Goth white pumpkin face

I was at Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach yesterday. That's where people shop for high end holiday decorations for their homes. Unbelieveable prices! There were some paper mache pumpkins that had realistic eyes and they ranged in price from $400-$800! The only think that made them different from any other molded pumpkin was that they had realistic eyes. I have sculpted my own realistic faces on pumpkins before and was re-inspired to go home and sculpt some more! This time, I made my own glass-like eyes (my first attempt at this technique) and inserted them into my own little miniature pumpkin head! Rather than orange clay, like the one at Roger's, I decided to make mine white and stained for an old world look. This one is only 1¼ X 1¼ inches. I estimate that in proportion, it should cost about $100! So, I started it at $1 just for fun! Theirs appeared to be a reproduction as they had several, and mine is a one of kind original. So, see what you think. Here's the auction link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170916544640?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I just listed some simple little pumpkins, 2 with faces, and all coming in a cute altered box with an opening price of only $1 !!! They are really cute to sit with mini dolls and mini bears. I won't be making these much longer so please grab while you can! Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170915989474?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Annamaria, an opera singer who lost her voice

Annamaria was an opera singer circa late 1800s. She lost her voice after she gave her heart to a low down tenor who left her for another soprano. She walks the world looking for it. That's her story, sad but true. She will not rest until she finds it. She carries with her a note (hand sculpted) and a page of music from an Italian opera. People say that they have caught a glimpse of her in various hotels and theaters around the world. She shows up a lot during this time of year....in the fall when shadows are tall and beings lurk in the shadows. Maybe you have seen her.... Here is the link to her auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170915214764?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Here's something different from me, a pumpkin head altered bottle (sort of doll) that I named Vincent after Vincent Price. I am a long time aficionado of spooky movies, so I named him after Vincent Price. As a teen, I spent many Friday nights, staying up late with my best friend, Bonnie, watching those wonderful old black and white horror movies. I hand sculpted Vincent's head from Fimo and premanently affixed it to the bottle cork. I used various ephemera to embellish the bottle where you will find one of my hand pleated medallions with an antique bone button in its center, a reprint of an old post card, a "key," and part of an old necklace around the neck. I wrapped some coffee dyed torn silk around the neck for more of a shabby look. Oh, I stained the pumpkin head to keep with the antique or vintage look. I like him a lot! I hope you do too! Here is his link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170913225571?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Bob, a falling leaf ornament

"Bob" is my 4th falling leaf for the 2012 fall season. He is darker in color than the previous 3. His colors mostly burgundy/brown. The antiquing isn't as pronounced but he is still cute!

Catch a leaf while you can! I won't be making these much longer.

Here is Bob's auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170911910702?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Lillith, the forgotten bride doll

I feel like I have gone back to my roots with these primitive, folk art dolls. It's fun to be able to concentrate on creating a mood, a look, without having to concentrate so much on realism and perfection. In fact, the imperfections and flaws give these dolls the distressed look that is expected with an old piece.
I didn't really know where this doll would take me when I started with her. Along the way, I realized that she would be a sad bride. She waits for her groom that never showed, never to be seen again. I think you can feel her sorrow. Tear stains run down her cheeks. Her only friend and companion, an old pumpkin, sits by her side or on her lap. Her wait is neverending, an eternity.
She is jointed at the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees so that she can be posed in many positions.

Currently, Lillith is sitting in front of a hinged black box on a black chest here in my home. You can see the box in the photos. I get to enjoy her for 3 days before she goes to her new home, where she will continue to wait, and wait, and wait.

Here is her auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170909987532?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Baby falling leaf and Boston Terrier Puppy!

Baby Gus is my third leaf for this 2012 fall season. I thought about putting a pacifier in his mouth, but that is just too cutesy for my taste. So, he's just smaller than my first two leaves. I like showing my leaves in front of an antique window that I've found on a trip to Michigan many years ago. If you have an old window, it would be a perfect display for him!

I also listed a sweet little Boston Terrier puppy. This one has a particularly sweet face. I used plain old sculpey glaze on his eyes and nose. Sometimes I think it works better than the fancy stuff. I didn't put a shabby ruffle around this one. I opted for a red collar with a gold buckle (all tediously hand sculpted) because I thought it would contrast so well with his black and white coloring. He sits on a coordinated red and black box with the vintage dictionary treatement on the side of the box. You will find the definition for Boston Terrier there.
I hand painted this puppy's eyes using Genesis paints. I used acrylic for his body (white paint on black clay.

Here are the auction links:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170908839312?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170908836981?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

pumpkin head doll and mini pumpkins

I've been itching to make some spooky dolls for Halloween. Emma Boo is my first of these. Even in her spooky-ness, she still has the shy, obliging look that most of my beings have. She is wire jointed and very poseable because she is jointed, not only at the shoulders and hips, but at the elbows and knees. I have had a lot of fun posing her and hope you do too!

I like all of the irregularities in the clay because they accentuate the primitive, vintage look that I was striving for. The stain really brought them out. If you are using stain, remember that it must not be oil based or it will eat the clay. I used an acrylic stain that I have had for years. One bottle lasts a long long time!

I also listed some of my mini pumpkins. I altered a box for them. You can use it for storing the pumpkins or for displaying them. I am still into using old dictionary pages in my work, so you will find the definition for "pumpkin" and "pumpkin seed" on the side of the box. My collectors are liking that I use appropriate words and definitions for my work.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors, the characters that make their yearly appearances and everything that goes with the season.

Here are the auction links:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170906633611?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170906651937?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

"Rusty," my second Falling Leaf for 2012

Rusty joins Goldie in a trip to the ground this fall! He is a pretty burnt orange color and his eyes are a little closer set than his sister's, Goldie's.

I used a small antique window to display Rusty and it worked out very well!

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Even though Calfornia falls aren't as pretty as those in Ohio, the sun casts a different light and I still get that nostaligic feeling of school days and new beginnings! Rusty is certainly in for a new life on the ground. Maybe you would like to catch him in his fall and let him live at your house!