Thursday

Holy Land Olive Wood Bobbin Lace Lazy Susan Set


Dave has hand crafted this set of Lazy Susan lace tools out of Bethlehem Olive wood from the Holy land. They are each approximately 5 ¾ inches overall length, including the needle. On these, he used cotton darner needles which have the larger eyes for easier threading--one he bent at an angle, and the other he has left straight.


This Olive wood set is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Wednesday

Acrylic Pin Vise Lace Bobbin Pattern Pricker

Red Acrylic Pin Vise Lace Bobbin Pattern Pricker

Dave handcrafted this 2 inch pattern pricker pin vise from colorful acrylic stock. The color is a deep red with black swirls polished to a glass finish. The photo just doesn't do this piece justice!

This stunning fiber art tool is currently up for auction on Ebay, where you can also view one additional photo.

Handcrafted Double Ended Afghan Crochet Hook Set H-K

Handcrafted Double Ended Afghan Crochet Hook Set H-K

Dave has hand crafted this set of double ended afghan hooks out of white birch. They include four of the most popular yarn sizes used for crocheting afghans. Each has the size burn etched into the stem, H (5.00mm), I (5.50 mm), J (6.00 mm) and K (6.50 mm). He also burn etched a fern pattern on each hook.

These beautiful hooks come in a gift box ready for Christmas and are currently up for auction on Ebay.

Monday

Acrylic Pin Vise Lace Bobbin Pattern Pricker

Acrylic Pin Vise Lace Bobbin Pattern Pricker

WE’RE BACK!
After 3 weeks and a nearly 5,000 mile road trip vacation it’s now time to relax and get some real rest and get back to the business of creating.

Dave's first item crafted is this 2 inch acrylic pattern pricker pin vise. The color is called Retro-Gold which has a mix of black, amber and gold color acrylic flecks. There are two additional photos to view at the Ebay auction listing for this beautiful fiber art tool.

Please stay tuned to our blog since it will take a little time to get back up to full speed. If you'd like to see a few photos of where we've been, please click here to visit our Flickr portfolio.

Friday

Oklahoma or Bust!


Grizzly Mountain Arts and Good Dirt Jewelry are on vacation!

While we are away driving across the beautiful USA, we thought we'd post a slideshow of our portfolio so you won't forget us :) See you the first week in October!

Thursday

It's That Time of Year Again!

Time for the Native American Festival in Sisters, Oregon that is! This is our favorite show to do each year. The Creekside Park setting is beautiful and there is almost always a hint of fall in the air. Artists will be selling top quality handmade traditional and Native American wares. You will find a variety of pottery, western and Native American jewelry, art work, leather clothing, metal art, log furniture and photography. You will also be able to visit a teepee, watch a demonstration in hide painting, arrowhead making and beading. There will also be a living history display.Western music will be provided on Saturday by the Anvil Blasters, and Native American entertainment will be offered on Sunday.

Saturday

Needle Vise Pattern Pricker


Dave has crafted this needle vise pattern pricker from beautiful dyed and stabilized Box Elder Burl. It is approximately 2 ¾ inches long and is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Thursday

Tibetan Mala Bead Scissor Fob


Jo has made this 5 1/4" long scissor fob from an assortment of rich, organic looking beads. The largest bead is from a Tibetan Buddhist prayer mala. This mala bead is made from Yak bone which has been dyed a deep red and inlayed with turquoise and coral chips. It is surrounded by an assortment of other carved bone beads. The three dangles are made from tiny African clay beads, turquoise tubes and garnets. The remainder of the fob is strung with carved bone, turquoise and garnets. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Tuesday

Weavolution


Dave and I just found a wonderful site that we thought you might like: Weavolution, A Gathering Place for Handweavers This site has tons of information about technique, items for sale and you can also upload photos to display your current projects.

Saturday

Poplar and Rosewood French Spool Knitter


Dave has handcrafted this four brass pin spool knitter out of Poplar and dark Rosewood. He has burn etched the rose design on both sides. This spool knitter is 3 3/4 inches long and the companion 5 1/2 inch needle/loop lifter is made from the same materials. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Thursday

Hand Carved Bone Tatting Shuttle


Dave hand carved this 2 5/8 inch flat shuttle from Buffalo Bone. It has four carved rosettes (2 on each side) and is polished to a glass finish. This tatting shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave. Additional photos can be viewed at the Ebay auction.

Bacote Wooden Double Ended Crochet Hook Sizes J/K


Dave has hand crafted this double ended hook out of exotic and warmed toned Bacote wood. It has the popular yarn size hooks J(6.00mm) and K (6.50 mm) and is approximately 7 1/2 inches long. Additional photos of this hook can be found at the Ebay auction.

Tuesday

New Cameo Needle Minders




We have just added six new cameo needle minders to our "Fiber Art Tool" section of our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop. All of the new needle minders are featured in the slideshow above.

ShopIndieOnline Feature


It's always a wonderful surprise to find one of your items featured on a blog! Dave's starfish pine needle plate was selected by the ShopIndieOnline blog. ShopIndieOnline.com supports independent artists/businesses of all mediums, so be sure and stop by and check them out :)

If you'd like to view more photos of Dave's beautiful starfish, please click
here to visit the listing on 1000markets.com

Wednesday

Picnik.com's New Flickr Slideshow




I've been using Picnik.com for some time now to edit photos for our Grizzly Mountain Arts items, and I've also used Flickr as an online portfolio of our work. Recently, Picnik.com has created a wonderful new utility that makes slideshows from your Flickr sets! It's all integrated--you click on Flickr from within Picnik, then select the set you would like to make a slideshow presentation from, then Picnik generates the html for you.

The slideshow above is from our Flickr "Tatting Shuttle" set. If you would like to view more of our Grizzly Mountain Arts Flickr portfolio, please click here.

Tuesday

Work in Progress

I finally managed to sneak a picture of Dave's studio makeover! This is a portion that is complete, and the only part I was "allowed" to photograph! LOL All of the walls and work surfaces have been painted white to reflect light. When you have "over 4o" eyes (as in age wise, not like fly eyes), bright light is a necessity! Since Dave needed to take a creative break, the rest of the studio was off limits to photograph for now :)

Sunday

Beautiful Purple Swirl Acrylic Tatting Shuttle


Dave handcrafted this gorgeous tatting shuttle from purple swirl acrylic stock. With the swirling thread design it, looks like it is already busy tatting without you! This tatting shuttle is 2 ½ inches in length, and has been initialed by Dave.

If you would like to view an additional photo of this tatting shuttle, click here to view the Ebay auction listing.

Ruby Red and Black Swirl Acrylic Tatting Shuttle


This little tatting shuttle is as beautiful as Dorothy Gale's slippers!


Dave has hand crafted this ruby red and black swirl tatting shuttle from acrylic stock. It is 2 ½ inch overall length and is initialed and dated by Dave. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction.

Masur Birch Bobbin Tatting Shuttle


This rare and highly decorative wood comes from Finland. Birch trees may be attacked by beetles and produce pitch flecks in the cambium layer. These dark markings can produce unusual grain patterns standing out in contrast against the lighter colored background of the wood.
This shuttle is 2 ½ inches in overall length, with a #14 steel crochet/picot hook inset in the nose. Dave has also inlayed a dot of Truestone turquoise in the butt. Truestone is fine powdered turquoise that has been cast with resin making a composite material that can be turned on a lathe or hand worked. The bobbin is a common Class 66 plastic singer bobbin. More bobbins can be purchased at Walmart or any of the many sewing stores. The tension/drag on the bobbin can be adjusted by the brass screw post axle. This beautiful tatting shuttle has been finished with a handrubbed satin bees wax finish.

More photos of this tatting shuttle may be seen at the current Ebay auction.

Buckeye Burl Spool Knitter


Dave has handcrafted this four brass pin spool knitter using Buckeye Burl. He has also burn etched the autumn leaf design around it. This spool knitter is 3 1/2 inches long. The companion 4 1/2 inch needle/loop lifter is made from buffalo bone.


If you would like to view more photos of this spool knitter, please visit the Ebay auction.

Thursday

Double Ended Crochet Hook Set Sizes G-K


This set of hooks may be the only hooks you will ever need! Dave hand crafted this double ended set out of Birch and dark East Indian Rosewood. They cover the most popular sizes for yarn and include sizes G (4.00mm) and G+ (4.50mm), sizes H (5.00mm) and I (5.50mm), sizes J(6.00mm) and K (6.50). The letter size has been burn etched into the stem for each end. They are approximately 7 1/2 inches long and have a hand rubbed bees wax finish. This one-of-a-kind set is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Friday

Four Pin French Knitting Spool Knitter


Dave handcrafted this four pin spool knitter using ash and dark rosewood, then burn etched the floral design around it. This French spool knitter is almost 4 inches long. The 5 inch needle/loop lifter is made from strata-bond dyed birch and dark rosewood, with a cocobolo accent ring. This set has been initialed and dated by Dave and is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Wednesday

Acorn Lace Bobbins


Dave has handcrafted this pair of continental style acorn lace bobbins using birch, oak and olive green poplar woods. They are approximately 4 inches long. These beautiful bobbins are currently up for auction on Ebay.

Monday

Native American Spool Knitter

Native American Spool Knitter

This is a recently commissioned French spool knitter with Dave's adaptation of Native American art. The pictographic designs are those commonly found in native pottery and basket making. Some of the ancient pictograph motifs are found in caves and on rocks through out the United States.

The spool knitter is made from American cherry wood and walnut, with 6 brass pins. It is approx 4 inch overall length. The 5 inch needle/loop lifter is made from bone, cherry and walnut with a turquoise accent.

Saturday

"Fern Gulley" Double Ended Crochet Hooks Sizes G-K


This set of hooks may be the only hooks you will ever need! Dave hand crafted this double ended set out of Oregon Myrtlewood. This set was inspired by the beautiful and dense fern gulleys in our Cascade Mountains. A fern motif has been burn etched on each hook. These hooks cover the most popular sizes for yarn, and include sizes G (4.00mm) and G+ (4.50mm), sizes H (5.00mm) and I (5.50mm), sizes J(6.00mm) and K (6.50). The letter size has been burn etched into the stem for each end. The hooks in this set are approximately 7 1/2 inches long and have a hand rubbed bees wax finish.

More photos of this set can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Monday

Myrtlewood and Pine Needle Magnetic Pin or Paper Clip Dish


Dave turned this small 3 ½ inch pin dish out of Oregon Myrtlewood and accented it with coiled and stitched Ponderosa pine needles. It has a strong 1 inch Rare Earth disc magnet inset in the bottom. This unique dish can be used for pins, needles, tacks, paper clips or anything attracted to a magnet. More photos may be viewed at the Ebay auction for this dish. Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. Although different, Oregon Myrtlewood has a lot of similarities to the Myrtlewood growing in the Holy Land. Oregon Myrtlewood became popular for making gift items back in the early 1900’s. Oregon Myrtlewood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns and is noted by many as being one of the world’s most beautiful woods. The colors range from blond to black with many shades of honey, browns, grays, reds and greens in between. Oregon woodworkers have developed a small cottage industry making handcrafted Myrtle wood products and gifts for visitors. Many beautiful gifts and works of art crafted out of Myrtlewood. In the Bible, the Myrtle tree is of special religious significance, representing fertility and life.

Saturday

Happy 4th of July!

Dave and I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July! We'll be spending it in Bend, Oregon --Drake Park to be exact. Be sure and stop by our booth if you happen to be in the area for the festivities :)

You may have wondered what Dave has been up to lately! Well, he started a little cleaning project out in his studio which has turned into a complete redo. He's been busy cleaning, sorting, throwing away all kinds of "stuff" and also installing new cabinets. Maybe he'll let me take a photo when he's done :)

The photo above was taken during a 4th of July celebration at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, located in Baltimore, Maryland. For those of you that may not know, this is where Francis Scott Key wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" and also happens to be one of the interesting places I, Jo, lived as a child :)

Sunday

Fern Motif Spool Knitter

This newest Spool Knitter was created by Dave as a commissioned piece for one of our wonderful customers. It features a very elegant fern motif that has been burn-etched around the knitter. Poplar and walnut woods were used in this piece.

Thursday

Great New Tynt Tracer Javascript

This is a post that I had previously written on my "Good Dirt Jewelry" blog. Knowing that so many of our wonderful fiber artist friends author their own blogs where they show their original work, I thought this information was worth sharing here :)

Have you ever had someone use one of your photos without permission, or even worse, "borrowed" your idea completely? I have just discovered the neatest little bit of javascript by
Tynt, that can be added to your blog or website that alerts you every single time one of your visitors right-clicks and saves your content!

What does Tracer do?

Tracer secretly tracks when users copy content from your web site and automatically adds a link back to the original page when your content is pasted. Tracer allows you to view statistics on how often content is copied from your site, what that content is and what keywords are being copied most.

I was just beginning to think the script I had added to this blog wasn't working properly until this morning when I got a report about the photos and text of a blog post about Dave's picot gauge set being "borrowed".

Sunday

Handmade Fern Motif Crochet Hook SZ H, 5.00MM


Dave hand crafted this crochet hook out of dark East Indian Rosewood and American Cherry. The Fern motif has been burn etched in the Cherry finial. It is a US size H, 5.00mm and is 6 5/8 inches long and has a hand rubbed bees wax finish. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Rosewood Tip Double Point Knitting Needles US 11


Dave has handcrafted this set of double point needles out of Birch with Rosewood tips. They are 8 inches long and US size 11, 8.00 mm. More photos can be found at the Ebay auction.

Thursday

Handmade Myrtlewood French Knitting Spool Knitter


Dave crafted this beautiful little Myrtlewood spool knitter in the shape of a small 3 ¾ inch flower vase. It is accented with a Cherry wood top and has four solid brass knitting pins. Also included is a 5 ¼ inch long needle he made from Myrtlewood with a Cherry wood finial. It is initialed and dated by Dave.
This gorgeous spool knitter is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California. Although different, Oregon Myrtlewood has a lot of similarities to the Myrtlewood growing in the Holy Land. Oregon Myrtlewood became popular for making gift items back in the early 1900’s. Oregon Myrtlewood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns and is noted by many as being one of the world’s most beautiful woods. The colors range from blond to black with many shades of honey, browns, grays, reds and greens in between. Oregon woodworkers have developed a small cottage industry making handcrafted Myrtle wood products and gifts for visitors. Many beautiful gifts and works of art crafted out of Myrtlewood. In the Bible, the Myrtle tree is of special religious significance, representing fertility and life.

Monday

Handcrafted Inlayed Padauk Lace Tatting Shuttle


This is a 2 1/2 inch tatting shuttle that Dave handcrafted from brightly colored padauk wood. One side has been inlayed with a piece of burl maple. He specifically looked for a piece of burl that had natural voids (holes) in it so that he could also inlace it with turquoise and copper, accenting its' natural art.

This gorgeous tatting shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave, and has a hand rubbed bees wax finish. More photos can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Unique Hand Carved Classical Sewing Threadwinder


Dave has handcrafted and carved this walnut thread winder and storage barrel in a classical style. Overall it is 5 ¼ inches long, and features a winder and a barrel to protect and keep your thread clean.
This fiber art tool is different from older thread winder/holders where the barrel is held on by a screw on/off finial, as this winder is MAGNETIC!!! (ask Dave who's idea THAT was! LOL) Dave inset a hidden small powerful rare earth magnet in the end of the winder and fixed another inside the end of the barrel. Just insert the winder into the barrel and it SNAPS the unit firmly closed. This one of a kind tool has been initialed and dated by Dave. More photos can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Handmade Set of 3 Double End Crochet Hooks Sizes H-M


Dave has hand crafted this double ended set of crochet hooks out of Walnut. They include sizes H (5.00mm) and I (5.50mm), J(6.00mm) and K (6.50mm), L (8.00 mm) and M (9.00mm). The letter size has been burn etched into the stem of each end. They are approximately 7 1/2 inches long and have a hand rubbed bees wax finish.


More photos of this beautiful set can be found at the Ebay auction listing. If you'd like to see our online portfolio, please click here to visit our Grizzly Mountain Arts Flickr site, or click the photo in the right side bar.


Saturday

Off to good Hitty doll homes!

Dave has just finished these miniature carved bone footstools for three proud HittyGirls. After one of the group members got hers, several others just had to have one for their Hitty!

Friday

Bone Tip Double Point Knitting Needles US SZ 10, 6.00mm


Dave handcrafted this set of double point knitting needles out of walnut with Buffalo bone tips and Truestone turquoise accent rings. Truestone is powdered turquoise mixed with resin to form a composite material that can be turned on a lathe. They are a little over 10 inches long and US size 10, 6.00 mm.

You can view an additional photo of these gorgeous knitting needles at the Ebay auction page.

Thursday

Handcrafted Inlayed Walnut Lace Tatting Shuttle


Currently up for auction on Ebay, is a larger 3 1/2 inch shuttle that Dave has handcrafted from walnut. On one side he has inlayed a piece of burl maple. He specifically looked for a piece of burl that had natural voids (holes) in it so that he could also inlace it with turquoise and brass, accenting its' natural art. This tatting shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave and has a hand rubbed bees wax finish.

Saturday

Hitty Doll Carved Bone Quill Pen & Lapis Inkwell


Have you been looking for an inkwell and quill pen for your Hitty desk?
Among Hitty’s gifts from her First Hundred Years was.. "...a quill pen out of a feather shed by a neighbor's parrot...". The feather is described as "...a green so bright, with a touch of scarlet thrown in...".

Dave carved this miniature feather quill pen out of Buffalo bone and used some of his colored scrimshaw inks to dye it green with a touch of scarlet. One can’t very well have a quill pen without an inkwell, so he turned this miniature ink bottle out of Truestone lapis lazuli. Truestone is crushed lapis powder mixed with resin making it a composite material that can be carved or turned on a lathe.


The feather measures 2 inches long and the inkwell is approx 3/8 inch high and 7/16 inch diameter on the bottom.
More photos of this hand carved quill and inkwell can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Thursday

Bone Embroidery Thread Laying Tool & Tip Protector


This 5 1/4 inch laying tool was handcrafted by Dave from Buffalo bone. While he has made these before, this is the first where he has incorporated a point protector with the tool. The tip protector is turned from burl wood and attaches to the tool by means of an elastic stretch cord and lobster claw clasp. It is easily and quickly removable from the tool for use. Once finished just re-clasp and stretch the protector back in place. Easy Peezy!


This laying tool is currently up for auction on Ebay. More photos can be found at the auction listing.

Wednesday

Hitty's Footstool

Many of you already know that Dave carves Hitty dolls and Hitty accessories from time to time and this bone foot stool is his latest work done on commission. He has done several bone and ivory Hitty footstools in various styles. For those of you that are not familiar with the storybook of Hitty's First 100 years, while she was sailing aboard the whaler Diane-Kate, the sailors carved her a "bone footstool". There is no description of the footstool so Dave takes artistic license when he creates these charming miniature footstools. Hitty stands 6 1/4 inches tall. This miniature bone footstool is approx 2 5/8 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/4 inch high.

Rare Exotic Finland Masur Birch Tatting Shuttle


Dave handcrafted this beautiful 2 5/8 inch tatting shuttle from rare and exotic Masur Birch from Finland. The unique patterns are caused by insect damge to the tree as it grows. Dave usually spends time adding artwork or inlays to his shuttles, but this tatting shuttle needs none of that! It is it’s own piece of artwork!

This beautiful tatting shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay and has been initialed and dated by Dave.

Bone and Fine Silver Inlay Drop Tatting Shuttle


Dave has handcrafted this beautiful 3 inch drop style tatting shuttle from Buffalo bone. It is inlayed with a 99.99% fine silver setting that we press molded and fired in our jewelry kiln. It is initialed and dated by Dave and can be currently found up for auction on Ebay.

Friday

Handcrafted Beautiful Burl Wood Tatting Shuttle


This is a 2 ½ inch shuttle Dave made from a couple of pieces of Maple burl he had been holding onto for sometime. He had planned on making knife handles someday but figured he may never get around to that, so...here's a tatting shuttle instead! It is as light as a feather!

Dave usually spends time adding artwork or inlays to his shuttles but this tatting shuttle needs none of that! It is it’s own piece of artwork! Can you use your imagination to find images in it? To me its like looking at the spiral galaxies of planets and nebulas through the Hubble telescope. What can you find?


This tatting shuttle is currently up for auction on Ebay, where more photos can also be found.

Wednesday

Handmade Set of 3 Double Ended Crochet Hooks Sizes G-K

This set of hooks may be the only hooks you will ever need! Dave hand crafted this double ended set out of different hard woods to give a quick reference color coding to your favorite hooks. This set covers the most popular sizes for yarn. The Bloodwood hook has sizes G (4.00mm) and G+ (4.50mm), the Purpleheart hook has sizes H (5.00mm) and I (5.50mm) and the Walnut hook has sizes J(6.00mm) and K (6.50). The letter size has been burn etched into the stem for each end. Each hook is approximately 7 1/2 inches long and have a hand rubbed bees wax finish.


This beautiful crochet hook set is currently up for auction on Ebay!

Thursday

We're Off to Yachats!

You may have noticed many of the items in our Grizzly Mountain Arts and Good Dirt Jewelry Etsy shops have been removed. That's because we're headed to Yachats, Oregon in the morning for the "Crafts on the Coast"-- our first show of the season! We've been busy as bees preparing for this show, so if you find yourself driving along Highway 101 this weekend, stop in the Commons and say "Hi!" :)

Monday

Pink Ivory Owl Tatting Shuttle

Pink Ivory Owl Tatting Shuttle

Dave just finished this commissioned tatting shuttle and I thought it was too gorgeous not to share with everyone :) This intricately carved pink ivory wood shuttle features a wise old owl sitting in a pine tree. The length of this piece is 3 1/2 inches.

Sunday

Ice Blue Acrylic Lace Tatting Shuttle


Summer is almost here! Keep your hands feeling cool (well, maybe mentally) with this cool looking shuttle.


Dave handcrafted this 2 3/8 inch shuttle out of icy blue acrylic. The thread slits are narrow for finer threads. This stunning tatting shuttle has been initialed and dated by Dave and is currently up for auction on Ebay.

Birdseye Maple Crochet Hook Size H, 5.00 mm


Dave handcrafted this crochet hook out of Birdseye Maple and Paduak wood with a turquoise accent ring. It is a little over 6 inches long and is US size H (5.00mm). You can find this stunning crochet hook currently up for auction on Ebay.