Nutcracker Collection and A New Skull Nutcracker

Nutcracker Collection and A New Skull Nutcracker

Aug 05

We joined the Nutcracker Collector’s Club a few months back and were amazed to learn that Susan, the editor of the club’s newsletter, lives within 25 miles of our home.  She invited us to her home to see her collection and we eagerly accepted the invitation.  Susan’s collection is quite extensive and diverse and she is a wealth of information on nutcrackers.  We had a great visit and learned a lot from Susan and her collection.  Here are a few pictures of her collection.

There we so many different types of nutcrackers to see and so much to talk about that we stayed for hours.   It was great to meet Susan and her husband, Dave and a big Thank You to them for having us to their beautiful home.

Brandon has been carving a skull nutcracker and it’s nearing completion.  Once done it will be listed it on Ebay.

Check back soon to see the completed Skull Nutcracker and see what Brandon’s working on!

Figural Nutcrackers On Ebay

Figural Nutcrackers On Ebay

Jun 15

This week we’ve listed a couple Nutcrackers on Ebay:

Brandon hand carved the Traditional Bear out of Black Walnut.  His expression is enhanced by his glass eyes.  It also has a hand rubbed waxed finish.

Also listed is the Greyhound Figural Nutcracker:

The Greyhound Nutcracker is carved out of mahogany and also has glass eyes.  He is a sleek, smooth and detailed piece.   It would be a wonderful addition to any collection.

Brandon spent some time this weekend updating the website.  Go over and check out the 360 of the Stylized Horse Nutcracker.  It’s pretty awesome!  He also has been carving on some nutcrackers so check back to see what he’s been working on.

Lighthouse Residential Sign Completed

Lighthouse Residential Sign Completed

May 28

The residential sign Brandon has been working on is completed and ready to go to it’s home.  Here are some progress pictures and the completed sign:

The sign is midnight blue, the lettering is gold leafed and the lighthouse has been hand painted.  The owners should enjoy their sign for many years to come.

Now Brandon is on to new projects. Creating some nutcrackers and whatever else comes along….

****Blog News!**** This will now be Brandon’s blog and I now have my own blog.   We both have different audiences and it’s just awkward sometimes to do both in one blog.  Sometimes there will be some overlap as we work on many projects together.  Check it out by hitting the above link.

TA-DA! The Horse Nutcracker Is Completed!

TA-DA! The Horse Nutcracker Is Completed!

May 16

There is no other way to say this except, this is an awesome nutcracker! The amount of detail of this nutcracker is astounding.  Brandon has completely outdone himself on this one.  I know the collectors who had it commissioned are completely thrilled with it.    I was, however, quite sad to see it leave our home but I know that it is going where it will be appreciated for the work that went into creating it and for the work of art that it is.

So without any further ado here are some pictures of the completed Stylized Horse Figural Nutcracker!

Brandon will have a 360 display of the horse on our web site in a few days.  Make sure to stop over at our web site and check it out.

Now that this project is completed there are numerous projects Brandon will be working on and finishing.  So make sure to come back and check to see the new projects.

 

Spring Update!!

Spring Update!!

Mar 23

It is time for an update!  First off I have to say this has been a great March.  This is the first real spring we have had since we moved here in 2001.  Every year it has snowed until at least the end of April and has gone directly into summer.  This year we are getting sunshine and springlike temperatures.  Beautiful!

Brandon is working on a couple of projects. He is working on a commission nutcracker for a collector.  The collector had a picture of a carved meerschaum pipe he wanted turned into a nutcracker. Brandon designed the stylized horse figural nutcracker for him and has been working on that.  Here are some progress pictures…

This nutcracker has a lot of detail with the reigns and mane and is going to be a spectacular piece when completed.  I will be posting more pictures as it nears completion.

Brandon is also working on a custom hand carved residential sign. The sign has a nautical style with a lighthouse.  The sign will be painted and the lettering will be gold leafed.  Here is a photo of the sign is it’s early stage….

I have been painting.  I just completed the Bat Wing Mantle Clock II (the sequel).  Brandon carved the wings and added them to the mantle clock.  It is painted black and a moody gray blue shade.  It has a couple spooky scenes like the haunted mansion on the front and the witch riding by the crescent moon on the top surface.  This clock makes quite a statement and is perfect for Halloween.

The Bat Wing Mantle Clock II is currently listed on eBay and will close next Sunday.

I am now painting a few spring items and also a different style clock too. I will post pictures of those next time.

Melissa

Feburary Already?

Feburary Already?

Feb 10

It’s been a long time since our last post.    January was a long, unbelievably cold, extremely snowy month.  It was so cold that Brandon was unable to work out in the workshop very often.  Once it’s below 20 degrees it gets almost impossible to heat his workshop and you can’t carve with numb fingers.    Now that the weather is much warmer he’ll be in his workshop much more.

I spent the month of January trying to get our house in some sort of order after the holidays.  I then decided the wallpaper in the kitchen had been there long enough.  We moved into this house 8 years ago and every room had  wallpaper of some sort.  The kitchen was the last room to have wallpaper.  It wasn’t awful, but I just wanted it gone.  So it was on to the wonderful job of removing wallpaper, fixing walls, painting, and installing new lighting.  It’s all done and I believe it’s a great improvement!

Since that’s done, it’s back to more artful projects.  I have painted a few Valentine’s Day items:

Next on my agenda is painting a few clocks that have been patiently waiting to be painted.  Also, this next month is a busy month with family birthdays (5 birthdays in 2 weeks including our son’s).  I will be busy getting a party planned.

Brandon is currently working on a commission nutcracker.  It is a very beautiful, impressive piece and we will post pictures of it when it is completed.  Then he’s on to his next project, a nautical sign for a home.

Until next time,

Melissa