Halter for Sale

Here it is! The Lady Phase Mold Sized halter. The leather is dyed a nice dark brown and has been basketweave stamped on the crownpiece and on the pieces underneath the nose. IT is five way adjustable just like the real thing. The silver is real silver that has been hand engraved and then has been coated to retard tarnishing. The Crystals on the Halter are Real, Swarovski crystals. The Knots on this halter are all Turks Head Knots that have been interwoven with two colors, Black and Blue. This halter also includes the matching lead with a knot on it as well.

Total price is $170.00ppd and I accept Money orders or paypal. Just email me: tackmaker@desertnightcreations.com if you have any further questions!

Thank you for lookin! Happy July 4th!

A few steps forward for once!

This weekend, i'm hoping to get some "Dremel" time and some "Engraving" time in so that I can finish up one project and start another.

As mentioned previously I'm working on a western show halter that is similar to the NAN donation western show halter. The difference however is that this halter has rio rondo buckles and the theme is blue. This halter has a blue and black double interweave on a turks head knot and blue swarovski crystals instead of the green that the NAN halter had. Everything is finished except for the side plates. My son won't sleep through a lot of dremeling and definitely can't sleep through engraving so I have to find a time that he's awake, my husband is willing to watch him and I'm awake enough to engrave. LOL!

The bit shanks are for the bridle that I planned around the end of last year. I had planned a braided black, blue and white themed braided bridle. This is just "More to the point" of how long it takes me to get to things.

I am unusually proud of these bit shanks because 1. I have actually domed them out a bit using a hammer and some dremel bits that are round balls on the end and 2. the shanks are very close to being identical. Above you can see that one is signifigantly bigger than the other. I've fixed that issue since I took the photos of these this morning. (RJ has slept a lot today so I've had to be very quiet and quietly dremel a bit here and there)

It's still a bit crude looking to my eye but I'm pleased none-the-less. I'll work on a connector bar here soon. I'm hoping to work on this bridle while we're on our trip..

I've had a few questions about how I work in silver. Seriously it's all been trial and error for me. It started when I decided to do real silver plates for my saddles back in like 2003 or 2004 and I've just worked on my skills ever since. I first approached silver as though it were like paper, having no other mental reference to draw from. It's nothing like paper.. and I know you're thinking "DUH" but seriously, I had no other approach. Then I realized that silver could be dremeled and formed using a dremel and I hopped gung ho into doing that. Now I've gotten a lot better using the dremel to patiently form and shape the metal and now I'm slowly moving forward into trying to make my bits a little more 3-d. Buckles are very intimidating to me right now because no buckle I've made actually turned out like I had initially invisioned. Rather they are compromises between what I want and what I was able to do. Thats another thing I really like about these bit shanks.. they are turning out as I had intended.

SO if you're on the fence about getting some silver sheet, go for some 30 gague argentium and start hacking away. Remember that there isn't a soul on the planet who's first attempt at something turned out spectacular. Allow yourself the learning curve and to fail. You'll find that giving yourself that kind of freedom will be the best thing you can do for your creativity. I've learned more through my mistakes than I can ever tell you..

We'll be going on a trip soon to Upstate NY, specifically Utica and Cooperstown, NY, to visit with my Husband's family. (His folks are from there but ended up in eastern TN for a time which is where my husband went to school (elementary through college) ). I've been to Utica's Famed Sarnac Brewery (LOVED IT!) where they have two real tiffany made lamps and to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Two places that I think my son is going to enjoy when he's a bit older.

Speaking of munchkin, he got tubes in his ears yesterday because of the constant ear problems that he's been having. Poor little guy, if it's not one thing it's another. I'm hoping that the tubes clear up a lot of his illnesses and he can get on with the business of being a little boy instead of being tired and sick all of the time! He also hasn't really been vocalizing real words like "momma" and "Daddy".. instead its like "momomom" and "Da! Da! Da!".. but he's been babbling more today so we are hopeful that the tubes will help his speech.

Happy July 4th Weekend! We'll be spending this weekend allowing RJ to recoperate and I'll be trying to get some more fireworks pictures. If/When I do, they'll be on my Photography Blog.

I still haven't gone through all of my egyptian event photos and I have photos of my amazing daylillies to show off too!

Blue Lady PHase western Show halter For sale this weekend!

Hi Folks!

THank you to everyone that entered the Lottery! Your support is very appreciated!

As mentioned yesterday on my yahoo group, I will be offering a two color button western show halter with silver plates and swarovski crystals similar to the NAN western halter. The only difference will be that this halter has Rio Rondo buckles instead of hand made buckles. I will offer this halter outright probably tomorrow or saturday. I haven't finished putting the plates on it which is why I'm not offering it this very second. Pictures as soon as it's finished. It will be $170.00ppd

THANK YOU and HAppy Fourth of July weekend!
Heather Moreton-Abounader
http://desertnightcreations.blogspot.com
http://www.desertnightcreations.com
http://www.abounaderphoto.com

Green Woven Knot & Silver bead set Lottery Information

****Description of the pieces***

Photos Can Been Seen here:

http://desertnightcreations.blogspot.com/2009/06/photos-of-some-of-sales-pieces.html

http://desertnightcreations.blogspot.com/2009/03/still-sick-gack.html

http://desertnightcreations.blogspot.com/2009/03/quick-update.html

(If you can't get to those sites, and you would like to see photos, and you have a high speed connection, email me and I'll send them to you directly)

Both Pieces were scaled to fit the Peter Stone Ideal Stock Horse Mold, However both pieces are adjustable and will fit similar head and body sizes. If you intend to use this for decor, please let me know and I'll send along a stand hand made in real wood by my very close and very talented friend, Robin Hudson.

The cost for these two pieces is $250.00ppd To the Lower 48 in the US

The Bridle

This bridle features real, single interweave turks head knots of ecru thread and green thread interweave. The Keepers, the beads, the tips on the crownpiece are real silver and you can feel their weight when you hold it in your hand. The romel reins are braided black artificial sinew and also feature real silver beads, and real interwoven knots. All silver has been coated to retard tarnishing.

The buckles and bit are Rio Rondo made and Rio Rondo is known for their correct scale and durability as well as beauty. The Crystals on the Buckles and the bit are REAL Swarovski crystals.

The Breastcollar

The centerpiece on the Breast Collar is a new piece of hardware being Developed by Rio Rondo that I was given the privilege of using on this set.

The buckle on the connector piece of the Breastcollar is not a tongued buckle, it is a resist buckle so that you can adjust it to the perfect fit of your saddle. The D rings on the breastcollar have been half hitched in green thread. The beads on the Breastcollar are also real silver and the knots are real interwoven knots. All have been coated to retard tarnishing and to keep them clean.

Please note that the Saddle used in the photos of the Set is NOT included.

My work has been used at countless Live Shows in Performance (and some halter!) and is Live Show Quality and correct. I have also been fortunate enough to have been invited to Sell my work out of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft Gift shop as well as the Autry National Center's Museum of Western Heritage Gift Shop. (and I have sold pieces through both venues)

I do not currently take orders because my time in the studio is very erratic and art deadlines stress me out to no end. I don't have a large production schedule so this could be one of the few pieces that I offer this year.

*****Lottery Information**********


I'm going to go ahead and start taking names for the Green Woven Knot Bridle and Breastcollar lottery for the Starting Tonight at Midnight (monday June 29th, 2009) and it will run through Wednesday July 1st, 2009 at 9 pm Est and then pull the name on Wednesday.

I go to bed at like 10pm est so as soon as I get up and can get to the computer, I'll acknowledge any entries that I've received overnight.

The winner is drawn by a number system. I put each name on a spreadsheet which automatically assigns a number to them. Then I use the random number generator online to pick a number. The winner has 24 hours to contact me. If I do not hear from you within 24 hours then I will draw another name.

If you are going to be out of town or away from your computer during the time that I draw the name or 24 hours afterwards it's up to you to let me know this when you submit your entry. If you can not check email every day then it is up to you to let me know this when you submit your entry. In those cases a phone number would be helpful as well as a good time to call. (I Have a munchkin, I know how my heart sinks when he's JUST fallen asleep and the phone rings)

Please email me at tackmaker@desertnightcreations.com OR tackmaker@gmail.com. If you know that your ISP is wonky about putting emails into spam folders or discarding emails please let me know when you submit your entry.

PLEASE PUT "GREEN WOVEN KNOT BRIDLE AND BREASTCOLLAR" IN THE SUBJECT OF YOUR EMAIL. In the body of the email, I need your name, address, and phone number (in case there is an email issue between ISPs)

I accept Money orders or Pay pal. My pay pal does allow credit card payments. I DO ship internationally and my work has made it to Great Britain, Australia and Germany. My pay pal address is
tackmaker@desertnightcreations.com I can not do any trades right now because I really need some income coming in.

Shipping is postage paid to the Lower 18 states in the United States. Anywhere outside that will incur shipping charges. I do not make you pay for boxes and bubble wrap, only the actual shipping and insurance.

You can only enter the lottery if you are over 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age you can have your parents enter the lottery, just let me know this when you submit your entry.

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

Photos of some of the Sales pieces

Finally! Finished with the Braided bridle and matching breastcollar. I've decided to sell them for a set price of $250.00ppd. I know I should put them up for auction to get the best price but I figure this way someone can be sure to get them and not have to fight someone else to get it. They will be Lotteried off. As you can see, they fit the Peter Stone ISH Mold or you can use them as a decor piece. Saddle not included!

Things that Will be For sale

The First two pictures above are of some halters I'm working on. They will be for sale in the near future. I'm not exactly sure when that will be because my Studio time is really so erratic. They have two color turks head knots and will have silver plates on them. The one with the green and blue knots, with the rings on the noseband (instead of rio rondo hardware) has real silver rings that I made myself. That halter will be all hand made. The other one will have rio rondo buckles.

Both halters will be for sale in some shape or form when they're finished.

The breast collar that matches the Green Bridle with the black romel reins has been started, as you can see. The "doohicky" in the middle is a new piece of hardware that may or may not be coming out soon. I'm not sure what I'm allowed to say about it, so forgive me for being mysterious..muuhhahahaaaa!

I have not yet decided if that set will be for sale for a flat price or if it'll go to
auction but it WILL be for sale..

My munchkin will need tubes in his ears. He can barely go 5 days past being off of an antibiotic before he winds up with another ear infection. They are very painful for him, and I can't even begin to tell you how awful it is to see him in pain and not be able to fix it immediately. We go this friday for a consultation with a specialist and then hopefully they get the outpatient surgery scheduled ASAP! We are going out of town the second week in July (The week before Breyerfest) to Cooperstown, NY to visit with family and I'm hoping that he may have the tubes in by then.. (crossing fingers)..

Lastly, Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those folks that bid on my NAN Donation. I really appreciate the support that you show me by doing so! The live auction is next weekend adn I can't wai tto hear the results!

Current bid is...

The current bid for the three Green Halters is $225, which is a total steal really. The last western halter alone that I had at auction went for $250! So bid early and bid often! LOL

http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?id=696952

NAN Donation Information and New Photography Pictures

I don't have an update in the way of tack to post. I've been out of the studio mostly all of last week because of Drs appts and other family related stuff. Then this weekend was the Egyptian Event Arabian Horse Show. Today munchkin is home with me because he has a fever so I won't be in teh studio today either. I really miss it because I was excited about some of the stuff I was working on : /

On my photography blog are a few pictures from saturday Night at the Egyptian Event. Please stop in if you have the time: http://abounaderphoto.blogspot.com

If you're interested in bidding for the Lot of three Halters for the NAN Donation, Please go here:

http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?id=696952

No ebay account required or anything! Right now the bid is $65!

Finished North American Model Horse Nationals Auction Donation

These are the finished
photos of my 2009 North American Model Horse Nationals Auction donation. I also added a "Hand of Hamesh" horse "necklace" that one can put on their horse to ward off the evil eye. I originally saw a necklace like this on an arabian in a photo of in Arabian Horse World and I've wanted to make one ever since! :-)

These are the descriptions:

Green and Yellow Native Arabian Halter

This halter was hand woven on a bead
loom. IT is lined with real professionally dyed leather so that it will not mark up your model. It features 17 Hand made, Real silver "sharks teeth" that have been coated to retard tarnishing. The Cowrie shells and "flower" medallions were all hand made using leather, sculpey and marble beads. The beads on either side of the halter above the tassels are also real silver that has been sealed. The tassels on the end of the halter on each side were hand wrapped. It fits the Breyer Huckleberry Bey Mold and similar sized models.

Arabian Show Halter

This arabian show halter features all real silver beads, plates and conchos that have been sealed to retard tarnishing. The Conchos were hand made by me and feature real swarovski crystals. The thin noseband is also real silver and patterned after the real show halters seen in today's arabian show rings. The halter also has a tiny, working roller buckle at the poll with two keepers. This halter fits the Breyer Huckleberry bey and similar sized heads.

Woven knot and silver show halter

This halter has real silver, hand etched plates, real swarovski crystals, and real woven, two colored turks head knots. It also boasts real silver hand made buckles, keepers, tips and accents on the throatlatch. It is five way adjustable and has a basketweaved crown
piece. The matching lead will run through the halter rings and out the bottom just like the real thing. It fits the Breyer Lady Phase and similar sized heads.

Hand of Hamesh

The Hand of Hamesh is used to block the "Evil Eye" and be under the protection of "The Hand of God". IT's used on horses as a good luck symbol. This necklace was made using real lapis lazuli and the "hand" itself is real silver and was hand made. The crystal is a swarovski crystal.

PICTURES of the NAN Donation!

This year's theme was proposed to me by Barb Ness.. She was thinking about three kinds of performance halters that folks could have and do an "instant" showmanship package!

 

 

I settled on the color green, since it's one of my favorite colors and it's a very popular color for tack right now. Not too flashy but flashy enough to be appealing :-)

 

 

The First halter, is an all silver, adjustable arabian show halter with hand made silver conchos. It fits the Breyer Huckleberry Bey Mold and as you can see, it'll fit a Khemo resin nicely. All silver has been coated so that it doesn't tarnish, and the crystals on the halter are real swarovskis.

 

 

The next halter is a hand woven native arabian halter. This halter has wrapped tassles on each side, hand made "cowrie shells" and real silver, hand made sharks teeth. (Those of you on facebook know I've been complaining about how these suckers like to fly across the room, never to be seen again.) All silver has been coated to retard tarnishing so the sharks teeth will stay nice for you for some time to come.

 

 

The last halter is a woven knot and will have western silver plates on the side pieces and on the noseband. The buckles, and keepers on this halter are REAL Silver! And the buckles are just as sturdy as the Rio Rondo Pewter buckles. I used a heavier gague silver this time so that they could withstand some use! This halter will come with a lead and fits the Lady Phase Mold.

 

 

THank you to Barb who is giving me an extra week to get this all finished!!!

soooooooooooooooooooooooo Close!

I'm so close to done on my NAN donation! THank goodness for the long weekend! Hopefully I'll have more time in the studio each night and be able to work. RJ is no longer woken up by my dremeling which is wonderful!! I do a lot of dremel work... All will be revealed monday or tuesday of next week!

Down to the wire...

My poor Munchkin is sick again today so he stayed home from daycare. We have a dr's appt this afternoon. I hope that his ear infections haven't come back.. the poor guy.. he's teething on top of it all : /

Theser are in progress pictures of the last two halters I'm trying to finish up for my NAN Donation. THe Native halter WILL be finished, the western halter is a "hope against hope"..

Some Progress on the NAN Native Halter......

I have gotten some things done on my NAN Donation Native Halter. First of all, I've gotten it pieced together and the backing on the halter itself. I was going to use ribbon, but in the past I've had ribbon come unglued from the back of the halter. This time I used some leather lacing and that seemed to work out great!

Above, next to the dime, you'll see a tiny "sharks tooth" decoration for the halter. Yes, I'm making my own sharks teeth out of silver. I know that one can buy this stuff from Rio Rondo but I really want this halter to be made by me as much as possible. In fact thats my goal for future miniature tack. The more I make it myself, the more "authentic" I feel it becomes.

The first time I made these, I wanted to pull my hair out! I've gotten a lot more adept with the dremel since then and these aren't taking me nearly as long. The hard part is getting a hole at the top because I don't own a drill press.

I'm hoping against hope I can eek out a western show halter but it's going to be close..

I am still not getting a whole lot of sleep thanks to munchkin. Instead of sleeping for about 12 hours overnight, he only sleeps eight yet we can't get him to stay up past 7pm.
So my husband and I are definitely seriously sleep deficient..

If you haven't seen it yet, Nicanor, a full younger brother to Barbaro broke his maiden in his forth start and won by 15 lengths! Yes, I'm a sap, and I cried when I watched the video.. He had his ears up the whole way on the backstretch and was really enjoying himself on the grass! Watch it here: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50753/barbaros-brother-nicanor-breaks-maiden-by-15

I Hope that he has a long and successful career as both a racehorse and a sire!

More Sneak Peeks

Still coming along slowly but surely. This week is a whirl wind of Drs appointments and we're going out of town so I won't have a lot of time in the studio. I plan to make next week "Studio" week so that I can get my NAN donation done..

Congratulations Mine that Bird!

http://www.horsephotos.com/watermark.jsp?photoID=99236

$9500 Maiden Claimer by Birdstone, Mine That Bird, and Jockey Calvin Borel (Bo-rail) won the Kentucky Derby Today in Fine style, going away! Congratulations to all of his connections!