Something New Off the Worktable & "Ding! Turn the Page!"

Hi there!

It's been a few months since my last post, so I thought I should catch up my blog with what has been happening here at Charmed Confections, and with me in general.  So far, this year has been a "year of change".  Lots of changes in my life and I am trying to deal with them as they come.  It is not always easy to do.  I am a creature of habit.  So, when my apple cart has been upended, I find myself regrouping, re-evaluating and searching for a new direction. When this does get the best of me, I am glad that my art keeps me somewhat sane.

Here is the latest piece of art off my worktable.  It was made for a very sweet customer of mine that I met years ago at a local craft show.  She has always wanted a one of my cats.  I have to nervously laugh, as I am still somewhat shocked people love my art and want in it their collection.  Don't think I will ever get over that.  I was thrilled to meet up with her and hand deliver this piece.  

When they say the gift is in the giving, it really is true.  Her face lit up upon seeing it and it warmed my heart that she was so happy.  As with any customer purchasing something from me, I want them to be truly happy with their purchase.  Making money is hard!  No matter what you do.  If my customers are going to spend it on something from me, I want them to love it for years.  That is probably why it takes me a bit to get anything done.  :)   She was delighted and I was relieved and honored that she wanted to add another piece to her collection.  

Here are the pics!

I will be making new ornaments like this skellie mouse pictured, along with bats and cats!  These are in the works and I am excited about them!  Would be darling hanging from a Halloween tree! 

Such a fun piece to create!  I love the spider and the mouse hanging from the cat's tail!  Hope you do too!

So what's with the apple cart up-ending?  I recently decided to quit my day job.  Yup, I did it!  If you have been following my blog, you know that I have dreamed of doing this ... waiting on my Fairy Godmother to whisk me away.  Well, dream no longer.  It is a reality!  Truly a blessing!  So now I am a full time artist trying to navigate through my day and still be productive.  It is a big adjustment.  After working a day job since the age of 15, I'd say so!  My last job, I was there 22 years working for the same boss.  It was time to leave and I am excited to ... "ding, turn the page" on this new chapter of my life.  

Lately, I have been immersing myself in art.  Art really does soothe the soul and takes your mind off your woes.  I am sure I will find my feet in this new endeavor and excited to do so! 

Exciting News!!!   I will be at Halloween and Vine again this year!!  So thrilled to be going to Petaluma once again to show off my Halloween art.  Go to www.HalloweenandVine.com for the details.   

Now, that I have more time, I am eager to add more shows to my calendar and meet new customers and collectors who share in my love of all things Halloween!  

I'm also, happy to say that my sweet coffin doll, Sophie (see her in the post below this one) will be featured in the August issue of Art Doll Quarterly Magazine!!!  Yup, she will be featured along with an article on the process of her creation.  So thrilled about that!  You can find Art Doll Quarterly Magazine at Barnes and Noble bookstores, Michaels, Joanns or you can order one directly from www.stampington.com 

So, lots of changes going on.  I am confident that they are good ones.  I am going to follow my dream and see how far I get!   I just need to learn to relax and be confident this is where the Lord wants me.  One foot in front of the other, right?

Hope you are well and happy in your world.  Sending out BIG hugs to you all!!

What's New At Charmed Confections? Come see!!

Hi Everyone!

Guess who?  Yes, it's me, LeeAnn - returned from the dead.  I know... I can hardly believe it myself.  LOL!  It has been forever ago since I have last blogged.  I am glad, I still know how.  Hope if I have still any followers out there, that you are happy in your corner of the world.

I have been living a solitude life at my work table, sculpting away the hours in preparation of the upcoming show - Halloween and Vine.  Go to www.halloweenandvine.com for more info.  A wonderful, upscale art show hosted in Petaluma, CA, featuring some of the best Halloween artwork!  I am always excited to go and see all the goodies there!  If you are a Halloween lover like I am, this is Halloween Heaven on earth!

So, after working the day job, I come home each night to work the night job of creating my Charmed Confections.  It is a labor of love for sure and I am excited about the characters I am bringing to the show!  A lot of mischief and merriment happening around the studio right now!

Some more happy news!  Look for me in the latest August issue of Art Doll Quarterly!  Below is a picture of what the cover looks like.  Sylvia Smiser's day of the dead doll is on the cover.  Isn't she fabulous!  Love her expression!  

You can find my skellie couple below on Page 6 with an article write up on them.  I love this little couple.  These two love birds will be available for purchase at Halloween and Vine!  If you are going to the show, it is first come first serve.  They will come with a copy of the magazine!  How fun is that?!  I can't wait to meet their new owner!

I do have a couple of other pieces --- My Midnight Magic Cat and my Scaredy Boys are published in the Show and Tell section of the magazine too!  These will be available at Halloween and Vine as well.

I am thrilled with this issue of Art Doll Quarterly.  So many of my wonderful friends are in the magazine!  Congratulations to them all!  

I am happy to say that my first bat, Barnabas, has been completed and flying to his forever home soon.  Such a happy bat and my first to boot!  I am thrilled at how his wings turned out!  I will miss this little fellow! 

A backside view!  Pretty all the way around ... just like I like it!

Tomorrow, I will be back at it.  My studio chair and work table are waiting ... along with the countless of unpainted characters just staring at me.  HA! HA!

Well, don't be a stranger and say Hi!  I would love to hear from you (if you are out there).  Leave a comment and say hello!  

Here's to a wonderful and productive weekend!  Until then ... 

Sharing some good news and time for a little FUN - How about a giveaway?!!

Hi Everyone!

Once again it has been a while since I've blogged.  I've been so busy lately preparing for shows, I barely look up anymore. When I do, I need to catch up with everyone!  I hope all is happy and well in your corner of the world.  Halloween is fast approaching and my deadlines are creeping up on me.

I wanted to tell you that I will be posting about a GIVEAWAY tomorrow on this blog.  Brenda Griffith from The Rusty Thimble is our blog host!  Come back tomorrow and see all the wonderful giveaways my friends in the Folk Art and Primitives group (FAAP on Etsy and Facebook), will be giving away!!  The Blog Hop starts tomorrow!! You won't want to miss it, as there are some really cute handmade items up for grabs.

I will be giving away my sweet Love Bite in the picture below!

Well, I wanted to also share pictures of the August issue of Art Doll Quarterly!!  Isn't the witch doll on the cover beautiful!  Love her!!

I am so excited that my Charmed Confections are featured in this magazine.  It is such a dream come true.  My first article ever, and it appears on page 6!  This magazine is so special to me ... not just because I am in it (but that does help), but that I am in it with so many of my friends.  Carly Smith, Margo Noschese, Lisa Ammerman and Debb George.  We are all part of the Witches of Giggleswick.  I absolutely love these ladies!!  It is such an honor to be alongside them in this issue!!  If you jump on Facebook look up the Witches of Giggleswick page and see all our wonderful offerings there.  That is our selling page.  Here is the link!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Witches-Of-Giggleswick/1438375269725632

The table on contents!!  

Here are the first two pages of my article!

Below is the ad for the upcoming Halloween and Vine show I will be participating in.  It is hosted in Petaluma, CA on September 27th.  I was thrilled to see my sweet, little ghost in the bottom left hand corner.
Here is the link for more information.   www.halloweenandvine.com   Come see me!

Here is the ad for Hallowbaloo.  This wonderful show will be hosted in Seattle, Washington on September 20th.  So excited to go here too!  Here is the link --- www.thehallowbaloo.com   If you are in the area stop by and say hello!

Here is a picture a of some cute ornament cupcakes I am bringing to the shows to hang on my Halloween ornament tree.  The sweet lollies will be accessories for my ghosties and ghouls.

Here is a work in progress photo of a ghost that I will be mounting on a spiderweb plaque.  His arms are not attached in this picture ... just propped up for you to get an idea.  I think this one is going to be pretty cool when I get it done.  It still needs to be sanded and painted.  The plaque needs to be cleaned up before the final paint.

Look at who's back in town!  Some of my scaredy boys are ready to go to the shows.  They are 17" tall, jointed and hold cute pumpkin pails.  Hope you like them.

Below is sweet picture of Jake.  He was staying up late with me one night - we were burning the midnight oil together.  He always watches over me.  I think he was telling me he is ready for bed.

Well, check back here tomorrow and sign up for the Folk Art and Primitives (FAAP) giveaway!!  I am sure you are going to love what is being offered.  You won't want to miss it!

See you tomorrow with a new post!  Until then ...

Art Doll Quarterly 2013 - Halloween Issue Almost Here!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you have been well and enjoying your summer.  I am so thankful that our little heatwave has calmed down slightly.   It is hard to create when you just want to lay under the air conditioner vent all day.  My little dog, Jake and I are turning into lounge lizards.  Not very productive, but we enjoy gazing into each others eyes.  (Puppy Love)

Well, I am happy to announce that Art Doll Quarterly is almost out in stores - August 1st!!  YAY!  I know that some subscribers to the magazine already have their copy, and I was lucky enough to get mine in the mail last Saturday.  Since this is my first time being published, I have been waiting on pins and needles for the days to tick by.  It truly is like Christmas in July and I have been waiting for my "BIG" present from Santa!!  Hey? ... I've been good!  Holding the magazine in my hands, my family gathered around to have the unveiling.  I was so nervous and excited at the same time.

WOW!  It is so wild to see your art on those glossy pages.  

You can find Charmed Confections artwork on pages 104, 105 and 106.  

For those of you out there who have always wanted to do something like this .... I say "Be Brave and Submit!"  My family and friends are my best cheerleaders.  They say go for it and I always doubt myself.  I am so glad I stepped out of the shadows and tried.  Be brave my blog friends!  Step out into the sun and be daring - you just might shine (at least for a little while)!!  If you have a dream - dare to make it a reality.  You can do it!  I'll cheer YOU on.

Thank you to my family, friends and customers who cheer me on  - one foot in front of the other.  You are the gems in my (invisible) crown - and it's a big one too!!  (Yes ... I'll always be a girlie-girl.)

Two of my very dear friends are in the magazine as well.  It is such an honor to be listed alongside them and all the other fabulous artists represented.

Carly of Boggy Bottom Bayou -- Check out her article - The Bling Factor!  She is on page 10 and page 69.
Here is her blog link:
www.boggybottombayou.blogspot.com

and,

Lisa of  "A Piece of Lisa" -- Lisa's adorable White Witch is listed in Show and Tell with me.
Here is her blog link:
http://apieceoflisajane.blogspot.com/

Well, I am off to sculpt more heads.  I am working on some new pieces and will have some work in progress pictures for you soon.

Take care my friends! XOXO

Sneak Peek of my 1st Publication!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing great out there in Blogland!  It is a HOT day here in California.  I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying the weekend and staying cool.  
Speaking of HOT ... this is hot off the sneak peek press!  Charmed Confections 1st publication!  

Look at this beautiful cover - a lounging skeleton lady by the super,
talented Scott Smith of Rucus Studios.
Amazing artistry!

I can hardly believe it ... a dream come true ... my sweet Charmed Confections artwork will be published in the upcoming August 2013 issue of Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.  Five of my pieces have been selected for publication.  I remember reading this magazine as a teen-aged girl and dreaming about creating something magical.  Funny how things come full circle.

Stampington.com / Art Doll posted a sneak peek of 8 of their pages.  I was shocked and thilled to see my sweet Cyclops Ghoulie-Cake smiling back at me from the table of contents page - an unexpected surprise!

My sweet, dear friend Carly Smith of Boggy Bottom Bayou is also listed.  She has a darling Halloween frog (see top left-hand picture) and her fabulous cage doll, Marguerite, is pictured right above my cyclops picture - a must see!  Carly has also written a wonderful article called "The Bling Factor" which will be featured in this issue.  Congrats to you, Carly, and thank you for cheering me on too!  Can't wait to hold the magazine in my hands!  Another month to wait ... Ugh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, things have been busy here in the workroom.  I have about eight different projects that I am currently working on.  Really excited about them too.  I will be posting again early in the week to give you a first glance at my upcoming offerings for Pfatt Marketplace and SpookyTime Jingles.  Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you are working on.  I would love to hear from you.  We'll cheer each other on.

I recently joined up with a wonderful group of ladies from the FolkArt and Primitives group (FAAP) on Etsy.  (Brenda from The Rusty Thimble is our Fearless Leader!  We all love her art!)  You can find FAAP offerings on my sidebar - click on the Etsy link and it will take you to a list of everything that is available.  Lots of talented artists in this group with wonderful offerings to purchase.  When you have time, check it out!

So much to share with you on all the happenings going on, but I will close for now and blog again later.  

p.s.  I still need to take photos of my darling snowman I won on Lisa Ammerman's blog giveaway.  Lisa is the talented artist behind "A Piece of Lisa".  Her blog link is in my favorites!  I love my snowman and he hasn't melted yet!!

Until then .... xoxo

Custom Skelly Ornie & Dreams Do Come True!!

Hi out there in BlogLand!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was really nice and quite productive.  Wanted to share my first Halloween Skelly Ornie of the year.  I had a customer that loved my "How Do You Boo" Skeleton Shelf Sitter, but didn't want a doll.  She wanted an ornament.  So, I set out making her one that was similar, but different, as I like to keep all my pieces somewhat original to the collector.  Her favorite colors are silver and purple.  This is what I came up with.  I do hope she likes it, as I am mailing him off tomorrow.  I think he will look wonderful on her Halloween Tree.  Just wanted to share a simple photo with you all.  I will be making more ornaments in the next few months if any one is interested.

As far as my good news .... in my last post, I mentioned that I was recently at Disneyland.  Well, when checking my emails at Disneyland sitting having lunch with my Husband in one of their fun restaurants,  I received an email from Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.  About a month ago, I sent them five pieces of my art in the hopes of being published.  Well, I am happy to say that when I opened the email from them, it said that they would be publishing all five of my pieces in their upcoming August issue!!  Of course, I teared right up at the table and I am sure the waiter thought my Husband and I must be fighting.  LOL!  They were tears of Joy!

I am sure a lot of you can relate that as a wife and mother or even husband and father, you tend to put your goals to the side for the sake of others.  It has been a long time for me to finally put my artistic goals in the forefront.  I am so thrilled and really just can't believe it.  Dreams really do come true at Disneyland!!!

I hope this year, you are doing what you love - and if not - what are you waiting for?  Be kind to yourself and reach for whatever dream you are dreaming.  In fact, DREAM BIG!  You have nothing to lose and you just might make them come true!

Have a terrific week everyone!