Spring Time Clay

Wonder who lives in this little fairy house?

I love owls, in nature and in my studio. I hope my admiration shows in my clay renditions.

Lots of bunnies!

Teddy bear cake topper.

I've been busy making all kinds of clay cake toppers, fairies, pixies, and bunnies!

I've been making more folkart bunnies.

I really enjoy making these bird cake toppers.

I'm getting ready to do a trade show in Petosky, Michigan so I've been producing new clay dolls and cake toppers like a crazy woman!

Remember, I do custom designs. Email me at garritygal@yahoo.com if you are interested in something special.

Fairy Houses

Ever since I was a child I was fascinated with the land of miniatures. It probably started with The Friendly Giant and 4 containers of play dough. I remember making miniature furniture for the Flintstones. When my Dad cut down the cherry tree in our front yard he showed me how to make little houses with the sticks. I make houses all over the front yard that day. It was my own little village and each house had it's own fence and stone well and little path. I stacked little piles of wood near the back doors so the inhabitants of those houses could have a warm winter.

When my kids were older I helped them make dioramas for school and I built a miniature battle field for my sons. When we went on vacation I showed the kids around us how to make little houses and villages up on a bluff behind my tent. The ground was moss and sand and there was an abundance of pebbles and sticks. We all had our own little house and all weekend we worked on that little village.

This sense of wonderment has never left me. I love to make little fairy houses in the woods when we travel. I never use anything that I bring with me: I only use what I find on the ground,,twigs, sticks, vines, acorns and moss. I like to find the hollow of a tree and I make my little house, It always has a pebble pathway leading to the door.

I've noticed that this year miniature gardens and fairy houses have taken off all over the internet. (Naturally, I'm ahead of my time but behind in the money,,lol).

I've spent the last few weeks making little fairy houses and furniture. It's relaxing and since I have a big show coming up next week, I'm hoping that I'll sell some.







I'll be posting more pics of my mini furniture and fairy gardens in a few days. Till then remember, "Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.
Edgar Allan Poe

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_imagination3.html#ixzz1oeCpIjf4

Branding my business

I've been going to Madonna University for 4 years now, after my graphic design degree and we are always talking about branding. What is branding?

The objectives that a good brand will achieve include:

• Reflect the character of the brand

• Describe the brand’s offering

• Create an association with the brand’s promise

• Be easy and pleasant to say

• Be unique and memorable

So how does one brand a business that delivers a message of cute and whimsical clay ornaments and cake toppers?

I think I've been fighting with myself about what my "brand" should be, so I gave in today and worked on new business cards, banners, signs, etc.

My clay is cute, my graphics are cute, and my artwork is cute...so I need to accept it and move on.

How did I come up with this new branding.

1. I looked for a clay baby that really portrays my style. This monkey says it all!
   
2. I picked three colors that I reproduce the most in my designs.
3. I chose a font that is whimsical and one that I could fill with color.
4. I chose some graphic elements which make me think of celebrating!
5. I kept the name Debbie's Clay Babies because it has followed me for years and it is in loving memory of my grandmother, who used to say, "are you making your clay babies again?"

I think the new look sums up my business. It's fun, cute, whimsical, adorable, loving, and pulls at the heartstrings of my customers. The fact that they are my "babies" offers the idea that I care about them (which I do) and they are a part of me, (which they are).

I'm very excited to do my next show, where I can wear my tee shirt and buttons, drink coffee out of my mug and walk in carrying my tote bag. I also made the above banners to string along the front of the table and maybe along the back. I printed about 10 and will laminate them and tie pink, teal and blue ribbons between each banner. I also made signage. I have a light blue table covering and might get a pale pink too..Once I do a show, I'll take pictures. I wonder if it will make a difference to be branded? I sure hope so. What do you think?

Thank goodness it's over

I don't know if anyone else feels the same way that I do when it comes to the Holidays, but I, for one, am glad to see Christmas over with. I spent a pleasant evening in church on Christmas eve, made a few cookies and visited with my family. The rest of the time I was making ornaments and snowmen. Now, I'm not complaining, but with finals at school, shopping for presents, decorating and filling orders, it is overwhelming for me. I don't even do that much and it still is exasperating. Can you believe I've already taken down my decorations! I'm not a scrooge, I just want a simple celebration.

New Year's Eve will probably be a quiet dinner and snacks here with a friend, watch a movie and hunker down when the fireworks and shots start firing.

I do enjoy this time of year for another reason though. It's that time of year to reflect on what worked, what didn't, what I need to change, what I need to repeat, and what risks I need to take to step up my plan. This is all in regard to my art. It is always an exciting time, when new ideas start formulating. My mind is busy with ideas and soon I'll be sharing some of my work with you!
I haven't had a giveaway in a few months and am going to start the new year off with one. Just haven't figured it out yet.
Till then, have a safe and Happy New year.

Creepy Clay Giveaway

It's almost October so I thought I would have a creepy, scary giveaway! Well, maybe not so scary, but fun at least.

The object of this giveaway is easy. Just leave a comment and tell me your favorite scary movie.

On October 7th I will randomly pick a winner from all of the comments and mail you the creepy clay doll.

The only disclaimer I have is you have to live in the continental United States due to shipping.



This is an original one of a kind doll made
from polymer clay, wire, fur and beads.

Summer's in full swing!

Another beautiful evening.

It's always fun to get away, get inspired and get refreshed. That's what I did last week for 4 days. I went up to my friend's cabin to relax and do art. The cabin is on Diamond Lake and during the week it is quiet and void of people.

It was rare to see a boat go by or to even hear a car door slam. It's not that I dislike people, but the peace, quiet and tranquility were exactly what I needed. There is something so beautiful about the cry of a loon off in the distance or the sound of water lapping against the wooden pilings.

There were three of us at the cabin and when we weren't swimming or painting, we were eating or lounging. It was a great get away!

I enhanced this picture in photoshop. I was going for a retro look. I like it!



These are oils. I left them there to dry because I'm not finished with them. I'll be going
back after labor day to do more art!

I'm getting ready to have another give away. It will be a Halloween clay baby. So check back soon for that announcement.

Busy Creating and claying

Sometimes I go through stages where I can't seem to get into my little studio and work. But lately I've rediscovered the joy of creating. I'm happy to say that I've been making a lot of clay characters, art prints and posters. When I'm not in my room designing, I'm thinking about what I want to do. This feels great. I wanted to share some of my newest designs. Also, I've attached a link of my ebay listings. If you bid on something and win, you will receive a free clay baby bunny photo holder. So, check out my auctions and maybe you'll see something you just Have to have!!Just let me know through the ebay email or this blog if you've bid and won and when I ship the item to you, I will include this little cutie.

Here's a link to my poster website. I do special orders and give discounts on quantities. Just email me if you are interested.

What I've been up to lately.

Hello Friends, I've been super busy with school. This semester has been the most difficult for me since I've been at Madonna. I'm even debating on whether or not to drop a class, something I seriously would hate to do. But, if my grade doesn't improve, I will.

I was the chairperson of a fundraiser at Madonna recently. I made over 50 different posters using my photography, my art and some public domain images. The posters are motivational and inspirational. I sold 45 of them and that will go towards two scholarships, somethings I'm very proud of. A lot of people showed up to help me and we had a great time. I can't wait to do one in the fall, as I have lots of ideas for Halloween, sweetest day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've been taking better care of myself and as of today have lost 45 pounds since last year. I exercise daily and have been eating well. I am working hard to get this weight off and I feel so much better already.

Finally, I have been working on clay. I accomplished a lot yesterday, putting 15 auctions on ebay. Here's a link if you'd like to see. I've made several birthday toppers which are adorable and a few cake toppers (generic).. I plan on doing more clay and posters. I'm also thinking of a giveaway, maybe a cute Easter pin. Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my faithful followers and readers.

Many times this year I've mentioned that I've wanted to reinvent myself and over the last month many changes have started to take place towards that reinvention.

As many of you know, I am going to school, getting a degree in Graphic Arts. I've started to do more computer graphics and that has caused me to do less clay.

I've been "claying" since 1982 and although I'm not going to give it up completely, I am going to be doing more graphics. I even plan on using images of my clay in my graphics, so I won't be too far away from polymer! Along with the graphics I'm going to make art pins from clay to help supplement my income. I've started to work on some interesting pins and will be showing them soon.

I'm also going to start 2010 with a poster giveaway. So check back soon for those details.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless!