February, 2011 | George Carruth

Archive for February, 2011

Finding Inspiration Right Outside My Window

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Inspiration for new designs seem to come when you least expect them. Friends share their ideas, time is spent browsing art and sculpture on the computer and I explore galleries and museums.

While Deb and I were in New York city exhibiting at the International Gift Show last month, we saw an incredible variety of designs from around the world. After being surrounded by all of this art for a week, I couldn’t wait to start sketching on the flight home.

At home the next morning I was sitting near the window trying to figure out what direction to take. I had a dozen or so sketches inspired from everything I had seen in New York. Eventually I noticed hundreds of footprints on the snow covering the hill behind our home. While we were gone, the neighborhood kids had been sledding and enjoying the deep snow and sunshine.

That’s when it happened! I was suddenly taken back to when I was one of those kids braving the cold and sledding with my friends. With fond winter memories spinning in my brain, this is what I sculpted, something cold, exciting and full of childhood joy.

After experiencing all of the great art in New York city, inspiration was found where I least expected it, right outside my own window.

Tags: Carruth Studio, George Carruth, gifts, Inspiration, kids, winter
Posted in George's Blog | 3 Comments »

A Valentine For My Wife Deb

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Deb and I at an outdoor art show in 1983

This Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have married my wife Deb. Besides being a wonderful wife and mother to our three children, she has gone the extra mile over and over again with her involvement at Carruth Studio. 25 years ago she gave up her career as an occupational therapist, to help me try my hand at sculpting full time.

Looking back now, I realize what a gamble it was and how totally time consuming, frightening and frustrating running a small business would be at times.

But through it all, she was always up for any challenge. Because of her ability to connect with and enjoy learning from people, she was able to open doors and keep our little company always moving forward.

She accomplished this by organizing all of the paperwork, taxes, advertising, promotion, managing the office, going to trade shows and all the other endless challenges involved with running a business.

Deb and I today

This crazy chaos was kept under control, while at the same time being a loving wife, friend and mother. So Happy Valentine’s Day Deborah, and thank you for being YOU! I love you dearly, George.

Tags: Carruth Studio, Deb Carruth, George Carruth, Love, Valentine's Day, wife
Posted in George's Blog | 1 Comment »

Our Gordy Groundhog Couldn’t See His Shadow…

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Happy Groundhog Day to everyone! According to the news, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning and we will have an early Spring. I write this from snowy New York City, where Deb and I have been participating in a trade show for the gift industry. We see no sign of early Spring here in NYC, and the news from Ohio sounds wintery too. It doesn’t happen often, but Carruth Studio is closed today as Waterville digs out from last night’s storm.

Our own Gordy Groundhog did his best, but there was no sun to be seen until well after Noon, and that for only a short time. Looks like more winter for us. Poor Gordy Groundhog is hunkering down with the rest of Northwest Ohio and dreaming of Spring warmth and flowers. Gordy is not alone, according to Wikipedia, 6 of 15 groundhogs polled today, predict a longer winter. Of course, the other groundhogs disagree and are predicting an early Spring.

We marvel at the weather we’re seeing here and at what people are experiencing all over the country right now. Storms throughout the Midwest and East Coast and cold with rolling power blackouts in Texas. Deb and I are staying warm and enjoying our visit to the Big Apple but we’re looking forward to heading home soon. I’ve got ideas for new designs and am eager to get back to work.

So stay warm and hang in there, wherever you are. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! If you’re looking for entertainment while you’re snowed in, visit our Facebook page and post an entry to our Valentine’s Day contest. You could win a signed, numbered and hand painted “Froggy Dreams” or “Love Mini Stone”! Or, you could just visit us online and purchase your own. Not to toot our own horn, but Carruth designs make wonderful gifts for just about everyone.