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It was a challenging Christmas shopping season. Managed to get through it in a reasonable fashion.
The past two years, in particular, were tough for me........because of health issues. Hopefully this new year will be much better.
I have met some very challenging requests for shells. I had a HUGE order for a convention........all of it was display boxes with lots of US flags and Maryland flags. Somehow I managed to get it all done in time......I had very short notice. There has been some requests for very challenging artwork on the shells. I was able to meet those challenges and then some.
So here we are at the end of the year........reflecting.
I have plans for the new year. Different designs on the shells........new ideas......and I intend to make some even more unique than what has already been done. For those that have started a collection, this should be good news for you. For any of my competitors out there, you might want to step up your game......hehehe.
To be fair and honest about it, I have seen some pretty darn good painted shells on the internet.......nice. Then again, I have seen some downright sad attempts at painting crab shells..........hey, I am positive that I have painted some shells that, after looking back on them, I am not very proud of. As time goes on, one gets better at what they do........hopefully.
I haven't been posting much here on the blog. I will try to be better about that. These days the majority of communication is via Facebook. Be sure to look for me on Facebook. Search for "hand painted crab shells" and you will find me.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and here's to wishing and hoping we all have a freat and prosperous New Year!
The thought occurred to me to think outside of the box.
In other words, utilize the crab shell as the head of a character.
This doesn't work with many characters..........however.......there are a few that work rather well.
How about a cartoon raven?
Angry crab?
Why not Garfield?
I've never understood the fascination some folks have regarding flip-flops. People want flip-flop earrings, necklaces........t-shirts......hats........piercings.........you name it. I decided to put flip-flops on a crab shell.
One customer requested a shell with the logo of a fire department somewhere in South Carolina.
Another request for Anne Arundel County Police Dept.
The same flip-flop shell as shown before.........except this photo shows the finished product.
Hippies and Deadheads love crabs too.
One customer asked if I had a shell with the GMC logo on it. He said you never see anything with the GMC logo.........its always Ford, Chevy, or Dodge. Ask......and ye shall receive.
And last, but surely not least...........ELMO!
For more photos of my work, check the archives for posts about crab shells.
To see a wide assortment of painted crab shells..........uh......the largest selection of painted crab shells anywhere.......come on down to the Northpoint Plaza Flea Market in Dundalk, MD. Saturdays from 7am until 3pm. Sundays from 7am until 4pm.
You can watch me work on some shells, ask me all sorts of questions, and maybe start shopping for Christmas.
Stay Tuned!
I really wished I could have spent more time in the Riviera Maya. Although this was a brief trip for us this time, the time spent on the beach and in the water was therapeutic. I really needed it. Each day was as perfect as it could be and the beauty of this place has a place in my heart.............and we try to come back each year. I didn't think of crab shells, flea markets, or any of the things that consume my days at home. Nice!
Oh.......but good things must come to an end, for the time being, and there is much work to do. Since my return home, I have been busy filling custom orders and trying to get ahead of the game in preparation for the onslaught of Christmas shoppers. Everybody wants an egg from the golden goose............in my case, insert "crab shell".
Here are a few more pictures of my work:
And if that's not enough......here's some more:
As I have mentioned before on this blog, I set up at Northpoint Plaza Flea Market in Dundalk, MD. on Saturdays and Sundays. On Mondays you can find me at Hunter's Sale Barn near Rising Sun in Cecil County, MD. If you live in the area, stop on by and say hello!
I am usually busy painting away on a dozen of so crab shells, which you can watch me paint if you care to do so............... but if you have children with you, be sure to read the riot act to them or at least duct tape their hands together.......hehehe.......this stuff is fragile and nobody likes paying for a broken crab shell. :)
There's more to come................meanwhile, as I paint the crab shells, I'll be thinking about the days I spent on vacation...........and I will still have to say that I am the luckiest man on the planet.............
.......indeed I am.
I recently attended an Aberdeen Ironbirds game...........and yes......I sat there eating steamed crabs!
Me and Supernurse and a contingency of the Emergency Nurses Association.........and uh.......Mr Boh, of course. It was a great evening..........capped off with a fabulous display of fireworks. Cal Ripken built quite a complex and I recommend that you at least take one day and take in a game. You will not be disappointed.
All work and no play is never a good thing. As it happens though, I seem to get busier and busier with painting crab shells and it is a challenge to squeeze in some time away from that. The good news is that I have two trips coming up in October......one to Texas and one to the Riviera Maya.........and then back to Baltimore for the mayhem that is the Christmas shopping season.
Today, I figured I would post some photos of some of the custom orders that I made for people. Special requests sometimes are challenging........but I actually enjoy the challenge. As usual, the customers were very happy with the end results.
Many people like to have a shell personalized.
This one was to be a gift for the owners of a cafe in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
This one is self explanatory.
And there's more..............
This one was challenging. A drummer for the prog-rock band Sonus Umbra asked if I could somehow do the cover of their album on a crab shell...........arrrrggghhhh..........I had to really think this one out.........but after scratching my head for a few hours, I managed to git 'r done.
Sometimes the requests are for display cases with shells. This six shell and two mallet custom box was put together in honor of the career of Zach Clark, pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. Each shell had each farm team logo and the dates Clark was with them. The center shell included his photo and date that he played his first game in the Majors as a big league Oriole reliever.
Another request was for a woman who is crazy about the Orioles center fielder Adam Jones.
That's it for now..........I have shells to paint.
Until next time..............by the way, if you want to see more photos, simply search the archives, there's tons of pictures.
Yeah..........I know.........it has been a while since my last entry here on the ole blogosphere. Needless to say, putting stuff on the blog has not been a priority of mine. I suppose I will have to get around to making a more concerted effort at keeping pace here. I have been busy and time...... as time goes by........goes by quickly..........sometimes too quick.......the days blur together.......no real
differentiation of days. Lately, I seem to get into a funk easily......perhaps I am burning out......tired.
Having said all of that, I certainly have not given up the ship yet.....there is a long way to go hopefully. Many things have changed in my world recently.......things that occur that shut you down mentally and spiritually. Sometimes it is hard to focus and some of those things that you ordinarily think have importance and relevance in your world .....become just trivial and pointless.........at least in those moments.....ugh......even days or weeks where reality enters your world. Pretty deep eh?
My guess is that I do not need to elaborate on the above commentary........you can imagine and you will be correct at least on half of whatever you might be thinking I meant. Time marches on......precious as it is......and I need more time. There is never enough time. There are things to do.......lots of things.....and it requires time. Nobody ever told me about the frustration I would eventually have over time. Hah.....even that frustrates me.
There is much going on in the world around us and for the most part those things need our attention. It is also very frustrating knowing that your attention to such things may well never make any difference. We have to try. Nothing ventured...nothing gained.....right?
For the past several weeks, I have been hearing "You haven't updated your blog in a long time."
For the record. it has not been because there was nothing to say or share with everyone or anyone..
For the folks who come visit to look at the pictures of crab shells........all of the pictures are still here. You can just check all of the posts that pertain to crab shells. I promise to put up some photos of some of my recent work very soon........once again..........its a "time" issue.
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Crabmas Everyone!
Let me fill you in about some things..........uh..........those crabby things............
Lots of people visited the "crabby Santa" to purchase some painted crab shells for their Crabmas trees and to give as gifts. I cannot even describe how exhausted I am. Needless to say, as tiring as it was, I enjoyed painting the shells for people. I had more custom orders this year and most folks did not wait until the last minute to request stuff. Oh there were a few though.......and I did my darndest to get the work done for them. To know that one's work and efforts are appreciated is very gratifying, The people who come and look at the shells always have great things to say about my work...........well........of course there are those few who, for some reason, have the word "stencil" embedded in their brains. And no.....I do not use any "stencils". Anywho.......the shells make perfect gifts and most of the shells are one of a kind and not done anywhere else on the planet as far as I know. So if you didn't come down to the Plaza Flea Market in Dundalk, MD., or find your way to Hunter's Sale Barn out in Cecil County, MD........you are gonna have to plan ahead for next year so you can decorate your crabmas tree.
Here are a few of the special crab shells that sold for Christmas.......er uh.......Crabmas!
Oh, and I forgot to mention my right-hand man..........crabby Santa's super-elf........my eldest son.........he helps me do what I do.......he makes just about all of this possible........and yes, he sometimes paints them too.
Little brushes......little paint.......a little talent......and lots of happiness:)
At this point I am taking a small break.......uh.........oh well.........a day or two.......from painting shells. Beginning Friday I am at it again.........did I mention that these shells are not just for Christmas?.......that's right..........year 'round baby! Hang them everywhere........well........just about anywhere.
Until next time.......stay tuned........I put up some more pictures soon.
Merry Christmas Everybody and God Bless !
