Friday, December 27, 2013

Concours Photos

Just found a great site with awesome photos of the 2013 Ironstone Concours d'Elegance.  Do check them out!  And, mark your calendar for Sept. 27, 2014!

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2013/10/09/auburn-boattail-speedster-wins-best-of-show-at-ironstone-concours/

Thursday, December 26, 2013

President's Wine Weekend in Murphys! Mark your Calendar ...


Hot off the Press! ....
Press Release: Calaveras Winegrape Alliance -Presidents' Wine Weekend
February 15-16, 2014 – President’s Wine Weekend – The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance presents the 18th annual Presidents’ Wine Weekend at all 22 CWA wineries from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to sample the fine wines of Calaveras, celebrate with friends old and new, and take advantage of special discounts. With the purchase of a $20 commemorative wine glass, you are entitled to a free 'limited-tasting' flight at all participating member wineries, Saturday through Sunday. Full tastings will be available in each tasting room for an additional fee. Wine glasses will be available on Main Street in Murphys, on Saturday only, in front of the Native Sons Hall. Or get a glass all weekend long at locations in Calaveras County: The Calaveras Visitor’s Bureau in Angels Camp, Chatom Vineyards on Highway 4 in Douglas Flat , Frog’s Tooth Vineyards in Murphys,  Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, and Val du Vino Winery on the corner of Main Street and French Gulch Road. Wine Glass sales are cash only, no credit cards will be accepted. No reservations are required.  For more information, call 728-9467 or visit calaveraswines.org.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Deadlines approach! Call to Artists!

It is time of year again for Ironstone's 17th Annual Spring Obsession Art Show entry deadlines.  This year we are offering a complimentary Deli Lunch for the first 3 artists to submit their entries. 

Theme Division deadline is Jan. 3rd. Theme Division Winner earns $500 plus the winning image is used with artist recognition on the annual poster celebrating the newest release of Ironstone's Obsession Wine.

OPEN Division entry due Jan. 31. Winner receives $1000, 2nd place winner receives $500 and third place winner receives $250.  Open division art is any subject matter, any media except photography and digitally enhanced images. Works of art may not protrude more than 3" out from the wall. 

Go to the respective pages above for the complete prospectus and entry forms.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to email cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com with your questions. 

Last years winners:

Ironstone Vineyard’s 2013 16th Annual
Spring Obsession Art Show
Theme Division Winner
Lorraine Lawson, “Sunny Disposition”  
Poster available in Museum & Tasting Room $10









1st Place Open Division – Debbie Gualco, “Pompano and Circumstance”








2nd. Place Open – Melinda Shook, “Retired 298”











3rd. Place Open – Stephanie Benedict,  “Lighthouse Keeper’s House”

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Ghost visitation!

Our visiting ghost has been a busy guy!  With many visits, the latest being this last Saturday evening. Seems our fellow dropped into the warehouse and set off the motion sensors. As the story unfolds, seems one of the cellar workers met our friendly but busy ghost early one morning just prior to the first reported visit. The claim is he is an older gentleman with Victorian style clothing, walking with a bit of a limp. It is said he tipped his hat and moved on, out of sight.  This is actually the only true sighting where as the other visits have been less sightings and more activities.  Will keep you informed as the story unfolds...

Monday, November 25, 2013

Covellite Jewelry Coming to Ironstone!

Covellite Jewelry Coming to Ironstone’s Heritage Museum @ 50% off for the Holidays! Here this coming weekend just in time for “Shop Local Saturday” & “Sunday Funday”.

 Check out the properties this mineral is supposed to contain….
“Covellite is a stone to transform your dreams into reality... by enhancing a positive outlook. It has strong metaphysical properties and by utilizing its energy correctly you can bring miracles into your life.
This stone is said to also help to open a doorway to the past and help you remember the wisdom you obtained in past lives.
It may help to trigger psychic gifts such as clairvoyance... and may help to enhance lucid dreaming, astral travel and past life recall.” And also used as a powerful healing stone.


Wow!! With properties like that, we can't afford not to have at least one piece on all the time! Can't wait till this weekend to see the pieces...  will post photos on twitter as soon as we can!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Sold! Vaughn Pottery recent sales...

We love Vaughn Pottery and so do our Collectors!  
Below are images of a few pieces that have found new homes recently.  
Congratulations!





Monday, November 18, 2013

Ghost sightings?

Seems a week ago last Saturday, we had our first experience with a "ghost sighting". Now, it wasn't exactly a sighting, but seems said ghost gently touched the shoulder of one of our managers early that morning leaving a cold spot where the touch was felt. Within the next 30 minutes, the radio was turned on by "no one" up in the tasting room as the security arrived to open up the doors and turn lights on. "No one" was up there when the radio came on... , or when it was again turned on and off again just this past weekend. 

Tasting room security cameras also saw one of the registers start a ZZ run the next day, spitting out rolls of register tape when "No one" again was anywhere near said register.  Add to that reports of slamming doors and a few other possibly related incidents, and we may have an extra guest visiting these days!

Now, normally, I am one to ignore such things, although when a kid, my sister and I swear we did see the ghost up in her room at the old Museum in Jackson, Ca. We were hiding in a bush outside one night while visiting Grandma & Grandpa, curators that lived in the old house next to the Museum... but, I've always thought that sighting a direct result of a frightening story told by an outstanding Grandpa story teller that put the fear in us. A huge rush of adrenaline brought on by sneaking out the bedroom window in the middle of the night and hiding behind an old bush under a full moon with glowing reflections on the old museum windows, and well, you get the picture.

But, here at Ironstone, those reports made were by some pretty stable, reputable staff members minus the full moon, adrenaline rush and the great Grandpa Storyteller.

So, there you have it! Take it with a grain of salt, but, if I hear more, I will let you know!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Historic Trivia from the Gold Country

 This wonderful old safe has been here in the Heritage Museum for several years now.  Showing signs of wear with a lock that has been drilled open, this old boy seems to have an awful lot to say.  But finding the time to search out his voice has always been lacking.

Well, with a short concert season, we have found ourselves with a little bit of time on our hands and what an amazing story is emanating from this old timer!

We know it came out of what had been the Wells Fargo Office in Angels Camp, California, just down the road from us. Each of the Wells Fargo Agents that either worked or owned that office had signed the door of this safe with the dates they had been the official Wells Fargo Agent.

(Note: we had to wrap plastic over the door where the signatures were to protect them from being rubbed off by a curious on looker. Why someone would do that is beyond me, but, luckily we caught the offending finger before it could do too much damage! A Plexiglas cover is being designed to replace the plastic wrap.)

The first signature belongs to a J. C. Scribner who was the first agent from 1856 to 1892.


Having seen that name before, it was time to dig. In the back office reference library is a reprint of a book printed in 1885 titled "Calaveras County, Illustrated and Described 1885."
Page #72 ... 

"At Angel's, J. C. Scribner keeps a general merchandise store, and a good line of drugs. He also acts as agent for Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express. He came to Calaveras County as early as 1849, and purchased the business formerly conducted by Mr. Angel, the founder of this camp. The wooden building occupied first by Mr. Scribner was burned in 1855, and he replaced it by a very substantial stone building the following year (1856). He has remained in business at this place ever since."

This lovely book also has an etching of said store as it looked in 1885.

At the California Historic American Buildings Survey website, we found the photo below of a later version of Scribner's store & Wells Fargo Express office taken prior to 1941 when the building burnt down and became what is now a parking lot across the street from what was the old Angels Hotel. 

According to the Survey card, J. C. Scribner was: 

"Dear to hearts of Angels Camp citizens because of folk lore around Scribner, practical joker of old school. Said to have been the one who furnished the grapeshot that decided the race in Mark Twain's famous story "Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

Now, this story was an actual event that occurred downtown Angels Camp sometime between 1856 and 1865. Samuel Clemens heard the folklore while socializing in the Angels Hotel, just across the street from Scribner's store. Maybe we will have time for that in another blog.

May, 1892, the Wells Fargo agency was taken over by R. Rasmussen.  At this time, I am still looking to see what happened to J. C. Scribner. If I find anything interesting, I will most certainly post an update.

Hope you have enjoyed this little bit of historic trivia.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Trivet Time for the Holidays!

Coinciding with the current "History of Iron" display, Ironstone's Junk Junkies have just received bags full of vintage trivets!

These go on sale this weekend for $5 each!  Research on just the first bag revealed value of just one of the trivets to be around $25.00.  

Many of these are collector pieces, so best come on in and gather up the deals.

This is a one time opportunity as well. From a recent estate sale, the collector's heirs don't see any value here, so the catch is yours.


While you are in, take a look at the "History of Irons" display as well.

Those are all available for sale as well. An outstanding value for the collector or just those of us who remember the doorstop at Grandma's house, and want to emulate the connection for our kids.

Remember, with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, these can also be great White elephant gifts or nostalgia mementos for your loved ones.

At the very least, stop in when you are out to put a smile on your face!

Updates to come from the Junk Junkies!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Fiona & Trysette Visit Ironstone

Today Dan Sokyrka, of Diamond Concepts over the river in Sonora, played tour guide to friends Fiona & Trysette.  The Ladies are here in California on tour and took time out for a little sightseeing.

Here you see Dan explaining the intricacies of the Crystalline Gold Formation here in the Heritage Museum.

And Now, trying to talk Dan into creating one of his jewelry design masterpieces with a chunk of the Gold!

GO GIRLS!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Call to Artists, Plein Air Painting Day at Ironstone!

Great opp for all you plein-air painters out there. 

The Concours Foundation has invited plein-air painters to join the fun on Saturday, Sept. 28th from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Participating artists will receive complimentary entry to the event and the Hospitality Room for a luncheon buffet. 



You will need to be registered with Chris at 209-728-1251 or cgomez@ironstonevineyards.com for the complimentary entry pass. Please touch base by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 25th to make sure you are on the list.




Send a bio and we can feature you on this blog as well as some of the on site event promos.





Bring your easel, paints and canvas and have a great day painting classic autos, tear drop trailers, motorcycles, vintage race cars and more!

For more information about the event, check out their website at:

http://www.ironstonefoundation.org/

Friday, August 23, 2013

Rim Fire Donation Station at Ladies Nite Out tonight!

We will be collecting donations that are needed for the Rim Fire Evacuees at Girls Night Out tonight in the parking lot outside of the Breezeway here at Ironstone Vineyards.  Donations needed at this time are on the list below.  Any questions please direct to Kerry Keeney at 209 728 1251.  People do not need to attend Girls Night Out to drop off donations.

Gatorade
Non-sugary children's drinks
Diapers
Travel Sized Deodorant 
Femine Hygiene Products
New Pillow Cases
Shave Gel
Small Kleenex packets
As well as monetary donations to the Red Cross


There will also be a card station where you can bring cards with words of encouragement to the people at the shelter. 

Friday, August 9, 2013

New Arrivals! Vaughn Pottery

Stunning new arrivals!

This breathtaking platter is one of the largest we have seen from Vaughn Pottery. Five large turquoise stones fit serenely in a deeply carved path emanating from the centered fossil.
Textured accents highlight the horsehair patterns on the natural light pottery face.
Priced at $950.00, this piece found it's new home before I was able to post!



Smaller Platter with Horsehair design and abalone shells.  Deep carved design and a footed base.  Priced at $375, this piece stands equally well on the stand or resting on its footed base.

This tall elegant lidded vase with side details matched on the lid is a must see piece. Standing at 26" tall, the deeply carved sides evoke a sensuality and elegance of form.  Priced at $900. this piece will not stay on the shelf long!   
  

This new form playfully charges the eye back and forth between the dark, deep carved forms and the brilliant colored natural stones.  Two sided, each side has evolved different elaborate imagery.  Priced at $700.00

Monday, August 5, 2013

Big & Rich Play at Ironstone This Saturday, August 10!

Big & Rich


Big & Rich Play at Ironstone 
This Saturday, August 10!
Country superstars Big & Rich are bringing their "Party Like Cowboyz" tour to Ironstone Amphitheatre this Saturday, August 10! With special guests Cowboy Troy and Whiskey Dawn, it's going to be an unforgettable evening of live music. A limited number of seats are still available,

Tickets start at just $45 and the show begins at 7 p.m.
__________________________________


Now, lets step back for a moment and take a close look at Big & Rich's promotional photograph.  I'm thinking that photo is as "SteamPunk" as it gets!

Here at the Museum, we've been doing some studying up on "SteamPunk". 
After a wild photo session here at Ironstone Vineyards by a Bay Area Photographer with her dressed to the hilt models, our curiosity was spiked. Promoting "Steampunk" Weddings, she spent the better part of the day posing her bride & groom throughout the beautiful grounds with a variety of props.  

To say the least, I was intrigued!  LOVED the feel and mood of the outfits! (I will post as soon as we receive permission to share... )  This drove me to investigate what was behind this "SteamPunk" phenomena.  

Think Victorian, creative science of movement, the wild west ... yes, the "Wild Wild West" TV series with all the innovative weapons they used is considered by many pure "Steampunk".  Throw in a heavy dose of Fantasy with some goth and you have the basics of "Steampunk".

If you check out www.steampunk.com, "Steampunk's" roots are literary, laying claim to many of the world's great classic books, (one of my favorites, H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" being only one).  This website defines Steampunk as a "subgenre of science fiction and fantasy" utilizing steam engines and the technology of the 19th. century while rebelling against the same.

Springing forth from these humble beginnings, is music, art, science and a world of fashion wrapped into an entire lifestyle.  A lifestyle rich with a unique creativity enveloping one's entire environment. Morphed into a thought pattern, craving & functioning in the pure science of a Fantasy Victorian. 

Fascinating, mysterious, marvelous, frightening and very romantic all at the same time...  

As we delve deeper into this unique world, we will give you updates on our discoveries... Until then, we leave you with one question ....

Is Big & Rich Steampunk? Lets go Saturday night and find out!


























Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Spring Obsession Artist, Myra Steward exhibit

Hi Everyone-
 
I have the wonderful opportunity of displaying my art at the Blue Moon Gallery.  There are four of my new paintings on display there now.

The gallery is located at:  2353 Albatross, Sacramento, 95815
                              hours:  Wednesday- Saturday  Noon- 5 PM
Second Saturday reception:  6-9 PM  

There is a second Saturday reception this weekend, July 13.  Please stop by and introduce yourself to  the owner Carol.  Let her know that
I told you about the gallery.

Attached is a photo of one of my new paintings.  I continue to paint the animals and birds theme!

Thank you for your continued support of my artistic journey!

Myra



Check out other examples of my art work at these two websites under artists gallery.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Featured Artist Joann Reed

Currently on Display and available for sale at Ironstone Vineyards are outstanding prints from Artist Joann Reed.  Joann's fine work takes the viewer into a wonderful world of rich, warm colors and timeless emotion.   



 "Born and raised in Pennsylvania, the artist had always nurtured a tremendous feeling of love for the great out-of-doors, her favorite treat being "a walk in the woods" from the time she was old enough to walk. When she arrived in  California in 1963,she found what her heart had been searching for. Revelling in  the feeling of broad expanse in California's rugged scenery, loving the wildness of the oak tree's willful character, and delighting in the diversity of both vegetation and terrain, she immediately felt a keen closeness to the ranch lands of the state. Taking full advantage of California's abundant supply of sunlight and unprohibitive temperatures, she has, from innumerable journeys through areas of oak, redwood, grassland, pine forests, ocean, and desert, evolved her personal way  of expressing her reverent and joyous responses to these creations and their mercifully approachable, loving Creator."



 Joann's framed prints range in price from $50 to $30, making them very affordable treasures for your home and gifts for art loving friends. The exhibit runs through the month of June.






Friday, June 7, 2013

Artist Susie Hoffman, Ironstone Spring Obsession Artist is Hop'n this summer!


Check out the action at Artist Susie Hoffman's Town Hall Arts in Calaveras County's Copperopolis

Check out our website! www.townhallarts.com

Featured artist for the month of June at Galerie Copper is Don Hukari, well known for his award-winning
serigraphs and publisher of Sierra Seasons Magazine. Don does art and commercial design from his home
studio near Sonora. Read more about Don under “Galerie Artists 2013” at www.townhalllarts.com.

Galerie Copper artists include Dorothy Babinsky, Kim Barrington, Diana Boyd, Judie Cain, Patricia
Cherry, Barbara Conley, Kitty Davids, Geneva Davis, Marlene Dotur, George Allen Durkee, Dava
Ellinger, Diana Eppler, Sarah Evans, Jill Figler, Margo Flanagan, Brent Frazer, Dola Garretson, Debbie
Gurich, Gemma Gylling, Renetta Hayes, Susie Hoffman, Don Hukari, Frank Hynes, Marie Jobes, Randy
Klassen, Nancy Macomber, Carolyn Macpherson, Ken McBride, Ruth Morrow, Dana Sue Palemone, Pat
Rohovit, Mary Jean St. Claire, Selma Sattin, Michael Severin, Sunny Sorensen, Dianne Stearns, Ellie
Stone, Irene Taylor, Carolynn Troedson, Glenn Wasson, Staci Williams, Janet Wilmeth, and Terri Wilson.

__________________________________________________________________
Town Hall Arts under the clock
145 Stone St.,Copperopolis Town Square

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 10 am to 5 pm
Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to 6 pm • Sundays 12 to 5 pm
CLOSED Tuesdays

                __________________________________________________________________
Classes/Events as of June 10, 2013 Atelier Copper

Sign up for classes with Larry,
larry@townhallarts.com, or phone 785-2050

A deposit is required to hold your place in most classes.

Life Drawing

June 3, 10, 17, 24 • 1 to 4 pm

In The Raw--Serious Life Drawing with Sunny Sorensen

Students will be drawing from a live nude model. No experience needed. Cost for each
month is $40. This covers the model’s fee and limited instruction. To hold your place, the
fee must be paid when you sign up with Larry at Town Hall Arts. Sunny will set up the
model with a series of short poses, ranging from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. These will be
followed by longer poses. The goal of the short poses will be to understand and capture
the movement of the figure using a variety of techniques. The expectation is that you
draw large especially for these poses. This helps you loosen up, draw from your shoulder,
and not get caught up in details.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Copper Art Club Open Painting
Wednesday, June 12

9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Open painting with optional drawing warm-up. Start off your day with
the “One Drawing a Day” group. For this exercise, you will need a
bamboo pen and some black or brown ink. No instruction; no cost.


Myra Steward, Spring Obsession Artist Exhibit update!

Quick Share! 

One of Ironstone's 2013 Spring Obsession Artists has a show coming up! Thanks for sharing Myra!



Hi Everyone!

I've attached photos of my entry in the Fiber Show-"Focus on Fiber".   It's a wonderful visually stimulating show with many unique pieces!  It's being held at:
Sacramento Fine Arts Center
5330-B Gibbons Drive
Carmichael, CA 95608

Hours: 11AM tp 7 PM Tuesdays
           11AM to 3 PM Wednesday-Saturday

Dates:  June 4- June 22

Reception-  June 8-5:30-8:30PM

The piece I knitted is a ruana, a South American Poncho, and is knitted with silk, wool and acrylic yarns.  I am also working on a series of paintings that will be displayed at the Blue Moon Gallery this summer.

Thank you for your continued support of my artistic journey!


Myra

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Vaughn Pottery "Life Force" comes to Ironstone

"LIFE FORCE Series"
by Vaughn Pottery

#141 310047 "Life Flame" by Vaughn Pottery $600
Standing 26" tall, fired pottery hand carved & decorated.
Undulating design embellished with fossil & native trading beads,  this Vaughn pottery piece is one of our favorite pieces.  Unlike any other piece we have seen to date, this tall vase steps away from the symmetrical forms of most of Vaughn Pottery designs.  Not for the faint of heart, this piece  seems almost alive with inner forces breathing and flowing with life.  
#141 310047 "Life Flame" by Vaughn Pottery $600

Working around the vase,
June Vaughn wove an intricate story of life unfolding
in design and powerful symbolism.  It is a breathtaking piece we classify as a "Must See" to appreciate.

#141 310047 "Life Flame" by Vaughn Pottery $600

The  "flame" lid is hand carved antler,
embellished with jasper... inset in elaborate carved & painted fired ceramic.  
Stop by on your next visit to Calaveras County & Murphys to see this piece. Well worth the trip. It is available for purchase at only $600, so don't wait too long or it will be gone!