How to make a Snowman Record Bowl - as seen on HGTV's "That's Clever!"

My episode of "That's Clever!" aired about a year ago, and the tutorial for making the Snowman Record Bowl has been up on HGTV.com for a year too. Since it's that time of year again, I thought I would post the link so you can try your hand at making one of these silly things too!

CLICK HERE for the tutorial on HGTV.com.

Record Cuffs and Salt 'n' Pepper Shakers

All of these nifty new cuff bracelets, made from upcycled vinyl records and hand painted with original designs, are available this weekend at the da Vinci Arts Fair.

I got a little crazy and threw some of my vintage salt and pepper shakers into the photos. I think they turned out cool!

Goth Clocks

What do you think of my new clock designs? I am calling them "Goth Clocks." (Chuck actually came up with that.)

Also a couple new psychedelic numbers:



These five new Eye Pop Art Mandala Record Clocks can be found this weekend at the da Vinci Arts Fair at 2508 NE Everett St. in Portland, Oregon. I will list the designs in my shop soon.

Have a cup of tea with your coloring book

I've updated the listing for my the Mod Mandalas Coloring Book with some new photos. I am hoping to make it look a little more cozy. Does the teacup help?

I think these look much better than the old photos - here they are:




Do you think the new photos are an improvement?

What's new in my life? I have a wholesale order in the works for Doctor Trip, and I am getting ready for the SCRAP Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale next weekend, so I have to make some Christmas cookies. I have some new clock designs which I want to call "Goth Clocks" (photos coming soon to a blog near you!), and I'm thinking about making some Eye Pop Art Gift Packs. At Trillium, we've been super busy with holiday sales and selling online at WorldofGood.com, which means that I've been learning how to use eBay (weird). The order for Viva Terra is done but I can't ship it until December 22, so I am living with many large boxes.

Tonight we are going to do a little shopping at da Vinci and go check out a performance of a kid/teenage rock band class at Ethos Music Center. Our friend Aiden (Melodie's oldest son, he is a 12-year old guitar shredder, just like his mom and dad!) will be performing and so will our 15-year old friend Mel (daughter of Chad, the bass player for Dartgun). I love it when rockers have rocking kids. I'm excited.

This weekend - da Vinci Arts Fair

This weekend I will be showing my work at the da Vinci Arts Fair. I will have some new clock and cuff designs, and lots of coloring books! It's a fundraiser for da Vinci Arts Middle School (which my son Julius attends), Portland's only arts-magnet middle school.

70 local artists, plus student art, food, hands-on activities, and a raffle. Admission is free.

Saturday, December 6, noon - 6 pm
Sunday, December 7, 10 am - 4 pm

Da Vinci Arts Middle School, 2508 NE Everett (just a couple blocks north of the Laurelhurst Theater).

Tree time

It's officially the holiday season and here at Claringbold headquarters we're doing it up right. The tree is up! In the photo above you see an ornament that I made a few years ago - it's made from a real eggshell which has been blown and painted in a psychedelic Eye Pop design.

Yesterday we drove out of town to a cool tree farm where we picked a tree. This one didn't make the cut:
This one wasn't quite up to par, either:
Chuck was looking handsome.
...and I am appearing to be quite contemplative.

So here's the tree we settled on - we decided to go with something a bit smaller than usual this year, as we feel like we are running out of space in the house!

Fun times trimmin' the tree:
Here are a few more of my egg ornaments:

And this is just my favorite ornament of all time, a little red bird that clips on to the branch:
Oh, and this is my favorite Christmas tradition of all - the cat sleeping under the tree!

Happy holidays to you and yours from all of us - Christine, Charles, Tangereen, Julius, and of course the cutest cat in the world, Johnny Teacup.

New cover design for coloring book

Here's my new cover design for the Mod Mandalas Coloring Book. What do you think?

In case you are wondering, here's what the old one looked like:
I like the new one better - what do you think?