects are on their way to hopefully being the new conversational piece in someone's home.

key racks in the process of being painted

Bicycle Themed Key Rack

To see more of Karl's unique and wonderful work, visit his shop at Half Pint Salvage. Thanks Karl!

Saturday Soups

2010-11-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Here in the states, we celebrate Thanksgiving this coming Thursday. Menus are tweaked, turkeys are thawed, and the table extension comes out. This is a time of sharing with loved ones and creating a monstrous feast for an army of at least 40.

Have you thought about a first course yet? This soup would fit the bill perfectly. Rich flavor and oh so creamy.... only a small portion needed to start the meal off right. A perfect pairing for turkey, squash, and cranberry indeed!

Baked Onion and Garlic Cream Soup

6 large onions, cut 1/2 inch slices

2 heads garlic, cloves separated and peeled

5 cups chicken or vegetable broth/stock

1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

4 TB unsalted butter

2 cups heavy cream

2 TB chopped fresh Italian parsley

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place onion and garlic in a roasting pan, add 3 cups of the broth. Sprinkle with the thyme, salt, and pepper. Dot with the butter.

3. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 90 minutes. Stir a few times while baking.

4. Remove the pan from the oven and puree the onions and garlic with the liquid in a blender. Pour the mixture into a soup pot. With the blender on, gradually add the remaining stock and cream and add that mixture to the puree soup.

5. Adjust the seasoning and heat slowly through, but do not boil.

6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

6-8 portions

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tea Time

2010-11-18T07:05:00.001-08:00

This week's recipe is from Black Dinah Chocolatiers a lovely cafe and chocolate shop on Isle au Haut- There is no way we could improve on these delicious doughnuts.

Cafe Cider Doughnuts

Ingredients for batter:

* 2 eggs
* 1 c. sugar
* 1 t. baking soda dissolved in 1 c. fresh apple cider
* 3 T. melted butter
* 1 T. vanilla extract
* 1 t. baking powder
* 4 c. flour
* 1/4 t. cinnamon
* 1/4 t. nutmeg
* Roughly 6 c. vegetable oil or crisco for frying

Ingredients for glaze:

* 2 c. confectioner’s sugar
* 1/4 c. cider
* 1/2 t. vanilla

Beat together eggs and sugar until light. Beat in the cider/soda, butter and vanilla. Add baking powder, flour and spices all at once. Place this loose batter in the refrigerator (or freezer if you’re in a hurry), bowl and all, until it firms up a bit.

Meanwhile, heat your oil in a deep cast iron pan.
Heating your oil slowly will keep it from getting too hot. You want the temperature to be at 375 degrees or if you are like Jan and me and can't find your candy thermometer at 4:30 in the morning you can test the oil by placing a small square of bread into the oil. The bread should float to the top and slowly brown.

Roll out your dough to about 1/2 an inch and using a doughnut cutter (or a cookie cutter and a small bottle top for the center) cut as many as you can then bring the dough back together and roll out again and cut the remaining doughnuts. You should get between 18-20 doughnuts.

Fry in oil for 2-3 minutes per side, making sure the oil is hot again between batches.

While the doughnuts cool, make the glaze by stirring together all ingredients in a medium size bowl until completely smooth.

When doughnuts are cool enough to handle, dip one side into the bowl of glaze, and allow them to crystallize on a cooling rack. Serve warm.

Postcards From Home - Searching the Web...

2010-11-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

I didn't get any submissions for this feature for this week, so I decided to do a google search of the words "Postcards from Home". One thing lead to another (as web searches often do) and I ended up on Youtube. I found this video and I am IN LOVE with this song! There is a video by a band called Beirut that is mostly sweet, nostalgic images with a few weird images. The sound on their version is a cool, original mix of ukelele, eastern European, and new folk music. I had never heard of this band - Beirut - but I am going to try to find more from them. This is a cover of that song by Florence and the Machine who I like very much. So, check it out, and go to youtube or itunes to check out both of these bands!

The Trend is Our Friend Friday

2010-11-12T02:00:00.000-08:00

In our last trend poll, we voted we were more likely to incorporate the butterfly trend into our work than the snake trend.

(I should note my dream dictionary lists both as symbols of transformation)

Big Picture Trend 2011 - Rationaissance - rationalism marries renaissance (coined by David Report)

For this big picture trend think stylish, iconic and functional; think of the things that last - the things that will represent our current times far into the future and maybe even still be around.

Think timeless, streamlined and subtle for this one.

Small Picture Trends 2011 (from TrendStop) - Paint by Number and Rope PatternsThe paint by number trend is all about empty places - this could be missing puzzle pieces, negative space, etc mixed with a little nostalgia.

The rope pattern trend could be a bit western or a bit nautical or a bit something else but still needs to be presented in fresh ways that we haven't seen before; macrame from the 70's probably won't cut it.

paint by number - somethingshidinghere, cocoperez, norajane, numbers iconic toilet paper rope - tutublu, anthropologie, pottery barn, threadbareapparel top picture - tickledpinkknits

Don't forget to take this week's poll and let us know which small picture trend you might be more likely to incorporate into your own work.

Paging Through Our Sketchbooks: Missouri Bend Studio

2010-11-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

This week's sketchbook features the works of Patti from Missouri Bend Studio Mixed Media on Paper and the progression of her most recent piece "Page from the Book of Loose Associations."

I’ve been saving teabags for a couple of years and I’m not sure how I amassed so many since I almost always drink loose tea. These must come from all those times when I’ve run out! I keep them in a basket next to the main basket of embroidery thread, which is in a wild abandon of chaos. I know this would drive most people totally nuts, but I love that mix of color and it’s only when I try to disentangle a particular color that I wonder why I don’t choose a more sane way to keep the thread organized.

Having been a cataloger for much of my working life (now flying solo with my Etsy and blogging life) I am very much drawn to the book page and have been making a lot of them lately, using these teabags mounted on Japanese paper.

The book is a place of magic for me, both as an object and as a vehicle for a journey into the unknown. As I am so much about the one-of-a-kind and the still image, I realized that for me, making a single open page of a book says what I need to say at any given moment.

So as far as the making, I found that using gel medium adheres the teabags beautifully to the paper. I also love the look of drawing on the teabags in ink and acrylic and then dipping them in beeswax, my other best friend! I keep the beeswax in an old electric wok, which I turn on to just a little under 200 degrees, so it melts slowly. I love the richness, texture and color that the beeswax provides. I’d have to say I’m a mixed media artist, as the work I make combines ink, acrylic, teabags, and hand stitching in these little book pages.

My process is entirely intuitive, so I don’t actually keep a real sketchbook, but do often jot notes here or there. I just begin by playing and making random drawings, which may or may not end up in a finished piece. By now I have so many scraps of paper and bits of drawings laying about, that I have an eclectic source of collage material. Unsuccessful drawings may be torn up and used much later somewhere else.

Some of the parts of the finished work were drawings that were dipped in beeswax back in the early summer and only now did they find their way into a final piece. The titles of the works announce themselves as I am making them…I’ve always said I think through my hands, which is why I don’t actually keep a sketchbook….the thinking and making happen in the actual construction of the work. I guess, you’d say the bits and pieces laying about my desk or in small piles on various shelves are my sketchbook!

You may find out more about Patti and her work through her Etsy Shop, and two blogs: Missouri Bend Studio and Missouri Bend Paperworks.

Postcards From Home #17 Emma Lamb

2010-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today we are treated to a magnificent glimpse of Edinburgh (pronounced "Edinburough" in case you didn't know) and the charming studio of Emma Lamb. Thanks Emma and I hope everyone enjoys it!

Hello Everyone, I live in the gorgeous city that is Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm an English girl really but moved to Edinburgh to study, that was fourteen years ago now and I'm still here despite the changeable weather! Really, don't be fooled by these lovely sunny pictures I took this summer of Edinburgh's castle and the nearby Princes street gardens. I'll never forget the first day my parents came to visit me here. We were treated to wind, rain, glorious sunshine that steamed us dry, more rain with a touch of sleet and even more beautiful sunshine. That was all in the space of an hour or two as we did a wee bit of sight seeing! Honestly, as much as I love this city for it's inspiring history, architecture and culture, sometimes I do wonder why I don't move somewhere much warmer... ;)

This is me in my home studio, my wee colourful sanctuary of creativity where I crochet all my lovely ladies... :)

Although there are so many fabulous places to see and things to do in and around Edinburgh, there are two that always top of our favourites. This is mostly because our 'wee man' Spanner (our English Cocker Spaniel dog) can come with us. The first up is Arthur's Seat, a huge volcanic hill right in the centre of the city. Edinburgh is known for having vast green spaces, but the best of them in my mind is definitely Arthur's seat. You only need to climb halfway up before you get some of the most beautiful views of the city and when you do get to the top you get an incredible panoramic view of the city and the surrounding areas. In the late summer we love to go up there for our evening walk and watch the sun as it starts to set (that's assuming we're not having any of that changeable weather I mentioned earlier!). If you ever happen to be visiting this fair city you really must put Arthur's seat on you 'to do' list... :)

The second of our top favourites is to visit the ruined castles that seem to litter the Scottish countryside around Edinburgh. These pictures are from Linlithgow palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The great thing about this and lost of the other castles is that they are in pretty good condition considering their turbulent history. In Linlithgow all of the stonework of the building is still intact, all the timber floors and roof beams are long gone but a lot of the rooms can still be explored. You get a wonderful sense of how daily life might have been for anyone that lived there, albeit from a very nostalgic and rose tinted perspective. Oh, and the really great thing is that a lot of these ruined castles allow canine visitors too!

Well, it seems I have rambled on quite a bit there and I didn't get to mention the Edinburgh festival. Maybe another time... ;)
I do hope you enjoyed a wee peek into my wee world and I hope you all have a fabulous day,
Emma, x

Favorite Tool/Creative Proces - Tina of Tinahdee

2010-11-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

This week’s Favorite Tool/Creative Process comes from metalsmith and jewelry designer, Tina Gasperson of Etsy’s Tinahdee – beautiful jewelry. Tina answered a few questions to bring us into her world of original and unique work.

I really do love every part of the process for designing, making, and marketing my jewelry, and even love the customer service aspect and preparing items for shipping. But I think the most inspiring part for me lies in the hammer. It's special because the hammer gives the ring character - whether I'm using a nylon hammer to give the ring a smooth round finish, or my chasing hammer to give it beautiful reflective facets, or the old dinged up hammer I stole from my husband. Many people might think that old dinged up hammer is good only for banging a nail into a wall, but for me that's definitely not the case.

The flaws and pits on the surface of this special tool give my rings a character all their own, and it is an aesthetic that I find a lot of beauty it. I see so many parallels between life and hammering rings. Life is going to give you some hard knocks all throughout - but if you let it, it can make you stronger and more beautiful. To me, beauty isn't super shiny and perfect - it is seeing things as they really are, but when you look closely you can see yourself reflected in those imperfections, and you love it.

The hammer - borrowed from Tina's husband

Rustic archaic copper and silver men's band ring

Other than that, I really love my stamps. Again, I stole the first set from my husband, but since then I have begun to slowly amass my own collection of different fonts and designs. As a writer and word lover, there's something really special about putting words on a beautiful piece of jewelry. I especially love the idea of the cooperation that happens between me and my customer - the words can be so extraordinarily meaningful, and I get to put my artistic spin on those words to create a beautiful tangible reminder of a very special thing. It's deeply satisfying.

her burgeoning collection of metal stamps

Rustic sterling wedding rings personalized band set

Renaissance and Solid Gold Nugget Wedding Ring set

Rustic beauty sterling silver band ring

Here are a few more interesting facts about Tina and her work:

I am a self-taught metalsmith. I love to make rings. I remember how I felt the first time I made a ring, and I knew it was something special. There's just something amazing about being able to create a piece of art that you wear on your hand and can see all the time - you carry it around with you everywhere you go.

I started making and selling jewelry on Etsy after I took on the job of making 50 tiaras by hand for a group of women. It was a total unknown for me and completely outside of my comfort zone because I had never made any kind of jewelry and had even commented before that making jewelry was just not my thing - but by the time I was finished I somehow knew that this experience was going to lead to other things. I had that little voice inside that said, "don't stop doing this now." A friend of mine was selling handmade baby bibs and diaper covers at this place called Etsy. (She's now running a successful photography business and doesn't even have a shop on Etsy anymore!) I signed up for Etsy in May 2008, opened my store officially in July 2008, and that was the start of a big wonderful change in my life.

To see more of her beautiful creations visit: Tinahdee - Beautiful Jewelry

Thank you Tina!

Creative Inspiration: Paper

2010-11-08T04:31:00.001-08:00

Look around your work area right now. I'm 99% certain your are sitting next to some sort of paper product. A sketchbook, yesterday's Sunday newspaper, dated magazines, notepad, vintage steno paper, October's calendar, old lists on paper scraps... this is what I'm seeing in my own kitchen office. What I should see is the potential of the old paper... the stuff that is bound for the recycling bin.

Paper tends to be on the disposable side of things. When you are done with it, you toss it in the trash or in with the recycling, right? However, others see the beauty in old paper and give it a second life. Torn, battered edges, old text, crumble textures, yellowed by the years... paper qualities vary greatly beyond the neat, clean, flat sheets we see in reams and publications.

Check out these incredible works utilizing waste paper products:

Get inspired, pull some paper out of the recycling bin, and see what you can create with yesterday's news. You may just surprise yourself.

Saturday Soups

2010-11-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

It was a cold, rainy few days here. Every inch of the house was damp and raw. So, what better way to chase away the cold by firing up the stove and making a soup?

This recipe has been a family favorite for years. First, it's super (can I say souper?) easy to make. Second, you can use leftover chicken from Sunday's dinner. I love any recipe that will clean out my fridge.

Just a couple of cook's notes:

I really, really dislike cilantro, so I substitute with flat leaf parsley.

Don't have fresh basil? Use dried basil, half as much though.

The water/ bouillon can be substituted with chicken broth.

White Winter Chili

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 stick butter or margarine

4 c. 1/2 inch cubed cooked chicken

3 c. water

2 TB. cilantro, chopped

1 TB. basil, chopped

3 tsp. chicken bouillon granules or 3 bouillon cubes

2 tsp. ground red pepper flakes (to taste)

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

2 16oz. cans great northern beans, undrained

Cook onions and garlic in butter or margarine in a 4 qt. soup/stock pot...stir frequently until onion is tender. Add remaining ingredients and heat to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Serve hot with blue corn chips.

Happy Cooking, Everyone!

Tea Time

2010-11-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

Tea time is an important part of the madder root work day. This week's recipe is for popovers. If you don't have a popover pan (does the fact that I have a pan specifically for popovers mean I have a baking obsession?) you can use individual custard dishes or a muffin pan although your popovers may not rise as high.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees

This recipe is great because the simple ingredients mean you can whip them up when you have nothing else in the pantry.

Whisk the 2 eggs together in large bowl and then sift 1 cup flour and 1/2 a teaspoon of salt into bowl. Add milk and whisk together. A few lumps are okay- it is better to have lumps then over work the batter.

grease and flour popover pan

fill each tin 1/2 way with batter

bake at 450 for 20 minutes than reduce heat to 350 and continue cooking for 10 more minutes. It is important not to open the oven (however tempting it may be)

Pull them out of the oven carefully because they will be steamy

Serve warm with butter or jam and a nice hot cup of tea.

Postcards From Home #16 Half Pint Salvage

2010-11-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Todays postcards are from Karl at Half Pint Salvage. As you can see, from the cool buildings and gorgeous skyline in the last photo, Karl lives in Seattle. We also get a look at the inside workings of his shop. Thanks Karl!! It is so fun to see you (if that is you) and Seattle!

My apartment. I actually saw this apartment (and dreamed about living there) about 2 years before I ended up actually moving in. See, dreams do come true!

Our work studio. We have a great space--with a view...albeit of the parking lot.

Inside the studio. Organized chaos is my design aesthetic.

My wall of tools. Everything I need is always within arm's reach. If not, it's most likely in a strategic pile on the floor (and still technically within arm's reach).

Seattle, via rooftop deck in Queen Anne, circa 2004. This may or may not be me. You'll just have to come visit and find out for yourself!

Saturday Soups

2010-10-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

In my previous Saturday Soup, I lamented over our wimpy carrot harvest. In contrast, our plum tomato (Roma variety) was wildly successful. I planted 6 plants in an old perennial border and let them be. Wow. Apparently, neglect and 8 hours of full sun daily was all these plants needed.

What better way to savor these mighty plum tomatoes than through a soup....a roasted tomato soup to be exact.

Roasted Tomato Soup

3 lbs plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/4 + 2 TB olive oil

1 TB sea salt

1 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

2 medium onions, chopped

8 garlic cloves, minced (use less if desired)

4 TB butter

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 can whole plum tomatoes with their juice (28 oz)

1 c. chopped fresh basil

1 tsp. fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme)

32 oz chicken or vegetable stock

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place tomatoes on a baking sheet, sprinkle with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and toss with your hands. Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer, cut side up, on the same baking sheet and roast for 45-55 minutes.

In an 8 quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions, garlic, and crushed red pepper in the olive oil and butter for 10 minutes or until the mixture starts to brown.

Add the canned tomatoes and juice, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven roasted tomatoes, including the liquid from the baking sheet (scrape the sheet as well to get the carmelized juices...this will intensify the roasted taste).

Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 50 minutes. Pass through a food mill with a coarse blade. Adjust seasonings. Enjoy with good friends and a crusty baguette!

The Trend is our Friend (until it isn't) Friday

2010-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Just the word "trend" can sometimes irritate me because it sounds so fleeting and fragile and throw-away and something that I am always finding out about when it is over.

So instead of doing this series about just colors and specifics although I will throw them in, too, we will also look at the big picture things that kind of envelope the smaller stuff that comes and goes more quickly.

Big Picture Trend 2011 - Cooltural - cool, cultural
(coined by David Report)

As things get more and more impersonal and homogenized - what people are craving are things that are more and more personal and more connected to their surroundings and their history.

(Do we really want to visit a new city and have our morning coffee in a Starbucks - the same coffee we can get in any other city? Or do we seek out the local barista who may just be a guy named Sam in a dirty apron who has never even heard the word barista, but who just feels more real and local and connected to this new experience.)

This trend is very real and going to be around for a long time because consumers (I hate that word unless we are talking about groceries, but it is kind of appropriate here) want to experience the real thing and not just buy things mindlessly anymore, at least according to forecasters and I really think they are right with this one.

This is great news for us as smaller makers best able to incorporate our local culture and personal history into our work!

Small Picture Trends 2011 - Snakes and Butterflies (and I am thinking our favorite of these two trends tells alot about us, so I am including a poll on the left!)

Butterflies - think movement and color and wings and ruffles
Snakes - think scales and geometrics and texture and snakey colors

(and yes, you can totally use the word snakey in your next game of scrabble, just offer up this post and not an actual dictionary as proof of its wordiness)

Paging through our sketchbooks

2010-10-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

This series is going to run every other Thursday alternating with "Tea Time". We thought it would be interesting to see what "works in progess" members have, and what ideas and or trends they are thinking about working with. We thought we would start things off with a quick look at what's new with us to give people an idea of things to come. We are really looking forward to seeing pages from other artist's sketchbooks.

For the winter/holiday season Jan and I are looking at Nordic and Scandinavian folk designs and sketching from vintage linens. We've been trying to keep things clean and modern working with crisp red and white combinations.

Favorite Tool/Creative Process

2010-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

What do I mean by that? We all know there are certain parts we look forward to doing as we work our art/craft, and there (sometimes) are parts that are more of a “I want to get done with this so I can get to the good part” moments: the proverbial “middle stuff” of our work. It could be the use of a certain tool or it could be a time when you are feeling the flow of your creative juices most. Whatever it is – we want to know about it!

This blog theme will run every other Tuesday and I decided to start with my "favorite" to clarify what I mean. I even let my husband take a photo of me – but just what I directed. NOBODY takes photos of me but me! And I use a heavy hand in photo shop ;)

Although I love the manipulating of photographs, colors, overlays in photo shop, my favorite tool AND creative process is the actual taking of the photo. Of course, I adore my camera – a Canon 50D – which rocks in so many ways, especially in that it cleans its own sensor. The best part, though, is when I hold the camera up to my eye and see what I want to shoot.

And no, it’s not what others may see. It’s what I see in my imagination through that lens. Someone asked me once where I get my ideas for photographs when I look at ordinary, every day things. My answer is that I don’t see the ordinary - ever.

It may be due to a childhood of too many daydreaming sessions, or a belief in faeries, but this world is filled with wonder. It’s there for people to see if they just look.

Below is a photo my husband took of me shooting the line of crosses in an old cemetery this past Sunday.

and the end result:

Never Alone

Finally, a photograph I took a few minutes later. I was excited about the fog and had to be told by my husband to NOT park in the middle of the road and to "please, for the love of GOD put the car in gear first!" as I tried to leap out of the car in my eagerness. I bring him because he’s practical and I kind of have a one-track mind. This photograph is a perfect example of what I see when others see just a foggy road. My daughter said “It looks like a path to the after life.” And that's the thing - my photos can be anything you want them to be - as long as you use your imagination..

The Silent Path

Creative Inspiration: Halloween

2010-10-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

I agonized over what inspiration I would write about this week... birds, owls, linen, ocean. Nothing inspired me...no pun intended. Then I looked around our home. Aha! Halloween. The perfect inspiration for this time of year.

The origins of Halloween date back to the ancient Celts. They believed (and many cultures do still) that the veil between the living and the spirit world becomes very thin this time of year....making the trip back home easier for the dearly departed. Homes invited those spirits in for the evening while scaring away unwanted spirits with masks and costumes. Originally, jack-o-lanterns were carved turnips left in windows to scare away troublesome ghosts as well.

Dear Dodo

Raw Art Letter Press

In my home, I create altars for my grandparents so they can find their way back. A photograph of the wanted spirit, a candle to light the way, a favorite flower, a plate of food, and glass of a favorite libation, all left at a north facing window. Do they come? I'd like to think they do.

Our present day Halloween has morphed into a parade of costumed kids and buckets of candy. Still, there is the mystery of the night, the darkened afternoons, ghost stories, haunted houses, candle-lit pumpkins, and the unexplained bump in the night.

Have a spooky Halloween!

Saturday Soups

2010-10-23T08:12:00.001-07:00

I grew carrots for the first time this year. The results were mixed. Some were very tiny; others full sized. Was the soil too rich and not sandy enough? Did I not thin the tiny seedlings enough as instructed or did I plant too late in the spring?

I love the taste of a carrot just pulled from the garden and rinsed off with the garden hose. That earthy sweetness can not be found in carrots stuffed in plastic bags from far off fields.

I dreamed about making this soup all summer with our own carrots. I had hoped that my carrot harvest would produce enough for this soup...sadly, it did not. So, I purchased carrots at a local farmers market. Next year though, I'm determined to grow a bumper crop of carrots for many, many soups.

Carrot Dill Soup

4 TB butter

1 large onion, chopped

2 1/2 lbs. carrots, peeled and diced

2 celery ribs with leaves, diced

8 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

cayenne pepper, pinch or to taste

2 TB dill, chopped

sour cream

1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced

dill sprigs for garnish

Melt the butter in a stock pot, add the onion, and cook over low heat until the onion softens, about 10 minutes.

Add to the onion: the carrots, 1/4 cup of dill, celery, stock, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover. Cook over low heat for 50 minutes or until carrots are soft. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor and return to the pot. Add the remaining chopped dill. Adjust the seasonings and heat thoroughly.

Serve in bowls. Garnish with a bit of sour cream, red bell pepper, and a dill sprig.

Tea Time

2010-10-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

For our first installment of tea time we bring you a simple maple cinnamon scone
Here is the recipe:
Ingredients
2 cups white flour
3/4 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
6 Tbsp butter-cut into small pieces
1 egg
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup maple syrup

Glaze
1 Tbsp half and half
1 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp powdered sugar

In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients
blend in butter with pastry blender/fork/or fingers until it resembles a coarse meal

In a separate bowl whisk together the half and half, maple syrup, and egg

Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just blended

Pat out on to a board into a circle approximately 1 inch thick

Cut into 8 triangles and place on ungreased cookie sheet

Cook at 400 degreees for 14 to 16 minutes

Whisk together glaze ingredients

Drizzle over scones while still warm

Enjoy!

Postcards From Home #15-Madder Root

2010-10-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone, we are back this week with Postcards! Thanks to Jan and Christina from Madder Root. They live and work in Old Town, Maine. Thanks so much to them for sharing a view of their world with us!

Christina is screen printing with Mr. Squidge (he's the one with the bow tie).

Janyce is sewing a sage acorn tea towel.

This whole area is a nature preserve, so the deer run rampant. This little one is taking a munch break in Christina's yard.

Old Town, a city made up of several small islands, is located on the beautiful Penobscot River.

The original Old Town Canoe building located near downtown. They've made canoes and kayaks in Old Town for over 100 years.

Saturday Soups

2010-10-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Several years back on a bitterly cold December Saturday, we moved into our home. With a six month old baby, two stressed-out dogs, an overpacked U-haul, and inherited grime in the kitchen and bathrooms, cooking was the last thing on my mind that weekend.

My dear grandmother arrived that morning to tend to our daughter while we cleaned, hauled, moved, and unpacked. Gram did not come empty handed. She supplied us with food for the weekend... fresh baked rolls, brownies, pickled beets, and several jars of her sausage and kale soup. The home cooked goodies, especially the soup, was a comfort that weekend as we tackled new ownership of an old and unexpectedly drafty house.

It's now a staple in our fall/winter menu. Perhaps we both love this soup as a remembrance of my grandmother's kind gift of comfort on that cold December Saturday. Years later, our home is no longer drafty and thankfully grime-free, but this soup still warms our souls as it did on moving day.

Sausage and Kale Soup

1 lb. bulk pork sausage (regular, sweet Italian, or hot Italian)

2 medium onions, chopped

2 TB olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped fine

3 cans (14.4 oz each) chicken broth

2 cups water

3 chicken bouillon cubes

1/2 lb. fresh kale, chopped

3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 or 2 cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Over medium heat, cook the sausage and onion in the olive oil, stirring as needed. Cook until the sausage is brown about 5 minutes. Drain the oil if needed. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add broth, water, bouillon, and kale to the sausage mixture. Bring to and boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, covered. Add the potatoes and cook another 15 minutes (or when the potatoes are fork tender). Add the beans and cook 5 minutes. Enjoy!!

Creative Inspiration: The Night Sky and Stars

2010-10-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

"I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day" ~ Vincent Van Gogh

The dark night skies have been brilliant in these parts. I benefit from living far away from the glow of city lights that can impede proper star gazing. Sometimes a simple evening stroll with the dog can turn into an hour long astral observation. Orion's Belt, Pleiades, and a bright Jupiter are among my favorite celestial bodies in this sea of inky blue blackness. I often search for a faint bead of light, so faint that I lose it from time to time, moving quickly across the sky. These are man-made stars... satellites...zipping around our planet.

shirt by Blackbird Tee

garland by Maisy and Alice

pendant by Lulu Bug Jewelry

print by Cathy Nichols

Without question, stars and the night sky have inspired artists, poets, composers, and the like for centuries. A vast boundless frontier full of mystery and wonder, the evening sky constantly transforms and never bores the observer.

The next chance you get, meander outside on a fine October evening, pull up a chair, and tilt your head back. Be prepared to be dazzled, humbled, and perhaps even inspired.

It's a Crafty Craft-In Giveaway

2010-10-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

Visit Lark's Blog for more info.

xoxo

cindy

Craft-In

2010-10-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's out! The lovely Michele Maule did the cover art and I was fortunate enough to contribute an embroidery project to this awesome book! Check it out if you get a chance:)

xoxox

Cindy (Mary's Granddaughter)

Creative Inspiration: Japan

2010-09-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today's Creative Inspiration post comes from Sheila of Shecological. Thank you, Sheila!

Ever since I was young, growing up in the Midwest, my friends wondered why I was obsessed with Asian art and design. I couldn’t really explain it then and I still not sure what the original influence was. I do know that now I am intrigued and inspired by Japan.

I went to Tokyo for Spring break a few years ago and the reality of the city exceeded my fantasy. People were friendly and polite. It was clean and convenient. And, it was full of art, style, history, and imagination.

When I am choosing fabric combinations or designing patterns for my bags I try to think about the aesthetics in Japanese design. I love their combination of historic and futuristic, natural and urban, cute (kawaii) and elegant. I love their fabrics and accessories such as zippers and trims.

There are a variety of other influences that I work into my designs but I hope the Japanese inspirations shine through.

Creative Inspiration: Dogs

2010-09-13T06:40:00.001-07:00

Our girl, Suki

Dogs. Not all people love ‘em, but those who do shower their four-legged, tail wagging friends with unbridled affection and unconditional love. Or is that the other way around? Whichever, the relationship between canis familiarius and homo sapien has triumphantly stood the test of time.

Pinky Novak by Lucy Snowe Photography

Mary's Granddaughter's Frenchie

Myself? A dog lover. Until recently, I was master of two pooches. My big old Black Lab, guardian of the property and grand fetcher of anything thrown, passed away leaving my old Weimarner, Suki, as the queen of the house. At 12 years old, she still has fantastic energy and a stubborn streak to boot. She also receives copious amounts of love and affection from my family. Her time will come as well...sooner than we care to think.

Lisa Hopkins Design's Paw Print Earrings

Beantown Handmade's Corsage Collar

So, it goes without saying that I have had dogs on my mind recently. These creatures are an inspiration to all who have known the love of a dog. Happy, carefree, silly, loyal, affectionate....so many other adjectives to describe a dog’s positive attributes (and there are negative ones, too, but I won’t mention those here) I was actually surprised to see how many Artisans Collective members create dog-themed items. From artworks to dog apparel, this team has the dog inspired treasures covered.

Small village big dog by Dear Dodo

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made." ~Roger Caras

Creative Inspiration: collections

2010-08-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Blog Love: Resurrection Fern

2010-08-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

~Albert Einstein

Creativity is seemingly just a stone's throw away for Margaret Oomen of Knitalatte - Resurrection Fern.

Following the sage advice of Frank Lloyd Wright, ( "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature, it will never fail you." ) she unearths treasures that others might walk right over, and presents it, adorns it, and honors it, in an almost magical way.

She makes me want to slow down more...

get down to a snails eye level...

and breath in the earth.

To see more of these inspiring photos and read a bit more about her creative life, please visit Margaret's blog resurrection fern

And if you love textiles, (as I do) be sure to check out her fascinating and beautifully documented post on experimental dyeing with natural materials, found here.

Featured!

2010-08-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Two Artisan Collective members had fabulous features in the blogosphere this week!

Check out decor8's feature of Jennifer Atkins of Quench Metalworks by clicking here.

Read Design Style Guide's interview with the lovely Nancy Monsebroten of White Earth Studio by clicking here.

Congratulations ladies!

Creative Inspiration: kristina marie

2010-08-16T04:06:00.000-07:00

inspiration |ˌinspəˈrā sh ən|noun1 the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative

When Jen asked me if I could do an entry on "inspiration" I was like sure, that's an easy one! Then when I started thinking about it, I felt like a cartoon character with a huge question mark above my head. Where to start? I decided to look at the bigger picture and begin with two basic concepts that have greatly inspired my creative process: ingenuity an innovation.

I am always inspired by artists, designers, engineers, inventors and architects who are able to study problems and come up with brilliant, comprehensive solutions. If there’s only one thing that I could thank my college education for, it would be for the determination to study, absorb, deconstruct and comprehend the world around me. I’m a “how-to” kind of a girl that would prefer to understand the process than simply reap the benefits of the outcome! Maybe that’s why inspiration is such a difficult word for me to swallow; the fact that ideas had to originate from somewhere is an overwhelming thought. How far back can these thoughts and little nuggets of inspiration be traced?

Several people have asked me what inspired my silk, sewn mobile entitled “two-hundred two” and I usually tell them about the countless pages in my sketchbook that consist of imperfect, circular shapes clinging and breaking away from each other. But after really thinking about the source of my inspiration I recall looking out the car window on a rainy day as a little girl and watching raindrops run from the top to the bottom of the glass, gaining speed as they collided with other beads of water moving in the same direction. It’s funny the way a creative mind filters every day images and experiences; it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "some things truly never leave you!"

With in the past year I’ve become interested in interior styling and have experienced a heightened awareness of how every day objects relate to each other in color, content, shape etc... Often it’s the simple things, the way textile patterns fall against aged metal, the vividness of plum jam simmering alongside my favorite antique, wooden spoon or even my stacked wood piles ready for burning this winter that truly inspires me, subtly informing everything that I create.

This is where a sketchbook comes in handy, (something I haven't been using enough of lately) but ideally we should be compiling these ideas, colors and concepts. It's amazing when you're able to witness these pieces in your life come together in a puzzle. What about you? Is there anything you've created recently that has strong references (ie. color, subjective, conceptual) or is specific to past experience?

Tsatsiki

2010-08-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

If you have ever had a Gyro sandwich, (correctly pronounced “yee-roh”) this is the wonderful sauce that is used. Any cucumber will do, but I like to use the greek cucumbers that my mother grows in her garden. A few years back, she gathered the seeds and brought them back home with her from a trip to Chios, the island that my father's father came from. I look forward to them all year long!

TSATSIKI
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup yogurt*
2 cups diced cucumber**
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients.

*Yogurt first needs to be drained by placing in a strainer lined with either paper towel or gauze cloth. Put strainer in a bowl to catch the water. Place in refrigerator overnight to drain sufficiently. Afterwards it will look like what is pictured above.

** After cucumbers have been been peeled and diced, squeeze them in between cloth or paper towels to remove excess water.
(I tend to keep my cucumber pieces pretty big, as I like the crunch... feel free to dice them smaller for a smoother, more traditional dip/sauce.)

I like to eat the dip with pieces of pita or flat bread. (I find that this is even better the second day as all the flavors have had a chance to blend together and the raw garlic has had some time to mellow out a bit!)

Since I am not a meat eater I also like to combine it with vegetarian meat, (Morningstar, Garden or Boca Veggie burgers, chic patties, or sausage patties) that I have seasoned with a bit of cumin, some sliced tomatoes and shredded lettuce piled in a thick pita or on top of some more flat bread, as shown above. Makes for a delicious and light veggie version of a gyro sandwich. Enjoy!

Team Challenge - Ellen!

2010-08-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, Ellen Degeneres came to my lowly home town of Flagstaff, Arizona! One of her fans asked her to come and she did it! She arrived in some of the worst weather we have ever had - pelting rain and wind - and while she was great at making a joke of it, I think she was truly terrified! People here still laugh about it. She was such a good sport and has such an unpretentious way about her. As a lover of animals, a champion of kid geniuses, a crazy dancer, a charming talk show host and a hilarious comedian, people all over the world love Ellen!

So, for this latest challenge let's try to create something inspired by some aspect of Ellen. As usual, we will post the results at the end. But in addition, this time, we will be putting together a gift basket to send to her at the show.

As usual, the challenge is for whoever wants to participate. Also, you can choose to participate and send a gift or not. It's up to you and it's all for fun and inspiration! So let's see what we can come up with to salute this amazing, creative woman!

Remember to tag your item "acchallenge". If you are not sending it but want to sell it, please have it posted by August 31st. If you want to send it along in the basket, just send a photo to me and I will post it with all the participant results. (We will work out the details of sending the basket later and via the yahoo group.)

Lost at Sea Team Challenge-First Installment

2010-08-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

There was a fabulous response to out Lost at Sea Challenge! So much so that I am going to split the results into two posts. Enjoy the first installment of the Artisans Collective Lost at Sea!

Elena of Tickled Pink Knits crocheted this beautiful lariat. It is from from her Sea Kelp Collection and can be worn as a necklace, scarf or belt. Versatile and so lovely!

Sharon Clancy created this lovely sterling silver and amonozite necklace called Siren Song. Who can resist a mermaid?

Jude McConkey's photograph The Lonely Sea is so hauntingly beautiful. Don't you think?

The Tiny Chambered Nautilus Shell Necklace from Lisa Hopkins is so pretty and delicate.

Lucy Snowe's Photograph Ballerina with a Parasol...I wish I could live in this photo.

This sterling and porcelain bird pendant from Jen of Quench Metalworks is gorgeous!

If you'd like more information on any of these beautiful pieces simply click the photos. Look for the next installment of Lost at Sea later this week.

All the best,

Cindy

(mary's granddaughter)

Creative Inspiration: Photographs

2010-08-02T04:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever discovered a box full of old photographs? Hauntingly beautiful, these images chronicle a time when women wore high neck, elaborate dresses and men sported handle-bar mousetaches. Even though the names and relations are long forgotten, these photographs provide an intimate and precious glimpse into our history.

Cindy Steiler of Mary's Granddaughter finds inspiration in these photographs. Looking at her work, one can easily see the connection to antique photographic portraits.

"I draw much inspiration from 19th century photos. I'm an avid collector. My family would probably say that my photo habit is an addiction."

"I am currently studying 19th century ambrotype and tintype processes and, as soon as I'm finished building my darkroom, I'll be giving it a try."

Interested in old photography processes? Check out this helpful link by clicking HERE.

Julie's Flapjack Energy Bars

2010-07-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from one of my mom's old recipe books.This is my version of one of my favorites.

Flapjack- Homemade Energetic Bars
Quick, easy and delicious!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180C)
Grease a 23cm (9 inch) square pan
In a bowl mix together the following:
3 cups oatmeal
2 tbs. sesame seeds
2 tbs. chopped almond
2 tbs. sunflower seed
2 tbs. raisins
...and/or any seeds nuts, or dried fruits. (I used dates for this batch)

Put the following in a sauce pan and melt down and add to the oat mixture:
100 gm. butter (the original recipe calls for 165 gm. but 100 is enough for me)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbs. honey
Mix well all of the ingredients and pour into the pan. Press with the back of a spoon and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.
The most difficult part of the recipe is waiting for it to cool down completely before cutting it into bars! For those of you not familiar with metrics, 100 gm of butter is about 7 tablespoons or just less than one stick:)

Enjoy!
Julie Larose-St. Amour
le pied leger

Art of Display - Reflection

2010-07-26T07:17:00.000-07:00

"A work of art is a world in itself reflecting senses and emotions of the artist's world."
-Hans Hofmann

Recently, while looking through all of the amazing work created by our talented team members, I was particularly struck by the beautiful way in which two of our artists use reflection when displaying some of their work. The effect is gorgeous. See what I mean below...

Oblong Earrings from Lisa Hopkins Design

3 Ceramic Bell Ornaments from Barbara Dunshee

Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) Cuff Links" from Lisa Hopkins Design

Two Ceramic Bell Ornaments
from Barbara Dunshee

Creative Inspiration: Poetry

2010-07-15T16:38:00.001-07:00

Rituals are good... especially the kind that clears the mind and renews the soul. A brisk walk on a familiar wooded trail, a evening cup of chamomile tea, or quiet time in the garden all qualify as rituals of inspiration.

Lucy Snowe of Lucy Snowe Photography has graciously shared her morning ritual. She discovers her daily inspiration through poetry and a good cup of joe. Please read on, breathe, and find your inspiration.....

My inspiration often comes from poetry.... I am most drawn to haiku and other forms of Asian poetry. I love to begin my day...sipping a dark organic french roast latte and reading poetry in my little nook by the window.

Here are three haiku by one of my favorite poets: Haiku Master Buson (Japan 1700s)

A peony fallen--

on top of one another,

two petals, three petals.

After cutting the peony

my mind seems emptied --

twilight.

A mountain ant,

it is plainly seen

on a white peony.

Sometimes I write a haiku.....

and some times I try to photograph a haiku...

Have an inspiring week!

Preserving Tomatoes the Easy Way!

2010-07-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

This great recipe for preserving tomatoes without all the work of traditional canning is from my dear friend and fabulous French Chef, Monique Hooker. I learned the technique in her cooking class and have been hooked ever since on this incredibly easy and amazingly fresh tasting recipe. During the winter use in soups and stews, or thaw and toss them with hot pasta to be transported back to the warm breezes of summer.

Oven-Roasted, Frozen Tomatoes

2 dozen Italian plum tomatoes, halved ( I have also used small heirloom tomatoes)
1 cup mixed chopped fresh basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme ( I use whatever I have available)
Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes with the chopped herbs. Toss gently until evenly coasted. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet in the middle of the oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The time will depend on how juicy the tomatoes are. They will be semi dry to the touch when ready. If the tomatoes start browning, turn the oven down to 275 F. During the last 15 minutes of baking, turn the heat up once again so the natural sugar in the tomatoes caramelizes the top to a golden-brown color.
Serve warm or cold. Will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

Variations: Serve as an appetizer topped with goat cheese, feta or pesto and broiled until warm and bubbly.

Moniques's Touch:
I make several pans of the baked tomatoes at one time because they are so easy to do. After baking, cool, then put them in the freezer on the baking sheet until frozen. Transfer them to zip-lock plastic bags for freezer storage.

To see more of Moniques wonderful recipes visit her at:
http://www.moniquescuisine.com/

Happy Summer Days!
Nancy
Whiteearthstudio

Art of Display - Body Beautiful

2010-07-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

When wearables are concerned, the human figure is a natural choice. Below, from head to toe, are 4 lovely examples of using the body beautiful to display your goods!

Heart To Heart - genuine chrysoprase and gold necklace by Sharon Clancy Designs

Organic Bamboo Braided Collar with Side Bow by Isla New York

Jewel Red Satin Skirt by LarimeLoom

Purple and Jade Laced Guillerminas by le pied leger

Hip Hip Hooray! Our Website is up and Running

2010-07-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Artisans Collective Website is up and running! To take a peek click HERE.

We can't thank Cat Ivans of Etsy shops Polarity and Uncorked enough for all of the hard work she put into making our dream a reality!

Team Challenge-Lost at Sea

2010-07-07T06:22:00.001-07:00

I recently participated in a group show at Gallery Hanahou in Soho and the theme was "Lost at Sea". While this is not an original idea it was a fun theme to work with and I thought it would be a wonderful challenge for our team. Make something inspired by the sea. The possibilities are endless!

Tag your piece with the word "acchallenge". Get it posted by August 1st and I will post the results.

Best,
Cindy
(mary's granddaughter)

Team Challenge - Bees!!

2010-07-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about the results of this challenge! I love every single thing that I saw! Also, I feel like each of these pieces could be the symbol/icon/logo for our team! The bees work together, they are focused on their mission, they work with beautiful materials, and they produce something sweet and wonderful! I hope you enjoy looking over these items! Thanks to everyone who took part!

Here is a cool wine cork necklace from Cat at Uncorked!

Lucy Snowe presents a dream-like image of the bee in the garden in this beautiful photograph!

I love this urban, stylized version of the bee silhouette on this necklace from Lisa Hopkins!

The fruits of the bee's labor is honey and what a beautiful way to store and serve it in this honey pot by dbabcock!

What a perfect message on these sandals by Le Pied Leger! The fun bright colors are perfect for Summer!

This stunning photo by Jude McConkey highlights the work ethic of our little mascots!

This amazing necklace from Peggy at The Beadaerie looks like it is dripping with honey!

And here is a gorgeous, earthy one from Sharon Clancy Designs that is full of vibrance and light!

There are a few more entries that are going to have to wait till next time so if anyone else has something let me know or tag it "acchallenge" and I will post it.

Art of Display - Produce

2010-06-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

When photographing my table runners, one of my favorite things to add to the arrangement is produce...

a lovely bowl full of fresh fruit, or a couple of ripe tomatoes as shown above, is often times the perfect prop to compliment the work.

Below are some lovely examples of this simple and effective idea that I found while searching our talented team...

Berry Bowl on Leaf by Blue Sky Pottery

Poppy Tea Towel-Organic Linen by madder root

Plate, Porcelain, Pottery, Green, Hosta, Leaf by White Earth Studio

Team Challenge - Bees

2010-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

From butterflies to bees!! This time I thought it would be appropriate to help promote our team mascot and the launch of our new website! Let's generate some "buzz" and all make something inspired by our industrious friends the bees! It can be honey, a hive, garden, bees or whatever your imagination comes up with.

Make an item and tag it with the word "acchallenge". Get it posted by July 1st and I will post the results.

Lulubug is already in the spirit with this cute bee necklace!

Creative Inspiration: Butterflies

2010-06-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit in the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ~ Maya Angelou

Yesterday, I discovered a butterfly trapped in my garage struggling to make its way through a closed window. Many winged bugs find their way into this space, but seldom do I feel the need to stage a rescue. However, butterflies are one of the few insects that receives urgent, immediate assistance.

Raising my hand up towards the butterfly, the beautiful creature perched on my finger and relaxed her fluttering wings. Once outside, she caught the breeze and sailed away into the sky.

What makes the butterfly worth saving? Perhaps it is that very essence that inspires artists, poets, and dancers to incorporate butterfly imagery in their work. The painting above from Artisans Collective member Cathy Nichols illustrates the insect's delicate but compelling presence.

Cathy states "Butterflies inspire me because they evoke feelings of freedom, metamorphosis, and transformation from something lowly and plain into creatures of colorful beauty.

Vase from Red Hot Pottery

Christine Tenenholtz's pottery also incorporates the butterfly magnificently. Christine says that butterflies challenge her to create a simple and elegant design. Christine states " After using the white birds and flowers so much on my pieces, I wanted to add another natural element and butterflies just seemed like a natural fit."

The butterfly: champion of change, epitome of the ugly duckling, thing of wonder and boundless beauty! I leave you with this quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne:

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."

Postcards From Home #14 - Julie Garland

2010-06-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Today we introduce Julie Garland of Julie Garland Jewelry! I love the small town America feel! Thanks for sharing with us!

Picture #1

This is a photo of main street and the lone traffic light in Youngstown in Western New York where I live. It’s an historic little village right on the Niagara River where it flows into Lake Ontario. This is the first time I’ve lived in a small town and I have to admit it does have its charm! The local diner is fantastic and I frequent it so much they wonder if I ever cook.

Picture #2

This lovely little spot is where my son and I sit and watch the boats. Old Fort Niagara is very close and is on the National Historic Register. Over 100,000 people visit each year and it offers a collection of original military architecture and fortifications from the 18th and 19th Century. It also has a beautiful park and waterfront and I like to stand at the shore and wave to my Canadian friends across the lake in Toronto. (Well not really because that would make me look crazy.)

Picture #3

This view is overlooking the Marina. Youngstown is a pretty sleepy place in the winter but in the summer it comes alive. We don’t own a boat but do our best to befriend people that do (just kidding!).

Picture #4

And finally here is a picture of yours truly in my work area that I usually don’t get to until my son’s bedtime!

Art of Display - Lighting

2010-06-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."
- Aaron Rose

1930's Industrial Factory Clerks Registry Desk Task Lamp

"Turning on the light is easy if you know where the switch is."
- Colin Wilson

1930's O.C. White Style Gooseneck Lamps

"There is no more worthy, more glorious or more potent work, than to work with light."
- Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

1940 Articulate Hood College Physical Plant Repairman's Work Bench Task Lamp

"Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography."
- George Eastman

Kiva - Giving Feels so Good!

2010-06-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Kiva is a fabulous organization! Their mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. This is accomplished by individuals like you and me making loans in $25 increments to individuals around the world. You choose who you lend to - a basket weaver in Cambodia, a seamstress in Peru, a goat herder in Uganda. When the loan is repaid you can loan it to someone else. What a powerful and sustainable way to empower people to escape poverty!

Because we believe so strongly in Kiva we started an Artisans Collective lending team on Kiva. We loaned $200 in our first day! The pictures above are a few of the loan recipients. (Click on their photos to see how they plan to use their loans)

Join us if you can. Collectively we can make a difference!

xoxo
Artisans Collective

Mmm Mmm Good

2010-06-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

This black bean, mango and avocado salad is one of my very favorite summer salads! It's bright and fresh, healthy and delicious. Everyone I've fixed this dish for has just loved it, even my grandmother. Her response was, "This is the strangest combination I've ever eaten but it's so good. Can I take home some of the leftovers?" This salad is quick and easy to make and great on a hot day on its own or as a side dish. I think the most difficult thing about this salad is finding a mango and an avocado that are ripe at the same time.

Black Bean, Avoado and Mango Salad

2 cans of black beans drained and rinsed

1 Haas avocado chopped

1 mango chopped

2 limes juiced

1 orange juiced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup chopped sweet onion or green onion

1 minced jalapeno

1 clove of garlic minced or squeezed through a press
1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbs. honey

1/2 tsp. cumin

Mix black beans, onions, cilantro and jalapeno in a bowl and set aside. In a smaller bowl whisk together the oil, lime and orange juices, cumin, garlic, and honey. Pour this over the bean mixture and toss. Gently fold in the mango and avocado. Chill for and hour or two and serve.

Happy eating!

xoxo

Cindy

(mary's granddaughter)

Postcards From Home #13 - Kristin Love

2010-06-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

This week we get to have a glimpse into the world of Kristin Love of Love Artworks and Love Art Studios. Kristin Lives in Seattle, one of my favorite cities.

1. This is a photo of where I live, kind of. I actually live in West Seattle, which is South, (and West...on a peninsula...) of the downtown Seattle you see in the photo. The reason I chose this one is because it shows Mt. Rainier, the 4th tallest mountain in the continental US, and also the Space Needle, where I used to work for 5 years before I left the restaurant life to do my art full time.

2. My Studio! This little "cottage" was lovingly built for me by my carpenter husband, Kane, who could not (and I mean it was getting bad.....) STAND all my pottery, paints, canvases, fabrics, drawings, etc, etc, ALL over the house anymore. So after 6+ years of painting in a corner of our "guest room/storage area" (we have a really small house) he built this studio space for me in our backyard,. It also became a bit of a storage area for awhile, but I've been cleaning it, and it's now a "working Studio" for the most part. The door is going to be painted deep burnt Red this summer and we will add window boxes and Kane is going to build a little deck where the wheelbarrow is! :)

3. This is my "niche" where I spend a LOT of time painting, drawing and creating, and sometimes daydreaming out the window...watching all the little birdies! The rug is the only piece of art hanging in my Studio so far and was made for me by the Navajo Elder that I sponsor. If you would like to know any more about that, please contact me.

4. This is my "corner" at the communal Pottery Studio I work at where I create my clay pieces. These are what my pottery cups, vases, bowls, etc, look like after they have been fired once and then painted with my glaze designs before they go into the kiln for the second time. As you can see, they are NOT very colorful, the colors look very subdued and chalky, (not anything like the finished pieces you see in my shop), and that's one of the tricky parts about painting on pottery. It has taken me a long time to be able to "know", or guestamate, what the piece will look like when it is done, and even then, sometimes, I can be very, very wrong!

5. These are my helpers, Cosmo, the 16 year old grumpy "Grandma" kitty, and Indigo, the 3 year old spastic rescued German Shepherd. Here they are helping me navigate the wondrous Etsy Treasury's on my laptop in our living room! :)

6. Well....Me! This photo was taken while hiking in the Olympic Mountains last summer. The Olympic Peninsula is just a short ferry ride across the Puget Sound from Seattle and Kane and Indigo and I try and get over there as much as possible. It's one of the most beautiful places I've been and it's right in my "backyard"! Come See!! :)

Postcards From Home #12 - Lucy Snowe Photography

2010-06-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

Today's postcards and captions are from the wonderful photographer Lucy Snowe. What a rich impression they give. The calm and creative energy of her world really come through these images!

This is Main Street in the tiny remote rural town in Oregon where I live, population approx. 900! Not much to do here..except CREATE!

I don't really have a studio....but hopefully some day!!! I would say this is pretty much my studio...the great outdoors....My husband thinks I have taken over the entire house..cameras, tripods, computers, shipping supplies, frames in every room!!! The deer don't seem to mind...if I intrude on their space.

This is one of my photo assistants: Basho, named after one of my favorite poets!

This is a little nook I fixed up to watch the deer and geese out the window..we have LONG winters....so I do spend a lot of time indoors. I like to read in the morning and get inspired, watch birds and work on my shoots for the day!

This is me...self portrait

well..there you have it...me in a nutshell..

Art of Display - Hardware

2010-05-31T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hardware makes me happy. The older the better...

The handle of a vintage tool becomes the perfect display apparatus to showcase this powerful and striking ring made by Quench Metalworks.

Ring Nickel Cone with Citrine

Four rusty nails create a simple, yet beautiful display area to showcase the refined elegance of this ring created by tinahdee.

Rustic Brass Twist Stacking Ring

Perfection.

Team Treasuries

2010-05-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Postcards From Home #11 - Patchwork Postcards

2010-05-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

This week, since I didn't have any submissions, I decided to go through the member list and put together a montage of "postcards". I know the images might not be precisely what each person sees, but I think it is cool to see the broad spectrum of places that we live!

Sorry the images are so small but if you click on it you can see much better on the zoomed version!

So, go through and try to identify each place and see if you know who is from where or if you can tell which one is your city. I hope you enjoy it and next week we will have some new photos from one of our members.

(I didn't put the links but all of these fabulous images are from ETSY, found by searching the city or country names)

Creative Inspiration: Leaves

2010-05-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

With hundreds, perhaps thousands, of textures, patterns, shapes, and colors, leaves are one of nature's most accessible and profound ornaments. It is no wonder why so many of us creative types find inspiration in the leaf.

Nancy from White Earth Studio draws inspiration from her hostas in her own garden. Her bowl above mimics the hosta leaf's gentle tear drop shape, smooth edge, and repetitive veins. She graciously offered photographs of her garden above.

And even more divine examples of leaf-inspired works from the Artisans Collective!

Hooray for the leaf and its inspiring form!

Art of Display - Dressing Dummies

2010-05-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

Many years ago at a country auction, I scored this vintage cloth and cast iron dressing form for a mere $12.50. I remember that I had wanted one in the worst way and was thrilled with my find, but driving home that night, along the empty back roads, I managed to get myself pretty spooked as I kept catching glimpses in my rearview mirror of the headless form perched behind me...

Having grown up watching The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and Night Gallery, my imagination was pre-conditioned to run wild, and on that dark and long drive home in my old GMC van, I pictured the dress form coming to life and rendering me unconscious, (or worse) and whispering, "So who's the dummy now, sweetheart?"

Happily, no such thing happened and Esmeralda, (as I later named her) has proven to be a good, (albeit quiet) companion, and she is super-duper when it comes to displaying wearables!

Below are two lovely examples found from team members who have used dress forms to display their beautiful work...

Textile Necklace nO.313 from kjoo

and...

Rococo Shawl from Tickled Pink Knits

If you are interested in having a dress form to display your wearables, new models are always for sale and vintage ones can still be easily found, often at reasonable prices, in the local flea and antique markets. (Note: you may want to purchase these vintage ones in the daytime!) Ebay is also a great place to find them, and I have also seen some listed on Etsy.

And if money is no object then check out this vintage White dress form from Factory 20...

Postcards From Home #10 Sheila from Shecological (me)

2010-05-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a small sampling of some scenes of my indoor and outdoor life. Hope you like it.

A view from up on the mountain just north of town.

This is me at the County Fair. There is a local Navajo family in the background.

This is a street in the historic part of town

This is a tassel-eared grey squirrel on my back fence - they are common around here.

This is a picture of my sewing studio/workroom

This is a picture of my living room when I had to move my studio out there so we could paint and get new carpet.

Creative Inspiration: Amber Alexander

2010-05-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! Here's the next installment of Creative Inspirations. Today, Amber Alexander shares the inspiration for her charming paintings (to see a bit more of Amber's world, please click here).

I am inspired by animals and nature.

The other night, we saw a fox hunting in the next field over. You could barely make her out because the color of her fur was so close to the color of the hay in the field...ochre/apricot with black tips.

This scene inspired a painting.

On another day, I may decide the same fox should be having tea...

something about the idea that the same fox that is hunting for rodents in the filed one night, and wearing a gown and having tea the next,

really gives me a kick!

Mother's Day Challenge

2010-05-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

O.K. everyone... I know you are all busy thinking about your mother's or about being a mother, or both. I know you all have been working diligently on your challenge pieces, but, like me, you probably haven't had a chance to photograph it yet, or you didn't put the "acchallenge" tag on it ... or maybe it already sold!

Anyway, Jen from Quench Metalworks was the only one whose item came up when I searched for the challenge pieces. YAY Jen!!! It is gorgeous too!!! So I just went through and did a search of the tag "thehive" and came up with this mother's day collection. I hope you like it. If you have a piece that I missed, let me know and I will post it a.s.a.p. And, Happy Mother's Day this Sunday to all you mom's out there!

Art of Display - Multiple Groupings

2010-05-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

When it comes to display, one of the best ways to create visual impact is by displaying multiple, similar objects grouped together. Below are some lovely examples of multiple groupings that I came across while looking through our members Etsy shops:

Design your Own from eclu

lottie - vintage rose pincushion from emma lamb

Plant Markers from Deb Babcock

Embroidered Inspiration Apples from La Pomme

Team treasury by Sheila from shecological

2010-05-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Team Treasury by Barb from Blue Sky Pottery

2010-04-30T19:38:00.001-07:00

Postcards From Home #9 Milly from Cutiepie Co.

2010-04-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

This week we have Milly from Cutiepie Company! We get a little glimpse into her life in the Bronx. I can't believe the snow!! Good thing the models aren't there at Bryant Park!

Thanks for sharing with us! I think your dog should have a staring roll in your next movie!

1. That's me with my beagle, Hunter, in Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY this past fall (photo by J. Corporan)

2. Me again, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, fall (photo by J. Corporan)

3. I took this photo under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn, while at work (that's a vintage movie camera we were using)

4. Bryant Park, NYC, this winter during the most recent blizzard

5. Bryant Park again, in the morning under a blanket of fresh snow.