Nature of Ice Exhibition

We've been hard at work organizing a new art exhibit all about the beauty of ice in nature. Should you be a Twin Cities resident (or live near or want to travel far!), please join us! Thurs Nov 4 is the artist's reception and the exhibit then runs Nov 5-7. Learn more at natureofice.com.

Also, Wintercraft is now on Facebook! If you are a Facebook user, please "like" us!

More to come... we are extremely busy these days - lots of Wintercraft Globe Ice Lantern kits being shipped out to stores around the country. Also, our new website is just days away..

WINTERCRAFT.COM

Yes, we'll be "rebranding" ourselves on the web as well!

Watch for our new website - it's still about 2 months out, but we're currently working hard to make it easy to use and filled with good information. Once we're ready, we'll make it "live"!

Please note that the old owners of wintercraft.com have moved their content to wintercraftsforkids.com. Their site is filled with wonderful family ideas for exploring the world of wintercrafting. We are excited to add to their options of wintertime activities with our Wintercraft Globe Ice Lantern kits.

And speaking of exciting new "news" - we're thrilled to introduce our new Wintercraft member, Sara Johnson. Sara is likely to answer the phone if you call - the office has never been filled with so much positive energy. And if you're in the Twin Cities, you may just meet Sara at one of the many demonstrations we'll be doing this winter. In the meantime, make sure to stop by and say hello at our upcoming "Ice" Art Exhibit: Nature of Ice. Information is at natureofice.com.

New Brand for Globe Ice Lanterns!

The latest news for our fledgling company is that we have decided to create an overarching brand name that will encompass all things icy that come out of our studio. The new name is "WINTERCRAFT" - an old style name that does justice to this ancient art form. But, we have modernized and simplified the concept with a few tweaks: nice, thick ice lantern balloons so you can make them REALLY big if you like; freezing bases to help shape, protect and store the globe ice lantern; handy little clips that make life wonderful again because you don't have to worry about tying those really thick balloons; and finally the concept of bringing them inside to enjoy all night long. All these ideas are explained on the instruction card found in the kit!

This beautiful accompanying photo of one of my globe ice lanterns was taken by Natasha D'Schommer at the 2010 Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles . www.natashadschommer.com

Thanks Natasha!

P.S. Keep in mind: Art-aWhirl is an art ADVENTURE. May 14-16, 2010. Check it out!
www.northrupkingbuilding.com

Spontaneous Relighting

We know it will not be the same... but.. many have asked for a relighting so tonight at dusk, Sat., Feb 13, we will relight was is left of the Luminary Loppet Enchanted Forest. Please come and bring a friend!

Luminary Loppet 2010: A Night to Remember

The City of Lakes Luminary Loppet was last night and it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! Everything went right. The weather, the location of my creations within The Enchanted Forest, the ice, the people, the wonderful comments of appreciation for my efforts, the hugs of gratitude from strangers--everything! To put it simply, I was enthralled by the magic of the night. Also, an extra thanks to new friends whom just happened upon me as I was working throughout the week and pitched in a helping hand.

So here I am at 5:30 in the am perusing the web looking for more lasting images of my art. Art that will eventually disappear as winter wanes.

The photos that you see are just a few of the many, many spectacular photos taken by my friend, Martha Archer - thanks Martha!

I welcome any other photos that captured the spirit of this wonderful community evening - an evening to which it feels very special to have made a contribution.

Oh, and for those that asked, I believe there are still some of my kits at Patina's Shoppe Local (612.827.3071) next to the Malt Shop on 50th & Bryant in South Minneapolis. There may also still be some at Guild, a fabulous gift collective of local artists in St Louis Park on Excelsior Blvd near Trader Joe's (call first to make sure - 952.378.1815).

Lots of News

It has been a crazy time around here as we head into the winter festival season. I was just up in Duluth where I was on "Good Morning Northland" doing a Martha Stewart thing about making ice lanterns and promoting the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon. It was surprisingly fun and with the help of my husband Tom, it turned out just fine.

Next we are packing up to head out to the Flake Out Festival in the Wisconsin Dells. We will be selling Globe Ice Lantern Kits and Extra Ice Lantern Balloon Packs in the Vendor Tent plus we are offering 2 free Globe Ice Lantern Classes in the Family Tent - Saturday at 4:00 pm and Sunday at 11 am.

Then the next weekend we will be driving up to Duluth for the weekend of Jan 30 where we will be spreading Globe Ice Lantern Charm around the John Beargrease Dog Sled Marathon. This is our first time going to this amazing dog sled race and I am really excited--the dogs, the mushers, the cold basic beauty of winter at its best. That we can be a part of this truly wonderful!

The the next weekend after that we will be at home for the City of Lakes Loppet and the Luminary Loppet event on the weekend of February 6th! This is a beautiful step-back-in-time event where hundreds of ice lanterns line the race course and . . . it really is hard to explain the simple beauty of this candlelit event. It has to be experienced to understand the power it holds. Please consider coming and if you live in the area, consider helping. Or you can contact me directly and help with my contribution to the Luminary Loppet.

Well, I have to run, but consider helping at the Loppet - it is such fun and sooo beautiful!

Fun Ice Lantern Project Needs Help!

If you are a sculptor, like to sculpt or have even considered trying to sculpt, I am looking for people who live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area who would like to assist in a really fun volunteer snow/ice lantern sculpture project on Lake of the Isles. I am starting to plan now, but the event is the evening of Saturday, February 6th, 2010. It is called the City of Lakes Luminary Loppet and our project will be to add magic to the Enchanted Garden.
Interested? Know someone who might be?
Please CONTACT ME!

Here are some PHOTOS from my Globe Ice Lantern project for last year's Luminary Loppet event!

These amazing photos were taken by Bruce Challgren, a local award-winning photographer.