Check out FoggyHoller, his paintings are so fabulous!
Rob generously painted me a custom made picture, and sent it to me for free! I thought he deserved this feature. Go check his shop out!
FoggyHoller
Tell me a bit about yourself.
I was born in the small coastal town of Port Hueneme, CA about 25 miles north of Malibu. My dad was a career U.S. Navy Seabee and was gone a lot. I was raised mostly by my Mom and her parents. I was big brother to a brother and sister. We bounced around a lot and I went to many different schools. We lived on the island of Guam for a few years and then later on the island of Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian chain. That’s where I graduated High School in 1965. We had a graduating class of 12 so I can honestly say I was in the top 12 of my class. That number would be higher if we had more people. I had attended 5 different high schools by that time. I joined up and became a Seabee myself after HS and made a couple of trips to Vietnam (my brother also followed as a Seabee after I'd left). It’s the way we were raised and I would’nt have it any other way. When I got out I went back up to Alaska and worked as a State Trooper, Fairbanks Firefighter/Paramedic, Smoke Jumper and finally got tired of the cold and headed south. I was a navigator on a ship for a couple of years and then worked as a Firefighter with California Dept of Forestry. I joined the Border Patrol in 1977 and was stationed in San Diego. That was fun. I was on the Horse Patrol, Signcut (tracking) detail, pistol team, range officer, instructor, the BP version of SWAT and the Bandit Team. I lived in Imperial Beach (right on the beach) and my off duty time was spent mostly drinking and surfing. Then I met the lady I would marry and that put an end to my irresponsibility. Married in 85 I transferred in 1993 to the northern border in Oroville, WA as a Senior Inspector and transferred again to Raleigh, NC as a Special Agent. We are still here in Raleigh.
2) Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I’m retired now and a little banged up. I still teach a little martial arts to select people. It is a Filipino art called Escrima or Kali. I’ve done that for about 25 years. Some boxing too. I coached baseball and softball for a while when my kids were into it. 2 girls and a boy. I’ve always played baseball and softball so that was just a natural thing to do. Other than that I like to read and drink wine and splash paint.
3) Where do you get your inspiration from?
I don’t really have a source of “inspiration”. I’ve never taken any art classes (didn’t even have an art class on Adak). I’ve never known any real artists and I don’t know the different styles and stuff like that. I just like to see what I can do and when I do it, then I try to improve on it. I tend to get stuck on “themes”. Right now I seem to be doing a bunch of lighthouses. I know that will change,
4) What does handmade mean to you?
To me handmade is something a person creates with feeling. It has a personal touch and the finished product is special to the artists themselves. Handmade conveys pride in the accomplishment of a finished product and whether it’s a gift or a commercial product I think the artist is the one who appreciates it most. To me, if it’s just slapped together for a profit it’s not “handmade” it’s “assembled”.
5) Who or what has been most influential, inspiring, or helped you along the way?
Other than my life experiences (I’ve seen and done a lot) I would have to say my Dad gave me the insight to not take myself too seriously but also to never give up on something you want to accomplish. Thanks Dad. RIP. Also, my wife kicks me in the butt when I get lazy and is an endless source of encouragement. I am my harshest critic and often get discouraged with my inability to get it right.
6) What is your absolute favorite shop here on Etsy?
There are so many shops on Etsy that it is impossible (for me anyway) to have a favorite shop. I would have to say without prejudice that my wife’s shop ncbeadsnbags, and my daughter’s shop the indigo forest are two of my favorites. I love their stuff and I’m proud of their talent and dedication to their art. Their items are truly “handmade”.
7) Where would you like to be in the near future?
Being an old bastard and a cancer survivor I would like to still be alive in the near (and far) future. 4 grandkids and counting. I want to meet all their children.
8) Would you like to say anything else?
Nah, I’ve been longwinded enough. Thanks very much for this opportunity to share.
share.
February 29, 2012
February 23, 2012
Let me introduce you
Hello all. I'd like to introduce you to the very cats them selves, and show you some of the first rescues.
Sylvester. He is my baby. The biggest spoiled rotten fat cat you will see. When we first got him, as just a baby, he was so tiny, and active. He would play and run around, but as he got older, he changed, and started gaining weight. Now he literally will roll around on the floor on his back, and meow like a little kitten. He is a big lovable sweetie though. When he was young he would suck on people's earlobes, it was so cute!
This is Rain and Bo. Rain is the one on the left, and sadly she ran away from home one day and we haven't seen her for about 4 months. (All of our farm cats roam free).
Rain was such a beautiful and loving cat.
Here is Bo and little Rexy. Rex was a siamese rescue, who now has a new home. He was born grey, and turned white as you can see in the next few pictures!
This is my ferret, Loki. He loves to run around in the summer grass, and play with all the cats!
Here is our other farm cat, Thomas!
And a group photo of Rex, Bo, Thomas, Maxx and Rain.
And lastly, our two bundles of joy; Maxx and Zoey. Maxx is an orange Pom/Chihuahua and Zoey is a white/cream Chihuahua/Pom.
But the base of it all, who will never EVER be forgotten, is Zeus.
Zeus was a King Rottweiler.
The most lovable dog you would ever meet!
He had personality! Zeus loved to pull a sleigh, and pull me on my skates at the pond. He played with our other dogs, Zoey and Maxx.
Zeus died at a year old, heart failure. Dec 23, 2011.
He will never be forgotten.
Thank you for reading!
Sylvester. He is my baby. The biggest spoiled rotten fat cat you will see. When we first got him, as just a baby, he was so tiny, and active. He would play and run around, but as he got older, he changed, and started gaining weight. Now he literally will roll around on the floor on his back, and meow like a little kitten. He is a big lovable sweetie though. When he was young he would suck on people's earlobes, it was so cute!
This is Rain and Bo. Rain is the one on the left, and sadly she ran away from home one day and we haven't seen her for about 4 months. (All of our farm cats roam free).
Rain was such a beautiful and loving cat.
Here is Bo and little Rexy. Rex was a siamese rescue, who now has a new home. He was born grey, and turned white as you can see in the next few pictures!
This is my ferret, Loki. He loves to run around in the summer grass, and play with all the cats!
Here is our other farm cat, Thomas!
And a group photo of Rex, Bo, Thomas, Maxx and Rain.
And lastly, our two bundles of joy; Maxx and Zoey. Maxx is an orange Pom/Chihuahua and Zoey is a white/cream Chihuahua/Pom.
But the base of it all, who will never EVER be forgotten, is Zeus.
Zeus was a King Rottweiler.
The most lovable dog you would ever meet!
He had personality! Zeus loved to pull a sleigh, and pull me on my skates at the pond. He played with our other dogs, Zoey and Maxx.
Zeus died at a year old, heart failure. Dec 23, 2011.
He will never be forgotten.
Thank you for reading!
February 20, 2012
forpawsandhome
Our featured shop today is Carolyn's; forpawsandhome
Check out the article here;
1) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Winchester, Va when it was more country than city. My grandmother raised me for many years until she passed; I wish I could have had more time with her. We were always working in the gardens so we would have food to eat in the winter. Cooking, canning, cutting wood, crocheting, sewing; oh the good old days. She taught me about life and how to be independent and told me to always be doing something with myself.
I love animals and right now I'm at my capacity with eight rescues. Look out if I get a bigger place; that number will at least double!
I have always loved crafts of any kind from sewing to woodworking. I attend many craft shows through the year. My shop holds just a few of my crafts, I am trying to stock up this year for the shows. They come all at once with hardly a break in between. I wish I could do this 24/7, but have to work like most of us at a job I am not thrilled about. Maybe one day I'll be a "quit your day job" story!
2) Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I work in an office taking care of payables and receivables and what ever else they throw at me . I can't say I love my job but it is a job that I need. Pretty boring and some long, long days. I do get to sneak on the net through the day; only the computer is so slow that it is madding.
When I am not crafting I am taking care of my gang of animals.You know how demanding these guys can be. I still work a lot in the gardens gathering veggies and herbs so we'll have them in the winter.
3) Where do you get your inspiration from?
I'd have to say it goes back to my Grandmother. She pushed me so much to learn and create. I can still hear her saying "Idle hands are the devils workshop"
I get such a good feeling when something comes together and I can say yes I did it.
4) What does handmade mean to you?
Creating comes from within your mind and heart. I love it when I receive a handmade gift. I know that person took time to actually sit down and make something for me instead of going to a store and grabbing something off a shelf.
5) Who or what has been most influential, inspiring, or helped you along the way?
Again I'd have to say my Grandmother influenced me the most. I have done a lot of self help and trial and error through the years too.
6) What is your absolute favorite shop here on Etsy?
This has to be the hardest to decide; I love looking at all the shops, all the talent is mind blowing. Of all the things I do, I can not draw a lick! So, I am amazed with drawings and paintings. I will narrow it down to LisaNelsonArt and CrankyCats.
But, I love all the shops.
7) Where would you like to be in ten years, or the near future?
RETIRED! Hopefully still selling on Etsy with a bigger shop and lots of sales.
8) Would you like to say anything else?
When you are looking for a pet please please adopt, there are so many animals that are in need of your home and love.
Small Chunky Blue Dog Hoodie
Give Carolyn's shop a visit here and check out her favorite shops here;
CrankyCats
LisaNelsonArt
Check out the article here;
1) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Winchester, Va when it was more country than city. My grandmother raised me for many years until she passed; I wish I could have had more time with her. We were always working in the gardens so we would have food to eat in the winter. Cooking, canning, cutting wood, crocheting, sewing; oh the good old days. She taught me about life and how to be independent and told me to always be doing something with myself.
I love animals and right now I'm at my capacity with eight rescues. Look out if I get a bigger place; that number will at least double!
I have always loved crafts of any kind from sewing to woodworking. I attend many craft shows through the year. My shop holds just a few of my crafts, I am trying to stock up this year for the shows. They come all at once with hardly a break in between. I wish I could do this 24/7, but have to work like most of us at a job I am not thrilled about. Maybe one day I'll be a "quit your day job" story!
2) Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I work in an office taking care of payables and receivables and what ever else they throw at me . I can't say I love my job but it is a job that I need. Pretty boring and some long, long days. I do get to sneak on the net through the day; only the computer is so slow that it is madding.
When I am not crafting I am taking care of my gang of animals.You know how demanding these guys can be. I still work a lot in the gardens gathering veggies and herbs so we'll have them in the winter.
3) Where do you get your inspiration from?
I'd have to say it goes back to my Grandmother. She pushed me so much to learn and create. I can still hear her saying "Idle hands are the devils workshop"
I get such a good feeling when something comes together and I can say yes I did it.
4) What does handmade mean to you?
Creating comes from within your mind and heart. I love it when I receive a handmade gift. I know that person took time to actually sit down and make something for me instead of going to a store and grabbing something off a shelf.
5) Who or what has been most influential, inspiring, or helped you along the way?
Again I'd have to say my Grandmother influenced me the most. I have done a lot of self help and trial and error through the years too.
6) What is your absolute favorite shop here on Etsy?
This has to be the hardest to decide; I love looking at all the shops, all the talent is mind blowing. Of all the things I do, I can not draw a lick! So, I am amazed with drawings and paintings. I will narrow it down to LisaNelsonArt and CrankyCats.
But, I love all the shops.
7) Where would you like to be in ten years, or the near future?
RETIRED! Hopefully still selling on Etsy with a bigger shop and lots of sales.
8) Would you like to say anything else?
When you are looking for a pet please please adopt, there are so many animals that are in need of your home and love.
Give Carolyn's shop a visit here and check out her favorite shops here;
CrankyCats
LisaNelsonArt
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