It was nice to end the show season of 2008 on a high note. We had a great time at Kristkindl Markt in Hermann. The weather held off and the show reported record attendance. The organizer is one of the nicest people we've ever met, the artists work together and care about each other, and sales were good for nearly everyone we spoke with. We also have a new wholesale account in Washington, MO. Ozarklake feeders are now at Ozark Pool and Spa there. Then we had some custom orders before Christmas and sold a few things from our Etsy store.
We'd like to get into some March shows that would help us travel to California to see my son and Terrie's mother. So far we're not having much luck. Arizona and California have hummingbirds year round, so we think we'd do pretty well. But we keep getting rejected by the juries for the shows we've applied to. It sure gets discouraging.
We've spent the past couple of weeks mostly goofing off. I've got to get serious about building up our inventory for the 2009 shows, but not just yet. Tonight we're going to see Jeff Dunham perform. He is absolutely one of my favorites. We had tickets to see him in Springfield last March but then I ended up needing surgery and we had to sell the tickets. Terrie found out he would be in St. Charles today and surprised me with tickets for my birthday. So finally we get to see him and all of his little buddies. Weather should be clear and the drive shouldn't be a problem. We plan to have a good time!
Hummingbird fact for today: Because there are no hummingbirds in Europe, the first explorers in the New World were awestruck with the beauty and diversity of the species and at first thought they were a cross between an insect and a bird.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Winter Art Shows and Festivals in Missouri
The end of warm weather does not mean the end of art shows and festivals. After taking a hiatus last year while the historic building underwent renovation, the Beaux Arts Bizarre was again held at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Columbia, MO. A unique arts and crafts fair, the Beaux Arts Bizarre is a celebration of the diversity and creativity of more than 50 local and regional artists and crafters. The setting is beautiful and the art presented was diverse and fantastic.
The Fourteenth Annual WinterFest Visual and Performing Arts Festival will be December 5–7 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. WinterFest combines the performing arts, central to the mission of the Hall, with the talents of the region’s best visual artists – in a three-day festival that provides a unique opportunity for all of the arts to “take center stage”. Artists are selected by jurors to participate in this top-quality show, held in the spectacular multi-level lobby of Hammons Hall. For more information, visit www.hammonshall.com/56859.htm.
Hermannhof Winery and the Hermann Arts Council sponsor the Dec. 13 and 14 Kristkindl Markt. Held at the historic Festhalle in Hermann, MO, the weekend features costumed artisans selling one-of-a-kind gifts, chestnuts roasting in the old stone fireplace, costumed storytellers, Grimm's Fairy Tales characters, and musical performances throughout the weekend. Kristkindl Market is a unique experience as all the artisans are in costume and the entire experience is like an old-fashioned German shopping experience. For more information, visit http://www.hermannfarm.org/attractions/events/.
Hummingbird fact for today: In the eastern US and in the area just west of the Mississippi River, the late season hummer is most likely not a Ruby-throated hummingbird but a wayward species which breeds in the West. The Rufous hummingbird which breeds in the far northwest and several varieties which normally occur in Mexico in winter have been seen in the US in fall and winter. Rufous hummingbirds seem to be able to adapt to cold as they can go into torpor and lower their body temperatures as much as 30 degrees.
The Fourteenth Annual WinterFest Visual and Performing Arts Festival will be December 5–7 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. WinterFest combines the performing arts, central to the mission of the Hall, with the talents of the region’s best visual artists – in a three-day festival that provides a unique opportunity for all of the arts to “take center stage”. Artists are selected by jurors to participate in this top-quality show, held in the spectacular multi-level lobby of Hammons Hall. For more information, visit www.hammonshall.com/56859.htm.
Hermannhof Winery and the Hermann Arts Council sponsor the Dec. 13 and 14 Kristkindl Markt. Held at the historic Festhalle in Hermann, MO, the weekend features costumed artisans selling one-of-a-kind gifts, chestnuts roasting in the old stone fireplace, costumed storytellers, Grimm's Fairy Tales characters, and musical performances throughout the weekend. Kristkindl Market is a unique experience as all the artisans are in costume and the entire experience is like an old-fashioned German shopping experience. For more information, visit http://www.hermannfarm.org/attractions/events/.
Hummingbird fact for today: In the eastern US and in the area just west of the Mississippi River, the late season hummer is most likely not a Ruby-throated hummingbird but a wayward species which breeds in the West. The Rufous hummingbird which breeds in the far northwest and several varieties which normally occur in Mexico in winter have been seen in the US in fall and winter. Rufous hummingbirds seem to be able to adapt to cold as they can go into torpor and lower their body temperatures as much as 30 degrees.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Online Shopping and Holiday Gifts
I saw a report on the news this week that more and more people are shopping online. For someone like me, this is a good thing. Think about the doors the internet has opened. If you're not close to one of the shows I'm doing, or if you are but can't get there, now you can view and/or purchase my functional garden art. Through the magic of the internet, I can learn of your order, package it, arrange online for it to be shipped, and you receive it - and we never meet. Wow. It truly is amazing. And speaking of that, I hope you will stop by my Etsy store. We have several nice pieces that would make terrific gifts for the people on your list :-)
The Metro Arts Two Rivers Expo in Des Moines was a fun show to do. There were fewer people attending than I had anticipated, but those who came out in the cold and spitting snow liked my items. The organizers were very good to the artists, too, and that always adds to the experience. We hope to do more shows in that area.
It's been a sad week here. Our yellow tabby cat, George, suddenly got sick. He failed to respond to any of the medications and just kept getting worse. We lost him on Thursday. George was more like a little dog - he'd follow us from room to room, sleep on the bed, jump up on the chair and talk to us. We rescued him from the animal shelter and we are very appreciative of the time we had with him. We miss the little guy. Our black cat, Ozzie, also feels the loss.
Hummingbird fact for today: It is not necessary for a hummingbird feeder to be red. A new feeder or a feeder in a new location can be accented with a red bow or red ribbons to attract the birds. Once they have located the feeder, the red can be removed as it is no longer necessary.
The Metro Arts Two Rivers Expo in Des Moines was a fun show to do. There were fewer people attending than I had anticipated, but those who came out in the cold and spitting snow liked my items. The organizers were very good to the artists, too, and that always adds to the experience. We hope to do more shows in that area.
It's been a sad week here. Our yellow tabby cat, George, suddenly got sick. He failed to respond to any of the medications and just kept getting worse. We lost him on Thursday. George was more like a little dog - he'd follow us from room to room, sleep on the bed, jump up on the chair and talk to us. We rescued him from the animal shelter and we are very appreciative of the time we had with him. We miss the little guy. Our black cat, Ozzie, also feels the loss.
Hummingbird fact for today: It is not necessary for a hummingbird feeder to be red. A new feeder or a feeder in a new location can be accented with a red bow or red ribbons to attract the birds. Once they have located the feeder, the red can be removed as it is no longer necessary.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Holiday Show Season is Getting Started
We head off this week to a new area for us. We were juried into the Metro Arts Two Rivers Expo in Des Moines, IA. This will be our first Iowa show and we're excited! This will kick off the holiday shows. Handmade gifts are always welcome because of the quality of the items. Handcrafted quality lives on long after the price is forgotten! So take your holiday shopping list to arts and crafts shows in your area. You can be certain that your gift recipient will NOT have anything else exactly like what you find for them.
I had a birthday this week. I'm not sure how I feel about it either. On the bright side, it's better than the alternative. I just never thought I'd ever be this old...................... Birthdays are a chance to pause and take stock of our lives, decide if we should be doing anything differently. And after doing that, I've got to say that I'm absolutely delighted with my art and the fun we are having.
Hummingbird fact for today: If you should find a baby hummer, the best advice is to leave it alone. The mother will either get it back to the nest or Nature will take its course. Hand-raising a baby hummingbird is very, very difficult even for professionals and is best left to those who know what they are doing AND keeping the bird is probably illegal.
I had a birthday this week. I'm not sure how I feel about it either. On the bright side, it's better than the alternative. I just never thought I'd ever be this old...................... Birthdays are a chance to pause and take stock of our lives, decide if we should be doing anything differently. And after doing that, I've got to say that I'm absolutely delighted with my art and the fun we are having.
Hummingbird fact for today: If you should find a baby hummer, the best advice is to leave it alone. The mother will either get it back to the nest or Nature will take its course. Hand-raising a baby hummingbird is very, very difficult even for professionals and is best left to those who know what they are doing AND keeping the bird is probably illegal.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hartsburg's Pumpkin Festival Draws Amazing Crowds
For 363 days of the year, the little town of Hartsburg has a population of just 108. It's at the end of a road between Jefferson City and Columbia. The land surrounding Hartsburg is rich Missouri River bottom soil. The Hackman farm has been growing pumpkins there for years - huge, gorgeous pumpkins. The Pumpkin Festival began 17 years ago as a way to celebrate this abundant crop. This year nearly 200 vendors of arts, crafts, and festival food lined the streets. 
There were a straw maze, arts and crafts, facepainting, and pony rides for the kids. Shooting demonstrations, trades and artisan demonstrations, and several music stages entertained the adults.
The mayor told me attendance on Saturday was estimated at over 30,000, with more coming in on Sunday. We heard from several attendees that it took as long as 90 minutes to travel from Highway 63 down to Hartsburg, moving at a snail's pace. Think about that. A little town of 108 with 30,000 people visiting! Of course, the weather was absolutely perfect which helped to encourage a day outing. But I am totally in awe of the town leaders, the townspeople, and the festival organizers who see to it that this event is such a draw for visitors. My picture doesn't do justice to the crowd that roamed throughout both days.
Hummingbird fact for today: The arrival and departure of hummers depends on the area and species. In the Midwest we recommend having feeders out Tax Day (April 15) to Halloween (October 31) as a rule of thumb. Some hummers have been seen later and the feeders should come in earlier, at least temporarily, if there is an early freeze. Leaving the feeder up will not inhibit the bird’s normal migration. They will go south when they sense it is time. The migration is related to hormonal changes and the decrease in daylight. A few occasional late stragglers may be seen as they migrate from northern areas.
There were a straw maze, arts and crafts, facepainting, and pony rides for the kids. Shooting demonstrations, trades and artisan demonstrations, and several music stages entertained the adults.The mayor told me attendance on Saturday was estimated at over 30,000, with more coming in on Sunday. We heard from several attendees that it took as long as 90 minutes to travel from Highway 63 down to Hartsburg, moving at a snail's pace. Think about that. A little town of 108 with 30,000 people visiting! Of course, the weather was absolutely perfect which helped to encourage a day outing. But I am totally in awe of the town leaders, the townspeople, and the festival organizers who see to it that this event is such a draw for visitors. My picture doesn't do justice to the crowd that roamed throughout both days.
Hummingbird fact for today: The arrival and departure of hummers depends on the area and species. In the Midwest we recommend having feeders out Tax Day (April 15) to Halloween (October 31) as a rule of thumb. Some hummers have been seen later and the feeders should come in earlier, at least temporarily, if there is an early freeze. Leaving the feeder up will not inhibit the bird’s normal migration. They will go south when they sense it is time. The migration is related to hormonal changes and the decrease in daylight. A few occasional late stragglers may be seen as they migrate from northern areas.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Missouri is Quite a State!
This past weekend we exhibited at the Best of Missouri Market at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. Four circus tents set up on the parking lot were packed with great agricultural and art items from right here in my home state. Other regions in the country get credit for things like wine, rice, cheese, pecans, and apples. Missouri has all that and more! Each Christmas we send each of my siblings (in Oregon and Tennessee) a sampler pack of Made in Missouri items and we encourage each of you to shop locally for local products.
Mike Miller, who hosts the Saturday morning Garden Hotline Show on KMOX radio in St. Louis, came by our booth. He then asked if I would consent to an on-air interview to talk about my art. I was delighted to say the least. Apparently a lot of people listen to the program because we had MANY people stop by the booth and mention hearing the interview. Thanks Mike! If anyone is so inclined, visit http://www.kmox.com/pages/1175149.php and listen to the Garden Hotline Show, 9-10 am, from 10/4/08.
Again we answered questions and helped out people who have purchased feeders with black rubber stoppers. We also heard a lot of people mention that they had copper feeding tubes. According to everything I have read, this is a bad idea. It is nearly impossible to thoroughly clean the inside of a copper feeding tube and mold will develop in the crevices, resulting in sick little hummers.
Hummingbird fact for today: It does not hurt to add feeders to the area near the garden flowers, box, or planter to supplement the nectar and to ensure it is available regardless of the status of the blooms. Tube feeders are good in this location as they fit right into the blooms. Other feeders should be about 4 feet up or so and should be protected from pets if possible.
Mike Miller, who hosts the Saturday morning Garden Hotline Show on KMOX radio in St. Louis, came by our booth. He then asked if I would consent to an on-air interview to talk about my art. I was delighted to say the least. Apparently a lot of people listen to the program because we had MANY people stop by the booth and mention hearing the interview. Thanks Mike! If anyone is so inclined, visit http://www.kmox.com/pages/1175149.php and listen to the Garden Hotline Show, 9-10 am, from 10/4/08.
Again we answered questions and helped out people who have purchased feeders with black rubber stoppers. We also heard a lot of people mention that they had copper feeding tubes. According to everything I have read, this is a bad idea. It is nearly impossible to thoroughly clean the inside of a copper feeding tube and mold will develop in the crevices, resulting in sick little hummers.
Hummingbird fact for today: It does not hurt to add feeders to the area near the garden flowers, box, or planter to supplement the nectar and to ensure it is available regardless of the status of the blooms. Tube feeders are good in this location as they fit right into the blooms. Other feeders should be about 4 feet up or so and should be protected from pets if possible.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Fun Two Weeks!
We had a great time at Silver Dollar City. It was a lot of fun to actually demonstrate and talk with people. Everyone seemed fascinated, especially the kids. We had good sales and good weather. Terrie complained that the period dresses were hot, but then the weather was not as cool as we expected for September.
Visiting with so many people during this time, we heard over and over about other hummingbird feeders that leak. The common theme was the black rubber stopper. You do NOT want a feeder with anything other than white rubber!!! The composition of the colored stoppers is different and they deteriorate quickly. When that happens, air gets into the feeder which allows nectar to drip out. If you have a leaking feeder, you do not have a water leak - you have an air leak. Air is somehow getting into the feeder. Try wetting the stopper before you put it back in as water on the rubber stopper allows it to slide smoothly against the glass, go in deeper, and seal better.
The sad news is that our hummers have headed south. The juveniles were hitting the feeders hot and heavy before we left but we've seen no activity since we've been home. We'll miss the little guys but know they will return in the spring.
Hummingbird fact for today: Feeders were beginning to be developed about 1928 but a National Geographic article in 1947 used a newly developed strobe flash to show hummingbirds in flight at a feeder and interest was heightened outside the scientific community. In 1950 the Audubon Novelty Company offered an affordable feeder and hummingbird feeding has never looked back.
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