original-one-of-a-kind-art Archives - Page 73 of 81 - Ruffing’s

Posted on January 11, 2008April 25, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing — 1 Comment

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

This is my one-of-a-kind original folk art doll, Emily, named after the famous poet Emily Dickinson.

Emily was inspired by the charming Izannah Walker dolls of the 1800’s.

I designed both her body pattern and her dress pattern myself, and then carefully sewed each in 100% cotton fabric.

Emily’s fingers are hand quilted and lightly wired to give them a gentle curl, and her arms bend slightly at the elbows.

Her 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.)

I made Emily’s antique reproduction Jumeau face using papier mâché.

Her hand-sculpted ringlets on either side of her head are hand sculpted from paperclay.

Emily was painted with gesso, and then detailed with acrylic paint. Her blue eyes are hand painted.

Her shoes are painted on as well, with tiny buttons up their sides.

I made Emily’s dress from a tan calico quilter’s cotton. It is dotted with little burgundy and navy blue flowers.

Emily’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.

I 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.

Her antique-style undergarments are carefully detailed with painted-on lace, pink buttons and a bow.

Emily is approximately 15 inches tall. She is sealed with matte varnish for protection.

Many 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!

Posted on January 9, 2008June 1, 2011 by Elizabeth Ruffing — 1 Comment

Huggy Bunny, Original Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

This 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.

His 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 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.

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.

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Belinda and BoBo, Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat and Kitten Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Every morning, Belinda bundles up her little baby boy, and takes him for a walk through the neighborhood. With the greatest pride, she shows him to her neighbors. She politely, and with much sincerity, asks for their opinions.

“Is he not the most beautiful baby you have ever seen? Is he not more beautiful than the moon and all the stars in the heavens?” Belinda asks.

“Surely he is,” they reply, and they nod and smile in agreement.

“Does he not have the brightest little eyes and the cutest little whiskers?” she asks.

”Oh yes indeed, Belinda,” they reply.

“Does he not have the prettiest little pink nose?” she wants to know.

“Beyond any doubt at all,” they answer.

BoBo loves his morning walks. He basks in the sunshine, and in the compliments. If you look carefully, you might see his tiny smile. If you listen quietly, you might hear him purring.

Belinda is a tabby and white cat, as is her kitten BoBo. They have yellow eyes with a touch of green. Belinda’s old-fashioned dress is soft yellow with a pattern of pale blue flowers. The blue collar and cuffs with lace edging, match her blue apron, which ties in a big bow at the back. Her white petticoats swirl in a pattern beneath the bottom of her skirt.

BoBo is tucked into a sage green blanket decorated with the moon and stars. Only his head and one little white paw are showing.

I hand sculpted Belinda and BoBo from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for their whiskers. They are original one-of-a-kind works of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. They are completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Belinda rests firmly on a turned wooden base, with a rustic wood grain, which has been sealed in golden oak. She stands 9 1/2 inches tall.

Update: Belinda and BoBo have already been adopted. Thank you!

Bobo’s older sibling, Crybaby (above left) has also been adopted.

Posted on November 28, 2007June 1, 2011 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Millicent, Original One-of-a-kind Tuxedo Kitten Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

This is her first snow, and Millicent is as patient as she is watchful.

The snowball she made is feeling very cold in her paw, and she hopes Tommy shows up soon.

In their one room schoolhouse, Tommy is the boy who sits behind her and teases her all the time. When the teacher isn’t looking, he pulls her whiskers, and dips the tip of her tail into his inkwell. Then he calls her “Silly Millie”.

Tommy will come around the corner soon. He’ll walk right past her like he doesn’t even see her. Then WHAP, he’ll get a snowball right in the back of his head. Millicent will say “That’s for you, Tommy Salami!” The snow will go down his neck, and he’ll squeal and run home to his mama.

Millicent smiles to herself. Her little paw tightens on the snowball and her yellow eyes get even brighter. Here comes Tommy now!

Millicent is a young tuxedo kitty with white paws, a white tip on her tail, and a little black patch on her chin. Her yellow eyes are alert and full of mischief.

She wears a maroon Victorian jacket, trimmed with gold braid and brass buttons. Her skirt is vertically striped with green, gold, maroon, and gray, and a green striped scarf is wrapped around her neck and tucked into her jacket. Lots of white petticoats can be seen below her skirt.

I hand sculpted Millicent from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for her whiskers. She is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work.

Millicent 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 7 1/4 inches tall.

Update: Millicent has already been adopted. Thank you!