Rooftops of Cesky Krumlove

My travels this year took me to the Czech Republic, and to Budapest in Hungary. In between those two places I also had the added pleasure of visiting Cesky Krumlove, a castle city in the southwest corner of the Czech Republic. This city has reserved its medieval center as no other town in the region, and for that reason is was accepted into the 1992 register of UNESCO monuments of world significance. This photo was captured from the balcony of our room in the Dovark Hotel. The castle was directly across us on the banks of the Vltava River. It is also the home of Eggenberg Beer which was produced in a monastery by the monks. Right next to them was the nunnery. Legend says that there were a lot of births in the nunnery. In any event the beer was great. If you are going to be traveling in this area this is a town to visit. To see a larger image you can double click on the photo.

Ethereal Milkweed From Red Oak Hill Studio

Most of us are delighted by the appearance in the fall of the fluffy fiber and seed explosion that occurs when the green pod of the Common Milkweed Plant decides it can no longer contain itself and explodes into this wonderful ethereal mix of nature doing its work. This plant is also the breeding host of the Monarch Butterfly. I have typically eliminated any sign of the milkweed plant in my garden, but because I have been an absentee gardener the past few summers it has established a home within the boundaries of the garden. It is aggressive, so be careful not to let it take over.

I will be posting a photo a day to give you a look at what will be available at the gallery for our holiday sales. So keep checking back and remember to shop locally for the gift giving season.

New artist Joins us this fall!

We are delighted to welcome Barbara Katz to our little red barn this coming fall. Barbara is a well known clay artist living and working in northeastern Connecticut. For more information about Barbara and her work, visit her web site.

Horse Barn Hill Image ~ Red Oak Hill

This is another image of my growing collection of Horse Barn Hill images. It is one of my favorite places in the world, in beautiful Storrs at the University of Connecticut. For most of us who live in this area, and for students who attend the university, it is a place to go to for quiet and reflection. This image is matted and framed to 20 x 30. It is also available in cards.

Red Oak Hill Studio ~ New Images

This image of an Israeli quilt at the bazaar in Old Jerusalem was one of my biggest sellers at the gallery last weekend.  The colors are so vibrant.

Ah, the lovely and medicinal pomegranate was found in Hebron, Israel.

Check back in because I will be posting new images throughout the week.  All of us here want to thank you for coming into see us last weekend and making our weekend successful.  Eileen

Free Spirits Fibers

We continue our collaboration in putting Eileen's images on fabric and sending them across the country for Mary Alice to work them into decorative pillows. Here is one very popular image, The Reading Fairy, that you will find at our holiday show and sale.

New from Stringing Them Along

Karen and Lynn will have a new collection of necklaces in many lengths and interesting textures. Click on the image below to get a better view.


They'll have an array of great bracelets as well, to be worn singly or layered. They continue to search bead markets where ever they go to find unusual beads and findings to make their one of a kind pieces. I went with them to the Brimfield market this summer. They really know their way around that place and all the little improbable bead caches!

Our model and a satisfied customer.

Here are pictures of Carla modeling a new Amazon Creek Studio hand knit hat that will be available for our Holiday Sale. The first 2 photos are pictures of the hat and how it looks on her. The third photo is another Amazon hat that her grandmother purchased at our June show. Doesn't she look delighted to have such a beautiful hat?

This is America's Top Model for the baby set!

Sachets from Free Spirits Fibers

As Mary Alice stated, this is a new venture that we are starting. My part of the business is making these sachets that are filled with lovely lavender. I have enjoyed getting back to sewing, and learning about the wonderful new fabrics that are now on the market, and learning how to put them together. These items will make wonderful stocking stuffers, gifts for coworkers, teachers, etc.

Keep checking back for some of my new photography images, and additional photos of sachets.

Free Spirits Fibers

For this holiday sale, Eileen and Mary Alice have been busy creating for you. Mary Alice has been working with a variety of fibers as seen in the felt pillow and patchwork flannel scarf. She envisions the scarves becoming like flannel shirts - soft, familiar and well worn.

Eileen has been creating lovely lavender sachets to add a delightful scent to your drawers and closets. She has also sent on some of her photo images printed on fabric (including the very popular Reading Fairy) to Mary Alice so she can "frame" them with fabric, and turn them into decorative items for your home or for gifts.

Please visit the Gallery over one of the three weekends we're open and see what delights are in store for you!

Meet our new guest artist

We are delighted to have Essex woodworker, chef, and caterer David Courant join us with his beautiful wooden kitchen tools.






One extraordinary thing about David's work is how it celebrates the individual beauty in each piece of wood, mostly rescued or recycled from kitchen remodeling projects.

David will be offering a great range of products, from handmade chopsticks and mustard spoons to a beautifully packaged keepsake wedding cake knife. To view more of his work, visit his web site, Cuisine Courant.



Keep visiting us to find out more news about events, artists, and products. We'll be posting regularly now that the sale season is upon us!

Countdown to gallery opening, Saturday, November 28. 41 days!!

Find us at Land of Local Treasures!

We are delighted to have our handcrafted creations at Land of Local Treasures in Storrs. Now you don't have to wait until our holiday or spring sale to pick up a gift item or a purchase for yourself.

Land of Local Treasures is located at 1029 Storrs Rd, Rte 195, one mile south of UConn. They are a boutique/consignment shop, where you'll find local artists, antiques, vintage goods and more. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Stop by and shop locally!