Quick Update and getting back to the blog.

Its been a while since I last blogged and a lot of things have happened since then.
The lad has finished his exams and is now at college studying animal care, and trying to persuade us that him having ferrets would be a good thing. Hmm well it would if we didn't have the fish, chickens and the cockatiels.
And me, I'm now working part time in a card shop as well as still making the pixies, dolls and finding time to write. The writing blog has moved to word press and also needs and update, which I'll do later if I have the time.
So to kick start the blog again I've joined in a blog hop / challenge run by Art Elements. Their website is full of interesting posts tutorials and more as well as the monthly blog challenges. This months challenge happens to Fairies, or Fae as I prefer to use. Of course that works perfectly with the dolls and I've been busy, between working, trying to finish three dolls and two witch brooches. The dolls are complete but the brooches aren't quiet finished.
I have shared some sneaky peeks of the work in the dolls on Instagram but here are a few of them.

I will reveal the three dolls on Sunday the 30th September and there will be a list of the other blogs who will be joining in. 

I'll see you then

Vic x

New Art Dolls

Last week I mentioned in my last blog post about some new small Art Dolls I had made. They took a couple of weeks to make as I was busy with other things. I made a fairy, a hare / bunny and also a steampunk witch.

First we have Florence the Fairy with her basket of enchanted acorns and silver bells on her shoes. She also has a pair of glittery wings that also go with the glittery threads in her hair. 

Florence

Next we have Thyme a Steampunk Witch, she specialises in time spells and has cogs and gears on her hat and carries a bottle of copper. 

Thyme

And lastly we have Harriet a Hare / Bunny Art Doll who has a fluffy tail, pompoms on her shoes and a bucket of flowering plants.

Harriet

The three dolls will be in my Etsy Shop over the next few days.
I shall be back to creating soon but I may be busy writing for a little bit before hand.

Until next time.
Vic. x

Cornish Pixie News and Cornish Gnomes.

Firstly I have some news regarding the Cornish Pixies, some of you may know that I get the wooden bodies from a company in Sweden. They have supplied the UK for many years with craft items but sadly this year they took the decision to stop supplying to the UK. I luckily still have a few of the bodies in stock and also a few will be retiring so will be sanded down and repainted. The Cornish Pixies will be around for a little while yet, unfortunately I can't find another supplier that makes that shape, but I will keep looking and maybe even make my own. Because of this I revisited an idea I had a few years ago to make Gnomes. I made a couple of prototypes which helped with a few problems and then the Cornish Gnomes were born.

The Cornish Gnomes are possibly related to the Tomtes, Nisse and Scandinavian Gnomes, the pixies aren't sure when or how they arrived in Cornwall. But here are the first four Cornish Gnomes , they are made from felt with a bead nose and merino wool beards.

Frieda & Siguard Cornish Gnomes

Frieda

Siguard

Ralph & Margaret Cornish Gnomes

Margaret 

Ralph

The Cornish Gnomes will be in my Etsy shop over the next few days along with some new small Art Dolls, which you will find more about in my next blog post.

Until next time

Vic xxx

New Art Dolls and Cornish Pixies

Last year I admit I was struggling with both my muse / mojo and family life. Which meant it was easier for me to write as it was difficult to keep getting out all my crafting items for just an hour here and there. The start of this year was the same and along with a bad cold I couldn't shake, which made things a challenge but a show was looming so I need something new.  So first I painted four new Cornish Pixies which I really enjoyed painting especially the Frog Prince.

Frog Prince

Feather Cornish Pixie

Gecko Cornish Pixie

Orca Cornish Pixie

Recently I made two Art Dolls ready for another show. They are from a Sharon Mitchell pattern I bought as I wanted to try these types of doll. The pattern does require craft velour for the face and body, but I used the last of mine on Edgar the Troll, so I used cotton instead. Finding a candlestick base for them was harder but I did find two and they have worked well. So here are Cecille and Odette a bust statue art doll.

Cecille

Cecille

Odette

Odette

The dolls will be in my Etsy shop and hopefully they will have some company as I need to make some more of my smaller dolls.

Until next time

Vic xx

Art Doll Round Robin

Last year I joined an Art Doll Facebook Group, it was set up so we could create a Round Robin Doll. Which basically meant that you create part of a doll each time then post off to the next person. As I like a challenge I thought I'd give it a try especially after seeing the first set of dolls they made. So I joined a small group of them and my first part to make was the head.

hand painted doll head

As always I like to challenge myself and I've always wanted to see if I could paint it instead of using pencils. So I got out my Acrylic paints and painted her face, it took a little time but I was pleased with how she turned out.  She then got posted off to another member and I received a head from some one else, so a body could be made and attached. These were then sent off and I added arms to the next doll, after that it was legs, clothes and finally hair.  It was lovely seeing each of the stages in the group as we added photos of what we had done. The finished dolls look amazing and I loved mine when I saw her picture, but I she was even more amazing when I got her back.

completed doll

She's a beautiful doll and she will be placed in my bedroom when I get decorated. There will be another round robin soon but I'm busy with writing and other things that need to take priority so maybe I'll join if there is another.

completed doll with hair and flower

I leave you for now and there are some more photos of the doll below.

Until next time

Vic xx

Completed Doll

knitted bag and flowers

cute shoes

Christmas Cornish Pixie Elves 2017

This year I was struggling with what to paint for the Christmas Cornish Pixies, so I've painted snowflake ones again as I do like the simplicity of them. 

Blue Snowflake Cornish Pixie Elf

Pink Snowflake Cornish Pixie Elf

 As you can see for this year I've not gone for traditional colours but used pink, blue, gold and a metallic black. 

Black Snowflake Cornish Pixie Elf

Gold Snowflake Cornish Pixie Elf

Though I have used traditional red and green for two Patchwork heart Cornish Pixie Elves.

Patchwork Heart Cornish Pixie Elf

Patchwork Heart Cornish Pixie Elf

I was also tempted to paint some more snowy scene Snowmen again this year but instead I painted a Mailbox and a Postbox. 

Christmas Mail Cornish Pixie Elf

Christmas Post Cornish Pixie Elf

I'm really pleased with the results of them and i even found time to paint some mini Cornish Pixie Elves which will be giveaway prizes for my next Facebook shows. 

Mini Cornish Pixie Elves

Until next time

Vic xx

A doll revamp / makeover.

Do you remember this doll called Amberindia, I made her in 2014 and I'd been making art dolls for just over a year. 

Amberindia Autumn Fairy Art Doll.

She was great then but I've never been quite happy with her, so this week I finally decided to revamp her, essentially give her a makeover. So I chopped of her head and made a new one and gave her a new hairstyle in a different colour and style.  

Amber Autumn Fairy Art Doll

Amber Autumn Fairy Art Doll

I think it has transformed her and I prefer the way I do my faces now even though I still like to experiment. I was hoping to make more dolls this year but time is against me with editing book 2, shows and family life. But you never know I may find time to squeeze one in as I would like a new fairy for my christmas tree.

Until next time Vic xx

P.S. I still have the old head in my sewing box, it might get painted over and reused or I may pop it in a jar full of others next halloween.