Red W. Blue

A quick little post......Red W. Blue has just been listed on Etsy. http:etsy.com/shop/aletabreese Been crazy busy with Easter goodies for Monticello but I did make time to finish this, the last red mohair bear for me. I'm moving back to traditional colors and more traditional bears with only a scattering of the "odd duck" here and there.

Oh, and I'll have some bears with dolls similar to my 2007 TOBY winning bear. (Pictured over there to the left.) The dolls will be handsculpted by me and nestle in antique trunks and include clothes and other assorted goodies that might be found in antique doll trunks!! Doesn't that sound delightful?!! I have one in the works right now. :)

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

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

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Maybe THIS year I'll actually redo that Santa Claus. I threaten to every year. I bought him years ago because I really liked his kind face. I'd like to give him a lovely new coat made from one of my old red and white quilts. Oh, and he definitely needs an artist made bear and stocking and a tree with german glass baubles. Maybe this year. Maybe. It's not like he really NEEDS a redo. We'll see. It's a lovely idea anyway!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

All dressed up for Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Won't you come in and sit for a spell? I promise only treats, no tricks.
Oh, but wait! One little trick here. Those chair wraps are made by taking black sheer curtains purchased from Ikea (I think they were $6.99 for the pair) and tying them in a knot. How simple is that?!! I inserted one of my Halloween wands but you could gussy them up with flowers or....whatever!
The house we're living in has a greatroom floor plan. The entry, living, dining and kitchen are all open so the whole space got a little Halloween magic.
Miss Mannie and Miss Quinn are all dressed up and ready to greet guests this weekend. If only they could help me string all the spider webs to really set a spooky mood.
Thank you for dropping by. I do hope you have a Jolly Halloween!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

New Studio!

Welcome to my new studio space! It's cozy. That's a lovely way of saying it's really quite small compared to what I was used to. :)

This is a moment when my desk was clean. To see it today it isn't quite that tidy. When I'm at my most creative, I'm at my most messy!

The nice thing about working in a small space is that everything is within reach.

This space has a vanity sink and cupboards just to the right of the closet and through the door. It makes it really nice to be able to airbrush and paint all in one space.

I love, love, love IKEA shelf units. They make a small space much more organized. Especially with all the boxes that fit nicely inside! Atop the shelves are some of my favorite things. Pink and white with touches of aqua.

As hard as it was to leave our other home, this one is a pretty good fit for where we are in life right now. I like this space. It makes me happy to be in it. I can create art and that's what I need.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta