Year One - my blog

Here's my first blog post from Jan 31st, 2008 "Three Dog Night"

It includes a cool project video that has about 2400 views on youtube

I started this blog one year ago today. It's been quite a challange to build it, and I plan to continue and improve it for many years to come.

I consider Year One to be a smashing success! Edge of the Wildwood blog fulfilled it's purpose as an outlet for me, and made connections that I might not otherwise have made. It expanded my prescence online and introduced me and my work to a greater audience.

I learned from reading other blogs, what kinds of articles and extras will keep it fresh: Photos and videos are a powerful tool, human interest stories, and things that are specific to my craft. I found out what works best for me is to have several posts in draft form and to schedule the delivery so the fun stuff gets mixed in with the marketing stuff.

And besides all that, it's alot of fun!!! Let's eat cake!

Blockhead Radio shows

Be sure to tune into BLOCKHEAD RADIO on Monday, Feb 2nd

for a special report on "vblog" from me! During the Artisan to Artisan show from 9 - 11pm eastern time (which is 8 - 10pm for central) I'll be discussing the impact of video blog posts.





I'll give some tips and hints and cover some lessons I've learned about video blogging. The listeners will have a few questions, and it should be alot of fun (for me!).



Shout out to all the good folks from BLOCKHEAD RADIO for inviting me on this fantastic show, and a gracious thank you to Huckleberry Arts for her fine work as hostess of Artisan to Artisan



Join Blockhead Rod, A Good Witch Too, Sew Happy Designs, and Huckleberry Arts and the whole crew on Monday Monday Monday!

Grand Canyon tour

Visit the Grand Canyon online

I just love these panoramic views that you can pan around!


My favorite spot so far is the Kaibab suspension platform...






Link for your tour






good thing I got my hiking boots on:)

who moved my cheese?

is where you'll find my rare and collectible vintage items and speciality handmade items like custom signs and music CDs










is where you'll find my selected woodburnings and painted rocks








is where you'll find my complete inventory of handcrafted items








is a where you'll find my top handcrafted pieces and 'creation' details like the amount of time spent on the item and the inspiration behind it





Edge of the Wildwood hasn't moved your cheese...we've just expanded! Custom orders can come through any of these venues, or to me directly.

woodburning demonstration

Cafe Handmade has selected 'Woodburning for the Restless'

for their artist demonstration segment!

The Cafe is known for their Virtual Craft Show and it's a great place to find an assortment of crafters.

Pour yourself a nice hot cup of coffee and enjoy the show!

Win this ETSY prize package

• vinyl ETSY bumper sticker 5 1/2" X 2 3/4"
• ETSY pinback button
• ETSY flip card with SHOP on one side and SELL on the other
• ETSY shopping bag
• ETSY 'end mass production' printed poster 18" X 23"
• original music CD from Mike Burnes
  

Enter a drawing for your chance to win this ETSY prize package ...

Just enter a comment on this blog between now and January 31, 2009 8:00 AM central standard time. You need to be a US resident, and be sure that we can locate you online to notify our winner and obtain your shipping address! Include your link or email and you're qualified. Only one entry per person, please.

Your comment puts your name into a blind drawing for the ETSY prize package. No special requirements that you visit my shop or that you buy anything (but don't let that stop you!!!)

The winner will be announced on this blog Feb. 1st---Good luck to you:)

Peg Board Cart

Check out this finalist in the $20K tool CRAFTSMAN contest on instructables.com



Build a Peg Board Tool Cart (Updated w/ Video Test) - More DIY How To Projects

known for wit

I have been through some terrible things

in my life,

some of which actually happened.

-Mark Twain
(1835 - 1910)

where does he get those wonderful toys?

Can handmade toys be saved?

Will children under 12 be denied the enjoyment of

The Sock Monkey?

Take a moment and take action.

Handmade Toy Alliance

These crafters need your support. Without reasonable changes to the CPSIA law, they are out of business.

National Bankruptcy Day

Find another link box on the sidebar for SAVE HANDMADE>

And get a feel what these crafters are going through at hoffee and a nuffin blog

gimme a visual

blooper alert! "Photo pictures" ??? oops

Burning Questions Part II

Welcome back to Burning Questions a series that answers all your pyrography ponderings!

In Burning Qs Part I we covered the basics for tools, materials and beginning the burning process. Now we'll crank up the heat.

How can I avoid making mistakes and overburning?

Keep a practice board handy! You can test the heat as it builds up. Let the practice board absorb the initial heat. Keep the temperature low and cover an area with slow, repeated movements.

hot tip: use an exacto knife to gently scrape away flakes of carbon

How do I know which tip shape to use?

Well defined lines can be achieved with the narrow, pointy tips.

Curves and thick lines with any rounded tip.

Flat or angled tips allow for soft shading.

The ball shaped tips can be used to make dots.

hot tip: repeated elements (like dots) using a ball tip is called stippling

Will this take forever?

OK, you got me there:) This craft does take a great deal of patience. But as your skills improve, so will your productivity. Go for the designs that you fancy, and don't worry about how long it takes to get it right.

hot tip: take frequent breaks.

It's burned...now what?

Congratulations! Make it a habit to sign all your woodburnings. Be sure to lightly sand it before applying wood stains and finishes. Without a protective coat of finish, woodburnings are subject to rapid diminishment when the deep, black carbon is oxygenated.

Send in your question or comment for Burning Questions Part III

Meggy Moon Show

Meggy Moon of BlogTalkRadio interviews our own Mike Burnes!

This is the ONLY show in Memphis, Tennessee that features Indie artists.

You can listen to the show online HERE

This show is for you...the Independent artist.. music.. film.. writers.. directors..

without the Indie artist....who would know what needs to be seen?

Woodsman's Prayer

let me slip into something

Wrapped around this shapely box is a lace pattern copied from a bride's gown! A wonderful custom order that is sure to please the lovely couple. The blooms and leaves drape delicately across the surface, and even round the corners and edges!

The family name is inscribed in the lid, along with the lucky wedding date. A delightful keepsake.

The custom box order lead me to create another lace covered box and list it in my shop:

The Black Lace box

and perhaps a new series of woodburned lace boxes. Once again, the lace pattern completely covers the surface---front, back, sides, and top. The interior has been painted black with shiny black satin lining for the bottom and lid. A lovely gift for a sexy lady, and a dramatic item for a boudoir!

entertaining online radio shows

I really love to spend some quality time on Blog Talk Radio

listening to casual chat and fresh new music... I like to open the player and listen in while I work online. Give it a try; there's alot of subjects and different types of shows.

schroeder sisters INDIE guides

The Schroeder Sisters have selected "Wing and a Prayer"

for their BOOKS & MUSIC indie guide!

come see PowWow Drum and Hammered Heaven Sterling Guitar Pick and many other interesting products!

http://schroedersisters.com/guide/books_music.htm

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