Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Spooooky....

Here are some Halloween goodies I've been working on. They'll be on their way to California soon (sniff sniff) and I wanted to show you before their big trip.

This graveyard is planted on an old super rusty cigar tin that was made right here in Boston (or at least it says so...it has great faded graphics). I actually saw the same exact tin the other day at an antique store for $13. It wasn't nearly so rusty and therefore not nearly so interesting, so I left it there.

Ever wonder where those missing pumpkins went? These crazy pumpkin thieves have collected quite a stash! And shhhh...don't tell anyone, but the base is actually the box that Ben's cologne came in. It's a really nice thick black cardboard and richly black...I couldn't bear to throw it away. Now it's part of this goofy scene! :)

These nests are exactly like the ones I made on Martha's show...except they're black! For Halloween of course. I make them in three sizes and they look great displayed together. For these particular nests I used real dried eggs from my mom's button quails, chickens and from quail eggs I found at a garage sale.

Tomorrow is October and Halloween season will be in full swing...yippee!!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Works in Progress

I've been working hard in my studio this week! There are little naked bodies everywhere and I'm busy trying to get them dressed! :)

This cat family is still naked, but at least they're smiling!

I know it's hard to see...but there are flying bats and dresden banners here. Even the little details take time to dry...and those tiny clamps really help keep things together in the mean time!

These pasty white bodies will be colorful and sparkling in no time!

This guy is finally done...a large Santa. Yes...I'm working on Christmas and Halloween pieces at the same time! I've actually been slowly but surely working on Christmas items all summer long...there just isn't enough time between Halloween and Christmas!

Okie doke...back to work! :)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Big or Small?

I find it interesting how it's often impossible to tell exactly how large something is just by looking at it's photo. These two cat girls above for instance...are they small? Medium? Large? Can you tell just by looking at them on screen?

They in fact aren't only large...they're huge! About 9" tall. Some of the largest pieces I've done in fact...but how can you tell? I placed a normal sized cat girl in front to show the difference in size. She looks likes a baby compared to large ladies in back. I just love optical illusions!

Are these masquerading cuties normal sized? Or super sized?

Did you guess correctly? The normal sized guy in front is much too small to dance with these giant girls.

These large figures are on their way to Susan's Store Room in California where they'll loom over teeny trinkets for sure! :)

Monday, September 21, 2009

At long last...Brimfield Loot!

It only took me almost two weeks, but I finally took photos of my Brimfield loot! (Well I photographed them sometime last week, but I am finally posting about them...phew, I'm a real slacker!) :) For those of you who aren't familiar with Brimfield...it's a very large and prominent New England Antiques Fair. Buyers from all over the world attend to shop from vendors all over the East Coast. It's huge and almost anything can be found at the fabulous Brimfield Antique Show.

I'd like to share some of my flea market shopping strategies with you in addition to showing you my loot! While I was sifting through hundreds of booths at Brimfield, I looked for items for three different reasons.

First, I looked for items to use in my creations. I'm always on the lookout for items my figures can hold. Old cupcake picks, floral picks, miniature doll house trinkets, etc. Also items they can stand on or sit on or hang from. And of course old crepe paper, buttons, beads, glitter, etc. that I can use to dress them. These things really add that vintage charm I love and gives my figures and sense of history...very important.

Secondly, I look for items to keep for myself. Of course! My house is filled with vintage treasures and I can't resist adding to my collections and also cycling things in and out. I go through phases too...right now I'm really into old crepe paper figures and wedding cake toppers.

Lastly, I look for items to sell on Etsy. This helps to offset the cost of the materials I buy to use in my crafts, that way I can add great vintage charm to my characters without having to jack up the price. The set of deer above are already on their way to their new owner. It's actually a little sad because I really liked those deer! I tend to buy things that I have knowledge of, that way I can tell if I'm getting a good price and can also give a good price (I feel the need to both get a good bargain and give a good bargain). Of course the things I have knowledge of are the things that I really like...so I'm always having to part with things I would rather keep once they're in my posession, but it's good therapy I think. I watch those shows on TV about hoarders and I know I have that hoarding gene! lol Luckily my hallways have yet to be covered in a sea of old newspapers and soda bottles.

As I mentioned before, photography is always a struggle with me. This time Magic was trying to help out. I don't know...she sort of gives the photo a nice burry, but surreal modern art feel...don't you think? lol

These guys were a great price! Eight dollars for the whole lot! It was my last eight dollars actually... Most of these animals are antique painted metal and are probably worth $20 each. The playful kitty and giraffe are my favorites. I collect animal figures so am keeping most of them for myself!

Two plushies...a mohair giraffe and a Japanese Dream Pets reindeer. The giraffe is staying with me while the deer (sniff sniff) will get a new home.

I have never seen as much Christmas at Brimfield before as I did this last trip! And my favorite Chrstimas vendor was cleaning out her garage and had lots of goodies on sale. I bought so many things that she even threw a bunch of extra things into my bag before I left. :)

Most of these will be incorporated into Christmas pieces for this year, but some will adorn my tree! :)

These old Santas have soft beards. Hmmm....

Some will stay and some will move on. Sigh.

Which one do you think I will keep??

Lots of vintage red based Christmas goodies, including a giant roll of candy striped crepe paper...many Christmas elves will be wearing skirts made from this soft and old paper.

I think I'm keeping the white reindeer and sleigh. The paper mache boot will hold a spun cotton Santa or elf. I love those red plastic santa's, but luckily I keep red down to a minimum within my Christmas displays.

LOVE these wonderful bisque and chalk bunnies! The gentleman who sold them to me was super nice and had lots of other sweet things that I bought. My favorite is the bisque duck holding a hollow egg on his back...just darling!

Some fabulous colorful pieces including a collapsing giraffe and ceramic deer (my Japanese deer collection grows at almost every antiquing trip).

I had to get these honeycomb pumpkins and acorns. The pilgrims will come in handy in November as well.

I have a very small collection of vintage Halloween items. You know how expensive these genuine collectibles are. But I couldn't pass up this hat. It's quite large and has crepe paper fringe around the bottom (LOVE crepe paper!!) and a faded glitter witch. It's poor condition made it afforable but it looks great displayed on my dining room table centerpiece...I'll show you later.

This funny Saint Patrick's Day egg was perfect. It has a spun cotton redhead at the top in a garden of vintage flowers. Little shamrocks on the side are daring!! I can't decide whether to take it apart and use the pieces for next Saint Patrick's Day or keep it as is...hmmm...decisions decisions.

Love this vintage play purse featuring Davey Crockett. It even has fringe on the flap!

This collection of wooden blocks was from a kooky vendor who gave them to me all for a buck. My future children will have a blast with them! I can see it already...toppling towers and juvenile architectural master pieces...

Lastly...this spun cotton Santa in pink is arguably my very favorite find of the day. He's pretty large and in Perfect condition. Soooo adorable he'll get a prime spot in my Christmas display. :)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

And the winner is....

Mimi! My friend Mimi K from right here in Boston is the lucky winner of Mrs. Bunny and her baby. Congratulations! There were 39 comments altogether (thank you so much!! I had a blast reading them all!) and I used the random number generator to pick the winner. Yippee!

I'll be having another giveaway fairly soon for Halloween, so stay tuned! :)

Monday, September 14, 2009

Snapshots from the Boston Ahts Festival

This weekend at the Boston Ahts Festival was great! Well sort of...if you don't count the two rainy days! Yesterday (Sunday) however was gorgeous and I was so happy to be outside. A perfect pre-fall day. I met tons a fabulous people, including other Boston artists. I'm already looking forward to the show next year! :)

I took a few quick snapshots with my phone...obviously not the greatest photos, but you get the idea! (And don't forget...if you leave a comment on this post you'll be entered or re-entered into my blog giveaway...the winner will be chosen tomorrow night!)


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Just back from Brimfield!

I just got back from Brimfield a few hours ago and I couldn't be happier with my loot! This is a little peek at what I got. Lots of bunnies, metal animals, toys and TONS of holiday treats. I will show you more next week when I have time to take pretty photos. Right now I have to get back to getting ready for the big Boston Ahts Festival this Fri-Sun. Can't wait!

*Remember that if you comment on this post, you'll be entered in the giveaway...and you'll be entered a second time if you've already left one on the last post. :)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

100th Blog Post Giveaway!

You heard right...100 posts! I can't believe it either. I started this blog more than a year ago and it continues to be a wonderful way to express what excites me, to share my inspiration with others who really appreciate it, and to show you all what I've been working on. It also serves as a great record of my life...something that's invaluable. I can look back on it years from now and be reminded of all the great things I've experienced and fabulous friends I've made. And I just love having all of you be here with me to share and enjoy it with! Your comments mean a lot to me and I'm always checking my inbox to see what you guys have to say. Many of you have blogs too and I so enjoy reading them and being inspired...a wonderful trade I think!

Thank you so much for reading and sharing and what better way to thank you all than to offer a fabulous prize for this milestone!! This bunny mom and baby are a Halloween spinoff of my Easter bunnies. They are needle felted wool (a bit different than spun cotton) and are itching for a new home. Just leave a comment on this post and any other post I create between now and next Tuesday (the 15th). Comment on multiple posts and be entered multiple times. I will announce the winner late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Yay! Good luck!

And I'm off to bed early tonight...I'm getting up super early tomorrow for the last Brimfield show of the year...is anyone else planning on going?? :)

Monday, September 7, 2009

Party cracker goodness and 100th post giveaway coming soon!

I just posted something new in my shop and I'm pretty excited about it! I've always been a big fan of surprise prizes. I always made sure I had a quarter or two with me when I went to the grocery store with my mom as a kid. The gumball machines were always awaiting me and an out of order sign was enough of a disappointment to put me off for the rest of the day. I still keep my gumball machine treasures with me in a big jar...I love looking and sorting through them from time to time.

Well...I can't put up a gumball machine, but I have been taken with the idea of party crackers for quite some time as well. They provide a fabulous surprise and you can fit more goodies in them than you can in those tiny plastic bubbles. I didn't live in the era of party crackers (such a shame!), but wanted to treat my customers with something fun and special! Each of these party crackers hides a mini spun cotton ornament. Will it be a devil? A ghost? A pumpkin girl? A slithering black octopus? Who knows? And that's the fun of it! I also sneaked a few extra treats (including gumball machine prizes!) in each cracker.

I am posting them in my Etsy store, but there are a limited amount available. Can't wait to hear the gasps and sighs as people discover what treat they are prized with! :)

And on another note...tomorrow will be my 100th post!! I can't believe I've posted that many times already. So to celebrate my surprise and disbelief...I'll be having a giveaway! Be sure to come by tomorrow and sign up! :)



Yay!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Local Craft Show this evening!


Join me and other Boston Handmade artists this evening from 6-8pm in Jamaica Plain for the last First Thursday of the year! You'll also see live music and gallery openings all sorts of fun things along Centre Street...and I'm bringing tons of Halloween goodies!

Jamaica Plain First Thursday
Thursday, September 3, 2009 5-8pm
Loring-Greenough House, 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Teeny Sneak Peek

Yes, I've been working on Christmas goodies here and there (there's never enough time later in the season). This little gal is waiting very patiently in the mean time. :)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Estate Sale Goodies

I hit some estate sales a few days ago and found some great things...including the little tins above. I also collect star shaped cookie cutters and pile them up on my typer's drawer.

This funny costume was found separately but go so well together...I wish I had taken a picture of Ben's face when he called me into his studio to tell me something and arrived wearing this...he stopped talking mid-sentence to smile. :) It'll be a goofy last minute Halloween getup.

This amazing tin tissue box was only a buck. It looks to be really old but I think they still make tissues long and skinny like that...I've been blowing my nose on toilet paper for so long I'm not aware of the latest trends in tissue innovation. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in the grocery store.

These super cute, super old booties are too precious for words. I love the dirty pink pair in the middle with the little jingle bells. I'm going to make some spun cotton cuties to tuck into them.

I'm not sure what I'll do with these dog tags but I couldn't pass them up. I might offer them up in my Etsy shop...they'll be great for someone who makes jewelry or collages. Look at the neat little dog house shaped ones!

These tiny bisque figures were a steal. I love the little sailor playing the unidentified wind instrument.

Ben got a kick out of these glove hangers. I've never seen them before and was enamored.

Of course my estate sale trip couldn't be complete without a few Christmas goodies. Some of these glass ornaments are really ornately painted and I'll be keeping them to hang on my tree. The bells and other glittered and flaked ornaments will be great little seats for my spun cotton figures.

I think this honeycomb snowman is my favorite find of the day. Can you guess what he is?? A box yes, but what is he supposed to hold?


Lastly, this amazing magazine holder wasn't from an estate sale. I stopped by Francesca from the Snail and the Cyclops' stoop sale and spotted this almost immediately. Her roommate Alice was also offering a fabulous whale print that was snatched up before I could get to it (darn!). Now this magazine rack replaces a boring wicker basket in the living room...yay! :)