New Year, New Store, among other things
- cammywilliams
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Happy New Year Everyone! We took December off in order to enjoy the holidays. We hope you found time to celebrate as well because being alive is worth celebrating!
Lately, our creekside has been supplying us with so much enjoyment and wildlife. We have a great blue heron checking out the fishing. We have salmon continuing to spawn. It being January, the bald eagle couple should soon begin nesting. We saw a couple of rabbits the other night, so there should be bunnies as well. And, it being the Pacific Northwest, the spring flowers are just beginning to poke through the soil.
Pooh Bear often said, "I always head to my thoughtful spot when I have to think, think, think."
Just like Pooh, Mr. Al and I headed to our thoughtful spot (the dinner table) and thought, thought, thought. After much thinking, we decided to sell only original artwork. Gone are the mugs, the notecards, pillows, and prints. Gone, too, is the CanyonLands collection.
We were a little melancholic over the decision, but we mostly feel relief and freedom to create, create, create because neither of us really wants to "mind the store."
Having said that, all the templates for said products have been saved, so if you want a print of some artwork, or to replace that broken mug, or add to your pillow collection, just ask and we will order it for you straight away!
As time goes on, I will be adding more and more paintings for sale, many being the originals of the prints. Currently, I am painting horses. When finished, they will also make their appearance.
Now, I am heading to my studio space. For Christmas, Mr. Al gave me a gift certificate for art supplies...more paper, more paint, more time behind the easel. Oh boy!
Here's Mr. Al
It's an odd place that we find ourselves in early 2025. Won't seeing where we're at in early 2026 be interesting? It's anyone's guess.
With the internet overexposed with ads trying to sell you stuff you don't need, inauthentically false advertising their small, inferior products from China, yes China, it's virtually (...see what I did there?) impossible to break through all the clutter....just to get people to see our stuff. It's very frustrating for real artists who have real, original work that is not and cannot be duplicated be overlooked because of a small advertising budget. We simply cannot compete.
And, in all modesty...we really do create authentic, phenomenal representations of the wonderful, wild majesty that surrounds us every day. All you have to do is turn off the TV (especially the mainstream media), get outside, breathe the air, lay on the ground, you will begin to be aware of that wild majesty too.
Just like everything else though, compliments are nice, but don’t contribute to our pantry. It's a simple energy exchange. We work very hard with our respective muses to capture the beauty of nature - that's our energy. When willingly paying for our work, the energy you expend in the form of money earned by your hard work is a humbling experience for us; thank you. It's really a simple transaction. One that will allow you to own a family heirloom.
That's it! That's where we find ourselves, and any 'positive word-of-mouth' experiences that can be spread to your friends and family is appreciated beyond words. Again, thank you.
With that nasty business gotten out of the way, we move on to more exciting things!
Huldulfólk Haven resides in relative comfort, all hunkered down for the winter. There is some much-needed repairs for the foundation of the Council House. It's quite literally sinking into the earth! The rotting stump in which the building was built in the first place has continued to create nutrients for its relatives and family by further decomposing. This creates holes where the roots once were. Combined with the Havens' hated residents' continued work, mole runways are simply removing the ground underneath the building!
Ah, well... when the weather returns to livable again!
Meanwhile, the nice, warm shop allows me to continue to explore techniques, methods, and new wood to play with!
And play, I do! I'm in the shop daily, sometimes with the dogs, sometimes alone with my chisels and my audiobooks. I love it! I love it! I love it!
As an item of note. (perhaps) In 2024, I designed and carved seven sculptures, and most are still available!
It's me, again...Bryn. Going forward, I'm not sure if there will be monthly newsletters...they may become random posts showing you the latest painting or carving that is finding its way to our online store. So be well, stay safe, until we post again.
Lastly ... from our hearts to yours, thank you for your patronage over the years. We will keep in touch, just randomly. --Bryn and Mr. Al
Create away you two highly gifted artists! Whatever bones you throw our way, your loyal fan base will eagerly inhale them, even though they may be sporadic and occasional!! Love all our pieces we’ve acquired over the years! Keep on a-rollin! May your creative juices flow free in 2025!!!