Let's Go For A Ride - Online Workshop with Julie Haymaker Thompson

After two weeks, I just finished my first online workshop and it was well worth it.  I was able to take my time and not neglect my family and other duties by working on my piece after everyone went to sleep.  It was a fun experience and Julie Haymaker Thomspon is a great instructor who provided a very generous supply kit.  I look forward to my next online retreat at Artful Gathering!

Here is my finished "Let's Go For A Ride" sculpture.

There's still time to take the same workshop...but only until July 17th!  With element drying times, I think you'd need at least 2 days.

Puppet Making Class at Parcel

I had such a good time last weekend at Parcel!  I took a fun Paper Puppet class with instructor, Marlene "Mizz Bee" Haveron and came home with three fancy, whimsical characters.  Here they are all jeweled up and embellished.  We had enough time to complete one puppet in the class and were able to bring home the other two with a stash of ribbons, sequins, brads, etc. provided by Parcel.

After the class I thought I'd take just a few minutes to shop in the store....but I should have known better....because a few minutes always turns into over an hour, e-v-e-r-y time I go there.  It's amazing how you can get lost, going up and down the same aisles in such a little shop.  I love it!  Here are a few of my fab finds from this visit and the last.

Nostalgic Toys - Paper Models

New York City Paper Model (from Build Your Own New York)

Paper models vary from simple press-out shapes, to more complex objects that require cutting, folding and sticking to produce their intended shape. Models come in various forms; boxed sets, postcards, pages from magazines, and jig-saw puzzles.  Collections include famous landmarks, fictional locations from television, lighthouses,  houses and buildings; to name a few.

Vintage Little Red Riding Hood House Paper Model (from Castle in the Air)

The first paper models, those to be cut out from a sheet and assembled, appeared in Europe in the 17th Century, The earliest commercial models were recorded appearing in French toy catalogues in 1800. From then on paper models became popular across Europe particularly in Germany, and in the later half of the century, the UK. Manufacturers such as Pellerin and Schreiber began producing series of hundreds of models, from famous landmarks to farmhouses and specific scenes. 

Eiffel Tower Paper Model and Book Art (from Castle in the Air)

Originally designed for children, paper models gave their owners the chance to learn about places and people in other parts of the world. 

Castle Paper Model and Book Art (from Castle in the Air)

Old Town Paper Model (from 32NorthSupplies)

Towards the end of the 20th Century paper modelling became increasingly popular with an adult audience with many kits being designed for a more sophisticated modeller.  During this time television tie-ins also started appearing on the market reflecting the emerging trend of media merchandising.

Golden Girls House Paper Model (from Everyday Miniatures)

More recently with the development of the Internet, models have appeared online and these have been printed and added to the collection. Some of these models are stand alone items, while others can be used with model railways or in fantasy role playing games.

New York City Paper Model (by Terada Mokei)

Circus Animal Masks

Available for purchase at my Watermelon Party Etsy Shop, limited quantities of Circus Animal Masks.

Nostalgic Toys - Sailboats

This is the first in a series of posts that will bring back memories from our childhood in the 70's, 60's, 50's and earlier.  Each post will focus on a nostalgic toy or game that made growing up fun.  Most of the toys featured will be those that were made with simple construction and basic designs.  These toys started out as playthings for children in the past, then they became collectibles and now, they are considered by many as art.

I will post the Nostalgic Toys articles monthly on this blog and also on the ETSY NY Team Blog as a contributing blogger.

Toy Sailboats

When kids bought and sailed their play boats they imagined themselves to be sea captains searching for unexplored lands, fighting giant sea creatures and braving the rough seas.  From 1850 to 1950, toy sailboats were made to mimic adult life.  They were instructional, scientific and educational toys.  As technology advanced, so did the toy boats - wood and sail were replaced by steel and steam.   One thing does remain the same, the imagination of a child. With the myriads of types of boats floating on the oceans, rivers and lakes today, there are many toy boats for children to play with. Giving a toy boat to a child is a great gift that will help them to sail off on their own adventures to distant lands guided by their imagination.

The pictures featured in this post are photos and illustrations of sail-boating in New York City. On pleasant days, Kerbs Boathouse Pond, in Central Park hosts toy sailboat races on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. If you don't own a sailboat of your own, they are available for rental at a cart provided by the boathouse.

Resources: http://www.flickriver.com/groups/1796794@N24/pool/random/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/7676651/Toy-boats-exhibition-Enjoy-the-sail-of-a-century.html http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/kerbs-boathouse.html http://www.wayfair.com/Handcrafted-Model-Ships-12-American-Floating-Sailboat-HACM2290.html - See more at: http://thenewnew.blogspot.com/#sthash.RD1meKXR.dpuf

New! Rabbit Surprise Ball

How neat is this?! Here is the first of an exclusive new collection of deluxe Surprise Balls from Watermelon Party.  Each Rabbit Surprise Ball has specially chosen, one of a kind or hard to find trinkets, souvenirs and novelty items.  The best part about these surprise balls is that they include a keepsake container that will last long after the surprise ball has been opened!

Available for purchase only at Parcel in Montclair, NJ

Imagination Cloche

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere." - Carl Sagan

Inside these glass cloches you get a glimpse into the world of a little girl and boys imagination - where flowers are the size of your head and insects and bugs are your pets and best pals.  The little girl plays a game of Chase after three ladybug friends and the little boy has been offered a fun ride by his cricket friend.  Bees buzz by and butterflies provide shade.  

Mostly everything is made of paper and items are re-positionable (in case the cloche should break and need replacement).   Cloche with girl measures 8 1/2" tall and the boy cloche measures 10 12" tall. Paper banner reads, "Imagination will carry us to worlds that never were".   A paper mache log rests on the base of the cloches.

The realistic ladybugs, cricket, bees and flowers were purchased at Tinsel Trading Company and the butterflies and mushrooms were purchased at Parcel.