Having a good time gathering gifts for friends while sipping on cider and home made mead.

The first week-end in December brings the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour. Nearly a dozen local artists open their studios to the public to visit, purchase gifts, and learn about the various arts being creating in our community.  This was my fourth year as a participating artist.  We had about 50 visitors Saturday and about 30 on Sunday.

I like Open Studio because I don’t have to pack bins and load the van, nor unload and set up at a satellite location.  All I really have to do is “clean house” (studio), make things visually accessible, and bake cookies.  Since so many of you asked, here is the recipe for the most popular cookie on the plate: Swiss Cinnamon Crisps.  I added sliced almonds on top of mine in the egg wash. (I’ve got to make more , since you all ate mine.) 😉

Gypsy, my studio Lab Assistant, curls up in my chair during a quiet moment

Can you still buy shirts or yarn before the holidays?  Yes. I still have lots of shirts (hand-printed and silk-screened) which I can mail in plenty of time for the holidays.  If you are nearby, we can arrange a drop-in visit.  Email me at byrdcallstudio@gmail.com or call 410-549-4889.  Or check out my “buy-it-now” shop at Byrdcall on Etsy.  And here is a very special offer just for you blog readers.  If you order anything I offer on Etsy before Jan.31, 2015, use the discount code BYRDCALLBLOGREADER when you check-out and 10% will be deducted from your purchase.  (That will definitely defray any postage charged.)  But, mum’s the word–this is a special just for you.

I found time over the weekend to weave on my Inkle Loom (which I haven’t done in ages).  Here I am making the rya yarn barrettes that I often wear.  They have long yarn which I like because it looks like I have mini “dreads” in multi-colors.  When I finish making them into barrettes, I’ll post them in my etsy shop.  This week as time permits, I’ll bring the etsy shop up to date with listing of the actual sizes and colors of all shirts on hand. [To see the link on etsy Click here.]

I hope you are all finding a little time to breathe and enjoy friends and family during the holiday season.  It can be pretty tough when we don’t.  I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Cheers!  Feel free to add comments below!

A Close-up of the weaving on the Inkle loom. I chose the natural gray wool edge so it will be “believable” mini-dreads in my hair.