Sleeping Dogs Studio

I can remember back when the blog started, and I showed you what I thought was a HUGE order of 25 boxes stacked on top of one of our flat files waiting to go out.  It looked something like this:

And I think I even titled it “Full Production Mode”, or “Boxes Everywhere!”, or something like that!

Ha!

I took some additional photos this a.m. that put the above to shame…

Apologies for the color, as there’s no daylight in this room…but the ping-pong table is currently covered with the following items in various stages of construction:

* 45 frames, 37 boxes, & 12 earring holders

While the above is being finished to go out to stores, there is also one commission frame waiting to be delivered; and 2 more packages to go out with give-aways in them.

Thus, when my son cheerfully asks, “Wanna play a game of ping-pong?”, I guiltily have to tell him that it’s not really an option at the moment – and perhaps not for the foreseeable future.  There goes that Olympic dream of his….not. 

I am pleased to introduce you to an accomplished jeweler this week.  Her name is Alice Batonyi, and I am happy to say that I purchased one of her necklaces myself, as I just couldn’t resist!

The give-away that she has provided is a pair of french wire pierced earrings which you can see below:

These lovely earrings are a perfect complement to just about every outfit you can imagine.  They are approximately 1/2″ long, so not overpowering, and are a lovely amber and brown color.

Alice also has many other beautiful pieces similar to the necklace below that you can find at her Etsy store, www.gemstonewonders.etsy.com.  They have a wonderful bohemian feel that is so unusual and striking!

I will provide additional information about Alice, her work and her answers to reader questions during our Wednesday spotlight.  In the meanwhile, don’t hesitate to sign up by making a comment that states “Give-away – 6/4″ by no later than 5 p.m. ET on Friday June 4th.  Best of luck! 

And the winner of the Sleeping Dogs Studio plate is:  Leslie!  That plate will be traveling all the way to Colorado, folks!  I’m sure it will enjoy its new home in that beautiful location.

Leslie, I will ship your plate to you this coming Monday!  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Why is it that so many people use that word with a rolling of the eyes so quickly afterward? 

Well, no matter how good your teenager is, and I confess, I have been very blessed in this particular area, there are certain things they love to do to irritate you.

“Whatever…”  I swore I wasn’t going to put up with that phrase when I had kids of my own.  Ha!

Or how about the classic “What did you do at school today?”, which almost always gets the response, “Nothing.”  Really?  REALLY?!? 

Of course, if you probe you find out that in Physics Class they shot off a rocket; and in Ethnic Studies, they listened to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech; and in Calculus, they learned how to solve the Impressive Theorem (OK, I made that last one up).

My husband and I have taken to reading “Zits”, which is a daily comic strip written and illustrated by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman.  If these two don’t actually HAVE teenagers at home, I’d be shocked.  Every comic hits it out of the park…I feel like I’m seeing my life in print.

If you have a teenager of your own, particularly a boy, check it out.  You can see more of their work at:

http://www.arcamax.com/zits

One of our best-selling groups of cards are those with animals featured on them – which makes sense when you think that they’re made by Sleeping Dogs Studio!

Of particular interest to customers seems to be a new line that we call “Quotables”…because they feature not only a dog, cat, horse, etc…but also a quote associated with the particular scene shown on the card.

I decided to share some of my absolute favorite animal quotes that I’ve collected for this effort – of course, I like the funny ones best!  Here’s a few to get you chuckling:

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“Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you?  But when you take him out in a car, he sticks his head out the window.”

~ Steve Bluestone

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“You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you’re RIGHT! I NEVER would’ve thought of that!’”

~ Dave Barry

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“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”

~ John Steinbeck

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“The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a mouse or an axe murderer.”

~ Paula Poundstone

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“Many years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.”

~ Unknown

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“When my cats aren’t happy, I’m not happy.  Not because I care about their mood, but because I know they’re just sitting there, thinking up ways to get even.”

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

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And since you’re getting funny animal quotes, how about this ADORABLE and hilarious cat video my Dad sent me?  Click below to see more…

http://imgur.com/gallery/rhAjR

I can watch it again and again, and laugh every time.  I’m simple that way.

This week’s give-away is one I literally had to unpack from paper and bubble wrap to bring to you, and while never used, it has been in our “Smithsonian” equivalent of storage for about a year, waiting for just the right occasion to break it out!

Some of you know that we began our business making greeting cards and decoupaged plates and bowls. 

"Sherbet" - Commission Plate

Over the years, the latter has dropped out of our inventory to make way for new products, like boxes, frames, earring holders and constructions that have been past give-aways.

As a result, we only rarely make plates or bowls or platters anymore – and then typically only on commission, or for special occasions like the holiday season.

"Holly Bird" - Holiday Platter

But we’re breaking with tradition this week to give you, our readers, a chance to win a plate called “Clematis”, because of its spring greens and purples reminiscent of the lovely climbing vine.

"Clematis" - This Week's Give-Away

The plate is approximately 8″ wide – about the size of a typical dinner plate.  It is perfect for display, or as a cookie plate, etc.  It CANNOT be submerged in water or put in the dishwasher (to clean simply wipe with a damp cloth on the front), so it’s NOT a good spaghetti serving platter!

Like all of our plates, it is a one-of-a-kind design…and becoming a downright collector’s item as we make fewer and fewer of them!

To win, simply respond in the comments with the words “Give-away – 5/28″ prior to 5 p.m. ET this coming Friday…after that time, a winner will be picked at random.  Best of luck!