A Collector's Spring Inspirations...

Tucked away in my mailbox last week was an overstuffed envelope from a dear collector who lives locally in town. She has been supporting my creative endeavors since I first started showing my wares at outdoor flea markets 6+ years ago! I believe Karen Z. discovered me at Denver's Ballpark Market, which I believe is a thing of the past these days. My whimsical holiday characters lit a spark in her collective passions, and she has been acquiring a piece here and several pieces there ever since. Before she put her "Johanna Parker Spring" collection away this year, she snapped a few photos and mailed them to me! What a treat :) I thought I would share them with you..... Enjoy, and thank you Karen for your thoughtfulness and for believing in me! It's always a pleasure to see how my collector friends display their cherished collectibles in their personal spaces....

~ Johanna



* Here, Karen has my Spring characters grouped in front of a mirror for a magnified view. (Great idea!) She has included a pair of my illustrated spring party hats that complete the spring family.



* These few original spring characters take me way back! The sunflower girl and large spring chick were some of my first spring creations, and I believe the little spring egg cup was one of my first from this series of cup characters....



* You may recognize this sweet pair from my Spring Gallery page...... They are some of the few spring originals that I have created over the last few years..... I admit, I took this year off from creating spring as time just flew by. Perhaps next year I will release a few more one of a kinds.....



* Another close-up reveals a spring chick candy dish design that I licensed to Bethany Lowe Designs a few years ago. This piece is now retired, but it looks like Karen snatched one up at one of the last Spring Flings!


Spring Designs © Johanna Parker Design ~ Photographs courtesy of Karen Z.

Owlfred is Sweet...

I just received another fun sample from this year's collection of Halloween reproductions from my Bethany Lowe Designs product line. Introducing, "Sweet Owlfred!" He is a 10" tall hollow owl with a removable hat which doubles as a lid! I have found a couple of fun uses for him already, but he could certainly be filled with treats as well! Take a peek, and see what you think. I initially created this piece as a solid character and just indicated where the hole in his head (ouch!) would go. The hat was created separately, and Bethany Lowe Designs worked their magic. Now, you can stash whatever you like inside! I believe Sweet Owlfred will be available in early summer, so make sure and ask your favorite vendors to order him now before he's sold out! Enjoy this sneak peek...

~ Johanna


* What a strikingly sweet character to add to your Halloween festivities this fall!


* Not only is he cute, but he's handy too! Allow him to be the keeper of those old crusty paint brushes that you just can't quite part with. He will certainly dress them up....


* Or, give Owlfred a place to perch and display a fun arrangement of spooky stars or another eye-catching array of Halloween decorations.... dried roses, gnarled branches or perhaps raven's feathers come to mind..... Or for something on the sweeter side, Halloween lollipops and licorice sticks would be quite a sprawling treat!


* Sweet Owlfred says, "see you soon!"


Designs & Photography © 2010-2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC
Images may not be used without permission

Just a Few Halloween Sets Left!...

Many thanks to all of you who popped in at the start of my Halloween Web Sale last night and adopted a special collectible piece for yourself! I appreciate your determination and your patience ~ I know some of you had trouble getting my Folk Art Originals page to load, including me! Sorry! I'll look into that for next time as I'm suspecting there was too much traffic hitting all at once. I feel so very fortunate that your interest in my one of a kinds continues to grow, and of course, I wish I could accommodate everyone's request. The good news is that my love for Halloween is a year-round passion. So, expect to see more from me after the holidays settle. :)

I do however have a few Halloween Reproduction Collector's Sets still available! If you love Black Cats or Owls & Bats, I may just have the set for you! Each item is signed by me, and I'll include an extra goodie in your box. Please contact me soon if you are interested in a set as I only have a few remaining.

Thank you so much for your support & Happy Halloween!
~ Johanna


CLICK HERE for more details on my "Cat Lovers Set"

( The little kitty, top right, sits on a little clip and can be attached to a tree, wreath, etc...

The hugging cat pail can certainly be filled with treats, etc and Shreik the cat looks great just standing around :)

CLICK HERE for more details on my "Night Flyer Set"

( The hanging owl and bat are double-sided and add great movement and fun to any room or window! The sitting owl is another clip ornament and can attach to a tree, wreath, etc... The owl on a stick is also a small rattle and can be shaken or hung. And the bat pail is ready to be filled with your favorite candy treats! )

To reserve one today, please email me at:
johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

Halloween Smiles in a Box!....

I know fall is approaching when the big boxes start to arrive! This year, it was a thrill to unpack my new line of Halloween reproductions, offered by Bethany Lowe Designs. By the end of the evening, packing paper was scattered all about like over-sized confetti, and JP took a few photos of me playing in it! I cleared my storage shelves in anticipation and started lining them with this year's collection. I too snapped a few photos to share in hopes to spark your interest and passion for Halloween! Now that these fun Halloween characters are here, I will be signing them and preparing them for their debut at this year's Halloween Trunk Show in Denver. Whatever is left will be looking for a home, so please join my e-mailing list for that update in hopes to snatch a signed Halloween collectible or two!

~ Johanna


* That's me, knee-deep in a tall shipping box! My bat and owl vase characters peer out for a Halloween hello!...


* My Halloween reproductions line shelves in anticipation for an upcoming Halloween Trunk Show...


* My owl candy bowl is one of my favorites! How festive they all look together!...


* Spook Cat candy containers look like they are all whistling a Halloween tune!...


* My trio of treat buckets grin and look forward to being filled with the season's sweets...


* Me again, laughing at the silliness of standing in a packing box...

And for those of you anxious to acquire one of these Halloween designs now, you can visit my Source Page of online vendors who offer my collectible products.

As always, THANK YOU for your interest in sharing my festive designs with your family and friends! I appreciate it and truly hope to spread my whimsical cheer, year after year!

My Halloween in Country Sampler!...

Yes, it's true that Halloween is already making an appearance on the news stands, and fortunately, a sampling of my Halloween reproductions from Primitives by Kathy are featured! Keep an eye out for the current September issue of Country Sampler Magazine. On page 34, they feature the cozy fall-decorated home of decorator and shop keeper Christina Zimmerman of Buttermilk Junction. The photographer & photo stylist duo, Philip Clayton-Thompson and Donna Pizzi are friends of mine, and they composed the lovely pictures, graciously including some of my latest Halloween reproduction designs. And, it was an extra treat to see my name mentioned on the sidebar of the article, so thank you Country Sampler for that! You'll have to find yourself a copy of this fall issue. For now, here is a tease below, and to see additional photos from this article, visit Country Sampler's Inspiration Gallery where you will spot more photos of my Halloween folk art!.... ENJOY!

~ Johanna

* The first page of this Halloween home tour... Can you spot my jack-o'-lanterns?


* My latest Candy Corn Jack candy bowl, now offered by Primitives by Kathy, proudly sits on Christina's coffee table holding a batch of oranges....


* Well, there's Diamond Hat Jack, now also offered by Primitives by Kathy, and happy to be featured!...



*And the sidebar, mentioning me!

Thank you Christina for including my Halloween collectibles in your fall collection! It is a treat to see them in your home :)

PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2009 Emmis Publishing LP