original-one-of-a-kind Archives - Ruffing’s Artist Dolls and Toys

Posted on June 28, 2024June 28, 2024 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Himalayan Cat Art Doll Figurine and Pocket Kitten, finishing touches

A Himalayan cat art doll in a blue floral pinafore sits with a Himalayan kitten in her pocket.

My mom and I have been creating away. Mom has been hopping between one art doll project and the next, as her clay and paints dry. We are happy to announce her Himalayan original one-of-a-kind cat art doll is now fully clothed! And her kitten has a nice pocket into which she is comfortably nestled.

I’ve been taking short videos of us working for some fun behind-the-scenes peeks. Here I am measuring her for her new pinafore while our calico kitty, Ruby, plays with my supplies, and my mom is at her work table sculpting a new little cat doll: https://youtube.com/shorts/DtTYYsp1YmY

Ruby is so helpful! She looks like she knows what she is doing. Just ask her.

A calico cat with big gold eyes stands in front of a watercolor painting of a Carolina wren and peach colored peonies by artist A E Ruffing.

I had to make all the little pattern pieces, and I have to admit my brain had to do some twists and turns while trying to work that out. Those shoulder ruffles gave me quite a time as well. I sewed so much of this pinafore by hand, with a needle and thread: https://youtube.com/shorts/qJtzrVy6sPw

Then I had to make that pocket the right size for the kitten and sew that on by hand as well. Finally, everything came together and I breathed a sigh of relief! https://youtube.com/shorts/9aQF3Fx2Roc

We wrote a story and a detailed description of the kitties and my mom gave them names. I need to take some photos and add my bit about the pinafore. Then I will get her official post together with her description and she will be up for adoption! Whew. Stay tuned!

Hope you all have been staying cool in the heat wave we have been having. It is good weather for staying inside and sewing and sculpting and painting.

Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Monster art doll figurine, original one-of-a-kind miniature, Durwin by artist Elizabeth Ruffing

Hug Me Monster art doll figurine, tan and blue striped, Durwin handmade by artist Elizabeth Ruffing

Durwin is a handmade miniature original, one-of-a-kind striped monster art doll figurine, hand painted and hand sculpted in paperclay by artist Elizabeth Ruffing.

Durwin has one blue eye and a pleasant little smile that never leaves his face. Although he’s a real monster, he wouldn’t want to frighten anybody in his neighborhood. He has dozens of friends who leave him special monster treats that they order from monstertreats.com especially for him.

Durwin is striped in blue, pale turquoise, white, and cinnamon, and has a red heart. His golden horns are always visible, even in dim light, as he waits quietly in the backyard for his treats.

Durwin is a handmade miniature original one-of-a-kind art doll figurine. I hand sculpted him from paperclay over wood, in multiple stages, to allow for drying and detailing. I painted him by hand, under a magnifying light, with tiny brushes, using acrylic paints. Durwin is signed and sealed with gloss varnish for protection and preservation.

He is a work of art meant for display only, and not for play. I am including a certificate of authenticity with him.

Durwin is 3 and 1/8 inches tall.

Durwin is available for $59.99.

Monster Art Doll Figurine, Original One-of-a-kind Miniature, Durwin by Elizabeth Ruffing
$95.00 Add to cart

Durwin’s grape colored polka-dotted friend is Lindy (already adopted).

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Posted on November 2, 2013 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Hug Me Sock Cat with a skirt, and a new gang of Hug Me Slug stuffed animal art toys

I posted the first of several stuffed animal sock kitty cats with skirts over in my Etsy toy shop toy at hugmslug.com. This one is gray with blue, light green, mint green, and light turquoise polka dots, and a mauve pink fleece heart. Her skirt is striped with blue-purple, light turquoise, yellow-green, magenta, purple, gray, and white. Her skirt is 100% cotton and has an elastic waist. It is fully finished and is removable for dress-up.

I also recently posted a dozen plush fleece Hug Me Slugs for adoption too. I have some 12 inch tall ones and some 9 inch tall ones, in assorted colors. If you happen to be on Facebook, and haven’t yet, please come “like” Hug Me Slugs and Friends’ page. I try to post my new toys there at the same time I post them on Etsy or on eBay.

I have four more sock kitties waiting for me to finish their skirts, and I have just finished two Hug Me Puppies. I just need to draw their puppy dog portrait for their hang tags and then I will be posting them.

Posted on May 18, 2013July 5, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

A very generous gift from Tyber Katz, a box of wonders

Anthropomorphic cat art dolls by artists Peter and Patricia Tyber of Tyber Katz

We received an amazingly generous gift today, a box of unfinished carved wooden doll parts from the super-talented doll artists, Peter and Patricia Tyber, of Tyber Katz, for us to assemble, paint, and clothe.

Their dolls are wonderful, beautifully sculpted and hand painted. They are carved by Peter Tyber. Their dolls are painted by Patricia Tyber. Their dolls’ bodies and lovely clothing are made by Patricia Tyber as well. Please go check them out on their website, tyberkatz.com.

I think these “Newbies” kittens might be my favorites.

There are all kinds of kitties, cats and kittens, and some bears in the box.

We were so surprised when Pat wrote to us, and offered to give these to us to assemble and paint. Some of these are the masters they used for carving.

I plan to make bodies for them, assemble them, and make clothing for them. My studio-mate Max Bailey will do the painting. I’m sure it will take us a long time, as these are much bigger than we usually work, but I think they will turn out beautifully. Many, many thanks to Peter and Pat for this gift! And thank you for trusting us to finish these remarkable art dolls.

Monster Art Doll Figurine, Original One-of-a-kind Miniature, Durwin by Elizabeth Ruffing