Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I also like to make edible things!

For the holidays my family and I chose to exchange recipes instead of things this year! There are three of my favourite so far. I will continue to share my yummiest discoveries and my interpretation of them.

Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin
-adapted from allrecipes.com

Click images to enlarge and add to your recipe box!

Meditteranean Chicken
-adapted from realsimple.com

Lemon and Cranberry Cookies
-adapted from the amazing Gwendolyn of Patent and the Pantry





Thursday, December 9, 2010

C'est Complete!

The show is over! The show season is over for Schnik! Now I must focus on other projects. I still feel little owls flying around in my brain that need to be let out, so I may make a few new pieces in anticipation of an Etsy store or another gift shop deal.

Cookies from my favorite cooking blog, Patent and Pantry, tomorrow!

Schnik's Last Show of 2010

Five new owls born and waiting to find their homes at the show! I also started on a new piece that will make my eyes cross, my fingers crooked and my back permanently curve in the wrong direction... but it sure will be pretty!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Thank You!

Thanks to all my customers for giving my creatures new homes!

Today is the Day!

Wish me luck!

I'll be in space 31 at The Dickens Fair being held at the James Bay Community School Centre on 140 Oswego Street. It runs from 10 am to 4 pm and will be on Saturday, December fourth. There will be plenty of goodies to look at and to nibble on. I hope to see you all there! Cheers!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Pictures Post







Feedback always welcome!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New Schnik Pieces: Anatomy Lessons











Fave classes in school? Anatomy and art!








I look forward to exploring other organs. For now, though, I will continue to work on the accuracy of my hearts. I'd rather do cardio this way than jog any day!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

New Schnik Pieces: Steampunk Critters

Pictures only post! I'm waiting for the coffee to do her work!

Anatomy Lessons!

An unknown species of critter!



Steampunk Owl on a knobby twig


Owl Face pendants

A clay sketch of a larger piece


New Schnik Pieces: Owls

I started out making owls after reading a CF tutorial about sculpting them from polymer clay. I made a few pieces following her instructions. The great thing about tutorials is that they get my fingers moving. I started making other, smaller pieces.


The larger pieces hold twigs and orbs in their talons. I sculpt the talons around the object first and use, if able, wires the will be covered with clay. I bake the most fragile piece first and add it to the larger piece later using the wire and liquid polymer clay to secure the bits.
I have yet to play with finishes and patinas. Maybe I'll try that after the Dickens show!

New Schnik Pieces: Knobby Twigs

The twigs and knobs are sculpted from polymer clay. Some of the twigs have flowers which are also made of polymer clay. There are multi jointed pieces, pieces with crystals for some sparkle, and pieces that have more polymer clay flowers dangling from them. I have blended the colours and textured the clay to add dimension to the knobby twigs.

Stop by the Facebook "Schnik" page and like the photos!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy First Day of Summer!

Is this day the reason for my sudden increase in productivity and energy? Perhaps it has to do with today's apartment inspection which is now complete. Maybe it is because a childhood friend of mine will be visiting. Or is the increase because of the work I've been doing on my sister-in-law's new house? I'm not sure, but I'd like to figure out the cause so that I may call on it for future use!

This weekend I did some work in my craft room/office. I cleaned up the sculpture stuff, causing great bodily injury to myself, and set up the sewing machine. I pulled the table out from the wall to accommodate large swaths of fabric while I attempt to make my own curtains.

Wish me luck, continued productivity, and no more wounds!

Keep Crafty!

Monday, May 10, 2010

'Tis the Season

This is MY season! I love the warm weather! Nothing gets me so motivated or energized as a beautiful day, bright sun or a warm breeze! Even a five pump white chocolate mocha from the Bux can't invigorate me so!

So, what to do with this energy? Have I created any new Penguins or dragons? No. I have so many on hand that I'd rather clear that inventory than make new pieces.

My newest "craft" would be my patio. My husband and I have started a tiny edible garden. Since we are limited to container gardening, and this is our first attempt, we are starting small.

We have wonderful resources at our disposal. Both sets of my parent-in-laws have bountiful gardens and limitless knowledge. We also have the Moss Street Market on Saturdays which is but a mile away. It is filled with helpful and kind folk who help us with our selections and plantings.

So far we have started with starter plants and from seed. We have carrots and tatsoi from seeds, a lettuce variety, tomato plant and basil from starter plants and, to take care of the entire family, we also have some cat grass for the kids.

The lettuce variety should be ready to harvest in a week or so. The basil is ready as soon as it has leaves. The tomato plant won't be ready until the end of Spring or mid-Summer. I have a fantasy of making my own tomato sauce from my own garden this summer!

I will add some photos to this post shortly.

I hope to sell some of my art at the Moss Street Market this season. I just have a few commitments to clear until then.

Monday, April 19, 2010

So, about that weekly post...

Again, road to hell and good intentions...

I've not created anything new since my last post. Any reason? No. With no deadlines or orders I just have no motivation to create any new pieces. I have over twenty little buddies hanging around. All they do is eat out of my fridge and watch tv. Until they find homes, I just can't justify making anymore.

As far as putting myself out there and getting into stores, well, I prefer selling it myself. I am a natural salesperson and enjoy interacting with customers which I can do at fares and shows, but not in shops.

The stress of moving to another country and not being able to see my family has not added to my creativity. It has taxed me in ways I couldn't have imagined.

Hold tight, though, when I come back I'll be a star again. BSTL!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Introducing...

A new group of penguins!


Cylcops Penuin!

Cody holds a seashell


Bobby Blue Scarf Penguin

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Schnik: More than just penguins!

Although my penguins are my more popular item, I have been making dragons for over a year now. The dragons are much more work since their wings and faces have to be carefully sculpted, while my penguins have a flat face.

I use precious and semi-precious stones in my dragons. They are meant to be worn as pendants and can not stand alone like the penguins can.

This week I plan to start working on my Etsy shop. I feel that my photos have improved and are ready for prime time.

Today I got my first custom order! I am looking forward to creating a new friend!

Here are some photos of my dragons. As always, feedback is appreciated!





Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Perhaps weekly?


To write an entry every day would be the sign of a truly motivated and inspired person.

I hope to write once weekly.

Currently I am working on Valentine's Day cards for my friends and family. There are some cheap cards on the market, but I have more time and extra scrap-book supply than money and I would rather receive an authentic card from someone than a one of one million card... unless it has a cute kitten, mouse, princess, joke or design...




Making the cards will also help me thin out my craft supplies which is always a plus!

Pictures soon!

Cheers!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sometimes it takes a tragedy

Haiti has been in crisis long before this horrible earthquake hit.

I know it may not seem like much, but if you go to the website haiti.usembassy.gov you will see that you can text "Haiti" to 90999 and ten dollars will be added to your cellphone bill and donated to crisis relief.

If you have the fortune to be surfing the web, then surely you have the fortune to donate ten dollars.

Again, text "Haiti" to 90999 and ten dollars will be added to your cellphone bill and donated to crisis relief.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Projects, Projects and More Projects!

Something I have always struggled with is photographing my pieces. I never took advantage of the wonderful photography classes offered in my high school so I know nothing about it! I'm good with staging, holding the camera straight and not holding my finger in front of the lens but lighting and focus can be a bit rough!


I gather most of my knowledge about picture taking from the internets and TV shows. Many resources talk about a light box for taking pictures of the items you want to show off and sell. Using some spare cardboard I managed to construct my own mini light box. I don't have a tripod yet, so, with a steady hand I am taking photos today. Let's see how they turn out!





Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!



Happy New Year to all!



I have been spending time with some online software and my photos. I will keep working on the photos and the editing before I even consider an Etsy shop!