Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Peepo!

I haven't slipped off the edge of the world - just emerging from a too time intensive fund-raising project in between a stack of deadlines for something exciting that I don't think I'm supposed to mention yet. Drawing, paints, brushes, paper, canvas, seem like a dim, distant happy memory as do gentle days of blogging, visiting and commenting.

I thought I'd do a Christmas stall at my church's Arts & Crafts Day, after finding that paintings weren't really a viable seller with that particular marketplace, but boy, I wasn't prepared for the commitment of time, money and energy that filling a little table with angels and mangers, gingerbread men and Christmas stockings, candles and biscuits would entail. About half way through I was telling myself firmly - never again! I have to figure out a better way of raising funds creatively, or else just hand over the cheque that would go into raw materials and save on the weeks of slog - it would have meant more money for them!

Here are some of the angels and nativity scenes made from jacaranda pods - they all sold out and though the heads with hair and headresses were fiddly, quite fun to make, and could be worthwhile in an organised production line. They emerge with their own little characters and caused such delight that I got over my mutters about how long they took and happily sent them off to their new homes.

9 comments:

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

What a lot of hard work and the table looks fantastic. Sorry you did ndot do as well as hoped.
Liked your sketchcrawl day sketches. A lesson to me in simplifying whats out there in front of you. Thanks.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Anyone who was lucky enough to get your delightful jacaranda figures will be trotting them out for years to come, Cathy. What I'm saying is it's not just the money you raised but the ongoing joy you are delivering. Just look at the face of your little admirer in that bottom photo.

A spectacular table of goodies!

Marie Theron said...

You must be exhausted, Cathy! A lot of time-consuming work but how people love to browse and admire....

Cathy Gatland said...

Hello Joan - I don't know what I hoped...even if everything sold it would have been a small profit, so I guess that wasn't what it was all about. It was a good day anyway!

Robyn, you are so right and it dawned on me as the day went on - that little guy wouldn't leave that spot until his mom bought him a 'baby Jesus'

Marie, I am! - but the interaction with browsers is definitely worth a few R's

laura said...

Fabulous: I especially love the Nativity scene, very charming organic. And the sweet child--what a great photo!

Charlene Brown said...

I sure hope 'never again' has become 'never again without a production line' Quick, write down the steps before you forget!

Laura Frankstone said...

You and I have been similarly absent from blogworld for a while. I've dropped in from time to time to see what you've been up to and now I know! I agree with Robyn about the joy your little figures embody and radiate---well done, dear Cathy! Can't wait to hear your other good news, too.

Cathy said...

What a beautiful stand! When is that market taking place?
I always have 'great' ideas of things to make, but too little time or commitment, and I always end up giving up. I admire your commitment!

vivien said...

they are utterly gorgeous!