Cool Blue Studio

Kathman-Worthy

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:31:00 +0000

NICE!

Look at that mold!

Man, it's almost perfect. Perfect like the molds Lesli makes when she is churnin and workin the plaster. Proud. Man, was I proud when that puppy came out from the Legos. I couldn't believe that after 2 years of struggling with moldmaking (and having success with the INSIDE of the molds) that I FINALLY...FINALLY....F I N A L L Y....made a somewhat decent looking mold. Man, it's something I could actually store gracefully and neatly in the storage room. Its somehting to write home about (and I did!) and I'd even go as far as saying.....yes, its Kathman-worthy. I pulled out my perfect and beautiful Kathman stock horse mold and let it sit next to it. It sat proud. I made a nice mold. My teacher, Lesli, would be proud. If it werent for Lesli taking the time to explain a few simple things to me about plaster and mold making a few years ago I would still be floundering about the pavement.

Oooo-kay

Of course, there is also Joanie B's words floatin around up in my brain. Wow, how they are whippin about today. "It doesn't matter what it looks on the outside....its what comes out of it that counts." And, as you can see, there aint NOTHIN coming out of this pretty, perfect pristine mold!

Nothin!
Back to the drawing board.

What's up

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:05:00 +0000

Peasant Stomper in silver bay

Hello!

Well, this week came and went fast. I've been trying to get online and get bloggin' for days now and it just hasn't happened. Every time I tried I was interrupted. Also being without my little pocket camera has made capturing images rather difficult, which, in the end puts my desire to update the blog at an all time low. I really need to get a new battery for that camera. Jump starting the dead battery with a 9-volt didn't give it enough juice to make it work properly.

China painted porcelain egg

As you can see things have been movin' and groovin' in the studio. From commissions to painted porcelain pieces I've been rather busy. I guess not being online is a good thing in retrospect. Anyhoo, the Peasant Stomper was a commission. I ruined one side of his magnetic base and decided to create a nice wooden one for the owner. I just felt badly that I ruined the original base. I rather like the way he looks on his new ground.

I've also been working hard on china painting. I began experimenting with my little kiln "Spanky" (the Quickfire from Paragon) and I LOVE the results I'm getting when I china paint small things. I can fire up in 15 minutes and the colors stay. The blending is smooth and nothing comes out with a matte look. It's all shiny like it suppose to be. From these kiln tests I was also able to begin testing some new painting techniques that feel more at ease with my illustration style. I honed in on a water color look and feel this works very well for florals and organics. I just love how this teapot is coming along. My idea transferred perfectly from sketch to porcelain. From here on out I'll be doing more sketching before I approach a larger piece of porcelain. Having that guide was totally beneficial. I know better than not to use a sketch but some days it's just easier to skip this step. Lesson learned.

Sketch for porcelain painting

Painting on porcelain teapot for one

The Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:18:00 +0000

China painted Harvest piece
Currently for sale: $65ppd

The harvest....

Can it really be upon us already? Can Thanksgiving and the whole holiday hullaballo really be right around the corner already? It was just January wasn't it? A good friend asked what goals I had accomplished for 2009 and what I was thinking to accomplish in 2010. The question made me stop and think. Then I said aloud, "IS IT REALLY ALMOST 2010 ALREADY!!!!"

My art and mind has been pulled in many directions this year. At times I had difficulty keeping up, but I believe that every success and every failure taught me very good lessons. From Raku firing to building a pit kiln (which I never did use) to sculpting just a little bit better to china painting a ton of things to watching my son grown just a little more into his own little person, its been an incredible year of mostly good things.

In this last month I'll be focusing on lingering commissions. I'll be creating new china painted pieces for some wonderful repeat clients and hopefully watching Lil Pumpkin become a resin reality. I'll also be participating in my church's Christmas Fair again this year. I'm all paid up and trying like MAD to get a 8 foot table filled with pottery and beautiful raku things people will want to purchase. Again, all good things. Although it's so hectic it's all good. The end of 2009 watch out...I'm flyin down the hill top sPeED!!!

Recovery....Slow

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Morgan Mare in buckskin

Recovery from the horse show has been slow and dare I say, difficult. I feel like ever since I came back from PA my feet, hands and head have been stuck in mud....and not the "turnin on a wheel kind" of mud either. LOL

This week I made a serious effort to settle down into my studio and work hard on tidying up any loose ends and prepare for my church Christmas Fair. There were several distractions including meetings at church, phone calls and a disaster of a house to clean. Oh, and the worst distraction of all.....finding the chicken coop missing yet another chicken and feathers everywhere. Not difficult to put two and two together and come up with an answer on that one.

Needless to say, I went into a real funk over loosing a chicken to (most likely) a stray, mangy cat. Yes, I said mangy. I like little cute beady eyed critters and I love wild birds so naturally my affections for cats are (sorry cat folk) very small since they like to gnaw on cute beady eyed critters and birds. I grew up with cats and that was fine, but they were always breaking things. Our cat Cricket loved to break porcelain. Every chance she got she would break it. We decided to hide all of it after she broke a 100 year old basin.

"Chicken"

Despite the sad setback I still have four lovely hens who have all grown very fond of me and affectionately sit on my lap anytime I go into the garden when they are free ranging. They have grown used to our Collie being out. She patrols the yard and is getting fat with all the treats I have been giving her for her good work. I never thought I'd gather such joy from a chicken, but alas they have inspired me in new and exciting ways and have brought such a sense of calm and peace to my daily life. I have become very protective of them and hope to sculpt something "hen-like" in the new year. That is, after I have completed all the lingering 2009 projects.

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:33:00 +0000

Our Jacko-lantern...spooky!

Happy Halloween everyone!
I hope you had a fun filled day. We celebrated the holiday in full festive style with pumpkin carvin' in the morning, treat prep in the early afternoon and dressing up for our walk around Brooklyn in the afternoon to gather good memories and candies. I stayed fairly low key dress wise, but did have a weird lookin tiara on, and I painted my hair grey and pulled out my rattie Cinderella to enjoy the festivities. She stayed around my neck and shoulders and hung out. Oddly enough, no one even saw Rella. Odd. Overall, a great day that ended with homemade clam chowder and a really good bottle of port.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Where To Start?

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Wins from the Pocono Ponies Live show

Hmm...

I'm not sure where to start. I think my head is still in a fog over the great time I had at home visiting my parents and attending the Pocono Ponies Live show this past Saturday. There is so much going on studio wise here that I think if I stop to process it all my head will explode. I really don't know how I'm going to get ready for the December Christmas Fair or even if my mind wants to wrap itself around this concept now two days before Halloween, but alas, next week my hands will be deep in the mud making useful items like mugs and creamer sets for Christmas. I guess the best place to start is to just run down all that I am working on so you can get an idea of what is coming down the pike.

Kiln loaded and ready for firin'

1). Little mice on more porcelain boxes.
Yep, at this very moment I have quite a few offerings cooking (hopefully for the last time) in the kiln. Little mice (and one lonely bunny) either dressed for Halloween or waiting the harvest is in there cookin. There is even a miniature pitcher and basin in this bunch. I was hoping to unveil everything yesterday, but I'm thinking a weekend sale will be more realistic.

2). The new Christmas ornament for 2009 has been cast and the plaster mold is currently in the warm, dry boiler room drying out. I'll begin pouring molds in about a week and a half. I "may" have a handful of resin copies for sale. I'll definitely be giving one away. Not sure where I'll do that though. On my twitter page....or on my blog. Hmmm....

"Lil' Pumpkin"
my newest original sculpture

3). Ahhh....Lil Pumpkin my pudgy little backyard pony is now fully complete. She came with me to the show and I had alot of fun showing her off. She will remain a very limited run in resin and she will also be offered in china. I have been enjoying her finish this week because soon her little self will be encased in silicone so a copy can be obtained and that copy can be sent to the caster. I will, as I have in the past, use Mountain View Studios. They do a beautiful job casting. Im excited to have a few copies to try out a ton of colors! I can taste a appy Pumpkin!

4). The Hedgie family was also encased in silicone this week and a successful mold was made. I am currently creating the plaster mold for this family. They will be a china only production. Im not sure if I'll make them realistic or if I will paint them up in fun colors like lavender and pink. What's your view? Realistic hedgehogs or something fun?

5). Other sculpts in the works are: "Chilly" the little mouse with a scarf, "The Sleepy Little Puppy" who will come complete with a ball. Each puppy will be a OOAK, "Big Pillow" is a mouse on a big pillow. Each will be a OOAK and lastly Leela and Ophelia are well on their way to finish.

Good gracious there is more but diner calls and homework is in need of completion. Homework for my son that is. He actually likes doing it now so bonus for me the mom.

Keep a watch on my twitter page for news flashes and if you haven't joined my ceramic news group please head on over and join. Any china production will be announced here: Danza Ceramics News Group

Here But Swamped

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Goulashes and Umbrellas

Swamped...

That about sums up what is happening here both studio-wise and personally for me. I came home from the Pocono Ponies Live show (which was fantastic) to a very dirty and completely unorganized house. I practically ignored all my house duties while trying to get ready for this show and those chores have become monsters this week.

So...this week I've dedicated myself to getting the house in order. If the house is out of sorts, so is my work. I'll have a full update about the show with photos AND will have LIl' Pumpkin's final studio shots and all the new studio developments very soon.

Well...

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Hot Shot ready for the show!

...I'm off to the show!

I hope to have a great time, meet some new people, maybe win a ribbon or two, and finally meet some old friends in person! I can't wait! I am truly looking forward to it! If you are at the show (Pocono Ponies) please do not be shy! Come on over and chat! I'll be workin on a Boreas and will have much time to waste before the AR/CM divisions. I just don't have the head to really do performance. Although....I did throw in a few tack items just incase I got brave. LOL

See you soon with lots of photos!

Hot Shot another angle

Best Parts....

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:16:00 +0000

...of going home to PA is seeing my parents and of course, seeing my baby brother:

Isn't he awesome? I can't wait to see him again, see the new tricks he's learned and show him what I've created. Being with my baby brother is always so inspiring! I can't wait.

Busy Gettin Ready

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Breyer CM getting some
layers of paint

The weekend was busy.

Between a JAH deadline and getting my critters ready for a show, I've been mad busy. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get all the pieces ready that I want to for the show. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing since I just found out we are only receiving half a table. I'll try my best to finish stuff and fit it all onto half a table. I know I definitely want Stormwatch finished and I've decided that my china Pixie should come out and play. This show is giving me incentive to finish both. They have sat unfinished for a while.

So, if you are going to Pocono Ponies Live I'll be there. I'll have a few raku pieces for sale too. A little of this and a little of that. If I can I'll bring bodies for sale. They'll be cheap.

Lil Pumpkin!

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:50:00 +0000

LIl Pumpkin sculpture

Finally...a finish.

I'll tweak her one side a bit more in the chest, but overall I'm rather pleased this long project has come to a close. I released Opus about three years ago and this piece was started during Opus' production. I've made lots of changes over the years to her and am primarily interested in getting her into a ceramic version cause that is where my heart is pulling me. It will be fun to paint a few up in resin though. But, just a few. ;)

Full information on her will be made available to my NEWS group. If you aren't a member, be sure to join!

Top of Lil Pumpkin

Pony sculpture from the right

Will work with many colors

Lies

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Lies...the bigger the better.

The song is really on my mind today but I'll try and post photos of the finished "Lil Pumpkin" sculpture in the afternoon. For now....Thomspson Twins...

Lies....lies...lies get out....they're gonna get-chu!

Horse & Harvest

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

The horse....

Breyer Remake front

Breyer Remake from the side

...and the harvest is on my mind today.

More Harvest pieces

YEAH!!! I Can Upload!

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Yeah!!!

I'm able to upload photos. I wanted to show you how the little mouse "Chilly" is coming along. I also couldn't resist sharing the photo of my son running to me at the vineyard with a handful of freshly picked flowers. :)

Just a glob of clay
I see a mouse in there...

He's slowly forming...

He gets some form and
a scarf and hat

I've gone too far.
I'll have to rethink everything

More to come...

Flowers for mom

Arr.... >:/

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Well, ARRR....Images won't load today. I have a bit to share with you but can't. Not sure if this is a Blogger problem or a computer problem on my end, but I've been trying all morning to show you how the little mouse sculpture is coming out, (his name is "Chilly") and I can't. Very frustrating!

Goodbye Madeline

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Today: another funeral.

All day this scene from Harold & Maude played in my head. That happy little umbrella bouncing about amongst the blackness was on my mind as we laid our roses near the purple casket this afternoon. Our friend (and sister in law's mom) Madeline is in a much happier place now. My faith tells me that there is more, but even if there isn't, nothingness is better than what she was enduring for the last year. So she IS in a happier place.

Her family was there to say their final goodbyes as was her health care aid she had toward the final months. Ms. Marie was torn up. I'm not sure how that woman could do her job. Taking care of every need and making friends in the process of that care then loosing her friendships to illnesses. Her heart was breaking today because she and Madeline bonded. Ms. Marie said her final tearful goodbyes then turned and announced, "I'll see you soon mama! I'll see you soon!" It was done with the happiest of voices. It was such a powerful reminder not to dwell on the negative, but look to the happy little umbrella bouncing amongst the darkness.

Goodbye Madeline...

Blogger's Block

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Bringin' out the harvest on porcelain

Perhaps it's the mice, the joy of using lots of orange paint on everything "harvest" themed or just the full moon itself, but I'm fairly sure I have blogger's block. I just can't seem to write anything quick and smart to accompany my pictures. I've been groaning at the thought of hoppin on the blog or reading other blogs. It's just not like me....at ALL! I love bloggin and reading blogs. I guess all that moving and groovin' and workin' away is just getting in the way. I just don't want to stop.

That isn't a bad thing, is it? Bad to wake up anxious to work? Bad to hate having to go to bed cause you have to sop working? Anywhoo....some goodies coming for the harvest pictured above with more on the way. Much more.

The Culprit

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Needs a jump

There it is....the culprit in the radio silence as of late.

My Exilim battery won't recharge and after doing some research I've found out that if I jump start it with a 9V battery I might be back in action. For now, I'm trying my best to work with my cumbersome Olympus. Seeing that I have been totally entrenched in sculpting this week I've decided to put off any fancy mechanic work till the weekend. My head may be clear then. Maybe not.

Christmas 2009 ornament

New ornament in progress

Took a ride to Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday and was totally inspired by the Christmas decorations and ornaments. My mind was working overtime with ideas and I sat down late in the afternoon to flesh out a few designs for this coming holiday season. The little pony with halter had been in the works for a long while, but it wasn't till yesterday that I could see him finished and hanging on the Christmas tree. I begin molding (hopefully) tonight. I was so excited about the new 09 ornament design that I started in on another head almost immediately. It's not quiet there yet. The muzzle is giving me trouble, but with a fresh eye later today I'm sure I'll tack it down.

There is a ton of china painting going on for the fall harvest too. But again, with my small Exilim camera I can just keep pulling it out of my pocket and snapping away. That little camera is just perfect for every lighting situation and you just point and shoot. Perfect for a blog. The Olympus, however is production. Every step is filled with hassles and I really don't feel like moving the china and risking breakage or boo boos in drawings just for a good, clear shot with this Olympus. I mean, even downloading takes longer with the Olympus and is a pain. So, I may have to wait on showing harvest items till the weekend.

One good thing about the Olympus though, it takes fairly nice video and I will promise to get more shots of the new chicks. They have actually grown and are trying out their wings. They seem to line up and take turns flying. Its the most adorable thing I have ever seen. No wait...I saw something else pretty incredible and cute. The chicks pouncing on a moth that found its unfortunate way into the coop. Wow, the little girl who snagged that tasty treat was followed for a few minutes by five yelling chickies all wanting a taste! It was really wild in a barbaric sorta way. Bugs....beware! Your time has come in our yard!

Muahaha!

October 1st

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Peasant Stomper in progress

The first of Oct....

It's a cold, windy first of the month. The heat actually came on in the house and that smell of the warm air steamin' up through the radiators brought back memories of coming home from school in the fall. Something about that smell that just makes me want to hunker down with a nice pot of tea and draw.

Today I let myself just fall into that mode and drew...mice, of course. What else would be scampering about in my brain? Some peeping chicks perhaps, but I haven't actually taken my sketchbook out to the hen house to draw them. I certainly should because they will be grown before I know it. Until then, I'm letting the mice scamper about as they please. They are getting ready for the harvest.

They're back!

Cheeping Box

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Awww....so sweet!

The workers in our local post office never smile. They can be down right mean if they want to be, especially if your box isn't prepped properly and they aren't feelin' in the mood to deal with it or you. You know you're in the city then. Today however, I got the pleasure of watching every single one of those attendants smiling with joy as my peeping little box was carried from the back of the station to the front window. My attendant had the biggest smile on his face as the box cheeped and peeped away with my new babies inside.

We now have pet chickens. Adorable. Sweet. Cheeping away happily at life pets. Nothing like a wonderful pet (or houseful of them) to make your day and keep you happy and healthy!

Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!

Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!

Hmmm....is it wrong that I am topping off a great day with yummy Cornish Game hens for dinner? LOL

They Played It!!!

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:38:00 +0000

AMAZING SOUND!

YES! They played it!

They played my most favorite song AND a few other favorite oldies at the Giant Stadium concert. The concert, in a nutshell, was......AMAZING! I was in my glory and I have been reliving the concert through other people's vids cause my phone just didn't capture anything well. Perhaps I was just too excited and was shaking too much. The person who took this vid though had such a great view!!! Our seats weren't as great as I had hoped. Note to self....row 41 at Giant's Stadium on the 1st tier...SUCKS!!!

But never fear....when with cuz Angela you make do and MOVE! We hopped down a bit and was able to see the video screen and that really saved me from going insane. Gotta see what's going on! The tailgate party was really rockin too with yummy finger pickin' food from cousin Stevie's restaurant. What a night! Good memories and I'm fully inspired.

Cousin's Tom, Livia, Stevie and me

Another Reshoot

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Another re-re shoot on the JAH cover. I'm spent and frankly numb. My mind won't stay focused. I'm honestly allowing it to flow into thoughts of Bono and the boys. Tomorrow is the big U2 concert. I've been dying to see them since I was a kid. My favorite albums? October and The Unforgetable Fire, of course. My favorite U2 song of all time? This one. I hope they play it.

UnForgetable Fire
YouTube won't let me embed the vid. :(

Thinking Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Photo table

Christmas...

It's hard to think about THAT holiday again, especially when last year's was an abomination, but alas this week I've had Christmas things on the brain. Not by choice, cause I'm still weeping about the pool being closed this weekend and holidays are the LAST thing on my mind, but Im thinkin' Christmas because of the need to complete a JAH cover.

This year's Holiday Horse is a pretty take on the Nutcracker Suite and I've been asked by Breyer to shoot something rather festive. I am so thankful for good friends because if it weren't for my good friend Vanessa the reshoot on this project would have been...well...just torture without a small Christmas tree she was able to procure for me. It was the one request from my editor that I didnt have and I was besides myself on Thursday.

It turns out that that little tree not only saved the photo, but it opened up new doors of ideas for me for future shots with trees in the background. It seems to work nicely in the backgrounds without any decorations. Good ideas flowin and a cover done before the middle of a beautiful Saturday is my kind of perfect day!

TGIF!

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Extreme SM Remake

TGIF!

Really! I'm thankful it's finally Friday. The week was a hectic one with a new school schedule that has been difficult for me to get used to. The weather has gotten brisk and I'm feeling rather under the weather.

I'm missing summer. I really am. I'm not sure if I'm missing the pool, the fun, the constant flow of family to the water or the endless hours soaking in the warmth of the sun. Not sure, but I can tell you I've been cold since the weather changed and I can't wait to complete all my chores and deadlines today so I can sit in my sauna. I have it all ready. I just need to complete a few things. The moment I get in there I'm going to sigh a sigh of relief and say, "TGIF!"

Here's to a great weekend!

"Commission Me" Imp For Sale
Interested? Need details? Contact me: studiodanza@optonline.net

Weekend Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (~Jenn Danza~) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:10:00 +0000

"Bacchus" my new stallion

Did I mention that the summer partying was over? Hmm...well, I think I spoke to soon a few blog posts back. This past weekend we went to yet another cousin's party and boy, it was inspirational to the maximum for me. I'm not sure if it was the company, conversation, chickens or just that Jersey air, but I sure came back home to the studio with alot of ideas and the will to put them in motion like, ASAP.

First off, I finally finished my Lucas horse. The darned thing has only sat in my studio storage room for over 5 years. Probably more than that, but I've honestly lost count of the time frame. Time just seems to fly here and the more work I take on the less my own personal stuff sees completion. With "Bacchus" I started adding color to him and found myself getting picker and picker as the project wore on. This past week, after having a wonderful visit with cousins, I decided I'd stop with the picky attitude and just finish him. I'm very pleased with his color. Yep, he's a sun burnt black. As much as I love to paint appies and roans there is something so true (and difficult) about producing a good black colored horse. I wish you could see him in person. There is a strange softness to him that can't be captured on film. He's my new pet this week. I love-em.

Handmade "rose" box
Gift to my niece

Necklace made with raku beads

My other new pet project has been beads. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. Me...making ceramic beads in raku. What can I say? It's fun and no matter how odd the raku bead it sure seems to look damned good placed together on a string in the form of a bracelet or necklace. I'm currently making a ton of new beads. I'm rather excited about this pet project. It's a relaxing and quick way to get that raku "itch" satisfied when it strikes up and I don't have any ceramic pots ready for the fire.

Ahh...my other new pet project? Chickens!
I fell completely in LOVE with our cousin Jen's Rhode Island Reds over the weekend. They strutted around her yard nippin at bugs all day and were just so beautiful to watch. I won't even get into the fact that Jen's house butts up against the woods and not ONE of us got bit by a gnat or a mosquito all day or night.

I grew up thinking that chickens were dirty, smelly, hard to take care of/train and above all nasty. I mean, NASTY and none of that was true. Jen's chickens were just lovely. They loved being picked up and would stay under your arm as long as you wanted to hold them. They didn't peck or crap on any of us when held. I found my mind wandering on their form and color. The amount of color in their feathers was mind boggling to me. It was far too much information for my brain to handle at that moment. I literally had to walk away cause I was totally falling for the animal and had no idea what my husband would think should I utter the words, "I want chickens".

The ladies struttin' around the yard

I figured that once I was back home in Brooklyn I'd forget all about those chickens, but I didn't and spurted out those three little words to my husband. To my surprise he was into the idea. I guess less bugs and more eggs around the house was a super selling point. That evening I found myself eyeing up the old discarded dog coop in the back. No one has used it in over 4 years and all of a sudden it had HUGE potential to be something great. Before I knew it I was neck deep in making my own hen house out of that discarded box. Using other recycled materials from around our yard I was able to come up with something fairly competent. The physical labor has been a bit intense, and I still want to put a second layer on the coop, but the vision of chickens free rangin' in our yard has been the push and major inspiration in all that I am working on this week.

Smiling for the camera

Good start to the hen house