Wicked Witch

Several years ago my friend Mary Ann painted a canvas and added a shelf and a doorway to it. She gave it to me to do something with. I never got around to it, stared it for months, put it away in the closet and finally, last fall took it out and stared at it some more.

I thought I might make some angels and place them around the doorway, cause it looked like the entrance to heaven, but I just wasn't feeling it.

Today though, I had an inspiration! I repainted the morning sky to a dark night sky, shaded it and added some clay to it. I roughed it up a bit, trying to make it look primitive. Although I'm not finished with (I want to put some words above the entrance), I thought I would show you what I've done so far.

A cat with a big grin sits on the porch next to two pumpkins.

I glued scrapbook paper on the background. I need to add some details to the witch, like hair, maybe a cape and a broom.


Don't know what to add to the roof, but will think of something. The moon looks bad at this angle, it looks better in person.

I'm trying to experiment and make more primitive things. I like to antique the clay which makes it look vintage and worn, but adds a richness to it.

I'm in the process of re-doing my website and will be making a lot of new creations.

Ebay

I listed several little characters on ebay yesterday. Here's a link it you'd like to check it out.


Remember that my giveaway ends in a few days, so leave comments. Good luck!

Published!

Periodically, my work gets published. I've been in 4 magazines and the Sculpey Website. Here are my latest two designs. This is a Christmas Monkey Picture holder. I believe they want these designs for children to make. It's fairly easy and the colors can be changed making it a spring monkey, Halloween monkey, etc. The second design is a cupcake bracelet. Once again, it's an easier project geared for children. I'm going to make these for my upcoming craft shows. I thought they would be great as Halloween and Christmas. I like making these because they are just beads that get strung on elastic. The ends are tied, and it's ready to wear. If I could get something published two times a month, the fee would pay my rent. I really need to be more pro-active and send out designs to magazines and websites. One magazine is already working on next year's Halloween ideas, so I'm getting ready to send off a couple of designs to them.

Craft shows...

So far, I'm going to be doing 4 craft shows for sure, another one I'm waiting to hear if I got into it or not, and one more that I'm debating on.

My shows are.........

South Lyon Pumpkin Fest, South Lyon
St. Paul's Fall Fest, Trenton
Franklin High School, Livonia
St. Thomas Becket, Canton

The show I really want to get into is Eisenhower school in Shelby Township. I've sent my check and pictures, just waiting to hear.

Another show I'm debating on is a small $20 show in Macomb. It's at a farm/flower nursery. Might be worth the trip as they sent out 9000 flyers and are advertising in the Free Press and Detroit News. There was an article written about it on line. I might give it a try.

Today I'm going to be working on lots of Halloween Clay Babies. Here's are some examples of what I'll be making today!



Ghost/tombstone Fatty Pumpkin Fairy

Incentive

I don't know if I'm crazy or bored or jealous, but I just printed out ebay feedback for two polymer clay artists. I added up the amount of sales they had to inspire myself. One girl's sales figure was $2600 for the month of July (and it's not even over yet.) The other's was around $700 for one account and $1600 for another. This is pretty inspiring to me and I think to myself, if they can do it, so can I.

Sometimes I think I waste time looking at other people's work, and that I should just be focusing on my own art. But I can't help it. I want to know what other artists are creating and what the public is buying. I wonder, if you are an artist, are you checking up on your competition?

It's not about copying. I wouldn't do that, at least not intentionally. I have so many of my own ideas, I don't need to copy. But, I wonder if my ideas are any good. I try to keep up with trends, as I think most people do.

It's funny because I really admire a fellow class mate's talent. Her name is Jill and she makes graphics and sells buttons. (Here's her blog...http://jnhkgraphicdesign.blogspot.com/).
I was telling my friend, Mary Ann, about Jill's work and how her designs are so "today". Jill really seems to have a style that is unique, yet current. My style is very whimsical and silly and I wonder if it is old and out of fashion. Mary Ann told me to stay true to myself (in the midst of my re-inventing). Later on, after Jill visited my website, she mentioned to me how cute my clay is. She showed my site to her co-workers and they loved my pigs and monkeys. Sometimes when we doubt ourselves, it's nice to be complemented by our peers.

What's new?

I've been listening to motivational tapes and time management tapes daily as I create my clay babies. I decided to "kick it up" a notch and add more details and whimsy to my designs.

Right now I'm working on an art doll witch along with little minis and lots of Halloween.

I'm still working on making a decent video tutorial. I do have a tripod as someone suggested so I think I'll try again Sunday.

Thanks for visiting!