The Making of a Mobius

 Those of you who know me know that I am a symmetrical kind of girl. Everything has to be balanced, the same on each side, so when I decided to try to make a mobius I was definitely out of my comfort zone.

What is a mobius? It is a free form sculpture. There are twists and turns with no way to define the beginning and the end. It is usually asymmetrical.

Creating a mobius has become sort of a challenge within The Art of Pine Needle Basketry Facebook community. Yes, I am a member and have been intrigued by the number of people who have tried to make one. Their designs are stunning. Could I make one too? The impetus for me happened when a fellow member of a pine needle basketry club I belong to started one; it was time for me to give it a try.

I began with wire, pine needles, and thread to create a circle. I built out that circle for four rows then began the twists and turns. The photos below give you an idea of how it was constructed. 

I became restless with the design, so I added a few inches of wrapped needles.

This is where I went crazy with twists.

There was too much space in the center, so I decided to fill it in.

Two of the twists were much larger than the third twist so I tried to adjust it. 

The finished piece. It can be turned any way you like. It can be displayed on a wall or sit on a shelf. What do you think?

Will I make another one? I'm hooked now, so YES! One day it will happen.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Thank You For Another Successful Year!

Another year has come and gone! For some it was the best year ever, for others, not so much. While personally our year had a lot of ups and downs, professionally we felt the blessings and love from all of our valued customers and followers. 

Some fun facts:

We participated in 10 craft shows.

We made 90 baskets, 35 glass pieces, 40 keyrings, and 151 ornaments.

We traveled over 2000 miles to these shows.

We used at least 20 pounds of pine needles and muhly grass, countless yards of thread, and approximately 10 pounds of glycerin.

Fifteen hours were spent baking pine needles in glycerin and water.

We spent 65 hours selling at shows and 30 hours setting up and breaking down our booth.

And we enjoyed every minute of it!

It was all worth it because we met so many nice people and introduced them to an art that we absolutely love!

Check this blog and our Facebook page (facebook.com/cruisincreations12) throughout the year to keep up with the latest at Cruisin' Creations.

We look forward to seeing you in 2026. 

Wishing you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Until Next Time...

Diane

2025 Holiday Craft Show Schedule

Cruisin' Creations and Santa Snacks invite you to join us at one of our fall events.

Cruisin' Creations will be selling her fused glass dishes and ornaments, as well as pine needle baskets, keyrings, and ornaments. Many new designs are available!

Santa will be there selling his delicious gourmet seasoned pretzels. He has four flavors - Blitzen's Bits (garlic and dill), Comet's Crunch (honey mustard), Prancer's Pieces (cinnamon sugar), and Rudolph's Red (mild Southwest). They make great snacks for your holiday gatherings as well as fun stocking stuffers!

Nov 8 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Ballard Elementary School 

300 Ballard Rd

Wilton, NY

Nov 15 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Colonie High School

1 Raider Blvd

Albany, NY

Nov 22 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

St Edward the Confessor Church

569 Clifton Park Center Rd

Clifton Park, NY

Nov 23 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Gloversville Middle School

234 Lincoln St

Gloversville, NY

Nov 29 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saratoga Craft Marketplace

Saratoga City Center

522 Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY

Dec 6 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

St Gabriel's Church

3040 Hamburg St

Rotterdam, NY 

There is one more opportunity to pick up Santa Snacks!

Dec 7 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Scotia-Glenville High School

1 Tartan Way

Scotia, NY

See you soon!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Divine Intervention or Right Place at the Right Time?

So, a strange thing happened at the doctor's office the other day. During a medical test I began a conversation with the technician. During that conversation I mentioned that I do needlework. Out of the blue she asks if I know anyone who makes pine needle baskets. 

Naturally, I said, "I do!"

The technician's mother, who had recently passed away, had left behind a collection of pine needle basket supplies. The technician wondered if I could use them. She also informed me that her aunt had taught her mother how to coil pine needle baskets. Where did her aunt live and learn how to coil a basket? The Villages, FL, of course!

During our visit to pick up the supplies, we kept marveling about the chances of two strangers coming together and discovering a common bond because of a simple comment.

The boxes of supplies that I brought home included thread, dyed and washed pine needles, tools, books on pine needle basketry, and so much more. All will be put to good use and what I can't use will be shared with my coiling friends. 

I am so grateful to this family for their generosity. They are grateful because I took these items off their hands.

So, what do you think?

~ divine intervention?

~ motherly intervention?

~ right place at the right time?

~ coincidence?

First Project Using The New Supplies

There was a variety of dyed pine needles in the box. I mixed some of them together, combined them with a spigot handle that was given to me a few years ago and created this fun basket! 

Thoughts? Do you like the multi-colored pine needles?

Upcoming Events

We are looking forward to our next event. 

The Carrot Festival at Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union St, Schenectady, NY

Sunday, September 14, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Pick up some delicious carrot cake, fresh vegetables, delicious meals, pine needle baskets, and so much more!  See you there!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Exciting News For Pine Needle Coilers!!!

New to our Etsy shop!

Fused glass pine needle basket centers!

What's different about these basket centers? 

They don't have holes.

What? No holes? How am I going to use these centers?

Follow our illustrated easy-to-use instructions!

Starting a basket using a center that does not have holes can be tricky. Some people will glue a piece of leather to the back of the center. Unfortunately, gluing something solid to the back of a translucent piece defeats the purpose of using a translucent piece. Fortunately, through collaboration with fellow coilers I have designed an instruction packet that explains step by step how to use that center that doesn't have holes. 

Order these bases and more along with our easy-to-follow illustrated directions at cruisincreations.etsy.com

Upcoming Events

We're in the process of scheduling shows for the 2025 season. Our first craft show will be the Northville Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend on July 18 - 20 at the Northville Town Hall and Park in Northville, NY. Further details in the Upcoming Events section of this blog.

Until Next Time...

Diane

We Appreciate You!

As we say good-bye to 2024 and begin 2025 with a clean slate we, at Cruisin' Creations, want to thank you for your support. You have no idea how powerful your support can be.

Perhaps you:

~ liked, commented or shared a post

~ cheered us on when we were having doubts

~ told a friend about Cruisin' Creations

~ visited one of our shows

~ visited our Etsy shop

~ complimented us on a design

~ made a purchase

We are so grateful for whatever you did for us.

As you know, Cruisin' Creations adopts an organization each year. We set aside a portion of sales for that organization and send the donation in before the end of the year. With your help we were able to provide a generous donation to the Albany Housing Coalition. Your support just keeps on giving!

Thank you so much!

Until Next Time...

Diane

#cruisincreations #homedecor #handcrafted #pineneedlebasketry #fusedglass #glassfusion #pineneedlebaskets #albanyhousingcoalition

Holiday Season Events

 We are excited to announce our holiday season shows for 2024. 

November 16 - 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

St Madeline Sophie Church
3500 Hamburg St
Guilderland, NY

November 23 - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sand Creek Middle School

239 Sand Creek Rd

Colonie, NY

November 24 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Soroptimist International

Gloversville Middle School

234 Lincoln St

Gloversville, NY

There is a nominal admission fee for this event to benefit Soroptimist International.

November 30 - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Saratoga Craft Marketplace

Saratoga City Center

522 Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY

There is an admission fee for this event to benefit the Saratoga Center for the Family.

December 7 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

St Gabriel's Church

3040 Hamburg St

Rotterdam, NY

A selection of our pine needle baskets and fused glass dishes can also be found at 

The Shaker Heritage Society

25 Meeting House Rd

Albany, NY

Stop by any of these shows and The Shaker Heritage Society to pick up some unique gifts for your holiday gift giving. 

Shipping Deadlines for 2024

Please order from cruisincreations.etsy.com by December for holiday gift giving.

While we will ship in a timely manner, please keep in mind that we are beholden to the United States Postal Service. They ultimately determine when your package will arrive.

Until Next Time ...

Diane

Find Us at The Shaker Heritage Society!

 We are excited to announce that you can pick up your favorite Cruisin' Creations at:

The Shaker Heritage Society

25 Meeting House Road

Albany, NY 12211

A special selection of pine needle baskets along with our new fused glass offerings can be found in the Museum Gift Shop. 

Below is a sampling of the pieces that are for sale.

Until Next Time...

Diane

We're Excited To Announce!

 We're excited to announce that Cruisin' Creations pine needle baskets are now available at: 

Catskill Mountain Woodworking

431 Main St

Catskill, NY 

518-947-4445

catskillmountainwoodworking.com

This is a delightful shop in the heart of Catskill. Shop their handcrafted wood products made from locally sourced material as well as many unique and useful gifts and pantry items.  

Here are a few of our creations available at Catskill Mountain Woodworking...

We are also available at The Schenectady Trading Company, 609 Union St, Schenectady, NY.  theschenectadytradingcompany.com

Until Next Time...

Diane

Thank You!!!

 Santa and I are humbled by your appreciation of our work and your support when you purchase many of our creations! 

Thank you seems like so little to express how much we appreciate you as you continue to support our small businesses, (Cruisin' Creations and Santa Snacks LLC), during these times of record grocery bills and high gas prices.

Along with supporting our small business you are helping a local charity. Your purchases from Cruisin' Creations have allowed us to make a record donation to Operation Shoebox! Operation Shoebox is located in Belleview Florida. It is an organization that sends care packages to active military all over the world. 

As you can imagine the need is great for treats to send the troops as well as money for postage. Would you like to help Operation Shoebox? Visit their website - operationshoebox.com or mail donations to:

Operation Shoebox

8360 East Highway 25

Belleview, Florida 34420

Follow them on Facebook too at https://www.facebook.com/operationshoeboxusa

We are taking a little time off to recharge after a very busy 2022. We are also working on new ideas for 2023!

We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a very Blessed New Year!

Until Next Time...

Diane 

Just Like Coming Home...

Driving into the Adirondacks is like coming home after a long trip. The farther north we drive the more the stress melts away. There's something about the mountains, pine trees, lakes, and smell of campfires that makes us feel at home. While we didn't grow up in the Adirondacks we have spent enough time camping there to appreciate all that they have to offer.

Northville, NY is a quaint town nestled in the Adirondacks on Sacandaga Lake. It is the quintessential little town with a 5 & dine store, tavern, small inn, and homes. Very inviting. And Northville is where the Northville Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend takes place every July.

This year felt just like coming home. We have become acquainted with many of the other artists there, and were greeted as if we were old friends. The banter that went on with the artists we were near gave us a strong sense of belonging. And the shoppers in Northville did not disappoint.

We are so thankful for the sales, for the camaraderie, and for our surroundings. And we are so thankful for the blasts from the past - those people we've lost touch with who unexpectedly appear at the show to say, "Hi."

So, while thank you seems like so little for all that we received recently, we want to say THANK YOU! to all who stopped by to say, "Hi." as well as those who decided to spend their hard earned money on Santa's delicious gourmet seasoned pretzels as well as my pine needle baskets, keyrings, ornaments, and fused glass trinket dishes! 

We're looking forward to seeing you at many of our other shows this craft show season.

Our next stop? Speculator, NY on August 11. Visit us and approximately 100 other artists at Routes 8 & 30 in Speculator NY. Support the Hamilton County TWIGS who raise money to help first responders and fire personnel. 

What's New?

I've been working on many new basket designs as well as many of the fan favorites. Here are a few new ones that will be available for your viewing and purchasing pleasure. Remember...it's never too early to pick up holiday gifts!

See you in Speculator!

Until Next Time...

Diane

New Skills Continued

 Back in February I mentioned that I am learning a new craft - glass fusion. It has been the bane of my existence as well as a very enjoyable experience. The more pieces I make the more addicted I become! 

Two of the things I've had to adjust to the most are the lack of instant gratification (Once I finish a basket, it's finished. No waiting. That's not the case with glass fusion.) and relying on someone else to place and fire my designs. Yes, I can see my designs coming together as I glue pieces of glass onto a sheet of glass; however, it takes several firings to get that sheet of glass into the desired melted stage and shape. 

So, how does one make a dish or other item in glass fusion? I like to begin with a solid sheet of glass, generally clear, but other colors have also been used. I cut the pieces of the design I am making then place them on the sheet of glass. Once I'm happy with the design, I take a picture to see if there are any glaring mistakes and make any necessary adjustments. Once that is done the pieces are removed then glued in place using watered down glue. I've learned that it's important to make sure the glue is dry before putting the finished piece into the kiln. If it's not dry the pieces could shift. There goes your design!

The photos below show the beginning of the design, the pieces coming together and the finished product.

Once the design is securely glued it's time to decide how to fire it. There's tack, contour, full, and bubble. The higher the heat the more the glass will melt together. Naturally, it makes sense to start with the least amount of melting, tack, then go up if the design is not melted enough. The wave below was fired on contour. Much to my dismay it melted more than other contour pieces I had fired so I added more blue glass as well as white frit and tacked them to add more dimension. I debated on whether to slump it into a square dish, but decided against it. This wave was too big of a design for me to tackle as a beginner so it's not my best work, but it does look pretty above our kitchen cabinets. 

Other pieces have not been as involved. I tend to be a very symmetrical person. I guess that's why I liked geometry so much as a high school sophomore. Watching other club members turn out the most beautiful asymmetrical designs is challenging me to do the same. While I have not done any yet, I have purchased some gorgeous pieces of glass and am working on designing some pieces that are out of my comfort zone. Watch for more fused glass photos in the future! 

Below are a few more pieces I've made. They're in no particular order. 

Unfortunately, the clear plastic plate stands are not sturdy enough to hold these heavy plates so the black metal shows through the dragonfly design.

The round and square mosaic dishes will be available for sale at our craft shows this season. There are only a few; when they're gone, they're gone. 

So what do you think of my first fused glass creations?

Upcoming Events

We are a month away from the start of our craft show season! Join us at the Northville Rotary's Woodworking and Fine Arts Weekend 2022, July 15 - 17 in Northville, NY. You can check out many of the artists and their wares on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/223659131530990

Until Next Time...

Diane