I was glad my wood doors could be part of the celebration at the 90th Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention. Executive Director Karen Flowers was celebrating her final convention before retiring. The door was open for me to be there in spirit! That’s a play on the word “door” !   I was commissioned by […]

Recently, I have been building several E minor Native American flutes.  As I neared the end of the wood construction part and started making the birds for the flutes, I realized I was low on my leather strips that hold the birds on the flutes.  And I was very low on crow beads.  Crow beads are […]

The joy of wood and the care of wood items used for cooking and eating were themes of my day as a vendor at the GLAM Craft Show in Gainesville. I really enjoyed talking with the many people who stopped by my display and wanted to learn more about the wood items I make. We […]

Olives purchased outside Tarragone, Spain from an olive oil producer. It’s always interesting to see how the Internet can facilitate groups of people coming together for common interests. Back in the early 2000s it was fun to watch the ukulele community discover each other as we grew fanatical about the ukulele in different countries.  We […]

Watching and photographing wading birds, songbirds, or mostly any birds is a real treat. I have been enjoying following Tootlepedal’s blog because he always takes a “flying bird of the day” photo.  And that is the treat, isn’t it?  To catch an in-focus flying bird — not always an easy photo. While at Sanibel Island, I […]

Working with wood is an ever evolving and exploring process. I’ve found that one project-idea often leads to another project. And the new wood project for me? Carving small dolls. How did that happen? Small print dress featuring cats. Creating WrenSong flutes and WrenSong kanteles requires larger equipment like a router, bandsaw, woodturning lathe and sander. Smaller tools […]

Making WrenSong flutes was a dream achieved. Making musical instruments from a branch or from kiln-dried wood was a wonderful journey for more than 12 years. Currently I am taking a break from making and selling musical instruments and am engaged in painting in oils and watercolors.  Whether still lifes or plein air painting, I […]

For the past few years, I’ve been fascinated by the harp. I wondered how would it sound with my WrenSong flutes. I wondered if I could learn to play it. I wondered if I could make one. Finally, there are some answers. The harp and Native American style flute sound beautiful together, but I knew that. […]

Making WrenSong flutes was a dream achieved. Making musical instruments from a branch or from kiln-dried wood was a wonderful journey for more than 12 years. Currently I am taking a break from making and selling musical instruments and am engaged in painting in oils and watercolors.  Whether still lifes or plein air painting, I […]

Rona Yellow Robe performs in concert. While hiking in the Smokies, I was able to take a break and meet two women in the world of Native American flutes – Rona Yellow Robe and Geri Littlejohn. I heard Rona in concert, performing a variety of her music, including “Turquoise Blues” A favorite song of mine […]

The instructional section of the store includes bleachers for demonstrations. An unexpected problem with a piece of equipment led me to discover that Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has a new store in Altamonte Springs. Rockler’s first store in Florida. I called ahead and had them holding the piece of equipment I needed. And since I was going, […]

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Making WrenSong flutes was a dream achieved. Making musical instruments from a branch or from kiln-dried wood was a wonderful journey for more than 12 years. Currently I am taking a break from making and selling musical instruments and am engaged in painting in oils and watercolors.  Whether still lifes or plein air painting, I […]

Three of my personal favorites from my collection. (L-R) Lilac, cherry, birch with bark. (Click for larger image) From time to time I get interesting and/or encouraging correspondence through my website/blog. Recently, I have had a few comments and queries on my spoon carving. For example, I appreciated hearing from Mrs. B who wrote to […]