Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year Friends and Family!  Celebrate!  
We are on to 2012
with new lines of  Helen's Daughters Handbags!
We appreciate your support in 2011.

Happy Holidays!

Ordering Handbags

It is now to late to order a Helen's Daughters Handbag.  We can next day ship items, however we cannot guarantee a Holiday delivery.  We do have handbags at Raven House  108 3rd Street - downtown Baraboo.  Only Little Lake Pouches at The Cornerstone Gallery and The Craft Mall near Lake Delton.  Happy Shopping!

Handbags at Raven House

Helen's Daughters are available at Raven House
 108 3rd St - Downtown Baraboo. 

2011 Holiday Collection

There is still time!

Very Merry Sponsors

Char from Helen's Daughters Studio with her husband Frank
are the proud sponsors of
The Very Merry Holiday Fair. 
 It takes place December 9 - 5-8 PM and December 10.
They have worked all year long to bring you this Fair.
Check out www.TheVeryMerryHolidayFair.com for tons of info.
See you in Baraboo.

December 15th.

December 15 will be the last day we can take orders for the 2011 season.
Check back mid December for details of our Big Blow Sale.

Happy Holidays & Happy Handbag Shopping!

Happy Holidays friends!
As you scroll down our BLOG you will find great handbags choices.
We have chosen seven different styles for our Holiday lineup.
 When you find a style you'd like just email us at
 baraboobags@centurytel.net
with the style you'd like to order.
Include your phone number and we'll call you for your information (shipping address and credit card info.)
We accept Visa and Mastercard.  Sorry no Pay Pal setup at this time.
No cash refunds, unused handbag exchange accepted within three months of order
 (if a Holiday gift, info recipient of the exchange limits).
We realize this is a little more work than click and charge.
We thank you for your patience and understanding.
We look forward to talking with you!
 Enjoy the season!

Lannies Bags

Lannies Handbag
 7" x  9" x  2"
GREAT Everyday handbag!
Adjustable black cording, front zippered compartment,
large front zippered upper compartment, taffeta lining, gusseted bottom.
Can be made in any color!  
Black, Purple, Beige's, Blue, Green, Tan.

Little Marley - 2

Little Marley 2  
6" x 4 1/2" x 3".
 Fun Little Marley!
Short handle, back slot pocket,
flap hiding zipper closure, button, tassels.
Black, Circles, Multi-Black

Little Marley -1

Little Marley
  6" x  4 1/2" x 3"
Sweet Little Marley is not just for little girls.
Short handle, back slot pocket, flap hiding zipper, button and tassels.
 Multi-Blacks, Circles, All Black.

Bernadette's Bag

Bernadette's Bag
This little bag is perfect when that's all you need.
4 1/2 " x 7 1/2 "  Back slot pocket, 48 "+ acetate cording,
 button, tassels, flap hiding a zipper, taffeta lining.
Black, Circles, Bricks

Little Lake Pouch

 Little Lake Pouch  
 Everybodies Favorite and the Perfect Gift!
6" x 6"  Front slot pocket,
adjustable toggles on black cording, taffeta lining.
Black, green, purple, brown, beige, blue.

Waist Pouch

Waist Pouch  
5" x 9"  Two front zippered pockets,
adjustable webbing to fit small to more,
snap closure, taffeta lining.
Blue, purple, brown, black.

Leslie's Chicken

Leslie's Chicken 
 6" x 7"  Printed Hen on slant pocket - pocket fabric may vary.
Front zipper, adjustable toggle on black cording, taffeta lining.

Leslie's Sheep

Leslie's Sheep
 6" x 7" - Printed sheep and Kids on slanted pocket
 with one zipper compartment,adjustable toggles on black cording, taffeta lining.

Winter Glory in Milwaukee

Thanks goes to The Wisconsin Designer Craft Council for the first year
Winter Glory show in the Harley Davidson Garage in Milwaukee.
About 1500 very happy people came through and are delighted it will happen again next.
The three gals are the "Three Wisconsin Bag Ladies" (Pam, Ilze, Char)
..they  have been making handbags for over 25 years.
We're glad we captured them doing the second best thing they do...laughing.
Of course, their bags making is #1.
So...put this on your 2012 calendar....you'll want
to come Holiday shop at this one.

November and December Schedule...See you soon!

Getting a little dress up and ready to celebrate the season!
AND carrying a Helen's Daughters Handbag.  
Catch us one of these
 November or December shows!

On the Great Pumpkin Hunt

Yes....we know we should be in our studios working.
But we're on the "Great Pumpkin Adventure".
Char in Wisconsin and Mariella in Minnesota.
Char will be working with her husband, Frank, on their 24 years of their
Halloween Display - 30 plus Pumpkins and more.
Mariella with her husband, Joe, will be directing the Preston Arts Council
"kids decorate a pumpkin "
 on Saturday AM in Preston.
We'll put up the results soon.

Char and Frank's Fall Art Tour Veggie Chili

Soooooo many of you asked for our Veggie Chili recipe. 
 Here it is:


Char and Frank's Fall Art Tour Chili


8 Medium Onions -Coarsely chopped.
Saute in
3-5 Tbsp Olive Oil
--------------------------------------
Blend these spices in a bowl:
2/3 Cup Chili Powder
1/2 cup Dried Parsley
2 Tbsp Cumin
2-3 tsp Black Pepper
Optional:
3 tsp Basil
3 tsp Oregano
-------------------------------
Carmalize Onions at low heat.
Stir in powdered spices - cook 2-3 minutes.
ADD one bottle of Dark Beer.
-------------------------
Add 6-8 Cloves of Garlic - minced.
-----------------------------
Simmer for 5 minutes.
--------------------------------
5 cans Beans - Your choice.
4 big cans Diced Tomatoes
1/2 to 1 cup Butter
2 tsp salt - Optional (we don't add it)
------------------------------
8 Green and Red Bell Peppers - Coarsely chopped.
--------------------------------------
Optional Ingredients 
(We add them all when we have them.)
2-4 cups fresh Home Grown Tomatoes
More Dark Beer
2-3 Apples - Diced
Butternut Squash - 2-3 cups- Diced.
1 1/2 cup Corn
 HOT..1/2 tsp Powdered Jalapeno Pepper .
  More if you like it.
-------------------------
Simmer on low heat for one hour.
--------

Invite your friends over, rent a movie, buy some beer
and
ENJOY!!!

Fall Art Tour 2011

Thanks to everyone visiting our Baraboo, Wisconsin studio this past weekend!
We have done all eighteen years of the Tour
and we are grateful to all attending and shopping.
We are having a few days rest -
then full steam ahead for the Holiday shows.
Thank you we enjoying meeting the hundreds who visited the studio!

Fall Art Tour 2011

Join us at our Baraboo Studio during the
Fall Art Tour!
Both Mariella and I will be in the studio.
We will be show casing our new Leslie Trewyn Collection.
 This is a chance once a year to visit our studio and discuss our work.
Basketmaker, Kristie Weber-Mickler
will be making baskets in the garden
and Frank will have a booth full of his work.
 On Sunday we offer a Veggie Chili Brunch.
Our studio open at 10 AM on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and closes at 6 PM each day.
 Hope to see you in the Baraboo Studio!

Char's Leslie Trewyn Collection

Char from Helen's Daughters and painter, Leslie Trewyn,
 decided to collaborate on a Helen's Daughters handbags collection. 
Leslie lives, paints and has a gallery in Green Lake, Wisconsin.
 Leslie's bold folk art designs, flat shapes and vivid color
complement Char's color and texture sense.
 Here are the first dozen images.
 Char will be showing and selling this new collection at the
Galena Country Fair this weekend
and
in her studio in Baraboo during the Fall Art Tour.
She will also be selling Leslie's book, showing a life time of painting.
Check www.fallarttour.com  for info.

The Fall Finish - Helen's Daughters Downtown Garden

The sunflowers haven't bloomed yet; it's October
and we're still keeping our fingers crossed.
This is the finished Fall Downtown Garden.
 It was awash in color in July and now we have golds and browns.
We'll leave it there until March.  Many seeds for the birds to eat in January.
Thanks to someone helping us weed in September.  
We'll be back in April to start again.
Yes, we're planting daffodils  bulbs for a little spring color.
Hoped you all enjoy our Helen's Daughters Downtown Garden.

CranFest - Busman's Holiday

Mariella and Char  - Helen's Daughters - met in Warrens, Wisconsin
for a Bus-man's Holiday!  Thousands of people travel to this little community
and it's a huge fundraiser for every school, church and non profit in the area.
  Warrens is a major cranberry supplier for Ocean Spray.
Warrens celebrates the harvest and just about everything else.
We had fun just being spectators. 

Country Living Fair - Columbus, Ohio

What an adventure!  Our friend, Karen, volunteer to join us on this Journey.  We left Wednesday for the ten hour van road trip to Columbus.  Traffic was light, this made the trip an easy drive.  I can't believe we talked for 10 hours straight!  Thursday we set up the booth on the Ohio Village State Park grounds in Columbus.  We walked the village and everything said you're welcome to the Country Living Fair.  Friday was the first day.  People came from everywhere - New York, Atlanta, Texas, Colorado, California, Canada.  One of our first customers was from Portage...Wisconsin...ten miles from our Wisconsin Studio.  The grounds were divided into sections - Collectible/Antiques - Food Court - Artisans - Stars (We weren't stars this year, but we're working on it.) - Sponsors - Country Living Publications - Pumpkin and Gourd Market.  It was exciting, en-lighting, and we sold quite a few Helen's Daughters handbags.  Two of our handbags will even be going to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj at Mecca.  Saturday and Sunday were near perfect days. Blue skies and cool  temps.  About 15,000 came through the Country Living Fair Gates.  The tear down was easy.  We were out in two hours.  Headed back to Wisconsin, family and the real world.  Another 10 hour drive and conversation and home by 3 PM Monday. Huge thanks go to Karen.  After two weeks in Canada with her family, she jumped in our van and spent another six days with us in Ohio! We now call ourselves the "Bohemian Babes from Baraboo"!  Thank you Stella Corp, Country Living Magazine, Ohio Village Staff  for a successful fair - we WILL return in 2012!!  

We're Ready!!

We're packing the bags and loading the van.
Next stop -
 Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio!!!

         Helen's Daughters Studio       
         does have a Facebook page.       
                           Check us out!                            

Opening Day - Friday - September 16!!!

We have tons to do
before we're ready.
We're honored to be invited! 
 We'll be in booth #364
at the Ohio Village
 near the State Fair Grounds
in Columbus, Ohio.

Wausau Art Festival

Join Mariella at the
Wausau Arts Festival.
This show is on Saturday and Sunday
and is a true community art festival.
The weather will be PERFECT!!

Going Crazy!!!!

We are making piles and piles
 of Little Lake Pouches
for our next two shows.
Starving Artist Show
 Mt Mary College in Milwaukee on Sunday
 and Wausau Art Festival Sat/Sun
 in Wausau, Wisconsin.  

ArtStreet

Shoppers in Green Bay at ArtStreet.
They have more than a football team.
Today they are celebrating the ARTS!

Winners!

Thanks Agora Art Fair in Fitchburg!
A sweet little show!
Easy set up (except for the raining part),
beautiful ambiance, nice patrons!
We are honored to be recognized and will return!

Helen's Daughters - Booth 364

Layout for the
  Country Living Fair
in
 Columbus, Ohio.
We are booth 364!

Mini Marley

Yes..we know you've seen this fabric before.
 It's one of our favorites!
Little Mini Marley
is a brand new style.
The perfect little bag for any occasion.
 See us at the Saturday only,
Agora Art Fair in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
And Artigras in Rochester, Minnesota!

The Week Ahead

I think we are going to be very busy this week.....

Awwwwh Lake Michigan

This is Lake Michigan at Evanston, Illinois.
Our booth was located a half block from this view.
Lucky US!
It rained three times.  The van was only partly load before the last drenching.
Luckily, we had a dry set of clothing for the four hour drive home.
Today, it's pull out the tent to dry the top and sides.
Pull out the totes - they're covered with mud and sand.
Wash the back drapes and shoes, soxs, T's and shorts.
Dry out the charge slips.
 And best of all, had lunch from our sweet cousin from Michigan City.
Thanks Evanston..we'll return...this is just all part of the biz.
Think sunshine for this weekend in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

Evanston Lakeshore Art Fair

Off to Evanston, Illinois this weekend
Evanston Lakeshore Art Fair.
 Show is in Dawes Park
right by beautiful Lake Michigan.
 Starts at 11 AM goes to 6 PM.
ART - Food - Music!
.

New Fall Card Cover

Our designer - Lorranie Ornter-Blake
has come up with a new cover card for our Fall Shows.
A little different
 but we luv it

Thanks Ann Arbor

After two days of recovering
..thanks Ann Arbor for the great show.
It was hot and sticky and wet and miserable.
You never disappoint us.
You are 12 and you are 80.
You are have different diverse backgrounds.
You have traveled 1000's of miles
and
you live in Ann Arbor.
There is no other like you.
   Thank you for loving our handbags.  
We appreciate your support!

Ann Arbor...Just Days Away.

Working hard for Ann Arbor.
Had a chipmunk invasion in studio this morning.
 If he was looking for AC
he was disappointed - about 94 degrees in the studio day.
 Opened door and about 30 minutes later he high tailed it out.
We'll be in booth 99 on State St.
 Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair in A2, Michigan.

College Hill

Mariella wants you to join her
at the
 College Hill Art Festival
in Cedar Falls, Iowa
today and tomorrow.

Something New For Ann Arbor

We've designed something new
and are bringing them to
The Ann Arbor Summer Fair
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Booth 99 on State Street.
Having FUN working hard in the studio
and can't wait to see you.

July Shows

We are going to be very busy in our studios this July.
So...Here's were to find us in the next few weeks.

July 9-10 - Sugar Creek Art Festival - Normal, Illinois
Booth N62
July 16-17, College Hill Art Show -  Cedar Falls, Iowa
July 20-23, Ann Arbor Summer Fair - Ann Arbor, Michigan 
 Booth - State 99
July 30-31, Art Sail - Clear Lake, Iowa


Have a wonderful July.
Come see us and say "HI"!

Madison Farmers Market

Finally...A Saturday OFF!!!
We went to the Madison Farmers Market.
It's fabulous!
It runs from April thru October on the Capital Square.
 I love our beautiful Capital
and
the square that surrounds it! 

A THANK YOU To All Who Helped us this year.

One year ago today, Frank and I where victims of  two smash and grab Hispanic thugs.  We were robbed of all of my husband's artwork in Slinger, Wisconsin. We were followed after an art fair and robbed at an opportune moment.  We watched as the robbers drove away in their powder blue mini van.  The van and thugs carrying a lifetime of work and our future..  Our insurance covered only a tiny fraction of the cost of the work.  We will never recover from what was stolen. So..today, one year later, we would like to
THANK
the following people for their
extraordinary generosity.  
Hugs and love to ALL!


  Officer Cashin, Mariella and Joe terBeest Schladweiler
Tom White, Kristee and Marv Weber-Mickler
Roz Long, Cedarburg Cultural Center
WAAC, Michigan Guild of Artists and Crafts People
Christine Kortbein, Judy Ellinghuysen
Mary Hultman, Lake Delton Craft Mall
Ted TerBeest
Judy Dresden, Barb Kudla
Bernadette Mahfood, Jeannie Lange
Baraboo Chamber of Commerce
Kae Taylor, Carol Kratochwill
Evan and Marcia Wollschlager
Olivia for all of her HUGS
And those of  you who kept us in your prayers and thoughts.
Thank you !!!


Char & Frank 

Helen's Daughters Downtown Garden

Helen was an avid gardener.
She did the farmer's market in
Rochester, Minnesota for years.
 Helen's Daughter, Char, with her husband, Frank,
have help plant and nurture a small downtown garden
in Baraboo for her memory.
It has two benches, wonderful grasses,
 lilies, a few annuals from Fox Line Gardens
and, of course, happy weeds.   

Rain in 2 Cities

Yep..Rain in the Twin Cities on Saturday.
 But...a nice gentle rain - NO micro-bursts.
 Thanks Minneapolis and Stone Arch - had a nice show.
  Always glad to be back to our studio and creating.

WOW!

Sometimes a crummy day
can end up beautiful!

Country Living Fair - Columbus

We are thrilled
to be part of this exciting event!