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Posted on November 16, 2007 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Support Independent Artists and Craftspeople

I had a lovely dream last night. I was in the company of a bunch of very nice men and women who all liked art and crafts and making things with their own hands. We had gathered in one of those old buildings with the high ceilings and the leaded windows. It reminded me of college. Everyone was talking about things they were making, or things others were making. They were sharing books about dollmaking and beading fabric, and they were talking about dance and galleries and museums they enjoyed. I felt like I had found a niche for the first time in my life.

It came up that my birthday was a month away, and some of them surprised me with presents that they had made themselves, and other handmade items, and pieces of fabric they thought I might enjoy, all personal gifts that I really, genuinely liked. I was so touched by the whole experience, I felt like crying. When it was time for me to leave, I stopped to leave a message for them, which I wrote in chalk around the hem of a vintage dress made of a beautifully patterned fabric. My ride arrived, a pleasant smiling lady in an old minivan. I waved for her to just wait a minute so I could write one more thing, “Thank you.” Then I woke up.

It, of course, struck me immediately that nothing like any of this has ever happened to me, and that I wished it would. Then I thought about it for a while and realized that although this place might not exist in the physical world, it does exist, in a way, on the Internet. There are thousands of independent artists and craftspeople out there, and I read many of their blogs every day. They share what they are making, what others are making, books and materials they enjoy, places they like visiting, and their joys and frustrations. It is hard to be an artist, hard to persevere in what is usually a somewhat isolated work environment, and it is a great comfort to have that connection with other people who are sharing your experience, even if you don’t personally know them.

These people are also worthy of your support, especially in this time when there is such a concentration on conspicuous consumption and cheaply-made, mass-produced wares. Consider buying handmade, directly from artists and craftspeople. Consider supporting Mom and Pop businesses, and farmers’ markets. Consider buying directly from the source.

And one more thing, before I go…To all the people who put their hearts and souls into what they do, and to those who take the time to share that…Thank you.

Posted on November 15, 2007October 8, 2015 by Elizabeth Ruffing

New Original Folk Art Doll Greeting Cards by Max Bailey

We’ve made up a few sets of handmade greeting cards featuring images of our one-of-a-kind art dolls. The images are printed on archival-quality art paper and glued, using acid-free glue, to acid-free ivory-colored cards, that are blank inside. They are printed with archival-quality pigment-based ink, and so they are suitable for saving and framing.

The cards are 5 by 6 1/2 inches and they come with matching ivory envelopes. Each card is individually bagged for protection. They make a nice gift for cat lovers and for art doll lovers.

Posted on November 15, 2007 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Carbohydrates make the world a nicer place

It’s raining here, which is wonderful because we have had a terrible drought, but it is also quite dark and dreary this morning. I woke up feeling melancholy and decided it was a pancake day. These are “Vineyard Pancakes” from Beth Hensperger’s The Best Quick Breads: 150 Recipes for Muffins, Scones, Shortcakes, Gingerbreads, Cornbreads, Coffeecakes, and More, or, in other words, 150 shortcuts to happiness 🙂 I know…carbohydrates are just a temporary high, but, well, who cares?

These are really good pancakes. They have a little cornmeal and whole wheat flour in them, which gives them a nice texture, and they puff up nice and big. We all sat down and ate them together, which was fun too.

Posted on November 12, 2007June 1, 2011 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Frannie, Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat with a Balloon Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

“What if I let go of my beautiful red balloon?” thought Frannie, the pretty little tabby cat. “The wind will take it up into the blue sky where it will soar above the puffy white clouds. The birds will be amazed at what a wonderful thing it is. People will see it and say, ‘Isn’t that Frannie’s beautiful red balloon?’ ”

“Maybe it will glide over the hill, and when the wind dies down, maybe it will land in a tree in my friend Jessie’s back yard. Maybe Jessie will climb up the tree and get it, and show it to her mother, and her mother will say, ‘Oh Jessie, that balloon looks just right with your pretty dress.’ ”

“No,” thought Frannie, “I think I will hold on tight to my beautiful red balloon.”

Frannie’s fur is painted in a multitude of tabby colors….silver gray, buff, ivory, and gold, with black stripes. She has yellow eyes with a touch of green, a pink nose, and pretty white whiskers made from stiffened cotton thread.

Frannie’s old fashioned dress is soft gold, with little white daisies in a field of red polka dots. Her dress is set off by a red apron with a white scalloped edge tied in a big bow at the back. Her striped kitty tail emerges from the ruffled white petticoats that can be seen below her dress.

I hand sculpted Frannie and her balloon from paperclay. There is a little hole through her paw where the wire ‘string’ of the balloon can be inserted or removed. Her skirt swirls behind her as though a gentle wind is blowing. She stands firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Frannie is 9 1/2 inches tall, and 13 inches tall when holding her balloon.

Frannie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She is hand painting using acrylic paints, and is signed, dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.