14 May

Fab Finds


Found this huge plastic jar of golf tee's at my favorite Thrift Store. At least that's what I think they are, because there was an old normal, wooden one among the plastic ones. At first I thought they were electrical wire nuts but I think they are tees. I also scored four, larger plastic dolls with great arms and hands to use on my Shrine-a-rella's. I like the shape of the hands because they don't look like small, Barbie hands, or like chubby baby hands. I usually do the deconstructing of any doll or toy AWAY and out of sight from my youngest son Gus. Way too traumatic...  There are so many golf tee's I'm going to share my bounty with my Dad for his assemblage works. The tee's would look cool running spike-like around the edge of a Shrine-a-rella that's been languishing in my studio (along with two others) for a few months now. Some of the frame pieces that my Dad shipped up to me can also be used on my "patiently waiting," unfinished Shrine bases. Since I've been concentrating in all metal lately, my clay and assemblage work have had to take a back seat -which is really frustrating. I've grinched before about this, but switching back and forth between mediums has required an entire new production schedule, which I STILL don't have worked out. My hands (and kilns) have been CALLING out to the clay.

My goal was to have a bazillion incredible clay and steel pieces for the upcoming Show. I'll have a few pieces, along with some great Shrine-a-rella's, just not the quantity of clay pieces I was hoping for. More practice and PATIENCE is needed for the clay work. The Show is scheduled to open the First Friday in June. This will be my 6th(?) annual Summer Show at Half Moon. The crowds are usually huge and wonderful and we sell out as many pieces as I made. I'm usually so nervous the week leading up to the event, it's important I stay focused on work so I don't make myself sick! So many of my loyal customers will wait for a couple of hours to say hi or to meet me which is always flattering but overwhelming and leaves me completely humbled.

The "Mr. Mantis" sculpture got glasses yesterday. I thought it would help him to better see the pot of flowers he'll be holding! As for his finish, a light rain last week decided it's fate for me, which is now starting to be a nice rust patina. He looks fine, so I'll let the oxidation continue until the Show. The "Nested" topiary I welded this week got enamel paint details today on the six little baby birdies inside. The topiary is about 5 and a half feet tall and was designed for an outdoor garden area. The steel topiary design is perfect for supporting climbing flowers. Another "Nested" topiary I  welded up has an empty nest that I'd like to put a hand sculpted, clay, bird in... as soon as I can get my hands out of welding gloves and back INTO CLAY!

7 comments:

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

How fun to read about how you'll use the golf tees and about taking apart the dolls. Your creativity is awesome!

cindy shake said...

Hi Patricia- thanks for the post. Thrift shopping is so much fun because I never know what I'm gong to find, it's like treasure hunting. When I saw the huge container of tee's I immediately thought of gluing (E-6000) them round side down along the sides and bottom of a Shrine, like spikes or thorns. I think I liked their vivid yellow color best -plus they were only $3! I'm going to put some in a ziplock and share with my Dad -though as an avid golfer -he might not see fit to use them as "high art!"

Orion Designs said...

OK - do tell -- what is your favorite thrift store in Anchorage?

cindy shake said...

...reluctantly I'll share Vicki :o) It's Bishop's Attic downtown, I'm a regular. One of my friends likes the SPCA Thrift Store on International -though I've never been to that one.

Linda Starr said...

Oh my, Mr. Mantis with spectacles - how unique and the baby birds are so precious with their mouths gaping wide. I used to be a thrift store junkie, but have had to pare down in case (hope) we move. Plus everything else has taken a back seat to clay anyway, which is probably best as I tended to be a collector of way too much stuff. You got some great finds.

cindy shake said...

Hi Linda- I think you've solved my problem with lately not working in clay enough ...maybe I should give my Thrift shopping a break and my Clay work would finally move to the front seat -ha! BTW That last glaze load you pulled out and posted was WONDERFUL! Especially the Teadust Pillow Box and the Blue Surprise Shell Bowl.

I wanted to mention too, that lately (last two or three months) that the number of new shoppers I see at the Thrift has doubled... economy(?)

Orion Designs said...

I never go to that one! We are regulars at the Value Village on Dimond and I've had some luck at the SPCA thrift too ;)

V