tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91949732208229753262024-03-12T21:38:37.252-07:00Painted Pony Shop, Handcrafted Hobby HorsesThanks for stopping by! I love hearing from people about what they see here from Painted Pony Shop, so feel free to comment and share. Don't hesitate to contact the artist about custom orders and ideas!Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-16703396532155599852012-06-19T13:05:00.003-07:002012-06-19T13:05:39.982-07:00Cutest Product Tester Ever!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ywEL_etw33U/T-DVen6q_uI/AAAAAAAAAOs/0DZQSzp_Mm4/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ywEL_etw33U/T-DVen6q_uI/AAAAAAAAAOs/0DZQSzp_Mm4/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yw14203KDQ/T-DVdd89KiI/AAAAAAAAAOk/mUo4JhZObjU/s1600/bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yw14203KDQ/T-DVdd89KiI/AAAAAAAAAOk/mUo4JhZObjU/s200/bay.JPG" width="200" /></a>I *finally* have gotten around to putting together a short video that demonstrates some of the fun that can be had with my Painted Ponies! My model is actually a little under the age limit I give for my horses, but she had supervision by multiple adults - and I tell ya, she was born to ride horses, be it wooden or live! What a great job she did :) Her Mommy is a friend of mine, who picked up the special steed at the American Folk Festival, in August of last year, and has been waiting for her little girl to be big enough to use it. She sure grew into it quickly! The horse featured in the video, "Valimar" is one of my personal favorite designs: a beautiful chestnut Arabian with gold and cream colored tasseled bridle and bells. There is <i>nothing</i> cuter than watching a beautiful little girl lost in play on a gorgeous, sunny day. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GoD6h7XK_2o" width="420"></iframe>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-24276311983702004612012-04-05T08:20:00.000-07:002012-04-05T08:20:50.299-07:00Works in Progress, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">In my last post, I shared some pictures of a draft horse I am working on. Over the past few days, I have dabbled with some tack for him. Here is an update! His bridle is all leather, with brass grommets and hand stitching. Reins are braided cotton, super soft for little hands :)</span></div>
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Doesn't he just look like your best friend already? I picture a four-legged version of him being a big-barreled work horse with a soft and gentle personality, as trusting as he is trustworthy. My perfect afternoon would be sitting astride his bare, sun-warmed back and meandering through a field of tall grass. Trail ride, anyone? :)</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-49270785351611564922012-03-30T12:48:00.002-07:002012-03-30T12:52:45.673-07:00Works in Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My workshop has been absolutely <i>filled </i>with little wooden ponies this week! In addition to several special custom orders, I am in the process of creating a small herd of Special Edition hobby horses modeled after the beautiful baroque Friesian breed, accented with hot pink sequins, feathers, and other flashy embellishments. These horses will be available later in the season at a large equine event, and part of the proceeds will go to a new startup drill team, <b>Friesians in Pink</b>. Here's a note from their<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friesians-In-Pink-Riding-for-a-Cure/315470555172052?sk=wall" target="_blank"> Facebook Page</a>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px;">Friesians In Pink is a drill team on a mission! We ride to support the fight against breast cancer through the promotion of the wonderful Friesian horse!</span>"</i></span></div>
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Another design coming together in the past few days is an adorable brown and white draft horse with a ridiculously long, thick multicolored mane. I love ponies with bedhead! I have been on a work horse kick lately, drawing inspiration from Shires, Belgians, Percherons - I love any horse with a thick neck and kind eyes! I am toying with the idea of giving this particular pony a nice leather work harness, complete with blinders, etc. Stay tuned to see how it develops! :)</div>
</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-23934238775186124792012-03-29T08:00:00.002-07:002012-03-30T10:31:26.767-07:00The Progression of a Theme<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nAQ5RrQpxQ/T3R2GlQiVCI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ukcXQ-RYAC0/s1600/choose_bud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7nAQ5RrQpxQ/T3R2GlQiVCI/AAAAAAAAAL4/ukcXQ-RYAC0/s400/choose_bud.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Two versions of my original design, "Bud" The Clydesdale Horse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">This is a photo comparison that I uploaded to my </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PaintedPonyShop" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Facebook p</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/PaintedPonyShop" style="line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">age</a><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> a while back, to illustrate a couple of key points that are at the core of my work and integral to all of my hobby horse designs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i>First,</i> that each of my designs are completely unique. I am able to say that no two horses are ever alike - even if they have the same theme - because my process is always evolving and creating change. I am constantly learning with every horse I make, whi</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ch creates continuous positive growth. Besides the fact that each horse is handmade and therefore I could not make two identical if I tried, I also deliberately change small details on every single horse to ensure that they are like no other I have made before.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Second,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> that my ultimate goal is always realism. I think that the best way to encourage today's overstimulated child to use their imagination is to give them something that needs very little help to become a living thing in their minds. If they are able to form that link between the real world and the one that they can imagine for themselves, they have created a realism in their minds and their imagination is free to carry them off into distant lands and faraway times. And THAT is the moment when a toy becomes successful :)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-21110426527196512332012-03-28T20:14:00.004-07:002012-03-28T20:15:10.091-07:00A Summary of Inactivity<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It never rains, but it pours.... : (</td></tr>
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I must admit, the last few months have been an interesting mix of lazy and hectic. Following the much-anticipated American Folk Festival in August, I allowed myself to fall into a deep, dark, imagination-less pit of inactivity. I would walk into my workroom, sit in my comfy chair, and just<i> stare </i>at the balls of yarn, bottles of paint and rows of blank pine horse heads around me without the slightest little spark of imagination. During this time, I continued to sell off my stock of horses left over from the Festival, which had taken a severe hit to its attendance by a highly advertised and warned against "hurricane" that the Weather Channel quietly reduced, with tail between their legs, to "tropical storm" and finally to an embarrassingly low impact day of light rain showers and gloomy, oppressive clouds. So, needless to say, the lack of activity at the Festival left me in a similarly overcast state of mind.<br />
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This anti-creative funk would have lasted until goodness-knows-when, had it not been for my new, eternally bubbly and positive minded friend Kathy Gearheart, one of the pivotal owners and artists behind the adorable family boutique <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/5Fireflies?ref=pr_shop_more">Five Fireflies.</a> (I know you just saw the link there, why are you still reading? No, really, I must encourage you to take the few moments required to click on the link and check it out, as all of her stuff is just <i>the</i> <i>cutest</i> and there is something for everyone!!) Kathy extended to me an invitation to start the crafting year off right with an inspired event aptly entitled<b> "Not Your Grandma's Craft Fair"</b>. March 3rd, the day of the big shebang, followed a similar weather pattern to that of my previous event, but spirits inside the building were in drastic contrast to the misty, cold, dark atmosphere outdoors. I owe Kathy a great big THANK YOU!!!, as without her I'm sure I would still be slumped over in my chair, desperately clutching a paintbrush and staring at it blankly through glazed, twitching eyes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justice and her favorite Painted Pony, "Dot"</td></tr>
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Kathy's daughter Justice was one of my number one fans at the event, as she frequented my humble little booth in a regular pattern every 5-10 minutes, picking up one fuzzy finger puppet or another, or perhaps turning my little carousel style display to watch the array of painted ponies go 'round-and-'round for her. She was even so kind as to take some of my ponies for laps around the event, "test riding" them for her own benefit and giving them some much needed exercise after weeks of being packaged up in bubble wrap and stacked in a corner. My girl Justice is pictured here with her favorite pony, "Dot", who she landed on as the star of my wares after much debate and many more laps riding several other possible candidates! She was very accommodating and allowed me to snap a quick photo of her posing with her with the chosen pony.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iVJLJ9MWk/T3PSXRfIGmI/AAAAAAAAALc/s5hvxtIW8V4/s1600/halter_new5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iVJLJ9MWk/T3PSXRfIGmI/AAAAAAAAALc/s5hvxtIW8V4/s200/halter_new5.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New design, "Monty" and new accessory,<br />
handmade leather halter</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iVJLJ9MWk/T3PSXRfIGmI/AAAAAAAAALc/s5hvxtIW8V4/s1600/halter_new5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X1iVJLJ9MWk/T3PSXRfIGmI/AAAAAAAAALc/s5hvxtIW8V4/s1600/halter_new5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>So, where does that leave us now? Ever since the "Not Your Grandma's" event, I have had a constant steady stream of ideas for accessories, design ideas, new tack, etc. My work room is now, once again, splattered with dozens of colors of acrylic paint, scattered with bits of yarn & scraps of fabric, and crammed in every possible corner with small herds of wooden ponies. YAY for inspiration!!<br />
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</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-25037137304907622092011-06-30T20:08:00.000-07:002011-11-07T12:15:02.607-08:00New Finger Puppets! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Puppets on Display!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Helllllooooooo big wide world! Yes, I realize I have been completely neglectful of my blog, I do sincerely apologize! But I have had good reason, I promise! Here is my alibi:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div> <br />
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</tbody></table>I've been working on getting together a good selection of finger puppets, trying to make as many one-of-a-kind designs as possible. I have blue eyed, light grey Lusitanos, along with snowflake appaloosas, palominos, race horses, zebras, and Roman horses with felt mohawks. Phew! So many to keep up with!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My very first race horse finger puppet is part of a package to be donated to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/thkuride">Shadowbrook Equine Facility</a>'s "Tribute to OTTB (Off the Track Thouroughbred)" event coming up on July 10 in Berne, New York. The rest of the donation includes a DIY Stick Horse Set, $15 gift certificate, and some brochures to be available at the event. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to a rescue for thoroughbred ex-racehorses to support their retraining for second careers. It's a wonderful program, and close to my heart, because although my Thoroughbred isn't an ex racer, I certainly can imagine the amount of training and effort that goes into the process! For more information on the event, visit their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Tribute-to-the-Ottb-Benefit-Horse-Show/160492107344561?sk=wall">Facebook Page</a>!</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-68354236622064495902011-05-14T12:59:00.000-07:002011-05-14T12:59:12.969-07:00Gypsy Vanner, Egyptian Arabian and Indian Pinto Pony<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2dfLBXLJqc/Tc7dkl5pAnI/AAAAAAAAAIM/b-pyK9gf3tg/s1600/nomad4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2dfLBXLJqc/Tc7dkl5pAnI/AAAAAAAAAIM/b-pyK9gf3tg/s320/nomad4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKrwTOLsLA4/Tc7dlakYUzI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/bCgiyIWiZ90/s1600/nomad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKrwTOLsLA4/Tc7dlakYUzI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/bCgiyIWiZ90/s200/nomad5.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKrwTOLsLA4/Tc7dlakYUzI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/bCgiyIWiZ90/s1600/nomad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Another new design! As of a couple weeks ago, I introduced the Gypsy Vanner (Drum Horse, or Gypsy Cob) to the Painted Pony Shop family! His name is Nomad, and he has some very special features! In addition to high quality, genuine leather ears, Nomad has a 2x thick mane, that almost envelops his neck and face, as you would see on a real Gypsy. His mane is made from super soft black and white yarn, and alternates according to the patches on his neck. Nomad's stick body is painted black, with a white "sock" at the end and, *drum roll please*, adorable yarn "feathering" just like the four-legged Gypsies! It's made from the same yarn as his mane, thick and soft. The yarn is free flowing, so when ridden, Nomad's feathers, mane and forelock billow out behind him and swirl around in the wind. Beautiful! :) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXIO0_IH10I/Tc7d2LmsivI/AAAAAAAAAIY/6WJt55duDuQ/s1600/raja2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXIO0_IH10I/Tc7d2LmsivI/AAAAAAAAAIY/6WJt55duDuQ/s200/raja2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3orUZcJX8G4/Tc7dupKk1bI/AAAAAAAAAIU/T6qhwcyfTu4/s1600/cricket2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3orUZcJX8G4/Tc7dupKk1bI/AAAAAAAAAIU/T6qhwcyfTu4/s200/cricket2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Two of the designs that have been revisited are Cricket the Pinto Pony and Raja the Arabian. Raja has had a bridle makeover, so that it no longer contains any metal parts, and now sits high on the nose as a real traditional Arabian bridle would. Available in white or red, the bridle is made from thick, decadent woven fabric trim, dripping with tassels, with smooth ribbon or shimmering gold cord reins. Very pretty! Cricket also has a bridle makeover, her padded nose band now comes in either "rabbit skin" or "bear skin", with plenty of beads and feathers. As always, she has bright, colorful hand painted Indian symbols scattered across her face and neck, that are different and personalized on every horse. Don't they look great?</div><img height="77" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXIO0_IH10I/Tc7d2LmsivI/AAAAAAAAAIY/6WJt55duDuQ/s200/raja2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 611px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 576px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-6613732385131700352011-05-10T11:11:00.000-07:002011-05-10T18:48:33.035-07:00New Designs and Photos<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbHBl6q_4LM/Tcl9n8vQZ6I/AAAAAAAAAHI/8RqycnSJdiU/s1600/allegro3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbHBl6q_4LM/Tcl9n8vQZ6I/AAAAAAAAAHI/8RqycnSJdiU/s200/allegro3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwHQ8SP_74Y/Tcl99KzvW_I/AAAAAAAAAHU/aIvZw5fU3go/s1600/lady_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFqko2ewRsY/Tcl9o-RTAlI/AAAAAAAAAHM/-dwY36jO9m0/s1600/beau3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFqko2ewRsY/Tcl9o-RTAlI/AAAAAAAAAHM/-dwY36jO9m0/s200/beau3.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have been so neglectful of you all! I'm so terribly sorry, but I promise I was working hard in the meantime :) Here is the lowdown of all the fruits of my labor: I have about a zillion new designs (no, really, I counted) and because of that fact, I have been photographing like crazy. Of course, once I have the photos, it is a rare thing for me to be satisfied with the raw images, so each and EVERY pic goes through a rigorous series of edits, resulting in an image that I may or may not be completely satisfied with. Just for convenience's sake, I'll only share a few today, I wouldn't want to overwhelm you!! New designs include a red road appaloosa, lipizzaner stallion, dapple greys, a tobiano (black and white) Indian pony, hunter/jumper warmblood with genuine leather bridle, a buckskin, and several re-vamped designs including the circus pony, zebra, pinto pony, and more. Whew!! And that's just what I can remember off the top of my head!! Here are a few sneak peaks to keep you satisfied until the next photo shoot!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgLrEUw_YLs/Tcl98lMxF0I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/M_QWSncMp3w/s1600/buckskin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgLrEUw_YLs/Tcl98lMxF0I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/M_QWSncMp3w/s200/buckskin2.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwHQ8SP_74Y/Tcl99KzvW_I/AAAAAAAAAHU/aIvZw5fU3go/s1600/lady_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwHQ8SP_74Y/Tcl99KzvW_I/AAAAAAAAAHU/aIvZw5fU3go/s200/lady_2.JPG" width="200" /></a> In other news, I spent a day or so revamping my website. I have been on a seemingly unending quest for the perfect design, combining elements of earthiness with freshness, appealing colors and yet with soothing tones, organic yet at the same time playful..... <a href="http://paintedponyshop.com/">this</a> is what I came up with! I think that I am actually quite satisfied with it, it's fresh and uncluttered, which I think is key! And, on the "<a href="http://paintedponyshop.com/customform.html">Custom Orders</a>" page, I created a form so that you can actually design your own hobby horse! It includes specific design options for coloring, markings, mane length and color, personalization options, bride material, etc. Just fill it out and press "Submit"! Cool! It's an easy way to tell me exactly what you want in as few steps as possible. Hooray!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><img height="75" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbHBl6q_4LM/Tcl9n8vQZ6I/AAAAAAAAAHI/8RqycnSJdiU/s200/allegro3.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 214px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 738px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /><img height="76" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78is1lXnFBE/Tcl-EoDbvQI/AAAAAAAAAHY/y_bYmvK_iYA/s320/sahara3.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 402px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 83px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78is1lXnFBE/Tcl-EoDbvQI/AAAAAAAAAHY/y_bYmvK_iYA/s1600/sahara3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78is1lXnFBE/Tcl-EoDbvQI/AAAAAAAAAHY/y_bYmvK_iYA/s320/sahara3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-79618279572735830882011-04-22T14:24:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:24:00.394-07:00What a Day for a Ride!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpfFv2JjMOA/TbHxYDyqKkI/AAAAAAAAAHA/DeKoNAKiZ-4/s1600/Rajah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpfFv2JjMOA/TbHxYDyqKkI/AAAAAAAAAHA/DeKoNAKiZ-4/s200/Rajah.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rajah paying rapt attention</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zARfmeSNmw/TbHxbx4MtoI/AAAAAAAAAHE/w9oOVaQVAt4/s1600/acceptable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zARfmeSNmw/TbHxbx4MtoI/AAAAAAAAAHE/w9oOVaQVAt4/s200/acceptable.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cora trotting in warm up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Finally, nice weather is here! After trudging through snowbanks and tiptoeing across ice for MONTHS, the weather has finally submitted to the fact that spring has sprung. I took advantage of the opportunity and rode for a couple hours the first nice day that we had, which was today!! My horses are *so* happy to be back in action, and despite both Cora and me being completely rusty, we broke out some nice lengthened trot and a touch of half-pass, all while staying in a nice frame. So happy! Rajah was excited to watch us, prancing around with his head lifted watching the show. I hope everyone else had such a fantastic day! Back in the saddle again! :)Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-23653523671282809792011-04-13T12:50:00.000-07:002011-04-13T12:50:45.427-07:00Treasure Trove of GiftsI've been featured in some really adorable Etsy treasuries lately, here is a set of two that I especially love! <br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=4d9f9c3666528eefbdc830d9&r=15215&t=s&m=1&u=9441785&">
</script><br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=4d6d56b392208eeffb56c08d&r=15216&t=s&m=1&u=9441785&">
</script>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-2422929783707482582011-04-08T15:47:00.000-07:002011-04-08T15:47:34.903-07:00Featured Item: DIY Stick Horse Kit<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9rCEgA7hI0/TZ-O2BeMH2I/AAAAAAAAAG8/624dEqdbl2I/s1600/kit4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCQwmNZJm0c/TZ-Oq8mTL6I/AAAAAAAAAG0/_9XneJqSW8E/s1600/kit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCQwmNZJm0c/TZ-Oq8mTL6I/AAAAAAAAAG0/_9XneJqSW8E/s320/kit2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I can't beleive I never introduced you to my favorite new addition! I created my first craft item a while back, listed it in my Etsy shop, and watched two of them fly of the (invisible, virtual) shelves within a few hours! I had a request for a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66208941/new-product-do-it-yourself-hobby-horse">Do-It-Yourself Kit</a>, including all of the necessary items to make one's very own personal hobby horse. So, I created one! </div><br />
<u>Kit Includes:</u><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9rCEgA7hI0/TZ-O2BeMH2I/AAAAAAAAAG8/624dEqdbl2I/s1600/kit4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9rCEgA7hI0/TZ-O2BeMH2I/AAAAAAAAAG8/624dEqdbl2I/s200/kit4.JPG" width="200" /></a>(1) Handcrafted pine stick horse head<br />
*with 1-inch hole for dowel<br />
*woodburned (signed) by the artist<br />
<br />
(1) Pre-assembled, extra soft yarn mane<br />
*forelock portion seperated for easy attachment<br />
*your choice of color: black, cream, white, tan, grey, brown, black/grey mix, brown/red mix </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5jKRIRNpqI/TZ-OtYmpavI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-rNY7nZ8B-I/s1600/kit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5jKRIRNpqI/TZ-OtYmpavI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-rNY7nZ8B-I/s200/kit3.jpg" width="200" /></a>(2) Pre-assembled faux leather ears<br />
*handstitched at the base for quality<br />
*your choice of color: black, brown, white<br />
<br />
(1) Three foot section of rein material<br />
*your choice of material: ribbon, twine, rawhide</div><br />
<u>You Will Need:</u><br />
1" diameter wooden dowel <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">glue for the ears and stick</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">acrylic paint</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This has been by far one of my most popular items, due to the lower price bracket and hands-on capabilities. It comes wrapped up in an adorable white box, tied with a bow, all ready to give as a gift. Here is a review of the kit from my wonderful customer, Natalie Emery of Georgia, USA:</div><blockquote style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>"The [stick horse kit] package came Saturday and we painted and put it all together yesterday. My daughter is thrilled ...She loves her. Thank you for such a delightful idea and creating a kit so we could build her together."</em></div></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Special items can be requested for the kits, including 'Decadent Lavender Reins', leather ears, and fringed bridle material. Custom colors for ears, mane, etc are also available. What a great weekend project! Listing is available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66208941/new-product-do-it-yourself-hobby-horse">Etsy Shop</a>!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-76942629174088723622011-04-05T16:15:00.000-07:002011-04-05T16:15:50.631-07:00New Certification, New Retailer! Big News!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Painted Pony Shop is now officially a "Maine Made" company! What are the advantages of being Made in Maine? An excerpt from their website reads as follows:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="about-content" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><blockquote><div class="about-content" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWyMXV7Blak/TZuf2y4B4wI/AAAAAAAAAGw/rRgX0qUEGyY/s1600/endeavour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe7BeImhHG4/TZuffAqB01I/AAAAAAAAAGs/1vLLI8_cK-g/s1600/mainemade.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe7BeImhHG4/TZuffAqB01I/AAAAAAAAAGs/1vLLI8_cK-g/s1600/mainemade.gif" /></a><em>"Maine's expansive beauty is legendary. Vast forestlands, thousands of miles of beaches, and enough lakes and mountains to lose yourself in for life.<br />
<br />
And yet, as anyone who has been here will tell you, Maine's truest character is revealed in the details. Sunlight shafting through a spruce grove. A perfect, round stone on a beach of rugged cliffs. And a people who are resourceful, dependable and inventive.<br />
<br />
This combination of pure material and fine detail has long characterized Maine craftsmanship. A tradition of excellence passed down for generations, "Maine Made" is recognized worldwide as a term for quality and integrity.<br />
<br />
The unique products featured in this Web Site represent some of the finest craftsmanship available today. Over 2000 Maine companies offer a wealth of items created from wood, granite, field and farm. These products bring a sampling of Maine's rich resources right to your door. Please join us in celebrating these fine traditions. We hope you'll discover the beauty of Maine in all its detail."</em></div></blockquote><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I count it as such a privilege to be included with all of these fantastic artists! Read my Maine Made Profile here: <a href="http://www.mainemade.com/members/profile.asp?ID=3680">http://www.mainemade.com/members/profile.asp?ID=3680</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In further news, PPS products are now also available on the highly regarded Endeavour Toys website. Endeavour's objectives are to provide toys that are:</div></div><div jquery1302044467970="639" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="about-content" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<li jquery1302044467970="639" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWyMXV7Blak/TZuf2y4B4wI/AAAAAAAAAGw/rRgX0qUEGyY/s1600/endeavour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWyMXV7Blak/TZuf2y4B4wI/AAAAAAAAAGw/rRgX0qUEGyY/s1600/endeavour.jpg" /></a>Manufactured in countries that value human rights and civil liberties</li><br />
<li class="alternate" jquery1302044467970="641" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Fun</li><br />
<li jquery1302044467970="643" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Made with environmentally sustainable materials</li><br />
<li class="alternate" jquery1302044467970="645" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Educational</li><br />
<li jquery1302044467970="647" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Meet safety requirement standards</li><br />
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</div><div jquery1302044467970="647" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Check out my Endeavour Profile and listings here: <a href="http://www.endeavourtoys.com/Search.aspx?m=37&f=m">http://www.endeavourtoys.com/Search.aspx?m=37&f=m</a> </div><div jquery1302044467970="647" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div jquery1302044467970="647" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Endeavour is well known for providing high quality, safe, socially responsible toys. All PPS designs will be appearing, including horse designs, DIY Kits, finger puppets, etc. Well-made toys from all over the world are included on this amazing website, I am thrilled to be included! There are no other stick horses or finger puppets by other manufacturers on this website, so all my products will be the go-to designs! I'm so glad that all of my PPS designs are starting to pick up some speed and gain a little bit of attention, I would love to share them with as many people as possible!!</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-47456266490874022372011-04-05T15:34:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:34:23.184-07:00New Products! More Cute Ponies!!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIfH7g5W3zk/TZuWjSpJfxI/AAAAAAAAAGk/W4hN-ZNnuVU/s1600/palomino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIfH7g5W3zk/TZuWjSpJfxI/AAAAAAAAAGk/W4hN-ZNnuVU/s320/palomino.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWq-j5ofBUI/TZuWhmRpalI/AAAAAAAAAGg/g9NcPs1sHA0/s1600/zebra4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SWq-j5ofBUI/TZuWhmRpalI/AAAAAAAAAGg/g9NcPs1sHA0/s320/zebra4.jpg" width="320" /></a> Sorry for the negligence! I have been working my behind off, working on new designs.products, etc, trying to add items in a low price bracket to attract a larger range of customers. I threw around the idea of pencil toppers, but they just aren't my speed! I need something more snuggly. So, I did some tweaking to my original plans and came up with a design for some super-soft, squishy, pettable finger puppets! They are made from fleece, with uber-soft yarn manes (the same yarn used on the big wooden hobby horses) and tiny little pewter and seed bead eyes. $8.50/each, $14/set of 2. Available now on Etsy! Currently only available in zebra and palomino, but with more colors and designs to come. Aren't they just the cutest?? </div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-31828108070562894842011-02-13T15:21:00.000-08:002011-02-13T19:28:08.931-08:00Working on the Lipizzan....Details, Details, Details<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mE7SdkVrdo/TVhl55rs8QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/LUEJZR-QP4M/s1600/piber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mE7SdkVrdo/TVhl55rs8QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/LUEJZR-QP4M/s200/piber.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Official Crest of Piber - Indicates</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Where the Horse was Bred</div></td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwW0t_bBacw/TVhltLv3opI/AAAAAAAAAFo/dFSY5XtEHwY/s1600/piber3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwW0t_bBacw/TVhltLv3opI/AAAAAAAAAFo/dFSY5XtEHwY/s1600/piber3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6kTAA14ZiU/TVhl5RJ7zJI/AAAAAAAAAFs/XXUM1OPkcRI/s1600/piber2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6kTAA14ZiU/TVhl5RJ7zJI/AAAAAAAAAFs/XXUM1OPkcRI/s320/piber2.jpg" width="320" /></a>So, I started to work on my newest design, the Lipizzan after the famous white stallions of Vienna, but it just looked like another white horse to me, so blah and boring. I thought, what is unique to a Lipizzan? Of course, I can give it sparkly gold and red tack, and a long, thick mane, but what else? Browsing through pictures, I came across a photo that gave me a great idea. All purebred Lipizanns bred at Piber have a series of brands, or symbolic marks tattooed into their hide. These include an "L" on their left cheek (you guessed it, L for Lipizzan!) as well as a series of numbers and symbols across their backs rumps to indicate registry number, dam, sire, dam's sire, and where they were bred. So, I decided to make my little wooden Lippy match! I "branded" an L onto his cheek with a woodburner, and I'm toying with the idea of trying to brand the stick body at the end with the official crest of Piber, as well. I might end up deciding just to paint it on, considering how intricate it is! But I love all the little details, I think they make my horses a little extra special :) </div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mE7SdkVrdo/TVhl55rs8QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/LUEJZR-QP4M/s1600/piber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="63" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mE7SdkVrdo/TVhl55rs8QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/LUEJZR-QP4M/s200/piber.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 517px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 95px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-5369737232982035052011-02-08T17:14:00.000-08:002011-02-08T17:14:19.780-08:00A New PPS Logo is Born!<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about a Painted Pony Shop logo. I usually use my green horse painting, "Connection", but I really wanted to come up with something a little more whimsical & loose, with clean lines that could easily be transferred to a business card or brochure. My objectives are to convey a natural, yet playful feeling, that looks professional and crisp. I took a road trip to Connecticut, to see family, an on the way back, I spent most of the six-hour drive sketching out some ideas. I had a few different layouts, but the one that really stood out to me was this: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TVHl9867upI/AAAAAAAAAFg/GCGQlhN8lZ8/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="195" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TVHl9867upI/AAAAAAAAAFg/GCGQlhN8lZ8/s200/logo.png" width="200" /></a> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Sketch</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> When I got home, I transferred it to my computer, cleaned up the edges, stylized it a little, overlaid it with color, and added my shop name. I disconnected a lot of the lines, and varied the thickness of the strokes, so that it would have a more organic, freshly painted feel. Viola! The Painted Pony Shop logo was born....after several hours of tiresome trial-and-error, and lots of staring frustratedly at my computer screen, that is. The logo is still based loosely on my green horse painting, but is a much more business-friendly version. Any thoughts? </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TVHl1KwzBiI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ZVeNa7M9s_8/s1600/LOGOFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TVHl1KwzBiI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ZVeNa7M9s_8/s320/LOGOFINAL.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-25980511832071655782011-01-21T11:56:00.000-08:002011-01-21T12:02:50.434-08:00Finished Product ~ Cora, the Race Horse!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTnjf8zMNBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/OOp54IuUR80/s1600/corahorse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTnjf8zMNBI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/OOp54IuUR80/s200/corahorse2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hood & Shadow Roll</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTnjcxFnW_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/DTCJEon9K4M/s1600/corahorse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTnjcxFnW_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/DTCJEon9K4M/s200/corahorse.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Tack Removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ok, so that was fast! Didn't expect to finish the design adjustments so quickly, but what can I say, we are in the middle of a blizzard! There's not much else to do except go into project mode! So, here is the finished, shop-ready version of Cora: Tadaa! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">See the full Etsy listing at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66422085/dark-bay-race-horse-hobby-stick-horse">http://www.etsy.com/listing/66422085/dark-bay-race-horse-hobby-stick-horse</a></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-79460097914350008912011-01-20T17:42:00.000-08:002011-01-20T17:42:34.612-08:00Work In Progress!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTji2UchL7I/AAAAAAAAAFI/9bEosiaJZ2E/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTji2UchL7I/AAAAAAAAAFI/9bEosiaJZ2E/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A while ago I posted that I was working on a design for a race horse, with all kinds of fun removeable tack. Well, I started, and she looks pretty good! So far, Cora has a removeable grey and green felt hood, complete with bright cupped blinders, green trim, and contrast stitching, with her running number (7) stitched front and center on the hood. She also has a bright yellow shadow roll and brass bit rings, with smooth white ribbon reins. And, her super thick black yarn mane is just so soft to the touch! What do you think? I'm thinking about changing the shape of the shadow roll, lengthening the reins, and adding green and/or yellow rein covers to go over the part that would be held....white gets so dirty! Plus, a little extra color is never a bad thing! Underneath all the tack, Cora is a nice dark brown (almost black!) with eyes and nose outlined in a smooth chocolately color. She has a bold white star, that leads into a strip, that leads into a snip! Great markings! I can't wait to see how she turns out when she's finished, she is going to make some little kid (or adult) very happy!Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-37168041291191391782011-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:00:58.850-08:00Custom Order! ~**~ Meet Annabelle!~**~<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTW3YwWp9rI/AAAAAAAAAFA/rAIQTYCQjIM/s1600/jesting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTW3YwWp9rI/AAAAAAAAAFA/rAIQTYCQjIM/s200/jesting2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTW3eCNDYZI/AAAAAAAAAFE/bFhNg7gwH4Y/s1600/jestingthreads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TTW3eCNDYZI/AAAAAAAAAFE/bFhNg7gwH4Y/s200/jestingthreads.jpg" width="200" /></a>I wanted to give an example of some custom work that I can do! Meeting the customer's needs is of utmost importance to me, and I love to do custom orders, because it helps me to break out of the box a little and be experimental and creative! Hearing the consumer's ideas and design concepts helps me to plan for more marketable products in the future, and usually gets my wheels turning and a brainstorm brewing. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I just received an order for a version of Lady, the Circus horse. The little girl's favorite color was emerald green, to be incorporated into the bridle, along with shimmering gold accents and decadent gold tassel reins. The soon-to-be new owner is young enough that maybe having a plume wouldn't be such a good idea, she may have perhaps wanted to pull it off and do a little redesigning of her own! So, these, along with other color specifications of a dapple grey coat with a coordinating creamy mane, went into the creation of my latest custom order: Annabelle! Annabelle is going out in the mail today, I hope her new owner will have her for many wonderful years to come! Congratulations!</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-75953723333712942782011-01-12T19:42:00.000-08:002011-01-12T19:47:25.286-08:00Paintings and Sketches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS4k8K9NenI/AAAAAAAAAEY/EM5ZCnFIwRQ/s1600/contentment_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS4k8K9NenI/AAAAAAAAAEY/EM5ZCnFIwRQ/s200/contentment_wm.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5w-0fCSOI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xNEqWZ14JNE/s1600/chrome_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5w-0fCSOI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xNEqWZ14JNE/s200/chrome_wm.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"> "Contentment", Acrylic on Canvas, 2010 "Chrome", Acrylic on Canvas, 2010</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I wanted to share a little of my artwork! Painting on canvas is what I switch to when I have become completely overwhelmed and frustrated with painting on wood over and over again. This happens a lot, and as a result, there are actually a few select pieces that I am actually quite proud of! When I found out last year that one of my horses, Rajah, had severe, life-threatening melanomas, I did a portrait of him - the one titled "Contentment". That's the only painting that has any kind of real story to it, everything else has just struck me in the moment, from an experience or feeling.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5tI533cLI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ABzQcNT-Tts/s1600/watching_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5tI533cLI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ABzQcNT-Tts/s200/watching_wm.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">"Watching", Charcoal, 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm not the type of person who can sit down and work on a painting for a days at a time, painstakingly adding minute details and tiny brush strokes. Usually, unless I finish a piece the same day that I start it, it sits incomplete on the easel for weeks! But, once in a blue moon, I finish something I start. Here are some final products that I've done over the years. I'm toying with the idea of making some of these available on canvas on Etsy, what do you think? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5xIuDqc-I/AAAAAAAAAE4/vVQwvhJ4hWw/s1600/rogue_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5xIuDqc-I/AAAAAAAAAE4/vVQwvhJ4hWw/s320/rogue_wm.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">"Rogue", Charcoal, 2010<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5xQXKwSZI/AAAAAAAAAE8/B0Fee6Oko2A/s1600/connection_wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TS5xQXKwSZI/AAAAAAAAAE8/B0Fee6Oko2A/s320/connection_wm.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">"Connection", Acrylic on Canvas<br />
2010</td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div></div></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-52168456912970928602011-01-07T19:55:00.000-08:002011-01-07T19:55:30.452-08:00Gift Certificate Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfcX1U8wjI/AAAAAAAAAEE/9N-cR3gz6hU/s1600/giftcertif_new.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfcX1U8wjI/AAAAAAAAAEE/9N-cR3gz6hU/s640/giftcertif_new.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWdtjqM2I/AAAAAAAAADw/pDpj5uMbEZM/s1600/charger_w_armor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWdtjqM2I/AAAAAAAAADw/pDpj5uMbEZM/s200/charger_w_armor.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWnaOvKXI/AAAAAAAAAD4/mqK0Wn8aWI4/s1600/Mara_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWnaOvKXI/AAAAAAAAAD4/mqK0Wn8aWI4/s200/Mara_2.jpg" width="145" /></a>I have decided to do a little promotion, to attract a bit more attention. So as a result, I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate! That's more than 33% off any of my horses! All you have to do to enter is become a fan of my Facebook Page! That's it, so simple! Anyone with a Facebook account can enter, and there are no strings attached. The gift certificate is absolutely free! When I reach 100 fans, I will randomly pick a winner and send the gift certificate via PDF file or through the mail, whichever they prefer. The $25 can be used on a horse, piece of artwork, or accessories for the horses, anything in the shop - you can even give it as a gift. If you use it toward something that is less that $25, I'll re-issue another gift certificate for the adjusted amount, so you can do some more spending! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWhGy7vNI/AAAAAAAAAD0/0WmfRBdGkV8/s1600/circus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSfWhGy7vNI/AAAAAAAAAD0/0WmfRBdGkV8/s320/circus.jpg" width="320" /></a>To Enter:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: black;">1)</span> Visit the Painted Pony Shop Page</span>:(<a href="http://facebook.com/PaintedPonyShop">http://facebook.com/PaintedPonyShop</a> )</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="color: black;">2)</span> Press "Like"</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The winner will be contacted through </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Facebook as soon as he or she has been </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">selected. Have fun!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-53201191212354269892011-01-05T09:51:00.000-08:002011-01-07T18:02:25.296-08:00Meet My Inspiration!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSSxjFR_NqI/AAAAAAAAADY/GAby5HG6UYY/s1600/raj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSSxjFR_NqI/AAAAAAAAADY/GAby5HG6UYY/s1600/raj.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rajah and I Showing 1st Level<br />
Isaac Royal Farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYL4RXIZoI/AAAAAAAAADk/AaJ-iMbDFQs/s1600/cora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYL4RXIZoI/AAAAAAAAADk/AaJ-iMbDFQs/s200/cora.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cora Relaxing at a Show<br />
Isaac Royal Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In my last post, I referenced my Throroughbred, Cora. I actually have two horses, Cora's companion is a beautiful Lipp/Thoroughbred gelding, Rajah. These guys are as juxtaposed as you can get! Cora is a punk with a chip on her shoulder (who somehow has found it within herself to love me) but Rajah is a sweet, cuddly, laid back teddy bear who comes running when he hears me and gives hugs and kisses upon request. I've given Cora a mohawk, it seems appropriate! They are both trained in Dressage, Rajah hovers between First and Second level, Cora is trained to Fourth Level/Prix St. Georges and has an AMAZING extended trot, enviable to be sure! I got both of my babies from Isaac Royal Farm (<a href="http://isaacroyalfarm.com/">http://isaacroyalfarm.com/</a>), they are fantastic horses, and the training I received there will last me a lifetime! Since I brought my horses home, I ride mostly bareback, because I find that the feel and timing is so much improved - I haven't used a saddle in a couple years! My horses are so special, and they serve as constant encouragement and inspiration. I just thought you'd like to meet them! <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYMWTk3UkI/AAAAAAAAADo/EArlEGpwm5k/s1600/raj2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYMWTk3UkI/AAAAAAAAADo/EArlEGpwm5k/s200/raj2.JPG" width="189" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYgCZPYTxI/AAAAAAAAADs/k60sgHqKkXg/s1600/cor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TSYgCZPYTxI/AAAAAAAAADs/k60sgHqKkXg/s320/cor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table> </div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-37558403777370960072011-01-04T18:58:00.000-08:002011-01-04T19:06:59.421-08:00New Designs! Thoroughbreds, Lippizans, and Donkeys, Oh My!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//1000/300/20/9/31329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" id="il_fi" src="http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//1000/300/20/9/31329.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="384" /></a>I have a head full of new ideas! Thanks to a special request, I'll now be offering DIY Stick Horse Kits - so you can enjoy the creative process, personalize your horse, and have all the fun with only half the work! I provide the head, with hole drilled, and signed by me (woodburned), a pre-assembled mane in your choice of color, ear material and pattern, and rein material if you'd like. All you need is some acrylic paint, hot glue, a 1-inch dowel, and a bit of imagination to put it together! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm really excited about all the new horse designs I've been dreaming up lately! I've got big plans for a racehorse (named after my own tightly wound Thoroughbred, Cora), with a removeable felt hood, rein covers, and a rolled noseband. I'm feeling like a lot of bright primary colors and pizzaz for this girl!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.sport-horses.org/events/Lipizzan_stallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sport-horses.org/events/Lipizzan_stallion.jpg" /></a>The next design I have in mind is for a Lippizan, modeled after the stately stallions of Vienna. They have a beautifully luxe, red and gold theme, with perfectly groomed coats, manes, and tails. All the tack is ornate and detailed, really breathtaking! I might even try including a martingale (collar), not sure how that will work out with a stick body, but I'm willing to try! I think kids would feel really special riding around on a toy modeled after these famous dancers.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.hedweb.com/animimag/donkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.hedweb.com/animimag/donkey.jpg" width="138" /></a>Switching speeds, the last design I've been tossing around is for an adorable, rustic donkey, with a scruffy mane and primitive twine bridle. I think donkeys are so cute! I'm going to give him a nice blue-gray coat, with white accents on the face and big, soulful brown eyes.....oh yeah, and GIANT ears! Look at that face - he's gonna be a heartbreaker! </div><br />
I want to know what you think....what's your favorite idea? I'd love some input, feel free to comment! :)Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-70806586073959813892010-12-30T09:09:00.000-08:002010-12-30T09:09:41.474-08:00Painted Pony Shop Meets the Trail of Painted Ponies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TRy6QDYxNnI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2KDV10qfqnU/s1600/bonanza-hobby-horse%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TRy6QDYxNnI/AAAAAAAAAC8/2KDV10qfqnU/s320/bonanza-hobby-horse%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trigger and First Edition "Bonanza" Figurine<br />
Picture Thanks to the Trail of Painted Ponies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Earlier this year, I had the privilege of having my horses featured on the prestigious Trail of Painted Ponies website. The Trail is known for providing high quality works of equine art, at reasonable prices, to collectors. President of the Trail, Karlynn Keyes, emailed me personally requesting that she be able to feature my designs on her site, in a new handcrafted collection, in the Treasures from the Vault. This was a fantastic opportunity for me, as it brought in a little more attention and interest. I sent Ms. Keyes five of my designs: Ivan, Charger, Trigger, Mara, and Orrick, and they were paired with beautiful Trail horse figurines as collectible sets. Here's the link:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://cart.trailofpaintedponies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=95_100">http://cart.trailofpaintedponies.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=95_100</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ms. Keyes is a wonderful philanthropist, and has done much to promote the growth of the Trail of Painted Ponies collection and its artists. I'm so grateful to her for giving me a great start! To read more, visit this link: <a href="http://www.karlynnkeyes.com/Karlynn_Keyes/Introduction.html">http://www.karlynnkeyes.com/Karlynn_Keyes/Introduction.html</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-28299121278580246432010-12-24T16:23:00.000-08:002010-12-24T19:08:33.073-08:00The 'Crafting' Part of HandcraftedThe other day I made a visit to the workshop to cut out some more horse heads for custom orders. There is so much involved in putting this part together! I use Eastern White Pine, that was selectively harvested from a private lot in Maine. I put it through the planer, to smooth both faces, then trace the design from the templates onto the wood. Next, I use a band saw to define the shape and remove it from the board. Next comes sanding....oh, so much sanding! First, a horizontal belt sander that is bigger than our diningroom table, then a table-top vertical belt sander, after that, two different sized spindles on the spindle sander, a palm sander, and a little hand sanding for the tiny nooks and crannies. Then, off to the router, to curve the corners and give a softer effect to the wood. And then, a final light hand sanding, to make the wood smooth and consistent for the paint job. Wow! My hands go numb from the vibrating of the machines, and it can be hypnotizing by hour number five. You forget that you are working with spinning blades and sandpaper that can remove your hand completely of skin! But I love the sounds and smells, it reminds me of growing up around my Dad's sawmill. Fond memories :)<br />
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Next, the heads get transported to my private workshop (a.k.a. our tiny 12'x12' spare bedroom/office/music room/storage area) for the special secret process of painting, decorating, accessorizing, and personalizing. I never know what is going to happen next in that room, it is always an adventure! I have a tiny vintage Singer sewing machine and an antique Singer foot pump sewing table, which I love to death. And I'm always surrounded by horses in different stages of creation, so there's a never-ending list of things to accomplish. My happy place!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TRU4qV_GSYI/AAAAAAAAAC4/9fcYE3xXN_E/s1600/workspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TRU4qV_GSYI/AAAAAAAAAC4/9fcYE3xXN_E/s400/workspace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194973220822975326.post-72839771903968721282010-12-23T09:44:00.000-08:002010-12-23T12:02:48.150-08:00New Design, Beau the Appaloosa<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TROJ-HAhABI/AAAAAAAAAB4/0bQL8oc96DM/s1600/appy_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TROJ-HAhABI/AAAAAAAAAB4/0bQL8oc96DM/s200/appy_4.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TROJ6jtGssI/AAAAAAAAAB0/U1UC4AXi3vY/s1600/appy_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PJoW9ukXrMs/TROJ6jtGssI/AAAAAAAAAB0/U1UC4AXi3vY/s200/appy_3.JPG" width="200" /></a>I thought I'd take a minute to introduce the world to my newest design: Beau, the Appaloosa. Beau originated as a custom order for a friend of mine in Old Town, Maine, but evolved into something completely different than I expected. Giving this guy his spots was a blast! I usually am very precise and meticulous, but on this particular design I was able to let loose, and splatter paint at will. The method I use for giving this Beau his markings ensures that no two will look alike, and the end result is fun and artsy. Very unique! Beau is available on Etsy for 70 USD.</div>Painted Pony Shophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08786135967313923778noreply@blogger.com1