Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Will you be partaking in "Black Friday?" I definitely won't be. I love shopping, the hectic hustle and bustle of the holiday rush and all, but Black Friday is just a bit too crazy even for this girl. I'll just shop local at some of the little mom and pop shops. Kind of cozy and a bit more intimate I think.

Nuts! 

What are your plans for the holidays this year? For me, it'll be a quiet one. It's been that way pretty much since my Dad passed away. Holidays just aren't the same without him at the end of the table. There's really only my brother and myself left and he's in California and I'm in Tennessee (for now), so we just celebrate on our own. Sort of lonely but we make the best of it. Try and find bits of joy....

My Etsy shop is always busy this time of year so I've been filling orders while watching Hallmark movies. I just love them! Do you have a favorite? "Christmas Under Wraps" is one of mine.

I also love, "A Christmas Kiss", though I don't think it's a Hallmark movie. It's still one of those happy, feel good, festive ones though.

I've been working a little also, just cutting hair for now until I find a regular day job, or maybe I'll stay cutting hair. I really do like it. I mean what a fun job!

Really I've been home more than I've been working, but that's ok. I love to spend time with my dogs and cats especially cause 2 of my dogs are getting old and every day counts. I give extra love and attention to them. The dogs love having me around too to keep them company. We all watch Hallmark movies together!!

Happiest of holidays everyone!!!

Things That Go Bump...

Wanting to save the world from zombies, vampires, witches, or some other unsavory creature this Halloween? Well turn on and tune in to Halloween programming on TV this October! Maybe you'll learn a few tricks.


What's on this month? Let's take a look:



A new show this season called Grimm. It debuts on October 28th and I think it's based on Grimm's Fairytales. I saw the preview - looked like cops and trolls or something of that nature.

Next: Martha Stewart's Haunted House (Hallmark Channel) October 24th, 8 pm (E.T) No one does a holiday better than Martha! I know this will be a must-see for me - even if I have to DVR it and watch it the next day!

Making Monsters (Travel Channel) runs Sunday's through 10/23

It's about a Colorado based family who makes monsters and supplies them to haunted houses, theme parks, movies, etc... This could be fun!

I skipped over some others so make sure to check your local listings on your guide.

Here's the list of my top 4 Halloween favorites:

Jeepers Creepers - Still to this day, the creepiest horror flick I've ever seen.

Halloween - Yes, that same classic movie. From the spooky theme music to the cinematography. Dark, moody and creepy! No matter how many times I see it, I still get scared.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! What more can I say about that. Candy corn sweetness. Awwwww...

Nightmare Before Christmas - It's Tim Burton for corn's sake! What's not to love?

Let it Snow!

Happy Fall - almost Winter to everyone. Where has the year gone? It was just Summer! Oh but I love Winter though. Snowmen, skiing, Christmas, holiday lights, and of course the proverbial bad holiday movie that comes out every year. LOL!

I've been painting again and I wanted to show you all my latest snowmen creations. I got several custom orders for snowmen and other things from my Etsy store. A customer in Rhode Island ordered my snowman paperweight, then ordered 5 more! They're painted with acrylics on river rock, about the size of a grapefruit is what I try for, then sealed and then varnished. I love them and am sad when I have to send them on their merry way. Yes, I do get attached to inanimate objects! The snowmen were originally designed by Renee Mullins, but I do try to modify them a bit, however I must give her credit for the original darlings.

Here's a group photo of the 5 I just painted, and then my favorite holding a heart.

Isn't he just huggable??

Decorating with Halloween Collectibles

Did you know that decorating for Halloween is second only to Christmas decorating and the gap is rapidly closing? And although many vintage or antique Halloween pieces are both rare and expensive, that doesn't need to stop you from finding lots of fun stuff to collect and display!

In Washington state where I live, there's a little town called Sumner, that luckily for me, is right down my hill about 2 miles. It's a main street of little shops featuring folk art collectibles, antiques, Saltbox prims, and shabby chic. It is one of my favorite places to find pieces to add to my Halloween collection.

This summer while shopping at a small antique store, I stumbled upon an old candy tin shaped like a pumpkin which I picked up for a song. I'm always on the look-out! Right now, I'm finding that I really enjoy the handmade items lovingly created by other artists. I know the work that goes into each piece, so I try to buy them when I can to support my fellow artists.

When I bought my rustic black buffet to go with my old farm table, I realized it was the perfect place to display my Fall and Halloween collection all year long.

The top is decorated with bittersweet berries and papier mache pumpkin people

A Dan DiPaolo collectible, amongst candles, metal signs, crows, pumpkins and witch hats!

And don't forget about the porch!

Dancing in the Moonlight

This is just the barest glimpse of my latest piece; a 9 x 12 canvas painting. I'd just barely started, when I realized that this particular type of canvas needed to be prepped with gesso! So I had to re-do, which I didn't want to do, but oh well. I was wondering why my brushes were sort of dragging along.

I know it doesn't look like anything now and it might be hard to visualize, but that's how most start out and then all that paint just brings 'em to life! My plan is to make this sort of a patchwork of various holiday scenes, and I think will turn out very fun and festive. Hopefully. So see you all back when it's done!

New work for the New Year!

Happy New Year's everyone! Out with the old, in with the new is my motto. Anyone have any interesting NY's resolutions? I try not to make them, but I'm actually going to this year, AND stick to them.

As some of you may know, the past 12 months have been extremely difficult for me; a serious head injury, losing my beloved horse, a major surgery, and the letting go of several not-so-healthy friendships. Well enough of that gloom and doom I say! I'm onto a bigger, better, more positive life/year ahead. I'm vowing to get healthy, rid myself of any negativity; either by others or myself, and be surrounded by a light of positivity, happiness and love all around me!

So having said all that, I'm working today on some new fun pieces for Valentine's day and the coming Spring; hearts, rabbits, and all things blooming. First I better clean up this craft room!

Is it Halloween Yet?

Yet another Christmas has come and gone....Oh goodie!!! For corn sakes Ethel, can we now continue with Halloween?!!!

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!

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?

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!!!

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!

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!

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!

We're Setting Up Shop - ETSY

Hello Dahlings...wanted you all to know that we have put up our new store on Etsy at: www.bywayofsalem.etsy.com. We may not list all our items for sale on Etsy, so please make sure you stop by our blog and our website to check out what else we've got. We hope you all will come visit us on Etsy! And of course our website: www.bywayofsalem.com.