Craftwork By ann

   This page features items handcrafted by my wife, Ann, over a period of years. The first item is a Mardi Gras wreath which is pictured hanging on the entranceway of our home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.   The wreath is always hung on the doorway during the Lenten Season, celebrating Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday". Mardi Gras season is always a big event here on the coast. In fact, all the schools give way and let the kids off for a couple of days.

   The wreath is very colorful, with all the exciting shades of Mardi Gras, featuring many baubles, spangles, beads and several colorful masques tastefully intertwined with the colorful, willowy feathers that go to enhance the revelers party costumes......and if you look carefully, you will find such merrymaker items as noisemakers and whistles which parade goers use to get the attention of float riders in hopes of getting some candy or beads tossed their way!!!!

   This wreath was made on a frame of grape vines carefully chosen from our own backyard vines and woven into the perfect backing for this lovely wreath.

   Ann designed this wreath soon after we returned home from a delightful two weeks vacationing in and around Santa Fe, Taos and Red River, New Mexico. The design is a beautiful southwest motif, typifying a Ristra of red chili peppers that are prevelant everywhere in that area. The "ristra" is the string of many chili peppers tied on a long dangling string or thong and found hanging from the rafters and lintels of many homes...allowing free circulation of the dry air needed for the peppers to dry. The peppers are then ground coarsely for use in all types of savory southwestern dishes. Hey, the locals scatter the ground up peppers on everything .....from omelets to slabs of beef, even ice cream??

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy!!!

Home