Shorebirds Meets Spectacular Carver

We had a visit today from Brad Snodgrass of Dutch Creek Decoys. Here's a link to his site:
http://dutchcreekdecoys.com/
He is a top award winner.
He was attracted by the the Shorebirds and does carve Shorebirds. What a fascinating and neat person, I hope he enjoys the day here, and it's the start of a long time friendship.
Speaking of the day, it has been filled with delightful and fun customers, everyone is enjoying the mild weather. Jeanetta Hodges just walked in. She has http://Eyesthatseephotography.com. Take a look at her fabulous photography.
We both enjoyed Thanksgiving, Pat spent the day with her family and precocious two year old grandson and I was at the Moose Lodge, volunteering to take photos and eat. We hope that anyone that reads this blog also had a wonderful day with friends and family.
Karen

Pooh Bear and the Spirit of Giving

The Spirit of Giving has come to Shorebirds. Yesterday, there was a little girl in the store with her mother. She was probably around three. There was also another couple that were just so much fun. We have a Pooh Bear in our Christmas Corner. The little girl saw the bear (he was just her size and could look her in the eye standing up). She asked for it but Mom said not enough money. She cried and cried and Mom finally got her distracted into the other section of the store. Meanwhile, the gentleman from the other couple, purchased the Pooh Bear, went around the corner and gave it to the little girl (with permission from Mom). She carried the bear through the store, made everyone give it a big kiss, and then, carefully set it down and gave the gentleman a BIG Hug. It was truly an "awwww" moment, and will go down as one of the best sales we've had all year.

Hugs and Pooh Bear kisses to everyone on Thanksgiving.
Karen

Brass

Brass is a term used for a bold behavior. Like other things in Shorebirds, it's more of a retro term now. Today I got the old popcorn out to give to the birds. One of the brown seagulls immediately swooped down, almost to my feet to grab the biggest and the best. I nicknamed her Brass for her behavior. Then I noticed something interesting. She has a weakened and deformed foot, she's not as good on the ground as the other birds, but, she got the lion's share of the treats. I guess Shorebirds is like that. We may not be the strongest, but we're trying to be the boldest and take the life we've chosen and make the most of it. Guess you could say we've got Brass, in more ways than one. (Marvin was not happy and told me about it).
Karen

Monday!

It's still beautiful here! No rain, crisp air, and everything just shimmers. Waldport is a magical place if you take the time to really look. Marvin, Marvin, and Marvin (or Marvette), our resident crows, have been giving us quite a bit of entertainment. Yesterday, I was looking out the glass door at Marvin (the one with the eyebrows), I moved to the other window and by golly, he ran over to look at me there too. Well, I didn't see anyone around so, I ran to each window, so did he. I'd like to think we both had a good laugh playing hide and seek. This morning, I threw out some old popcorn and there he was, with the other two. Then, from across the street on the Excel roof came all the Seagulls. Oh the comments they made. The brownish ones with fascinating markings were by far the boldest and most verbal. I got two of them within a foot of me. I did have to work the crowd so the favorites (M&M&M) got the lion's share.
We're getting a treadle table in and are looking for an old TV set to play the beta. Stop in and see what's new, lots of retro and vintage christmas items, including a wonderful coat with swirly buttons, it comes with a hat, pin, watch and other stuff but those buttons! are fantastic.
Karen

November 23, 2008

Oh my, I meant to post a lot sooner than this but wow, things just flew. My neighbor, George, died unexpectedly and his executor and close neighborhood friend have been slowly distributing items. Shorebirds got his Beta Machine with lots of great videos. Once we figure out how to hook it up, we'll really be Retro. Can you say "South Pacific"?.

The Diabetic Run/Walk was a little disappointing. The whole thing was done in the back alleys and we did not get to see anything. We had the press here too. Sandra had beautiful retro and vintage jewelry and Rick is always a delight to have around.

Mike, on the corner, Waldport Photogifts, and good friend, has helped us set up a website and we should be live in a couple of day. The website is ShorebirdsByTheBay.com. I'll also be setting up ScratchboardArtists.com.

You can also see our personal work (eg. earrings) at the 4Cs (Lincoln City Cultural Community Center). I sit the gallery once a month so that our stuff can be in there. I got a lot done on a commission while I was there.

That's all I can think of for now. Have a beautiful sunny day, it's what I've got here.
Karen

Saturday November 15

Hi! I wanted to get a quick reminder that this weekend is the Lions Stride for Diabetes. Shorebirds will have Rick Schultze there signing his book, and another vendor will have costume jewelry (three generations). We may also have the Humane Society, but I haven't heard from them so have no idea if they will show up. I'll expect them if I see them.
Karen

'Twas a Dark and Rainy Day

'Twas a dark and rainy day, but hey, it's the Oregon Coast. Yesterday, I got to go to an Art Affair they have at the Local Fish Research Center. I do have to admit the best part was the company I kept and connected with. They had lasagna for lunch, am I the only person that does not like lasagna? However, they ran classes on Silk Screening, Fish Printing, Watercolors, and photography/videography. I took the Silk Screening and Fish Printing. I don't think I'll be incorporating any of these art forms into my art any time soon (well, I already do photography). I kept trying to invite some of the fish to come home with me, but they would not allow it. Sigh. I did take the walking tour. Extremely interesting and I'm sure we only scratched the surface. I stood at the falls quite a while trying to get a picture of the salmon going over the fall, but the timing was off, I'd always be looking at the wrong spot. I also got to see baby salmon, probably 1/2 inch long that were three months old. I did get one picture that I will share of a gorgeous, over 24 inch Rainbow Trout. He/She really tried to follow me home (could not have had anything to do with feeding it, could it) but they wouldn't let me take her. I'm going to offer Scratchboard Classes there next year. It's very educational, and loads of fun. Very family friendly.

Today is Pat's Birthday. She's my business partner. She's much older than I am now.

Happy Birthday Pat!!!!

Karen

November Already

Wow, it's November already (I know, redundant, eh?). Anyway, we do have an event planned so come on down on November 15. The Lions are having their first annual Run/Walk for Diabetes. We'll have a antique costume jewelry, three generations worths, a book signing by Rick Schultze for his new book, and tenatively, the Humane Society with animals that need a forever home. Please come by and see us. We have fun new stuff in the store, including fat quarters for fabric artists, Studio 56 collections, beautiful decorative mirrors and art instruction books. I'm setting up schedules tomorrow for scratchboard classes, woodburn and acrylic classes, and Pat will be working on some sewing classes. Winter just changes the focus a bit, it does not slow us down. Come by for a visit.
Karen and Pat