Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Saying Goodbye...

My first show of the season wrapped up over the weekend and I declared it a success.  But the hardest part, of course, is saying goodbye to these little characters that have worked themselves into my heart.  I'm talking about my art dolls, of course!  They are my babies, and sometimes it's tough to let them go.  Dear David keeps reminding me that I make them to sell them, not to keep them all, but it is a little bit like selling off a piece of my soul.  I take heart in the fact that they will be going to loving homes. 

Some of my favorites left me over the weekend.  (Well, we all know I tend to have a lot of favorites!)  But there are certain ones that are just a little extra special to me.  Like Trick-or-Troll, who will be joining three of my other Halloween spooks at his new home with Melissa.  And Clarice the gypsy, who I will actually get to visit from time to time, because David's sister bought her! 

Here are a few that found new homes that I hadn't shown you yet.  I never allow any of my babies to leave home before they have had a photo shoot!  I need to be able to remember all of these one-of-a-kind darlings!

Witchy Bones

 
Witchy Bones is all dressed up for a very fancy Halloween party.  I love her dotted tulle skirt and the glittered pumpkin head wand.  I thought for a long time about how to make a skeleton without having to make very delicate bones that would end up being very fragile.  It suddenly occurred to me that I could dress them up and just make a skull and put marks in the hands and legs to give the illusion of bones.  I used a wash of black paint over the white clay to bring out the details.
 
Mr. Bones Goes Haunting

 
It wouldn't be much fun to go to a party alone, so here is Witchy Bone's companion.  I actually made Mr. Bones first, then thought it would be really cute to make a female version of a skeleton to go with him.  Mr. Bones is wearing a fancy black suit trimmed with glitter and Swarovski crystals.  He is carrying a jack-o-lantern and a Halloween greeting.  A little spider charm is hanging on the edge. 
 
I really love these two skellys and I know they have found a wonderful new home with Pat, who is an avid collector of my art.
 
My little jack-o-lantern guys were pretty popular.  I don't have any left!  Here is my very favorite of the group:
 
Punky and Spook

 
I thought this one ended up looking more like a girl.  Maybe it was the purple eyes or the flowers on the hat.  I think she is pretty adorable!  I love her little ghost friend.  It's made from clay and draped with cheesecloth tied with a bit of baker's twine.  It is floating on a wire twisted to Punky's arm.  I know she found a good home too. 
 
While these three and many other found new homes over the weekend, I still have plenty of Halloween spooks available over in my etsy shop, A Piece of LisaPfatt Marketplace will be updating in a couple days as well.  I still have one piece left on the current offering, so hurry over there to check that out.
 
I try not to get too attached to my creations, but it's hard.  But it also warms my heart to no end knowing that others love them enough to pay for them!  I am so blessed to be able to have a job that I LOVE and to be able to bring a bit of whimsy into the lives of others. 
 
Thanks to all my wonderful customers who welcomed A Piece of Lisa into their lives!! 
Lisa
 
 
 







8 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean Lisa. It is sad to see them go. I let a few go over the weekend too. The buyers were so excited, that it warms my heart. If you have been blessed with a talent (and you have) it is meant to be shared. What good is it to keep it all? You are spreading love to others and isn't that what this world really needs right now? Keep creating - keep growing in your art - and keep making people smile ... and of course, take lots of pictures along the way!

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    1. You are so sweet! I know I can't keep them all. And I really don't WANT to....I want to share them with the world! But it still tugs at my heart a little bit to see them so. The buyers are so thrilled to have them though, so it does make it easier!

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  2. I loved Mr Bones when I saw him on Etsy ( I have previously bought a piece from you) I would have paid $50....but $75 w/shipping was a bit ridiculous...in this economy I'm glad someone is rich !

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    1. I'm so sorry you feel that way! I can honestly say that I agonize over pricing my work--it is the hardest part of my job. I strive to come up with a price that is fair to both the buyer and to me for the cost of materials, the fees involved with selling on etsy, and for the hours I put into producing each item by hand. As for shipping charges, I charge what the post office charges me. I'm sorry if you feel I have priced you out of the market. I hope you will still enjoy looking at my original, one-of-a-kind works of art. Thank you for commenting.

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  3. I know what you mean Lisa, I feel the same way about all the pieces I create! It's difficult to say good-bye after putting so much love into the creation of them... Making them come to life from a block of clay... I'm just so happy they all go to people who love them too!!! :)

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    1. Oh, I know you understand what it's like to work so hard on something and then have to say goodbye! You do such wonderfully detailed work...I know you spend many hours on each piece. It's nice to have your hard work appreciated though, isn't it??

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  4. The Bones Couple is quite possibly my favorite of your pieces so far. Yay for the success you had over the weekend finding these creatures new homes (even tho it's hard to let them go). And, as for the commenter with the negativity about your pricing --- have you noticed that people who leave negativity on blogs always post as 'anonymous' -- this is clearly a person who doesn't know the time commitment required for this art. Here's what I think: if you can't afford it, appreciate it from a distance and shut your mouth...or at the very least, think before you speak...gather some information and post an intelligent comment. If I could afford it I would buy ALL your pieces. The fact that I can't afford to do so doesn't mean you have over-priced your work, it means I have other priorities that rule my checkbook.
    You are incredible...I can't wait to see what the Xmas season turns out!

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    1. These were two of my favorite pieces as well! Thanks for your comments!!

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