Something Old ... Something New ... Something Available ... and Something To Look Forward To -- Not particularity in that order! :)

Hello out there!

Hope this blog post finds you well and happy in your corner of the world.  The holidays are over and I am now settling back into my art and plans for the new year.  This year, I am thinking full bodied dolls ... and much more ... winged things!  Kinda excited to put my plans in motion.  

Last year, I met a wonderful lady by the name of Rae Davis at Halloween and Vine ... the Halloween show I participated in last year.  She and her husband, Mark, are the owners and artists of Calaveras Coffin Co. (Their link is below.)  They specialize in handcrafted decorative coffins and unique Halloween decor.  They also feature various artist's one of a kind creations too!  If you love Halloween, you need to check them out!

I was so in love with their coffins, I just had to buy an unfinished one to see if I could sculpt on it. Roses, skulls, leaves and vines!  Tedious work to say the least, but I am loving the results and hope you like it too!  I will adding one of my characters to go inside.  This piece will be offered for purchase at a later date.

You can purchase a made to order coffin in various sizes, finished or unfinished (like mine below) or anywhere up to 6' tall with shelves in it!  The finished coffins are signed and dated. Please check out their facebook site and "like" their page.  smile emoticon

Calaveras Coffin Co.

https://www.facebook.com/calaverascoffinco/

Mark and Rae Davis -- (209) 768-8485

If you haven't stopped by the Charmed Confections Facebook page.  You should!  I would so appreciate a like from you.  Come follow my page!

https://www.facebook.com/Charmed-Confections-383766415066590

Here is a link to Halloween and Vine!  A wonderful Halloween Artist show featuring some of the best Halloween art out there.  It takes place in September of this year in Petaluma, CA.

https://www.facebook.com/halloweenandvine

I started with an unfinished coffin, beautifully made by Calaveras Coffin Co.  I sculpted all the roses, skulls, leaves and intertwining vines.  All hand done and very time consuming, but I love the results!  Now to paint, distress and spooky it up!  Then on to making the doll to go inside.

 The coffin had these beautiful cutouts on the sides.  I used stamped clay and placed them in the cutouts.  Clay tends to shrink when dry, so it was tricky to get it in there just perfect!

A close up of the roses and skulls! 

As mentioned in my last post, I wanted to share some of the works that I took to Halloween and Vine last year.  These charming characters are all hand sculpted and placed in wooden trunks that I  have aged using an array of mixed media.  

All these trunks are sold, I am thrilled to say.  It is truly a "pinch me moment" when your art sells.  I am so very thankful of my customers and collectors.  You keep me going!

 A cute wedding couple I call Dearly Beloved!

I love their wicked Bloody Mary cocktails with a bat for a garnish.

Lil Boo is seriously having ice cream envy!

Below are some pictures of my Ghoulie-Cakes that were at the show!  These are gone too!

 

Below is Frederick the Grinning Ghost!  He is the only piece I have currently available at this time.  You can find him in my Etsy shop.  Here is the link!  I have reduced his price!!  He is just as cute as can be and looking for a new home to haunt.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/252355605/charmed-confections-halloween-grinning

Sorry!  Fredrick is sold!  Thank you, Deb!  I truly appreciate your purchase.  

I hope Fredrick brings you lots joy and Halloween merriment to you home!

Well, that's about it for now.  I will post more pictures of  the coffin's progress.  I have my ideas and plans drawn out this year.  Now to achieve them!  A girl has got to dream BIG!

In the meantime, I hope you DREAM BIG too!  Do something that makes you happy!

Much love!

Halloween Merriment ... A Sneak Peek at New Artwork!

Hi Everyone!  

Once again, it has been a while since I've posted.  My how time flies!  Where does it go ... and why can't we have more of it?  

I have been diligently sitting at my art table each and every night preparing for my upcoming show at Halloween and Vine in Petaluma, CA.  I am excited about the items I am bringing this year -- Trunk Monsters, Ghoulie Cakes, items from my Art Doll publication, a new line of ornaments, and some others mixed in.  My sweet / spooky characters are ready to meet you!

 For more information go to www.halloweenandvine.com 

Here is a sneak peek at some of the items, I am bringing.  There are lots and lots more, but I haven't had a chance to take their pictures.  Hope you like these!

The above picture is a work in progress of some heads that I have created for my line of Trunk Monsters.  These trunks will hold the happy couples in them.  Can't wait for you to see these!  Still finishing them up and time is raging on.  Only a week before the show - I'm cutting it close.  Say a little pray that I finish these!

Well, guess I should be off.  Hope all is well and happy in your corner of the world.  I will try and post more pictures as soon as I can.

Be well my friends!

What's New? - Making Progress - And Just Being Silly!

Hi There!

Thought it would be a good idea to post in my blog and catch up where I left off?  Hope you all had a blessed Mother's Day!  My daughter was working, so she spoiled me on Saturday with flowers and my favorite perfume.  I cried over the card ... that girl know just the right thing to say to make me feel special.  I hope you were spoiled a little too!  I spent Sunday with my sweet Mom.  We had a BBQ over at her house and  she and I worked on ornaments for the Halloween and Vine show.  My finished cupcake ornies needed their hangers.

I wanted to catch up my blog on the latest happenings here in my studio!  Halloween and Vine (A fantastical Halloween Art Show) is approaching and I am so thrilled to be in the show once more selling my Charmed Confections.  You can go to www.halloweenandvine.com to check out the details.  They are celebrating their 20th Anniversary!  I am thrilled!  I remember when I was just standing in line to get in and now I am actually an artist in the show.  Crazy!

They also have a Facebook page.  Go to https://facebook.com/halloweenandvine ---- You can click the link, I've provided.  Check out all the artwork on the photos tab.

Here is an update on my bat!  He is my first one, so it is slow going until I work all the kinks out, but he is now primed and ready for paint!  I absolutely love how his wings turned out!  I studied so many anatomical bat photos that I think he is pretty accurate!  Even has a tail and all!  I will have to post a picture of his cute backside.  

Now that I have him figured out, I will make a few more for the show!

Here is a picture of my latest find!  A new desk for my studio!  I found it in a furniture consignment store.  Love it!!  The chair was mine, but I think it works.  So nice to be able to display some of my Halloween collection from my artist friends and get organized!  Loving those sweet cabinets!!

My sweet, Candy Boy, Jake, wanted to make an appearance on my blog too!  He is sending you a smile and hoping you have a terrific week.!  

Jake, looking for more tummy rubs!  I swear, my little man should not have any fur on his chest with all the rub downs he gets.  He should be bald!  This is the look I get when I stop petting him.  LOL!

Lastly, something silly I just needed to have.  Some super, cute skull rubber boots to go tromping in the yard with.  How these make me laugh and smile!  I need to make some of my skeletons with a flower headband!  My boots are inspiring!

Well, that is it for now.  I will post some more works in progress soon!  Lots of things cooking in the studio!

Have a wickedly, sweet day my friends!  

Back on the Artistic Journey!

Hi there ... remember me?

Geesh! I should really kick myself for not blogging more.  Well, I will give you no excuses.  Not this time.  Life has been happening and I just pushed my blog to the side.  I do hope that you are all well and happy.  Speaking of happy ... happy St. Patty's Day to you all!  This day always reminds me of my sweet, Irish Dad.  I am sure my Mom is cooking him up some Irish dish tonight.  Corn-beef and cabbage, perhaps?  I, on the other hand, will be hoping my hubby cooks for me.  Not likely, but a girl has to dream.  :)    

Well, what's new?  I have been working on some new pieces and I have a couple of photos to share of my most recent art.

The first is a sweet Skellie Trunk called "I only have an eye for you."

I love how this piece turned out.  It was quite a puzzle trying to get the two skellie's to fit together.  The gentleman skellie has his arm around his gal.  His hand is somewhat on her waist.  You can see it better from the side angle in the below picture.  Do you see their tiny eyeball olives in their cocktails.  hee! hee!  I couldn't resist!

I love how the skellie girl's hair turned out.  Love the Gibson girl type bun and curls.  She is quite the lady, this sweet skellie girl!  

I also have been working on a cat and mouse duo.  This is my first attempt at a cat (and mouse) for that matter.  I hope you like them.  The hat they sit in is hand flocked.  Something I taught myself last year.  LOL!  I am always trying to learn something new.  Keeps me thinking and dreaming up ideas.  

Recently, I am playing with resins. Already had a couple of disasters, but then finally, success!  More on that later. 

The little mouse is removable from the piece.  He is jointed at the arms and hips.  The cat is doing a magic trick.  I think he is trying to guess what card the little mouse is holding.  

Next is my Bat.  

He is still a work in progress.  (Sorry about my messy work table.)  I am still sculpting his legs and feet.  His wings are just the skeletal frame.  There is still a lot of work to do on them.  They will look completely different when finished.  But this gives you a look at the inside framing.  This guy is a challenge, but his face is downright sweeeeeeeet!

Would love you hear from you.  Drop me a comment and share your blog site address if you want to share something you are working on!  

Until then ... 

Free Tutorial on how to make a Halloween / Fall Pumpkins --- and a Sneak Peek Work in Progress!

Happy Saturday out there in BlogLand!!

I hope you are all doing well and planning something fun or relaxing for your day.  Wanted to let you know that my dear friend, Carly Smith of Boggy Bottom Bayou is hosting a free tutorial on her blog on how to make and embellish those fabulous Halloween pumpkins we all love.  Here is the link to her blog:

www.boggybottombayou.blogspot.com  

In her tutorial, she is making the same pumpkin as featured in the August issue of Art Doll Quarterly  (see picture above).   Also, if you have the August issue of Art Doll, check out her article "The Bling Factor" which offers different techniques on how to embellish any item.  You won't want to miss this!  Check it out!

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Well, I have been working very hard on my new offering for Pfatt Marketplace and SpookyTime Jingles - deadlines coming up super fast!  Below is a work in progress picture of the new sculpted heads.  I hope you like them.  I will be listing one of these separately on each site.  Wait till you see their bodies!  Soo different!  You won't find anything like them out there.  I always strive to keep my art unique and fresh, so the collector is truly getting something worth collecting.  :)    

Stay tuned for finished pictures!

 ~~ A Grinning Ghoul and a Smiley Skelly ~~

Works in Progress, A Happy Birthday, My Special Winnings and Sharing the FAAP Love!

Hi Everyone!

Hope this post find you all happy and healthy.  Things have been so busy here in my world.  I am trying to stay sane, meet my artistic deadlines, work my day job, take care of the family, and be creative at the same time.  Can one do that?  I am so trying -- sounds impossible at times.

Well, Pfatt Marketplace updates on the 10th of this month and right after on SpookyTime Jingles new artwork posts on the 13th.  So, I have been frantically working on getting my offerings ready to go.  Here is a sneak peek of some of my new ghosts.

Yes, they are a work in progress.  Need to do some final detailing on their faces and bodies, insert their arms, cover their bodies in some really cool sheer netting I found, make their collars, add accessories and voila' they will  be ready to go!  This is not a great picture as I took it with my phone.  There is a lot of great dry brushing to them that you cannot see.  I know you like pictures like this, but I always hesitate because they are not finished and I want them to be perfect before I share.  What is a girl to do?  They will look so different when they are finished - just a few more hours.

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Moving right along to some wonderful news.  We have a birthday boy in the house!!  Yes ... my sweet, little man, Jake is celebrating his 1st birthday.  Awe Jake, you are the BEST!  He is definitely a girl's best friend too.  My life is sweeter every day with you in it!  XOXO

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Here is a picture of my winnings from A Piece of Lisa's Blog Giveaway.  His name is Frosty!  I like to call him Mr. Chill.  It has been so hot here, I just feel better looking at this little guy.  Isn't he cute?!  Anyway, I hardly ever sign up for a giveaway.  I usually never win.  To my surprise, I actually won this one.  This NEVER happens.  What fun!  What excitement!  What joy!  Mr. Chill now lives with me and Jake.  YAY!!

And I have to tell you, Lisa packed him up so nice.  He was sent with a bow, wonderful description card and then a write up of Lisa's artistic journey on the back (which I absolutely loved reading - what a great presentation).  Here is the link to Lisa's blog and Etsy site.  Please check out her work.   Thank so much, Lisa!  I am so happy to have a piece of your art!  Hugs!

http://apieceoflisajane.blogspot.com/  --- Lisa's Blog

https://www.etsy.com/shop/APieceofLisa?ref=shop_sugg  --- Lisa's Etsy Shoppe

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FOLKART AND PRIMITIVES (FAAP) GROUP on ETSY

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I joined up with a group call Folkart and Primitives (FAAP) on Etsy.  I know my art is not so much primitive, so I guess I will be the folkart part to their prims.  Regardless, I am really happy to be a part of this collaboration of incredibly sweet, caring, super talented group of artists!  Never in my whole life have I been accepted to a group where everyone I have met treats you with genuine  kindness and is willing to promote each other.  Kinda unheard of nowadays.  I am truly honored to be a member and eager to promote them as well.

You will see me post about this group often.  To see their offerings, go to my sidebar and click on the link to FAAPs Etsy offerings.   They also have a blog you will want to follow.  There will be several giveaways and events coming up.  These sweet ladies even did a write up on Charmed Confections and my Etsy Shoppe.  So nice and I can't thank them enough!  Here is the link:

http://folkartandprimitives.blogspot.com/

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Well, that is it for now.  I will be posting again to remind you all about the Pfatt Marketplace update and to show you some finished pictures of those ghosts.  In the meantime, have a wonderful 4th of July!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA - LAND THAT I LOVE!!  XOXO

Sneak Peek of a Work in Progress!

Hello again!

Well, wanted to share a quick sneak peek of some of my latest sculpted heads.  Ok ... these are not painted yet, but I am very excited about them.  In my mind's eye, I can see them already finished.  But, my hands are not as fast as my brain, so here is what they look like now (before all the painting and shading).  One is a pouting cyclops (fangs will be added later) and the other, a sweet, smiling pumpkin (with a twist).  So stay tuned to see the final results.  These two will be new additions to my Ghoulie-Cakes line.  I am hoping to finish them up today - so I gotta run back to my worktable and get crackin'.

Just wanted to share.  What are you up to today?

Got Spider Bites???!!!

Hi Everyone!

I am getting ready to debut my Halloween art on SpookyTime Jingles this February 13th.  I am really excited! I am a little sad too ... my day job has been soo crazy, busy that I will not have anything to list on Pfatt Marketplace this month, but do stop by as my other artist friends will have fabulous things, I am sure.  

Ok ... I don't really have spider bites on me (and who would want them), but I am creating a new line of tabletop/hanging ornaments called Spider Bites.  This is my latest work in progress and will be debuting on SpookyTime Jingles February 13th (along with my first Skeleton Shelf-Sitter - really sweeeeeet too).  I am so excited to share with you, I thought I would give you a sneak peek.  Forgive the picture - it is again a quick shot of the work in progress.

My Spider Bites bodies are tiny faux cupcakes that are frosted to look real.  The spider's legs are made out of various colors of polymer clay to look like real Halloween candy.  These little guys are still waiting for their party hats, festive collars and other trims. They are a sweet confection that will fit in the palm of your hand.  If you are afraid of spiders like me, don't worry these little spiders are very sweet, just don't try and squish them ... they might turn on you.

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged, so I hope you are well and happy out there in Blogland!!  I would love to hear your comments, thoughts, and ideas are always welcome.  I will post another picture of them soon in their finished state.

I hope you will stop by SpookyTime Jingles on the 13th of February to wish me well.  It is good to have friends cheer you along!  Talk to you soon!