31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 5 Ded Moroz

I had to work at the lake house today so I wasn't able to craft any Santas. Instead, I unpacked some glasses and dishes to put in our new kitchen cabinets.

So, today I want to tell you about my Russian Santas. Actually, the Russian "Santa" is named Ded Moroz which translated to "Old Man Frost" or "Father Frost". He is similar to Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas in that he brings gifts, but where Santa likes to sneak in the house, Ded Moroz prefers making a grand appearance in his lavishly decorated coat and thick round hat to hand out his gifts in person.

But did you know that where St. Nicholas got his claim to fame for his generosity, Ded Moroz (who is no Saint) is the descendant of and evil character named Morozka who froze parents and stole their children? Then the parents had to give HIM gifts. That sounds like a pretty good arrangement to me. The parents get a few days away from the kids, they get to shopping together, then go pick up their kids. I don't see a problem with that.

Anyway, now that Ded Moroz has cleaned up his act, he brings his own granddaughter, Snegurochka also known as The Snow Maiden along, perhaps to improve his once dark image. She is always dressed in white and wears a decorative crown. Even though Disney's "Frozen" featured a similar version of The Snow Maiden, poor Snequrochka has a cold heart that only true love can melt, but her version of the story does not always have a happy ending.

Now, why did I decide to collect Ded Moroz when he really isn't Santa?

Well, I first saw him in a magazine, and I just loved his face and his beautiful coat. Each Ded Moroz is hand carved and painted by skilled craftsman in Russia instead of being mass produced in China.  Now, to be fair, some of the smaller ones are reproduced, much like the nesting dolls, but many are one of kind and come with quite an impressive price tag.

These works of art inspired my Santa Claus gourds in that I wanted to find a way to add more dimension to my gourds and that I wanted to incorporate more detail and designs into their coat.

Here are some of my Santas from last year's Holiday Arts Tour juried show in Ruston, LA. My Santa gourds have a variety of expressions, but most are happy. My techniques with combining paint and colored pencil, papier mache' fur, and heavily textured and carved beards add dimension to my copyrighted gourds.

This is my first Ded Moroz. He is only about 5" and I found him on eBay for next to nothing. I've had him for many years, and for many years he's been alone, until if found him a girlfriend. It wasn't Snegurochka, but someone more colorful. Right now she's hanging out with some angels on my staircase wall.

My collection is small, and I mean that in number and size, but I was fortunate to find a larger one (10") at an estate sale for $4.

Say it with me now, "If the Lord meant for me to have it, I would find it at an estate sale." He is missing his magic staff, but I'll whittle him one out once I get some of my other projects under control.

So, This inspired me to look for more good deals and even though I could not beat $4, I found some more smaller ones that usually run around $30 each and I was able win them all on eBay for what one would have cost.




















I was able to find some that represented different styles and the work of different artist. You sure don't see many Ded Moroz playing the accordion.

So, there they are, and for now, I will probably just keep this collection small. Unless...I find some at a garage sale!

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 4 House of Hatten, Beeswax, and other Collectibles

I had no time to create Santas today because my artistic skills were required elsewhere. I helped my husband install a new counter top at our lake house.

The cool thing that I just had to blog about was that I received two packages in the mail yesterday from eeeeeeeBAAAAAAY!  

Well, not eBay specifically, but from eBay sellers who were actually putting collectible Santas up for action at reasonable starting bids. 

So...

"If the Lord wanted me to have something, I'd win it on eBay." See how that expression works with everything! Thank you, Lord, for all the blessings you bestow upon me...and my new Santas!

Anyway...

The smaller box contained a small vintage (?) Santa ornament (bright red) made in Japan who is composed of either hard plastic or a thin ceramic. He's only about 3" tall and has such a sweet face. He'll look great with my other vintage Santas I display on my kitchen hutch at Christmas. 

The second is papier mache' and is probably just a mass produced item but he will still look good on my "bought" Santa ornament tree. I also have a tree that is decorated with Santa ornaments that I made. I have over 300 on that one alone. The "bought" Santas are probably less in number, but it looks as though they are quickly catching up.

The two darker Santas at the bottom left corner are actually made of beeswax cast in an antique chocolate mold. These are the first two beeswax Santa figures I've ever purchased but I have always admired them when I found them at juried shows and antique stores.  

The flash is making them look lighter than they
are in real life.

Beeswax melts at a higher temperature than Gulf wax (or whatever they call petroleum wax these days). I've used Beeswax combined with Gulf wax for creating batiks. It is a very creamy and workable wax, not stiff like the petroleum waxes. But the best thing about beeswax is that it gives the Santas a beautifully translucent skin tone.  

I've seen a few beeswax pieces where the artist stamped the bottom of their piece or actually carved into it to sign it. These two do not have any marks. That doesn't matter to me, I'm just glad to have them and I couldn't wait to tuck them in my display cabinet with my other chalkware and chocolate mold Santas. 

Perhaps I'll try my hand at casting a few this year with my smaller chocolate molds. Beeswax is significantly more expensive that petroleum (Gee, I wonder why?) So, I just might make a few for myself. I have no idea what type of paint they use, I guess I'll research a few wax artist's blogs!

Now, back to the other Santas in the first box!

The Santa ornament in the bottom center no longer has a tag but I believe it is a Silvestri piece because I have another similar ornament. I just love his vintage looking bottle brush wreath he's holding.

And then there is the House of Hatten elf. I generally don't collect elves or Mrs. Claus, but I do have a few reindeer, a vintage elf on a shelf, and a few other vintage elves. But this is a House of Hatten elf, and I love House of Hatten! I already have several pieces, but due to space, the Santas have to be packed away during the rest of the year. But come November, they join the rest of the gang decorating my home. 

Speaking of House of Hatten!

It looks like I'll have a much larger group this year.

The Santa with the tree (ornament) and the sitting Santa, and the one in the sleigh are all new to my collection. I already have the Santa on the moon, the Santa with the goose and I also have a the one with the star on his head, but I think mine might be smaller.

Back in the eighties, I worked in retail, so at Christmas I saw a lot of Santas. I could not afford to collect any nice Santas back then. You know, with rent, food, utilities, gas, plus the clothes I needed for work, I couldn't afford such luxuries as collecting Santas no matter how adorable they were.

There was a store in the mall where I worked that carried House of Hatten (AKA: H of H) and I fell in love with them. In 1988, I purchased my first three Santas at the after Christmas 75% off sale and have treasured them ever since.

I'll most likely have to sell a few of my duplicates this year closer to Christmas, to help pay for the ones I've just bought.

I will keep the little bunny angel ornament because I once had a wonderful New Zealand white rabbit named Mr. Lily. He was an after Easter return to a pet shop and, if they didn't find a home for him, he'd be sold as snake food. Not that I have anything against snakes eating, this particular baby bunny had a lot of personality. He actually stood up on his haunches when I reached in his box and let me pet him and pick him up. Since I had a guinea pig rescue, I thought having a a cute little Easter bunny couldn't be much more trouble, plus we already had another rescued rabbit. He was very large, rather old, and his name was Noo-Noo (pronounced with the long U sound). Yes, he was named after the Teletubbies vacuum cleaner and Noo-Noo is also the term we use when we want the dogs to clean up something spilled on the floor; however, we can't take credit for naming the rabbit. 

When Noo-Noo passed away, we rescued another friend for Mr. Lily named Duzo. Duzo was a supporting actor in the play "The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" where I played the leading role. He was a scene stealer.

We let our rabbits run in the yard, hang out in the house during days when the weather was bad (even though Duzo pooped everywhere), then we'd put them back in their hutch at night. They were both very affectionate and were like cats in that they'd come to you, but only if they wanted something. The neighbor's dogs never bothered them. That is until one neighbor, who lived about a half mile down the street, got a new (adult) Jack Russell terrier and, within a couple of days, my bunnies were no more.

I actually have a chalkware rabbit in honor of Duzo, so now I have an H of H bunny angel for my sweet Mr. Lily.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 3 Anthony Costanza Collectibles

My favorite place to shop in Ruston, LA is Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift Store. Fortunately for me (but not so much for my husband), it is only a couple of miles from my home. I always say, "If the Lord meant for me to have it, I'd find it at Rolling Hills." Funny how that same saying applies to Salvation Army, Goodwill, Garage Sales, etc.

So, I purchased a bag of ornaments for $2.55 that had one particular ornament I wanted and several others I didn't. Those will most likely be donated back to RH. Also in this bag, was a set of seven wooden star shaped Santas that I decided to keep.

I had an idea to put my own spin on these hand made yet mass produced Santas, but since I was substitute teaching high school art today, I decided bringing carving tools to school might not be the best plan because sharp items such as carving tools are not permitted on campus with no exceptions.

I knew that the art supply closet had a box with a wood burning tool so I decided to use it instead. I own my on wood burning tools and points and, apparently I forgot why I don't enjoy using them. The smell is toxic and the tool gets so hot you have to wear a glove, and then there is the whole starting a fire on your project part.

My first attempt ended up with a few slips that I tried to work into the design of the coat and hat. The second, well, I pretty much burnt his face off.


Okay then, on to plan B. I've decided to reproduce the Santa starfish I crafted last year but instead of the serious face, I'll sculpt something more cheerful.

Photos to follow.

Now, about collecting.

I have been hitting eBay pretty hard lately searching for Anthony Costanza reproductions of his hand carved Santas similar to the ones I purchased twenty years ago.

Then I happened upon one and made an offer on it and it was accepted. It was much smaller than my other Costanzas but he definitely had the look that I liked.

Then I got into a bidding war with someone on eBay but ended up victorious and purchased this piece signed by Costanza for a very reasonable price and I am anxiously awaiting his arrival.

UPDATED October 7th, 2014

Well, I received this much anticipated Costanza reproduction in the mail and wouldn't you know it...the seller had not securely wrapped the him and placed him in a box that was too small. When I picked up the box, I heard a rattle and I immediately got that sinking feeling.

So, of course, he was broken.

I took this photo before I unwrapped anything. The base was just rolling around loose. There is also a crack that goes halfway down the base.

The worst part is, I don't feel he can be repaired because, even if glued together well,, the compromised base may fail due to the amount of weight it has to bear.

I was so looking forward to adding him to my collection. He would have been the tallest Costanza in my collection. Plus, he would have gone so well with my other pieces.

I believe it was 1991 when Better Homes and Gardens came out with a special interest publication titled "Santa Claus", and it featured classic Santa crafts and in 1999 BH&G published a series in hardback entitled Santa Claus Collection that focused more on Santa artists. To this day, most of my collection and creations are inspired by these series that only were published for about seven to nine years. I highly recommend that anyone who loves and/or collects Santas purchase ALL the volumes.

I am looking up photos and links to help you find publications.

A work in progress:

Santa Claus 1991

Santa Claus 1992

 Santa Claus 2000 

Santa Claus Collection Vol. 1

Santa Claus Collection Vol. 5

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 2 Vaillancourt Chalkware Santas

For the next week I will be very busy working with my husband at our lake house, so crafting Santas will be few and far between. Still, I am looking forward to sharing with you some of my collection.

I did manage to find some time to visit my studio/storage room today. There I was confronted by a dozen oyster shell Santa ornaments that, due to an inferior spray varnish, were scrapped last year but I intend to finish them this year.

I purchased this fabulous spray "glass" finish that make the oyster shells look like porcelain. However, I was not able to find it last year and settled on another brand. This new brand reacted with the spray paint and caused the paint to bubble. So, I now have to sand them down and start over.

I see I failed to take a photo of the half finished Santa gourds I started last year, but I'll get to that eventually.

Then there are the Santa gourds. My (COPYRIGHTED) Santa gourds require several steps and these guys have been in Step 2 limbo for about three years.

Once again, a product I loved is no longer available and the new material is prone to cracking and even breaking off the gourd. This has really limited my production to less than twenty-five per year over the past few years. I need to do some more experiments with mixing in other materials to get these beards right, because these are just too frustrating to carve into (Step 3).








Oh, but then there are my chalkware Santa Claus figures.

Twenty years ago, I discovered Valliancourt Chalkware Santas made from vintage chocolate moulds. Unfortunately, I could only afford to collect a few.  Fortunately though, one of the pieces I did purchase was the 1994 5th Annual Starlight Santa now valued between $300 (eBay.com) to $800 (valfa.com) but I will be telling you about that later.

In the meantime, I will tell you that I have about two dozen chocolate mold reproductions so I can pour and paint my own for a fraction of what the Valliancourt cost. Plus, I really enjoyed crafting them myself.

Most of the chalkware Santas in this photo are Vaillancourt. The two to the far right (Santa on motorcycle and traditional Santa) were made by my friend Sarah Meier, who is also a wonderful Santa Artist, but more on her later! For more information, check out http://collectibles.about.com/od/holidaycollectin1/ss/vaillancourt.htm for a very informative blog.

I painted about 90% of the other chalkware Santas.

So, back to what Santa(s) I worked on today.

Last year. I purchased several dried starfish at a yard sale and created my own version of a starfish Santa. Each has a sculpted clay (no bake) and beards crafted from wool I got from a friend's (Patrick Zuberbueler) ranch in Comstock, TX west of Del Rio, TX.

Unfortunately, the largest of the lot broke and I have had a devil of a time repairing him. Is appears dried starfish crumble easily and do not respond to glue very well.


So, today I decided to work on him.

Basically, I went over the area where the leg had been repaired with a different shade of red. Wouldn't you know it...I had run out of the other red! So I brushed the new red over the entire Santa.

While I waited for him to dry, I found a small chalkware ornament I made last year and decided to paint him as well.

I realize that I am going to have to get stronger glasses if I want to paint these tiny faces and work on the lighting in my studio. 

After an hour or so of painting and trying to put some things away in my studio, I had to wrap it up and have dinner.

So, basically I have a chalkware Santa with a very tiny face that I just can't get right and my starfish Santa is looking a bit like Gerard Depardieu. More touch-ups tomorrow! I need to repaint the wrinkles on Santa Depardieu's cheek, give him a good coat of sealer, and eventually (as in once I find my wool), I will add his beard.

31 DAYS of SANTA CLAUS Day 1 Vintage Santas from the 50's and 60's

It might seem a bit early to be talking about Santa Claus, but if you've been to just about any retail establishment, you'll see that they are way ahead of me.

Not only is October the time of year for me to bring out my collections of cornhusk scarecrows and those crazy foamy plastic Jack-o-lanterns with the electric bulbs, it also the best time of year for me to start working on my Santa Claus gourds, cypress knees, a various ornaments featuring the jolly old elf.

This year I am doing something extra that I am really excited about. I will be posting a daily blog on my progress along with a bit about the Santas I collect.

Early this year I subscribed to Myquilyn "The Nester" Smith's blog "nesting place" at thenester.com and I purchased her book, The Nesting Place. She started the 31 Days writing challenge on her blog and many of her followers signed up to participate.

Visit these sites and check out all the topics and posts that interest you.

So, read and enjoy, follow the blogs, and don't forget to share them with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

AND NOW...

DAY 1

I should start with a brief story about how and why I started collecting Santa Claus figures, paintings, plates, ornaments, postcards, etc.

My sister, who is one week short of being four years older than I, was given a Santa with a molded plastic and a velvet suit for her first Christmas. We also had a Santa head cookie jar that smelled like Lizzies since before I came along.

Then I received a Santa Claus head that you could hang on the wall and when you pulled the gold knob under his beard, a tinny music box played "Silent Night". I believe it was my Ne Ne (Mother's mother) who gave me a small rubber faced Santa doll with wire arms.  Other Santas, like one I made in school and one my first grade teacher were also added to our meager collection; however, every year we looked forward to them emerging from their boxes my parents kept stored in the attic.

Mother gave Gina her Santas and me mine once we had a home of our own. And, knowing what Gina's Santas meant to me, Mother surprised me one Christmas with one of each plus the hard plastic Santas, sleighs and reindeer that belonged to my NeNe. The Santa head cookie jar might not smell like Lizzies, and the Santa with the velvet suit might now be as worn and dingy from play as the original, and although I never remembered seeing my NeNe's house at Christmas, but I am still excited every year when they emerge from the boxes I keep stored in the attic.

I did, of course, create a Santa Claus today while trying to figure out how to create a button and a permalink.

Yes, it is very tiny...but it still took me over an hour until I made him just they way I wanted him to appear, but most of that was learning how to use Adobe Illustrator...AGAIN!

The Author Show interview with Geri G. Taylor

What a great opportunity for authors and readers.
Check out The Author Show!
Do a search under my name Geri G. Taylor and check out my interview!

Ricky W. Sikes, Jr., A Monroe, Louisiana Artist You Must See!

The other day on my way to rehearsal for Murder, is Served's production of Murder on Oriental Rug, I stopped at Corner Coffeehouse to grab a light dinner. It was around 4:30 so the place was  practically empty except for an attractive young man sitting alone at a long table. I ordered a chicken salad wrap with lettuce and, while filling my proffered styrofoam cup with ice and water from the cola dispenser, I overheard the young man say he was an artist.

I struck up a conversation with him regarding his art and that I, too, am an artist and teacher. He told me that he was also a teacher, having taught talented art and was now teaching at The Upstairs Gallery, a place where I took a class when I was 14 years old.

I collected my wrap and sidled up beside him at the long table where, on his laptop, he showed me his portfolio on his website.

I had a feeling (or had hoped) that this young man's work would impress me. I also had a feeling that his work would be loose and colorful.

I was right and I am impressed with his work.

I have a friend, Jerry Berg, who teaches at Louisiana Tech, who does such amazing photorealistic portraits that you would expect the characters to turn and speak to you as they do in the hall of Gryffindor. 

I love fine portraiture so much that, as an artist, I don't particularly venture into this discipline. The subjects might be willing, but adding my own style and interpretation might not be a lucrative option for me.  However, I have also amassed an unusual collection of other people's portraits that I really love.  I'll have to blog about that later.

But I digress, so, in the meantime...

Ricky W. Sikes, Jr., who studied the art of illustration at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (Denver, CO), applies loose strokes to his color infused subjects capturing moments of genuine expressiveness and casual postures. These colorful characters vary from the very young to a bit more seasoned. If you're looking for an artist to create an original masterpiece of your family or individual portrait, then I encourage you to check out his work on his website http://rickysikesart.weebly.com and "LIKE" his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ricky-W-Sikes-Jr-Art/306854762670947.

Not only does he excel in the art of portraiture, he also creates landscapes and illustrations, as well as a series of abstract photorealistic images that demonstrate his fascinating skill of medium manipulation.

Currently, Ricky Sikes is teaching Beginners Portrait Painting at Upstairs Gallery in Monroe, LA on Thursdays 5-7 PM and his work is can be seen at the Downtown Gallery Crawl.  He is also the Director/Curator of The Big Room Gallery in Monroe, LA. (318-381-2110 or 318-614-6687)

How nice it is to share! I am always thrilled when another blogger posts something about my book!

http://eliteindiereads.weebly.com/1/post/2014/03/spotlighting-romance-the-kitchen-dance-by-geri-taylor.html

So often my book is classified under the Romance Genre or Contemporary Romance Genre but it really meets the requirements of Women's Fiction or Contemporary Fiction. Either way, I appreciate the recognition.

Special thanks to Hannah!