Heaven in a window

On a recent Girlie trip to NYC I wandered by some pretty amazing window displays.

Nothing, however, could top this display from Louis Vuitton

Each piece was enclosed in a custom LV. bell jar - and tagged with a latin species name - as if they were botany samples.

Quite amazing work in my opinion A fancy fly

Faux Feline

raccoon

Crab Clutch

Gives a new meaning to having a "snake skin belt"

Bunny Baggage

GLORIOUS

Ok - now when I die I want to be wearing one pair of these shoes and my coffin needs to be lined in that blue velvet!

STJ Update

Guess what's, or should I say

Who's for dessert! Check out This Month's STJ update
These Minty Mallows will be showing their faces!

Lime and blue raspberry... yum!

Isn't he just so "Sweet"

A Two Faced Sweetie

Happy Shopping Everyone!

Ehag Emporium

May Black cats cross your path

While Candy crosses your palm!

This charming hand-turned pedestal bowl has been transformed into a Halloween Candy service Hand-painted in acrylics, black cat silhouettes alternate with the words

Tricks

Treats

Spooky

Sweet

Sculpted black cats have been added to the base of the pedestal - their tails appear to be holding the candy bowl up.

Cats are finished in wax, wooden bowl is finished in varnish.

Bowl is intended for wrapped candy only.

Cats are sporting sparkly collars of vintage trim (circa 1950s)Wooden bowl was originally hand-made

Bowl has been hand-painted and detailed

by

me, Sweet B!

Any imperfections simply add to its charm.

Contact me to purchase

Sweetbfolkart@cox.net

Don't forget to visit all of the talented artists listing their original works on the

EHAG EMPORIUM

Crone update

My muse is a fickle mistress... well, ok - perhaps my muse is just a might cranky!

It's no wonder, I keep throwing more and more projects her way.

Sometimes an idea is so strong that the art piece practically makes itself, other times not so much.

The Cranky Crone is there, in my mind, kind of grumbling around in the back - amongst the dusty debris. I know that eventually she will waddle up to the forefront, its just a matter of time.

Meanwhile, I have been collecting ideas and supplies;

An old Edwardian jacket - too ripped and torn to be worn

A vintage Halloween costume, not sure if I will use the whole thing

or just that yummy Green ruffle.

Ok - so the crone has her shoes picked out - isn't that the most important thing?

Gnarly hands - worthy of her "Crankiness"

The beginnings of a face. Can't tell if that is a grimace or a smile... or a bit of both.

I have also been sketching, Madame Crone is to have a backdrop.

I am guessing Lori has made more progress on her Cranky Crone

Visit her blog

Retro Rudolph's

to see how her piece is progressing.

Come back and visit us again in March for the big reveal.

A few of my favorite things

I just received a package in the mail - a few goodies that I have been coveting from my friend and one of my favorite artists

Lori Rudolph of Retro Rudolph's

Isn't he adorable - I saw him at Christmas and have wanted him ever since!

I just love the way Lori fashions the little arms and legs on these guys, and his funny bobblely head and body - soooo cute. I will also be adding these lanterns to my collection - they come in all sorts of colors and designs. These three complete my collection... at least until more are created (hee hee)

each one comes with a wire hanger and lights up with a battery votive.

Lori has such a distinctive style, the signature Retro Rudolph's eye and mouth inserts are always a dead giveaway.
Visit Lori at her blog
Retro Rudolph's
and join her mailing list to be updated on new works - they go fast.

Month One - Crone Inspiration

Month One: Sharing a little Inspiration

Since the first part of this challenge is to share ideas, inspiration and thoughts about the Crone we plan to create, I thought I would do a little bit of background reading...

...The Dictionary defines CRONE as a "withered old woman", other sources describe Crones as "stock characters in folklore and fairytale, an old woman who is usually disagreeable, malicious, or sinister in manner, often with magical or supernatural associations...."

Flipping through fairytale books I found dozens of Cranky Crones - in each case the Crone in question was portrayed as wicked, hideous, and in almost every case, these Crones ended up meeting very gruesome ends.

Web images for Crones are also pretty harsh - ranging from ugly old ladies to downright wicked looking witches.

Disney

After researching a bit further, I have determined that Crones throughout history and literature have been totally misunderstood!

Most Famous Crones simply seem to be suffering from some pretty basic human emotions;
jealousy, resentment, anger...Couple that with low self-esteem due to withered and bent physical appearance, isolated and lonely living conditions, and being treated like a pariah by the rest of the Village - is it any wonder these ladies lash out?

For my challenge piece I am going to attempt to pay homage to one of the most famous Crones in Fairytale history.

She is cranky, to be sure, but I think she has her reasons

and on some levels I really sympathise with her...

Here is a little of my Crone Inspiration

Stop by to visit on February 24th for a look at my work in progress and don't forget to visit my

Crone Confidant and Challenge Partner

Lori Rudolph of Retro Rudolph's

Lori will be creating a Crone of her own - and I look forward to getting a glimpse into her creative process.

Smetimes you feel like a Crone

This years' Birthday has left me wondering where the years have flown
And the thought of more housework is making me moan,
I'm beginning to feel a bit like a
CRANKY CRONE

So worn and weary - right down to the bone,
Yes, I really am becoming a
CRANKY CRONE!

I need a new challenge to pique my interest.
Something creative - difficult to resist...

Time to create a CRONE of my own, something made.... for me alone.

A CRANKY CRONE - someone that I'd admire,
is sure to light my creative fire.

This CRONE will be three months in the making
January's for innovation and painting.
Visit in February to measure her construction,
Come back in March for your introduction.

A Three month

Cranky Crone Challenge

hosted by

Lori Rudolph of Retro Rudolph's

and

Me, Amelia Schaefer of

Sweet B FOlk Art

Visit our blogs on the 24th of each month.

A prize will be offered with the grand reveal

on March 24th, 2011