Think Spring with these two vintage style bunnies!

Here are my first two bunnies for spring 2014!  The one on the right is already sold, but the one on the left is available now. If not sold here on my blog, I will list it on Ebay soon!  Both are jointed like teddy bears with moveable arms and legs.  I jointed them with some waxed Irish linen string.  They are about 4 inches sitting and 5 inches with their legs extended. The ears were sculpted over heavy wire armatures for extra strength.

Tiny "stitches" make them look hand sewn, but they are, of course, sculpted from polymer clay!

Please contact me at toodlesocks@yahoo.com if you are interested in my work!

Paulina, goth art doll....tight rope performer!

This is Paulina, my new goth doll. She was once a tight rope performer.  You can read her sad story here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171002501191?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I used a wonderful antique handkerchief to make the bodice of her dress. The umbrella, though very old and tattered looking, was quite challenging. I had to sculpt an opened umbrella and then collapse it to get it to look right.  I usually try to make at least one prop to go along with my doll and my story. 

Before you throw anything into the trash, ask yourself, "how can I use this in my work?"  Make art, not landfill!

I will be announcing a new goth doll listing this evening, but for now, I have these altered keys to show you.  I just listed them this afternoon.  As you can see, I am still repurposing things and loving every minute of it!  At least these keys won't be in a land fill for a while! 
Someone wrote and asked me if I solder or glue the embellishments on these pieces. I use glue! E6000 to be exact. It is the recommended glue on several jewelry sites.  I have used other glues, like Aleene's jewelry glue, but it's not as good as E6000. One time I accidently left a brooch on a top and it went through the washer and dryer. The pin that I had glued on with E6000 was still firmly attached when I found the brooch. 

I am starting them at a very low opening price of only $5.00. I think they are so neat and such great conversation pieces. I'm not repeating any of the designs, although some may be similar.

Thanks for popping in to look at them!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/toodlesocks/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Altered key pendant

I am back into making one of a kind jewelry again! This time, I'm altering vintage keys.  It gives these keys a purpose again. They won't go into a land fill anytime soon!  I do love salvaging old things and finding new uses for them.  I know others are doing the same, but each of us puts our own slant on our repurposing.  I used new and old jewelry findings on my pieces. 

If you want to see the pendants I have available, please go to to this Ebay account. I don't list them under my toodlesocks account. That is strictly for my sculptures. I will be listing two new sculpts soon!  For now, here is that link to my other listings:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251233693908?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649


http://www.ebay.com/itm/251233638085?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Edgar is my first goth teddy bear.  I have him glossed gray eyes, which I think add a lot to his creepy look.  I used Premo for this little guy.  I painted the stripes on his legs, his hat, and the pads on his feet, with acrylic paint but used Genesis heat set pain on his eyes because I wanted a transparent look.   My intention is to make my goth characters loveable rather than sinister or evil looking. They simply want to be loved like everyone else.  I hope they find a place in your heart!

Here is the link to Edgar's auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170983084738?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Primitive Hand Sculpted nativity Holy Family

For the past few holiday seasons, I have sculpted my own version of the nativity, or The Holy Family.
I used to use Sculpey in ivory, but it seems that the company has discontinued that color. So, since I love all things white, right now, I decided to sculpt them in all white, including their faces.  I like my version because they are not cutesy or cartoon-ish like many hand made nativities....just my preference.  My intention is to make them look like a relics that have been found on an archeological dig.  Baby Jesus is simply wrapped in a clay swaddling blanket. Each is faceless.  I stained them to make them look very very old and primitive.  They would work well in a shabby chic setting.

I sculpted Mary and Joseph over an aluminum foil armature.  Each piece is very sturdy. This set would make a wonderful heirloom to pass down to children and grandchildren.

Here is the link to their auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170955048079

Priscilla, The Crazy Cat Lady

Yep, she's crazy!  She's obsessed with cats! Priscilla is my latest creation.  This is a 4 piece set, one black cat and three off white ones,and, of course, Priscilla.   You can arrange them however you like and Priscilla can be posed in several positions because she is wire jointed.  This doll has a clay ruffle around her neck, something I have not done before, but I like it!  I knocked off the edges with sandpaper before I stained her so that she would look old and worn.  She has polka dot legs, which area very whimsical.  I hope cat lovers can identify with this feline crazed woman!  I know she has more cats. I think she has then hidden somewhere in her house.  
I will alter a box just for her. Collectors who have my dolls know that they are quite lovely and artistic in themselves!  I use bits of lace, ephemera, photos, ribbons, etc......anything I can find to embellish the boxes.  You'll see! But you have to win her to find out!

Here is the link to her auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170937254518?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

OOAK donkey

I think I've outdone myself on pitiful and obliging with this little donkey! Isn't he just the cutest? He is thread jointed. Someone on my facebook page commented "who wouldn't love a jointed donkey?" Ha! I hope someone finds a spot in their heart for him. He comes in an altered box like all of my recent sculpts do. I alter a box specifially for each piece.

No one else will have one of these. Only you, the lucky winner! If you haven't noticed, I don't repeat any sculpture. Even if I tried, no two can be just alike because I don't use molds, even molds of my own work.

Here's Seth's auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170847975767?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

A shabby chic dictionary bird, Harmony

Birds are really popular right now and I have so much fun sculpting them! If you are new to sculpting, a simple bird might be a great place for you to start since they have no joints and are a fairly simple sculpt. Alter them or add your own embellishments to make them OOAK. Altering and dressing are often the most fun stages of creating or sculpting for me. Start keeping bits of lace, ribbon, extra buttons that come on clothing, and even books you don't want to read or have already read. Use the pages to make medallions or to cover a box.

Spring has sprung, indeed, and Harmony would be such a perfect and one of a kind gift for anyone who loves gardening or the outdoors. Or, you just might want to keep her for yourself!

Here is her auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170840086495?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Inspired by Restoration Hardware!

Here is one of my inexpensive decorating ideas. I was inspired by the very expensive ones that I saw in the Restoration Hardware catalog,framed prints of antique English music. For my project, I used Dollar Tree frames (but they are wooden!), cold pressed water color paper, and French music prints taken from the graphics fairy site. All of her prints are public domain, so you are not infringing on copyright when you use them. I used the water color paper as a background. It gives a bit of texture. Then, I laid the printed music on top, making sure all sides were even.

I love old paper and these print off so well that they look like the real thing! I have them hanging in my family room on the opposite wall where I have two of my dad's old violins hanging. Restoration Hardware's prints go the other direction, longways, while mine are sideways, but they still look great and for a few pennies I can have the look!

Louisa, a shabby wire jointed ooak doll

Louisa is my most recent listing. Louisa was sculpted from white clay that I aged for a shabby chic look. She is one of my wire jointed dolls. Jointing a doll's legs takes a little engineering. If the angles aren't right, she will not sit up. I cure the body before I finish sculpting the legs in order to get a good fit.

FYI, I will not be listing my dolls for under $49 from now on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170822827169?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Shabby white elephant is listed!

I have listed little Stellaphant! Here is her Ebay link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170781263614?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

New Collage Necklaces!

I listed my new collage or altered necklaces on my website! I'll post photos of them here on my blog tomorrow, but if you would like to take a look at them on my website, here is the link:

http://toodlesocks.com/collagenecklaces.html

Please contact me at am803@aol.com if you are interested in them or would like another method of payment besides PayPal.

Just a reminder that each necklace is unique and one of a kind. I will never repeat a necklace, although I will be using some of the same elements, but always in different ways. Some of necklaces have focal pieces that were found in antique shops or vintage shops and some are embellished with various findings I have had for years. I enjoy working some of my own memorabilia into my jewelry. Not all of them have recycled embellishments, but my favorites are the ones that do!

Free polymer clay bunny tutorial!

Are you ready? I have finished my bunny tutorial. It's rather long, but I tried to show you each step. And, don't forget to enter the contest! It's all free and you could win! Here are a few additional things that I would like to tell you about making the bunny. If you want to keep the bunny white, and not antique it, wash your hands really well and make sure your working surface is very clean. Polymer clay picks up any debris or dust like a magnet. I like to work on a piece of white paper just to keep my area extra clean. If you don't want to antique your bunny,just stop skip that part and continue on to the painting. I used a filed down toothpick to show you how to dot the eyes if you don't have a stylus. I missed showing the photos where I applied Future Floor wax to the egg, and sprinkled Glamour Dust on it. I can't seem to be able to insert them where they should be, so just do it like you were in kindergarten playing with glitter!