Winter Market Day 1

Hello Friends!

How was your Thanksgiving? I actually had to work through Thanksgiving (and there were moments that I really had to remember that I was so THANKFUL to be employed) but it wasn’t quite as busy as my normal days, I FINALLY managed to make some art magic.

Now two things were simultaneously going on these past few months that slowed my art making down further than normal.

ONE: You remember THIS post (scroll to the bottom to see the artwork...or you can just read the whole beautiful thing, which involves Dianie Mac, who I REALLY owe an email to!) the one where I talk about my previous life as a regular illustrator and artist…

For awhile now, I’ve wanted to expand my art past doll making (don’t get me wrong, I LOVE doll making…well, the PAINTING part of doll making more than anything), and in fact VAGABOND CREATIONS was a place where my love of ALL arts, and nature, combined.

I also really, really love the idea of art being functional. I believe my mama instilled this in me from a young age, where crocheted lace were doilies and embroidery became linen towels and tablecloths. There was beauty, but beauty AND function are two gifts in one.

TWO: in order to create some of my new work, I decided to work in new mediums, which meant A LOT of experimentation…..and you know how THAT goes…lots of time taken up. But well worth it, since I LOVE learning new things!

As a result, there are a WHOLE new crop of Vagabond Creations!

First….remember Shrinky Dinks? Sure you do! Yes, they might be great for little kids--but I wondered…could they be more functional, beautiful, and useful? Time to find out!

How about some ornaments? Making winsome designs and painting them, one shrinks the plastic through heating it. Since the size then becomes one-third smaller, it probably helps NOT to get too detailed about it…

Virgo perfectionist that I am, I couldn’t resist treating each one like a normal painting. Of course this meant I would later scream in horror, err....I mean: watch as the detailed became tiny or non-existent as the shrank away.

Here’s my first attempt. I shrunk it before I realized I probably should have taken a proper “before picture” --

"JOY” is a winter vagabond aboard a friend polar bear. The painted side took on a very textured affect--almost like snow! Glitter everywhere, and dots:


On the opposite side you might notice a different star pattern on the little vagabond’s outfit. And a bit less glitter. Oh yeah, “JOY” is given a mirror affect, spelled backwards here, but if you like double-sidedness, this should work for you.


Now--to see the size difference (and probably get a better view of the sparkles on the vagabond’s little cap), check out this picture of the ornament in my hand (and ignore the bandaged fingers. As I said, all SORT of new techniques were being played around with this weekend, some more dangerous than others!)

"JOY" should be in the Etsy shoppe by tonight!

Next up--an ornament for Halloween-o-philes, inspired by a vintage Halloween. Here’s the before of Mr. Owl and his Jack O Lantern. Again, front and back are a bit different (can you spot the differences?).



I have yet to shrink him down, I'm currently enjoying his full size. I'll show you the affects tomorrow, methinks!


Finally, my most ambitious project was the “Ice Queen”--though she’s not so icy that she can’t hold a cute little fur seal pup in her arms. This style of drawing is a bit less stylized, and more of the type of drawing that I used to do:

Here she is after shrinking. Very sparkly and shiny!

I was rather pleased how she turned out!

Bouyed with the success of “Ice Queen” I am planning to add "Jack Frost" tomorrow. Here he is before shrinking:




I might also have FULL sized (8" x 11") of both Ice Queen and Jack frost tomorrow as PRINTS, so if you're interested in glittery, wintery art, then those are some gifts you might consider.

Also up tomorrow, THIS ORNAMENT, which I shall be finishing in the weeee hours of the morning:


And FINALLY: A Vagabond Creations work that I had "help" on! I am now selling my own honey at the Etsy Shoppe as well! Stop by if you love RAW honey made by old-timey beekeeping methods!

More from the magical Vagabond shoppe TOMORROW!