As the sun sets in the west...

Hey everyone!

Bag Sister Ellen here. Hope y'all had a Thanksgiving that was as nutritious to the soul as it was to the stomach. As usual, I ate way too much and am now making those post-Turkey day resolutions, like getting on my treadmill each day (and I will! ... tomorrow) and cutting back on the carbs. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow...

I was thankful that my dear sister Bag Jeannine was able to come here to recuperate from her surgery in our luxurious 'guest suite.' I think she really needed to be here, as much as I needed to have her here. We drank strong coffee, ate yummy southern-fried chicken, took a stroll in our forest, caught up on our cackling and even got to do some craftin' as well! Her creative mind came up with some fun designs that we'll both be posting here as soon as we're done with them. It's a departure from the usual polymer clay and papier mache, and we're both excited about it.

Jeannine has returned back home to lovely Washington state, and I am missing her terribly. There's email and phone calls, to be sure, but you know, there ain't nuthin' like the real thing, and I look forward to seeing her mischievous smile again sometime soon....

I Found My Broomstick - and My Creativity

Good Morning Dearies - sort of a gray, gloomy day here in Tennessee. Still lovely though. My sis lives in the mountains northeast of Nashville, and a world away from the city. Very wooded and secluded. Good body-hiding location baaawwwwaaaahaaa!

Aside from my 2 sculptures which have yet to be painted still, I've created 2 NEW pieces which I just love that are not sculptures. I love them both and am excited to do more of them. They'll be posted next week when I get back.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Head for the Hills Sister!!!

Hi y'all! It's been over a week since my last post and I wanted to catch you up on what's goin' on.

I'll be headed off to Tennessee tomorrow to spend some much needed time with my Bag Sister.

It's been ages since we've seen each other so we'll have a lot of catching up to do. Even though we create together, email, call, and all that, it's different than being in person. I can't wait to see her new house, and be carted around the countryside for Fall in TN.

I am still recuperating very slowly from my surgery, so that's another reason I'm headed down south. To get some rest. I haven't had much help around the homestead so I need a break. I will be taking it very easy while I'm there that's for sure. Hopefully my intestines won't blow up from cabin pressure on the plane. Oh that wouldn't be pretty!

As far as By Way of Salem creations go, I have my 2 WIPS that I still have not painted. And I've been working on a couple of ideas as well. One for sure I'm NOT doing! That's the Bag's Bags I spoke of earlier; a kooky collection of bags, purses, etc... Oh heavens! That is just not my thing. I'll leave that to you expert seamstresses out there! I did make something, but it just doesn't reflect BWOS. Check that one off the list!

My other idea is a better fit for By Way of Salem and what we're about, and I'm very excited about them! I can't wait to show you all our "ScaryCats". They're very whimsical and colorful, and if they work out like I'm hoping, we'll be previewing those very soon. And yet another reason I'm headin' for the hills! To go over ideas and patterns with Bag #2. Of course her creative input is much needed. And as I'll be resting, we'll also be doing some sculpting together which I'm really excited about too. And going over plans for redoing her art studio. It's going to be a very creative reunion!

To all our friends, followers and everyone - have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Michaels Photo Entry - Hagatha VonGrimKiss

Michaels Photo Entry - Hagatha VonGrimKiss

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Hi everyone - thanks for helping me. Just click on the link above where it says "Michaels Photo Entry - and it will take you to my contest entry. In order to win, you have to get votes by "stars". So if you'd vote for me - that'd be so great! Oh! And please make sure you click on the TOP stars - there the good ones! Thanks everyone for helping me!

Something new is a-brew! 2 New WIPS!

October just goes so quick doesn't it? With Halloween, and being laid up from surgery, it's just flown by! Anyway, here are 2 new WIP's for your perusal. Keep in mind they still need paint and finishing, and their names too of course.

The first is a sweet pumpkin forest character getting set for Winter. She's wearing her witch hat (of course silly!), a Winter scarf with etched snowflakes, and holding a little snowman bucket that will be filled with little pinecones. Around her feet is a curled up earthworm ready for a long Winter nap, and an adorable snail with brass wire antennae, along with leaves, tendrils, baby pumpkins, and tiny flowers. I truly enjoyed making this sculpture and it will be fun to paint and bring it to life!

Now for the darker side; this next piece is rather melancholy I'm afraid. A very sad, lonely waif sits holding her stuffed horsie. She's very blue because she lost her real one. She's even bandaged the leg that hurt her real horse and took her away. For anyone whose lost an animal, I know you can relate to the sadness.

As the piece started to take shape, it was as if it was taking on a life of its own. I know that sometimes I start out sculpting something and it morphs into something entirely different, but this wasn't that. This was coming from another place. I think it's because of all the sadness I've had over losing my horse this past year, and all the trauma afterwards, that this piece came to be. Maybe it's me sitting there, crying, holding my horse. I can't say. I think this piece will be very special once it's completed and painted. A very different piece for me.

The Grand Halloween Hoedown!

Greetings!

I'm so thankful that my dear sis Bag #1, has been on hand to keep things rollin' along here during my absence. I'd been busily getting our property and house ready for a very important event that all our friends have been awaiting all year long - dubbed "Doc Satan's Halloween Hoedown" in honor of our dear friend, John (that's him in the lower photo with me, grinning madly as he clutches his skull beer mug!). John usually hosts the Halloween Hoedown at his home (which is known as the "First Church of Halloween" because it is gloriously decorated from floor to ceiling with all manner of Halloween decor) but was unable to this year due to prior commitments (he was directing a play in Nashville all September and October).

We had close to 75 people attend! Wow, a success beyond my wildest dreams. But oy, what a lot of work it was - my back is still aching, yet it was well worth it. It was great to put a fresh coat of paint in the kitchen and totally "Autumnize" it!

As you came up to the property, a bloody "Welcome!" sign with a skeletal arm foretold the event; with bales of hay, pumpkins, skulls, and gravestones lining the way and dotting the landscape here and there.

At the top of our parking platform stood a 10-foot tall character we dubbed "Jack Effigy," created from two old wooden ladders, a flowing section of ragged muslin cloth, two very craggly branches for arms, and a huge carved Jack O'Lantern looming as his head. With his outstretched arms, he welcomed the partygoers to come inside and join the revelry.

We decorated our old barn with festive Jack O'Lanterns and a really cool sound/motion activated ghost that flew past the upper loft windows moaning "OooOoOoo!" The front porch featured amazing full-sized handiwork by local artist Ethan Black, including the "Slasher Bride" and "The Mummy." Everywhere inside our home you'd find Halloween decorations; from our "Old Croney Mama" who lustily screeched as she stirred a giant cauldron, to the vintage art, posters, and collectibles which stretched from the front dining room to the candy-corn colored kitchen, all the way down the purple hallway (lit with eery black lights) to the Pirate's Den sitting area and beyond into the Library and my neon-green Art Studio.

My husband Mark created a super-cool fog machine that emitted a thick, atmospheric layer of fog which crept close to the ground and blanketed a good portion of the acreage in the back yard. Think of all the horror movies you've seen where the fog creeps eerily along the ground and you get the idea. We also created a section of "Haunted Woods" for anyone brave enough to walk through, complete with scary sounds!

Nearby, at the rustic "Stump Henge" area encircling our ancient apple tree, we had a traditional Ofrenda, a table set out to honor those who have since passed on. Anyone was welcome to come light a candle to honor a loved one here.

There was food, drink, and lots of live music by two very phenomenal local Nashville bands: The Secret Commonwealth, who play awesome, soul-stirring Celtic songs of love, war, booze and death. The other band, The Exotic Ones, espouse the very best of 1960's "surfabilly rock." Think of Dick Dale's surf rock and cross it with The Cramps and you get the idea!

I even revved up my old tractor and took a few brave souls on a demented ride around our property in the hot pink lawn cart, cackling madly in the brisk, starry night air along the twists and turns!

We had two roaring bonfires, roasted weenies and marshmallows, danced and sang and laughed and rocked and even got in a showing of the perennial Halloween favorite, "Mad Monster Party" to boot. By the time the party came to an end at around 1:30am, we were tired and partied-out, but thoroughly thrilled to have had such a rip-roaring good time.

Next year, same time, same place. See you there, dearies!

Something new and different, but still Witchy!

If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I've talked about trying some new things in terms of crafts. Yes of course, I'll still do my quirky odds-bodkin characters - hey, that's just part of my wacky personality! In fact, you'll be happy to know I've got one in the works right now! But on the flip side, yes, there's some sweetness in me, somewhere. My dear sis, Bag #2 calls me "Little Haus Frau on the Prairie", well I'm not quite like that... ok, well maybe a little.


On that note, here's another of my little quilts that I just finished, and posted on Etsy tonite. This one was fun! Not only cool Halloween colors, but ribbon, and fun fabrics, and also a needlefelted spider. I show it hanging on one of those flag holders outside - works perfect!


So here's to new things, I hope you like it! Of course, feedback is always welcome dearies!

Warning: Witch's ahead - Travel with Caution!

My feverish little brain is always working overtime trying to come up with new ways to get "By Way of Salem's" name out there. So what better then to take the banner, (courtesy of Amybug.com) and what we do, and stick it on a moving vehicle!

I get the funniest looks, and I'm thinking, "WHAT are they looking at?!" Oh yeah, the witches on my truck. Duh..... Well hopefully, my self-promotion will bring in some sales too. If not, well it's all in fun...

Anyone else have some fun ideas for promotion?

Yippee!!! I'm on TV - well sort of...

Polymerclaytv.com just contacted By Way of Salem, to let me know that they'll be using some pics of my artwork on this weeks show. It's a Halloween themed show and you can check it out this Friday at the website, or on You Tube, or itunes!
http://www.polymerclaytv.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/PolymerclayTV

I'm so excited, and so flattered that they like my work. I'll be watching, maybe I'll learn some new tricks too!

Yet MORE Etsy Listings! and Pictures!

Hello dahlings! Hope you are all doing well this lovely Fall day. I've got more items going on Etsy tonite. Lots more! I'm excited to get them into my shop. Don't know why I didn't before, guess I got all caught up with Halloween, and these are mostly all Winter items. I'll probably be putting on about 20 pieces or so I think. Bet you didn't think I could paint such sweet little things did you? Surprise! So let me tell you what I've put up - and here's a few pics too....

First are some soft sculpture Vintage Snowman hats. These are full size top hats that I made of heavy weight black fabric, decoupaged with a vintage old thyme Christmas card, and embellished with holiday trims; berries, etc.. Finally, it's all grunged with cinnamon, and sprinkled with German glass glitter. These make gorgeous centerpieces for a holiday display!

Next are several prim Christmas stockings. These are about 22" long, sewn of various flannels, trimmed with tea dyed cheesecloth, embellished with a rusty ornament, and then stuffed with either a snowman or a gingerbread man, cinnamon sticks, berries, and moss.

Then I've added a few more snowman and angel bottle toppers/tree toppers. These are great to put over a gourmet food gift such as butternut squash puree from Willams-Sonoma, or a bottle of wine! You can even add a gift card into the pre-folded cuff at the bottom. Or if you don't want to do any of those things, they make a perfect tree topper as they're open at the bottom and will fit over the top of your Christmas tree. A perfect hostess gift.

Finally, are my tole painted wood items. I love to paint, AND cut wood with my giant RBI scrollsaw, so besides Halloween, snowmen are my favorite! I've got all sorts of sweet and whimsical creations; mittens (LOVE these!), sled, ornaments, shovel, and a large Winter Wonderland snowman sign that's one of my favorites!

So if you get a chance later, please stop on over at my Etsy store and check them out. Let me know what you think too! I always love hearing everyone's thoughts. Till later...now back to painting...

New Items on Etsy

Good afternoon dearies! I'll be listing some new items on Etsy today; two quilted stitcheries (I LOVE making them!), sculpted mini-witch hats, SootFoot, the black cat familiar with a wonderful collar, and two wooden bunnies from my Bunny of the Woods collection. I'd love it if you'd stop by! Just click on the Etsy logo on the side of my blog to enter my store.

Sorry to say, but my days on eBay are now officially over. I swear, everytime I go on there, somehow my password gets compromised! I make sure I log out, but it doesn't matter. Because eBay and PayPal are linked, it makes me very nervous. Last time this happened, I lost $790! I'm sorry to say that 2 of our Halloween groups are on eBay, but it just can't be helped. You will now find me only on Etsy and Arts a Flutter. I think I'll check out the Etsy groups and see what they're all about. Plus Etsy is just wonderfully supportive and informative for artists anyway, so it's a great venue being surrounded by all that talent. See you there!!!

Modern Medical Marvels

Yes! It is I!!!! Bag #1 - Jeannine. Can you believe it?! After having 9" of my large colon removed on Monday afternoon, in what they call a "Lower Anterior Resection", or a bowel resection, after just 3 days, I'm back at home! No broom riding for at least a few more weeks. Darn.

Need to go rest now but so glad to be back. And as I'll be off my regular day job for a few weeks (yay!!), I'll be using my recupe time wisely and will be crafting away...... many fun things in the works. Thanks for everyone's well wishes!

Where's me Broomstick???

Greetings, kith and kin! 'Tis I, the Tennessee Bag, here with a Bag Sisters update:

Just wanted to let y'all know that Bag #1 (Jeannine, that is) is doing well and fine! She will be released from the hospital likely today, as she's made excellent progress. I've spoken to her via telly phone and learned that she's still herself - full of the vim and vigor we know and love her for. But of course, we all knew she would be alright!

Jeannine's anxious to get the heck back to her cozy home in lovely Washington State with her beloved doggies to further the healing process, and to finish up those awesome projects she's been working on. I told her she better get better quick or else I'd have to fly out to WA to be her round-the-clock nursemaid - something she'd dread... BWA-HAHAHAHAHA!

Hmm, where's my broomstick, just in case...

In the meantime, before my dear Sis is back online, I just wanted to share a photo of her from years of yore (like 20 years of yore, to be precise!)... and isn't it a lovely one? Hee hee... ain't I a stinker.... (I know she's gonna get a laugh out of this one!)

A little time away.....

Good Evening Dearies! I'll be away from my computer this week, so I won't be blogging, or rather doing much at all I'm afraid. I'm having surgery tomorrow and may not be out of the hospital till around Friday. But maybe sooner depending on how well I do. And trust me, I want to do well!!! Any extra fairy dust you have laying around that you'd like to sprinkle my way, would be much appreciated. Hopefully my Bag sister, Ellen will drop in and say hello. Till next week!!! With hugs, Jeannine

The Ol' Tennessee Bag

Ellen, me dear sis and resident Tennessee "Hag o' the Hills", is on a bit of a leave from her "blog duties", whilst her and her beloved hubby prepare for the Halloween Spook-tacular of the Century! Oh I wish I could partake in the festivities myself, but there will be pics forthcoming no doubt. In the meantime, props are being built, potions are being concocted, and mad decorating is happening as we speak!

Aren't these potion bottles totally creepy! Another fine job, me Baggie! Save me some of them Pickled Spiders too!

You're Special!

In a recent post, I named 7 things people wouldn't know about me. Now it's your turn! I'm so lucky to have all these wonderful friends following my blog - I'd like to know something special about you. What makes YOU do the Snoopy Happy Dance? Would you share 2 things with me?

Another Sweet One

Hello Dahlings! Have you seen my Frightened Frosty? Didn't think so. He's been on my website since its' inception, but the blog was created after, so I don't believe he had his "15 minutes" of fame. Can't have that!

He's a sweetie, but still retains the Halloween element with spiders and a pumpkin pal. Frosty's sculpted of paperclay, as is the pumpkin, and his spider is mounted on a wire dangling from the birds' nest on the top of his hat. I love making snowmen of any sort; painting on wood, for cards, sculpting them, or on quilts, and this little guy is one of my favorites!

Delvis is in the Building!

(Sing to the tune of Tom Jones' "She's a Lady")

He’s a swinger, he’s a lisper,
Man, he'll charm you with his kisser,
What a scorcher!

With a swagger and a sneer,
You'll be trembling when he's near,
Oh it's torture!

This is Delvis, oooooohhooooohhoooooooh

This is Delvis.....
Talking about that sizzling Delvis,

And the man is all mine.....

May I introduce: Delvis VonUberWanken - a swingin' ladies man!

Delvis is sculpted of paperclay, painted with acrylics, varnished with a clear sealer, and mounted on a wood base. His hair is alpaca wool. He's dressed to thrill in a skull embossed undershirt, flaming boxer shorts, and orange crocs. So the shirts a wee bit short. Whose looking at the potbelly with biceps like that! D. is sure to warm every fair maidens heart as he shares his bottle of, what else but Love Potion No.9. (...it smelled like turpentine, it looked like India ink, I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink...). (I am a singin' fool tonite!)

An Award for Us!!!

Vikki, from The Enchanted Cauldron sent us a Kreative Blogger award! Yay!!! We're excited! Thank you Vikki!

In turn, I'd like to nominate some special bloggers as well:
1. http://www.chickenlipsfolkart.blogspot.com/
2. http://extremeprimitives.blogspot.com/
3. http://thevintagepolkadot.blogspot.com/
4. http://magicbrushstudio.blogspot.com/
5. http://baggaraggs.blogspot.com/
6. http://artsaflutter.blogspot.com/
7. http://gypsymare.blogspot.com/

All of you, our followers, and who are fellow bloggers are SO special to us - we'd never forget you. So if I didn't get to you this time, I will next round!

Now: 7 things that you might not know about me:
1. My brother directed and produced Elvis' last movie: Elvis On Tour. I LOVE ELVIS!
2. I love Felix the Cat
3. I do the Snoopy Happy Dance every so often!
4. I read every night before going to sleep
5. Detest mornings and especially Monday mornings!
6. Sleep with the same stuffed animal since I was a baby - Zippy the Monkey
7. Eat a baguette with coffee every morning since I was a kid

Oh My Brains Are Going to Explode!!!

My head is so full of new and exciting projects that I want to make, I don't know where to start! I know, I should finish up what I'm currently working on, and yes, HE is going to be making his debut shortly, BUT in the meantime, I just can't help myself!!! I went fabric shopping yesterday and wanted to share some of my finds, then I'm going back to work...

And,

Aren't these just toooooo fun?!

Arts a Flutter and Us!

In addition to our website, blog, and Etsy store, we're very excited to announce that By Way of Salem will be joining the gallery of very talented artists at Arts a Flutter starting on October 1st.

Our work will be displayed for sale among the other featured artists as a way to further promote our craft. Please stop by and see us!

My Name is Jeannine and I'm a Craft-aholic.....

Oh how I love to shop at Ben Franklin Crafts! And Michael's, and quilt shops, and fabric shops....Yesterday, when I should've been working, I was scouring the aisles of Ben Franklin's looking for purchase-worthy items. I always manage to buy something!

So for my fabric collection, I bought some Halloween material - just small amounts of each; some pumpkin colored fabric, and the other has spell books and potion bottles on a black background. It was a must have!! Also I splurged and bought myself a hard bound sketch book that I'm going to not only draw in, but also put in my clippings of ideas from magazines, etc. that I come upon. I've got this collection of little sketches and doodles that I have, they're everywhere. Now I can put them all in one book, and use it as a "reference" resource.

Finally, I had to do something about the dreadful lighting in my craft room. I've tried everything to illuminate my paint table in my effort to see, and I had to succumb to an overhead shop light. I know - totally unattractive, but to those of us who are truly blind as a bat, no matter how many pairs of magnifying glasses we have, I can see now!

How Effective is Your Display?

We wanted to let you all know of a company that does fabulous displays for craft shows and at super reasonable prices! It's called Woodland Marketing. They are attractive and sturdy as well as space-efficient and portable with a large selection of shelving designs for displaying your products, collectibles, or artwork.

They're made of white pine and MDF, but also have finishes available as well for pretty darn cheap. They've got this really neat bushel basket display also for all your little prim make-do's. Worth a peek!

My Pumpkin Fairy is Back!

Well, I'm sort of sad to say that my Pumpkin Fairy listing on eBay didn't sell. But that doesn't mean a whole lot to me and I'm not discouraged. I've never been overly thrilled with eBay anyway, oh maybe in the very beginning, like years ago, when the policies weren't so restrictive and the fees so high. I just don't think it's the right venue for me. There are some really great artists who do fabulous on Ebay and I wish them nothing but the best! Maybe I'll be back...who knows.

So onto Plan B: Etsy and Arts a Flutter. Both are really great sites, and offer a lot of support for the artist as well as great selling, blogging, marketing, and advertising tips and advice.

In fact, Ms. Pumpkin Fairy will be a featured item on Etsy this Friday, September 18th, in the Holiday Showcase, so be sure to watch for her there!

Till then, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing; making the crafts that I love, and posting them for all my dear friends to see and share with me. Thank you ALL for your support and encouragement!

RED HOT!

SSSSSSSSSSSsssssssizzle, spark and snap!!! Quite the dashing red devil is due to show up anytime now. Be on the lookout ladies - he's sure to steal your heart!