New on my etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/uglyartdotnet
Each ornament has a secret message scratched on the back that only the buyer will see.And each phrase on each head is different.I’m only making a limited edition of these so get them while you can.
The ornament can be used as a wall hanging or even worn as a pendant if you remove the black hanging wire and slip a chain through the loops.The heads are hand made from a mold,They are also hand glazed and fired several times by me.So it makes each doll head one of a kind.
MEDIUM: Porcelain,china paint,wire,crackle ceramic glaze.
SIZE: 3 X 2 inches.

Lilith, by Clayrew

One of a kind fiber arts are not something I set out to find, but somehow (and I’m not sure exactly how), I came upon this amazing artisan, Robin E. Whiteman of Clayrew (etsy), who makes unique, one of a kind fiber art pieces, such as this lovely rendition of Lilith with her animal familiar, the owl. Lilith, the inspiration for my business, has a magical aura about her, just as Robin’s artworks do. I wanted to share her work with my readers, as this time of year I tend to blog a bit more about amazing material finds and one of a kind wonders. Robin’s pieces include fiber and ceramic sculptures seemingly drawn from Jungian psychology, the archaeology of Marija Gambutas, who pioneered the concept of goddess religions pre-dating patriarchal religions and culture in human history, bits of human artifact (such as leather from crete) and her own intuitively creative inspiration and sculptural musings.

Fetish 1

For instance, the Fetish 1 piece, pictured here, is at first glace a representation of fetishes favored by paleolithic and early neolithic cultures, but a closer examination reveals a face emerging from the belly of the female form, a surprising revelation that lends further mystery to the piece.

Dark Goddess

I also love her ceramic Dark Goddess, a piece that I would love to have in my fantasy home, one with hallways with quiet niches where such pieces could be properly and reverantly placed. The Dark Goddess is coated in bronze encaustic wax, a material favored by Jasper Johns that has always fascinated me as a material I would love to work with. Encaustic provides a textural effect that adds another dimension to two-dimensional art, such as many of Johns’ paintings. In this piece, the bronze encaustic on ceramic provides a sense of ‘the ancient’ (that ellusive, undefinable ‘ancient’ that we can’t even really pinpoint except in the minds of Jung and in the texts of myth) that gives it the not-quite-tangible aura of an artifact of an ancient goddess religion. Just the kind of chills I love to get from a material object. Maybe this is why I married an archaeologist. Hmmmm

Mummy Art Doll Sculpture 29

Available at my Etsy Shop.

Handmade, OOAK art doll.
6.75  inches tall. Mixed media.
Copyright © 2009, Shain Erin. All rights reserved.

Mummy Art Doll Sculpture 29

Mummy Art Doll Sculpture 29

Coral, Pearl, Jade & Crystal Necklace

Everlasting

I love the contrast of colours in the statement necklace.
With large nuggets of pink coral and apple green jade.
Creamy white pearls and sparkling faceted crystals.
Strung on tiger tail, with a silver-plated fish-hook clasp for added security.

: : : : : : : : : : :

Hand-Painted Love Goddess Pendant Brooch Keychain benefits Family Violence Prevention Fund

Notes from the Artist:

“Lo! where the rosy-bosomed Hours,
Fair Venus’ train, appear,
Disclose the long-expecting flowers,
And wake the purple year!”
-Thomas Gray, “Ode on the Spring”

This heart-shaped pendant protects a hand-painted miniature of a Aphrodite/Venus nestled among the decorative roses. She is the ancient Greek and Roman goddess of love and beauty; her emblems include the rose and the dove. Antiqued, silver-tone setting, 2” x 2”, can be attached to a keychain, Silver-toned vintage necklace chain or can have a pin back attached—just let me know which you would prefer.

***50% of the purchase price of this miniature will be donated to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. Share the love with those who need it. Learn more at www.endabuse.org.***

Items are sent via USPS First Class Mail. Each jewelry piece includes a fabric gift bag made from recycled tulle, velvet or recycled tie silk.

An Asian Abstract Painting of a SUMO WRESTLER with green, blue, red and yellow colors on a Large 36″ Gallery Canvas. This Character Art has a UV Protective Varnish and the Painting has Texture! Ships from Artist’s Studio Ready to Hang! READ MORE

November seems like a good time for a sale – so I’m having a FREE SHIPPING event (to the US and Canada, only, though I will give overseas customers a break on shipping)!!

Wow! Can you believe it’s already November? For us, here in Fairbanks, it seems really strange. We had a very dry fall – no snow until the last week of October. Usually it starts around the last week of September. I’ve been running around taking advantage of the weather … in other words, procrastinating getting ready for winter! Now I have to do what folks at lower latitudes do every year: prepare for winter and the holidays at the same time! Eek!

And, this year, I decided to have a handmade holiday. Everybody on my list is getting something handmade. You think I’m crazy, don’t you? I mean, I’m a self-professed procrastinator, my studio is a construction zone and I have little kids. Don’t worry, I have a plan! I’ve already finished some presents…and I never said all those handmade items had to be made by my hands. I have a not-so-secret source for fabulous handmade stuff – ArtFire.com – and I intend to use it.

I love the unique quality of artisan-produced stuff – and let’s face it, not everyone on my gift list would welcome polymer clay jewelry or a rag doll, no matter how adorable and well-made. Check out some random non-cutesy stuff I found:

From The Beaded Lily: A beautiful and masculine $12 keychain.

From Brilliance Found: The perfect earring for your guy if he wants to look pierced without getting pierced – for $2.50!

From Inkwear99: Shoes and shirt for your tattooed dude. ($60 and $11, respectively)

Why should I turn around an spend the money I earn from craft sales on other peoples’ crafts?

1. Why no? The stuff is beautiful and unique.

2. I can ask question about an item’s components or construction method from the person who made it, instead of a store clerk who may or may not be clueless.

3. I’m helping support folks who are facing the same kinds of challenges I am…maybe that’ll help my karma!

Why ArtFire?

1. Well, initially, I chose ArtFire because Kathi at Dragonglass mentioned that artists could open a shop there FOR FREE. No fees. At all. And I’m cheap. I haven’t opened any other online shops yet (ie – at Esty.com, Ebay, or any of the other possibilities), so I can’t say if ArtFire’s better than any other, but I like it so far.

2. You don’t need to open an account at ArtFire if you just want to shop.

3. You can shop for craft supplies and cool vintage finds there, as well as handmade stuff.

Strange-Born Art Doll 004
Conjoined twins sharing one face.

Available at my Etsy Shop.

Handmade, OOAK art doll. 10.75 inches tall.
Mixed media including fabric and Paperclay.
Copyright © 2009, Shain Erin. All rights reserved.

Conjoined Twins Art Doll

Conjoined Twins Art Doll

Mummy Ornie Art Doll  7

Available at my ETSY Store.

Handmade, OOAK art doll. 10 inches tall.
Mixed media including fabric and Paperclay.
Copyright © 2009, Shain Erin. All rights reserved.

Mummy Ornie Art Doll 8

Mummy Ornie Art Doll 8

New Art Doll on Etsy:A Old Blanket and a Withered Garden I should also be listing her on my website soon.
She is up for sale on my etsy here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33907701
TITLE: A Old Blanket and a Withered Garden
MEDIUM:Paper clay,ceramic,clear glass eyes,cotton,string and a wooden base.The costume is made from one of my rotted childhood blankets which I allowed to decay in my garden where my pets who have passed on are buried.
SIZE: 16 X 12 inches.
STATUS: For sale 500.00
NOTE: Doll portrays the way we sometimes feel choked up and tied down to certain situations.The doll comes with it’s base and is sitting on a latched,hinged trinket box that can be open and closed with the doll on top.The box also contains a secret message pasted on the inside only the buyer will see.There are also trinkets inside the hole in the dolls head.
Because of the eyes being clear glass depending on the way the light hits her,her eyes can sometimes look like they are following you.
Payment Plan is available:Doll is available for a payment plan.For around 80.00 each consecutive month,with a down payment of 50.00.A payment must be made EVERY month or you forfeit your item and are charged a 30.00 relisting fee.Also if you skip 3 months of payments you forfeit what you have paid on the time.I hate to be so strict about it but past experience have demanded it.E-mail me for info if you wish to purchase her on a payment plan.

Ugly Shyla
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One of the most challenging bits about managing a small business is the steep learning curve that comes with each decision one encounters along the way. Its like opening a little door that leads to a giant corridor, that leads to another little door and another giant corridor and so on….eventually you can find yourself so far from the thing that initially set off the sparks of your imagination.  For me, I learned I had a pressing desire to delve into felt. Make felt, adorn felt, show felt, teach felt, adore felt.  Are you ready to delve into felt? As promised, here’s another special offer for those of you who want to delve into the new Reversible Kids Caps (also now available in adult sizes). Mention CODE: STRIPES and receive $12 off the original price at any upcoming show.

Ugly Shyla
Ugly Art Dolls Myspace
My Execution Style Clothing Design Etsy Shop
Uglyshyla.com
Ugly Art Dolls
Follow me on Twitter
Add me on facebook

Bradford is unstoppable when it comes to tennis balls.

Todays post is going to be a bit short.  I have a sleep study test to take tonight and I’ve got a million things to get done today.  Yesterday I made some coconut lime verbena soap.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this soap because the fragrance oil smelled really strong in the bottle.  However, I know from past experience that this isn’t always telling of how the soap is going to smell after the cure. 

Well let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised this morning!  When I woke up and opened my bedroom door, my entire kitchen/living room area smelled wonderful!  It was such a delightful way to start the day!   I’ll be putting this soap up on Peachbutter for sale tomorrow.   I’m including a couple of pictures so you can see the coconut lime goodness. 

Soap in the log mold before cutting. I'm in love with the color too!

Coconut Lime Verbena cut bars. Beautiful and smells fabulous!