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Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyThis is Isadora, a Siamese cat. Isadora is as slender and as elegant and as regal as the long-stemmed roses she loves.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyIsadora once heard that if you talk to your plants, they will flourish and grow to be hardy and strong, and so she talked to her roses, in her strange Siamese voice, for hours on end. She thought the roses seemed to lean toward her when she spoke.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Perhaps if I sing to them, they will become even more beautiful,” she thought.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyOut in her backyard rose garden, Isadora sang, loudly and frequently. Neighbors as far as a block away heard her, for her voice was impossible to ignore, and came to see what all the commotion was about. They peeked over the garden fence to see the lovely Isadora gliding through the garden, singing her heart out.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyNot one of them had the heart to tell Isadora that her voice might be less than inspiring for the roses, as they could plainly see how sincere and well-meaning she was. They feared the roses might wilt. But as they watched, the roses bent toward her, their buds opened, and fragrance filled the air.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Now that is truly amazing,” they whispered, in awe.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyWithin a short time, Isadora was invited to all the neighborhood gardens, where she shared her gift. The neighbors sometimes hid when she sang, so she wouldn’t see them covering their ears. They loved her dearly, and it is said that they had the most exquisite flowers ever to be seen anywhere!

Crybaby, Belinda and BoBo, Isadora, and Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Ct Doll Figurines by Max BaileyIsadora’s old-fashioned dress is a beautiful shade of periwinkle blue that sets off her sapphire-blue eyes. It has a dramatic dark blue yoke with a wide ruffle that falls just below her shoulders, and matching dark blue lower sleeves. Both yoke and sleeves are trimmed with a band of gold. Ruffled gold petticoats can be seen below her dress, from which her long tapering Siamese tail emerges.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI hand sculpted Isadora and her rose from paperclay, and she is a one-of-a-kind work of art. No molds are ever used in my work.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyShe is completely hand painted using acrylic paints, then signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyIsadora rests firmly upon a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She is 9 and 1/2 inches tall and she is meant for display only.

Isadora, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Isadora has already been adopted. Thank you!

Isadora and Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Siamese and Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurines by Max BaileyIsadora’s ginger tabby cat friend is Ginnie.

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Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyEvery Saturday morning Tony the Baker takes a batch of freshly baked gingerbread kitties from the oven, and decorates them with colored frosting, currant eyes, and candy buttons. They are his specialty. He sets them on trays and proudly places them on display in the bakery window.

Tony knows that shy little Ginnie, the ginger tabby cat with the sweet face, will stop on the sidewalk to admire them. She always does.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyShe will look wistfully at the cookies, her head tilted slightly to one side, then sigh softly and continue on her way. Tony will gaze at Ginnie through the window, admiring her beautiful coloring, her amber eyes, and her graceful ways.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyGinnie has two loves in this world so far………the color green, and gingerbread kitties.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyOn this particular Saturday, Tony the Baker appears suddenly in the doorway, holding two gingerkitty masterpieces he has just made especially for Ginnie.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey “I made these for you,” Tony manages to say as he holds them out to her.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Oh, I couldn’t, Mr. Baker,” Ginnie tells him, and only she knows that she is blushing. “I have to watch my waistline.”

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“There could be no harm in a little nibble now and then,” answers Tony. “Here is one for you, and one to give to a friend.”

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyGinnie thinks how pleased her friend will be when she gives her the gingerkitty with the green shirt. She takes it and puts it in her pocket, for she is generous of heart. She extends her paw for the other.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey“Thank you kindly, Mr. Baker,” she tells him, and holding her gingerkitty somewhat near her heart, Ginnie continues down the sidewalk, glancing back at Tony the Baker only once, or maybe twice.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyGinnie now has three loves in this world so far.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyGinnie’s dress is her favorite color green, with a darker green sash that ties in the back in a very pretty bow, and a stripe of darker green across the pocket and around the hem. Antique white ruffles set off the dress at the neckline and at the bottom of the sleeves. Below her dress, you can see her many petticoats, one white, then each a different shade of green.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyI hand sculpted Ginnie (and her cookies) from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for her long graceful whiskers. She is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyGinnie is completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak, and she stands 9 1/2 inches tall.

Ginnie, Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max BaileyUpdate: Ginnie has already been adopted. Thank you!

Ginnie, Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll Figurines by Max BaileyGinnie’s friends are Belinda and BoBo (above right).

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Emily, handmade original one-of-a-kind folk art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sThis is my one-of-a-kind original folk art doll, Emily, named after the famous poet Emily Dickinson.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sEmily was inspired by the charming Izannah Walker dolls of the 1800’s.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sI designed both her body pattern and her dress pattern myself, and then carefully sewed each in 100% cotton fabric.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sEmily’s fingers are hand quilted and lightly wired to give them a gentle curl, and her arms bend slightly at the elbows.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sHer arms bend at her shoulders, and her legs bend at her hips and knees. Emily’s bottom is weighted with Poly-Pellets so she can sit nicely. (Chair not included.)

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sI made Emily’s antique reproduction Jumeau face using papier mâché.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sHer hand-sculpted ringlets on either side of her head are hand sculpted from paperclay.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sEmily was painted with gesso, and then detailed with acrylic paint. Her blue eyes are hand painted.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sHer shoes are painted on as well, with tiny buttons up their sides.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sI made Emily’s dress from a tan calico quilter’s cotton. It is dotted with little burgundy and navy blue flowers.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sEmily’s sash dips to a “V” shape in the front, and it holds in all the fabric gathers at her yoke. Her sash ties in the back to make a pretty bow.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sI sewed two pin tucks at the bottom of her dress and added a big three inch hem to make the skirt stand out nicely. All the seams are carefully finished.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sHer antique-style undergarments are carefully detailed with painted-on lace, pink buttons and a bow.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sEmily is approximately 15 inches tall. She is sealed with matte varnish for protection.

Emily handmade original one-of-a-kind art doll by Elizabeth Ruffing, Ruffing'sMany hours went into making Emily. She is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Emily is meant for display only.

Emily is signed and dated. She comes with a hang tag, a certificate of authenticity, and a copy of her story.

Update: Emily has been adopted. Thank you!

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Huggy Bunny, Original Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingThis is my new “Huggy Bunny”. He is an original one-of-a-kind doll, created from my own original design and pattern. He is hand signed on his bottom. Huggy Bunny is entirely handmade and is meant to be displayed and loved, and he is sturdy enough to be played with. His body is made of 100% cotton quilting fabrics, which have been fused to an extra layer of cotton sheeting for durability.

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingHis little tail, and the edges of his clothes, and his pink parts are machine stitched with a zig zag over the raw edge appliqué. His ears and joints have been hand quilted. He has no loose or removable parts. He is stuffed with Poly-fil polyester stuffing.

I hand embroidered a coral stitch on his booties. His cute little eyes and mouth are hand embroidered as well.

Huggy Bunny by Elizabeth RuffingHuggy Bunny has love to give. Lots. And he’s happy to give it. He is a cheerful and agreeable sort.

Huggy Bunny is also part of the Etsy for Animals January challenge. 10% of sales (not including shipping) of prints from my Etsy shop and our collective Etsy shop will be going to animal charities. This month we are hoping to raise some money for The Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in light of their recent emergency need for donations.

Huggy Bunny and The Rabbit Dances by Elizabeth Ruffing

Michele from Etsy for Animals added Huggy Bunny to her “Bunnies Helping Bunnies! EFA” treasury list on Etsy, along with my “The Rabbit Dances” greeting cards. Michele also posted Mr Bunny on the Best Friends Network forums, which is part of Best Friends Animal Society, a group that advocates kindness to animals and an end to pet homelessness. Thanks, Michele!

Please see Elizabeth’s Etsy toy shop for currently available soft dolls and art toys.