What The Folk Art!

New exhibitor at our Edison, NJ show  December 2-3-4, 2011. 

“What The Folk Art” is a collection of one-of-a-kind assemblage art sculptures by Tom Shelton. Each recycled robot is unique and has a personality of its own.

The components used by the artist are found objects, recycled from yard sales, thrift stores, and even the trash. Some of these “upcycled” works incorporate vintage items that have now been transformed and given a second life through art. These pieces are durable enough to keep around the house on counters, shelves, or mantles, but are not designed to be played with by children or animals, so please be sure to treat your robot with respect.

If you have a tin, teapot, or what-have-you that is near and dear to your heart, consider the idea of transforming it into a piece of art. Tom would be glad to breathe new life into your old piece through sculpture.

"Coo Coo." He's an upcycled sculpture made of found objects. He's made of an old metal hollowed-out clock, fork legs, and other recycled pieces. He's mounted on a piece of old wood. "Coo Coo" measures about 8" tall. His wooden base is about 11" wide X 3.5" deep.         

This is "Blueberry." He's an upcycled sculpture made of found objects. He's made of a an old metal sugar sifter, a teapot, a fork arm, wooden parts, and other recycled pieces.

"Sweet Tooth." He's an upcycled sculpture made of found objects. He's made of an old bright orange tea pot with some distress, a Reese's tin can, forks, and other random material. His colors are dramatic and perfect for Halloween decor. His head also comes off and can be used to store your chocolates, or whatever.

Christmas Treasures

Walking through Barbie’s Ceramics, always brings back special memories of childhood and the magic of Christmas. Don’t we all remember lying in bed on Christmas Eve, anxiously waiting for the arrival of Santa with his big bag of toys and listening for the pidder padder of Santa’s reindeer on our roof tops?

I remember, as a child my grandmother going to a craft show and buying my family one of these beautiful ceramic Christmas trees. It was always a very special time for us, when we would set up our little Christmas Village. The tradition has continued on with the grandchildren. My nephew loves going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to set up the village and has added a train and railroad station. He spends hours playing and setting it up, just right!

Owner’s Barbe and Tim Shay have been doing shows since 1987.  Barbe was first introduced into ceramics in 1976, while working for the recreation department in Kansas City. She was conducting children’s arts and craft classes there, when she was asked one day to fill in for the director. She had to learn how to fire a kiln and it was then that she decided to make her very first Christmas tree. It’s funny how one little incident can turn your life into a whole other direction. Barbe and Tim now start out each holiday season making about 125 Christmas trees. They have nine different styles and sizes. This year, Barbe is premiering a collector’s series... "A Snowman Village" it will consist of a snowman holding a mop, along with other detailed village scenes.

Tim does all the firing, cleaning and pouring; while Barbe does all the detail work. The molds are made of plaster of paris. The clay is poured into the mold, where its sets for a period of time. The excess liquid is poured out and the piece is left to dry for a couple more days to a week, depending on the piece. The plaster of paris helps absorb the moisture. Once the piece is dried, its taken out of the mold. The seams are then removed by sanding and carefully washing. It’s now ready to be fired in the kiln.

The greenware will fire up to 2,800 degrees. It will turn a red cherry glow. The kiln automatically turns itself off, once it reaches the necessary temperature. It takes the kiln approximately 24 hours to cool off before it can be opened. The piece is now called bisque, and it’s ready to be painted. Once painted the piece will be glazed and fired again.

After the final firing, the pin lights and electrical is added. The tree is now finally ready to sell. Each piece has to be individually wrapped, before being transported to the show. The average show takes them eight hours to set-up and five to tear down. Their booth is a very labor intensive booth to set-up, having to be very careful to avoid breakage or tipping. Barbe says, ceramic on ceramic is very delegate; yet you can bump up against a piece of metal and its pretty sturdy.

Barbe and Tim now live in New Holland, PA since they were transferred there by Southwestern Bell (now ATT). Tim has since retired from there, although unable to sit for long has taken on another job. Their shows are primarily in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, so they can get back home in time for Tim to go back to work on Mondays. They’ve decided to stay in Pennsylvania. because they love the area. They have three children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; who all still live in Kansas.

Be sure to take the time to visit Barbe and Tim at the Edison, NJ and York, Pa shows. You just may want to take this opportunity, to create some new and wonderful family traditions of your own!

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Kabobs

1 1/2 c. pineapple-orange juice
1 c. orange marmalade
2/3 c. teriyaki sauce
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. ground ginger


1 1/2 lb. boneless chicken breasts
1 green pepper
1 (16-oz.) can chunk pineapple
Salt and pepper to taste
4 t. cornstarch

In saucepan, combines ingredients for marinade. Heat until sugar dissolves. Let cool.

Cut partially frozen chicken breasts into thin strips. Place chicken, green pepper and pineapple on 4-5 inch skewers. Salt and pepper lightly. Place in marinade for 2 hours. Grill about 10 minutes or until chicken is done. In a small saucepan, dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch into remaining marinade. Cook over medium heat until sauce boils and thickens. Spoon over cooked chicken kabobs and rice on serving plate. �

Shelia Caney of Folk Friends to be at Sturbridge!

Shelia of Folk Friends has been working away getting ready for our Sturbridge, MA show this weekend. Shelia has been a doll maker and doing shows for over 20 years now. It all started after showing her cousin a doll she had made; her cousin loved it and encouraged her to try a local show. Her little hobby turned into a career,  she’s been busy with her doll making ever since. Here’s some cool step by step pictures of her Halloween cats that she’s been working on!

Shelia draws the doll on a muslin fabric, cuts them out and sews them together. They are stuffed and faces are hand sculpted with needle and thread.

The cats here are weighted with pool filter sand.

They are painted with a black acrylic paint mixed with coffee, dried in oven and then aged.

Shelia’s favorite part in doll making is the decorating; making their clothing and accessories. This is when her dolls truly develop a personality of their own.

Shelia has a great following of customers and usually sells out at all our shows. She is normally one of the first torn down on Sunday after the show... leaving with only her display! You can’t miss her booth, she is in the hallway, just down from the Exhibition Hall.

Pat Gazaille Folk Artist

It’s been a busy day at the office today with artisans calling up to sign-up for shows... 

I had a chat with Pat Gazaille of Sidney & Company, she is so sweet. Anyhow, she said she’s been painting away trying to get ready for our Sturbridge, MA show. 

I’m always curious as to how artisans have gotten into this business. Pat told me, after 22 years of marriage she was able to quit her full time job to stay home and take care of things there. At first she had a lot of little projects to get caught up on. But once she had done that, she decided to get out all her old paint brushes and join a local oil painting class with some lady friends. She had always liked to paint as a child. Before she knew it, Pat found her artwork beginning to accumulate all around her home. One day while looking through the local newspaper, Pat saw an ad for a craft show nearby; she decided she would give it try. Well, Pat and her husband Paul came home from the show with $300, they thought they had hit the jackpot. As the business took off, she turned to acrylics because they dried quicker and she was able to get a lot more work done. She misses painting with oil and would like to get back to them again. 

Pat is a very talented and a phenomenal folk artist and has now been in the business painting and doing shows for over 20 years. She admires painter Rufus Porter and his painting has been a big influence in her work. Pat enjoys painting pastorals; Vermont scenes with livestock grazing in the country throughout the different seasons. You will find her hand painted primitive scenes on everything from framed art to old furniture or anything else she can get her hands on. All of her pieces are original!

Once Paul retires (her assembler, finisher, set-up man and wonderful husband) they plan to retire to their second home in Cape Cod. At that time they plan to travel more, doing shows and just touring around the country in between. 

I hope your able to take the opportunity to meet Pat in person at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center - July 15-17, 2011. Pat’s booth will be located in the Ballroom. You will love her beautiful paintings and collecting her wonderful artwork!

Angel Food Strawberry Delight

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix
1 (16-oz.) container Cool Whip
3.5 oz. box Instant Vanilla Pudding
4 oz. Milk
1 quart Strawberries (sliced)


Prepare cake mix by directions on box. Let cool then cut cake horizontally. Mix instant vanilla pudding with milk until thick. Fold pudding mixture into whip cream. Spread part of whipped cream mixture on bottom half of cake. Layer with sliced strawberries. Place top half of cake on top of strawberry and cream mixture. Spread remaining whipped cream on cake. Decorate with remaining strawberries. Refrigerate.

Enjoy! �

Dad’s Grilled Chicken

1 whole fryer chicken, quartered and skinned
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1/4 c. olive or vegetable oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1 medium onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1/2 t. ground black pepper

Saute onions and garlic in oil for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add remaining ingredients, except chicken, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Place chicken quarters on grill over a medium fire, bone side down. Baste with tomato mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes; turn, and baste the other side. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Check fire and add about 20 pieces of charcoal if fire is too cool.
Baste again on bone side; turn, and baste on meat side. Cook an additional 15 minutes. Remove from grill and serve. �

Upscaling from old to new

Guess who called today? Sherry Watt of Handcrafted Wood Crafts! She reminded us to save her usual spot in the coat closet outside the Exhibition Hall. You never know what’s going to be pulled out of that closet. With a paintbrush in one hand and sandpaper in the other, she has a knack for adding that special charm to items that have been long forgotten. Sherry is known for her unique talent of transforming old junk into a primitive themed heirloom that will be passed on, to future generations. Her little treasure trove has customers flocking to her booth, searching for those wonderful one of a kind items that you will only find in Sherry’s closet. So be sure to stop by her booth, to see why her upscaled treasures are so sought after. 

P.S. Don’t wait too long, she sells out quickly!

Ginger Blue specializes in beautiful handmade frames and shelving with magnetic pictures that compliment most any decorating style!

Well summer finally feels like its here. Before we know it we’ll be in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for our show at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center. I’m so excited to let everybody know that Ginger Blue (Pam and Steve Montes) of Saugerties, NY will be there with and their wonderful family. They have been doing shows with us for over 20 years. Their medium has change many times throughout the years from handmade teddy bears and dolls to metal work, florals and now interchangeable magnetic pictures. Their booth is a show favorite with many of our customers, as they love collecting their picture frames, cupboards and mantels made of wood and hand embossed metal. They have a huge selection of magnetic artwork. You will have fun browsing for just the right interchangeable magnet to decorate your home for the various seasons. Don’t worry they still carry their beautiful florals, garland and ironwork along with many other great decorative items.
 
Their daughter Stephanie has also added a really cute children’s section to the booth. In between raising her two adorable young children and helping Pam and Steve at shows, you will find her designing tutu’s, hair blossom headbands, children’s clothing and accessories. There’s a little something, something for everybody in the family.

It’s been truly amazing to watch how this family has grown over the years!

You can find their booth in the hotel lobby at the Sturbridge, MA show.

www.ginger-blue.com