Thursday

Magnetic Sea Heart Pin Cushion Needle Minder



This is a 2 inch Sea Heart (Entada gigas), a member of the family of nomadic sea beans that fall into the sea in the tropic regions and float around the world.

Dave hand carved this one and turned it into a unique magnetic needle and tool holder for your sewing table. He split this Sea Heart , removing the inside bean, and embedded a strong Neodymium Rare Earth Magnet in resin, then bonded the two sides back together. It is initialed and dated on the bottom.

If you would like to visit this Ebay auction listing, please click the following link:

Magnetic Sea Heart Pin Cushion/Needle Minder

Wednesday

Scrimshaw Tatting Shuttle and Sailors Ditty Box


The first sailors ditty box was so popular, Dave decided to make another one! This one features a 3 inch carved ancient mammoth ivory whale on the top of the 4 ½ by 2 ¾ inch midnight blue bentwood box.

Dave carved the 3 inch tatting shuttle from walnut and scrim'd the inlayed ancient mammoth ivory with a lighthouse scene.

If you'd like to check out the auction, please visit this link:


GMA Scrimshaw Tatting Shuttle Sailor Ditty Box

Tuesday

Home from Yachats!


We are home from another wonderful trip to Yachats, Oregon. Doing shows in Yachats doesn't really feel like work, with the exception of building our booth and sitting for hours :) To the wonderful customers who bought our art this past weekend, THANK YOU! We appreciate your patronage! We look forward to returning in the spring!

One of the Many Reasons Why We Love Yachats, Oregon

Wednesday

Hand Carved and Scrimshawed Knitting Sheath

Dave has always been fascinated with making reproductions of early period pieces, particularly pieces made by sailors. Scrimshaw knitting needle sheaths were among the many things sailors made for their wives and sweethearts back home.

Dave hand carved this 7 inch knitting sheath out of Oregon Myrtlewood. He made it for the traditional right side fitting. He had noticed that many of the early period sheaths had more narrow slots for apron strings to hold the sheath but I made this one with a wider slot to fit up to a ¾ inch waist band or belt. The top of the sheath is fitted with ancient Russian mammoth ivory as well as the color scrimshaw center piece. The needle hole in the top is drilled to accept a 5.00mm US size 8 knitting needle.


The purpose of the knitting sheath was to take the weight of the work and prevent the stitches from slipping off the bottom of a double-ended needle. These sheaths had a hole bored through the center in which the needle nearest on the right, fitted. These knitting sheaths would be worn on the right side of the body, at an angle. They were tucked into the waist band or held under the arm. In the sheath would be placed the bottom of the right hand knitting needle which was held rigid, leaving the left hand to work the yarn on the other needle. Knitting sheaths were used throughout Europe and the British Isles during the 18th. and 19th. centuries. Some were refined and exotic being made from a variety of materials including amber, porcelain, ivory, silver and brass etc. The majority were made from a range of available woods. Many were crudely carved gifts or love tokens, bearing the name of the recipient sometimes with a date and a heart or other symbol.



This item is currently up for auction on Ebay. If you would like to see larger photos, please click the link below.



Hand Carved and Scrimshawed Knitting Sheath Auction on Ebay.com

Saturday

Scrimshaw Sailors Ditty Box and Tatting Shuttle





If you haven't checked out our latest Ebay auction, you're missing out on one of Dave's most unique pieces ever! It's a replica of an old sailors ditty box that he has burn etched and best of all, it also includes one of Dave's handmade tatting shuttles. The 2 1/2 inch long walnut shuttle has a sailor scrimshawed into the ancient mammoth ivory inlay. The interior of the ditty box has been decopaged with prints of period antique art. To see more photos of this item, please use the link below to view the Ebay auction listing.

Click here to view the auction!

Yachats Arts and Crafts Festival


We just got our letter stating we had been accepted into the 10th Annual Harvest & Holidays Arts & Crafts Festival in Yachats, Oregon. We always look forward to going to Yachats! If you are planning a trip to the Oregon coast during the weekend of November 3 and 4th, be sure to plan a stop in Yachats. These shows are always great and this one will have 65 vendors inside and on Sunday the Yachats Farmers Market will be going on at the same time outside. This would be a great weekend to get your holiday shopping done early! The show is held in the Yachats Commons right on highway 101 and the times of the show are Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Friday

Now on TalentDatabase.com!


We have recently found a wonderful website that features artists from around the world! Grizzly Mountain Arts now has a portfolio on TalentDatabase.com . If you too are an artist and would like to be featured, be sure and check it out. If you are a lover of art and like to look at various mediums from around the world, you too should go take a look!

The basket on the right is one of our newest that's for sale in our Etsy.com shop. If you'd like to read more information about this basket, please click on the photo in our Mini-Etsy that's located on the left side of this page.

Monday

Headed Back to Sisters!

This weekend, we'll be headed back to Sisters, Oregon for the Western and Native American Festival. Vendors will be selling top quality handmade traditional and Native American wares. A variety of pottery, western and Native American jewelry, art work, clothing, metal art, log furniture and much more. Western music, Native American entertainment, mountain men and much more are among the activities throughout the weekend. Hours are 10 – 4 both days. Located at Creekside Park, Hwy. 20 & Jefferson. Contact: Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. 541-549-0251.

Wednesday

High Desert Celtic Society's Highland Games



Another weekend, another show! This coming weekend, we'll be heading to Redmond, Oregon to participate in the High Desert Celtic Society's Highland Games.

Friday

Sisters Summer Faire, Part 2

We are off to Sisters, Oregon tomorrow (Saturday) for the August Summer Faire Arts and Crafts Show. The show will run Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you happen to be traveling through central Oregon, be sure and stop by!

Lone Pine Basket Featured on Fresh Peaches Designs!


We just had the nicest convo from a fellow Etsy seller to tell us our "Lone Pine" pine needle basket was featured on her blog! Click here to check it out! Also, the photo on the right is one of Fresh Peaches Designs pieces which you can find at her Etsy shop.

A Must Read Blog!

I know some of our customers are knitters, but even if you don't knit, you really should check out Crazy Aunt Purl's Blog. It has a little bit of everything--good Southern charm (you can't beat photos of fried okra), funny photos of her cats, oh and great knitting tips! You'll not only learn a little about knitting, you'll learn some great life lessons.

New Baskets!


We just finished some new smaller baskets in time for this weekend's show. They are made from dyed Ponderosa pine needles and are decorated with carved horn, carved bone, turquoise, carnelian and wood.

Thursday

Sisters Summer Faire!


Next weekend, July 7-8, is our official beginning of the summer art festival season. The Sisters, Oregon Summer Faire is always a great show. You never know what the weather will be like--hot sun, rain or cold with the occasional snow flurry.

If you'd like more information about this show, please visit the Sisters Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday

New eBay Listing!



This ancient Mexican Spiral Hand symbol pendant was made by Jo from earthenware clay. This piece was glazed with a dark chili pepper glaze before firing. The necklace is beaded with delicate turquoise beads. The pendant hangs from the necklace with Hill Tribe silver jump rings.





New Carved Mammoth Ivory Itty Bitty Hitty Doll eBay Listing



Dave has just listed a new carved Itty Bitty Hitty doll on eBay! She is carved entirely from ancient Mammoth ivory and stands about 3 1/4" tall.

Click below to view the eBay listing.
GMA OOAK Carved Mammoth Ivory Itty Bitty Hitty eBay listing


New eBay Listings!



Jo has just listed two new necklaces on eBay!

The first, is this Celtic Fish Pendant that she created from earthenware clay. The pendant had an oregano glaze added before it's final firing. Jo likes to use as many organic materials as possible in her jewelry and this pendant shows it. There are gorgeous turquoise beads, carved bone, very old Bauxite African trade beads and African trade copper. The jump rings are Hill Tribe silver (99.9% solid silver).



Saturday

Home from Yachats




Sadly, we had to come home after the "Crafts on the Coast" show last weekend. Yachats is one of those quaint Oregon coastal villages that you never want to leave. The show was wonderful--Violet and Jeanne are always such gracious hosts and we look forward to returning for the November show.

Sunday

Ready for Yachats, Part Deux!




I finally took photos of some of the pendants I've been working on over the past several weeks. I think I've made about 100, so hopefully our customers will find something that suits them.

These pendants are made from earthenware clay, some terra cotta colored and some white. They have been bisque fired, then fired again after the glaze was applied.

Be sure and click on the photos for a zoom view.

Thursday

Ready for Yachats!


We've been working fast and furiously to be prepared for our first show of the season. Normally, our season doesn't begin until June, but this year, we were fortunate to be juried in to the "Crafts on the Coast" art show in Yachats, Oregon which is held during the Memorial Day weekend.

Dave does all of the carving, and your's truly, makes the jewelry. I have also been working on some ceramic pendants that aren't quite ready to be photographed yet. Photos of those will be posted as soon as I am finished.

Be sure and click on the photo to get a zoom view!





New Etsy Listing!

I just uploaded our newest piece to our Etsy shop. It is a gorgeous carved ancient walrus ivory spirit face pendant. Be sure and check it out!

Tuesday

Wood Spirit Nostepinne

I just posted Dave's Wood Spirit Nostepinne in our Etsy shop. A nostepinne, also spelled "nostepinde", is a fiber art tool used to make balls of yarn. This is one of his best pieces! The top section featuring the wood spirit, is carved from Oregon myrtlewood, and the lower section was turned from a beautiful piece of walnut. The overall length of this nostepinne is 10 inches.

Monday

Some Things "Wizardy" This Way Comes....

Dave is currently in a "Wizardy" mood, and has been carving wizards and wood spirits on everything! To see some his most recent Fiber Art tools and accessories, check out our current Ebay listings . We also have four "Wood Spirits of Oregonia" crochet hooks for sale in our Etsy shop. To see those, click on one of the photos on the left hand side of this page, and it will take you there.

UPDATE: Dave just finished a gorgeous carved wood spirit Nostepinde (or Nostepenne), which is a fiber art tool used to wind yarn balls. I will get it uploaded to Etsy either this evening or tomorrow morning.

Slow but Sure!

Our Etsy shop seems to be working now, albeit a little slow. The text is loading quickly, but the photos take a little longer. Hopefully, this problem will be corrected shortly.

Sunday

Etsy.com Store Closed for Repairs

If you have tried to visit our online store at Etsy.com, you may have encountered a notice that the site is down and that Haim is working on it. Apparently, the system upgrades and repairs are taking longer than planned. The Mini-Etsy on our sidebar to the left is also down, but should return as soon as the main Etsy.com site is up and running. Clicking on an item in the Mini-Etsy will take you to that item in our Etsy shop.



Tuesday

Additions to Our Show Season

July 7th & 8th - Sisters Summer Faire - Located in the Village Green Park. Faire hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information,please go to www.sisterschamber.com.

August 4th & 5th - Sisters Summer Faire - Located in the Village Green Park. Faire hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information,please go to www.sisterschamber.com.

August 11th - 19th Annual High Desert Celtic Festival - Located at Cline Falls Ranch, corner of 67th & Highland Ave (Highway 126 between Redmond and Sisters) Festival times 9a.m. to 6p.m.- Scottish Highland Games, Celtic Dancers, Children's Activities, Vendors of Fine Celtic Wares, Clan Representation, Southern Oregon Scottish Bagpipe Band, Festival Pub, food and fun! For more information, please visit www.hdcs.net/festival.htm

September 1st & 2nd - Sisters Western and Native American Festival - Vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest selling top quality handmade traditional and Native American Wares. Displays of jewelry, woodcrafts, western art, traditional American artists and much more. Demonstrations of early settlers, pioneers and Native American living. Food court and live entertainment will be available at the Creekside Park. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please go to www.sisterschamber.com.

October 13th & 14th - Sisters Harvest Faire - Now in its 24th year, this Faire brings together over 200 juried vendors of handcrafted quality arts and crafts, plus food and entertainment. Located on the streets of downtown Sisters! Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Admission. Contact: 541.549.0251. Sponsor: Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce For more information, please go to www.sisterschamber.com.

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Monday

First Show of the Season!

We just received word that we have been juried into our first show of the season! We'll be participating in the 10th annual "Crafts on the Coast" show the weekend of May 26-27th in Yachats, Oregon. If you happen to be on the Oregon coast Memorial Day weekend, be sure and stop by the Yachats Commons, which is right on highway 101. This show will coincide on Sunday with the Yachats Farmer's Market which is held outdoors on the Commons grounds.

Tuesday

Welcome to Our Blog!

Welcome to our blog!

We will try to keep up to date with posting our upcoming art shows. If you aren't able to come see us in person, please visit Grizzly Mountain Arts online or visit our Etsy shop. If you haven't discovered Etsy.com yet, you'll soon make it a favorite stop on your wanderings on the world wide web.