2012

Item: The year 2011 is in the rear view and looking ahead to 2012 you can find me at a new and improvised blog spot.

Take a look at this :

www.galensplace.blogspot.com.

The Cow Jumped Over The Moon + Worrells Merchants signs

Item: The "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" whirligig is back on the bench following the Christmas rush and is shaping up to be some fun. Here are the basics and the art department has added the base colors as well. This windmill is a new departure into a five blade star design and seems to want to turn with just walking around wind. See more on Etsy at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/. No two alike mind you. Stay tuned and take a turn at AM 880 for some good seasonal music. http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=KIXIAM&uid=136
Here is a merchants "OPEN" sign by Whimsy Two furnished to the new shop opened by Barry Ruffin and named Worrells Nautical Oddities which features such and brass items and polishing services. This location is next to the proposed Vollis Simpson Whirligig Museum Park.

Christmas Squirrel Aggrivator

Item: We had a Christmas request for a special Uncle and it was to make a "Squirrel Aggrivator" A.K.A. as the squirrel hurler. So checking with production in the manspace and with the art department this one got underway. Here is the rundown with 1) The top screw to hold the 1/2 ear of corn 2.) The bracket to mount to the fence post or tree 3.) The counterweight with marbles Rob got in Germany 4.) paint and finish 5.) Squirrel dedication 6.) At the test cell
Take a look and see more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/ with no two alike not seen on TV not found in (all) stores and quantities are limited!

Rush - Model 11 number #39 Marble Chase

Item: The Christmas rush found Model 11 marble chasers needing replenished so it is time to make some sawdust and alert the art department. This number #39 features an extra bedizened whirliwheel on the right side made out of some 11 mm small marbles pieces and a front table made from some moulding discarded from the Prof. E.B. Holloway house as Barton College cleared it out. Here is #39 on the bench in the Manspace and the art table at Donnas Art and finally completed (it may be in time for a Christmas delivery). See it at www.whimsytwo.etsy.com. This model approximates a 1/3 scale of the standard old fashioned marble chasers of yore. Not found in stores but the x-box of it's day!

The Cow Jumped Over The Moon whirligig + Vollis's Star

Item: The next whirligig idea is the "Cow Jumped Over The Moon" theme. The base will be a milk bottle and a new version five blade windmill is in the works. As usual things are backed up in the art department and I believe Donnas-art has a face planned for Mr. Moon and who knows what for Mr. Moo himself. See more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

George and Elka had some German toys to show me with some potential for a hobby horse whirligig.

Jim Taylor had an idea about getting this star ready for Christmas and hanging it on the building. Wouldn't that look nice with a spot light on it for the Holidays.

Turtle Teeter Totter Completed + Puzzling

Item: The "Turtle" Teeter Totter toy is complete and back from the art department for final test and is works fine. See the video. This one is a new departure with a side mounted swing arm that eliminates the wobble factor. But how about the WOW factor from Donna's art department. It was worth the wait and always fascinating to see her designs. This one is for a special friend and person for Christmas. See others at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.


Also finished same day as Jen's Birthday was this fun to put together puzzle by Gibson. These pieces were unique in shape and a big surprise how some of the shapes would go together. Try a Gibson.

Artist Stretchers + Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy

Item: Renowned painter Amy Longenecker-Brown decided she was not going to paint a large canvas so this 45x54x1.5 artist stretcher went back into the shop for some stiffer corner bracing after seeing what Juan Logan uses at his studios in Durham. It should support even 10 oz. stretched canvas now.

Donna got started on the Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy and got her colors sorted out and this is how far she got. Stay tuned and look for more at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/. (This one is specially built for someones Christmas gift).

Model 11 - #38 Marble Roller Vintage Toy fininshed

Item: The Model 11 munber #38 is complete and made it through final assembly and test on the bench after coming back from the art department. These are about 1/3 scale of the old fashioned rail to rail drop down versions of the kind made by the plain people and Amish when they made their own toys for their "younga" wee ones and still do (what'saxbox). Not found in stores, not seen on TV, no two alike, and quantities are limited. Look for it at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.
Also finished up over the Thanksgiving holidays is this studio puzzle of "The Village Bakery". Normally we can snap our fingers at some of these but the window became the biggest obstacle and last to puzzle out.

Turtle Teeter Totter stage 2 & 3

Item: Here is the status of the Turtle Teeter Totter (#7) as it is on the shop bench for form fit and function. All the components are done and seem ready for test. This is a new departure to a side mount with more pivot arm to steady the action on the arc.

Now things can get a bit ticklish as it turns to timing, balance and fine tuning adjustments. Sanding a little bit here and a little bit there and dialing in the weight and counterweight plus the arc of the turtle and the lift of the top valve along with it's weighting. There, it should be good to go allowing for a few coats of paint. See more of these at http://www.whimsytwo.etsy.com/.

Now comes the fun part. When I leave something on the art table it's always special to see how Donna will complete each item in the art department. We will return when she gets it underway.

Turtle Teeter Totter marble toy + 50K Derby Run

Item: A blog friend had a Chritsmas request for a marble teeter totter with a turtle theme so it is time to head for the Manspace and make some noise and dust. Here are some of the basics for the turtle totter to get started. Stay tuned (the art department is holding up production anyway) After a 50K run this sand pit in the sand hills looked to be the go to place to cool hot tired feet among the runners. (It was sure good to see this one cross the finish line).
After 31 miles running a visit to Pinehurst for a breif repast at Dugan's seemed like a great idea but after a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Newmeyers with Chef Rob it was just too much good eating. Tums at night help!
The dynamic duo at the NC Museum of Art and a visit to the Vollis Simpson whirligig following a tour of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Repair and Conservation Project in Wilson, NC.