Baby chickens and Instragram

 Splash Silkie Chick

Belgian d'Uccle Bantams

Blue Silkie Chick

Favourite Shops - MaudStarrArt

I love the use of chicken as a motif in  MaudStarrArt's images... It's a winner for me....

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a urban expatriate artist living on a small hobby farm in rural Ontario,Canada... I work out of a haunted historical studio in an old Courthouse(1860's) and am quite driven to create-.I finally realized after many years of making art that it's part of my fabric -and essential to my well being . I live with my partner(human Stephen) a variety of creatures who often play a part as my muse ;-)

Describe your craft

I am a mixed media artist with an editorial illustration background..This has influenced my style and intent as I approach my art with the eye of a storyteller ! My paintings are a hybrid of past and present..and my reverence for old photos/portraits in my work is a way to give new life to old imagery..my art has evolved from working in high realism as a painter..to using found elements in my work to tell a story ..very satisfying process for me..less technical and plodding too :-)

 

How did you get started with your craft?

I have painted,drawn and made stuff for years -from paper mache to puppets to textile art ..to assemblage and collage.

What is your earliest crafting memory?

Making an illustrated storybook in a tent under a huge willow tree in my backyard at ten years old.

What are your favorite materials to work with /favorite mediums?

Found objects,boxes, marvellous vintage bits and pieces,ephemera,old photos ,acrylic and gel matte medium..it is everchanging!

How did you come up with your store name?

I needed an alter ego with a timeless,long ago feel..

7. Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I care for my indoor and outdoor animals,pot belly pigs,goats ,chickens,dogs and cats ..read as much as possible,walk,spend time in nature and work in adult mental health part time developing and piloting socialrec/life skills programs..

Where does your inspiration come from?

The past..rural life..the incredible, human experience!

What does handmade mean to you?

made by hand (grin) not machine..or alternately not mass produced by others

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

all my art from other artists which has either been given to me or traded.. but especiallymy Frida Kahlo qullt which was completed by total strangers in a round robin

11. How do you get out of your creative ruts?

take time awa to quiet my mind....mix up my schedule..visit other places..commune with nature..look at lots of other artist's work for inspiration

Where would you like to be in ten years?

Hopefully happily creating full time and continuing to let my art evolve..

Where can you be found online? (besides on Etsy)  

my blog .."my Ephemeral Imagination"

heathermurrayart.blogspot.ca/

facebook page..

www.facebook.com/maudstarr

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

I am quietly but passionately an advocate for animals and the protection of their well being/lives. I am vegetarian,feminist in my political slant and although never hysterical -a believer in a more equal world for all. I also am a bit of a non conformist (shhh)

What did you like to do when you aren't crafting?

Read,walk,commune with nature,participate in lofty,stimulating conversation with others,sprend time with my daughter in her new urban life.

Admission

Hello, My name is Nicole Todd and I am an alcoholic chicken geek...

This is my silkie mum and her brood of 15 chicks (5 Partridge Wyandotte Bantams and 10 Barnyard mix!)

Favourite Shops - Shupg

Hello Everyone, today I am featuring Shupg which is one of my favourite shops on Etsy, check out those cute chicken necklaces! I want one!!!

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I teach violin in the day, and enjoy playing in chamber groups, orchestras and also in church. I cannot resist a fluffy animal, usually dogs. Can't wait for the day I get to live in a farm, maybe I should join The Farmer Finds a Wife.


Describe your craft
I'm not sure I am skilled enough to be called a crafter, but I certainly enjoy letting my thoughts interact with one another and somehow things get made! Bus rides are the best, alone time but with enough stimulation around and outside.


How did you get started with your craft?
I left a 24-7 job in the media industry because it didn't allow me to be creative (falling asleep standing up and having my Dad say "Are you just going out or coming home?" at 430am doesn't help either). Not all jobs in the industry are like that, but I just drew a short straw on that one. No regrets, the time I had there only prepped me better for the life now. I then went back to my passion, music-making, and making handmade just made sense to me (after I accompanied a great friend on her treasure-picking trips in the many craft shops) because it allowed me to be as creative as I could be. Still learning loads!


What is your earliest crafting memory?
I think it was when I was a kid, I made myself and my brothers Christmas stockings from brown shopping bags.


What are your favourite materials to work with/favourite mediums?
Love wood, and then thread and fabric. Found bits are great too. I like to see a piece of something and think about all its possibilities. It's kinda like teaching, isn't it?


How did you come up with your store name?
It's a childhood nickname. :) It sounds like part of my mandarin name.


Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I teach the violin, do freelance writing and video post production. Actually I wouldn't mind doing anything at least once. Zookeeper might be on the books :)

Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere really! But I really do like nature and could stare at greens for ages. Not enough of it at all in urban Singapore.

What does handmade mean to you?
An expression of what a person is made of. Of character.


What handmade possession do you most cherish?
I love all the drawings and little things my students make for me. Children are so creative.


How do you get out of your creative ruts?
I usually give it a bit of time. Take some time out and just be alone for awhile. It energises me.


Where would you like to be in ten years?
Owning a shop cum music studio. Or on a mission trip. But let me pray about it.

Where can you be found online? (besides on Etsy)

I have sold some items to a distributor in Barcelona, so I suppose I can be found in parts of Spain. Also am in a fabulous shop, Dulcetfig, in Singapore's Haji Lane. Am looking forward to being in more places all over the world!


What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
Hmm, I'm not sure I'm such an exciting person. I suppose that... I love watching Masterchef but can't cook for nuts!

What did you like to do when you aren't crafting?
I'm sort of a routine-animal, I like doing some things the same all the time, a little OCD you could say :) Am currently pinteresting like nuts. Reading every chance I get. Spend time with my family (so precious, never underestimate it) and dog.

Having a Chicken Sale!

There comes the time you decide you have too many chickens! Yesterday I took these photos and put these little lovelies on TradeMe...

 

Birchin Pekin Pullet

 

Silver Campine Pullet

 

Mottle Pekin Rooster

 White Silkie Rooster

 

Faverolles Cross Pullet

 

Black Pekin Pullet

 

Dark Blue Splash Pekin

 

Blue Splash Pekin Pullet

 

Mottle Pekin Pullet

 

White Pekin Pullet

Faverolles

Faverolles are my favourite chicken breed. I was introduced to them by my mum who hatched some out under a broody hen. I have to say that if she had not done this I would probably not be the fanatical chicken lady I have become! They are Faverolles with the s as they are named after a town in France which is Faverolles (not Faverolle!)

 They are a medium sized dual purpose breed, which means they lay and are good to eat. I have to say I have not eaten one of my chickens though. As a wise chicken friend told me 'you eat your own eggs and other people's chickens!'

I have the popular salmon coloured birds, which are a lovely creamy colour ranging though to a dark almost terracotta tone. Our rooster is the typical colour of dark wings and light hackles. What really sets Faverolles apart from the flock are their wonderful fluffy faces, with beards and muffs. Oh and their fluffy.

I have so far not had the most luck with my Faverolles but I am hoping this is changing! The below pair sadly passed away. I believe the young rooster was taken by a hawk and the little pullet was overcome by lost off her friend (they were the only two to hatch). They are sexlinked chicks which means that chicks show if they are male or female very early on. Roosters having black wings and pullets being a salmon sandy colour. feet! You can see from the above chicks face they are fluffy from hatch!

I now have eight breeding hens and a rooster and they are the first breed I am going to pen in spring fr breeding. I look forward to updates of baby chicks! I love them, and going out in the mornings to hear the Faverolles ladies chatting away makes my day!