Debbie's Clay Babies

Rag doll tutorial

2011-12-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

Recently the Detroit News wrote a little article about me and my clay. Here's a link...

I thought you might like to try out the tutorial yourself..have fun!

Polymer Clay Rag Doll

Level: Beginner

Estimated time: 1 hour

Tools: Scissors, wire cutters, black Sharpie pen, wax paper, cookie sheet

Supplies: 2-ounce packages of Sculpey Polymer Clay in white, beige and blue; 1/8 yard of fabric, colorful yarn, 18-gauge wire; acrylic paint in white, red and black; two toothpicks

Instructions

1. Tear fabric into 5 strips, measuring 3 inches x 1/2 inch. Cut 5 pieces of wire into 11/4-inch lengths. Wrap a piece of wire around center of one strip, twisting to tighten around fabric. Repeat with all strips.

2. Now, cut yarn into 3 inches x 1/2-inch lengths. Gather 5 at a time and wrap wire around center, twisting a few times.

3. Roll out a 11/2-inch circle of white clay. Form into tear drop and stand upright for body.

4. Roll out two tubes of beige clay, about 2 inches long. Attach each tube to base of white clay, applying pressure. These are the legs. Turn up edges to form feet.

5. Roll out a 2-inch ball of blue clay and flatten to form circle for dress. Lay over body and legs. Gently form clay around them, making sure back is covered.

6. Roll out two 11/2-inch tubes of blue. Attach one to each upper side of body on dress for arms.

7. Make two 5 mm balls of beige clay. Attach one to bottom of each arm for hands. Insert toothpick straight down body.

8. Make a 1-inch ball of beige and push onto toothpick to attach body. Gently insert a wired yarn piece to side of head, then another. Continue inserting yarn, then fabric, all over head.

9. Preheat oven to exactly 260 degrees. When fully heated, bake doll on cookie sheet 20 minutes. Turn oven off. Let cool completely before applying face paint.

10. Pour a little black, red and white acrylic paint on wax paper. Dip wood tip of paint brush into white paint and apply eyes. Let dry. Next, dip tip into black paint. Apply small dot of black paint over the white. Use toothpick to paint triangle nose, then Sharpie to draw smile and eyelashes.

Monkey Cake Toppers and more

2011-12-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am on such a monkey kick.

I've been making monkey cake toppers.

Monkey Christmas Ornaments....

Baby Monkeys

Monkey Valentines........

Even Monkey
tags!

There is something so sweet and silly about monkeys that I just can't resist.

Stay tuned to see what other clay babies I'll be creating!

Pete the Popcorn

2011-12-13T08:41:00.000-08:00

Thought I would mention my very good friends, Joe and Nick, and their new book that they have been working on, called Pete the Popcorn!

It is a wonderfully written child's picture book and it will be available soon on Amazon. Nick has started a blog to keep us all updated on Pete's story and the actual day that the book goes on sale. Here is a link to his blog.

I've had some sneak peeks and it's such a cute story, I can't wait to get my own copy and read it to my grand-kids.

I am so excited for my friends and wish them all kinds of success. They have such great ideas. I don't know if they know how much they inspire me! All of this book business has made me dust off some old manuscripts from my past and see if there's something I can do.

I'm so busy with my clay I doubt that I'll ever get around to doing that, but it's thrilling to see Nick and Joe go after their dream. They've even started another story! Great!

Go check out Pete's blog and watch for the date that Pete will be available. I want to be the first to buy a copy..Guess I'll camp out by the computer that day!

And the winner is!!

2011-11-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

The winner of the contest is Joe Kelley. The random generator picked number 2 and that happened to be Joe. He's on my facebook page so I'll be contacting him today. Thanks to all for playing! I appreciate your comments and I appreciate that you read my blog. I've editing my blog now, and will soon have a gallery full of clay babies!

It's about time for a contest

2011-10-31T04:19:00.001-07:00

I haven't had a contest in awhile so here goes!!

You can win this little Christmas Elf, however, the contest won't end until I have at least 10 comments on this posting. I would like to know why you read my blog? Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads it and when I'm feeling truly alone out here, I want to just stop with the blog. But, if I knew that at least 10 of you were reading it, I would have some hope!

Naturally you can only post one time. So, tell your friends and share this blog. As soon as I get ten comments,,the contest is over and I'll pick a winner.

Remember, your comment should be about why you read my blog!

If you are reading this now,,Thanks!

PS...send me an email at garritygal@yahoo.com with "can't comment" if you are unable to comment here. Good luck!

Halloween gift for you

2011-10-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Here's a nice print out for my readers. Tie them together and hang! I laminated mine,,will last a long time that way.

Just download to your computer and have fun!

Branding my business

2011-10-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've been going to Madonna University for 4 years now, after my graphic design degree and we are always talking about branding. What is branding?

The objectives that a good brand will achieve include:

Reflect the character of the brand
Describe the brand’s offering
Create an association with the brand’s promise
Be easy and pleasant to say
Be unique and memorable

So how does one brand a business that delivers a message of cute and whimsical clay ornaments and cake toppers?

I think I've been fighting with myself about what my "brand" should be, so I gave in today and worked on new business cards, banners, signs, etc.

My clay is cute, my graphics are cute, and my artwork is cute...so I need to accept it and move on.

How did I come up with this new branding.

I looked for a clay baby that really portrays my style. This monkey says it all!
I picked three colors that I reproduce the most in my designs.
I chose a font that is whimsical and one that I could fill with color.
I chose some graphic elements which make me think of celebrating!
I kept the name Debbie's Clay Babies because it has followed me for years and it is in loving memory of my grandmother, who used to say, "are you making your clay babies again?"

I think the new look sums up my business. It's fun, cute, whimsical, adorable, loving, and pulls at the heartstrings of my customers. The fact that they are my "babies" offers the idea that I care about them (which I do) and they are a part of me, (which they are).

I'm very excited to do my next show, where I can wear my tee shirt and buttons, drink coffee out of my mug and walk in carrying my tote bag. I also made the above banners to string along the front of the table and maybe along the back. I printed about 10 and will laminate them and tie pink, teal and blue ribbons between each banner. I also made signage. I have a light blue table covering and might get a pale pink too..Once I do a show, I'll take pictures. I wonder if it will make a difference to be branded? I sure hope so. What do you think?

Eight more days till Halloween

2011-10-23T05:33:00.000-07:00

I just love to make Halloween Clay Babies. They are cute and colorful. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and if I ever get married again,,(I doubt,,) I would like to have a Halloween Themed wedding. But, until that happens, I'll enjoy the holiday just as it is.

Here is a Halloween set I made for a customer. She bought a tree and wanted to decorate it with my little clay babies. She just got the set last week and she's already ordered a Thanksgiving set which I'm shipping out tomorrow.

The picture below is a scene I made for a contest at Polyform Products. I think you can win metallic powders or something like that. I've already sold this at a show. The customer squealed when she saw it!

I am on a kick making monkeys. These Halloween monkeys are too cute! Now I've started to make Christmas monkeys. There is something so adorable about monkeys,,whether it's clip art, or clay or cartoons.

Although I enjoy making Halloween clay babies, it's time to move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those holidays will be here before you know it!

For a preview of some of my Christmas ornaments, here's a link to my etsy store where I'm slowly filling it with Christmas Clay Babies.

Watch for my tutorial for a Thanksgiving cornucopia next week!

Vintage Halloween Postcards

2011-10-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love old time Halloween Postcards?

I thought I would share some images that I have collected over the years. Some are actual postcards that I scanned.

Other images are photos that were purchased.

I believe that this cat was a decoration. I remember having a set of these back in the 60s. We had the cat, a witch, and a pumpkin.

Lately I've been printing these out and making Halloween cards for friends.

Here are some ideas for you.

Print them out and attach them to a long ribbon to make a Halloween banner.

Print them out on heavy card stock, laminate them and use as window decorations..they will last for years.

Make several copies of the same design. You can make it a complete theme for a child's party, banners, flags, table decorations, name tags, etc.

Of course you can make cards.

How about heavy card stock and laminate them. Glue a pin back on with glue and wear as a pin.

Have fun with these images. I just might post more tomorrow..

October's here

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that September has already come and gone. I guess if I'm going to go to an apple orchard I better start making plans right away!

I love this time of year even though it means that the cold nastiness of January through April will soon follow. That cool chill in the morning air tells me that I better start winterizing my windows and doors. The garden hose and flower pots have to be stored away for the winter. My garden angels, frogs and turtles need a warm snug place to rest till spring. I feel like a squirrel driven by the desire t0 prepare for a long winter.

Once the yard is cleaned up for the season, I like to place a scarecrow in the empty flower beds. A few pots of mums and some corn stalks and pumpkins complete the scene. It's so simple, yet it makes my little place more homey and welcome. During the day, if it's warm enough, I like to open my window and listen to the rustling of the leaves and the corn stalks. It reminds me of a time when my children were younger. Their school was about a quarter mile from our house and during the day, it would be so quiet in the neighborhood that the only sounds I would hear would be that rustling of the corn stalks that I had tied to the front banisters. Then during lunch I could hear the children in the school yard, laughing and yelling. After lunch, the quiet would return, and the corn stalks would whisper and scratch against the window panes. It's one of my most favorite sounds.

When darkness arrives earlier and earlier, I like to close up the window curtains and bolt the front door. I burn a few apple cinnamon candles while I work on clay scarecrows and pumpkins. If an old Dracula movie isn't playing, I'm listening to music while I work or relax. It's a snug feeling and I will enjoy this until the drab days of January.

Until those cold days start, I'll be enjoying as much of what Michigan has to offer as possible. Another trip to Frankenmuth is in the works, a bonfire and a drive along the thumb area for the fall colors.

What do you like to do in October?

Halloween at etsy

2011-09-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be nice to showcase some of the Halloween treasuries at Etsy, where I have my shop. This blog can't always be about me! Since October is right around the corner, I thought I would share some Halloween and Autumn artwork. If you haven't been to Etsy before, it's a wonderful website where thousands of artists and craftsmen sell their hand made wares. Vintage and retro items are available there too.

To start off, I thought this Orange treasury was bright and fun! Who doesn't like orange?

This next treasury is called Purple Perfection and it's just that! I especially love the purple hair!
What's the glowing in the jar? I want one of those..

Haunted forests, spooky bottles and old crows are part of this next treasury, called Haunted House in the Forsaken Forest. I think I've found a kindred spirit!

Finally, here's a treasury full of mummies! It's called Show me the Mummy!

I do have to admit that one of my mummies is in this treasury, the tall standing one. It's always fun and an honor to be placed in a treasury, so I thought I would share this one.

If you enjoyed these Halloween Treasuries, let me know. Click on the links to see the actual treasury. You might even find something you can't live without!

Halloween Shadow Box Cupboard

2011-09-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

I like to wander around resale shops hoping that I'll find something wonderful. Just the other day I found some great items. I got a brand new Scrabble game,

a brand new cat/pumpkin face that I can plug in, two bags of Halloween stuffed animals (? I don't know why I bought them, but I'm going to donate them to an auction), and a little cupboard. The cupboard was white with purple flowers painted on it, but I knew that the flowers wouldn't do, because I had plans for this cupboard.

I painted it a rusty color, printed out some retro images that I enhanced in Photoshop, made some cute Halloween clay babies and started to decorate my find. It's so much fun to decorate these boxes, especially now that I have a color laser printer. I can create images right at my fingerprints.

Of course, with my clay I can create little characters and props. For this box, I made ghosts, pumpkins, a cup, cookies on a plate and some books. I use super glue and hot glue to attach everything. It took me about three hours from beginning to end to complete this project and now it's for sale on etsy.How about you? Any great finds lately?

Fatty Fairies have arrived

2011-09-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

For several years I've had this idea to make a series of fatty fairies.

I was brain storming with a friend once and told her about the fairies. I said, "Fatty Fairies, we're too fat to fly." Without a beat she said, "so we don't even try!" I loved it!

I have a friend named Lori who makes the cutest fairies and after talking with her the other day, she got me so inspired to continue on with this idea, that I made three fatty fairies. She gave me some great tips about marketing and displaying the fairies and even some inside secrets of her own. This was great, as many artists don't share their ideas too easily.

Here are two of the fairies I made. I'll be posting these on ebay tomorrow.

I have a lot of ideas for fatty fairies (I never lack for ideas, that's for sure.) As excited as I am to start this new line, I'm still doing animal toppers and lots of Christmas ornaments and Halloween characters. The holiday season is just around the corner and I've been busy creating lots of fun, cute and unique polymer clay ornaments and dolls. Stay tuned!

Dogsmom is the winner!

2011-09-04T22:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I randomly picked a winner from random. org and Dogsmom won the piggy. All she has to do is send me her email, and I'll send her the pig. Thanks for all who played. I'll have another giveaway in a few weeks..

Recent Work

2011-09-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

Thought I share some pictures of what I've been up to this past week.

These are Christmas ornaments shaped as tags. Can be used as tags, but at $4.00 each, better for an ornament.

Cute scarecrow with a pumpkin, one of my favorite characters to make during the fall.

Frog cake toppers. These are ready to ship or I can do a custom design with different colors of flowers. I can do most animals, so if there is something you've been looking for, let me know.

These are Halloween Ornaments, made for a Halloween tree. Once again, in the shape of a tag. It is entirely made of clay, with a textured background. I love making these.

Tomorrow is the deadline for the contest to win the Halloween pig, so leave a comment and good luck!

I just couldn't give polymer clay up.

2011-08-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

It was a tough five months, but I finally got back to claying. There are several reasons, the first being that I think I'm good at it and I believe it's a talent that God has given me. Secondly, it sells. I love doing the posters and prints, but I practically had to give them away. I'm going to consider that part of my life a hobby! Thirdly, there was an uproar among my friends and relatives about why I wasn't claying anymore and so I started to question it myself. Finally, I felt I was missing out on something, plain and simple.

So, to celebrate my return to clay, I'm having a giveaway.

I love making pigs and this one is too cute. She is holding two pumpkins and is ready for fall. This polymer clay piece is 2 inches tall. Her value is $8.00 but someone out there is going to get her for free!

How can you win?

Tweet about me, leave a comment, become a follower, like my facebook page,,those are all ways that you can get into the drawing.

Just let me know by email or by leaving a comment what you did (tweeting, commenting,following, liking)...This contest goes till September 5th. I'll pick a winner then and ship it out.

Pulled in too many directions

2011-07-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, there are so many things I want to do and so little time to do it. I bet you know the feeling. I am the proverbial jack of all trades, and master of none. I want to paint, do collage, draw, and, although I said I was "retired" from clay, I still have an urge to create sculptures. (I just may do some Halloween ones soon).

I don't know if it's my attention deficit that gets in my way, but here's an average day for me.

sponge paint paper for collage
scan different images
draw images and scan
manipulate images in photoshop
look at other artist's work
make posters
market my art
fine tune skills in Illustrator (that's something I just started, although I've taken classes this is a tough program for me to learn)
bid on jobs at Elance and then get cold feet when someone starts acting interested
twitter my art
facebook my art
renew work or add new art work to etsy
make cards

This would all be great if I were set in my style of artwork, everything would mesh and look unified and cohesive.

But, here are some of the things I'm working on,,

bubble houses
retro images
kids alphabet
kids pictures with my granddaughter
dark dreams imagery (posters and prints)
manipulated images of my art dolls
inspirational images for prints and posters
rainbow, glittery peace signs and posters

I love doing it all, but you can't find ME in any of it. I want to become an artist with that "style" that you can see in all of their work. This is very difficult for me to attain. I think I have a "wait if" attitude,,for instance,,what if I do it this way but the other way is better. What if I work on primitive folkart style and no one likes it. What if I am on to something here but I better do the other stuff too. Get my drift?

To thine own self be true is something I believe in but I don't know how to do it. I plod along daily making art but it is off on so many levels and tangents that I just don't know how to find my style.

Here are a few artists whose style is distinct in every aspect of their work..

Art by Erin She creates mixed media and spiritual art. I love her style. It is apparent in each thing she does. She is true to herself. How did she get there? That's what I need to find out. I'm older than she is for sure, but still, I haven't found it.

Another artist who's style is distinct is Little Sonrisa Her characters all look related, her backgrounds and style is definitely her own. She has achieved what I'm trying to find.

As my brain continues to bounce around in pinball fashion, maybe someone out there can give me a word of advice. It's tiring to me to continue in this way. In order for me to achieve some kind of success in my art I want to find my style yet I'm wandering around in a maze of ideas.

The journey continues.

On the road again

2011-05-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

I love taking pictures of roads. There is something about an image of a road that makes me wonder, "where does it lead, and what will happen when I get there?"

I'm always on the lookout for a great road photo opportunity and I guess I'm not the only one.

Post Cards In the Attic made a beautiful treasury on etsy called "On The Road Again ." and she honored me by putting one of my road prints on it. Not only did she include me in this wonderful treasury, she blogged about it on her beautiful blog, Butterfly in the attic. She's got some great old vintage postcards and images in her etsy shop and on her blog, so you might want to visit her. Enjoy your travels!

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.: Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

Sale in my etsy shop

2011-05-24T07:58:00.001-07:00

Just for my readers I'm having a sale in my etsy shop. All prints and posters are $5.00 (plus shipping).. Check it out and if you don't have an etsy account, just send me an email and tell me which print or poster you want. All prints are 5 by 7 and are matted. All posters are 11 by 17.

Show some love and buy a print! If you don't see anything you like, check back often, because I'm going to have this sale for awhile, at least during the next month.

MY ETSY STORE

Mixed Media Collage tutorial

2011-05-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever started a painting just to realize half way through that it isn't going in the direction that you wanted it to go. I think it happens to us all. Or have you ever found an old painting at a garage sale or in the basement where the subject matter isn't that great but the canvas is pretty nice?

Well, if that's the case, you will love this little tutorial on what to do to reuse those canvases and create an interesting collage.

You'll need an old paint brush, some decoupage, the canvas, and papers.

The first step is to cover the canvas in a generous amount of decoupage. Use your fingers or an old brush and cover it completely.
Next, tear up old newspapers, tissue papers, pages from books and recycled papers and start to arrange them on the canvas. I let this step dry and then I come back and cover the papers in another coat of decoupage. After both of those steps are thoroughly dry you can sand down some of the rougher spots. It's not necessary, just a choice as collage and mixed media need that texture.

Your canvas is ready to paint.
I use brushes and my fingers to apply an array of colors. If you wold like some of the papers underneath to show up, just put a light coat of paint around the edges, smear a little across. Have fun and don't worry about the outcome! I even added glitter to this collage. I always paint the sides of the canvas. Now it's ready to hang.

I picked a winner

2011-05-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Larry who won a print from my etsy store. His choice? He picked out a 5 by 7 matted print of the train depot, one of my favorites! Good choice, Larry! It's in the mail and on its way.

Stay tuned for a mixed media tutorial!

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

2011-05-05T09:08:00.001-07:00

Posters that can be personalized

Inspirational prints

Letters of the alphabet..looks cute in a child's room

Personalized pictures of animals

Biblical sayings

Posters for a classroom

Motivational posters and more

Remember, my giveaway ends in a few days..here are some examples of my prints and posters... Check out over 100 designs at my SITE All you have to do is send me an email or leave a comment here. I will randomly pick a winner on Mother's day.

Spring Giveaway

2011-04-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to have a spring giveaway, so let me get started.

Click on the link for my etsy pages.
ETSY PAGES
Take a look at my prints and posters. Any poster or print for $10 or less.
See which one you like
Come back to my blog and leave a comment telling me which one you like (either by the title or leave a link
On May 8th I will randomly pick a winner.
This contest is open to anyone, anywhere.

If you can't leave a comment, then send me a note at garritygal@yahoo.com and I'll place the comment on my blog.

There are over 100 images to pick from and I'll be adding more. All of the 5 by 7s come with a mat. Anything larger than that does not. I am really trying to expose everyone to my work, so please let me know what you think! Have fun and let the contest begin!!

Bubbles, bubbles, and more bubbles

2011-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've been having a great time adding bubbles, sparkles, stars and swirls to my images. These prints look dreamy now. This is great art to add to a child's room.

If you are interested you can go to my etsy account where I am having a 20% sale. The coupon code is G1234.

Here are some images you will find...

Flowers and bubbles!

Yes, these are happy little peeps.

Doesn't this house look sweet and dreamy?

Almost to 100

2011-04-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

My Etsy Store

That's 100 items for sale on etsy, that is. If you click on the link you'll see what I've been up to. I'm also working on a store there called My Dark Dreams but I'm not ready to "go public" with it yet. All of my 5 by 7 inch prints come matted.

Free ATC backgrounds

Here's a free printable ..open it up and print it on card stock.

Have fun!