Deer Mountain Wood Art

I went to bed at 9:15pm!?! after my hubby caught me trying to work out here on my 'puter... I guess my head was about 8" from the floor, but my hand was up on the desk still holding my Wacom pen!! Gosh, ain't I dedicated!?! lol Can't say that, though, when this happens, as it's usually something that is happening after I've tried to get some work going and just ran out of steam, and consciousness!lol
Yesterday I was trying to finish up on Tammy's Elk so I could get it in the mail and Tyler was 'harassing'(can't think of a better word for what these kids do when they want something from me!!lol) me to take him to town so he could pay off his fine, which would enable him to 'get off of probation', by taking out a signature loan.
Since I had to pick up the mounted pictures for the custom puzzles I had in the shop, I obliged, but in the meantime I totally screwed up the backing on the Elk picture! :0( Only happens when you need it not to!!! So, another thing I'm behind in now. Okay, "... I can rebuild him, make him better...!"
If you can believe it, I didn't make it back home until 8:30 last night and was just exhausted!?! I didn't even get laundry done! Oh well...

So, it's a new day - full of hope and promise! It's clear and cold, and the damnedest frost that ever fell, but I'm rarin' to go! Here's what I'm working on today;

starting one of the 2 custom portrait puzzles
fixing Tammy's Elk
filling out business lisc. forms
filling out the CHP+ health care form for the boys - should've been done a hundred years ago!!
working on bills during breaks...

It's going to be a full day, and I've already replied to a request for another custom portrait puzzle so I am awaiting their order.

Something really cool yesterday! We had to get a printout from S.S. for Tyler for his loan and the woman that was taking the request was new. After talking to her for a minute I found out that she's the wife of one of the school teachers at Cotopaxi - and the wife of one of my very first customers!lol Small world! ;0)
Anyway, her husband had bought one of my very first intarsia pieces that was an Eagle on a branch and he wanted it customized for his granddaughter by inlaying her name on the branch. I asked her if her granddaughter still liked it and she said, "Oh yes, it's always on her wall above her bed! She loves it!!" That was so awesome to hear! =0) But then she proceeded to ask me if I might have an elk! Yay!! I might have the Elk sold, and that would sure be a shot in the arm!! So I'm going to run that by her house tonight after school - think good thoughts! =D

Here's a few photos of what's on the shop table lately.... Christmas ordering is almost at an end, so I hope everyone that wanted something this year has gotten their order in, or will be within the next week or so!

Hope you have a great day - remember to please pray for Mary and Kay (and me, too! :0)) - and as always,
Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

So much has been going on and I've been quite remiss in not keeping my poor blog up-to-date! But I'll give it a try to update ya'll on what's up here at Deer Mountain the best I can :0)

First of all, I've been working on this huge Elk (designed by Kathy Wise) for the Elk Foundation Dinner and Auction the 16th and that's kept me pretty busy! I'm really excited to get to donate such an item to the Elk Foundation as they are a great organization that helps preserve health and habitat for the elk and other wildlife. The elk are so beautiful and I feel the impact that we have on them with our ever increasing encroachment on their feeding and breeding grounds! If you're in the area contact

Mid-Arkansas Valley Big Game Banquet Erik Brekke 719-275-9401

08/16/08

for details and tickets!

I've also been trying out new items on Etsy to see if I can get business to pick up - doesn't seem to be happening which has me in the doldrums a bit since this is the only income I can provide for my boys.
My oldest told me a few days ago, "Mom, you make beautiful things. I really love what you do, but you're going to have to give it up and call it a 'hobby' because you'll never make anything doing this!" That was a real downer!
Maybe he's right, but it's hard to just "give it up" to a hobby status because being totally disabled doesn't give you much options and I love what I do soooo much! But, love and passion do not pay bills!! :0(
Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing, and then I get an email like this one; "Don't think Ron or I ever gave you feedback on the intarsia birthday/ Christmas gift - Diane was moved to tears. Seeing her favorite Schnauzer so beautifully re-created was moving for her and we were so thrilled that we were able to give her something she does not have - always a challenge...." and I think 'yeah, I'm doing the right thing for my life'.
It just feels strange to try to be in a place like Etsy where it's predominately college-aged people who create an entirely different style of 'art' than I. It's always been very clear that I don't quite fit in and that my work isn't totally valued there as it is in person. I'm in a quandary as to what to do with the online storefront...

Anyway, on a happier note - my DH and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary and will be attending a concert with Sammy Kershaw in Cripple Creek on the 17th - I've never been to any concert(I had a ticket to see Journey in Contra Costa when I was 20, but didn't get to go) and this is going to be so much fun! I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with Roger - he's been trying so hard to make up for what I'm not taking in and it's really telling on him that this has been a difficult year to say the least! He deserves so much, but he gets me - yay! lol

So I will close for now - consider yourself truly updated; at least until tomorrow!! :0)

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida