Icelandic Chicken Feathers

 I've written before about my Icelandic chickens.  They keep me company in the yard when I'm working on elf houses.  I consider them my "brain trust," since chickens aren't the least bit shy about saying they don't like the way a project is going.  They can be little cluckers actually.

Lately my chickens have been molting and this gave me a unique opportunity to make some art with their feathers.  There is a method in raku pottery firing where you can add horse hair and feathers to the red hot clay for some interesting patterns and results.  You just have to be careful not to burn your fingers.  In the pot below you can see my Icelandic chicken's feather on the lower part of the piece.

Some pictures of my muse for your am-muse-ment!

Letters to the Elves

  The Elves tell me they appreciate all the wonderful letters they get!  In Iceland (where our Elves are visiting from) people tell the Elves their wishes.  If you ask politely, they might help you out!  But never be rude to an Elf - they can be tricky and might sneak a troll booger into your bed.

Here is a nice letter the Elves received recently:

Icelandic Hen Helpers

 People picture artists as tortured loners working alone in an attic.  I assure you, I am not alone.  Each time I'm in my yard working on a project, I have lots of company.  In fact, I consider my chickens my "brain trust."  They're not afraid to speak up when they don't like how a project is turning out.  I hatched these chickens in an incubator myself.  They are Icelandic Hens, a special heritage breed of cold hardy chickens from Iceland.  They are "my girls."