Tales from the Halloween Trunk Show...

Whew, after months of preparations, I am finally catching my breath! Saturday's Halloween Trunk Show was here and gone in a flash. Our morning began with our 4-hour frenzied routine to unload, arrange, decorate and prepare for the big day! And on queue as usual, I had about 5 minutes to spare to change my clothes and rush around to snap some quick photos before the door opened! So, I am sharing with you those pics. I know I missed a few of my fellow artist friends, but that is only because the clock was ticking too fast! Many many THANKS goes out to our dear collector friends who made the journey from both near and far to join us! It is always a treat to see your smiling faces. Thank you for your support and admiration for my folk art creations. And, another BIG THANKS goes out to Sam Robinson for putting together another memorable trunk show!

For those who missed this delightful event, please check back later this week as I will be hosting a Halloween Blog Sale here with my remaining signed Halloween reproductions. See you then!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
~ Johanna



~ That's me, looking rather wiped out after that frantic push to get all the pieces and parts put together!



~ Here's a fun trio pic of this year's new Halloween buckets from my line of Bethany Lowe Designs...



~ And, a quick glance looking into my booth right before show time….



~ A Halloween tree is adorned with my latest ornament balls that were featured in Country Sampler Magazine this fall...



* A pair of my reproduction ghosts from Bethany Lowe Designs appear to be "booing" at us...



~ These new lanterns were a fun addition to my product line! Screen printed metal and equipped with votive slot and candle, these cuties from my Primitives by Kathy line were crowd-pleasing!



~ Ornament signs, featuring my new graphic designs, were hanging around on an old orange bird cage...



~ A rusty old gate served as a great display for more of these new Halloween-inspired hangers...



~ And off to the side, JP was preparing all the show technology! Thank goodness for his help!



~ "Halloween is Calling"….. just one of several new box signs of mine making a debut at the Trunk Show...



~ Across the way, Mr. Binglegrim was making spooky faces! We were happy to have him out this year  to unveil his spooky cool  collectible Spooklights and such...



~ He is also the designer of our #9 Halloween Trunk Show post cards, posters and website graphics! Thank you Bindlegrim!!!



~ And another Spooklight peek….



~ Next to me was Kara Rosenberry with her delightfully clever cards and whatnots….  Her set-up was a breeze, and she pretty much put us to shame… hehe! But, we still love her…. (just a little envious)



~ A collection of Kara's sweet cards in hues of Halloween, thoughtfully tied with ribbons and string...



~ Hand-painted plaques celebrating October, were resting on old folding chair…



~ And to our side was Mr. Christmas who was standing sideways! What a silly Mister…!



~ He brought along his amazing vintage-themed miniatures, housed in retro radios, glowing with lights and sounds….. OH so much fun! He loves to tinker….



~ More Mr. Christmas goodies were housed in glass vessels, old phones, lanterns and alarm clocks it seems, each creating its own miniature scene...



~ And to his side was a delicious display of handmade fashion accessories by the lovely Mandy Yocom of Fern and Sprout ...



~ She had all sorts of pretties to wear in your hair or clip on your shoes, lapel or wherever you wish!



~ We also enjoyed seeing Monica Moonlight again with her spooky fun clay and fabric delights! Her mini characters will light up a smile!



~ Heidi Murray of All Good Wishes had an adorable display of her needle felted vintage style characters! Looks like I captured one of her little helpers, wearing a crown.



~ A closer peek at Heidi's work reveals imaginative characters in whimsical scenes! Great colors too!



~ Across the way, Heidi's daughter was selling her own necklaces which reminded me of the 'ol days when mom and I would sell our crafts at various art markets!



~ Towards the front, Cindy Habermann had her holiday folk art characters arranged and ready to share… What fun!



~ Expressive jack-o'-lanterns pushing wheel barrows, party owls, bunnies and cats in fun colors were sure to make many a'smile...



~ Ghosts and gourds, witches and cats were popping out of boxes too…



~ Sam Robinson, aka Manorisms and trunk show promoter, had a booth filled with Halloween eye candy near the front door!



~ Pretty glass jars filled with tasty eats and sweets filled cubbies add shelves - a Taste of Halloween!



~ Candy-filled cats, owl buckets and masks were peeking out of an old plant stand...



~ An antique ironing board carried rows of candles and other novel treats… (great props!)



~ Sam's menagerie of Halloween goods is always a feast for the eyes… I bet the kiddos go nuts for it!



~ And Sam's daughter looked to have caught that crafty, creative bug, selling her own handmade wares as well!



~ Last, but not least, we have Erica McNeish with her tempting treats and tasty eats! She might have been giving me the evil eye, but it was all in good fun :)



~ One quick photo of the Halloween market from the front door…..



~ And look at this little cutie who picked out one of my new Trick or Treat bags for herself! What a doll, boots and all :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to YOU!

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Trunk Show Sneak Peek...

Hey Halloween fans! A few of you have asked for sneak peeks from my collection of originals. You know me ~ I don't like to reveal too much, but here are a few teaser images of just some of my one of a kinds that I will be offering at this Saturday's Trunk Show! I hope this will tie you over for now.... hehe! (and yes, the remaining original delights from my Denver event will find their way to the Ghoultide Gathering) I have much yet to do, so bye for now and SEE you SOON!


 ~ Johanna


* A Batty Egg Cup & a couple of mini bat busts..... Cute!



* A couple of Ghosts and a lumina jack-o'-lantern..... There's a really cool ghostly bust back there!  Wish I could keep 'em!



* Towering base chamber vase owl that I poured many many hours into.... and a sweet trick or treat black cat candy container......



* Quartet of Halloween friends including a vintage green-hued Jack....



* Bold Halloween owl ball character and a sweet bat candy container off in the distance....

And yes, there will be more at this Saturday's Trunk Show!  Doors open at noon, but arrive a wee bit early as they sometimes open a tad before schedule...

Scenes from the Trunk Show!...

This time, Fall in all its cold and wet dreariness haunted our Halloween Trunk Show. We have been spoiled with warm Indian summer days for the last 5 years, but we were due! Despite the chill, we were so thrilled to see that many of you braved the weather to visit with us and collect a few more Halloween delights for your homes this year. An extra thanks goes out to you out-of-state collectors that traveled via the skies (perhaps by broom? :) to attend this fun event. It was so wonderful to see all of your smiling faces. Many thanks also to Sam Robinson, our event planner extraordinaire along with all the vendors that made this year's trunk show extra special. With just moments to spare, JP and I rushed around and snapped some photos to share with those unable to attend.... Enjoy!

~ Johanna



* That's me in my silly Halloween attire, in front of my hutch of Halloween originals......



* My reproduction Halloween-hatted head characters flew off this old plant stand that they were spookishly hovering on......



* This year's illustrated Halloween cones were also a fun find for my shoppers looking for a little something to spook their homes with...



* I loved how this last-minute display turned out, showcasing my black cat pins. An old wire plant basket made for the purrrfect web-like rack for these popular guys!



* And there's Sweet Owlfred and friends perched atop a rusty old step ladder!



* The back wall of my display in all it's orange and black glory! My signed reproductions from both Primitives by Kathy & Bethany Lowe Designs are showcased, left and center. The right corner hutch housed this year's Halloween originals...



* There's Sam Robinson, aka Manorisms and also our show promoter, snapping some quick  photos before the doors opened. If you squint, you can see my display at center and all the way, straight back!



* As usual, I had about 10 minutes to spare and make the rounds to snap some quick pics. JP had a camera too, so he caught me in the act!



* The clock struck noon and the collectors, who had been huddled under a tent out in the rain, came marching in! Look at all the smiles on their faces ~ love that :)



* Hungry? For those with an empty belly, Erica McNeish was offering some of her yummy eats for lunch....



* Not to mention her delicious sweets for dessert ~ look at those luscious candied apples!



* Erica prepares for the frenzy of hungry guests!



* Next door to me, Mr. Bumble Bindelgrim had a striking display of vintage Halloween delights, up for grabs!



* And, I snapped a quick photo of him before the Halloween fans arrived to snag a copy of his new book, The Pumpkin Dream...



* Handmade pumpkin folk nodders and paper lanterns also graced his table...



* Brightly hued jacks and black cats from Bindelgrim's vintage collection were a hit!



* My other neighbors were Kirsten of Pearl Clothing & Jil Cappucio with her fun fashions...



* Across the way was Heide Murray with her novelty Halloween delights including some spooky rings made from real human molars!



* And to her side was Mysti Gulsrud of Delphinium Design with a table full of colorful Dia de Los Muertos jewels and delightful Halloween handmades....



* And it was fun to see Ed & Sherry of Sticks n' Things join us this year with their creations from wood...



* Up front, attendees were greeted with the colorful delights offered by Sam Robinson, aka Manorisms....



* Homemade apple butter plus other jams & a series of adorable handmade jack-o'-lanterns were made by Sam's mom, Mozell Falletti!



* Cubbies of Jacks and gumballs certainly excited the children that always enjoy Sam's offerings....



* More Halloween novelties from Sam, displayed on electric green!



* And all that orange caught my eye ~ sweet, stitched Jack by Mozell Falletti...



* Kiddy Kits, Raspberry Pear Jam, finger puppets and Apple Mint spread enticed the shoppers...



* Due to the rainy weather, Rabbit Shadow Farms moved their whimsical plants indoors and offered both a fresh scent and visual treats for the senses...



* Pome of Denver had a fun display including black cats ~ one of my favorites!



* Spooky fun collage art also on display from Pome...



* And to "top it off" we had Erin Saboe, our hat-maker offering handmade witch's hats, and just in time for Halloween!



* And although we found homes for many of my Halloween folk art one of a kinds, I still have a fun variety to offer.

So, MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the evening of Wednesday, October 19th when I will be offering those to you during my Halloween Web Sale! Stay tuned for a variety of sweet characters, each unique. The fun takes place on my Folk Art Originals page. For the official start time and details please join my e-mailing list. An easy sign-up form resides on the sale page at the link above.

Happy Haunting!

Trunk Show, Tomorrow!...

I have just a quick reminder for all of you Halloween-loving folks that will be in the neighborhood. Tomorrow, when the clock strikes noon, Denver's 6th Annual Halloween Trunk Show will begin! I included the following eye-candy-filled ad in my latest Newsletter, but if you missed it, I will be offering a really fun assortment of my latest licensed designs at this unique event. Also, I should have around 30 or so originals to offer, including a very special black cat kettle cup that made the newsstands this fall... It's bittersweet to possibly part with the little fellow, but I will be happy to find him a black cat-loving home too. So, I hope to see you this Saturday - that's TOMORROW at Leo's Garage on historic S. Pearl Street in Denver.



* The ad above features a collage of just some of my licensed designs that I will have available.. But, there will be a dozen of us vendors offering an array of vintage-style delights, including delicious eats!



* A peek at page 23 of Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Halloween Magazine reveals a photo of me along with a small menagerie of my one of a kind Halloween creations... The "TREATS" black cat kettle cup at right will be up for grabs at the Trunk Show.... I just decided tonight that I might be willing to part with him, maybe...  :)



* It's always difficult to put a value on such a piece.... pondering that still.

SEE YOU Soon! This shall be fun!...........
~ Johanna

Caught, Orange & Black-Handed!...

This afternoon, as I was intensely painting away, JP snuck in and started snapping candid photos of me at work! EEK! No chance for hair & make-up, and where was wardrobe when I needed them?!  Yes, he caught me orange & black-handed, working on the last few pieces in preparation for my two Halloween shows. My long work table is a happy Halloween disaster of characters waiting for a final touch here or perhaps a pair of arms there. Luckily, I have another bin of completed goodies, all ready to go. Just wish I was!.... You're probably asking, why I would even have time to post this. And well, when 9pm rolled around, my right hand was sending me less and less subtle messages to call it a night! Anyway, here's the proof that I am truly busy at work, getting ready for Halloween. We (that's JP and I, along with all the Halloween characters I am bringing to life...) hope to see YOU at the Ghoultide Gathering and/or the Halloween Trunk Show.......

~ Johanna



* Yes, looks I needed to change out my paint water, but who has time!



* A growing crowd of owls, jack-o'-lanterns, bats, black cats, crows, ghosts, a moon and a mouse, are almost officially done. I must say that they look more dapper than I....



* It's a funny feeling to be surrounded by all these spooky-sweet faces staring back at me!



* I take a quick moment to look up as I paint a ghostly black and white base chamber vase...

PS:  If you would like occasional updates regarding my folk art, events and news, please Join My Mailing List and look for the simple email address form at the bottom of my Folk Art Originals page.

You can also catch up with me on Facebook. Choose the "LIKE" button at my Johanna Parker Design page in order to see my news.

And don't forget to sign up for my Halloween Horn Giveaway too! Details are listed below...... Time is a'tickin!

Saturday is fast approaching!...

Just a reminder that this Saturday is Denver's 5th Annual Halloween Trunk Show! This free event starts at noon, so you can sleep in! But, don't be too late as you'll have more Halloween delights to choose from if you come when the doors open. I have lots more Halloween reproduction products before than ever, so I have been busy sifting through all the goodies, making displays and preparing for the big day. The graphic above is a fun collage of just some of those items I will be offering. Give it a click for a closer peek! And luckily, I just finished my collection of originals for this event thank goodness!

The Halloween Trunk Show is an intimate gathering of Halloween artists and vendors of vintage style autumn-inspired goods. It's held in the squeaky-clean garage of Leo's in the historic shopping district on S. Pearl Street. The list of exhibitors is as follows:

Johanna Parker Design (me!)
Pearl Clothing
Pome
Rabbit Shadow Farms
Sam Robinson (show promoter offering vintage-style Halloween & harvest goods)
Cindy Haberman (papier mache folk artist)
Jeanne Mistek (handmade Halloween goodies)
Erica McNeish (serving her homemade German-inspired treats once again!)

You can visit my Blog Post from last year's Trunk Show Event to catch a glimpse of this festive harvest scene!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

~ Johanna

Trunk Show Visions!...

My warm thanks go out to all the folks that put on such a spooktacular Halloween show yesterday! It's amazing how Leo's (super clean) Garage was transformed into an eye candy fest for all... thanks to Sam Robinson's clever eye for style! I snapped some quick photos before the doors opened (which is why some are kind-of a blur!) to give you an idea of some of the vendors' Halloweenish offerings. Also, THANK YOU to all my cherished collectors who made a special effort to come out and see us! Your kind words and smiles and support for my Halloween folk art are always so appreciated, and after such a great show, I feel both re-energized and so very grateful to be able to do what I love to do thanks to you :)

So, again thank you, and enjoy the photos as many of you told me that you enjoy reading my blog!
(Next weekend, we do it all again with a new collection of one of kind Halloween delights in Petaluma, CA at the Halloween & Vine!.....)

~ Johanna


* That's me before the show posing in front of my cupboard, lined with one of a kinds...


* My booth with my reproductions and notepads at left and originals at right...


* New Halloween notepads line a handmade shelf that JP made & illustrated candy boxes hang from the skeleton of an old lamp shade...




* These are the originals I decided to share with the Denver crowd...Only a few were
left by the end of the show, but no worries as I have LOTS more set aside for the Halloween & Vine next weekend!...


* Reproduction candy corn ornaments hang from a bouquet of branches as Halloween lolly pop ornaments tease shoppers...new jack-o'-lantern and black cat candle holder designs were unveiled as well..


* A vintage pick-up truck greets guests as they arrive & piles of pumpkins with personality were up for adoption...


* A wall of harvested corn stalks sets the autumn mood.... black & orange pansies anyone?


* Sam Robinson's booth welcomes visitors as they enter... (that's Sam's mom chatting with
Kirsten from Pearl who designs artsy fun fashions)


* Halloween goodies line a table in Sam's booth....


* Patchwork owls, standing jack-o'-lanterns and fall-themed glass jars top and fill a rustic cupboard in Sam's booth...


* A black cat welcomes shoppers in Kate's booth... She operates an adorable shop in Denver called Pome...


* A peek at Erica McNeish's sweet skelly cupcake delights and peanutbutter fudge brownie treats.. YUM YUM YUM as always!


* Teddy Marcum's festive table of hand-painted boxes for Halloween! What fun :)


* And... me again :)
© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * Images in this post are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.