Shining a Creative Light on Liberty Hill

by Linda A. Thornton • photos courtesy of Kendra Cofer

Carol Maclaskey was sure she was on to a great business idea. Worried about her husband Jay’s 100-hour work week as a chef, she encouraged him to explore ice carving as a new career. While his talent in the culinary art received much praise and publicity, it remained anonymous, and she knew it deserved to be showcased. After trying to get him on board with the idea to no avail, she secretly printed business catalogs and distributed them all over their Atlantic City, New Jersey neighborhood.

The call from the Atlantic City Convention Center, with a customer’s special request, came quickly. At first, Jay was furious, but as he started to produce renderings of the ice castle that the Chrysler Corporation had in mind, he began to appreciate the merit of the idea. Carol almost fell out of her chair when they placed a $9,000 order for two ice sculptures. Seven weeks later, Jay quit his job, the couple moved to Houston, and Iceworks Houston, now known as Wicked Ice, was founded.

For 25 years, they designed and sold ice sculptures to major hotels and caterers. Along the way, Jay won fourth place in Japan’s prestigious Asahikawa International Ice Sculpture Competition with his 10-foot-high sculpture of two American Indians performing a ceremonial dance.

FINDING INSPIRATION IN GEORGETOWN

When Carol and Jay moved to Georgetown in 2014 to be closer to their grandchildren, their enchanting little farm with its rustic barn inspired them to open a wedding venue and, later, a furniture rental business. When Katie Amsler, Liberty Hill’s director of Community Engagement & Communications, placed a furniture order for the city’s Whimsy and Wonder in 2019, it not only led to the introduction of Jay’s ice sculpture demonstrations at the art and music festival, but later included another creative contribution from Carol – yarn bombing.

Yarn bombing is a street art also known as wool bombing, yarn storming, guerrilla knitting or granny graffiti. It adds a splash of color to stairs, poles, trees, mailboxes, and any places that spark the artist’s imagination. Carol’s passion for textile arts began with crocheting when she was just 3 years old and later expanded to include knitting and quilting. She loves the magical feel of it all and the thrill of leaving behind the surprise of her anonymous art for all to discover – from sleeves on tree trunks to decorated craft hoops.

Catch Jay’s ice sculpting and Carol’s yarn bombing at next year’s Whimsy and Wonder on May 17, when Liberty Hill’s Main Street will again be transformed into a performance art venue.

RETIRED AND INSPIRED

Although Carol and Jay have retired from their wedding venue and furniture rental business, they laugh because it has simply given them more time to let their imaginations run wild. Jay’s idea to host snowball battles using the byproduct of his ice sculpting is just one of those creative endeavors.

When they first brought this unique activity to Liberty Hill’s Fourth of July event, they wondered if anyone would visit their booth, as it was hidden in a corner on the event grounds. But according to Jay, “As if out of the movie Braveheart, we saw hundreds of attendees cresting the hill towards us, except that this group was ready for a snowball fight!” The activity is now a fixture at Liberty Hill’s Fourth of July event, taking place this year on July 3, and Jay plans to begin marketing the concept for children’s parties and corporate events.

Meanwhile, Jay surprised Carol by suggesting they turn their barn into Carol’s art studio for her most recent creative endeavors, punch needle rugs and miniature quilts. Carol hopes to introduce others to her artistic passions with classes at her newly named Star Basin Studios.

Visit WickedIce.com for information on ice carving, snowball battles, or Carol Maclaskey’s classes at Star Basin Studios.