WIP Update and EHAG Emporium Debut!

WIP Update and EHAG Emporium Debut!

First off, don't forget about tomorrows debut of the EHAG Emporium, January 31st at 9PM . I am proud to be a part of EHAG (Eclectic Halloween Artists Group) a wonderful group of artists. These artists specialize in creating one-of-a-kind Halloween collectibles. EHAG is now opening the doors to the Emporium...a special blog dedicated to showcasing one work of art from participating member. Here's a sneak peek at my offering.

Next is an update of for the Valentine pieces I was working on. I swear I feel like I am working as slow as molasses! There are two candy/gift boxes that I've finished as well. They are also bobbing heads.Hopefully they will be posted tomorrow on eBay under hohohalloween of course. That is if the cold doesn't slow the molasses further.

I think they came out rather nicely if I do say so myself. You've already seen Mr. Heart who is holding flowers and is hiding a ring box behind him.

Of course you all remember the bunnies I started last week.

They now are joined by a little chick.

Well at least that's what I was going for. Actually I think it looks like some kind of killer chicken or "Kung Fu" chicken. Don't know please tell me what you guys think.

Don't forget to check out them out next months offerings at STJ's Holiday Hootenanny.

Well back to work for me.

WIP update, New WIPS and wishful thinking?

Hello everyone, been trying to stay busy and productive. Thought you might enjoy an update on the recently started WIPS.

The luminaria, and witch seem to be coming along just fine. I like the colors and patterns on the witch. Need to get her hat done, then I can get her opened up to work on the container part. The teapot is almost ready for paint. I put it aside to start some basic shapes to keep going once these are painted. I seem to work better and more productively if I have enough materials to keep shifting from one to the other. It also gives me a better feel for where a piece is going. I mean, If I get stuck on one I can alway switch to another, then come back. that way I don't feel unproductive and the flow keeps coming, in theory anyway, LOL. Sometimes you just can't get blood from a turnip!

One of the "other" pieces I started are my bunnies, very rough shape right now, gotta go back to the drawing board on them.

Luckily I found some fun bits and accessories for them that should point me in the right direction. I think the ears are too big!

Speaking fun bits, while making the rounds for those serendipitous treasures I cam across this little ditty.

Which leads me to wonder. Should I try growing him in the bathtub or the local swimming pool? I figure the more room to grow... LOL.

I guess that's were the wishful thinking comes in to play. I dare say I'm not the only one!

Lastly don't forget the EHAG Emporium Venue premiere sale this January 31st. Featuring many of our favorite and talented artist from EHAG. It will be a monthly event on every 31st of the month. Hope to see you there!!

Belated Greetings and new WIPS!

Please bare with me for my lack of postings due to unforeseen priorities that arose. As I get those under control I hope to resume posting regularly. That said, Happy belated Everything to All! I must take the time to thank all of you for your support and encouragement that enables me to continue this thing called HohoHalloween.

I finally have my studio back and ready to start full gear for this year. I had rearranged, reshuffled, and reorganized in anticipation being extra productive for 2010 back in November. Of course life had other plans, hence the delay. I've so many Ideas and plans in store that I know will be exciting for us all.

One of those will be a Newsletter to keep everyone abreast of my latest offerings, events and community news.

Here are my latest WIPS in progress. We have a teapot, luminaria and a candy container for Halloween.

I also have a sneak peek of an offering for Valentines. He'll be holding a bouquet of flowers in his outstretched hand and be able to hold a ring box in the hand behind his back. At least thats the plan.

Don't forget to check out this months offerings at STJ. I was not able to offer anything this mont but will be back strong next posting.

Also I hope everyone will be looking forward to EHAG's upcoming Emporium on the 31st of each month.

Well back to work for me.

One last thing, as most of you are now learning there was a devastating earthquake last night in Port au Prince, Haiti.

I'v added this link for those of you that would like to help in some way.

The Wizard of Oz and Thai green curry

My how time does fly. It seems like only yesterday I was posting for Halloween. Now here I am planning Thanksgiving feast and trying to get a move on on my Christmas creations. You can find some at SpookyTimeJingles or on eBay under seller hohohhalloween of course.

I digress, most of last week as I was working away on whips TV in background, I notice that a lot of stations kept playing The Wizard of Oz. That film holds special meaning to me besides the obvious reasons, an American Icon, Fantasy, costuming, sets and of course Judy Garland at the onset of her meteoritic rise to fame. The following pictures are from that experience.

Many years ago, (Oh my this phrase seems to be creeping in on my vocabulary more and more, eegads!) I had a Murals and Finishes Business, a friend of mine recommended me to his client for a project that he thought I would be perfect for. The project involved a surprise birthday party for a family nanny that had not seen her own family in over 20 years. It seems this wonderful nanny's favorite all time movie was of course the Wizard of Oz. I know, I know the obvious comes to mind, "there's no place like home" click your heels and nanny is flown back for reunion with longing family members.

Well sort of, you see the plan was to recreate some of the sets and characters at the party then spring the family on the unsuspecting nanny (she had no medical conditions we checked LOL). Costumers, make-up (friend and me) and set designers (me) were brought in. It was one of the most magical experiences I ever had and challanging. Those backdrops where about 30' x 50 long, We had 3 weeks to prep. Needless to say the logistics and planning required a production coordinator, luckily we had all been in the film industry at one point or another so that made things easier.

The research was phenomenal I poured over every book on the making of the film, googled costumes, characters and ebay, and elndlessly watched the film. I primed, drew and painted to my hearts content as you can see in the pics.

How they managed to keep the nanny away from the house for that long I'll never know! We also had time for a bit of fun. One day some of the costumes that were too complicated to make arrived from Western Costume. One of those was the Flying Monkey. I had just finished the backdrop of the Yellow brick road that leads out of Munchkinland into the land of Oz. The temptation was too great. I donned the costume (it was hot! and didn't close at the back). Luckily this was a grand house with a landing that overlooked the Great Room where I was working and the set was laid out. I laid out on the backdrop in my best flying monkey pose and my assistant snapped away.

Next came the Emerald City. This was to be the backdrop for the actual Birthday dinner. Surprisingly that was done fairly quickly despite a little glitch in painting. My assistant, I discovered, has a classic color blind sensitivity to the color green, I'll say no more other than the Horror!

We came into the last week of madness. Final make-up and wardrobe test were completed and then the big night.

We pleaded to be there for the reveal of course, and as long as we stayed out of site and did not interfere with the events it was copacetic.

All the guest were hidden, the players in place when the Limo arrived. It pulled up to the Port-Coche. Out steps the Nanny who was under the impression she was to pick up and escort the children to the airport. She was greeted by Glenda who informed her that she had been such a good nanny that she would be taken to OZ. She was then escorted by the lollipop gang into Munchkinland, little houses and flowers included. They were of course interrupted by the Wicked Witch who was scared away by Glenda. Then she was greeted by the lullaby guild who took her to the Lion (the nanny's husband in disguise), they in turn met up with the Tin Man, and Scarecrow who finally took her to Oz. There she met up with Glenda again who told her to click her heals three times and close her eyes. When she opened them there, in front of her stood the her Parents and siblings (5 in all) and her husband revealed. The reunion was no less moving or joyous than the movie.

At that time we decided to exit quietly through the kitchen, sampling some of the catered affair.

the start of something big

Jorge went up the hill....

The costumes arrive

a little fun and some photoshop

Th crowd gathered at the Emerald City Hall. Don't it look like an MGM luncheon?

The three of us were starved the closest thing around was a Thai restaurant. As we sat there, reveling in having been a part of such a magical experience and how it seemed that we had somehow been transported back in time to work in the movie, the waitress arrived.

"what would you like this evening? We all looked at each other and almost in unison said "green curry anything" .........of course what else.

Trick or Treat! I'm late !

Apologies for the late blog entry. Been down with a cold and trying to jump into Christmas. Before I start that I must let you know of the Tricks and Treats that pulled on me this past Hallows Eve. With the help of some friends I decide to go all Bogie Book and Martha Stewart Halloween Party. That was the Treat.

On went the baking, cooking, concocting, sewing and general last minute insane preparation that alone I could not have accomplished right now. That day my studio space and home were transformed to Bogie Book Heaven.

First to set out were the appetizers, concocted with the finest ingredients of witches fingers, warlock toes, quick sand dip and petrified cheese roll.

Then the Trick the phone began to ring with cancelation after cancelation. Eeeh Gads! The four of left decide to bravely go on, mostly going to the bar and blamed the waning Moon.

But of course the treat was yet to come with the sound of the doorbell as those missing began to pop in! Hurrah! Upon such a splendid trick being pulled the revelries began. Cameras were forgotten, or pictures too blurred to post, but still some survived to tell the tale.

For the squeamish that's pretzels, humus, and herbed dyed cheese. Don't it look yummy!

After such fortifications one needs a little liquids to help with the digestion of such varied and exotic fare. Of course one finds the potions center.

Where one can quench their thirst with these devilish concoctions. A pitcher of Bloody Mary's or Pumpkin Slush spiked with dragons eyes.

By now after a couple of swigs and bites, one's appetite does grow and you can turn to the main event.

I love the color of my Blood dressing for the swamp greens and root salad. It went wickedly well with the main course as you can see. Who I ask can resist Albino Bat Chili with Serpents eggs. (chicken and white bean chili) Skull shaped corn bread, and Raven Black Rice (dyed brown rice).

After such hearty fare witch or warlock needs a little sweet to finish off the feast. What could be better than a another table full of treats

.

Hemlock cupcakes with bug brownies always make for a tidy ending.

Which is more than I can say for this poor fellow who sums up the end and the reason for the lack of pictures.

Happy Belated Halloween to All

Countdown and Halloween Frills!

Hello all, I can see I'm not the only one that's been busy with shows, commissions, and sales. The Spirits on First was a great success for it being the inaugural. We had people come from all over the state and even some from across the border in Georgia. Which is wonderful cause it lets us all know that there is a growing market across the country. I'm already looking forward to next years events there and at Halloween and Vine.

Well I thought I needed to take a break and start getting ready for Halloween in earnest. First off please check out my listings on ebay under the seller hohohalloween of course! They'll probably be my last halloween items.

I have a couple more commissions left that I hope to finish this week and then I plan to relax till the big shingding next week. Actually it's just a Halloween dinner with friends and family but I go all out for my favorite holiday, so I'd thought I'd share my Halloween home decor with you all. Mind you I just started there's more to come.

I try ti mix old and new all around the house. The vintage items mostly stay in a cabinet due to our lovely Florida weather which loves to eat away at ephemera.

As you can see, my decor starts at the front door with a great wreath I picked up at Home Goods one year. It just sets the mood for what's to come.

You step into Halloween right away with orange vases, witches and cat throw pillows and of course my Halloween tree. It's a whopper! Department 56 put it out several years ago. This one's the 4 foot one that's been retired. Still not enough room for all my goodies.

At the base I have one of my favorite vintage pieces, it's an Owl luminaria from my best guess is the sixties. It stands next to a modern Target cat luminaria.

Up the tree you'll again find some vintage with modern glass ornies

.

Here is a Larry Fraga spider with bee victim and a Large Radko JOL.

I've been told by my friends that I must have posed for this Slavic Treasure skull since we both have the same crooked smile and have follicle challenges. LOL. Another Larry Fraga and more Slavic Treasures

.

Some of my JOL collections ranging from the Illuminations Jack o'lantern to made in japan vintage plastic.

I'm happy to have acquired a William Bezek hula girl skull to add to my growing Skull grouping. Thanks William I love her, and also you Witch candy container that fits right in with my other witches.

In one corner I have my cats which include a Johanna Parker candy container that sit next to the Devilish corner. I love making the crepe paper lamp shades to add that vintage feel you see in the old Bogie Books.

Even my coffee mug gets into the act. I love this halloween mug. As I drink the little treasures reveal themselves, in this cas it's a witch.

And of course the scenario wouldn't be complete without that little lady herself ..........Talula, getting into the act. Say CHEESEEEE! .

I'll try to post again before the big day, but just in case HAPPY HALLOWEEN Everyone!

Next!

Hey all not much of a post, just a note. Been prepping for the upcoming "Spirits on First" the inaugural, annual Halloween Show in Sanford Florida. You can read more about it in a blurb in Celebrate 365 Magazine.

Hadn't had much time or energy, (shoulders acting up again) to make anything new. Keeping up with commissions during show is madness. You are sooo sweet and patient in understanding the limits of this human body. It should all come back to NoMRal! next week before the mad Christmas rush. I'll be getting all those special gifts to petaluma out to you, as well as wrapping up some commissions.

I can only say thank you for the support and encouragement shown September 26 at "Halloween & Vine" and everyday on the blog and through emails.

Those of you in the Orlando area come check us out this Saturday 10 from 9-4. It's 10 Minutes from orlando and you'll find lots more to do in Historic Sanford. There is also a Harley Convention in town.

Well.... better get to bed early so as to be fresh for travel and setup tomorrow.