Redesigned Finds

Hey there,
I've taken a little redirection with my art and time.
Last year I became a rep for Country Living's Caromal Colours.
I didn't do much with it at the time,
cause I was so into creating my dolls.
I'm not giving up doll making, just acting on another passion.

Fabulous finds, upcycled, and painted with Caromal Colours.

The best part about Caromal Colours is, you don't have to sand or prime before painting. It bonds to almost anything and is very durable.
 These are ready to go to  my space I've rented  at our local antique shop,
Antiques Downtown, Elk River, MN.

 I have another blog about Caromal Colours, http://BushWoodArt.com but it's on WordPress, and I'm so busy painting and finishing pieces with Caromal Colours, and still working part time at the hospital, I haven't had time to learn how to use it! So, I decided to do what I know how to do, and here I am, posting about CC here. But if you want more info on Caromal Colours, please order through my other web site. You will get a discount in shipping, and I will get credit. Thanks!

The tool box was painted with Paprika basecoat, chipping cream. and bayberry basecoat,
then I dry brushed some Parchment basecoat.

I added some tin squares to a flower box, and painted it with Caromal Colours Reclain- white.

I have been a antique, thrift shop. estate sale, garage sale junkie since I was a wee one.
Lucy, my mom got me into it.
It drives my husband John, crazy. He's one of those people who just don't get it.
But he loves me, so he puts up with it.
He cringes, every time he walks in our garage.
I don't blame him. I started out with a 12' X 10' room in our lower level, bead board walls, great lighting and tons of shelves. Then when our last son moved out, I took over the family room, 21' X 20', and now the garage! It's only temporary, I am planning on just working out of the family room/work room/studio.

Vintage mounding with iron hangers.

Last but not least, a little vintage romance, a pretty altered hand mirror.
Well, I'm off to deliver these to my shop space.

You can also buy Caromal Colours on Etsy, click on the right side bar, top of page.
I am in the process of listing all the colors, one more thing to add to my "to do" list!

Sweet New Doll

I just finished this doll, 

she is reserved on Etsy for someone, 

but I wanted you to see her.

The customer who ordered her
wanted the long red locks she had seen on a previous doll I created.
Her arms and legs have a light wire armature, for positioning.
She is sculpted from paper clay, I have two other dolls in progress,
that have been waiting patiently for make up and ward robe.

I am happy with how she evolved.
But adding the hair, is still something,
I'm working to get better at.

I used synthetic hair (I think)
possibly real human hair,
I can't remember, and I threw away the packaging.
I cut it from a weft,
then used Fabritac glue (I hate that stuff)
to glue lock by lock.
It always globs up, gets dried out, and is stringy.
Anybody use something different,
Let me know,
I'd really appreciate it.




Happy Doll Making
XOXO

Children's Benefit Auction

 Rebecca at http:corazon.typepad.com hosts a Benefit Auction for
the Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots.
I saw the wonderful shrines for auction last year, and I knew then, I wanted to be part
of helping these children through her auction.
I wrestled with the idea of a shrine. I really didn't know much about them.
I knew they were to memorialize a person. I had at least three ideas running through my head.
But nothing felt...just right, until I made it personal.
My Shrine is dedicated to "Amy" the only daughter I had,
she was born a stillbirth
in 1975, I was age seventeen.
I never got to see or hold her.

 

It took me fifteen years, to be able to talk about her, without breaking down.
T his experience of creating her shrine, became very sacred to me.
I found myself choosing with utmost care, items to include in this piece.
As if I was being guided by a spiritual presence.
It was very peaceful and healing.

 This photo is what I imagine her to look like.
The words around the edge say;
"Now is the time
for all little children, cuddled,
go to rest, sleeping."

Tiny delicate slippers to adorn her feet , a royal crown for the princess,
a teddy bear friend,
blocks and a ball to play with, pink of course,
a lock of hair,  frozen Charlotte angel,
nesting pair of birdies, flowers, butterfly,
and glitter, a gloved hand with rosary beads.


"Now is the time
for all little children, cuddled,
go to rest, sleeping."   This is how I picture her

cuddled, at rest, sleeping, in the arms of an angel,

or perhaps the spiritual presence  I experienced

as I communed while creating her shrine.

  I have been blessed through creating a shrine for Amy
I hope others will be blessed through it.