~Shaker Woods Festival 2009~Part II~

We had our second beautiful weekend at Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, OH this past weekend. The crowds were never-ending, in spite of the heat.

I saw many of my 'old' customers who bought my Ragamuffin dolls for their children eons ago. As one sweet customer put it, "I'm continuing the tradition by buying them for my grandbabies". Since it's been 8 long years since I did the show circuit....this really warms my heart. I wondered if my customers were still out there. They are!!

One of the most rewarding parts of doing shows is the comraderie between artists. Although I do have some very close artist friends I see on a regular basis, I've really missed this. It's a sharing of ideas, joys, woes, etc. that you really can't get anywhere else. It's invigorating, and leaves you going home energized and ready to hit the studio and continue producing for the shows ahead. At the present time...I have 8 more....one of which is the three-weekend Yankee Peddler Festival, which is 3 weekends in September....and really counts as 3 shows-rolled-into-one. So, I have 11 more!!

My Cheeky Monkeys and Vintage Rabbits were big sellers. I sold out......so that is what I'm working on this week.




















That said.....I best stop typing and get back to work in the studio. If you're anywhere in the Ohio or PA area this coming weekend.....plan on stopping by. You won't be sorry~

~Shaker Woods Festival 2009~

Please join us at Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, Ohio, Aug. 8-9th, 15-16th and 22-23rd from 10-5 pm. We will be joining over 200 other fine arts and craftspeople from all over the country, demonstrating and selling their wares.

We spent the week putting finishing touches on our little cottage there. These photos were taken before we were finished stocking the cottage, and don't reflect even HALF the amount of inventory we have tucked in every nook-and-cranny we could find~

For directions and more information go to Shaker Woods Festival's website. Paths wind through acres of lush woods. There will be mouth-watering food cooked over open fires, along with lots of musical entertainment. It's a show not to be missed!

I'll be posting photos after each of the weekends, so you can witness some of the 'flavor' of this beautiful show.

See you there~

~Yankee Peddler.....Here We Come!~

I'm excited to announce I've been accepted to one of the nation's premier shows, Yankee Peddler Festival. I did this show for 13 years, and only bowed out when my mom and dad became ill eight years ago. It is 3 weekends every September. This is the show's 37th year.

The show takes you back 200 years, visiting pioneer America with master artists and crafters "setting up rustic shops along streams and amid lovely wooded dales, with foods and snacks cooked over open fires, and with non-stop entertainment across the 75-acre grounds. Keep up to the hour and follow events with the Town Criers. Visit with the militia and mountain men, or learn crafts with hands-on instruction. Visit with the master crafters and artists while they demonstrate the way they transform nature into something unique for you and yours."

When I first participated in this fabulous show, Tom was 6. That was 20 years ago! I managed to create 500 dolls....and sold out that first year! Shortly after, I quit my teaching job!!

This has necessitated that I 'step up' my business and production plan for this year. As you can imagine, RoseCreekCottage is humming away quite early in the morning.....ending the days late at nite. The good thing: I LOVE it! As any artist knows, when you thrive on creativity, it's a 'drive' that you cannot ignore. It literally 'runs' you. (further explained in a future post!)

My show schedule is quickly filling up for this year. I've been accepted to 11 shows so far. That should keep me busy and out of trouble, don't you think?

The first and second photos were taken at YPF in 1989. Aren't my 'boys' beautiful??





This post was nominated for POST OF THE DAY over at David's authorblog. Thank you, David!

~The Road Back~

I really didn’t have any great expectations for my first show (Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet) after being absent from the show circuit for 6 years. After all….that’s a long time. I really didn’t expect to see people I knew. But, the past four days were beyond my wildest dreams.

Thursday began with cold temperatures and lots of rain. But…people came. And they came to buy.

Friday’s crowds uplifted the spirits of the 120 artists, and ended up to be a record-breaking day. With Saturday and Sunday’s warm sunny weather, I couldn’t even get OUT of my booth!!

But beyond all that, were the stories, the hugs, and the tears. One by one, they would come up to me. One by one, they would relate their stories. “You’ve been gone a long time. I’m so glad you’re back”. My customers, who over 14 years bought Ragamuffins for their daughters, nieces, grand-daughters. For their mothers, grandmothers, aunts. For themselves.

More often than not, we cried.

“You’ve been gone 6 years. While you were gone, I battled cancer. And I won”

“While you were gone, I lost my mother”

“Four years ago, I lost my husband, Fred. Do you remember him? He was always with me at Yankee Peddler.”

“My daughter is battling cancer. She’s 36. Remember her? She was 12 the last time you saw her. She has four of your dolls. Today, I’m buying her the Star Angel. Please keep her in your prayers.”

“I buried my mother 3 years ago. She carried your doll til the day she died. We buried it with her”

And there were the happy stories:

“I’m so glad you’re back. All my daughters have your dolls. Now I have grandbabies, and they need Ragamuffins, too!"

“I bought these dolls for all the girls in my life. Now, I’m buying them for ME!”.

“Your blog touches my heart.”

“I couldn’t wait to meet you. I read every word of your blog. I love it.”

And then there were the babies….now all grown up. Young ladies. Who stopped to hug me and thank me for making their dolls. Now, in their teens, twenties, and even older, they still cherish them. What more could I ask from something that I started so long ago?

So, to all my dear customers…..the many old ones, and the many new ones, I thank you for sharing a piece of your life with me, and for leaving with a piece of mine. My heart is overflowing.

The top photo is a path of birch trees at Stan Hywet that ran parallel to our tent, and led to the mansion.

**This post was nominated as Post Of the Day over at David's authorblog. Take a peak at the other winners!** Thank you, David!

~Waitin'~

They’re comin'! Ella and Jackson are comin' back to RoseCreekCottage this weekend! We can hardly wait. I put on my favorite hat with the big crimson rose. And my red-patent-leather shoes. They don’t call me “Mercedes With the Red Shoes” for nothin’!

Ol’Bear put on his favorite “sweater with the pearl buttons”. That’s what he calls it. He’s quite fond of it. He even wears it in the summertime. Silly bear. It belonged to Ella and Jackson’s daddy when he was just a lil fella. And pearls. I don’t think he knows that boys are not ‘sposed to wear pearls. There’s just no talkin’ to him. Sigh. I do try. Often. I fear his ears don't work no more. He’s old, ya know. He belonged to Grandma when she was little. Can’t imagine her being little. But I hear she was. Just a little girl. Like Ella. Bear collects hats. Always with flowers. Old ones. The hat he's wearin' was Grandma’s. That ol’ bear is just too fond of all Grandma’s stuff. I have to watch him. Sometimes, in the morning when I wake up, he's dressed himself in a whole new outfit. Yup. Stuff of Grandma’s. Sigh. She just laughs at him.

Then there’s Ol’ Hare. He’s itchy. Made of mohair. I don’t think he bathes enuff. And he has what Grandma calls 'an attitude'. Thinks he’s related to the Easter B. Silly ol’ rabbit. He wears hats, too. Just like Ol’ Bear. And me. He’s jealous cause I can wear bigger hats. And shoes. Red ones. Patent leather.

Me? I’m a serious soul. I follow Grandma from room-to-room, overseeing all the scuttlebutt that’s going on at RoseCreekCottage. And ya know….I’m worried 'bout her. She’s gettin’ up earlier-and-earlier these days. Workin' in the studio. ‘Cept she calls it 'playin'. You should see the ‘stuff’ she’s ‘playin’ with: dolls with painted faces, St. Nicks with wool beards 'n knickers, long rabbits with glass eyes. They scare me. Too big. And there’s the jewelry! Some with diamonds. I keep beggin’ her to let me wear some. Just some. I’d be VERY careful and only wear 'em to tea parties. With my red patent-leather shoes. And for special times. Like this weekend. When Ella and Jackson come.

I have the teapot ready. I washed the teacups. Twice. Really. Ella likes sweet tea. With lots of sugar. Silly girl. Anyway….we’re waitin'. It's hard.

Oh….and if you see any elves around….would you please send 'em to RoseCreekCottage ASAP? Grandma’s been mumblin’ about them not showin’ up here again. I fear they’re lost. I promise cross-my-heart I’ll pay their travelin’ ‘spences. Grandma needs help.

In the meantime….we're just waitin’ for Ella and Jackson. Sigh. Hurry, Saturday. Hurry.

Verry Sincerelee,

Mercedes With the Red Shoes

~Witchy Women~

Oh no! It's almost September, and there are Witchy Women hanging around my studio. Everywhere. They won't get to take flight until the beginning of October, when I pack them up for my first big juried show. It seems I can never make enough. They're my own design. No two are alike. Their whimsical faces appeal to both children and adults. It's difficult to see the bauble at their necks, but they say BOO! They have hand-painted faces, skinny legs, and silly floppy slippers. Oh...and they really fly. At nite. When everyone's asleep. How do I know that? Because each morning when I turn on the light in my studio, they aren't where I left them. And they have these playful grins on their faces. Really.

This morning I was up early (again!) and had to laugh when I turned on the lights in my studio to see all these Witchy Women staring back at me! I swear one winked. Yeah, I know....I need more sleep. Or more coffee. Probably both.

I'm off to make more. I need about a hundred...and I'm not at the half-way mark yet.

If anyone sees those elves I've been waiting for, please send them to Ohio. To RoseCreekCottage. I'll gladly pay their traveling freight!


I'll be listing some Witchy Women in my Etsy shop in September.

If you need them sooner, just email me!

I'm off to make a second pot of coffee.

Have a wickedly-wonderful day in your little corner of the world!

~Katie: Part 1~

I first met Katie when she was barely sixteen. My business was doing well, and my little Italian mother proclaimed that I “needed help with the cleaning”. I was shocked. MY mother suggesting I needed help? But being a good daughter…..I listened! We live near a large Amish community. My friend, Cheryl, had been using Elizabeth to help her clean for a number of years, and Elizabeth suggested her 16-year-old niece. That's how it came about that Katie entered our lives, arriving early one snowy Tuesday morning.

I loved her from the start, and it wasn’t long before she was like a member of the family. Katie is one of the oldest of her 11 siblings. She arrived each week at 6:45 am, kicking off her shoes and socks the moment she walked through the back door. And when Katie cleaned, Katie sang. Always. Religious hymns she learned as a small child. Before too long, Katie was not only cleaning, but cooking meals, packing orders, and filling in wherever she was needed. She filled the house with unabandoned joy. She had such a 'crush' on my son, Jeff, that she blushed whenever he was around! She teased Tommy incessantly. Gently.

Things went well. I had the much-needed help with just-about- everything, and Katie loved us as much as we loved her. When she asked if she could stay overnite, I readily agreed. I could take her to her next job in the morning. First, she had to get the permission of her community’s “Elders”. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I wasn’t tickled at the thought of being judged by a group of bearded Amish strangers. What had Katie told them about us? Would we be deemed ‘appropriate’ for this young Amish woman to spend more time with?

We were approved. But I was worried. I had a real heart-to-heart with Jim. He needed to clean up his act! He was not to say “damn” or “hell”, take even a sip of beer or alcohol…and NO television. Did I mention that I was worried? Well… so was Jim. “What are we going to DO with her all evening?”. I told him not to worry, as I knew Katie goes to bed at 9PM.

Things went well. We decided to pop corn and play Monopoly after dinner. And then to my disbelief, Jim offered Katie a beer, and as I heard her response of “Sure”, I was afraid we were going straight to hell! When she asked if she could sleep in Jeff’s waterbed (it's not what you're thinking...he was away at college!), I was sure of it!

Spending time with Katie taught me what was important in life. She lives a “no frills” existence. She doesn't have the encumbrances of material things to weigh her down. She lives a simple life. Her only goal is to help others whenever possible. She fully intends she will go to heaven when her time here is done.

I had to let Katie go 6 years ago when I abruptly ended my business to take care of Mom. She called me every week, and stopped in whenever she could.

Now at the age of 33, she is no longer the shy young Amish girl I met 17 years ago. But now, she brings tranquility to my life that is unequaled. She has taught me patience. And most importantly, she has taught me what it means to have faith.

Katie started back with us last month. She still sings while she cleans. And she still brings peace and calm to my life. But more than anything, she's taught me that life is fragile.

Next: Part 2

~Christmas In July~

It's Christmas-in-July at RoseCreekCottage. I'm busy designing Santas and Christmas pins for my upcoming fall and Christmas shows. I've cleaned, arranged and re-arranged my studio areas more times than I care to admit. Storage is always a problem when you have accumulated jewelry and doll pieces/parts for so many years! The studio photos you see here are just a small view of the drawers and bins that house my ever-growing collection of charms, findings and miniatures I use as an integral part of my whimsical jewelry! If my studio were neater, I'd post more....but for now, this will give you a little idea of what needs to be continually updated in the storage department! In the coming months, I'll post photos of the bead area, the quilt and fabric shelves, and the sewing and doll areas. I designed the studio myself, and hired Amish workers to come in and make my dream a reality. I couldn't ask for anything more. It's nice to have it right here at home, tucked into the five acres of woods, roses, and perennials. I LOVE going to work!The sweet Cottage Rose Santa is already sold, but stay tuned for more to come in the days and months ahead. Be sure to check Etsy and EBay as I'll add new items as quickly as I can create them. Remember that I specialize in Custom Orders. Just email me for details!