Carol's Carousel Creations

Friday, May 18, 2018

Although we slept late both days, we visited with John & Sheila again at their home in Salem, Oregon. We spent some time watching footage of the volcano eruption in Hawaii as Sheila’s daughter lives there. It was also the anniversary of the Mount St. Helen’s eruption in 1980, only 100 miles from their home.

I also took advantage of her washer and dryer — do you have any idea how much laundry two people can accumulate in 33 days of travel? John grilled burgers for us and we just enjoyed visiting. The pollen count in Oregon was off the chart, which probably explains why Sheila and I were both having respiratory problems.

Here’s a pic of me with my brother; and a selfie of the four of us as we were leaving. Not being young folks, we were not very adept at taking selfies — kind of reminded us of the old days when my dad would set up the camera on his tripod, set the timer, and run to get in the picture.

Family Treasures

I had a phone call one day last year where a mom had found this picture on Etsy and wanted to make one. So she came over with her two little boys and a baby and they made one for their dad for Father’s Day. For some reason I cannot locate that picture to share with you but you get the idea!

Here are some Holiday ideas I saved from posts on other ceramic Facebook pages. Also, think about what the kids may have done in school — making turkeys, etc. with their hands.

You can put these designs on any plain piece — plates, bowls, mugs, planters, teapots, and so on. Just consider the design and the size of the hands. Cost is $5.00 plus the bisque you are putting it on. What a unique way to make gifts for dads and for grandparents!

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Today we visited Carol’s Brother John in Salem, Oregon and met his wife, Sheila, for the first time. They have a lovely home with a beautiful garden, as Sheila is an avid gardener.

They took us out to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant called Los Dos Amigos. Those huge colorful Mexican hats were for sale and I thought about buying one as a souvenir. But where would I find room for it in the car and where would I display it in the house? LOL

Our Mexican Ceramics

Duncan 0229 MEXICAN PIGGY BANK bisque $5.00, finished $7.50

This adorable Mexican piggy bank is plain enough to add hand-painted designs or decals. Or request that the top is cut out and use it as a scrubby holder or small planter. 

SPECIAL

Any orders this week of $25 or more will get a free Corky ornament. These are open-pour molds so the ornaments are flat on the back. Ideal for gift tags, Christmas trees, or refrigerator magnets.  Additional ornaments are also available for $1.00 each. Choose your ornament(s) from this page: Cookie-Cutter Ornaments

Carol’s Carousel Ceramics
Jim & Carol Warneke

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Another travel day, the second on our trek from San Francisco to Salem, Oregon to see my brother. We took Route 5 and most of the trip was very scenic, like the picture shown yesterday. Tonight we stay in Newberg, a little north of Salem.

A couple of snapshots at the rest area: “Woof Waste” and caged vending machines (?).
I am wondering if the vandals are travelers or, perhaps, the bears!

Project for Today

Didn’t think to take a picture of it, but there was a very cute apron in the gift shop that I almost bought — a brown apron with a black bear on it. One of the new items I want to add to the studio is fabric paints and markers. I painted a tote bag at one of the resort stops and would like to give the kids a variety of items to choose from — apron, tote bag, backpack, etc. So this will be a Kids Krafts Workshop and will be scheduled late June. Cost still to be determined, probably about $10.

Perhaps even the grownups would like to paint their own apron — either to leave on the shelf in the studio or to take home. We will be looking for stencils to use with the paints  but we can also transfer designs in other ways. Think about what you want on your apron and look for stencils or clipart.

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Today was a travel day. We left San Francisco and headed towards my brother’s place in Salem, Oregon, which will take us two days on the road. We spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express in the Yreka-Shasta Area .

This is a view of the landscape from our hotel as we are getting ready to leave.

Today’s Special

D&H 0131R BEAR CAMEO MOLD

As noted by various road signs and gift shop items, this is Bear Country! So today’s special is a porcelain bear pin. Pin only is $10.00 finished or get it free with any order of $50.00. Please state black bear or brown bear when ordering.

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Monday, May 14, 2018

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants
final score 7 to 10

We were rooting for the Reds since we’re from Ohio but they didn’t do very well until nearly the end of the game. The last ditch effort wasn’t quite enough and they missed some good plays giving the opponents a chance to score. I do see, however, that they won the game on Wednesday.

It was cold as we knew it would be. Took our winter coats, blankets, hats, gloves. What a dorky picture. The name of the Giants’ mascot is Lou Seal (not Lucile, haha).  Not my picture, but this makes sense if you looked at the picture of all the seals on the floating docks at Pier 39.

Today’s Special

Nowell 1139 XMAS TREE & BASE FOR SCENE
Football or baseball tree, Nativity tree 13”,
Bisque only $35.00,
Bisque with light kit $40.00,
Design added to ware + $5.00,
Finished $50.00

Many of you have seen the variety of football trees that we did last year. Picture is an Atlanta Braves tree painted by one of our students. You can order this tree for any team and it will be painted in team colors. Please state the colors that you want and which logo you want.

When ordering please include your email address for billing and your mailing address for shipping. If you are local, we will need a 50% deposit before pouring any of the large trees. You can email CarolsCarouselCreations@gmail.com OR send a PM to our Facebook page. All pouring will be done in June.

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Sunday, May 13, 2018
Happy Mother’s Day

Seems like this guy is spending way too much time on my page. But Jim & I were both worn out after  yesterday’s tour of San Francisco. I was sitting with my legs in the same position for 2.5 hours on the bus, not able to stretch out. Then we did a LOT of walking around the pier (and around the block trying to find the car). So Jim slept all day again and I just did computer stuff.

It’s my birthday and I’m having a party!

You may have gotten a Birthday Party invitation — Wednesday, June 13 is my birthday so I’m having a party! Actually, two parties –1:00-3:00 for the kids to make Base Bowls and 6:00-10:00 for the grownups to make Lace Bowls! (Kids workshop is $15; adults is $20).  We are using the short ice cream cu[ (right) for both projects. There will also be cake and ice cream. Be sure to sign up and send in your deposit if you plan to attend.

The Happy Kitchen

Jim was in the mood for Chinese food tonight. I couldn’t believe how many Asian and Indian restaurants were around. Besides, finding any restaurant without a long waiting line on Mother’s Day is a challenge. This is our table — we needed a few more people to help eat all this food! [note: the red chopsticks were just a decoration. LOL] Here are a couple website pictures of outside and inside the restaurant.

So it’s back to the hotel to watch a movie.

Chinese Ceramic Projects

• Weaver 0150 SMALL CUP NO HANDLE, 2 ¾ x 2, Bisque $3.00
  just like the teacups we were given for dinner (no saucer)
• Ann Original 0232 PERSONAL TEAPOT 2-cup Bisque $7.50

And then there’s our Dragon Collection

• Column 1: Dragon magnet, dragon for wind chime, dragon ornament
• Column 2: Kimple Dragon ornament with pole in red & green
• Column 3: Dragon hatchling, stuffed dragon (bank), dragon silkscreen

We also have lots of clipart and coloring book pages that can be transferred to  plain pieces such as plates, bowls, cups, teapots, etc.

Carol’s Carousel
Jim & Carol Warneke

Saturday, May 12, 2018

San Francisco here we come!

We drove into San Francisco today, crossing the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The toll for all of the bridges is $5.00 going in and free coming out.

Twenty lanes going into the toll booth. Five lanes on the bridge. Traffic on the bridge. Skyline from the bridge. View of the bridge. View of the Bay from the bridge.

Touring

We took a two-and-a-half hour narrated city bus tour. We decided not to get off at any of the stops, but can go back and do that today. (Only some of the busses have a wheelchair ramp.) Our package also includes a night tour. Of course, we weren’t on the top (which was open) and the windows were screened where we sat so that made it more difficult to see and impossible to take pictures. The narration was through ear phones and you could dial in several different languages. It was very interesting.

On the Pier

We spent the rest of the day and evening on Pier 39, looking in lots of shops, eating dinner, checking out the double decker carousel, watching the sea lions, eating funnel fries, and watching street performers. Then we couldn’t find where we parked our car. (We need a homing GPS on Jim’s phone!)

[These are web pics as Jim hasn’t downloaded his yet.]

CLAY PROJECT

Jim bought me a “Mother’s Day” teapot at Aquarium of the Bay. It was hard to choose just one as they had so many interesting sea life teapots. But this one reminded me of the clay fish that Jim made last year in a clay-puzzling workshop with Michael Harbridge. I think making one of these would be great fun, especially for the kids (and also for me). It starts with a vase clay-puzzling mold, then you add the rest of the features and get really creative. Please let me know if you are interested. You will need to let it dry at least a week before firing, then come back to glaze it or paint it at home with acrylics. Workshop is $20.00 and includes both classes.

CERAMIC PROJECTS

Pier 39 is know for its sea lions and, of course, boats of many shapes and sizes. Here are a couple of “soft-sculpture” projects that we have (left the seal or sea lion bookends catalog picture; right a tugboat from our fishing-themed baby shower).

Macky 0802 & 0809 SOFT SEAL BOOKEND Bisque $12.00/pair, Finished $18.00/pair
VIP 1269 SOFT TUGBOAT Bisque $10.00, finished $18.00 (Painted at baby shower)

If you want to order bisque or finished pieces to be mailed, please send PM
with your email address for billing and your mailing address for shipping.
Bisque will be poured in June. If you want to order bisque to paint in class, send PM.
In either case you can also email CarolsCarouselCreations@gmail.com

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Friday, May 11, 2018

Another day of rest for Jim. I think the effects of having shingles is still with him as he is so very tired and still hurting. What a terrible ordeal. I certainly hope that the shot I got keeps me from ever having them. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

Today I finished the story I was reading, caught up on Facebook posts, and did some more painting. I have nine African-American figures done now (although some still need shading). Still have another angel, a boy and a girl reading, and the two Santas with kids on their laps. Looking forward to doing a workshop.

Jim got up in time to go out for dinner and we decided to go somewhere close by. Besides fast food and lots of Asian restaurants, we found a steakhouse.  So we splurged at Outback and even had cheesecake with raspberry sauce for dessert. Yum!

Tonight we are just going to relax and catch up on some of our TV shows, like the last two episodes of NCIS with Abby. Hate to see her go, she was one of my favorite characters.

Ceramic Ideas for Down Under

When I think of the “outback” in Australia I think of koalas, kangaroos, and crocodiles. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to share with you as these molds haven’t been poured.

• SMALL KOALA MAGNET $1.00 in bisque
• KOALA FLAT ORNAMENTS  (add-ons) about 4″, bisque $3.00, $10.00/set of 5
• KOALA PICTURE on a cup, a cute deco idea (not my picture)
• KANGAROO & ALLIGATOR can be copied from a web search and added to any plain piece, such as cups, plates, teapots, flower pots, etc. Then add your own embellishments to make a scene. We have done this with jungle animals and fishing scenes for themed baby showers.

If you are interested in the Koala bisque pieces, send me a message and
I will pour them and send a picture as soon as we return from vacation.

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Another day of rest for Jim and a chance for me to catch up on all the missing blogs. Sorry folks, for sending so many all at once.

We did have a chance to go get an oil change at Walmart and, of course, contribute towards the store staying in business. We packed with the assumption that California would be warm in May. Not so! We both picked up some sweat pants for the game in San Francisco as it will be even colder than Oakland.

Our hotel is a higher class than what we are used to staying in (but Jim got a good deal on the price). They do not have breakfast because they have a restaurant and room service. And they do not provide refrigerators nor microwaves in the rooms. We have to keep adding bags of ice to our cooler and just pack away the microwave popcorn for later in the trip. We did pick up some snacks and breakfast foods so we can eat in our room tomorrow.

Jim wanted to go to a German restaurant so we found on one the GPS and drove across the bay to Redwood City. It was actually a beer garden rather than a restaurant but we still enjoyed some good German food — sausages, a flatbread pizza, a Greek salad, and a huge German pretzel. I had a hard cider, not quite as sweet as I like but still good.

Ceramic Special of the Day

Choose from any of our steins or tankards.
Check out The Corner Pub for pictures, sizes, and prices. 
The Corner Pub

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

A day to rest and recuperate from the busy, busy ceramic conference and then the game last night. Jim slept all day. I slept in a bit and then spent the day painting. I had started a few pieces Tuesday before the evening game.

I bought some African-American figure molds from a lady in Oregon who happened to come to the conference in Fresno. I asked her to pour some bisque for me so I could get them painted before the African-American Festival the first weekend in June. (Turns out that Mira is unable to go due to a medical procedure but we will plan some workshops soon.) I wanted to show you what I have done, but since the phone camera is not uploading to the computer, taking pictures is a waste of time.  Here are catalog pictures of the molds I have so far.

Not pictured are the girl and boy praying angel shelf sitters, the boy fishing, and the Santa in chair with girl or with boy. So far I have five finished and three that only need detailed.

Ceramic Workshop

We will be having an African-American Figures Workshop in either June or July. Mentioned in an earlier post, we will be learning how to paint Faces of the World, using a color chart and directions that were produced by Duncan many years ago.

• Studio Workshop. The workshop fee is $20.00 for one piece or $27.50 for a pair. If you do not finish during the scheduled time (4 hours) you may return during an open class at no additional charge.
• Party Van Workshop. We can bring this workshop to your home, church, or other facility. Minimum party is eight painters, maximum is twenty.
• Bisque. Figures are $7.50 in bisque, without instruction. Like other new techniques, we recommend a workshop first to learn the technique and then paint more at home or during an open class.
• Santa. The Santa is sitting in a chair with a child on his lap. He is 10″ tall and sells for $17.50 in bisque. We recommend that you learn on one of the other figures before trying to paint the Santa as the faces are not as easy to reach.
• Finished. If you would like to order finished pieces, please send a PM for pricing.

There is more to come —  Pictures of my finished pieces, and more molds that Mira is getting for me. We also have the mugs, plates, teapots, etc. with painted African pictures. And we have African and Egyptian masks.

Carol’s Carousel Creations
Jim & Carol Warneke