Tribute for Colleen

The sculpting/doll making world has lost another beloved artist, Colleen Burson.  Colleen had struggled for so long, making hand made soap and selling it to make ends meet. The following is what I have been told about Colleen's illness and subsequent death.

 Last week Collen died from complications from the flu. Because she had no health insurance, she didn't seek medical care for the first several days of her illness. Finally, last Monday, she went ER.  There, she was told to take Tylenol and drink plenty of fluids and was sent home. On Tuesday, she was having difficulty breathing and went back to the hospital. On Thursday, a nurse went into her room to check on her and found her cyanotic (blue). It was too late.  Colleen died from sepsis (an infection that had spread throughout her body). Had she been put on antibiotics during her first visit, she may have survived.  Antibiotics will not kill a virus, but they will kill bacterial infections.  I wonder if the ER doctors even bothered to order a chest X-ray. She probably had pneumonia as a secondary infection, which then led to the sepsis.

People have fought Obama Care. They think it will lead to socialism, which will then lead to communism.  Countless people from other countries have written posts on Facebook, telling of illnesses and hospital admissions that have been completely covered by their country's universal health insurance.  The U.S. lags behind, with the poor dying from illnesses as though we are a third world country.  They don't seek care during the onset of an illness because they can't afford it. In this country money and wealth selects who will survive.

Colleen, though a poor girl, was rich in friends. She touched the lives of so many with her positive attitude, wisdom and spirituality.   She touched my life as we shared our thoughts on faith and religion.

Colleen had finally found a job in a dental office. She was getting her life together and finally could get new eye glasses and tires for her car. She had been wearing reading glasses over old prescription glasses to see. I know this because she told me so during a phone conversation several months ago.  She proclaimed this new year, 2013 to be her year. 

Please wake up America. Universal health care is not evil. It is not communism. It is being compassionate and human!

Colleen, you are free now. No more struggles, no more illness. You will never hurt again.  We love you sweet girl.

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

We Three Gnomes

Aren't these just too silly?  I love them!  These are my new "stocking stuffer" sculpts.  I have them sitting on an old window that is hanging in my hallway.  It makes a great prop for my shabby chic, cottage sculptures.  I sculpted them with white Fimo and sprinkled some fairy dust on their hats. 
Their noses are the only thing that shows on their faces!

Here is their auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170954384397?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

3 miniature shabby kittens!

I don't know about you, but I am always on the lookout for unique stocking stuffers.  I decided to offer my collectors some of my simple, primitive style pieces to put in their loved ones stockings or for giving to friends!

My first offering is set of cute miniature kittens in three different poses.  They are shabby chic and each has a ribbon and brass bell around her neck. I named them Snowball, Crystal, and Frost.  They would be a One of A Kind (ooak) surprise for any cat collector or miniature collector!  You could even break up the set to give to 3 friends. I think they are cuter together, though. 

I started them at a very low $6 which only covers my supplies to make them, so they are a great deal!

Here is their auction link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170953940011?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Mina Saychelle, a Goth ballerina

Mina is my latest doll, a creepy goth ballerina who, as the others, has a sad story to tell.  She waits and waits for her true love, a Russian dancer to return. He was called back to his country right before the revolution in 1917 and has never returned.   She comes with the bouquet of once white roses that he had sent to her dressing room right before he left. They are now browned and very old looking, just like Mina.

I had fun making those little roses. They are so simple to make, yet so dainty and cute!  I used wire for the stems and then painted it green, but  you could also wrap them with green floral tape.  I also enjoyed making her toe shoes.  I detailed them with little creases and used a soft, real suede for the soles.  I used satin ribbon for my dolls because it's so light and delicate compared to satin ribbon.  What I'm really happy with, however, is the rhinestone chain that I embedded into her clay hair.  I aged it first, then pressed it into the clay, making sure I had it lined up just right.

I save all kinds of snippets of lace, ribbon, etc. I had a tiny antique lace medallion that was perfect for the bodice of her dress.  I put a single rhinestone in it's center. 

Dressing is always  and exciting part of doll making.  I search through all of my findings to add finishing touches to each doll. 

Here is the link to Mina's auction!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170950101566?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Oliver is my new jointed beagle puppy!  I was afraid I couldn't capture the worried look I was going for, but I think I did it!  He is a miniature, only 2½ inches sitting and 3 inches with his legs extended.  I hope he finds a good home because he sure is a sweetie!  As I mentioned in his auction, he doesn't bark or shed!

Here is the link to his auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170941560005?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

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