New Name on Artfire - NowThatsUnique

I have just taken a big leap and changed the name of my Artfire Studio. The name, Creation-in-Clay, was great when all I sold was clay items. But now that I have added my second love - Tillandsia Air Plants - the name was to confining.

New name is: Now That's Unique. What do you think? Air Plants are unique and polymer clay OOAK items are certainly unique.

It is so cold here and getting colder. It is supposed to start sleeting and then turning to snow around noon. Looks like I will not make it to the Tulsa Flea again. If the weather people are correct it is going to be really bad tomorrow and I set up on Friday. I am too chicken to drive on ice, sleet or snow and the ones who do think they know how! Betsy, (my car) doesn't  have any dents and is not wanting any.

While snowed in I will be adding lots to Now That's Unique. Please stop by and give a look. New URL is: http://nowthatsunique.artfire.com

Have a Great Day and stay warm,
Barb

Frustrated at Trying to Sell on Amazon

Sorry I haven't written anything in a month! I have been so busy and frustrated at trying to sell on Amazon. Great place to buy, I know, but it is sure hard to get accepted to sell. If you have items to sell that have a barcode and UPC's it is easy. No barcode? Hah!

Obviously Amazon would rather have the big companies and manufactured goods. Small business that make OOAK or sell plants that do not have barcodes are not wanted.

You have to apply for an exemption. I did this twice. All I got back was a lot of gobbly-gook. After four weeks and much work, I gave up.

Now I am getting emails daily wanting to help me sell my items on Amazon. Different emails from different departments, none knowing what the other one is doing.

Oh well, enough of this, I could rant and rave for an hour!

Welcome home Tyler! This is my Grandson who has been in Afghanistan leading patrols. His plane landed Sunday. His wife Cathy is also in the Army, may be going to Afghanistan in the spring. Thank you guys for your big sacrifice for us all!

Have a Happy Day,
Barb

http://creation-in-clay.artfire.com

To Mist or Not To Mist Tillandsia Air Plants

When I started collecting Tillandsia Air Plants, I was told, like many of you: "Just mist once a week." Well guess what? The plant that is almost impossible to kill - I killed!

Looking back, I did not kill those plants, the person who sold them to me did. Think about it. Many of the varieties come from the rain forests. I don't think it just does a mist once a week.

What about the ones that come from the desert regions? They live in very dry conditions and survive. True. But when it does rain it is a soaking hard rain.

Air Plants adapt to both kinds of conditions. But they don't adapt to no water at all! And, most air plants are now grown in greenhouses in Calif. or Florida. They have adapted to this controlled climate.

Ok, you don't just give your plants a light mist but a heavy drenching mist. But what happens to that heavy mist? It rolls down the leaves and into its base where it sits and causes the air plant to rot. You don't necessarily see this rot, but your plant dies.


Another thing I don't like about misting is that it mists everything around it. Your table, window, drapes, etc. Now you have unsightly water spotting to clean up.

The moral of this story is - don't mist.

Fill a bowl of water and let them soak for about an hour once a week. If the humidity is low, like in the winter when the heat is on, soak them every 4-5 days.  Look at your plants. Some may need more or less watering. Treat them as individuals and not as a group.

Most important is to prevent rot. When you take your plants out of the water, gently shake holding them upside down. Lay them on their sides to completely dry. Don't put them back into the container you keep them in until they feel dry to the touch.

Well, I hope you now have a better understanding about misting. I will be glad to answer any question you might have. Just leave it in the comment section.

Have a Great Day,
Barb

I just thought this photo was to pretty not to share. Gotta make sure my brother, the commercial photographer sees that I can be pretty good with a camera!!

Make-Believe Payday from a Fairy named Kathleen

This ever so simple and delish recipe came to be from the land of the Fairies.

 

Make Believe Payday Candy Bar

 

1 jar of slightly salted dry roasted peanuts

 

1 bag of candy corn

 

 

Mix together.

 

 

The magical and secret way to eat!

 

Eat a few peanuts, then eat a candy corn. Now! You tell me what it taste like?

 

Thank you so much Kathleen for sharing this recipe. I know sharing this recipe from Fairyland might get you in trouble. Sure hope not!

 

 

 

Have a Magical Day

Barb

 



If You Work Hard at it You Can Kill Air Plants. But Why?

  Tillandsia Air Plants are the most forgiving and the easiest to care for of all living plants. Yet, I have had several people tell me they killed theirs!

  Well yes....if you work hard at it you can kill air plants. But why?

  Maybe it is not your fault. Looking at different online stores that sell Tillandsia Air Plants, the care instructions can be very misleading.

• They require weekly misting. WRONG!
• These plants like to be misted a couple of times a week and need full sun! WRONG AGAIN
• Mist daily and keep at least four feet from window. BETTER BUT STILL NOT CORRECT
• Air Plants don't require soil to grow, only moderate light and a good soak every week. GOOD, INCOMPLETE CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• To grow Tillandsia, locate in a well ventilated place where there is full light and protection from hot sun. From mid spring through fall, mist daily and once a month, mist with 1/4 strength water soluble fertilizer. If grown outdoors, keep dry during winter. OK- WHAT IS EASY CARE IF YOU HAVE TO MIST EVERYDAY? DO YOU NOT MIST IN THE WINTER? THEY ARE LIVING PLANTS! I BET THIS IS HOW PEOPLE KILL THIER AIR PLANTS. OH YES, IF IT GETS BELOW FREEZING IN YOUR AREA DON'T LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE. THEY ARE NOT WINTER HARDY. IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE IN A WARM CLIMATE HOW DO YOU KEEP OUTDOOR PLANTS DRY? DOESN'T IT RAIN?
• Air Plants, also known as Tillandsia, don't require soil to grow, only moderate light and a good soak every week. MUCH BETTER, BUT INCOMPLETE

               Indoors, your Air Plants will stay healthy with a watering once or twice a week. When humidity is low, water at least twice a week.
               Best watering method: Soak plant in a bowl of water. Drain by lightly  shaking to get standing water out of the center of plant. Lay on its side for up to four hours until it feels dry to your touch. It is then safe to put back in the container where it normally stays.

  This and even more extensive care instructions are sent with each plant ordered from me. I want your plants to not only live but grow!

  The incorrect care instructions were taken from sites that air plants are just one item in a long list of unrelated items. Either from ignorance or giving false instructions that might make you buy, these companies tell you wrong. One company sold water pumps, outdoor gardening tools, seeds, air plants, etc.

   I could go on and on, but to keep this post from getting to long, I will stop here. If you have any questions either add a comment or email me at barb1839@ymail.com

  Next post will be on the goods and bads of misting.

Have a Happy Day!
Barb

Airplant Wedding Favors Now On Sale

I just put my Wedding Favor Packages on sale. Each has a good discount. The sale will last til Oct. 31. It does not matter the date of the wedding, but it does lock in the sales price. The plant totals may not be what you need. Email me and we can work on the amount and sales price.  Visit my Artfire Studio,   then click on Wedding Favors.

Really Good Idea:
I recently had an order for 45 airplants from a florists. She wanted me to decide the varieties. They were to be for the wedding reception centerpieces. Now, I envisioned beautiful floral arrangements with airplants tucked in for the greenery. I was so wrong! The florist had purchased small bud vases in different sizes and shapes. Each one featured one airplant. These were lined up along the length of each table.  I imagined the guests were told to take one as a gift. This was a great idea, unfortunately, not knowing this, I did not furnish care instructions for each plant.

Have a Great Weekend,
Barb

Air Plant Baby Nursery

I suddenly realized that I had several new babies popping up or out! These are all in my collection.

This a Caput-Medsae. You can still see the flower brack in the center. I have put a squiggley circle around the new baby. In Tilly circles they are called pups.

 This one is a brachycaulos

 

 

 

 

Just had to show off my babies!

 





 When your airplants blush and bloom you can look forward to babies. To help your plants grow and stay healthy this plant food formulated especially for airplants is a must. Yes your plant will survive without it, but you have seen the ads for with and without MiracleGro. This is true of all plants, fertilizer just makes them do better. Think of it as plant vitamins. To purchase for only 2.75 go to http://creation-in-clay.artfire.com .

 

Have a Happy Day,

Barb

Home of the Gilleys in the Land of Trolls, Fairies and Elves.

Here is a bunch of pictures to show the home of the Gilley's. They really love their home, even though many different fairies have tried to buy it from them.

 

There has even been a few unscrupulous fairies that have tried to steal it. Can you believe it? Even in the land of fairies, elves and trolls, there are bad ones.

 

 

 



 

Father Gilley was very smart and built their house out of a empty toilet paper roll. Then he covered the roof with moss and has large mushrooms growing to give shade. Their home is hidden from predators that fly over looking for a troll for dinner.

 

Oh dear, that is Mr Mouse, Gordie Gilley's pet. I hope a big black crow won't swoop down and get him!

 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a troll family home. You know, not many get to see one.

 

Have a Happy Week,

Barb

 

http://www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com

 

 Poor Little Mouse just joined others in my Creation-in-Clay Studio. You can see him under the section called Air Plants and Clay.

 

 

 

For those of you that live in the Tulsa area! The weather is beautiful and the sun is moving to allow more shade.

Your air plants will love to be outside for this fall weather. All of mine are outside. They are in the containers I carry them in to the Tulsa Flea. I put the lids on each evening, I do not want a sudden wind storm to come up and blow them away!!  Where I am putting them gets full shade all day, but still they are getting good light.

Still have no idea when the flea market will start back up. The date has not been posted on their web site. I am busy making all kinds of containers and mounts to display air plants.

Keep air plants in mind as great and different Christmas gifts. Need a hostess gift for Holiday parties? A cute air plant in one of my original clay containers would be less expensive and more original than wine or flowers!

Keep watching my studio: www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com and this blog for pictures and prices.

Have a Great Day!
Barb

P.S. Keep watching this blog for pictures of my plants that are now in the baby nursery. If you have an air plant producing a baby (pup as some call them) send a picture and I will post it here.

Fairies, Trolls, Elves, Angels, and Santas - Gotta get Busy and Make!

I am back after a short mini vacation to visit my son Eric and his wife Diana. Poor Diana had to work while Eric and I went casino hopping. That was a lot of fun! When you go and do not expect to come home rich, you can really relax and enjoy yourself.

My dogs, Andy and Hannibal, enjoyed their large fenced in yard so much, they let me know that they wanted to move to St Louis and desert me!

I received this cute joke from my sister-in-law. Since I was born in Miami, Fla and raised in Tenn. I can really enjoy and laugh at this one. I used to try and find all kinds of ways to use the word ain't when we visited my Florida cousin! It upset him so much! ha ha

What's the difference between a northern fairy tale and a southern fairy tale?

 A northern one begins, " Once upon a time".

 A southern fairy tale begins, "Yall ain't gonna believe this".

 

 

Now, back to the world of working! This work I really enjoy. Running low on Air Plants, so got to place an order. This is just as much fun to me as going shopping at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

 

Plus, I am behind on making fairies, trolls, and elves. Promised a friend in Nashville I would make her an angel. And I always make a new Santa Claus for Diana!

 

 

Ho HO its off to work I go...........................

 

 

Have a Happy Friday,

 

Barb

http://www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com

http://www.artistichodgepodge.blogspot.com

A Perfect Combination of Clay and Air Plants

Barney, the seahorse, is anxious to show off his enchanting home under the sea. He hasn't seen a mermaid yet, but knows he will some day. After all, he lives in the magical wonderland of fairies, mermaids, elves, and even trolls.

 

 

 



Barney shares his world with three neat, but odd, Air plants that look right at home under the sea.

The shell is a cluster of oyster shells that only Mother Nature could design.  This shell was found on the Texas coast on one of our shell hunting excursions.

 

You can see more pictures showing the shell, Air plants, and of course Barney on my studio http://www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com

 

I have had many visitors to this blog, but only one follower! Please keep her/him from being lonely and add yourself as a follower.

 

Barb

 

P.S. Barney is made of Fimo clay, but don't tell him. He thinks he is real.

 







Will You Be At The Tulsa Flea Saturday?

Sometimes you wonder if anyone reads your brochures or blog. They really do! How else would they have gotten my email address?

I have been working at my necessary part time job more than part time. Just been too lazy to get my butt in gear and head to the flea market on Saturdays.

Received a nice email today wanting to know if I would be there. A little encouragement was all I needed. Called Melissa and got a space. Not sure where it will be but the Market will be on the Upper Level of Expo Square.

I believe this is the last Saturday for the market for several weeks. Expo square is on the Tulsa Fairgrounds. All available space is used for the big fair. The fair board always shuts the market down for several weeks. Hopefully it will not be for ten weeks like last year!

Anyway, see you Saturday. Hope you can make it.
Barb

New, Wedding Favors in Polymer Clay Pots

I just posted these to my Artfire Studio. Take a peak if you or if you know someone getting married.
creation-in-clay.artfire.com

   

 

Many other uses besides weddings. These are great little pots or holders for individual Air Plants. So easy to take the plant out for proper watering. Watch for new ones on Artfire just for this purpose.

Barb

 

Tillandsia Air Plant- The Crazy bulbosa

Tillandsia bulbosa – Another one for your collection! So unique and beautiful when in bloom.

Its bright green leaves are long, twisting and contorted which grow from a large bulbous base.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/7403551

Flowering is spectacular! The bracts turn a bright red and a purple tubular flower springs up from the bract. Bloom time is from late winter to late spring.

 

 After flowering, many babies are produced along the base of the parent plant. Look at the picture and see what a glorious cluster it will form.
The bulbosa originates from Mexico, Columbia, and Brazil.

Keep in light to full shade. No direct sun. Soak in room temperature water for 15-30 minutes. When humidity is running high once a week and mist several times in between. In dry humidity (winter) it is best to soak at least twice a week.

Fertilize with Bromiliad/Tillandsia fertilizer every 3-4 weeks for a healthy, growing, and producing plant. Fertilizer is not necessary to keep you bulbosa alive and thriving, but does help for active growth.

Have a Great Week,
Barb
http://creation-in-clay.artfire.com

 

 

 

The Tulsa Flea, New Air Plants and Hotspot.

It has been a hectic and tiring week at my part time job. this job means I am on call whenever they have work. Normally that is only at the last week or so of the month. This month it started much earlier, which get around to what I am yakking about.

Last Saturday, I told several of you that I would be at the Tulsa Flea this Saturday.  Not going to make it! I am so sorry if you had planned on purchasing air plants. Email me if you need plants or have any questions.

And I have been having internet connection problems for a week or so. I have used Hugh's Net for the last 2 1/2 years. It was never very speedy, but lately I thought I was back in the old dial-up times.
So I have canceled them and now have my own hotspot!!. Right now is the first time for using it and it is so fast! Hallelujah!

Time to find something to eat. Over the weekend I will get pictures and information on the new air plants I got in last week.

Have a Great Weekend,
Barb

Air Plants and Cute Boxes all Ready for a Weddings, Anniversaries, Gifts

My goodness I have been so busy this week!

A few weeks ago, I had a thought in the back of my mind of offering  Air Plants for wedding favors. It seems like a bride and her mother were reading my mind. Because, that Saturday at the Tulsa Flea, theses two came up to my table all excited about using air plants for favors.

Two days ago I got an order for 40 air plants. Not for wedding favors but for the centerpieces. I was so excited!

 

These are the boxes I have been working on for the last few days. I needed them to be big enough, but not to big for the different size air plants. I am planning on having them ready for you to download in a few days. You will recognize some of them from pinterest.

My Favorite

Red Box is my other favorite.

These are all on my Artfire Studio. Creation-in-Clay

There is a wonderful book available free, from a wonderful Fairy Artist named Aprilyn
The link for you to download this book is:

Yes, you can share this book with friends & family.  Send them to StartSculpting.com and they can download one as well.

Get Your eBook Now 

She loves to give free tutorials. Plus the tutorials I have bought are very detailed. I just downloaded the book and can't wait to find the time to read it. 

Have a good evening,

Barb

Have a Little Smile on Me.

I saw something that made me smile and still makes me smile whenever I think or tell someone about it.

We had a good rain Friday night and that of course means mud. Saturday, I saw a neighbor boy of about 5-6 with a brand new neon green bike. He had a gladiator helmet to match. He was riding that new bike on the walk path that was solid mud.

I saw him stop and back up, then roll forward a couple of times looking at his wheel. I thought he must have something caught in the spokes.

He got off his new bike and rubbed mud off that brand new tire - looked at his hand that was now muddy, and promptly cleaned his hand on his pants!

Have a Good week and I hope this gave you a little smile too!

Barb
http://www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com

Adjusting my mind to being a year older.

  I was the oldest in my family. Only girl with three brothers. I am sure my brothers would tell you, I was always bossing them around letting them know who was the oldest.

  Now, darn-it, I don't like being the oldest!

  I hate birthdays. When it rolls around, much quicker now, it would be nice to ignore it. But, my family will not allow that. I know, and I appreciate how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family.
 
  A friend told me she always reversed her age when asked. For one year she was 17, then the next 27, then 37 and so on. But that quit working for now she would be 97!!!

  But, the next day is a new day, and everyone goes about their business and I then have time to think. Oh my gosh, I am a year older! I have got to change the number when asked my age??? Then, day by day, I start  adjusting to my new age.

  Just about the time I get adjusted......You guessed it, its my birthday again!!!

Barb
http://www.creation-in-clay.artfire.com

Silver Beauty, The Fabulous Tillandsia xerographica

Have you ever had a beautiful flower that you wished would live forever? Take a close look at this Silver Beauty. What you are seeing is not a flower but the shape of this plant. The leaves open from the center then cascade down in delightful curling spirals. An incredible living plant that grows even larger and more beautiful for years to come. 

A perfect name for this fabulous plant is “Silver Beauty”. The Tillandsia xerographica is native to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The name is from Greek words meaning Dry Writing. What? I have turned this plant upside down and sideways, trying to see where this name could have possible come from. Do you see it? Growers call it the King of Tillys, but to me “Silver Beauty” fits perfectly.

A majestically slow growing plant with silvery gray leaves that are wide at the base, then taper to curly points. They can reach to over 3' in diameter and 3' in height in flower. I can hear you now, “I have no place in my house for a plant that big!” Don't worry, it takes many, many years to grow that big.

If you have read that this plant takes special watering care, well it really doesn't. It is the basic care that works for all Tillandsias. Soak your Silver Beauty for 15-30minutes once every 5-7 days. Rain, pond or fish tank water is best, but if these are not available use a bottle of spring water. No chlorine or distilled water. Tip it upside down, give a shake to get water out of center and let dry bottom up. This will insure that no water is trapped, which causes rot. Misting every day or two in between soaking especially when humidity is low is very helpful.

Give it good light, but no direct sun. Fertilize with a bromeliad fertilizer at half strength once a month. Fertilizer is not necessary to keep your Silver Beauty alive, but if you want it to grow and bloom......

And remember, the bloom will last for months and then it will give you babies!

After reading all this, you are saying, “I gotta have one”. You will see them available on my site Creation-in-Clay, and if you leave a comment you will receive 10% off!

Have a great weekend!

Barb

Creation-in-Clay