Earlier posts have mentioned the Second Saturday Artisan & Vendor Shows at Courtyard Square in Salem (scroll down for more information)
Themes: February Valentine’s Day, March St. Patrick’s Day, April Easter. If we continue there will be Mother’s Day in May, Father’s Day in June and I also heard something about a car event coming up.
For February
For sale: Valentine Trees, plates, figurines, heart boxes, and much more. Prices vary.
Valentine Craft Kits: Scottie Dog, Cute Kitty, or Comic Mouse; Small Heart Box or Picture Frame; Valentine Ornament in bisque ready-to-paint; Acrylic Paints & Paint Brushes, Paint Pallet, Stir Stick, & Water Bowl; Coupons: Kids Krafts & Free Adult Lesson; Valentine Candy. These kits are in baskets and sell for $15 each or two for $25. Great gifts for the kids.
Brown Sugar Bears: actually, we made them as conversation hearts and a few bears. These are small pieces of bisque colored with underglazes that you soak in water, then put in brown sugar and other food products to keep them from drying out. This is a free gift for everyone while supplies last.
March
Leprechaun Boot Bank, Leprechaun decanter, beer mugs, shamrock boxes, and more.
Shamrock Craft Kits: ornaments, shamrock box, and figurine. Painting supplies are the same.
Brown Sugar Bears will be available again in the shape of shamrocks.
April
Watch for it! We have lots of Easter items including baskets, eggs, figurines, and “chocolate” bunnies!
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!
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We have been posting trees on Carol’sCarouselCreations FB page and sharing with another tree page. There are:
Small sierra spruce
Small Nowell 341
Holland 705
Funky Tree
Faceted Tree
Jolly Tree
Large trees
Grinch trees
Most of these trees are on the shelf ready to ship. However, we can still take orders if you see something that is marked sold.
It has taken several days to get them all photographed and posted. And another two just to respond to messages from customers and creating PayPal invoices for everyone.
Hopefully, we can get the in-stock trees shipped out the beginning of the week. Pouring the special orders will take some time as Jesse came down with a fever yesterday. We are all praying that it isn’t COVID and that he will be back soon.
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!
If you want to come and make a tree, get your orders in as soon as you can.
Open Classes still available, just let us know you are coming: Monday @ 6:00, Wednesday @ 11:30 and 6:00.
Second Saturday (as discussed in the last post) at least through April: Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter themes plus other pieces
Thursday Night Lives continue on the new schedule: 1st wk = non-fired. 2nd wk =play with clay, 3rd wk = underglazes, 4th wk = glazes
Technique workshop, Date Night, and Kids Krafts are postponed. The creativity needed to put together these classes is alive and well. However, the marketing and publicity is a challenge, and we haven’t been able to get a supply of bisque on the shelf.
completing a large start-up order for another shop
repairing and painting large carousel horses
getting a supply of bisque on the shelf
working on the Second Saturday pieces
cleaning and organizing the studio — there is never enough time for this
updating master catalog, website catalog, and Etsy stores to include missing items and to make sure prices are current and consistent across all. Losing our slip and paint suppliers is causing an increase in costs and will necessitate an increase in prices.
If you have a group that wants to come and paint at another time just let us know.
If you want to work in the studio, we can always use more help. We currently have a paid employee for pouring molds and another for cleaning greenware who gets paid in product.
The second Saturday of each month we will be at the Courtyard Square Small Business & Artisan Market, 645 E State St, Salem, OH from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. (I know that I mentioned this before and you can scroll down to see our January events.) News article:
The Small Business & Artisan Market is held in the Courtyard Square on the second Saturday of every month from 11:00am-4:00pm. The event is organized by Killy’s Kauldron, with special thanks to Salem entrepreneurs, Scott & Lisa Cahill, for the use of the Courtyard space at no cost to the vendors. The Cahills purchased and have been renovating Salem’s historic Courtyard Square since 2013.This month’s event will feature local author Robert Greier, Spiritualist Minister and Medium Brandee Todd, several local artists, and the following vendors:• Jessie’s Closet Boutique (Salem) • The Cuckoo Bin (Akron) • Creations by Sheena Marie (North Lima) • Canning Creations (Salem) • Bees & Teas Farm Crafts (Salem) • Carol’s Carousel Creations (Austintown) • Nani Soaps (Broadview Heights)• Aura Mind and Body (Salem)
Yesterday was the first time we participated in the market. Since Winter Wonderland was our theme, we took snowmen, penguins, sleds, sleighs, icicles, and more. We actually did not sell very much but it was rather cold and there wasn’t much traffic for any of the vendors. It was also our first time and business usually picks up once you are better established. What did sell was mostly bisque for folks to paint at home. That leads me to think we might do more sales with “to-go” kits which include paints and brushes along with bisque.
There are a few permanent shops in Courtyard Square:
Killy’s Kauldron is our granddaughter’s shop. She had her grand reopening yesterday and they moved to a new space that is about three times as large. Here is a news article about her shop.
January 5, 2022. Killy’s Kauldron Announces Grand Re-Opening and Small Business / Artisan Market on Saturday, January 8thKilly’s Kauldron is a specialty shop, owned and operated by lifelong Salem residents Courtney Bosworth, and her mother, Toña Warneke. The shop, which is named after Bosworth’s son, Killian, specializes in handcrafted crystal and herb infused soy candles, which they create right in the store. Courtney Bosworth said in an interview that, “In addition to our own creations, we also carry a wide variety of crystals, herbs, essential oils, books and tarot cards. We also have items on consignment from other local crafters, such as handmade jewelry and crocheted dolls. ”Killy’s Kauldron is located within the Courtyard Square at 645 E. State St, the same building as Coaches Burger Bar. If entering from within the Courtyard, just look for the purple door! Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday 5:30pm-8:00pm and 11:00am-8:00pm on Saturdays. You could also check them out on their Killy’s Kauldron facebook page or their website,
Knit Wits has tons of yarn and everything else for the crocheter or knitter. From their webpage:
Knit-Wit Knits is located in Salem Ohio, a quaint town in North Eastern Ohio. Customer service, quality yarns, accessories and patterns for knitting and crochet are our trademarks. Individual help and group classes are scheduled year round. We can ship all of our quality products anywhere in the USA. Please take time to explore our pages then send us your comments and requests!
Our commitment is for January through April and then we will decide if the Market is worthwhile for our business. The themes are Winter Wonderland, Romance in the Air, Luck of the Irish, and Easter Parade. Our son Jesse (who pours molds for us) has agreed to run our table at the Market for us. Yesterday we both went as I wanted to scout out the setup, see our granddaughter’s shop, and decide on a strategy for sales.
Vendor sales is another possibility since we have items that may help out some of the others: Bees & Teas Farm Crafts can use some teapots and planters, Knit Wits can use some yarn bowls, and Killy’s Kauldron can use some wax melters and dragons. Or I can set up a shelf in Kelly’s Kauldron to sell other pieces on commission.
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!
Next month, why not check us out at Second Saturday in Salem!
When Jim got up and asked what I had been doing all day, I told him I never made it downstairs to the studio but instead did come computer work. He said, “Oh, so you had a Red Chair Day!” If you have ever been in our family family room, you know that we each have our own red leather chair (mine has a footstool and his is a recliner).
Salem Second Saturday
This coming Saturday, January 9th, Jesse and I will have a table at the event Courtyard Square Small Business & Artisan Market, 645 East State Street, Salem, Ohio. I spent some time today searching the catalog for snowmen, sleighs, penguins, and other items that we can take. Pulled out the bin yesterday and just need to price everything and pack to take. This event takes place the second Saturday of each month from 11 to 4, so we are going to try it for several months to see if it is worthwhile.
January Calendar
Facebook Live Events
Thursday 1/6 Nonfired Techniques = Azure markers on a pre-glazed unicorn
Thursday 1/13 Play with Clay = building a tree on a cone puzzle mold
Thursday 1/20 Underglazes= Silkscreen Valentine Truck plate & mug set
Thursday 1/27 Glazes = snowman with cobblestone
Workshop Events
Wednesday 1/5 MVCT Paint Party
Saturday 1/8 Salem Second Saturday = Winter Wonderland craft show
Sunday 1/9 Technique workshop = brushstrokes: Country Friends (snowman) plate
Tuesday 1/11 Renegade Paint Party
Saturday 1/15 Date Night = Little Folks Puppy Love OR Boy & Girl Valentine Plaque
Friday 1/28 Kids Krafts = Valentine boxes
Posters
Today I also made posters for the three workshop events listed above. We can post these on Facebook pages and also share at the Second Saturday market.
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!
Regular Open Classes Monday & Wednesdays @ 6:00 and Wednesdays @ 11:30
Please remember to let us know what events and open classes you are coming to.
Wow! it has been a hectic end of year trying to get all our orders shipped and our personal gifts finished. Unfortunately, I have yet to learn the art of pacing and time-management suitable for folks in their seventies. We held our family celebration on Christmas Eve and then spent the last two days reading, relaxing, and recuperating.
As mentioned last time, this week between Christmas and New Year’s is optional for open classes. Please contact us if you wish to come and let us know what day and time.
There will be a Thursday Live on Carol’s Carousel Classes Facebook page. We will be doing Kwanza Kids at 7:30 so please join us.
Two weeks ago, we outlined some ideas for 2022. It would be nice to have some feedback on what you might be interested in.
The shipping deadline for FedEx was Wednesday and for USPS was Saturday. So, we engaged some helpers and tried to get all the orders out for folks for Christmas. Even though it involved an all-nighter and a last-minute trip to USPS, we made it with only a couple of pieces backordered.
This week — Getting Ready
We have one local order to finish up and then our own Christmas gifts for family and friends. Plus, wrapping gifts and cleaning the house and baking. Friday is our traditional Christmas Eve Day Brunch at noon with twenty-three expected. We will all eat and open gifts and eat some more and play games and then have dessert!
The last week of the year — Relaxing and recuperating
Classes are optional but we will be open if you would like to come and paint. Just let me know what day and time works for you and if you need something poured. The kids are home from school and the stress of getting ready for the holidays is over. So, bring the kids along and let them each bring a friend. Projects start at $10 for one piece or $15 for two.
Second Sunday Technique Workshops — brushstroke project, glaze combos, play with clay, and more. Cost is $20.00 and registration is required.
Third Saturday Date Night — couples projects. $35 per couple includes two complimentary projects. Examples are Mickey & Minnie Mouse, His & Hers Beer Steins, Flirting Owls & Home Sweet Home plates.
Fourth Friday Kids Krafts — for kids of all ages (preschoolers need adult to assist) banks, mugs, critters, play with clay. $10 each painter.
Salem Second Saturday Craft Fair — we can sell finished products, take-home kits, or have a make-it-take-it workshop. Costs vary depending on project of the day. Courtyard Square Small Business & Artisan Market. 645 East State Street, Salem, OH
Every Thursday Night at 7:30 Eastern Time we share a ceramics lesson on Carol’s Carousel Classes Group page on Facebook. For the year 2021 we have been focusing on unusual holidays. Thanksgiving’s Live was to be Red Mitten Day. Because of the holiday and being busy on Friday, we did not do that session. Here is what is to come:
National Red Mitten Day 11/25
We have two different stories to share with you: one about a mom who knitted mittens for the whole school and another about Red Mitten Day in Canada, which supports the Olympics program. I have painted a Red Mitten mug with Concepts and will share that the next time we meet.
Rosa Parks Day 12/2
Rosa Parks is remembered for her unwillingness to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. Since she was a seamstress, we will be painting the Old Woman Quilting. That mold has two heads — one white and one black. Of course, we will do the black one since Rosa Parks was a black woman. However, if you would like to paint along with us, order your bisque as soon as possible and state which version you want.
St. Nicholas Day 12/9
We have a selection of Old World Santas and will be painting one for this Live. If you want to paint along, I can tell you which ones are already available in bisque.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 12/16
We will be using Fashenhues to paint the Doc Holliday praying Mary who stands 10″ tall. Order yours today to paint along and let me know of you want colors.
December Solstice 12/23
This is the time for a Yule Log which holds three candles. We will paint with underglazes and glazes. Order yours today.
Kwanza 12/30
This is a week-long celebration and we will be painting our Kwanza Kids with stains. If ordering please state whether you want angel wings on them or not.
Coming Next Year
We will be moving away from the unusual holiday theme and focusing instead on different media and techniques. The plan is to have a focus for each week for example:
1st Thursday is non-fired products such as Fashenhues, stains, metallics, azure, chalks, and watercolors.
2nd Thursday is play with clay day, including cutouts, slab building, and puzzling molds (no wheel)
3rd Thursday is underglazes including cover coats, EZ strokes, Concepts, and Mayco products.,
4th Thursday is glazes including semi-transluscent, crystal glazes, glaze combinations, cascade, cobblestone, etc.
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!
So, keep on watching our Lives and paint along with us if you can.
Today was a day to forget all about work — taking orders, pouring, cleaning, painting, firing, and packing. We hosted the Warneke Family Thanksgiving Feast here this afternoon. Some of the grandkids had to work, some had out-of-town plans, some had last minute complications, and yet there were still thirteen here for dinner. Each family brought goodies to share and we had a nice dinner with lots of desserts. Then we played The Logo Game a couple of times, always the guys against the gals. I don’t even remember who won!
So, tomorrow is back to work, open class at 6:00, and packing trees to ship. Thursday will just be another work day here but our kids will be celebrating with their in-laws and eating more turkey then!
Carol's Carousel Creations 