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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Artist of the Week!

Congratulations to Sandy of Dusty Oak Ornaments as this week's featured artist!


Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello, my name is Sandy. I was born a military brat and arrived in Louisiana, courtesy of the USAF and I’ve been here ever since. I’m a SHAM (Stay-at-home mom) my kids are now grown and my nest is empty, so I suppose you could call me a stay at home …. waiting and waiting for the day I can say, “I’m a grandma!” :-) My sweet hubby and I have been married for almost 34 years and it’s been a wonderful adventure. I spent 21 of those years home schooling our kids and believe me, I was the one who gained the education. I wouldn’t have done it any other way and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to stay at home all those years.

Some of my hobbies include; scrapbooking, crocheting, making decorations for weddings and teaching arts and crafts. My favorite outdoor activities are gardening, letterboxing, hiking, and writing scavenger hunts, but mostly I just love being outside!


How did you get started making handmade items?
Like most crafters, you could say, it’s in my DNA. My mom was a wonderfully talented artist, crafter and seamstress. I remember sitting for hours and watching her paint and helping her with projects for Vacation Bible School. My sisters and I have fond memories of standing on the table and turning, so slowly, so she could mark the hems for our new (always matching) dresses.

When my husband and I were married, I decided to make handmade ornaments, each Christmas for my family and friends. I made some quilted ornaments, painted gingerbread men, cut out wooden ornaments, baked dough ornaments, cross-stitched, painted glass ornaments… etc. I tried to make something unique every year. In 2006, it was time (Way Past TIME) to clean out my craft closet. So, I listed a few quilted ornaments on eBay and DustyOak Ornaments was born.


What does a typical day look like for you?
I suppose most people would say it’s pretty boring. My life has totally changed since the kids are gone. Once I get my hubby off to work, I spend the morning walking, doing chores, reading my Bible, answering emails and packing up any orders that may have come in overnight. If I’m home at noon, I eat my lunch in front of the TV and watch Star Trek -The Next Generation. Yes, I Love Jean-Luc Picard! LOL Depending on the day of the week, I’m either out the door doing errands, meeting with my girlfriends for lunch-bunch, doing some volunteer work, occasionally searching for letterboxes or at home diligently working on new ornament designs and filling orders. And believe it or not, I cook supper almost every day. I love to cook and my husband loves to eat, so it works out great!

If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
We bought a little house at the end of a dirt road, next to a little pond; in the sticks of North West Louisiana… here we raised our kids on the sweet aroma of honeysuckle and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Almost daily, deer wonder through the yard and snuggle down in the tall grass near the water for afternoon naps. Fish spawning at the edge of the pond make slow swirls with their tails as the sun bounces and sparkles like tiny diamonds across the water. In the trees there are woodpeckers, busily hammering away for their supper, Kingfishers swooping down to snatch theirs from the waters below and squirrels recklessly darting from tree to tree in a wild game of chase. At night, the coyotes get all stirred up, yelping and howling about the beautiful star studded skies, while the bull frogs sing their baritone lullaby. Did I get a little carried away on this question? Well, sorta :-D But, if my tiny little corner of Louisiana is filled with such beauty and life…imagine what the rest of this outdoorsman’s paradise holds.



What is your favorite item to make?
My favorite ornaments, by far, are wedding ornaments. Most of them are crafted with items from the wedding itself and each is unique and filled with sentiment. It’s thrilling to get feedback from a bride who has just received her wedding ornament! And just knowing that something, I created, will be a treasured keepsake….. no words.


What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
Choosing a favorite food is next to impossible. Just like the wildlife, the music, the art and the people… Louisiana’s cuisine is diverse, exciting and full of flavor! I love it all!


Any other information you’d like us to know.
I believe that God, the ultimate creator, has placed in each of us the gift of creativity, whether crafting, math, science, music, painting or teaching… it’s our responsibility to put forth our best. Not for our own praises, but, to glorify our maker and to please Him.


Links to visit Dusty Oaks Ornaments:
Website: dustyoakornaments.com
Blog:
www.dustyoak.blogspot.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/DustyOak-Ornaments/76558191666
Etsy:
www.etsy.com/shop/DustyOakOrnaments

Giveaway!!!
Dusty Oak Ornaments is giving away one free ornament of your choice from the in stock supply valued at $30.00 or less.

To be eligible to win, visit Dusty Oak Ornament's website and leave a comment on the blog and also become a fan of their facebook page.
Once you have done this, please comment & tell us!! Extra comments for posting what you love about Dusty Oak Ornaments on their Facebook page!
 The winner will be chosen from random.org & posted on next Wednesday's post (ends next Tuesday)

20 comments:

  1. Congratulations Sandy!! Your work is always so beautiful... you truly are one gifted lady!!! I LOVE the custom wedding ornament idea!!
    And such a sweet life story :).

    *Posted on FB :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm a friend of DustyOakOrnaments on Facebook - my FB name is Amanda Moore, and my favorite item from their shop is the Midnight Flurries ornament!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I posted on their Facebook wall: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150151519526667&id=804795642
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous Ornament, but then all of them Sandy creates are beautiful! I am sharing this on our facebook wall! Sandy is a fabulous member at Shabby Cottage Shops and we are thrilled to have such a talented and sweet lady as part of our family!

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  5. All I can say is JUST BEAUTIFUL! Sandy is the most sweetest and talented ppl I know! I adore her and her work!

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  6. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!! Every time I think you've created my fav, you go and create yet another one. You have unlimitless talent lady! You are marvelously talented! Love ya!

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  7. Sandy, Your ornaments are gorgeous! Rosemary is my favorite. I love the soft pink roses and lace - so shabby! I LOVE it!

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  8. I love the Rosemary ornament. Wow it's so pretty and full of pink which is my favorite color. The tea party ornament is really cute too!

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  9. Hi! I love the Purple Fleur De Lis ornament. I love the detail and also that it is my favorite color. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! :)

    aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I visited Dusty Oak Ornament's website & I'm also a fan of theirs on FB as Dana Beeman (danabeeman).
    danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I posted that I loved their Christmas ornaments on their FB page as Dana Beeman (danabeeman).
    danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love all the ornaments on their blog and i became of fan of theirs on fb as Brittany Doerfler

    bdoerfler2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. i posted what i love about their ornaments on their facebook page
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/DustyOak-Ornaments/76558191666#!/brittanydoerfler/posts/10150154616721667

    bdoerfler2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I LOVE her ornaments! And if I won one, I would probably just hang it in my room. I would refuse to box a beautiful piece of artwork like that!

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  15. I posted on her wall!
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/DustyOak-Ornaments/76558191666?sk=wall#!/chandlerbear/posts/10150155525621667

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love these ornaments!!! Beautiful! Would love to win one! Samandcarolyn1@aol.com Thank you, Carolyn :)

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  17. Like on Facebook and posted a comment, too! Thank you!

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  18. I love the ornaments you make and all I can say is you must have alot of fun making each one so pretty in their own right. I love ELLEN AND ROSEMARY. Have a wonderful day. Kath' at dublshot@comcast.net

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  19. Did a shout out on your facebook and liked you. Have a great night. Did you get my email ? LOL

    Kath' from dublshot@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congrats to Carolynmcintyre! Carolyn won the giveaway drawing. She chose "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" as her favorite. A special, Thank You to everyone who entered and I appreciate all your wonderful comments and emails...what a sweet community of ladies you are!

    ReplyDelete

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