Deer Mountain Wood Art

Pricing your work, as an artist, is one of the toughest parts of creating anything. When I heard this on the news this morning I was like, "REALLY??!?", forcing me into the way-back machine of Valley Girl expletives.
Yes, I'm incredulous that we are still paying that kind of money for anything! Especially after all the noise and uproar about high priced hammers! But a 30lb backpack?? Are you SERIOUS!!?!
I want to sell to our government! I'll make them all of the "space tool bags" they could possibly need for sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much less! Look me up NASA! =D
Well, after a little looking I find that our very own Colorado company's Eric Haugen and his "Wolfman Enduro Tool Bag"(which retails for around $23??) has constructed this amazing work of durability that demands such a price tag. hummm, I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. Here's a link to an article about the bag company...
Anyway, that's it for wasting time ranting about something I seem to have no power over - back to work!


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I'm not just an artist. I consider myself a bit of an instigator and advocate. Two of my most prominent passions; Animal Welfare with an emphasis on wildlife, and a voice for artists - no matter what their medium.

A while back ago, our little area of Colorado had the honor of several visits from world-renown artists Christo and Jeanne Claude, but they weren't exactly greeted with wide open arms.
It's (Over The River project|Project for Arkansas River|State of Colorado) has been quite a controversy here and folks are very divided and some quite angry!

The issue is Christo's wanting to drape the Arkansas River with special translucent fabric panels for a period of 14 days, in which time they will of course gather tons of photos that I'm sure they plan to market.

The area, to be exact, is Big Horn Sheep Canyon, and is home to a fair sized herd of Big Horn Sheep as well as huge tourist attractions; the Royal Gorge Canyon and Bridge as well as one of the best areas for white water rafting.

"...The project is planned as a two-week summer display affecting as much as 45 miles of the river between Salida and Cañon City. Estimates indicate the project won't be through the permit process until summer 2011 at the earliest..." Jason Starr, Staff Writer of the Mountain Mail reported.

ROAR(Rags Over the Arkansas River) objects to the artists' plans pointing out that the impact of the project might affect wildlife, vegetation, and tourism for some years to come.
As I studied this project I came to the realization that at first glance this seems to be very easy to put down - I was against it because of the potential wildlife habitat risk, until I actually became more familiar with the facts.

The artists have went to great lengths to secure everything, from worker's meals to trash removal. Everything's been covered, and my impression is that they care a great deal for the environment, the people impacted, and especially the wildlife and local residents.
They do, on the other hand, stand to garner a great deal of profit from this project as well.

If you are interested in learning more about the "Over the River Project" please click on these links to be presented with both sides of the debate:

PRO
http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/
http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/otr.shtml
http://www.overtheriver.org/
http://www.overtheriver.org/the_mountain_mail/

CON
http://www.roarcolorado.org/
http://ragblog.roarcolorado.org/
Condensed Summary of Christo’s Over the River (OTR) Plan1
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11954788



So the time-honored question lives; is it art?

What do you think about this; art/not art, yes/no on project?


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

It's so hard to believe that summer is almost to the halfway point!! Where does it go so fast??

I'm in the shop today and loving it! =D Everyone keeps telling me though, that I'm way off for a business - I need to "focus" and settle on one thing. How do you do that when you work with wood?!? There's so many things that pop into my head to make and it's all so fun, interesting, and challenging for me that I just can't say, "oh, I think I'll just make earrings.." or "I feel that intarsia is going to be 'the thing' I need to do, have to do.." I want to do it ALL!!!!

So, okay, my shop's a little cluttered - a dangerous mind is a clean mind, I'm told. So I suppose that means I'm pretty damn meek!lol Well, even my name is German for "lover of peace" (roughly translated?) and that is definitely me. I avoid conflicts and try hard to make everyone happy - not in a coward sort of way tho! I just want to be happy, and I want all those around me to be happy too! So what to do, what to do!

I was just getting a soda and thinking about the above question - Tyler just made this ubber-cool stamp that looks like a leather design - it's awesome and very well defined. I've been thinking about asking him to let me keep it, which brought on a mental chuckle; it seems every time any of make anything that the others in the family want it! A lot of stuff never makes it to either shop!lol I guess I need to quit that and after I give this checker/chess board to Austin, I need to stop giving them my creations! It's just so hard to say no, especially when it's such a compliment to my work!!! lol Ahhh, love my babies!

Anyway, Tyler made it back from Russia just fine - back to games and t.v. Hopefully he'll be getting a j-o-b soon - it would sure make Rog happy!lol He had so many incredible experiences and was so accepted into the families that he stayed with. He even has planned to go back next summer and spend time with them all! I get chills when I think of what he's gotten to do! I hope to share pics with you soon - but there's thousands to go thru so it might be a bit!lol He brought me home my request; a genuine Russian Nesting Doll! It's just gorgeous, but even so he ended up bringing home two because he thought the first was too small. How lucky am I!?! and of course he brought home tons of coins for his dad - he was a happy guy! lol

It's really been an amazing couple of months for us here and I look forward to the rest of the summer :) Especially when Tyler gets his Banya built! =D

Btw, enjoy the Scavenger Hunt - Shop Notes is in it and I hope I didn't make it too hard for you to find the answer to the clue! I am having great fun with this and hope you do too!

So, until next time -

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!" Freida

"Looking Good in the New Economy" - is it wrong to be fashionable and wear beautiful things in our overwrought economy??

Not if you are buying your adornments at Deer Mountain Wood Art and Deer Mountain Creations!

I've just drastically cut my prices on my beautiful , renewable, and earth-friendly, solid wood earrings!

In an effort to help each other survive rough waters I reduced my prices so that anyone could afford to still look good in these hard times - and these earrings are extra special!

It takes hours to smooth a pair to a warm silky finish, all done by hand so that I won't lose connection with the wood.

The all-natural colors match everything and anything and never muddy one's complexion. And one of the best parts of these gorgeous accessories to a well-dressed-woman; you don't have to feel guilty for wearing Bloodwood, Zebrawood, Yellowheart, or beautiful and earthy Black Walnut because they are all from recycled wood!

Destined for the landfill, this wood was saved for the most special of tasks - to accentuate the natural beauty found in all the 'fairer sex'!

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, stop by - at these prices, they might not last long!

Be sure to keep checking back as the prices are dropping all over the two shops!


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I love summer! I get so ambitious, but unfortunately, so do the bees and wasps!? I've been in a battle with these little dudes all of my life. From the time I was, oh I think 8 or 9 years old, running down the street with Sammy Burgess asking him how many wasps he'd thought he'd captured from a nest for his red ants and he dropped the jar - I was covered, head to toe, in angry vigilante' wasps looking for blood! Nightmares of my friend's mom trying to get them out of my hair still haunt me today. Nope, that's a bad part of warm weather for me - I am sure they hunt me out, and cause me to dance an odd bobbing and weaving motion to the amusement of everyone around!
So, there it is - lots of ambition mixed with an almost unhealthy respect for Mother Nature's busiest of creatures.... It's amazing to me that I get anything done!lol

But, I have been getting some things 'done' - Roger came up with an order for a hundred earrings and it's kept me pretty darn busy! I'm taking the day off from sanding though as my poor shoulder is so sore today :( I decided I'd put a few up online to see if anyone would want a pair or two as I've made some interesting designs this time to stave off the boredom of making such a large lot of one thing. Stop by and let me know what you think! :)

I also just finished working the digital converter box coupon program and am sad to see it go. It was the easiest of jobs and very good money. Back to infomercial calls... I am working for two companies, but I'm still unable to work a good amount of hours. Definitely not able to make enough to support the family, but I'm trying to build up my back to be able to sit a decent amount of time so that I can work these jobs properly. I was finally able to do a two hour shift the other day! So I think it is possible if I keep trying :)

Tyler's still in Russia - he's having fun but I can hear the home sickness in his tone the last couple of days. I should hear from him this afternoon as Skype seems to work perfectly over there. Here's a picture of the view from his bedroom at his current host family's residence. He's so lucky! :) He went to St Petersburg last week and his report of the beauty and wealth of the palaces and especially the Hermitage was awe inspiring - I read all of the books about Peter the Great, Alexander, Constantine, Catherine, etc... when I was young and hearing his account of Peterhoff and the Winter Palace just made me all tingly! I would so love to look across to Finland and walk the halls of these greats! I know for a fact that Tyler is probably already planning his return - his familys' have been wonderful to him. They've accepted him without hesitation and by being in such an element he's seeing the true Russia first hand. He loves the people and the land, but of course, he does miss home a little.

So, that's all the news that's fit to print right now - I have a couple of big projects coming soon, one of which is the 'twin' to the lighthouse intarsia I did last year. Be sure to stop by and check out the new earrings in the meantime!

And as always, thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida