How it came to be

Many people have asked me, over time, where I came up with the name: Ghost Wind . . . . 

It came to me one afternoon, in August 2014, standing on a ridge overlooking the site of Custer's Last Stand in Montana.  A, what seemed at the moment, random summer squall had just blown through settling dust and cooling a hot dry wind raising goose  bumps on my neck and arms.  I closed my eyes and imagined . . .  I could hear the sounds of conflict -- shouts, screams, gun shots, horses whinnying in protest, men dying . . . I could smell the dust, gun powder, blood and death.  Most of all I felt a sense of fear and sadness at this avoidable incident.  I could here the voices of  fathers mothers, wives, and children singing prayers and hopes for a better future and an end to the ignorance that perpetuated genocide against a people who were already here.
Imagined or real, it was an amazing experience!!  The whispers that moved  across the land, on the wind, were inclusive and supportive to any who would take the time to try and understand.  It was a Ghost Wind and a gift from the Universe.
With my art, my desire is to touch peoples hearts.  If what I create has the power to make someone smile I have accomplished my goal.  If you feel the goose bumps rise on your neck, arms and shoulders -- then you have been kissed by a Ghost Wind.
Please feel free to respond to these posts.   It has been way too long since I have done anything on this blog.  My intention (I know, I know) is to maintain the blog on a regular basis and stay connected with friends and potential friends across the country.
Peace and love to all
Sonny

I'm baaaaaaack!! I hope.

It has been far too long since I have done anything with this blog!!  Forgive me and grant me some much needed tolerance in this, well intentioned, attempt to revive the blog.  Feel free to respond and offer suggestions for support and comment. 
I haven't gone anywhere.  I'm still carving and drawing when I can.  I have been lazy and struggling with low motivation.  Searching for a muse that took off a long while back.  I am still looking for the illusive muse but will move on, one foot in front of the other, with or without one.  If anything, my hope is to maintain and nurture old connections while inviting and encouraging new ones. 

Peace and love to all!!

Sonny

Moving, etc. ----

Hi there.  I am in the process of reorganizing and moving my studio and shop space.  For the last 3 years I have been a bit scattered with studio space in two locations.  Soon, within the next couple weeks I will be in one location in Minneapolis.  I will have converted my entire basement into Ghost Wind Creations studio and shop space.  I have even been toying with the idea of having a quarterly open house / display of current and available inventory for sale.  Maybe do a "work in progress" presentation for those interested in current "work in progress" procedures.

In the mean time, I will have inventory available for sale as I work my way back into production.  I have carvings, jewelry, watercolors, leather braiding and engraving available at this time.   

Ghost Wind

 Kissed by . . . .???

 Have you ever been standing or sitting somewhere not paying attention to anything in particular, maybe daydreaming, thinking about what you need to do when you get back home, or smiling to a memory of some special person?  Time is just a glimmer of recollection from another place, when suddenly you are overwhelmed with a chill and tremor that feels like it went right through you.  You get goose bumps, and the shiver racks your body and you look around to see if anybody is looking.  There is no doubt in your mind that someone just walked over your grave, as the old saying goes.  There is no tell tale physical explanation for the phenomenon.  No breeze, wind, noise,  bird poop on your shoulder -- nothing for you to explain away the sensation.  Yet we, just shrug and say something trite --'jeesh, somebody just walked over my grave' and laugh it off not fully realizing how close to the truth it really is. 

You -- have just been kissed by a Ghost Wind.  That perpetual energy that caresses the world with its graces as a reminder that there exists a realm that the ancestors, those who have gone before us, populate and that most of us know little of or care to learn about.  Each time we experience one of the reminders, we have been touched by the ancestors in a gentle, caring, way that lets us know they are with us even when we choose not to acknowledge them.  It is their desire to guide us through the tumultuous journey that comprises our life.  We would be better served if we just accepted the truth of it and stopped ignoring the obvious.

I have been unusually gifted by Ghost Winds in my life.  I did not pay much attention at first.  I just thought that everyone experienced them.  Then, over time, I began to realize that I had more of my share than others seemed to have.  This all came to light during my music career.  One crisp Fall day, I was sitting with friends and fellow musicians at a music concert that happened to be held on the Stockbridge - Munsee Indian Reservation  in Bowler Wisconsin when I experienced a particularly intense "reminder" that interrupted a serene, peaceful reverie.  A Stockbridge elder, by the name of Mr. Moon, looked over at me, smiled and said, "you have good Ghost Winds, you are one of the fortunate."   I had no idea that I was any different than anyone else and soon learned that I wasn't.  I was just more in tune to them for some reason.  Over time I have learned to rely on the Kiss of the Ghost Wind to remind me that the natural forces of nature permeate my art, shape my designs and influence my creations. 

Tea Time ---

Okay, now.  Here I am on this early February weekend wondering if it will ever warm up again.  I realize that this is Winter in the Midwest and Minnesota has a reputation to uphold as the place where people learn to enjoy winter or self banish  to the warmer reaches of the continent with so many other extreme weather ex-pats -- like Arizona and Southern California (SoCal) -- complete with photos of white knobby knees, huge smiles and "wish-you-were-here" post cards signifying a total lack of guilt for jumping ship and leaving the rest of us to our miseries. 

So, I do what makes sense --  I make Tea.  Tea time, the act of purposefully pausing from current activities to make and drink Tea, is not in my personal cultural background.  I am Italian, Scandinavian and German so Coffee is my normal drug of choice,  but "Tea" has a sophisticated, almost civilized connotation at this totally primal, survivalist time of life!  After all, my Viking ancestors are roiling in Valhalla at my total lack of courage and fortitude.  I am a disgrace to the clan and have not earned the right to don reverse furs and leather boots ------  I have lost my ability to scoff at the discomfort of a frozen face and other important extremities as battle scares of a hearty stock or, at the very least, senseless competition among peers of who is the most foolhardy!  The mug of mead heated with a red hot copper rod fresh from the fire sounds satisfying enough, but I would be shunned for even thinking it.  So, I quietly slip out the side the Great Hall filled to bedlam with its raucous Coventry of boasts and challenges, and make my way to the cozy workshop in the corner of the barn.  I make my Tea and savor its full bodied scent, close my eyes and dream of warm winds, gentle breezes and Sunshine.  And when I'm done, I will spend the afternoon carving!!  ;) 

Take care all.  Stay warm, happy and safe!   Spring is just around the corner.  It's just that the snow to the corner is still pretty deep yet!!  Have some Tea! 

Hind Sight Perspective: Laments of an Artist Entrepreneur, or Coming to Terms With ADD and Discipline

When I started this venture, a year ago, I was naive and more than a bit ignorant of what exactly I was heading into.  Now, a year later -- I'm just a year older!!   I thought that time and desire would be enough to get things rolling. After all I just wanted to supplement my retirement with sales from the things I like to create.   It was a good idea but it was soon obvious that with no plan or direction other than just working on stuff and creating here and there nothing was getting done and the whole thing felt like a bad pin ball game.  Ideas were ricocheting off anything that was in the way.  Nothing was steady, everything was in flux.   I had some pieces done and ready to go but -- go where -- I had no idea.  I sold one piece on ETSY in all this time.  Lots of looks but no takers.  My ADD was having a heyday, and my anxiety was looking for a high place!!  I had to market, be more visible. 

I assumed that starting an ETSY page would be the panacea and I would soon be so busy I wouldn't know what to do. I assumed that all it would take was to put "it" "out there" and I would be crazy busy in no time.  I was still in "hobby" mode and no matter how much I wanted to believe, I still couldn't get it in my heart that this stuff was worth anything more than fun.  Why would anyone want to give me money for something that I so much enjoy doing?  Social Media is calling to me and I have no idea what to do with it.  The learning curve is turning into a terrifying roller-coaster ride and I hate roller-coaster rides!!  So I figure I can jump off, or take a deep seat, grab the nite-latch and hang on.  It's gonna be a great ride!!  

So, I have resigned myself to define this whole thing as a major work in progress.  If you want you can ride along.  I would enjoy the company.  If not -- who would blame you?  Heeheeheehee. 


                                 
                   

Welsh Love Spoon

The Love Spoon:
Is a traditional gift created by a perspective suitor as part of the courtship ritual.  The suitor would design and create the spoon and then present it to his love as a visual statement of commitment, love and devotion not only to her but to her family as well.  It was important that the perspective suitor was seen as patient, creative, dedicated and good at design and problem solving.  These attributes were well served in the traditional Agrarian Communities of old where practically everything was designed and crafted by hand.  There are unlimited spoon designs in the history of Love Spoons only limited by the individual carvers own imagination.  There are as many spoon designs as there are / were spoon carvers and it is well worth a search for more information. 


This traditional design Welsh Love Spoon (See ETSY Listing -- ghostwindcreations) is the perfect  wedding or anniversary gift for the giver and/or receiver who seeks and appreciates the other than ordinary.  It is the perfect discussion / story piece and a solid representation of the traditional values of commitment, dedication and love.

This particular piece is also being offered at a special reduced price due to an unfortunate accident that left some minor superficial damage to the tip and ball cage of the spoon (see ETSY listing).  It's not terrible but I know it's there! 

If you like this spoon, or are interested in a custom order, please feel free to contact me for ideas and pricing.