Mattie's Social Circle is Growing

originally posted on March 26, 2008

Okay, I have decided that I am nuts about these little cotton candy puff birds. It started with the little Mattie I showed in a previous post, and then it snowballed. I made up five and decided they needed costumes on. So I added paper cone hats, top hats, veils, and more. It was so much fun! Here they all are in my lovely candy tuft. I am going to post them on etsy and see what happens!

Cherish

It was about two weeks ago that as a family we were laying around, enjoying the fall weather and a little Auburn football.  For some reason late Saturday night I decided I HAD to make something.  The kids were situated, Billy was situated, and I was antsy.  So off to the garage I went seeking out supplies.  I didn't want to paint and the family dislikes it when I make jewelry because its loud.  Hmmm... so I grabbed a block of floral foam, large bowl and paper mache.  Yep.  Oh, and a steak knife and some duck tape.  This beautiful angel was created from those ingredients.

I love to take pictures of my process, and I will show you one day, but for now here is the end result.  After finishing the mache body, I baked her....and baked her....until finally all that paper mache was dry.  And then she sat for almost two weeks.  I wasn't ready to make her come alive I suppose.  Then Monday I started painting, adding glitter, and adding details.  And then the sewing machine came out for wings and the tutu.  And more glitter was added.  It was such a nice change from my normal art making routine.  So nice.

For now Cherish is sitting in my studio looking down on my art desk.  I like having her there.  She's a gentle reminder that I do Cherish this little life of mine.  And embrace all it's ups and downs.  It has been a strange and very emotional month for our family on so many levels.  I think this angel was created by my hands to symbolize the change that is coming and to remind me that yes, being an artist is at the core of my heart.  And that although some of the change is uncomfortable, it is a part of the process of growing and becoming a stronger self.

So here are some of the things I cherish right now:  family, friends, a good night's sleep, a yummy dinner, finished art projects, eager art students, time alone, time with good company, a sleeping cuddling dog on my lap in my art chair, kissing my children good night, watching them sleep, my vision for my creative career, and last.....my supportive and strong husband. 
I hope you are having a lovely week and are able to take some time to think about what you cherish.

The Prettiest Song

There is a sweet quote out there that says, "The littlest bird sings the prettiest song".  I just love that thought.  And these little babies, well I am pretty sure I heard them singing their hearts out as I created them.  I know I was.  As I mentioned in a previous post I've been working on a new bird pattern.  Let's just say I am tickled with the outcome of the newest pattern and their little perches!

This one has a lovely hand stamped message tag that says "You Grew in my Heart".  It's embellished with large and small ric-rac ribbon and blue velvet ribbons. 

To construct the cage I used two sizes of embroidery hoops.  One entire hoop was used to create the outer sphere, while a single smaller hoop was suspended from the center with chain to create the perch.

This is one has a message of "Find Your Voice."  You now, that is a very hard thing to do sometimes. Especially in this media driven world telling you how and what to feel when.  So I challenge you this week to think about those words and find what's inside you waiting to be said.

If you are interested in any of these lovely creations I know they'd look great in any place of your home.  I  can really see them in a nursery as a mobile.  And of course I can make a custom one!   You can find these two though hanging out over here in my etsy shop!

Branching Out

It seems lately that I am really "branching out" with my bird sculptures. The plaster bird heads, new bird inspired jewelry on the table, and these beautiful bird babies: I am always on the lookout for materials I can re purpose. Especially bird cages, birds, and nests. I found about 20 of these paper mache birds around Christmas at Resurrect in Opelika. They were nestled in a glass bowl all chalky black with wild wiry legs. I had no vision, but the price was right so I bought them all. And now that my vision has come full circle, I am wanting more! So here's what I had to do to get to the finished product:

Step 1: paint the birds with my favorite color palette. Colors too bright...hmmmm Step 2: Apply a dark wood stain. Better now. (Now before step 3 I attempted to make some cool bird cages from fabric and Paverpol for these to perch. They failed terribly. And I was ticked. My vision was at a deadend. And then....)Step 3: Head to Lowe's and buy dowels for perches. Step 4: cut dowels, glue into T shape and stain with wood stain. Step 5: head to Phillip's wood shop and cut bases from his amazing pile of bead board. Drill holes in bases for T perch. Step 6: Add dab of wood glue and insert T to hole in base. Step 7: Attach birds to T perch by wrapping their wiry long legs around and around. Step 8: Step back and say WELL DONE!

So I love them. I've done a lot of felted birds in and out of cages. But on perched little stands, and paper mache....this is something new. And I like new. Sometimes I find that getting out of the comfort zone and jumping into new materials is just what an artist needs to kindle the creative energy again. So I'm on a roll............and the jewelry is in the works now. Like I've said before I work on lots of projects at once. And this time, unlike the old me, I AM GOING TO FINISH it all. Yep. All. So I better go now. I'll give ya a hint though, not ALL my jewelry is about birds.....think about what else I love to paint. OK, I'll give you a hint. It starts with the letter "T". hehehe.....

These will be landing at The Vintage-Flea tomorrow if you are interested. There are 8 right now at $25 each.

On Being Inspired

"INSPIRED..........You open up all windows and you can see forever. The ideas float in and crowd out your worries, your details, and fill you up with words and colors and wings." from the book BE INSPI(RED)

I just love that definition of inspired. As an artist, sometimes my head gets so FULL of potential that honestly I get cranky about it. Seriously. During the surge before I start creating something new I get totally and utterly cranky. And then I create......and create....and explode with energy and complete joy. Especially when the inspiration turns into something so, well good.(everyone should pat themselves on the back every once in awhile. Don't you think?) So do you remember the foamy cupcakes above from a past blog entry? Now look at them: When I returned from Art and Soul, in my bag of creative tricks was fabulous new sculpture technique. (remember my plaster bird cage?) Now, I'll tell you right now this idea is not originally mine. Nope. Stephanie had these bird heads for sale in her vendor night booth and did a quick demo on them during my class, however we did not make them in our class. And they kept crowding my head when I got back. So I made them, my way. It was part of that crankiness....trying to figure out how to make something someone else does and making it my own. I love....love....love the texture. They totally remind me of my paintings!! In fact, I have a new idea crowding my head where I use plaster on the canvas board to acquire the same texture affects. Can't wait to try it!

So I literally have 2 dozen heads. All with different hats, charms and some just plain. They have the cutest personalities already. I may have to keep one, or two!

So this has been what I've been hiding away and creating. They were very time consuming. but well worth it now that they are completed!

And the Winner Is.....

We did this the very old fashioned way, put all the names in a hat and Mailey pulled the lucky winner. And that winner is......

GAY DENESSE

Yipeee!! So, email me your address so I can send this little necklace on your way.

The weather has been amazing the past two days here in Newnan. I've been a busy beaver today with house cleaning and making some super fun bird head sculptures I learned at Art and Soul. The insulation foam kind of went everywhere, so I am definitely going to need to practice.... but in the end I am going to be super excited to show them off! They are a little flock of fun.

Hello, My Name is Mr. Shelby

Mr. Shelby, my physics teacher in high school. The hardest class I had in the four years at Homewood High School. And I loved it. Weird, right? I am by no means gifted smart. I had to study smart to make the grades I did. As a senior in his class, it kicked my little brain into shape I tell you! There was something about the formulas, almost like a puzzle....okay, enough on that. Why Shelby? I knew I wanted him to be a boy. After the body and stripey legs were done something was missing. Glasses! And a tie! And then came the name. You see, the paper tie is actually made from a vintage grade book, from physics of course. And according to the grades, not many kids did well in the class. hehehehe....

So, Mr. Shelby, who always called me "Jeannie, not Jenni" this is dedicated to you. Because I really loved your class!

He's All Done!

I gave you a sneaky peaky at him in this post. And now he's all finished up complete with a super cool sparkly top hat. I've yet to come up with a name...... Butterflies adorn the sparkly hat and snow covered base.

I've more to finish up, including 4 tree toppers. This paper clay is a very slow drying material and I was way to chicken to put it in the oven. Hoping to get them done tonight after the kiddos hit the hay. See you later!

It's A Boy! Cake Topper

My little sister Molly is having a bouncing baby boy in December. This weekend my Mother and I had a little shower for her here in Newnan with some of her Altanta friends and my closest friends. It was just so great to see everyone again, and see Molly pregnant! Wow. Is that a weird thing to see. She looks absolutely adorable, like she swallowed a basketball. And trendy as ever in her dress. I'll show you some day a pic. But for now, I've gotta show off the cake topper I made to top my Mother-In-Laws yummy cake. All the wedding cake toppers I've been making lately inspired me to branch out a little. I mean why not? And now she has a little shelf art for Fielding's room. I am thinking 1st birthday cake toppers....40th b'day cake toppers.....sweet 16....the possibilities are endless!

Amy Butler Midwest Modern Contest

I know I said I'd be on an island this next week....but an island is much more fun with friends, don't you think?? And besides I HAD to share my contest entry's for Amy Butler's Midwest Modern fabrics. Only one rule, use the Modern line of her fabulous fabrics. Any pattern, any design. So I made these: This is "Amy". I love her little crossed legs. They just really wanted to be that way, so I let them.

Here are Amy and David. And yes, I am going for some brownie points because Amy's husband is David. I just had to. had to........The contest ends on Tuesday. I can't wait to hear if they've won. I'll be sure to let you know!

Etsy Shop Updated!!

This morning I decided to go ahead and put into my Etsy shop some of the newest members of my felted bird family. So go here now to check it out! Also, PapernStitch, a curated online shop I participate in, has a TOTALLY new amazing look. You've just got to check out the talent here. I hope you've had an amazing three day weekend. We went to visit my sister, Grandmother, aunt and uncle in South Alabama. It was nice to get away for the weekend, but now I have got to get back to the grind. I did however make what I am now calling the "car art studio" and get lots of beautiful new felted flowers made with a new pattern. I'll be showing those off as soon as the pin backs get attached (I forgot those for the studio!) See you soon!