Turn to Stone ~ New Work for 2009

An epiphany occurred during the process of sculpting my new miniature paperclay figurines...

...They are a synthesis of my most sacred and dearest inspirations, all rolled up into one. A tiny one at that! And perhaps in a hat! Resting in my palm is yet unnamed, little bearded figurine based on my bearded Buddha bear I created for Witneys a few years ago.

As individual as a pebble.

Small, hand held objects have always fascinated me, it's the mainstay of why I enjoy working small. Though a tedious scale to work in, the outcome delights me. My studio houses many diminutive, precious objects like my rock and crystal collection, miniature Buddhas, porcelain figurines, Zuni stone animal carvings, a small ancient brass bell.

Teddy bears, animals, nature, spirit, small. It was a natural progression, don't you think?

Can you find the little bear in the photo above?
Look again...below.
There he is!

Wabi-sabi (simply translated as the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature), is an aesthetic I've long admired and try to live by. I'd like to think my new mini "bear" sculptures reflect a little of that :)


Each figurine is definitely one of a kind, and is signed and dated on the bottom. I plan to have these available in my Etsy shop fresh into the new year... and that's really soon! And more exciting news, I will be offering original drawings/ artwork (bear-themed and other-themed) on Etsy as well. Lots of fun things to anticipate!! Hope you enjoy where the new year takes us :O)

A Gathering of Softies... and Friends!

By last night, I had just about given up hope that the mail was gonna come. My soggy outgoing Netflix was still flapping in my mail box by 5pm. Then Rob arrived home from work, with mail in hand, and lo and behold... my anxiously-awaited debut issue of STUFFED! Published by the talented crew at Stampington. Like all of Stampington's publications, Stuffed Vol. 1 is a hefty mag, more akin to a softback book than a magazine. Lots to pour over in this, so grab an issue and a hot beverage... and a few cookies too.

Many moons ago, P alerted me to the call for entries, which she heard about from Danita. It was all very last minute, wasn't even sure if my singular entry would arrive by the deadline. Thankfully my Antiqued Sock Monkey "Fancy Clancy" was received and accepted~ I'm thrilled to be featured on my own whole page (that's page 125)! It includes, in my own words, inspiration and instructions to make your own sock monkey. And I'm so proud of P, she has a glorious 6 page spread (I called her frantically to tell her the news). It's nice to be in the same publication together :) And of course, with all the other talented artists in Stuffed. It is really quite a gathering of artists and inspirations. A wonderful way to begin the new year!

Happy Holidays

Big hugs to all of you!

Morning Funnies

Hmmm, I don't think boiled OJ would be a good idea. I gave myself a good chuckle when I did this! See what happens when I go 2 days without coffee? I can't drink coffee black, so for lack of rice milk I drank black tea. But today, my "MVP" was back in action with some Italian roast. As a friend once said, tea is for when you want to feel zen and peaceful, and coffee for being productive~ this is why she swears by coffee in the AM. Though I love good quality tea, as evidenced by my "tea drawer":


Well, I finally finally did grocery shopping yesterday... after missing a week. Yesterday morning I was eating the last pack of instant oatmeal out of a Pyrex measuring cup so things were pretty desperate, LOL. Snow storm be damned, I was determined to get out of the house and feel human again. Rob called me twice (he tried my cell which I turn off during aerobics class, and the land line) all concerned if I was driving around in the snow storm, and how the power steering was working (it's on the fritz). He is a sweetie to check up on me :) I made it home safely, basically sailing the truck into a snow pile/ parking spot (it's a pick up truck, no 4 wheel drive). Now I can relax knowing the kitchen is stocked, and we are good through Xmas.

Saturday forecast is calling for 50 degrees! FIFTY!! I pray that's no mistake. It'd be a perfect time to transport some Home Depot tropical plants. Just don't get the tall palms, they always die. Believe me, I've tried. Maybe some little pots in the kitchen, and my studio could use some greenery. I'm thinking positive here, 50 degrees...50 degrees.

If you've read this far, pat yourself on the back for not being bored to death! Groceries, snow storm, the weather (yawn)... guess it's due to being in 'survival' mode, that's what frigid temps do to me. I promise more exciting posts in 2009!

Oh, I used up the whole pack of Paperclay that she gave me. I am lovin' the stuff! About a year ago I bought a block of (stale) Paperclay, the expiration date on it only gave me a week to use it.. duh. So I didn't do much with that. But I had so much fun using a new medium, I think I'm addicted. After Xmas, I will reveal what tiny sculpted things I made. Something to look forward to :)

enjoy the day!

'Tis the First Day of You-Know-What

Happy Winter Solstice! It feels more like the 99th day of winter than the first, yes? We're in complete sub-zero, frosted-over, where-have-all-the-animals-gone Land. It's so artic cold that we didn't go grocery shopping tonight... and I would love to thaw out in Whole Foods heated indoor parking lot. Really, driving in there is like an underground tunnel into Florida. I'll take whatever heated environments I can get.

Does Santa drive a big brown truck? Look what the UPS man brought me from dear Pam! An ellie charm necklace and a cute octopus pin to add to my collection. Both were Etsy finds. So sweet :) She also sent me a fresh block of paperclay. I can't wait to open it up and knead and smush. I have some ideas for sculpting, and will show you what I come up with!

Hubs is patiently-impatiently waiting for me to get off the computer and "wine-down" (that's our term for winding down with a glass of wine) and pop in a DVD. Gotta go! Have a nice evening!

Happy Holidays~ New Adorables!

Violetta: Limited Ed of 2 (as shown). 5" tall, hand dyed mohair (fab combo of black on purple backing), fully jointed, wobble heads, milk glass google eyes, waxed noses on mohair muzzles, excelsior/ poly/ encased steel BB's for a nice tactile feel. Violetta fits perfectly in her vintage crochet pouch (hand dyed), with ribbons & bells. You will love holding her. $235 each. Both SOLD

We'd like to wish all of you a Very Happy Holiday Season! Be sure to do a little something special for yourself. Peng Peng Bears would not exist with you :O) Big hugs to you and yours!