Black Cat

Black cats are a Halloween staple.  I have made several, but I've never made one that was dressed up. Why?  I don't really know.  I dress up bunnies, why not cats?  It was time to remedy that!

So here she is, my first dressed up black cat, CinderBella.

As you have probably figured out by now, I have a thing for these big, poofy tutu dresses!  They are fun to make, not hard, but time consuming, and they really dress up a doll instantly.  This one is made from glittered orange tulle. 

 

I love how full and pretty it is from the side view.  (Yes, there is a tail under all that tulle.  You just can't see it very well in the pictures.)

 

For the bodice of her dress, I decided to just wrap her body with the tulle and tie a big bow on the front.  I'm really happy with how it looks.  I made a hat from paper and wrapped it in more tulle to match.  A few glittered bats soaring on black wire, and CinderBella is complete.  I am really happy with how she turned out, and I'm sure there will be more dressed up cats to come this fall.

 

I'm off to the studio.  Have a great day!

Lisa

 

 

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In other news, my friend Carly of Boggy Bottom Bayou is hosting a giveaway over on her blog.  Some lucky follower will receive this  Spool Ghoul.  Carly is a talented artist working with paper clay.  She has a very unique spin on Halloween art.   Please hop over there and check it out and follow the rules to enter.  She will really appreciate it! 

 





Good Fortune

Hi, I'm back!  I've been working like crazy, creating lots of fabulous new characters.  I finally got a big group of seventeen together on Saturday for a photo shoot, so now I can share them with you!  YAY!! 

You might remember a couple of my favorite pieces from last fall were gypsies....or fortune tellers.  There was Clara, the old woman with the wonky eyes, and Clarice, the younger version with the lively make-up.  I loved both of these dolls so much, and they inspired me to make more fortune tellers.  Tarot cards kept coming to mind, and I was wracking my brain on how to execute them. 

At first I thought I would just do some little drawings on card stock, but I don't really know much of anything about tarot cards...what pictures do they have on them?  So, of course, I googled them. (How did the world ever function before google?) I thought I would buy a pack of cards and then either make some little sketches based on the artwork, or I would try to reduce/photocopy some down to the proper size.  Never in a million years would I have thought I would find these:

 

YAY!  Amazon, you did it again!  I was searching through their listings and first I found one for mini tarot cards, and I thought "Cool!" and clicked it.  Then on that listing, it suggested I also have a look at TINY tarot cards, and I thought "OOH!  Even better!"  Still, I never thought they would be the right scale for my art dolls.  But it was worth a shot.  I read the listing and the reviews and they were described as being the size of a postage stamp and I thought, "Those just might work!"  So I put two sets in my cart and waited excitedly until they arrived two days later.

 

Aren't these the cutest thing ever?  I could not be more pleased.  They are the perfect size, the colors and graphics are wonderful.  SCORE!!  And since tarot cards come in a pack of 78, I have plenty of cards to last for several dolls.  I couldn't wait to get started sculpting a gypsy to use these amazing little works of art.

 

And here she is.....

 

 

I wanted her to be very colorful, and not typical Halloween colors.  I sculpted the bodice of her dress from a teal blue pearled clay.  I found this paisley fabric in my stash of things Marian gave me.  The colors are not an exact match (although this photo does make her top seem bluer than it really is).  I thought it was OK not to be too matchy-matchy with her.  I trimmed the skirt with lace and satin ribbon, and used a black velvet and organza gathered ribbon around her waist.  It helped to distract from the blues not matching quite right.  Red crepe paper for her collar, and red satin for her head scarf.  I used several Swarovski crystals to bring a little bling to her look---on her shoes, her shawl, her head scarf and even her ears. 

 

 

It was a real trick getting the slick cards to stick, but I managed to get there with a lot of patience and a few applications of glue.  I used ten of the cards, since a typical card reading is called a 'ten card spread'. 

 

 

I like the way the colors of the art play with the colors in the skirt.  Oh, I also gave her a crystal ball necklace.

 

 

A view from behind so you can see her long black fringe shawl.



 

 

No self-respecting gypsy would be seen without being in full make-up.  Rosy cheeks, ruby red lips, black eye liner and teal mica powder eye shadow.  I used curly wool roving for her jet-black hair. 

 

I struggled with naming her.  I just couldn't come up with something that seemed to suit her.  Sometimes I have a doll named before I even start, but not this time.  Finally, yesterday, I heard her say, "Hell-ooooo!  My name is Zelda!!"  So, there you have it....Zelda!  So lovely to meet you! 

 

I have a few other gypsy dolls running around in my head, and I can't wait to make them come to life.  I like the gypsy girls.  They aren't necessarily a Halloween doll, but they fit in with Halloween just the same.  Isn't fortune telling a type of witchcraft?

 

Well, this post got a little long-winded.  That happens when I am really crazy about a piece (and I also have more than a few minutes to put together a post!).  I am crazy about Zelda.  I hope you are, too!  I would love to hear from you!

 

Have a great day!  I'm off to the studio (which I am also crazy about!)

Lisa

 













A Final Spring Fling

I didn't get here to wish you all a Happy Easter.  I hope you had a joyous day.  I did! 

I thought I would show you one last bunny before I move on to Halloween.  (Yes, you read that right! HALLOWEEN!  I have SIX big shows planned for fall, so I need to start cranking out the spooks!)

Here is one of my favorite bunnies:

Pretty in Pink

 

Isn't she lovely?  I have a thing about these fluffy tutu dresses!  This one is made from pale pink sparkle tulle and tied with a pink satin ribbon.  (I should have used a different colored background for my pictures, because it doesn't show up as well as I would like it to.)

I added pink Swarovski crystals to her clay bodice and crepe paper for her collar.  I just love the pink fabric flowers she is holding.  They are vintage flowers I got from my friend Marian.  (When I was visiting her in February, she let me 'shop' her stash for things I could use in my work! What a terrific friend!  She has an AWESOME stash!!)

 

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am SOOO ready for spring!  The grass is finally getting green.  The tulips are blooming.  Our lilac bush is full of buds and will be gorgeous very soon.  The trees are about ready to pop.  YAY!! 

 

It seems silly to be so excited about spring, but ready to move on to fall/Halloween, winter/Christmas art!  But that's the way it is in my biz....always a season or two ahead (or you are playing desperate catch-up in crunch time!)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa



Spring Lambs

It's about time I get back to blogging!  I've been working on all sorts of new pieces, but haven't taken much time to photograph things until today.  Spring is here, and Easter is just around the corner, so it's about time I show you some of the adorable spring creations I have ready.

Spring isn't all about bunnies.  What about sweet little lambs?  I am IN LOVE with these two precious lambs, all dressed up in their pretty spring dresses.  And these girls are not just for Easter.  No, you can leave these out all spring....or all year if you are so inclined.  (Wouldn't they be adorable in a baby nursery?)

Baa-Baa Birdie

This sweet little lamb, Birdie,  is dressed in an adorable green gingham paper dress with a crepe paper collar.  She wears bobby socks and Mary Janes and a pretty lavender flower is tucked in her ear.  A little blue and white bird has landed on her wrist.  I used real kid mohair for her curls. 

Baa-Baa Blossom

Birdie's sister, Blossom, is dressed in a pretty lavender top and a flowered paper skirt trimmed with a blue satin ribbon and crepe paper collar.  She carries a bouquet of freshly-picked flowers and has another one tucked behind her ear.  I used kid mohair for her curls.

 

 

I had so much fun creating these little lambs.  I hope you enjoy them. They will soon be listed in my etsy shop.

 

Have a great spring day!

Lisa



Into the Woods Again...

I told you I have had this 'Northwoods' concept in my head this year.  A few weeks ago I showed you a collection of snowmen I created with that theme.  Today, let's look at some Santas.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

 

I love the idea of a white Santa.  There is something very old world about them.  I sculpted this one from a pearly white polymer clay, and gave him a brown belt and boots and green mittens, all sculpted from clay.  I used an assortment of brads for his buttons, belt buckle and the buttons on his boots.  His face is sculpted from clay, with hand-painted green eyes.  I used a super soft and wonderful bit of natural kid mohair for his hair and beard.  The cloak and hood are cut from luscious ivory wool and trimmed with real rabbit fur.  The cloak seemed a little plain at first, so I dug around in my extensive stash of 'stuff' and found that ivory flower trim. It was the PERFECT color and it gives the illusion of hand embroidery on the cloak.  LOVE IT!  A sisal tree and a little sprig of enamel holly finish off this lovely St. Nick.  Oh, the clay base is covered in vintage mica flakes. 

 

(White Christmas is no longer available.)

SNOWFLAKE SANTA

 

This is Santa on a more casual day.  He is wearing pine green pants and mittens and a red sweater with a snowflake on the front.  Who doesn't love a snowflake sweater on a cold winter's day?  I cut tiny bits of clay to create the snowflake pattern.  His brown clay boots are trimmed with tiny brads and natural cotton chenille.  His face is hand-sculpted, of course, with hand-painted green eyes.  I used more of the kid mohair for his hair and beard, and topped his head with a little pine green houndstooth wool hat, trimmed with a bronze bell and a little bit of greenery.  Santa has gathered a bunch of pine cones, berries and greenery to decorate his holiday table.  This piece is dusted with a bit of vintage mica flakes.  I had 'finished' this Santa, but thought he needed a little something more.  The turtleneck sweater made it seem like his head was sort of floating too much, so a cut a scarf from ivory wool.  I think it fixed the problem nicely.

 

(Snowflake Santa is available in my etsy shop.)

GATHERING CHRISTMAS

 

This Santa sort of straddles the line between the traditional red-dressed Santa and an old-world style Santa.  He has a bit of vintage quality to him, I think.  I sculpted his red toggle coat, green pants and mittens and tall brown boots from clay.  Once again, I used tiny brads for buttons on his coat and boots.  His hand-sculpted face is covered in a kid mohair beard.  (I just love how these mohair beards look so real!)  I sewed a little hat out of deep red houndstooth wool, and used a few scraps of the same wool for his boot toppers.  Genuine rabbit fur trims his coat and hat.  He is carrying a bundle of cinnamon stick 'logs', a bit of greenery, some pine cones and berries.  A tiny sprig of greenery adorns his hat.  I gave him a dusting of vintage mica flakes and a bit of fine Japanese glass glitter for sparkle. 

 

(Gathering Christmas is no longer available either!)

 

NORTHWOODS NICK

 

Here is the St. Nick that started this whole series!  He is similarly dressed in a red toggle coat and green pants, a houndstooth cap and socks and rabbit fur trim.  (For the record, rabbit fur is very tricky to work with, and it makes a HUGE mess, but I think it is worth it.  It really adds a nice touch to these outdoorsy Santas.)  The same mohair is used for his beard.  Nick carries a miniature Christmas tree in one arm, and a bouquet of greenery, berries and pine cones in the other.  A little white bird is nestled among the pine cones.  More mica flakes give the illusion he is walking through the snowy woods. 

 

(I actually am keeping this piece.  I made another very similar one, but it is also sold.)

 

 

I have really enjoyed creating these Northwoods Santas, so I am sure there will be more coming in the future.  Not this year, however, because I still have a ton of orders to get finished!  Better get after it. 

 

Oh, and I'm sorry that I'm showing things that are not available.  I'm not trying to tease you, honest!  I just want to show you the best of the best of my work, and these are certainly in that category.  I am honored that they have found themselves new homes with people who love them as much as I do!

 

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa

 





Peppermint and Pfatt

Pfatt Marketplace will be updating today, so I thought I would give you at peek at what I have available over there for this month.  Each of these pieces is only available on Pfatt Marketplace.  None will be listed in my etsy shop this year.

I have sort of a peppermint theme happening here:

PEPPERMINT NICK

 

I wanted to do a few Santas that were not what you expect Santa to look like.  He doesn't wear that fur-trimmed red suit every day!  This time he is wearing a red and white striped shirt with bright green pants.  (I know they don't look that bright in the picture, which is a little dark.)  His black clay boots are trimmed in red chenille and little gold brads.  A red stud buckles his belt and his collar is made from crepe paper.  I sculpted his face with a trim white beard.  His traditional hat is hand-sewn from red wool felt and trimmed with white fluffy chenille and a little holly button.  He is holding a large peppermint candy tied with a green organza ribbon.  Glass glitter covers his base.  It sort of looks like sugar, doesn't it?

KRINGLE CANE

 

This Kris Kringle is wearing a white shirt and green pants, striped stockings and black boots, all sculpted from clay.  I made a vest and matching hat from deep red velvet and trimmed the hat with white chenille and a little gold bell.  A green crepe paper collar finishes the look.  He is holding a big acrylic candy cane that is as tall as he is!  Either that's one big candy cane, or he's one tiny elf, I'm not sure which!

 

HAVE A COOKIE

 

I love making elves!  They always look so fun!  She is dressed in a green polka dot body suit and a little red pleated fabric skirt.  Hidden from view is her black ribbon belt.  Her little black boots have pointy toes and are trimmed with white chenille.  Her collar is crepe paper.  I love her quirky little smile and her pointed elf ears!  She has a lot of unruly light brown curls made from curly wool roving.  I hand-sewed her hat from green felt and trimmed it with tiny pompom fringe, a little red bow and a silver bell.  She is carrying a tray of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. 

 

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This elf is no longer available, but I thought I would show it to you because he is the companion piece to the girl.  He wears a similar outfit, and is carrying two chenille candy canes and little holly-trimmed gingerbread man.

 

 

 

I hope you will all head over to Pfatt Marketplace this afternoon (it updates at about 11:00 Central time) and check out all the wonderful, original art offered by all of the very talented artists represented there.  I still feel very honored to have my work shown on the same website as many of them! 

 

Off to work....(I wish I had those two elves up there busily finishing my orders!)

Lisa

 

 

Behind Schedule a Little Bit

I fully intended to get here with this news last week.  November 1st was a good day for me!

First of all, November 1st is always a good day for me, because that is the anniversary of the day I married my very best friend!  This year David and I celebrated 27 years of marriage.  YAY!!  (I use the term celebrate loosely here.  David took the day off work, but I spent all day on last minute preparations for my craft show the following day.  That evening we set up my display.  It was after 8:00pm before we enjoyed our "romantic" dinner of McDonald's!  LOL!!  We were tired and starving....I was about ready to chew off my own arm!  We will make up for it with a nice dinner another time!)  In some ways it is hard to believe it's been 27 years, and yet, I feel like it's been forever.  We've had a good run so far, and I anticipate many many more wonderful years ahead!

Secondly, and more relevant to my blog, November 1st the newest issue of Art Doll Quarterly hit the newsstands!  I am THRILLED once again to say that my work is featured in the Show and Tell Section.  While this is the third time my work has appeared in this fabulous publication, it never ceases to amaze me to see it on the pages alongside such talented artists!  It is very validating, to say the least!

So, here are the two Santas they chose for this issue.  I created these pieces last year, and blogged about them here.  Since you have to submit entries for the Winter Issue in June, I sent in pieces I had on hand because I didn't have time to create something brand new for this year. 

Santa's Sack of Sweets

 

Dressed in a classic red suit trimmed with tinsel-flecked chenille, this Santa carries a hand-sewn grey wool felt bag adorned with a felt poinsettia and filled with 3 tiny clay candy canes.

Stocking Stuffer

 

This jolly Santa is dressed in a red suit with white chenille trim and a black ribbon belt with a gemstone buckle.  He carries a little teddy bear made from clay and a stocking hand-sewn from red wool felt and trimmed with white mini pompom fringe and a glittered Christmas tree.  Two tiny candy canes fill the stocking.

 

 

If you are interested in purchasing this magazine, here is what to look for:

 

 

You can find it at Barnes and Noble or at stampington.com

 

In the coming days I will begin showing you the fun Christmas figurines I have been working so hard on, as well as my limited edition Christmas ornaments. 

 

Hope you all had a frightfully fun Halloween!  I anticipated more trick or treaters than we had.  Which means that I have waaay too much candy left over.  Which means I'm eating waaay too much candy these days!  EEK!! 

Lisa

 



 





HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Hagatha Crow

It's Halloween already!  This month FLEW by more quickly than a witch on a broomstick! 

Of course, in some ways, it's seemed like Halloween for months at my house, because I have been working on my Halloween art dolls since the 4th of July.

I've saved my very favorite witch for last.  I know I mentioned that Clara was my favorite and that I might have to keep her.  Well, a few days later I made Hagatha Crow and SHE became my new favorite.  In the end, I did offer Clara for sale at my shows, but I kept 'forgetting' to put Hagatha out on display.  Now she is proudly sitting on the end table in my living room. 

 

I went all out creating Hagatha Crow.  The top of her dress is sculpted from black clay and she has grey speckled stockings and black boots.  I had lots of fun dressing her up!  I sewed a skirt from black satin fabric, raveling the edge a little bit.  I used a gathered velvet and organza stretchy ribbon for her belt.  I added a crepe paper collar, but I wanted something really special for her cape.  I'll get to that in a minute.

 

I love this view!  It shows how hunch-backed she is and also gives a great look at her long, pointy nose.

 

Here you see her cape.  It's made from real feathers!  Now that I use all sorts of 'stuff' on my art dolls, part of the fun is shopping in EVERY department at the craft stores!  I found this wonderful black feathered trim in the upholstery department at Hobby Lobby.  The feathers were already set into a black satin ribbon binding, and they happen to be the perfect length for a cape!  I love it when the details fall into place nicely like that!

 

Get a good look at her green hand-sculpted face!  She has lightly blushed cheeks and lips, hand-painted grey eyes lined with black.  I even added dark shadows on her face.  And yes, that is a wart on her chin!  She wears a skull and crossbones necklace, Swarovski crystal earrings, and carries a little black bird.  (This bird was actually white. I painted it black and added an extra feather for a longer tail.  At the time I couldn't find a CROW or a real BLACKBIRD anywhere in the stores and everything I found online was way too big.  Since then I've found some at Michaels.  They are much bigger than this one, but will work great in the future.  I stocked up for next year!)

 

Hagatha has grey wool roving hair twisted up in a bun beneath her tall witch's hat.  It's covered in the same satin as her skirt, edged with chenille, and adorned with a big black feather and another Swarovski crystal.  (There are also crystals on her shoes.)

 

Hagatha Crow is a very fancy old witch.  She looks pretty wicked, but I think, actually, old age has tamed her a little bit.  Good or Evil, I love her no matter which!!

 

Well, I think I've shown you nearly all of the Halloween spooks I created this year.  There are a few that didn't get featured.  Some of them are listed in my etsy shop, if you want to go browse around there. 

 

A Piece of Lisa is also beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Ornaments, Santas and Snowmen are trickling into my etsy shop almost daily.  You won't want to miss out!  I'll begin to feature those on the blog next week.  Until then.....

 

HAPPY HAUNTING!

Lisa

 





For the Love of Candy Corn

I didn't get here all last week!  What's up with that?  Well, it's 'crunch time' as we like to call it at our house---that time of year when fall show season is in full swing, and I spend 90% of my waking hours in the studio.  Sometimes even things I love to do get kicked to the curb.

I also traveled out to western Nebraska to do a little craft show that benefits the community rest home and assisted living center.  When my Dad was alive, he was very involved with the rest home, serving as President of its board for many years, and serving as interim Administrator for a couple of years. He also established a non-profit foundation to help with funding projects that are not in the meager budget.  Dad quite truthfully gave new life to a place that was in danger of being shut down.  Sadly, it is in trouble again.  I know he's looking down on it and is NOT PLEASED!  Anyway.  They have a craft show each year to raise a little money for projects, and I set my booth up in honor of my father and his great work with the place.  The show is NOT worth doing from a financial standpoint for me, but it's for a worthy cause.  I also got to spend the weekend with my Mom, which was very nice, and I got to see my brother and one of my sisters.  So it was not a total waste of time! LOL! 

So that's where I've been.  Now I'm back and ready to show you another ADORABLE Halloween witch.  Meet Candys Cornwall.

 

Candys Cornwall was inspired, obviously, by candy corn.  I love candy corn, but only in the fall around Halloween, when I know it is perfect and fresh.  (My Dad loved candy corn, too!)  I wanted to make a witch that is as sweet as this favorite holiday treat.  

 

The top of her dress is sculpted from white clay.  I found a fun orange print for her skirt and trimmed it with some yellow crocheted lace and rick-rack.  I added a ribbon belt to ease the edge between the fabric and the clay.  I finished the dress with Swarovski crystals and a crepe paper collar.

 

I love her hat!  It looks very much like a piece of candy corn!  I pieced it together from wool felt and trimmed it with a band of white chenille.  It needed a little 'something' so I made a tiny black cat face pin and tucked it into the hat band. 

 

I think Candys Cornwall has one of the sweetest faces I have sculpted!  Every time I look at her I smile!  She has soft green eyes and lightly blushed cheeks.  I used a pretty auburn curly wool roving for her hair.  I think it sets off nicely from her dress.  The finishing touch on this adorable witch is her little black cat, Licorice, that I sculpted from clay. 

 

Candys Cornwall is still available, and you can find her in my etsy shop, A Piece of Lisa. 

 

I've nearly wrapped up showing you my Halloween characters for the year.  I have a few more, but soon we will move on to Christmas!  (I hope you don't think it's too early for that!)

 

Have a sweet day!

Lisa



Another Spooky Spirit

A few weeks ago I showed you Spooky Time Spirit.  Today I am presenting his younger sister, The Keeper of the Keys.

 

 

Keeper of the Keys is sculpted from polymer clay, wearing a grey body suit and white stocking under her ethereal cloak.  Her face is sculpted from pearly-grey clay and detailed with hand-painted grey eyes and dark shadows.  She has long, wispy grey wool roving hair flowing out behind her.  Her cloak is made from strips of shimmery white tulle and silver organza ribbon.  She is holding a ring of keys in her right hand, and another set of keys is pinned to her bow.

 

You can find The Keeper of the Keys here, in my etsy shop.  Or if you are in the Omaha, Nebraska/Council Bluff, Iowa area this weekend, come visit my booth at the Fall Arts and Crafts Fair at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs!

 

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This week I have been working on Santas and Snowmen.  I will have those available at my show as well as all my frightfully delightful Halloween characters.  Another artist is working on snowmen as well.  Brenda, from The Rusty Thimble, is hosting a giveaway over on her blog.  She makes adorable primitive folk art.  Those of you who participated in the blog hop will recognize her work.  Those of you who didn't should pop on over to check it out!

 

http://therustythimble.blogspot.com/2013/10/welcoming-october-with-new-giveaway.html

 

Here is a picture of one of her snowmen.  Cute, huh?

 

 

Talk to you soon!

Lisa





Which Witch?

Here are two versions of one of my favorite and most popular witches, the pumpkin head witch.  These two lovely ladies are off to a fancy Halloween party for a frightful night of haunting!  Come along!!

I'd like to introduce you to Jackie Batwitch. 

 

Jackie Batwitch is wearing a black dress with a sparkled tulle skirt and a crepe paper collar.  It is trimmed with black glittered buttons and glitter.  She has green and purple striped stocking under her glittered boots.

 

Her hat is made from paper covered in black velvet and trimmed with chenille and a glittered foam star.  Two glittered bats soar on thin black wire around her head.  Her pumpkin head features a rather large nose and hand-painted green eyes accented with black. 

 

 

This is her cousin, Jackie Stardust.

 

Jackie Stardust is made in much the same way, but with slightly different materials.  Her dress is sculpted from black clay glittered with gold.  I've accented it with three gold star buttons, a crepe paper collar and gold tinsel.  The skirt is hand-tied from dozens of pieces of glittered-dot tulle.  Her boots are covered in black glitter and trimmed with more gold tinsel.

 

A black velvet witch's hat sits atop her pumpkin head.  It is trimmed with more tinsel and a glittered foam star.  She has pretty grey eyes. 

 

 

I can't decide which one I like better.  Any thoughts??

 

The countdown is on....BIG show this weekend, and my to-do list is exceptionally long today!  I better get crackin'!

 

Have a great day!

Lisa



Thanks for Hopping!

The Witches of Giggleswick Blog Hop wrapped up Saturday night and it was deemed a huge success!  YAY!!  All the witches seem to be very happy with the results.  I KNOW I AM!  Thank you so much for signing on to follow A Piece of Lisa and leaving such nice comments about my work!  I hope you will all continue to check in here to see what is new!  I appreciate you all SO MUCH!! 

The head witches, Carly of Boggy Bottom Bayou (The Wicked Witch of the East) and LeeAnn of Charmed Confections (The Wicked Witch of the West) will be busy the next couple of days verifying that everyone followed the rules by signing up to follow ALL 13 blogs and leaving comments at each one.  They will then randomly draw out the names of 13 lucky winners who will receive the prizes.  You will need to check back here on WEDNESDAY to find out if you have won!  Good luck to all of you!  I wish I could give each one of you a prize!! 

In the meantime, let's have a look at another one of my Halloween characters.  Since we still have the Witches of Giggleswick on our brains, how about a witch:

KATRINA

 

This is Katrina.  She is a very sweet little witch, and a little bit shy.  She likes to carry her black cat around in a little jack o-lantern bucket. 

 

Katrina is dressed all in black, with a pleated skirt trimmed with lace, a crepe paper collar and a chenille fringe cape.  Her dress is adorned with green Swarovski crystals and an orange glittered velvet ribbon.  Her tall witch's hat is made from paper covered in black velvet and trimmed with a glittered button.  She has orange and green striped stockings under her glittered black boots.

 

 

Katrina has big green eyes and curly strawberry-blond hair.  She wears tiny green crystal earrings.  It's the little details that make her so special!

 

She is available in my etsy shop, A Piece of Lisa.

 

I need to get to work now!  Only two weeks left until show season begins!  EEK!!  I'm starting to feel the panic set in.....

 

Please remember to come back on Wednesday to check out the winners list!

Have a great day!

Lisa

 







A Gypsy Witch

I've been so busy creating lots of whimsical Halloween characters for the last two months.  I spent a good chunk of the last several days taking pictures, editing pictures, writing etsy listings and putting things  up in A Piece of Lisa.  You really should go have a look around my shop now!  It's full of lots of new things.....and there are still more to come!

All those jobs listed above are my least favorite part of my work.  All I ever want to do is CREATE things, but without the pictures, how would I ever show them off to all of you?  It's a necessary task, so I get it done.

Today I want to show you one of my newest favorites.  I think she gives Clara a run for her money on being my favorite piece.  I would love to keep her too, but I did list her in my etsy shop just this morning. 

This is Clarice.  She is a gypsy.  Some call her a witch.  I think she's a little of both.  I like to think of her as Clara's daughter.  She inherited her ability to see the future.

 

She is dressed like a gypsy for sure, with her floral print skirt and matching head scarf.  She even has a long fringed shawl and jewelry.

 

 

She has very prominent facial features that are accented with hand-painted details....coppery-gold eye shadow, red lipstick, painted on eyebrows. And no gypsy would dream of going without her jewelry!  I found a crystal ball charm for her necklace and though you have to look closely, she is wearing big hoop earrings with a little copper bead.  A Swarovski crystal adorns her scarf.

 

I used another big marble I found on the Junk Jaunt for her crystal ball.  I like how it reflects different things depending on the angle you look at it. 

 

You can find Clarice right here, in my etsy shop.  She certainly is a one of a kind witch!

 

Back to work!  I trust I will see you all here tomorrow, for the beginning of the Giggleswick Blog Hop.  You don't want to miss out!

 

Lisa





Candy

I just now listed this adorable little girl in my etsy shop.  Isn't she cute?

 

Her name is Candy, and her favorite thing in the world is candy corn.  She likes to have a little bucket of it with her wherever she goes. 

 

 

Her favorite dress looks like a big piece of candy corn.  It is sculpted from orange clay with an orange wool felt skirt trimmed with yellow and orange grosgrain ribbon.  I used a vintage button and added a Swarovski crystal to give it some sparkle.  Her collar is made from crepe paper.

 

 

Doesn't she have the sweetest face?  I love her big brown eyes!  I debated about her hair color--blond, strawberry blond, or brown.  In the end, my husband and I agreed that the brown looked more like fall.  I tucked a little white satin ribbon rose in her hair as a finishing touch.

 

I created Candy as a Halloween doll, but why couldn't you leave her out all year?  At least through the fall season, up until Christmas.

 

My dad always loved candy corn--BRACHS candy corn, to be specific.  Every time I see it or eat it, I think of him.  I only buy it in the fall, when I know it's fresh and yummy.  It just says 'fall' to me.  YUM! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa