Ornaments have become my thing....

I started making glass ornaments a few years back after seeing a snowman ornament in a store. I looked at it and thought, "I can make something like that!" And so it began. What started out as a small idea became a nice little money-maker for me at Christmas time.

Year one - snowman. I started with a larger glass base filled with "snow" and a velvet scarf and we were off. When I ran out of the large bases, the little baby snowman came along.

Year two - penguin. This is probably my favourite and definitely the most popular. I made him with a variety of different beads or sequins in his belly and different coloured scarves. Very popular with the kiddies!

Year three - santa. I felt it was time for santa to come along and join the crew. The large round base was a natural for his big jolly belly.

They've all been popular sellers and a fun project for me. I'm thinking maybe an angel next year??

Birdy Santa has come out of the woods

A friend of mine asked me to make a special Santa for her mother-in-law for Christmas this year. She is a fan of birds and owls, so I made this Santa very outdoorsy with natural, earthy colours. Birds of a feather...

Traditional Santa has arrived (from Italy?)

Always stuck for an idea for a Christmas gift for my babysitter, Elena, I decided that this year I would make her one of my Santas. Elena is from Italy, so I thought what better colours for a Santa than that! He has a rich velvet cloak, with traditional white fur and lots of goodies in his Santa sack. He was received with much love and appreciation and now has a place of honour on her fireplace mantle.

Snowman joins Santa

I'm in the throws of the craft fairs right now and have come up with a few new trinkets to sell with my Santas. My cute little snowman ornament is filled with ice-like pellets, but his red velvet scarf keeps him toasty warm.

It's a Winter Wonderland... Santa

If you like the icy colours of winter, check out my latest Santa made up of silvers, blues and white. The blues of his coat match the twinkle in his eye...

Rustic Santa is ready for winter weather!

My latest addition to my Santa collection is Rustic Santa. With his rich, red tones and warm coat, I think he is my favourite so far.

Snowflake Santa is here!

My latest Santa has arrived. Check back soon for my next addition...

Another Santa comes to town

I'm making Santas full force now that Christmas is just around the corner. My latest edition is a Nova Scotia Santa. I will be selling my wares at the Sunnyside Mall Craft Fair every Sunday in November and December (with fellow designer Jen). Come check us out!

To see my Backwoods Santa, click here.

To see my Poinsettia Santa, click here.

Here comes Santa Claus... number 2

My little Santa saga continues... in February, I had posted a blog regarding my Santas that I make on the side (To sell or not to sell). Here is a sample of another version that I had made for my sister-in-law a few years back. I call him my "Backwoods Santa" - complete with snow shoes and sleigh and some little bird friends, too.

If you'd like more info on my santas, or would like to order one, please place a comment below. I'm interested in any comments or suggestions you might have.

To sell or not to sell....

Working in the design trade, I'm always trying to come up with new ideas and things to create that have my own special touch. Years ago, I saw an interesting looking Santa in a craft book and thought, "I could make something like that!" I've put my own spin on the design and have ended up with the Santa you see above. I make his face from Sculpey and glued on all the hair with a glue gun and a pin. His clothing and hat are all sewn (no glued-on trim here...) and he stands on a doll stand with a Christmas-themed music button in the base.

I've made several of these Santas over the years, no two the same. I've made a "Millenium Santa" for friends that were getting married that New Year's Eve. I'm made a "Backwoods Santa" complete with brown felt and snow shoes. My parents possess the "First Edition Santa" where hopefully I worked out all the kinks. He's in their favourite colour, blue and proudly sits in their living room all year 'round.

Each version is personalized for the individual they're going to. The one pictured here was for my mother-in-law and co-ordinates with her favourite colours in her decor. The Santa sack has treasures picked just for her including a miniature copy of our wedding picture and a pin from PEI. Her maiden name was Murphy and her husband used to call her "smurf".

I enjoy making my little santas (they're each about 18" tall) – each has his own personality. I'm in the process of researching what is involved in selling them and what would be the best venue for it (and if I have the time). A crafting market will probably be the place to start. I thought February would be a better time to think about all this than in November when it's Christmas Chaos!

If you're interested in my Santa's, I'd love your imput or if you're interested in acquiring a special version for yourself, I'd welcome your comments.

20 years of Christmas cards

Long ago, when I graduated from the Sheridan College Illustration program, I decided to try my hand at illustrating my own Christmas Card. Who would have guessed that 20 years later, I’m still spinning them out with a little card portfolio under my belt. I’ve looked forward to doing them every year – almost like a little project that no one else dictates but myself. I’ve experimented with different mediums and styles and I always seem to come with a design that has “some assembly required”. In fact in 2003, I was in full labour with my second child while my mother and I were sitting around the kitchen table, hand trimming the last couple of cut-outs for my card!

This year, I went a little art deco, inspired by the designer Erte. The line inside the card reads "A woman can never have enough jewellery."

My little card portfolio is like a trip down memory lane, recalling where I was living, where I was working and who was in my life during each card project. The biggest challenge every year is coming up with the next great idea...