Manfred the Moon and Stars....

Manfred the Moon and Stars, is busy shining to win your heart. He's starry and bright, and loves the night. Won't you take a look and see if I'm right?  EBAY

Just a little roly poly, perhaps no more cookies?

Ah Santa, you've been dipping into the cookie jar again, haven't you? Just look at your round belly, does it shake like a bowl full of jelly? It's okay though, as we love our Santa's stout and round don't we? Someone earlier said something about diabetes type 2, but with you Santa, we won't worry, we'll just hold the cookies for a month or two perhaps?
No? Well, okay......
ETSY

Mistletoe Gourd Santa

I Santa with a round belly is classic right? Well this Santa has a round belly and more! I've hand painted mistletoe branches to dress him up a bit. He's a jolly old elf, and can be found at my ETSY shop

Orange and Black and Halloween Like That!

 Orange and black and Halloween like that!

we decorate each Autumn,

For fun and scares, black cats and bats....

we frolic, and shriek among them.

The moon and sun will take their turn,

to add the colors of Fall...

with chill and cold and sun and night,

it's the spookiest season of all!

A little fun with vintage buttons, beads and wire to get you in a Halloween mood. 

SIMPLYSHERYL'S

Americana jewelry and art for Spring at American Holiday Artists Studios & Marketplace

 Before you know it summer will be here and fireworks will be lighting up the sky. At least it's supposed to although you can't tell by the weather. I did hear that the meteorologists are saying warm weather is on it's way so it's time to think summer clothes and how to dress up your favorite outfits.

 I've created a bracelet and earrings suitable for any nautical or patriotic themed ensemble from gorgeous glass beads.

Another mixed media art piece, created on a wooden scoop. I used stamps, vintage buttons and other tools to create the texture on this piece. I then used layers of paint and sealer to create the color for this piece. A one of a kind original, you can find this at American Holiday Artists Studios & Marketplace

Teenie Tiny Topsy Bunny WIP

I'm trying to make a mad dash in to share one of my latest WIP's. We shall see if blogger cooperates. :-) This roly poly little bunny is about 4" tall. I have a little chicklet that's waiting for it's ruffle but I will wait until the twins are down for a nap again. I'm even thinking of a little kitty in this style. These are so much fun to make that I may end up using all my egg shapes to create more, perhaps a puppy as well? I'll keep you posted. What are you working on right now?

Primitive Valentine Queen Snowman Doll

 Do you ever have a hard time trying to title your ebay auction? I was befuddled with this one as this is a snow lady, but who would search for a snow lady on ebay? No one I know of sooooooo...... I put snowman in the title.

 This little dolly has a vintage chenille dress, with a muslin body and sculpted clay head.

 She's a prim dolly, with loads of vintage buttons as well, and a valentine ornie for whomever takes her home.

If you have a moment stop by my ebay auctions and see what I've got to offer. I've been on the computer most of the day and am getting weary of creating graphics, so it's off to dress a doll or two and perhaps get some sculpting done. Have a great evening!

I've been told that red sells best....

 If it seems that I've been stuck in the "red" mode, I've been told red sells best when it comes to Santa figures. What is your experience? On ebay it can be a crap shoot of sorts, as I've had people go crazy over purple Santa pieces, and blue, not so much the antique white although I happen to like them very much. I've never done  a pink suited Santa or Belsnickle but have seen some very lovely ones.
Anyhew....the 3 Santa ornaments on the right are a commission for a friend. The other one is up for grabs.

This Santa is for my friend's mother so I have to keep her name a secret....:-). I'm so grateful for friends who are willing to give me a chance to create something special for their loved ones. It makes creating more personal. 

So back to the red thingy, do you think red Santas sell best or does it matter?

By the by, if you are looking for some great one of a kind pieces to give as gifts this holiday season, our American Holiday Artists Studios Marketplace still has a few highly collectible goodies to snag. If you have a moment please stop by and see what our artists have been up to. We will also be updating on the 25th of November so stop by then as well. Hope you have a wonderful evening.

A Running Jump At Art

 Last night I attended a Fireside at church that was quite uplifting. I got there just as the meeting was starting though so I ended up on the back row with a family who has a toddler who loves to color. It was interesting watching him as he would lay his paper on the floor and then back up quite a ways. He would then run towards the paper and jump just before he bent down with his crayon to add color to his picture. He did this over and over again and was quite entertaining. No, he wasn't the best part of the night, but a fun part none the less and got me thinking.

 Is this how I and others sometimes approach our art? I have a tendency to have an idea, but rather than sketch it out I will often rush right into the creating. I will have to back up and jump in again and again until I have a finished piece.

 Sometimes I'm pleased, and other times I have even better ideas after the fact. Is that how it is with you or do you always sketch your ideas out to see whether they are what you are wanting? Some folks like the spontaneous feel of just going at it, but is that a good thing to do?

As part of a challenge we were given last night we were asked to think of a bad habit to give up and or a virtue we want to develop. We were told to write it down, but not to reveal it until Christmas day as a sort of gift to the Savior. So I want to apply this to my ability to create. I'm wondering if I can improve and grow if I'm willing to slow down and really think and sketch my ideas out. I believe our talents, what ever they may be are a gift from God, and that we have a responsibility to develop them to the best of our ability, and then learn to rely on divine inspiration to fill in the gaps of our human shortcomings. Am I saying that this will be a part of my challenge response, well I'm not sure yet. I will say this, each of the pieces above were done on the run so to speak without a real plan. I just wonder......
So how do you approach your art? Are you always on the run, or do you plan each piece with careful deliberation. As an FYI all of these are now on ebay. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Why Not Wednesday...Friend Share

A long time ago, in a land far away.....oh, no, wait! That was a story I read once....or was it a movie? I really don't remember, and yes it has been a while since I met Suzanne Urban of Smirking Goddess Studios. She first contacted me through ebay asking me to join her newly formed group, American Holiday Artists Ornaments. She had a vision, and saw a need to  fill for collectors of ornaments. We started out with the idea of just creating year round ornaments but had so many fabulous artists join us who did so much more than ornaments that we decided to expand our venue to include all types of holiday art. Thus we became American Holiday Artists. Suzanne has been a powerhouse in keeping our group running, and has sacrificed many, many hours to promote and upgrade our group.
Today I'm spotlighting her as I so admire her ability to create whimsical illustrations and designs. Not only that though, she creates the most incredibly detailed and amazing needle felted figures!

Her dedication to detail and design shows in all of her work. I own several of her little mini paintings done in her unique style, as well as a needle felted bear ornament that is just darling. Wouldn't you just love a children's book with full of Suzanne's delightful work? Learn more about Suzanne at
Suzanne Urban Designs.

Another WIP

Darling isn't she, hee, hee! This little witch will be finished by next week, I hope. :-)

Here's a close up of her toothy grin. She sits at home awaiting her finishing touches while I tend little darlings here at their home. It's time for me to track down Wesley. He was off on a mission to the bedroom, and who knows what mischief he will find when he gets there. Thank goodness Kelcie is still in the pre-crawling stage or I would be chasing both of them. Oh my I see the gate isn't on the stairs yet. Gotta go!!!!

Heee'sssss Dooooone! Mad Hatter WIP

I'm so tickled with how this fella turned out! Look at those baby blues and that mad grin....heehee!

My husband says he hates to see this one go, but find a new home he must. We don't have the room for him and someone else out there is surely going to be able to find the perfect spot! See more about this Mad Hatter on ebay. Thanks so much for stopping by!

WIP an Alice figure?

A gourdeous fella don't you think? Okay, bad pun, but he is a gourd figure for our Alice Challenge with AHA.

This is only the beginning as he needs a body and other "stuff" to finish him off. Now that I'm home I can perhaps work on him some more. Stop back by to see how he evolves. Oh, wait, I need to get the medals done for the CROCK POT OLYMPICS we are having at church....oh yeah!

Alice In Wonderland White Rabbit AHA Challenge Piece

The final unveiling of the White Rabbit! Ta daa! 

His head was created using air dry clay over a foam egg. The stand/base is a vintage textile spool attached to a wood base.

He has several elements that make up his whole. Stop by my ebay listing to learn more about him. A little side note I didn't add to his listing, did you know that the white rabbit Alice saw had pink eyes?

WIP Alice in Wonderland White Rabbit

 

Don't know what is happening with blogger but I will try and post here. I've been working on a white rabbit figure for our AHA Alice In Wonderland Challenge. It took me longer than I wanted because I was torn between making a cloth body for him or just moving ahead with my idea of using a vintage spool as the base. Here's what I gathered together to put this together. I started with a pink layer after gessoing the whole head. Scary huh?!

Then I dry brushed shades of buttermilk and white. I touched up the strokes with some maple syrup to give him some depth. I continued on with layering colors until he was the way I wanted him to be. Blogger is really not cooperating right now so I'm moving on rather waste time. Below you find the finished head. I will unveil more later today. Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Gourd Jack O' Lantern

In an effort to make room for new creations I've been "catching up" on finishing creations started earlier in the year. This Jack took some time as he didn't seem to want to just be an ornament. So I searched and dug and I searched some more through the different elements in my studio and came up with a vintage oil can I purchased for another idea that never got past the thought stage. Next I had to scrounge up the time to put this all together as babies don't wait for creativity. When they are hungry, or wet or whatever, you just do babies. That's fine, it should be that way. I'm finally finished though and he can be found at my etsy shop. Thanks for stopping by!

Bunnies and Ravens and Signs and Things....

 

It's a sign of the times.... literally. Easter is fast approaching and this sign is ready to display anywhere you would like to add a touch of Spring. Inspired by Victorian ephemera, this one of a kind original will be a great center piece for your Easter decor.

  

 Buddy Bunny Pull Toy is a little egg gourd creation I put together using air dry clay. It's a two part creation with a little pull cart sculpted from clay. Buddy's friend Charlie Chick Pull Toy will be featured in Celebrate365 Spring issue.

 

Last but not least, I've decided to let the original pastel of this painting above to go. You will find all these pieces on ebay so visit my link to the right.

Holiday Palooza! WIP

At AHA we like to mix things up a bit and keep our artists busy...as if they aren't already....lol. Holiday Palooza is a challenge we cooked up to challenge our artists to create cross over art pieces, such as Halloween with an Easter flair, Christmas with a patriotic touch, Easter in love. It has been fun to see what our artists have come up with. I decided to toss my hat in the ring and see how I could combine Christmas/Winter with Valentines Day. So here is a little snow angel waiting to get dressed. She was in the paint drying stage at this point; "warming her seat" as it were. I have continued on so come back and see how she turned out. I'm trying my hand at primitive again, it fascinates me how "prim" artists think. This little lovely will debut on Monday on ebay. In the meantime stop on by AHA to see all the latest in holiday art.

Inspiration in the night.....

Don't you wish you could sleep like a baby? They can sleep any time any where or any place. Husbands can too so I've noticed. Anyway, I sure do, especially when I'm wide awake at 2:30 in the morning. Sometimes though, it's not a bad thing to be awake like that. For instance, this morning as I tried to get back to sleep after getting up to get some Advil for aches and pains, I mentally started the running list of projects I want to finish this week. Miraculously ideas came pouring out of a well of inspiration that I thought was usually dry in January. So I just let them come, one after another, and now am itching to get them all done. I need to write down and flesh out some of the ideas, which will have to wait until I'm home and Kent goes to his meeting. For now though I will enjoy the time with the babies, and know that all good ideas will still be there. I'm finding that amazing that I can remember the ideas as I usually forget them when I get up and can't seem to get any to budge from the dark recesses of my brain and show themselves again.
I do wonder why I felt the overwhelming urge to run.... which I did at 5:30 AM and am so glad I did! Do you ever wake up and have so many ideas you can't hardly contain them all or keep up? It's wonderful isn't it?!

Celebrate 365 and Our AHA Artists

Another wonderful publication by Connie Porcher arrived in the mail! Yes, I'm a tad behind the 8 ball here, but the holiday rush took over and stampeded any hopes of sharing this sooner.
The line up of AHA artists featured in this issue include, besides me (blush):
Amelia Schaefer - www.sweetbfolkart.blogspot.com
Dawn Tubbs - www.boyhowdie.com
Johanna Parker - www.johannaparkerdesign.blogspot.com
Kathy Hunka - www.primsicalstudios.blogspot.com
Nancy Malay - www.nancymalay.com
Robin Seeber - www.outsidetheboxprimitives.com
Susan Verndoerhook - www.seasonalwhimsies.blogspot.com

There was an article featuring Susan and the Artistry of Poland piece she designed of which we are so proud. Yes, we do take part ownership as she is one of our group leaders and it's such a thrill to see one of our members succeed! If you haven't gotten a subscription to Celebrate 365 think about it as a New Year's resolution!