slow progress

as always, I'm swamped and exhausted... but I've literally been doing a knot a night! I'm working I swear!!

Right Quick!

The new job has been great but I've found all of my "Free" time has about evaporated. By the time I get into the studio at 8pm I'm utterly exhausted and I can't even interweave knots sometimes. So my progress is agonizingly slow. I owe a lot of people some emails and I'll get to that tonight I promise!!! We had another cold sweep through our house and the house is a cluttered mess... I'm busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest!! so please, if I owe you an email and you want to know whats up, ping me on facebook or send me another email! I'm so sorry for being so pokey and in the weeds!!

Pleased!

Well.. I have to say that today I'm very "pleased"! I finished the headstall for Morgen K.'s bridle and I'm onto the reins. There will also be a tiedown to match. I think this is the first or perhaps only the second "futurity" knot headstall that I've made so I'm happy with the way it turned out. Morgen seems to like it too

Also, I am now gainfully employed! I start on monday. Bad for Miniatures but good for bills!!

another quick update!

Here is a quick update on the latest bridle that I'm working on. It is for Morgen K. to fit her Hazel resin. Seriously, if you even remotely like her, get one. She's super cool and performance friendly and the longer I have Hazel on my workbench the more I like her!

Not much to say... still working in the studio..

I've been incredibly distracted lately.. not by anything "good" either. It's been an emotional hike over the last two weeks personally and I feel "wrecked" and raw. But somehow in these moments I feel more creative. I think its the extreme in feeling of emotions (any kind of emotion, good or bad) that pushes me to be more creative and to really feel what I'm making.

I know, strange words coming from someone who makes little saddles and bridles but as you probably know by now, I consider my work, bonafide art and craft. :-)

There is an excellent series produced by PBS called "Craft in America". Season 1 was extremely inspiring to me and season two so far has made me feel the same. Since I Never seem to find time (or a justifiable reason, other than "I just want to")to actually mingle with artists locally this is the next best thing for me...

The frog above was hand made by an artist at the St James Court Art Show. I am in love with him and I'd LOVE to know the name of the artist. She walked away after I asked if I could photo him and went behind her booth. (couldn't find any business cards either : /)If you know who made this wonderful guy, please please drop me a line because I'd LOVE to give her credit! The details are inspiring and admirable all at once and I have a window seat in the studio that he'd look fantastic sitting in :-)

Bridle Finished!

This is the Finished Bridle for the Trade with A.V. There is still a breastcollar to match it to do but that'll have to wait a bit as I have another project to start today!

I redid one or two of the knots because they didn't have quite the right shape and I managed to make the knot on the connector smaller than on my blue and black bridle. (which means that I'll have to redo the knot on the blue and black bridle )

Current Works in Progress!

Above are in progress photos of a bridle that I am currently working on for A.V. The past couple of months, I've decided to do some trading to get some things that I've really wanted but can't currently afford. So thats why you're seeing some stuff pop up for specific people.

Anywho, this customer wanted some unorthodox colors and although I think it was going along rather "Spiffily" (Thats right, I said spiffily) she was right to change the rein color to something more traditional. See, I am a traditionalist when it comes to braided tack. I like the usual colors so I had to push myself to like the unorthodox colors that were first chosen. Once I did though, I was reall gung ho about it. but then we changed it to the above and I'm glad we did.

The other color for the reins was a dk royal blue. I can definitely see a fully braided bridle in that blue down the road though.

I'm still chugging away on my other blue, black and white bridle. I have the chinstrap on it right now but I'm not totally happy with it. It mimics a real Life Size bridle's chinstrap but Life Size doesn't always translate perfectly down to 1/8th scale.

I still need to find time to do the connector bar and the correct attachment for the reins.. but that'll be after I get everything else done! LOL!

RJ Has been entirely well this week! It's been wonderful for him AND me! He's been smiley and joyful and playful.. and I love that! HI steacher tells me that he LOVES to sit and color and paint and he uses more colors than the others in his class and is very good about picking the colors to use..

Of course, I'm secretly hoping that he'll be artistic like me so that I can nurture him into becoming an artist when he gets older, but I know I'll need to keep myself in check somewhat..

Over to the RIght I've added a link to a new Blog. It is the blog of my "aunt shelley" who is a jewelry artist. (art runs in our family!) She has amazing energy and has always been able to create the most wonderful things.. Her blog is brand new so please stop by if you have the time :-) http://shellydaly.blogspot.com

Lottery Postponed

HI folks!

This is bittersweet for me. While I really looked forward to holding the lottery, I will be unable to do so this year. Yesterday I went for an interview at a software company and so far it looks promising. If I go back to work, I definitely won't have a lot of time to devote to tack until I get into a groove. HOWEVER, I do forsee holding some spots open for a lottery next summer. I am going to do this FOR SURE because I Feel so awful for having to postpone the October Lottery. I also will try to take small orders (Halter or bridle here and there) in the meantime starting about Jan or Feb 2010.

Please forgive me and I Swear I didn't tease on purpose!! I just didn't think I'd be able to find a job until sometime next year!


Heather Moreton-Abounader
Equine Photography and more!
http://www.abounaderphoto.com
Museum Quality Miniatures
http://www.desertnightcreations.com