Learning Etsy and listing on Ebay again soon!

As you can see, I'm having fun playing with the clay! These two sweeties will join Miss Amelia Ruffleflounce on Etsy or on Ebay sometime this weekend.

It's a huge learning curve getting to know Etsy and learning all over again how to list on Ebay. With so many changes in my life over these past few years, my collector base for bears has dwindled as I've gone from one thing to another feeling so unsettled. As such, the traffic to my website now is....ummm.....rather spotty. ;)

One thing is for sure, it's time to start from scratch. Etsy is a great place for me to encompass all the artistic avenues under one umbrella because I don't want to give anything up. I just have to figure out a way to blend it all together in a way that makes sense. Over time it will all work out. I'm looking forward to the challenge and hope you will follow along.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Full circle with new work.

Miss Amelia Ruffleflounce

One of a kind, Miss Amelia is handsculpted and handpainted with an aged fine crackle then sealed with a matte finish. Her eyes are antique shoe buttons. She has a cotton body and is weighted to sit like a proper bunny.

A piece of early 1900's christening gown was used for her bodice. The faded robin's egg blue jacket is trimmed with antique lace, a porcelain bird button, crinkly ribbon trim and a sweet little crochet dangly thingie.

Look at all those yummy yummy layers of loveliness! Four layers of vintage and antique textiles were made into knickers, slips and a skirt. Oh and those sweet little wool felt shoes with the ribbon rosettes!! So charming, right?

And last, but certainly not least, Miss Amelia wears a simple snip of white silk ribbon around her lovely ears.

Miss Amelia Ruffleflounce is available for $265.00 (US) plus postage on Etsy. Please send along a note if you are interested or visit Etsy.

A little background: Long before mohair there was clay. Many of you don't know I designed figurines and dolls for Enesco, a giftware company, years and years ago. Back then I used Fimo or Sculpey to sculpt samples that would be reproduced for production. Just recently, I found the joy of working with Paperclay! Unlike the aforementioned products, Paperclay is a medium that requires me to get the lead out and just design already! There's not much mucking about with this stuff because it starts to set up fairly quickly. What I really, really love about this medium is the ability to make truly one of a kind pieces. This stuff has a mind of it's own in the drying process so each piece is absolutely one of a kind just in the sculpt. Add the fact that each piece is then handpainted and aged, and that each doll is dressed in antique and vintage finery.....well, you get the idea.

Thank you so very much for peeking in! I'd love it if you have a moment to leave a comment. Good, bad or indifferent. It's how, we as artists, grow. Keep in mind though, for bad comments, you get the evil eye and the bird of paradise will poo in your pansy patch. *wink*

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Moving along at warp speed!

Our sweet, sweet Miss Macey. She's almost three years old. Crazy!! She's doing great! I love this picture of her. It makes me think all she needs is ruby slippers. :)

Part of the reason for my absence is that I continue to be busy trying to keep up with Monticello Antique Marketplace as well as creating new designs for my collectors.

This brings me back to a time well before this blog was started. It actually takes me all the way back before mohair bears. At a time I was sculpting figurines for Enesco! Life has come full circle. I've returned to my love of sculpting to see if there is any interest. Only this time I'm sculpting with paperclay instead of Fimo or Sculpey. I'm having a grand time with the paperclay even though I have to work MUCH faster with it. A little sneak peek can be seen in the photo above and to the right. Dollies!! I'll be posting larger pictures soon.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta