Christmas in July

Wednesday is the last day of the Christmas in July Tree Sale. We are pouring the trees that have been ordered and paid for.

Summer Workshops

• This Thursday (8/25) is the Harvest Jar Workshop
• Saturday is the Ballerina Bear Kids Krafts Workshop
• next week, Thursday 9/1, is the Colorburst Crystals leaf dishes
• then, Thursday 9/8, Patchwork Pumpkins
• finally, Thursday 9/15, Silly Scarecrows
• the end of September we are planning a vacation. Definite dates to be announced.

Halloween.

We are starting to pour pumpkins and other Halloween items. There are about 75 different items and we will not have time or space to pour and store all of them. Some are included in the workshops. So look in our catalog under Trick-or-Treat and let me know what you want.

Fall Workshop Schedule

Your input is requested. What would you like to see offered? The Kids Krafts and the Date Nights have had very sporadic response so we may discontinue those for awhile. Fall runs from the end of September to the end of December and includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We usually save snowmen until January, however, you can make them anytime.

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!

REMINDER

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE
ENDS ON THE 25th

That is, receive 20% off all trees ordered and paid for between July 25th and August 25th. The 25th is next Thursday. See Oh Tannenbaum for pictures, sizes, and prices.

Carousel Creations
Where having FUN is why we come!

Making trees this year?
Save $$$.
Get your orders in right away.

Last night seven Decal Divas searched six notebooks full of decals from my grab-bag purchase. Most the designs were flowers but there were other types as well. And there were enough duplicates of some to make a complete set of dishes whereas others only had one or two. We each used eight pieces of plain dollar store white ware for our learning experience. After applying all of her decals, students were able to peruse two catalogs from a prominent decal vendor so that they can order what they want for future projects. Here are a few of the workshop pieces before being fired.

Decals are a quick and easy way to add detailed pictures to plain pieces. We still have a few people doing the workshop at a later time, so if you are interested let me know.

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!

online at http://www.CarolsCarouselCreations.com
and on Facebook as CarolsCarouselCreations
See us in the cloud!

It’s finally happening–all the molds are gone from the game room. That is, except for those needing repaired. There is a product especially made for gluing molds back together so that project is coming up on our to-do list shortly.

Next will be removing the shelves, the lumber, and the Christmas tree display. Eventually we will have some display shelves but for now the trees will go on the top shelf in the Studio so that they can be lighted.

REMINDER: only 9 days left to take advantage of the Christmas in July 20% OFF SALE on trees. Orders must be received and paid for to get the sale price.

MEANWHILE —
BACK TO THE WORKSHOPS

Decal Diva this Thursday
If you are at all interested in learning how to do decals please let me know what pieces you want and when you are able to come. We have several people who cannot come this Thursday and are doing theirs another day.
Choose 8 pieces from the list: dinner plates, square plates, large bowls, small bowls, and cups. (Scroll down to an earlier post to see pictures and dimensions.)

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!

So come do a decal and order a tree.

The shelves are finished and put in place. They are already pretty full. If we were just moving molds temporarily house on the pool table, we would be finished. However, like with the Carousel shelves, we are moving lots more.

1. Move all animal molds and gardening molds from the back wall unit to the new 8-ft unit. That allows us to find missing molds and to put things together in a more organized way: birds, ducks, owls, rabbits, squirrels, etc.
2. Move Christmas molds from Christmas shelf to back wall unit. Christmas shelf is too full and we needed space for the new tree and all the new bases we bought. The Christmas shelf now houses all the Old World Santas, nativities, and trees and there will be room for the Village houses and accessories.
3. Move the mugs, steins, and kitchen accessories from the pool table onto the new 4-ft unit. Also, canister sets onto the bottom two shelves.
4. Move Christmas ornament molds from center shelf unit to back wall unit. Includes all the icicles, Christmas bears, etc.
5. Move all Puffie molds to the top shelf on the back wall.
6. Move all large doll molds to the bottom shelf on the back wall.

I took a break because there is class tonight. However, considering that Alice helped us assemble the 8-ft unit during Friday night’s class time (no one showed up for class) we got a LOT done.  The pool table is nearly clear except for some Home Décor items we need to make room for. We still have two of the metal shelves in the game room to deal with. I wonder if the molds will somehow all fit?  Part of the problem is that I have more candles and the candle shelf is full; same with Halloween and others.

At any rate, things are getting a lot more organized and chances are better now that I can actually find the mold you want poured!

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun in why we come!

So check out the bisque tab on the website and pick out what you want poured.

Decals

Please see yesterday’s blog Decal Diva (just scroll down).

We have added 10 white ware salad bowls to the selection. They measure 6 1/4″ diameter and 2 1/4″deep.

Prices for the round Carousel Horse decals. If we need more the supplier is local and I may be able to get them. Also, the large dinner plate needs to be ordered as I don’t have them in stock. (Decals from the big box I bought are included in the price of the workshop. After this they will be priced individually so get them while they are free.)

• 7 1/2″      $2.50 each (1 available + 1 plate done)
• 5 1/4″      $1.50 each (4 available)
• 2 3/4″      $0.35 each  (14 available)

The sample plates, bowls, and cups that were shown yesterday have been fired and we are just waiting for the kiln to cool down enough to take them out. The colors will be more brilliant than the unfired photos that were posted yesterday.

Shelves

Jim is at it again! We have completed assembly of another shelf unit 8′ long, 2′ deep, and 6″ tall. It replaces the metal shelves that were in the mud room (metal rusts and bends from the weight). However, they will hold a little more because they are deeper. We decided to move the vases and planters to the back section; and the animals to the front section. After putting it in place we made another trip to Home Depot and are now building  4′ shelf unit to go next to it.  This one will hold mugs & steins  and other kitchen items. (As you can see, Jim thoughtfully rounded the corners of the shelves so his klutzy wife doesn’t injure herself on the corners.)

What’s up next?

Would anyone like to have a bathroom close by? We have floor plans, vinyl flooring, a handicap toilet, sink, faucet, handicap-size pocket door, and so on all ready to go. We even have some home décor items like a carousel wallpaper border, carousel horse plaques for the wall, and a soap dispenser. Just have to pick up more studs (we used them for the shelves) and some paneling for the walls.  It is a big project so don’t expect it to be finished right away. But it is close enough now to start dreaming. (I wonder how many people  avoid the drinks in the fridge because of the trek upstairs to the bathroom? LOL)

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!

And we’ve come a long way with the Ceramic Studio since March 2015.
Who remembers painting Button Witches & Quilted Turkeys in the other room?

This is the  Workshop offered on Thursday, August 18th in which you learn how to apply decals to previously glazed and fired white ware. For purposes of the workshop Dollar Tree items were purchased. (Cups in our studio cost $5 to make so this is a really good deal.) Also, we purchased a box of assorted decals from another studio owner, mostly flowers but many other designs as well. Getting a “deal” on these decals is what allows us to offer this workshop for only $20. You get 8 pieces — 4 cups and 4 plates or bowls (or 2 of each) plus decals for all and your lesson. Decals that I purchased individually will be available at an extra charge. Because the decals need to be fired,  you can pick up your finished items the following week.

Purchased White Ware

• This plate is 9 3/4″ square (11″ diagonal) It is slightly sloped in from the edges as shown in the picture.
• The bowl is 7 1/4″ diameter and 2″deep.
• The cup is 4 1/2″ deep, 3 1/2″ top diameter, and  holds 14 ounces
• The dinner plate shown below is still available at the store but is difficult to work with because of the ridge.

Sample Cups

These sample cups still need to be fired but give you some idea of what you can do. (Don’t know why they won’t rotate as the picture is vertical.)

Sample Plates

Square plate with corner decal and dinner plate with carousel decal (extra charge).

Sample Bowls

Same bowl with different treatments — center floral design or small flower border.

Registration

It is very important that you register for this workshop and let me know which pieces you want as soon as possible (first come, first served).  I purchased 20 cups and 10 each of the square plates and bowls. The store did have more plates and bowls but I took all the mugs they had in stock at this location.  If you say you are coming and don’t show up you still owe $10 for the items.

If you want to learn to use decals but are not available Thursday evening, let me know and we will work out another time.

Carousel Creations
Where having Fun is why we come!

So come be a Decal Diva next Thursday