Nature

Walt Schmidt & Betty Westhues
Bloomington, Indiana
812-332-9004
email:
xhickorytreestudio@att.net
{to prevent spam, copy and remove the x }

Great Hand woven Rugs & Tapastries
Fine functional stoneware ceramics

Hickory Tree Studios

Hickory Tree Studio - Country Loom

Nature related ceramics from the Hickory Tree Studio:

This pike head hangs on the wall and has many teeth from which one could hang favorite lures. A #7 jointed gold floating Rapala took this one from the Kankakee River in northwestern Indiana. Bluegills, Crappies and large mouth Bass are also available .Above is Pete's trout, new for 2008. It is about a 10" long Rainbow Trout from Brown County, IN.

On January,9,1999 a largemouth Bass found it's way through the ice to my bucket and on to the studio where a mold was made to produce this replica available facing left or right.The small Bluegills above are 6" and 7 1/2" long while the Bass is a slightly over a foot long.

Mouse traps based on old Tunisian designs are triggered by the rodent chewing through the string inside where fat or peanut butter has been applied.
For the year 2000, these "rat" and "minnie" traps will be available upon request. The rat trap is 9"ht. x 9" long. The minnie trap is ~ 3' x3". Glaze choice is white with blue band ,shino, like the mousetrap here, or iron saturate browns with golden-tan bands.

On the right is a trio of piggy banks. They are about 6"around with a slot in the back and a bark topped cork of a nose. Save your money here .Soon to be available is the Indiana Armadillo bank- an opossum- a longer 5 toed version of this pig bank!

To the left are three victorian style hornet, or yellowjacket traps. Having see glass ones in garden catalogues, I had to see if they really work...... they do. With just a bit of beer or any sweet liquid, those pesky bees will find a sweet quaff to die for.The tops screw off , the bottom is open to an inside ring to hold the liquid delight. new in 2001!

Also on 2001, I developed the perfect gift for the termite man........Bug Mugs.Finding plastic bugs at a flea market {of course}, I had to make bisque molds for my mugs:Ants, spiders , bees, flys and centipedes- why should they only find themselves on the inside of my mug?

The Bird feeder and Wren house can bring hours of enjoyment to you and your feathered friends all year long. I have a personal record of 22 Goldfinches on the feeder at one time as well as 5 different species together at the same time. Sunflower seed works well as feed. Chickadees, Nuthatches and Titmice will also use the Wren house. New for 2003 is a" Bird Bottle" or "Jug House" for the birds. It hangs on a nail in a tree or on sheltered wall on your estate.

On the right are my forged hook offerings: a wall bracket, squggile, ceiling and 'J' hooks. The bird bottle is on the top, an inexpensive feeder on the bottom.

Framed with through- tenoned, coppiced hardwood twigs, this hand pressed fish tile is about 10"x14". Every frame I make as well as every bug and largemouth bass I glaze is unique.

This white pine pelican that I carved is named Katrina because of the storm that brought it, our power lines and New Orleans down the end of August 2005. May we never forget the awesome power of nature!

To the left is a photo of all my new Bird Whistles. Add a little water to it and with some practice, one can produce many warbling bird sounds. Fun for young & old alike!

To the right is a new chicken waterer just like your great, greatgrand mama used . Turn sideways under a stream of water from the spigot or invert in a bucket of water to fill. Just the right amout of water is presented for a number of small animals. Hang it and the rooster won't knock it over. Holds about a gallon and is self replenishing.

One of a continuing series, this plate is titled:
' Midnight Snack #1'
It sits on a stand forged in the smithy.