Done!

I have finally finished, to my satisfaction, the breastcollar for alicia vogel's bridle. It's going to be a beautiful set when together and I really admire her color choice! This was a trade for a jennifer buxton dressage saddle.. which will be a nice addtion to my tack collection

I am finding myself in need of a bit of cash so I'm going to try to produce a few small things, like halters, to raise some capital.. I'm open to ideas.. so stay tuned!

quick update!

Much success abounded in the studio this past weekend.. I'm really making headway and it feels so good!!! above are the revised in progress photos of the reins set for Kylee Deemers Cookeville Classic Live in Cookeville Tennessee in Oct.

More as pieces are completed!

quick blather..

Not much progress in the studio this past week or weekend unfortunately - despite my enthusiasm to get up there! Haven't been feeling well and thats kept me out..

Above is a photo of kylie deemers donation for cookville classic live in october. I can't decided whether or not the braiding is done, and I know I need to redo the "popper".

I had started on the centerpiece (Finally!) for alicia vogel's breastcollar but I mapped out the pattern incorrectly. I have a new plan brewing in the ole noggin though and I'm hoping I feel well enough to get up in the studio today and get the pattern done and onto silver!

Lastly, I'm very very slowly uploading my NAN and Breyerfest photos to webshots. I think though I'll have to break out the performance photos and the halter photos because I have a limit of 1000 photos on webshots and I tool well over that number..

NAN Photos are here

Soul Renewal Time aka NAN 2010

Reserve Champion of the Very Tough Original Finish Arabian Costume Class owned by my friend Karen J. Bridle Setup by me, Saddle by Lisa Salamandick

One of the halters That I made for Last Year's NAN Auction donation.

My buddy, Karen J's entry in Showmanship. Halter by me!

Above set is the "mother hubbard II" set owned by Robin Smith

Above set was donated a few years ago to a show. I don't know who owns it now. So if it's yours please speak up! :-)

A few things..

First NAN stands for North American Model Horse Nationals. I do not know why its not NAMHN instead of just NAN but it wasn't my call :0)

Secondly, "Breyerfest" is not just for kids, or just model horse people or just for Breyer Horses. I don't know why it's not called "Model Horse Fest" but again, not my call ;o)

The NAN show is held the days leading up to Breyerfest. Usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the same week that Breyerfest is held. It is held in Kentucky Every OTHER year instead of every year so that the west coast or western half of the united states doesn't have to drive 20 hours to get to NAN every year. Next year it'll be in Tucson Arizona, which is very tempting because I love all things western. (or at least I think I do without ever having been in the western States like Arizona. I was in TX a couple of times.. does that count?)

Model horse Showing is like Model Train Showing, only with horses and size restrictions for the amount of room a display can take up.

LSQ stands for "Live Show Quality" means that the tack, or dolls or paint job on the horse would compete well at a live show. (and that statement is very dicey so I'll leave it as is)

When at a "regular" live show, the first and second place finishing set up or horses (in the case of just "Halter")are given NAN cards which means that the horse and setup are eligible for entering that Year and the next year's NAN show.

And before you ask, Yes, the Judging is HIGHLY subjective. (That'll be for another post sometime.. maybe.. if I'm brave)There are no real specific standards other than "breed" standards in the case of halter and "safety" and "realism" standards in the case of "peformance".

Ok, now that the above is out of the way, onto the happy parts about how wonderful the show was this year!!

I "Forgot" to go to a live model horse show over the past two years. Last year I didn't have a job and I didn't feel right about traveling and staying in a hotel without having a job to pay for it so I stayed home. The year before, I was pregnant. And I know that a lot of women travel when they're pregnant but not me. I'm a wuss... I was sick most of the time anyway..

Because of this, I didn't have any horses qualified for this year's show. Luckily I have the worlds greatest friends because My Buddy, Karen J, paid the "Helper" fee and I was able to go hang out with her and everyone else at the show :-) I saw and met a lot of wonderful people in person and they were were all warm and friendly.. It was nice to put actual faces to online names :-)

I took a metric ton of pictures. it's going to take me at least a week to go through all of them and properly tweak them. Above are just a few "Highlights" with some horses using DNC (Desert Night Creations aka me) tack. As I go through and post my NAN photos, I'll be putting a few up.

All of the entries were really, really, competitive and I can see from those entries that I need to step up my game quite a bit with the tackmaking. I have been slow and haven't spent enough time in the studio to further my silversmithing skills and I'm really regretting that now. The whole show was so inspiring in so many ways and I'm so glad that I was able to go!!

I'm happy to say that My and Sue's collaboration bridle brought $335 at the NAN donation Auction and we couldn't be happier! Even though sue wasn't at NAN this year, I called her right after the auction to tell her the great news! She seemed as happy as me about it so I hope that it made her day!

Well thats it for now.. more in the near future after I recover..

Goofball that I am AKA NAN Auction Bidding

Well... goofball that I am, I didn't realize that the Bidding for the Collaboration Bridle Called "Maximillion's Bridle Revisited" For the North American Model Horse Nationals Auction had begun. I certainly would've said something sooner if I had. If you'd like to bid, Please Click H E R E

I have been in the studio precious little time this past month or so. Just so busy, and tired as always but I have been in it here and there. I still have some odds and ends to finish up before I start another project and I really WANT TO finish up those items to get them off of my plate.. but time is so precious and short, in so many ways and in so many areas of my life..

On a really exciting note, Breyerfest/NAN is only a Week (ish) away! WHOO HOO!! VACATION! My first "real" vacation since 2007! Can't wait!! I also can't wait to hang out with everyone so if you see me, PLEASE say Hi!!!

Roy Rogers Museum Auctions, and other exhibits

There suddenly is a lot of interest in the model horse community about the Roy Rogers Museum pieces that are being sold at auctions around the country.

I'd like to share what I know, since I've known since last year that the museum was unfortunately closing in December 2009. I really wanted to make the trip to Branson, MO to see it before it closed but I was unable to do so.

The first Auction of the Roy Rogers pieces from the Museum were this past January out West. (I say "out west" because I can't remember the specific place where the auction was held). This auction was conducted by "High Noon" Auction company. They are the country's foremost experts on western collectibles, art and memorabilia. They have been in business for a few decades and I've bought just about every catalog they've sold.

I watch the High Noon January Auction online every year. The pieces sold are of course, of intense interest to me and I'm fascinated by what the parade saddles and antique saddles sell for.

This year, they had some of Roy and Dale's children (Now adults of course) speak at the beginning of the auction. They were in tears as they told the history of the Museum, recalled wonderful times with their parents, and how sorry they were that they were forced to sell off the pieces from the museum. It was a really beautiful moment :-)

The second Auction, will be next weekend (june 24, and 25th), and is being handled by Denver Old West auction company in conjunction with High Noon. (not sure if the High Noon folks own Denver Old west or what - I didn't discover the Denver Old west auctions until last year after I got a card in the mail about it) The website and more information is here; www.denveroldwest.com

Then, the third auction (and I have no idea if it'll be the last or not) is going to be Conducted by Christies in NY in july. This is the auction that one of the model horse folks found and has been posting about. This will get you to an auction lot and from there you can peruse the rest of the pieces and buy a catalog. (which I'll be doing here soon)

I'm hoping that some of the Western Museums around the country will buy many pieces from the auction and have their own dedicated section to Roy and Dale. There are thousands of people that love them and who grew up watching their show and I would think that would be a great addition to any museum.

My closest Museum is the Indianapolis Eitlejorg Museum, Headed by None other than James Nottage himself. Sadly (and stupidly!) I've never been to the museum but I do plan to take a weekend sometime and go up and spend two days going through it. (I'm bringin mah camera and my sketchbook!)

So while I'm blathering on and on and on, I want to blather a bit about "A gift from the Desert" exhibit showing at the Kentucky Horse park this summer and part of this fall. I was fortunate enough to see it last weekend during the Egyptian Event Arabian horse show. IT was amazing. I had goosbumps throughout the whole time I was looking at the pieces. I've never seen anything so wonderful about the arabian horse in my life!! If you're a fan of arabian horses, or history, you need to see this exhibit! Best part is that it's included in Admission to the Kentucky Horse park!

Lastly, there is an Andre Pater retrospective at the University Of Kentucky in Lexington. Andre Pater is one of my favorite contemporary artists and he started his career painting arabian horses and now only does sporting art. (and lives in KY!) To see his work up close and "live" is a very exciting prospect to me and I can't wait to find the time to go!!

Does anyone know if I can buy some "time" in a jar at walmart? Cause I could sure use some! ;-)

Assembled NAN Donation Photos

Here are some pictures of the bridle fully assembled.. I need to pop two more knots on it and then it'll be completely finished!

NAN Donation Headstall ALMOST Finished!

The only reason that I say "Almost" is that I see a couple of spots on the browband that need some knots :-) Otherwise it's pretty much done! I also have Sue's Beautiful Reins here and I've taken pictures of them with the headstall but I want to get an "OK to post" from the NAN folks first. I don't want to steal anyone's thunder!

ONTO The Next Project!

Little by Little (pun intended!

Above are some in progress pictures of my NAN donation headstall which is a collaboration between me and Susan Bensema Young. I'm not sure if I've adequately expressed my gratitude about being asked by Sue to collaborate on a tack piece - let alone one as high profile as the NAN auction. To my knowledge, Sue has never done this before and to be the one chosen for such an honor is amazing.

The headstall above is made from thread. Sue sent me the colors to use and I went out and bought the same color from the same manufacturer to ensure that the headstall and reins will closely match.

I have an idea about how the headstall will be finished up and if you're "connected" to me on facebook you could see my quick drawing of the idea I had. I didn't want to repeat what I have done before and what everyone else has done already. So my headstall will have a dash of some previously made bridles that will definitely be my "style" but will also somewhat follow along the lines of tradition... I'm not sure if any of that blather matters to anyone but it makes sense in the context of the fantasy of miniatures. I don't know what any "real" sized horse tack braiders think of my "wildly" colored braided miniature bridles but hopefully they don't think I'm too far off of the mark.

As always I'm moving really slowly.. life lately has been difficult and I've been tired an achey but making tack brings me a lot of joy so I stubbornly refuse to give it up!

Thanks, as always for reading my blather...

Yay! More progress!!

The first photo above shows one of the bit shanks being very close to finished. I started putting the "bit piece" on the second one but it turned out shorter than the first so I pulled it off. I'll have to give that another shot tonight. The first picture also shows the bare bones beginning of the cheek pieces.

The second picture shows a cheek piece in progress with the loop and the decorative knot over the top already on. It also shows the crown piece in progress. It is somewhat a relief that I don't have to do reins for this but I also have some anxiety about it being good enough to showcase susan's work.. Cross your fingers for me!!

This is the second incarnation of the NAN headstall. The first one, below, was waayy waayyy too big and In taking it to the craft store to get matching thread, I lost one of the cheek pieces. Thats fine because I had intended to start over anyway.

Then on friday I spent most of my studio time at night building the cheek pieces only to lose the very work I had worked so hard on. It is "somewhere" inside the house somewhere but I have no idea where. (This is one of the hazards of making tiny, tiny things..)Hubby even spent time looking for it after I went to bed and he couldn'd find it either. ( I guess I looked rather pitiful when I told him I had just lost everything I was working all night on.. LOL!) Thankfully I was smart enough to pay close and careful attention of where I put the cheek pieces the second time around..

Stay tuned as I hit this headstall "full on".. gotta deadline to reach!

Even the best laid plans....

After happily and proudly posting my progress in the last blog blather, I decided to remeasure the cheek pieces of the bridle. They are miles too long. I don't know how or why I managed to do that but now I have to entirely start over from scratch. I may go the more traditional route now and go with some solid cheek pieces and just a "Zebra Throatlatch".. and I may add in some black. Not sure.. I'll have to pow wow with Susan on that one when she gets back from her trip.

Oh well.. off to the craft store for more thread!

Progress!

Albeit slow progress... The first photo above is the Breastcollar I've been working on for Alicia Vogel. It's 3/4ths of the way finished. It's just missing it's cool silver center piece. The only actual beads on the breastcollar are the silver "Disco"beads. The red knots are actually spanish ring knots and the blue and white knots are interwoven turks head knots.

The second picture shows my North American Model Horse Nationals Auction Donation in progress. I broke one of the bit shanks from messing with it too much (metal Fatigue) The precious "Dremel Time" that my husband was nice enough to work out with me today was spent making another bit shank. I still need to add "Faux" bit pieces to them as well but that is just a matter of time.

The blue and white braid pattern is a bit of a departure from the Traditional and "usual" headstall look. This bridle is something that Susan and I are putting together based on our experience braiding and researching bridles I figured that it would be nice to change it up a bit. There will be some solid braided pieces to give the eye a "rest" so that it's not so jarring. This is only the second time I've ever built a headstall entirely out of tatting thread. Normally I use artifical rawhide as a base and do the buttons using the thread. I was really worried that I had made a mistake at first but I've managed to somehow, and so far, to get the thread to work. Now my only problem is that I'm running out of the blue that Susan sent me so I'll have to go to Joann's Fabric to hunt up some more. Thankfully Susan was smart enough to choose a color that shouldn't be hard to find. (not surprising, that Sue is a smart cookie!)

My challenges over the past couple of weeks have been that I've been really really tired, and that my Husband has contracted Strep Throat this past week. I don't think that I have strep throat, I think that I just get up too early and I don't sleep deeply enough. I'm going to try harder to get to bed on time for the next few weeks so that I'll have enough energy to work in the studio and get everything I need to get done.. Done!

Hubby is on the mend now though after a trip to the drs and some anitbiotics. We're watching our son very closely to see if he has it. He's been extra tired today but that could be from getting up too early. We're hoping against hope that he side steps the strep throat because my husband has been very very ill.

I hope that you all are having a great spring and I'll blather at you again soon!

Oh Dear! Been too long!

I've been so remiss at posting! I'm so sorry! This week is Derby week, and I was able to go to the track (churchill downs) this year on a company function. It was wonderful to be there during Derby week. Above is me - with my "derby" hat. IT's a bit small as derby hats go but I was just dipping my toe in the water so to speak. Next year, hopefully I'll be able to go to the track again and I'll make sure to get a more ostentatious hat! I have pictures from the Track that I need to tweak and then post somewhere. I wasn't sure what the accommodations would be once I got to the track so I decided not to bring my digital SLR. I brought the point and shoot instead. I wish now that I had brought the "big" camera but that'll have to wait until I visit the track again. (soon hopefully!)

Progress in the studio has been painfully slow. I've not felt my best this entire month. I've been utterly exhausted by 8pm every night, which is when I finally get studio time. I then go to bed at 9pm to get up by 5am and start my day again. I am thisclose to finishing alicia vogel's breastcollar that matches her bridle and then it's finally onto the joint NAN donation with Susan Bensema Young...

More updates as soon as I can!! Happy Derby Day!!!

Braided and Leather Bridle

Hi there!

The Braided and leather Bridle below (after the breastcollar post) is now available at this link:

http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?id=775569

Alicia Vogel's Breastcollar in progress

This breastcollar matches a western pleasure bridle that I made for Alicia Vogel last year. She has been exceedingly patient with me while waiting for this to get finished.. I'm only about 1/3rd of the way into it.. lots more to go!

The D rings have been half hitched. The turks head knots are six bight, seven part turks head knots that have been interwoven with a herringbone interweave. The silver beads are real silver. The red knots are spanish ring knots of two passes. Lots more to do!! Then onto the nan donation! I need more energy and time!~ WIsh walmart sold THAT in a bottle!

By the way there IS a Desert Night Creations Group on Facebook. Just Search for Desert Night Creations and then join!