Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Gone Batty!...

OK, so I've been hoarding this original bat! For months, he sat unfinished in my studio, anxious for a coat of paint and layers of detail to bring him to life. But, I did not get around to finishing him in time for my fall events, nor Halloween! However, a little nudge from my EHAG friends in the Emporium was just the right amount to inspire me to finish him in time for November's opening. Meet "Wally Wingster" a unique one of a kind collectible bat, complete with hand-formed stylized wings and a series of flapping bats that encircle his spherical base. Take a peek below for a few images of Wally, and decide for yourself if you would like to invite Wally into your home, or perhaps give him as a cherished gift this season to a special friend. Don't forget to hop on over to the EHAG Emporium for just a few more original delights by my fellow Halloween artist friends!

Thank You!
~ Johanna

Wally-Wingster
"Wally Wingster" perching atop a Corinthian-style shelf in our kitchen.....

SOLD ~ $385 plus shipping ~ 7.25" tall by 8.25" wide
Signed, dated and marked 1/1

Wally-Wingster-face
* A zoom on Wally reveals the hand-painted highlights on his crepe paper collar
and the black glass glitter brim that trims his hat...

Wally-Wingster-back
* A peek at Wally's backside displays a mirror image of his front!....

Please email me at johanna @johannaparkerdesign.com to reserve him... :)

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!...

Move over Squanto, Jack is here to bring you lots of Thanksgiving cheer! With a headdress full of plumes and a fringed tissue collar, Jack our holiday poser was eager to ham it up for our friends in blogland here again. Once I started cutting the fringe, his curiosity was in full swing. And, when we thought we were finished, he was eager for more! Here are just a few of the fun images we snapped.... These holiday shoots are always a hoot, and with such an enthusiastic model, it's always a good time!

Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack

Thanksgiving-Jack-1
* A fan of feathers in harvest hues, crowns his head from ear to ear...

Thanksgiving-Jack-4
* Earlier, his headdress of feathers was gathered in a bunch as he posed on an old child's chair, just his size!...

Thanksgiving-Jack-3
* Here he patiently sits as I try out his collar for size....

Thanksgiving-Jack-5
* He rolls around on his favorite rug to wear in his latest duds!...

Thanksgiving-Jack-6
* A quick action shot reveals his airy, tissue paper collar....

Thanksgiving-Jack-2

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

We have a WINNER!...

It has been such a joy to read ALL of your sweet comments regarding my folk art and my blog and your personal stories shared! Many many thanks to all of you who expressed your enthusiasm for my fun Snowman Giveaway piece featured below. We drew three official numbers from my mailing list, blog comments and blog followers, and then picked the best of 3 from those finalists. It was a tricky task, but alas we narrowed it down to one!

Drum Roll Please............

And the Winner IS: Stephanie Sheridan
of...
Scrapfancy with Stephanie

Looks like Stephanie's decision to join my e-mailing list was her winning ticket!
Congrats to you for winning my collectible snowman, and from the looks of it, he's going to be part of a very creative and crafty home :)

Again, I so appreciate ALL of your kind remarks, and I had such fun reading your comments and receiving your sweet emails! We will have to do this again, Soon!

Happy Holidays,
~ Johanna

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Featured Snowman GIVEAWAY!

In the spirit of season, I am giving away one of my collectible reproduction, signed snowman candy cane stands! This adorable guy made the "Party Picks" section of Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Christmas Magazine! So, he's a wee bit famous :) He will arrive, signed by me the designer and will include 2 whimsical papier mache candy canes! This cutie is about 9" tall, makes a jovial statement on your holiday table and is new this year from my line of winter delights produced by Bethany Lowe Designs. He's pictured below, so firmly visualize his image in your head, think positive thoughts and cross those fingers as he may soon be yours! Of course, you'll have to enter, and there are plenty of ways to WIN!.. The more ways you enter, the better your chance.... So, look for those details below. BEST of LUCK to you!

Snowman-Candy-Stand-Giveaway
* Winner takes home this collectible candy cane stand designed & signed by me!

Celebrate-Chrismtas-magazine
* Look for this cover at the store, and turn to page 9 to see my sweet snowman pictured amongst a fun mix of holiday Party Picks chosen by the staff at Celebrate Christmas Magazine! To order you copy today, CLICK HERE!


Snowman-pg-9
* Here's a peek at my snowman's feature :)

HOW to ENTER to WIN:

The more ways you enter, the better your chances!

1.) Simply become a "Follower" of my Blog by clicking on the "Follow" button at the upper right column of this page.... (your name will be entered)

2.) Leave a nice comment for me here at the bottom of this post by clicking on the "Comment" button ( and no worries, you do not have to create a Blogger account in order to leave a comment - you can simply click the "Anonymous" option when leaving your message. But, just make sure that I can somehow identify you if you are chosen! ) IF you are unable to leave a comment here, you can email me, and I'll add your comment to the list below.

3.) If you have your own Blog and choose to spread the word about my Giveaway on your Blog, then I both thank you and welcome you to leave a 2nd comment here for a double entry! You can use the following Blog Badge to advertise on your blog's sidebar, or just grab the first, larger image above!

JPD-Snowman-Giveaway

4.) Join my e-mailing list if you are not already a member. Just click on the "Email Johanna" link, top right of this page. (PS... the kind folks already on my e-mailing list will be entered as well, but I recommend those of you leave a comment, etc... to boost your chances of winning!
{ email: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com }

OK!... So, as I said, there are LOTS of ways to enter!..... I look forward to reading your comments and hearing from you :) I will be posting the winner of this collectible SIGNED snowman candy cane stand in one week (Nov. 24th)!.... Stay tuned and spread the word, and a big thanks to all of my loyal collectors and artist friends who have supported me through the years. Cheers to you!!

~ Johanna

Magazine photos, © 2010 Hoffman Media
First photo, © Johanna Parker Design

Monday, November 15, 2010

Farewell to the Gifts for Yule....

The 13th Annual Gifts for Yule was certainly bittersweet for all of its vendors and attendees this past weekend. We set up booth on Saturday morning knowing that this was the last show in a sweet tradition for Denver that lasted over a decade. Sam Robinson's vision for a vintage-inspired holiday fair grew into a wonderful event that so many of us looked forward to each November. I especially loved the unique blend of artisans and antique dealers that she included in this show as it was quite evident that we all shared a passion for nostalgia and the like. But with all things, nothing is permanent in life, and when the beautiful Phipps Tennis Pavilion sold to a private owner, the decision was made to bring this event to an end. We will always remember the merriment in the air, the sparkling eyes of excited shoppers, our vending friends that we anticipated reconnecting with and on and on. Thank you Sam for yet another memorable show and a history of enchanting events that none of us will ever forget. I was proud to be a part of this unique group of exhibitors that all had a passion for vintage holiday delights!

Included below is a collage of images we took right before the doors opened. With the glass ceiling and sunlight streaming in overhead, it is always a challenge to capture photos in the pavilion, especially when we have only minutes to spare. Regardless, I hope you enjoy!

~ Johanna

Charm-Ornaments
* A whimsical tree displays a series of my new holiday charms as ornaments...

Front-table-holiday-display
* This festive grouping of winter characters greeted shoppers as they entered my booth...

Johanna-in-action
* That's me in action right before the doors opened! JP has a bad habit of taking too many candid shots!!.... (delete, delete, delete!!.....)

Necklace-Display
* The wire frame from an old lampshade made for the perfect display to hang my "charming" necklaces on... I have to say, the price was right and these flew out my booth!

Snowman-Candy-Bowl
* Atop, my new reproduction snowman candy bowl proudly perched!

Display-Left
* A peek at my display reveals a fun variety of snowmen characters including the cloth snowguy at bottom left, designed by my mom!...

Phipps-Pavilion
* After the first wave of shoppers rushed in, I had a moment to rearrange. Again, JP was snapping those candid shots! Look how lovely and dramatic the arched ceiling of this old tennis pavilion appeared!

Display-Right
* More snowmen and a few Santas added their festive cheer to my display...

Snowman-Charm
* One of my illustrated charms is the focus here with other happy snowmen characters of mine awaiting adoption in the background....

Red-Snowman-Tree
* My snowmen lollipop ornaments dangle from a red feather tree....

Various-Snowmen
* Again, more snowmen...

Johanna-Gifts-for-Yule
* And there's me stopping for a quick photo next to my cupboard of one of kinds....

Thanks to all who saved the date and joined us for the last of many wonderful Gifts for Yule events! We truly appreciate your support over the years and hope that this string of special shows will remain near and dear to you! Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Holiday How-To for You...

The quick transition from Halloween to Christmas always catches me by surprise! Once November 1st hits, I have to kick it into high gear and switch from grinning jack-o'-lanterns to whimsical snowmen. With a holiday show in less than 2 weeks, I am certainly feeling the heat, or maybe I should call it the chill! And now that I have changed my seasonal focus, I find it most appropriate to share a couple of fun holiday How-To projects with you! The 2010 issue of Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Crafts Magazine features a pair of my snow-folk ornaments along with my instructions to create them! Included is a fun clown-like lollipop of mine and a ring-a-ling-ding snow-girl, both designed to hang from your holiday tree. I suggest you find a copy today as it's full of wonderful projects from both myself and many of my fellow crafty friends! Happy creating!

CHEERS,
~ Johanna

BHG-Holiday-Crafts-2010
* Look for this festive cover at the store!....

Lollipop-clown-by-Johanna
* This easy, fun lollipop project makes a sweet & memorable gift....

Snowbelle-by-Johanna
* This little cutie also jingles when you give her a shake...

Project Concepts © Johanna Parker Design ~ Photos © Meredith Corporation