Let the shavings fly!

Steve Pritchard of Winston, GA brings his lovely turned wood pieces to the Christmas House for the third year in a row.  Let's see what Steve has to say about his passion for wood.

All of my life, I have been drawn to work with wood. In 2000, I found woodturning and have become addicted to it as a medium for expression. Like everything in nature, each piece of wood has its own

character. Each piece is much like every other piece of that species, but each also has its own personality and appeal. I find few things in life more enjoyable and satisfying than seeing that personality emerge from a large wet lump of wood and doing my best to bring out its beauty and character.

To me, the process of exposing that inner beauty is in many ways, the most enjoyable part of the process. Listening to the hiss of a sharp gouge as it peels away wet shavings and watching them fly in a long arc to finally land in a huge pile is a singular experience. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that the original purpose was to make something useful and beautiful and not to just make shavings! However, in the end, we need to remember that the tree spent a lifetime developing its unique qualities and we should try to preserve rather than destroy the fruits of that effort.

Nearly all of the wood I use comes from trees that have been felled due to disease, storms or development and destined to be ground into mulch or hauled to a landfill. While I know it’s inevitable due to progress and our need for building materiels, for me, it is always a little sad to see a tree down regardless of the reason. They look like fallen soldiers forgotten on the battle field. Woodturning is one of the few ways that we, as individuals, can preserve a little of a tree that once stood tall and proud and it’s wonderful to be part of that community.

It has been said that when turning, your hands will tell you when a piece is finished. Wood is a material like no other and it will tell you, through your hands, that it is what it is meant to be. Each time that happens, it is as if it were the first time and I am thankful that I am able to experience that moment again and again.

Listen to your heart, not the naysayers

Martha Sandlin of Cave Spring, GA has been exhibiting at the Christmas House for over 10 years.  She has faithful patrons who come each year specifically to buy her work, and I'm sure many of them know very little about her.  So here is what's behind Martha's amazing art.

I am a jack of all trades and probably a master of none. Throughout my life I have had some colorful and memorable moments and unusual experiences.  These are reflected in my art.

I started playing the piano when I was 9 years old.  Later I played the french horn and pipe organ.  A bad case of stage fright kept me from becoming a professional musician although I managed to make my way into the Atlanta Community Orchestra where I played for many years.  That was about all I was able to do with my musical abilities because I was always doing something embarrassing like turning over my music stand in the middle of a flute solo.

While I lived in Atlanta, I accumulated numerous college degrees but I never had any training in art.  My degrees weren't in anything very useful but after I got a graduate degree I got a dream job working with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta.  I wasted alot of time traveling overseas before I realized there really wasn't anything that interesting somewhere else.  Finally after too many years apart I was reunited with my childhood sweetheart and we married and had a beautiful son.

Although I spent many years working with disturbed adolescents and the profoundly retarded, in a sad but

ironic twist of fate I lost my only child to suicide in 2009.  My art has helped me cope with all the highs and lows of my life.

About fifteen years ago, I was suddenly overcome with an overwhelming desire to start making things.  Everyone around me tried to discourage me.  My brother said "you've got to be kidding me if you think anybody is going to buy that"  My father in law said, "Why would anybody want to buy that?"  My husband said I was making a big mess and wasting alot of money.  But my first show was a huge success to everyones amazement.

The first thing I started making was birdhouses..  I think I was drawn to the idea because of the beautiful candy gingerbread houses my mother made at Christmas when I was growing up.  I could never figure out how to make one.  We were supposed to eat the candy houses but I thought they were too pretty to eat.  Many years later an art show judge said my birdhouses reminded him of candy gingerbread houses.  It is one of the best compliments I have ever had.

My husband says I am the strangest person he has ever known.  I think this explains where I got my vivid imagination. You can see it at work in some of the things  I make.  I have taught myself how to make  gazillion different kinds of art.  From mosaic yard art to fused glass and more recently folk art paintings.  The most unusual thing I ever made was a metal iguana with a wooden Cheetah head.  After coming to Mabel House,  I decided to make jewelry covered Christmas trees and an almost unlimited variety of Christmas ornaments.I also love making fantasy animals like alligators with wings. Making all the many different kinds of ornaments really allows me to stretch my imagination.

I love the joy and magic of Christmas and nowhere is it more evident than the glittery and sparkly things you see at the Christms House. It is a special time of year because my son was born on December 26th.  And the Christmas House, truly is my very favorite show.

Bart Crowe - Craftsman and Dad

Bart Crowe has been an exhibitor at the Christmas House for several years and now a member of the Christmas House core committee in charge of the new point-of-sale system.  Here's a little more information about this master craftsman.

Bart Crowe is an artist working in wood, stained glass, fused glass, jewelry, pottery and painting. Furniture-making and woodworking have been long-time hobbies for Bart. He learned these crafts from his grandfather – a carpenter, cabinet-maker, and home builder – and his father. Out of an endless curiosity and love of learning new skills, Bart later learned the art of glass-working and jewelry-making, and, more recently, pottery and painting. Bart has been blessed to train under many talented local artists in addition to teaching himself.

Bart has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was a training supervisor and computer progammer. In 2002, he left the technology field to be a stay-at-home dad to his oldest daughter. It was during this time that he returned to his love of art and craftmanship. Bart lives in Marietta, GA and is also a stay-at-home dad to his youngest daughter.

Squeaky Clean Couple - Marc & Kathey Miller

I just finished photographing some Ol'Folkie Products soaps and butters.  Sitting among these heavenly scents prompted me to add a post about owners Marc and Kathey Miller of Smyrna, GA who have been Exhibitors in the Christmas House for the past several years. ----

After Kathey Miller signed up for a soap-making class, she found it was in danger of cancellation due to an unfilled slot. After much coercing (it was, after all, a Saturday during football season), her husband, Marc, agreed to tag along. As it goes, Marc was the one smitten by the process and Ol' Folkie Soap was born. Ol'Folkie Soap (the name comes from the on-air moniker Marc uses when hosting his music show on community radio WRFG 89.3 FM) began as a hobby to provide personalized gifts to friends and co-workers. It has since grown into a cottage enterprise and the Miller's are stepping up marketing and production.

Ol' Folkie Soap uses only the purest ingredients, locally-sourced if possible, such as cocoa and Shea butters and olive, almond and coconut oils. Goat's milk is often added to make the bars creamier. Fragrances span a cornucopia –cinnamon, jasmine, peppermint, lavender-and many of the bars can double as air fresheners. The Miller's also make a no-scent variety and one free of nut products for those with allergies. Some bars feature jojoba beads and apricot and blueberry seeds as exfoliants. The soaps contain no artificial additives or preservatives of any kind.

Marc reported that his most popular offering is called "Energy," a fragrance he describes as "fresh, clean and citrusy." The Oatmeal Milk and Honey bar is also a top seller.

And for travelers, the Miller's have devised a "Shampoo Bar" that can circumvent the hassle of trying to get liquid shampoo through airport security. Another new offering is the "Lotion Cup," a Shea butter and beeswax-based moisturizer that can be carried in a purse or pocket.

The Miller's can personalize their offerings; they recently customized bars as gifts for guests at a wedding to reflect the floral arrangements.