Childhood

On the sixth day of signings my parents came with me to Saks.

They are my biggest fans  and come down from upstate New York each year on Thanksgiving weekend to come out and support my work.  They love buying my ornaments, books, and china  as gifts for their friends.

It was a wonderful day and I got to see many of my collectors who come back each year. It is always such an honor to see them.

If you have been to my signings, you know that I keep a book to have  collectors sign to join my mailing list.  At this signing I was honored to have two young budding artists draw me pictures which I  posted to my blog “collage” above.  I love  seeing young people draw, it is so important to encourage and  support that  creativity in everyone.

Until the next sketch!

The question: do I decorate my home with my own ornaments?

Yes, is the answer!

In my home, I have a large  8ft prelit tree that I have all of my painted ball ornaments along with my molded designs.

I call it my travel tree.  All of my ornaments are inspired by trips that I have had, soon to have , and memories  that have happened.  I am lucky to be able to fill a tree with all those inspirations.

I love Christmas and  even before I started designing ornaments, I collected them—and still do. In addition to my large tree, I have 5 feather trees with different themes and I will be talking  about those in upcoming posts.

My suggestions for decorating trees are as such:

• have  a focus/theme for your tree- it could be as simple as a color that is carried throughout or a shape.  To me  it bestows on the tree a meaning and story- the viewer is able to look at the tree and take home a memory.
• I love feather trees for displaying ornaments- a prelit tree is great as well as the wires do not get in the way.
• mix antique with new ornaments- with my ornaments I mix antique shiny brites that were given  to me by my parents and grandparents. The solids , stripes, and various sizes create a great backdrop for the newer designs.
• you can never have enough ornaments!
• finish your tree off at the  base with an antique fence or beautiful tree skirt. Under my travel tree I have a city themed skirt that  helps anchor  the ornaments.
• find a topper that fits- I actually have in my line a Times Square tree topper- right now only a few prototypes  have been made but I hope to release it in 2010
• most of all, have fun!

Until the next sketch!

Well,  I thought it would be fun to share a snapshot I found in my parent’s photo album on a recent trip to upstate NY—my first Christmas!  There I am, decked out in full Santa gear.  My brother is holding me in his lap while looking dapper in his Perry Como sweater and my sister is to his side in quite a festive outfit (pre “Lord of the Dance”).  You can see now how from birth I was instilled with a love for the holidays!  Many of the things under the tree are now part of my “vintage” collection.  Love that pink reindeer!  My mom used to get old shoe boxes  and “cotton glittered snow” and create magical scenes.

Tinsel was strewn from the branches in my youth until we got a dog and he ate it and…you know!

With the Christmas convention coming up, I have been reflecting on the wonderful Christmas memories of my past and how much they are a part of me and my art.

Until the next sketch!