Decorating Vintage......

I must admit that I'm completely captivated by the luster and rich jewel tone colors of the mercury glass ornaments from holidays past. I find myself hoarding glass baubles, chipped and worn from many years of use and love. They all find new life in our 1939 cottage-style home.

This week, I'm decorating for our 5th Annual Holiday Open House and Folk Art Show, and once again, the ornaments are out in all their glory. I took photos today, and will share a few teaser shots..... I simply love my grandmother's antique turquoise vase filled with the arms of an old aluminum tree, sparkling and decorated with my favorite baubles and trims.... And our original chandelier, festooned in pink mercury glass beads, icicles and dangling glass balls always makes me smile... Enjoy the photos..... I must get back to work now!

~ Johanna








* A pair of my vintage style snow characters frame another antique turquoise vase filled with an ornament bouquet made by Denver artist, Willa Fuller...
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5 Random Things about Me....

Ok, ok, I've been tagged 3 times now to write 5 random things about myself... So, here goes:
1.) My art was first published in Sesame Street Magazine at the ripe age of 3!
(oops, mom just corrected me, that's actually age 4!---like I remember!)
2.) I get a thrill driving alleys in seek of tossed-out treasures...
3.) I have an Emmy Award from my days working in TV news graphics
4.) I've painted wild, retro patterns on a life-size fiberglass steer for charity
5.) Bird-watching is my latest inspirational past time....

So, there ya go......
Here are the rules:1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog. 2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. 3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. 4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I guess I will be tagging..........
http://hophopjingleboo.blogspot.com/
http://www.ullam.typepad.com/
http://www.ccswhimsies.blogspot.com/
http://colleenmoody.blogspot.com/
http://www.rucusstudio.blogspot.com/

Take Me Home!...

Who can resist this cute little snowman with arms reaching out to you? This little guy is now up for auction on eBay. I just finished him yesterday, barely in time for our EHAG group's full moon challenge. The theme this quarter is "Crossing over the Moon," and since we are a group of artists specializing in Halloween, we were challenged to create a cross over piece that blends a bit of Halloween with Christmas. This original candy cup of mine has very subtle hints of Halloween..... I think you'll like him! Click the image to visit his auction link! Thanks for looking :)

~ Johanna



© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
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Work in Progress....

Here's a peek at my remaining winter-themed characters that are screaming for paint! If time permits (which is looking a bit questionable right now) they will all come to life in vintage painted hues along with a dusting of shimmery mica. Those that I am unable to complete in time for my Holiday Home Show on the 1st of December will hopefully be offered on my Winter Web Sale.

Looks like I better get busy! Where does the time go?

~ Johanna



© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Hand-Feeding the Squirrel...

I had to share these cute pics with you all!... Some of you may think I'm a little "nuts," but I am a sucker for animals, and I've made a new outdoor friend.... I've named her "Squirlfriend" like girlfriend, and she eats out of my hand! Today, I fed her for the 7th time, and now I finally have the photos to prove it! Daily, I feed my family of outdoor winged friends with hulled sunflower seeds and peanuts...And yes, they are spoiled! Of course, the squirrels join in on the bounty, and I often see several frolicking about, but Squirlfriend is unique indeed.... Enjoy!


~ She eats from the palm of my hand.......


~ Me (making a fashion statement) with Squirlfriend.....


~ Squirlfriend looking up at me with a dear look of gratitude.......

So, what do you think?...Am I crazy or is it kinda cute?....Or maybe a little bit of both...

One More to Go....

Many thanks to all who attended Denver's 10th Annual Gifts for Yule! With all the press we had this year, we had a record number of attendees. Once the doors opened, JP and I could barely catch our breath as the shoppers rushed in! Anyway, we appreciate your support and enjoyed seeing many of your smiling faces!

I thought I'd attach a few photos of my table displays featuring my line of reproductions. I usually start thinking table settings and styles a couple of weeks before a show, but with this year being so busy, I quickly sketched out my concepts the day before the show! Luckily, I think it turned out to my relief! Phewwww.....



~ My vintage red & white candy cane theme table inspired by the old Lily Sodas tin box that my mom gave me...



~ A rustic Christmas with mustards, burgundy rusts and tidbits from nature...



~ A wide shot of my rustic Christmas theme table...

And now I have just one more show to go. That's right, and it's our special Open House event, and the 5th year that I have hosted it. Yesterday I took down the Halloween decor, cleaned and prepped for our last big event. Today, I think I will sculpt......... Stay tuned.....

~ Johanna
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Gifts for Yule!

Yes, I'm still scurrying around trying to prepare for this weekend's show here in Denver. It's been one of my most intense "pre-show" weeks so far in my history of doing shows, and that seems to be a growing trend...... I truly love the work that I do, but it certainly doesn't offer much leisure as my original art has to come from my hands, and I can only work so fast. Taking long breaks from my work just sets me way behind schedule.... ack!

Luckily, I pulled together a collection of snowmen, santas, birds and winter cat related goodies for this weekend's Gifts for Yule show. In fact, Denver's trendy Westword Newspaper features an article this week about this unique show in it's 10th year and included a photograph of one of my creations! So, I guess hard work pays off... I'll attach a clipping of it below.

For you local folk art fans, I hope to see you over the next 2 days! FYI, I have new holiday notepad designs and reproductions to add to your decor and collections as well. Back to work I go..........

~ Johanna

Time is Ticking Away....

And I'm feeling completely overwhelmed......You may find it strange, but I just realized that I have a Christmas show one week from tomorrow. I think I was in denial that this could possibly be true, but as I skimmed through my calendar and discovered that the 10th of November was truly in a week, I shrieked! So, yesterday, I sculpted winter-themed characters in a frenzy, in hopes that I will be able to complete all the details with care in only a few days time...... So, I'm off to my basement dungeon to create more goodies. Wish me luck, this may be a week of no sleep! OHHHHH how I wish Halloween and Christmas were not so close together. Can we a add a new month to the calendar?.... I need more time............

PS.... Happy Birthday to Chris, my brother in Washington! May you have a delightful day!

~ Johanna