It's been awhile since I've posted, but I am hoping to change this - I know, you hear it all the time! lol But really, not much has been happening -

I have been battling depression some, and it kept me from even getting in the shop. Every thing is better now though, and I've been working hard. I also started school this fall, and that has kept me very busy!

Anyway, over Christmas, one of the pieces I sold was broken upon delivery. Yes, I insured it! So FedEx I guess is doing their job, but it's just taking a long time. I finally got the piece back the other day and have done what I can to repair it for now, but the cold is preventing me from getting into the shop... ugh! The cold is also delaying my getting another piece done for a local buyer and that's not good!




Here is what I have been working on -









So, that's it for now - I will update as I can, and hope you keep checking in =)


As always,
Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
~ Freida

The first thing I wake up to, this beautiful Christmas Eve morning, is the news talking about Julien Assange's Wiki-leaks site. This time it is about how another website is touting that it now has in its possession ALL of the papers, cables, and documents that are available. I don't care about either one of these bastards, and neither should anyone else in America, except that they find great joy in putting the United States and her soldiers on the front line, in danger.

We are hated by almost every other country in the world, either because of our power, or because of our opulence. Foreign countries only tolerate visits from our countrymen because of the money we bring to their economy. I have no desire to go where I am not wanted, why does anyone else? You risk your lives, and you push yourself on people that hate you, yet smile in your face to get some of the American Dream.

But anyway, I digress…

My real rant is on this Julien Assange. H

e is not voicing his opinion, he is not writing things that he knows, he is not trying to enlighten the American people to government lies. He is trying to cause dissension and anger amongst our people. He is trying to destroy our peace. He is stealing information that is not his, and making it available to the entire world, not just Americans. He is nothing more than an Intellectual Thief.

From the Human Rights Watch you hear the cry, "Don't prosecute Wiki-leaks Founder, Julian Assange, for releasing classified

US State Department cables, as this would imperil media freedom everywhere." They are claiming that this leak of information is actually FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!?

In their defense though;

"...Human Rights Watch said that it has expressed concern to WikiLeaks and other media organizations that information be redacted fr

om the cables that could place human rights defenders at risk…" http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/12/15/us-don-t-prosecute-wikileaks-founder

Thank goodness for their efforts! I'm sure that in Mr. Assange's deepest conscious he re-evaluates his decisions to leak these classified documents every day! I'm certain that every day he searches his soul for answers on whether to put death and risk at American shores!

As the Huffington Post reports, "An upcoming data dump by Wiki-leaks will be damaging enough that an executive at a major American bank will resign, the organization's founder Julian Assange told the U.K.'s Times in a recent interview." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/21/wikileaks-founder-we-have_n_799555.html

But Julien Assange does have a compassionate side. In an interview with the Times, Assange said: "We don't want the bank to suffer unless it's called for. But if its management is operating in a responsive way there will be resignations." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/21/wikileaks-founder-we-have_n_799555.html So he says, but what is this statement REALLY saying? "I have control over what happens in this big, rich, country!" That is what I'M hearing…

In another interview with the German newspaper Der Spiegel, Assange disclosed his personal reasons for establishing his website in 2007, "This is something that I find meaningful and satisfying, that is my temperament. I enjoy creating systems on a grand scale, and I enjoy helping people who are vulnerable. And I enjoy crushing bastards." http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Blotter/wikileaks-webs-top-whistleblower-site/story?id=11252203&page=1

Who are the bastards he speaks of? Apparently anyone in the US is particularly vulnerable; even Sarah Palin. Releasing someone's email? Yes, that should be considered public domain, shouldn't it? What about your email, private pictures, discussions with coworkers, etc. Anything and everything is out there, just waiting to be exposed by internet hackers and sensationalists. Some want us to believe that sites such as Wiki-leaks just want to make sure we are all in 'the know', but what is too much. What are the real reasons behind such theft?

And, it is Theft, Intellectual Theft, and fits in the frame of piracy. I ask you to ask yourself this question.

I personally, have not visited Wiki-leaks, nor will you find a link to it on my blog, and I urge you, my fellow countrymen/women to do the same. We should not add to this person's celebrity, and he should not be rewarded for stealing documents, or any intellectual property, no matter the reason. I do believe his reasons to be disingenuous, however, and will continue to believe this until I find some reason for doubt.

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"Freida

Unless you've been asleep, we've all watched the tragedy in Russia unfold. My heart goes out to those that lost their loved ones in these terrible assaults. Ever since Tyler went to Russia he's been trying to get back there. Wants to move there. I can't blame him sometimes when I think of how wonderfully he was treated by his host families and the warmth of those he met while about. I know we are all shocked and saddened by the ongoing violence.

I've received several emails lately about what's the latest with Deer Mountain. I've been fighting chronic pain in my back and legs and it's caused a great slow down in my production. To the point where I've only been able to produce a few earrings and such during this last six or so months. Well, finally, tomorrow is my surgery; they will be implanting a spinal cord stimulator to mask the nerve pain and while I'm excited, I'm very nervous(scared) also. I hope you'll all pray for me and my little family as we undergo this new chapter in our life! I've heard so many great things about the end result but am trying to be realistic too. I'm just hoping that I will regain some quality of life as the last 14 months have been miserable. I look forward to getting back in the shop - I miss creating so much!

Well, that's about it for now - time to get the little one up for school :)

I hope to write with good news in the next couple of days, please keep us in your prayers...

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

Wow, I'm honored to say that I'm including in this wonderful blog's 'Christmas Gift Sites to See' segment!!! "As the Crackerhead Crumbles" is a wonderful hodgepodge of great tidbits and tantalizing tales - I urge you to visit regularly!
and, many Thanks for including me in your list for this season!!

As many of you know, it's such a busy time for me! It has been for the last 3 months - I just haven't had a moment to myself - lol - but, I sure don't mind!!

Things are going fairly smoothly; right now I only have 3 ornaments and two boxes to get out so I'm doing great! Well, I also just started posting my 'non-custom' ornaments online - take a look!

We're all healthy and happy, so I've a lot to be thankful for this year =D

I hope to be back soon, posting my usual pishposh of random thoughts and ideas - stay tuned!!

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

Wow! I saw I had all of these views and hearts all of a sudden - and boom!! I found out my Zen Garden was featured on the front page at Etsy!! Yay! =D




How cool!! =D


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

Every once in a while I run into a blog about search engines, blog ranking, social networking, and other, often tech-heavy, information that I can actually digest and even though the language might be a barrier for some, it really is something that I consider minimal compared to the help this blogger gives in layman terms.

For my poor mind these days I need simple, easy to understand instruction and advice that is quick to the point and has timely content. This blogger gives that and the link below is just one small example of what the blog has to offer.

Backlinks Building, The way to Increase Pagerank and Boost Blog Traffic ~ HypER JaDuLZ - Help Bloggers to Get Blog Traffic and Increase Blog Traffic

In an 'all-info, all the time' type of world we live in these days, it's hard to find good clean information. Hope this blog can help you too!

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

Pricing your work, as an artist, is one of the toughest parts of creating anything. When I heard this on the news this morning I was like, "REALLY??!?", forcing me into the way-back machine of Valley Girl expletives.
Yes, I'm incredulous that we are still paying that kind of money for anything! Especially after all the noise and uproar about high priced hammers! But a 30lb backpack?? Are you SERIOUS!!?!
I want to sell to our government! I'll make them all of the "space tool bags" they could possibly need for sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much less! Look me up NASA! =D
Well, after a little looking I find that our very own Colorado company's Eric Haugen and his "Wolfman Enduro Tool Bag"(which retails for around $23??) has constructed this amazing work of durability that demands such a price tag. hummm, I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. Here's a link to an article about the bag company...
Anyway, that's it for wasting time ranting about something I seem to have no power over - back to work!


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I'm not just an artist. I consider myself a bit of an instigator and advocate. Two of my most prominent passions; Animal Welfare with an emphasis on wildlife, and a voice for artists - no matter what their medium.

A while back ago, our little area of Colorado had the honor of several visits from world-renown artists Christo and Jeanne Claude, but they weren't exactly greeted with wide open arms.
It's (Over The River project|Project for Arkansas River|State of Colorado) has been quite a controversy here and folks are very divided and some quite angry!

The issue is Christo's wanting to drape the Arkansas River with special translucent fabric panels for a period of 14 days, in which time they will of course gather tons of photos that I'm sure they plan to market.

The area, to be exact, is Big Horn Sheep Canyon, and is home to a fair sized herd of Big Horn Sheep as well as huge tourist attractions; the Royal Gorge Canyon and Bridge as well as one of the best areas for white water rafting.

"...The project is planned as a two-week summer display affecting as much as 45 miles of the river between Salida and Cañon City. Estimates indicate the project won't be through the permit process until summer 2011 at the earliest..." Jason Starr, Staff Writer of the Mountain Mail reported.

ROAR(Rags Over the Arkansas River) objects to the artists' plans pointing out that the impact of the project might affect wildlife, vegetation, and tourism for some years to come.
As I studied this project I came to the realization that at first glance this seems to be very easy to put down - I was against it because of the potential wildlife habitat risk, until I actually became more familiar with the facts.

The artists have went to great lengths to secure everything, from worker's meals to trash removal. Everything's been covered, and my impression is that they care a great deal for the environment, the people impacted, and especially the wildlife and local residents.
They do, on the other hand, stand to garner a great deal of profit from this project as well.

If you are interested in learning more about the "Over the River Project" please click on these links to be presented with both sides of the debate:

PRO
http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/
http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/otr.shtml
http://www.overtheriver.org/
http://www.overtheriver.org/the_mountain_mail/

CON
http://www.roarcolorado.org/
http://ragblog.roarcolorado.org/
Condensed Summary of Christo’s Over the River (OTR) Plan1
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11954788



So the time-honored question lives; is it art?

What do you think about this; art/not art, yes/no on project?


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

It's so hard to believe that summer is almost to the halfway point!! Where does it go so fast??

I'm in the shop today and loving it! =D Everyone keeps telling me though, that I'm way off for a business - I need to "focus" and settle on one thing. How do you do that when you work with wood?!? There's so many things that pop into my head to make and it's all so fun, interesting, and challenging for me that I just can't say, "oh, I think I'll just make earrings.." or "I feel that intarsia is going to be 'the thing' I need to do, have to do.." I want to do it ALL!!!!

So, okay, my shop's a little cluttered - a dangerous mind is a clean mind, I'm told. So I suppose that means I'm pretty damn meek!lol Well, even my name is German for "lover of peace" (roughly translated?) and that is definitely me. I avoid conflicts and try hard to make everyone happy - not in a coward sort of way tho! I just want to be happy, and I want all those around me to be happy too! So what to do, what to do!

I was just getting a soda and thinking about the above question - Tyler just made this ubber-cool stamp that looks like a leather design - it's awesome and very well defined. I've been thinking about asking him to let me keep it, which brought on a mental chuckle; it seems every time any of make anything that the others in the family want it! A lot of stuff never makes it to either shop!lol I guess I need to quit that and after I give this checker/chess board to Austin, I need to stop giving them my creations! It's just so hard to say no, especially when it's such a compliment to my work!!! lol Ahhh, love my babies!

Anyway, Tyler made it back from Russia just fine - back to games and t.v. Hopefully he'll be getting a j-o-b soon - it would sure make Rog happy!lol He had so many incredible experiences and was so accepted into the families that he stayed with. He even has planned to go back next summer and spend time with them all! I get chills when I think of what he's gotten to do! I hope to share pics with you soon - but there's thousands to go thru so it might be a bit!lol He brought me home my request; a genuine Russian Nesting Doll! It's just gorgeous, but even so he ended up bringing home two because he thought the first was too small. How lucky am I!?! and of course he brought home tons of coins for his dad - he was a happy guy! lol

It's really been an amazing couple of months for us here and I look forward to the rest of the summer :) Especially when Tyler gets his Banya built! =D

Btw, enjoy the Scavenger Hunt - Shop Notes is in it and I hope I didn't make it too hard for you to find the answer to the clue! I am having great fun with this and hope you do too!

So, until next time -

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!" Freida

"Looking Good in the New Economy" - is it wrong to be fashionable and wear beautiful things in our overwrought economy??

Not if you are buying your adornments at Deer Mountain Wood Art and Deer Mountain Creations!

I've just drastically cut my prices on my beautiful , renewable, and earth-friendly, solid wood earrings!

In an effort to help each other survive rough waters I reduced my prices so that anyone could afford to still look good in these hard times - and these earrings are extra special!

It takes hours to smooth a pair to a warm silky finish, all done by hand so that I won't lose connection with the wood.

The all-natural colors match everything and anything and never muddy one's complexion. And one of the best parts of these gorgeous accessories to a well-dressed-woman; you don't have to feel guilty for wearing Bloodwood, Zebrawood, Yellowheart, or beautiful and earthy Black Walnut because they are all from recycled wood!

Destined for the landfill, this wood was saved for the most special of tasks - to accentuate the natural beauty found in all the 'fairer sex'!

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, stop by - at these prices, they might not last long!

Be sure to keep checking back as the prices are dropping all over the two shops!


Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I love summer! I get so ambitious, but unfortunately, so do the bees and wasps!? I've been in a battle with these little dudes all of my life. From the time I was, oh I think 8 or 9 years old, running down the street with Sammy Burgess asking him how many wasps he'd thought he'd captured from a nest for his red ants and he dropped the jar - I was covered, head to toe, in angry vigilante' wasps looking for blood! Nightmares of my friend's mom trying to get them out of my hair still haunt me today. Nope, that's a bad part of warm weather for me - I am sure they hunt me out, and cause me to dance an odd bobbing and weaving motion to the amusement of everyone around!
So, there it is - lots of ambition mixed with an almost unhealthy respect for Mother Nature's busiest of creatures.... It's amazing to me that I get anything done!lol

But, I have been getting some things 'done' - Roger came up with an order for a hundred earrings and it's kept me pretty darn busy! I'm taking the day off from sanding though as my poor shoulder is so sore today :( I decided I'd put a few up online to see if anyone would want a pair or two as I've made some interesting designs this time to stave off the boredom of making such a large lot of one thing. Stop by and let me know what you think! :)

I also just finished working the digital converter box coupon program and am sad to see it go. It was the easiest of jobs and very good money. Back to infomercial calls... I am working for two companies, but I'm still unable to work a good amount of hours. Definitely not able to make enough to support the family, but I'm trying to build up my back to be able to sit a decent amount of time so that I can work these jobs properly. I was finally able to do a two hour shift the other day! So I think it is possible if I keep trying :)

Tyler's still in Russia - he's having fun but I can hear the home sickness in his tone the last couple of days. I should hear from him this afternoon as Skype seems to work perfectly over there. Here's a picture of the view from his bedroom at his current host family's residence. He's so lucky! :) He went to St Petersburg last week and his report of the beauty and wealth of the palaces and especially the Hermitage was awe inspiring - I read all of the books about Peter the Great, Alexander, Constantine, Catherine, etc... when I was young and hearing his account of Peterhoff and the Winter Palace just made me all tingly! I would so love to look across to Finland and walk the halls of these greats! I know for a fact that Tyler is probably already planning his return - his familys' have been wonderful to him. They've accepted him without hesitation and by being in such an element he's seeing the true Russia first hand. He loves the people and the land, but of course, he does miss home a little.

So, that's all the news that's fit to print right now - I have a couple of big projects coming soon, one of which is the 'twin' to the lighthouse intarsia I did last year. Be sure to stop by and check out the new earrings in the meantime!

And as always, thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

Pretty much all of my friends locally, that is, know what's going on with me so I haven't worried too much about things like this. While I'm trying to get back on my feet I've received many notices such as Project Wonderful's robot warning.
I hate being sick - but this time it's been worse on my psyche more than my body. While I'm in constant pain, I manage, kind of. But the fact that it's affecting my behavior so much is disabling. I can't write anyone back, follow through on anything, I've totally left the dishes to everyone else. I reached out a couple of weeks ago to tell my friends from my book project that I was sick but hoping to get back to 'normal' soon and continue on with the book, but I've been unable to answer any of their emails :( I'm very frustrated and depressed, but still I remain optimistic.
Since I had an attack of sciatica in January, which still continues with my left foot slowly going numb from my arch up my leg, I've been on several answer-seeking journeys to the doctors. Finally last month I was told I have MS. Now, like I've said, I'm not sure right now what that means for me, I have a doctor appointment the 30th of June and hopefully will get better answers. In the meantime, here I remain.
My second oldest son is graduating from HS this morning and I'm not ready - totally depressed(feels like an elephant's on my chest), and don't want to endure the pain of having to take a shower.... sigh
It will get better, I'm sure it will. But I haven't written in so long - think about it often - but just haven't been able to. Getting this second notice from Project Wonderful prompted me I guess into finally writing and letting everyone know what's going on.
To all of the faithful followers and supporters of this blog, I treasure you and hope that you'll stick it out with me - I know it's gotta get better! But I will do my best to get to the writing as I'm able.
You're very important to me - we may be strangers for the most part, but gosh you've been through so much with me! and I consider you all friends.
I will be back soon - thanks for being there :)
Freida