Saturday, May 30, 2009

Kate Burke Comes to Two Dog Pond to Discover My Chaotic Mind


On Wednesday, Kate Burke from the York based paper, "The Advantage" came out to Two Dog Pond to conduct an interview with me. She was quite gracious about listening to me rattle on about soldered glass jewelry, fusing, art camp, chickens, stained glass, etc all in incomplete sentances. When she left I told Sweatshop Worker Lynn that I felt so sorry for Kate who is now going to have to make sense of my rambling, disaddled brain. {I don't know what disaddled means, but it's a good description}. There are so many more talented people out there making art, but I can assure you that no one is having more fun or loves what they are doing more than I do... Kate asked me some questions that my brain (which survived the 70's with minimal damage) didn't wrap around until after she left. She asked me why I came to Nebraska, and who influenced me in my decision to make art (or something like that). The answer is - I was going to college in Missouri and saw a film documentary on R. Marxhausen, an art professor at Concordia University in Nebraska. I decided that I wanted to study under this wonderful man and tranfered. He's an amazing artist who has influenced and inspired many people with his found object art, his perspective on seeing the world, and his enthusiasm. He was in Dallas doing some work with Mary Kay (of Mary Kay cosmetics) and took the time to have lunch with me. While in college he let me teach some of his Art Appreciation classes when he was going to be out of town. He encouraged me and inspired me.

This is a mural that Reinhold Marxhausen did in the State Capital. His murals and art are everywhere. I have one of his "Stardust" sound sculptures. We traded art one time - He gave me the Stardust for a banner I made for his wife. I know I came out way ahead on that deal. I still have some encouraging letters he wrote to me after I graduated. He was so good about keeping up with his students and inspiring long after graduation. You can't say that about alot of College Faculty.

Sadly, he now has Alzheimers. If you would like to see him in his prime, watch this short video of him on the David Letterman Show. He was a guest on the show several times, this is his first appearance. You will quickly see why I loved learning from this man:


Thank you again, Kate, for your patience and for bringing your friend Karen along to shop!


(If someone can tell me how to embed this video, I would be most appreciative!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Winner Week 30 - Congratulations!

LynnW submitted the suggestion of "He Never asks for directions", and I'm sure that it's not because her man never asks... right Lynn? Congratulations, and remember to email me your mailing address and I'll send your winning necklace right out!
Next week - a brand new image - stay tuned!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Necklace Contest - Week 30

Welcome to Week 30 of the Two Dog Pond "Make A Comment~Win A Necklace" Contest. It's Memorial Day, so to honor our Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers, I have chosen an image of their heartthrob, Rudolph Valentino, for this week's contest.
Enter as often as you wish - the winner won't be chosen until Friday morning.
Have a great holiday!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Winner Week 29 -

- is Miss My3sonsplusone! Congratulations! Please email me (rachel@twodogpond.com) your address and I will promptly pop your winning pendant in the mail. The winning entry is "Even though we are oceans apart, We are close at heart". Very sweet - doubly touching my heart since all three of my sisters live in Southern California and it feels like we are oceans apart {technically we are corn fields and wheat fields apart}. Anyone else have a sister or a friend that feels Oceans Apart, yet you know you are close at heart?
Let's all put our heads down and cry a little while, then write a quick note to the friends and sisters we all miss.... or... - pour a cocktail and toast them.
Betsy, Rhoda, and Bonnie - I love you guys!! Cheers!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Week Twenty Nine of the Necklace Contest

Here's a Sweet Summer Striped Shot - perfect for a pendant. The contest is simple - make a comment indicating what phrase/quote/word you think would be perfect for the back side and on Friday, we'll pick a winner. Winner will receive a lovely soldered glass pendant with their saying on the back on! Summerilicious!

Friday, May 15, 2009

This Week's Winner Is....

Miss Jenny from The Red Bulletin Board! Congratulations!
"This IS your grandchild - so get over it!"
Quite Clever! Thanks to everyone who played to win!
***Sigh***
That's all we'll have for a while - grandpuppies and grandkitties....

Thursday, May 14, 2009

More New Metal Madness








Tell me honestly what you think...

The Shop in the Studio Update


Two Dog Pond Sweatshop Worker, Crissy, not only works in a bank, has a young family, and sells Uppercase Living, also installed the new signage for the Shop (still a big mess, but we're getting closer!) She's amazing!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Poladroid Magic

Leah, from Moxie Photo and Design, did a post on Poladroid a few days ago. I just uploaded the program and started playing with it...it is A BLAST! Miss Leah has a tutorial and all the information you need posted, so go here for that... Here's a couple polardroids I just made:

Monday, May 11, 2009

Week Twenty Eight - Necklace Contest

This week's old postcard image baffles me. Why would you send this postcard to anyone? Unless - it has some clever saying on the other side.... So - submit a comment, phrase, word, etc of what you think the back side should say, and if your comment is chosen on Friday - you will win a soldered glass pendant! There are "rules" posted on the side >> if you need more direction...

Friday, May 8, 2009

The Clever Miss Lauren Wins Again!

Congratulations, Lauren! "Dangerous When Wet" is a perfect comment! There were many great suggestions, and I wish I could make you all a necklace, but Lauren is the big winner this week! Thanks to all of you for playing!
Lauren - let me know where you would like me to mail your winning necklace! I did notice that you go to school in Lincoln - are you planning on visiting the University Place Art Festival tomorrow? If yes - I'll bring it along!!
{You make your Momma Proud!}

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

See You There!

Saturday is the 5th Annual University Place Arts Festival. It's a free event in Lincoln, Nebraska and looks to be lots of fun! There will be merchants with American-made arts and crafts, fresh garden produce, flowers and bedding plants, food, snacks and entertainment all day long. It's free. There's something for everyone - why would you be anywhere else? I will be there in my Two Dog Pond tent. Deb of From The Heart Creations will be there. Kaitlyn from Owl People will be there. Lynn from SilverWork will be there too! Those are just the ones I know - I'm sure there will be tons more artisans. There will be FREE entertainment including Performance Company with Club Kicks, Capital City Cloggers, Wesleyan Theatre Dept, Dance Arts, and Academy of Rock !

Other FREE events include: the bounce house, kids games, Homer from the Salt Dogs, Happy D Klown doing magic and balloon twisting, make your mom a mother's day card, recycling, fingerprinting and Much MORE!
Oh my gosh! If I wasn't already going - I would definitely go!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Necklace Contest - Week 27

Where's the Bay Watch Fashion Police when you need them? Here's a lovely California Bathing Beauty postcard image that needs a snarky comment/word/phrase on the back side to make it a pendant you would want to wear. That's the contest! Submit a comment/word/phrase and if it's chosen on Friday, you will win a soldered glass pendant on a chain.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Pounding on Metal

I've been playing with copper, brass, rivets, wire, etc and having a blast!
Now - go make something. Now.

Great Advice & A Pendant

Thanks to T Lee for her entry of "Always have a back-up plan" - you are the winner of this week's Necklace! It took me forever to roll the dice so the 5 spots were showing and then snap the photo while they were still moving, so I resorted to clipart... T Lee I have your address from your previous wins so it will be in the mail shortly! Congratulations!