Wednesday, April 25, 2018

OOAK Folk Art Doll Inspired by the Tehuantepec Marketplace

My love for Frida Kahlo recently led me to learn about a magical place in Mexico that was truly an inspiration. One afternoon I had been reading and found that Frida had adopted her colorful traditional dress and style from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. I started to look up information about the region and discovered that this place was not like any other within Mexico. 
OOAK Folk Art Doll Mexican Woman at Marketplace Cloth and Clay Art Doll

Tehuantepec is known for its Marketplace, most especially because it is run and operated by the Women. The Women dominate the local markets and the regional economy. It is said that Juchi Ta'n de Zaragoza is the most impressive - rows and rows of stalls filled with jewelry, folk art, clothing, and local foods. While most of the men work in agriculture, the women are highly experienced vendors at Market. The women are afforded economic independence, which is out of the norm for the rest of the country. Here you find the indigenous Zapotec culture, which is said to be more advanced, in many ways, than Western culture. 
OOAK Folk Art Doll Mexican Woman at Marketplace Cloth and Clay Art Doll OOAK Folk Art Doll Mexican Woman at Marketplace Cloth and Clay Art Doll

After reading as much as I could find about Tehuantepec, I was inspired to create one of my Wisdom Keepers in honor of the women who run the marketplace. 
Detail of Fabric used on OOAK Folk Art Doll Mexican Woman at Marketplace  

***SOLD***
You can see more "At the Marketplace" on my website here OOAK Folk Art Doll At the Marketplace



Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Butterfly Blessings - OOAK Butterfly Folk Art Doll for Worrying and Releasing

Butterfly Blessings OOAK Butterfly Folk Art Doll Painted Muslin with Word Art "Butterfly Blessings" was designed not only to be an Art Doll, but also as a Comfort Doll for women. More specifically, a Comfort Doll for women who tend to worry. I created her so that she could be displayed virtually anywhere in the home, or on a wall, and be a reminder with her message that is painted Word Art on her muslin. She is also a perfect size, and softness, that she can be held during difficult moments or in moments of meditation. I know for myself the importance of continually reminding our spirit about releasing and relieving stress, because I am an Expert Worrier. 

Butterfly Blessings Message:

 "Don't hold on to those worries, dear one. Worries can multiply if you don't pay attention. Your Sacred Self was meant for holding LOVE, not worries. When you feel a worry fluttering around in your belly, visualize it as a Butterfly. Close your eyes and Ask for a Solution. Give that worry to the Butterfly, and allow it to Fly Away. These are your Butterfly Blessings." 

The Creation of Butterfly Blessings

"Butterfly Blessings" is an OOAK (original one of a kind) Art Doll that was entirely made from original painted muslin. Her face is an original painting on heavy muslin. Her body and butterfly headdress is free form sewn muslin and painted. A fabric medium was added to the Acrylics to protect the painting. Additional linen and fabric trims, along with a few glass beads and an applique were added for her embellishment. She is soft, beautiful, wise, and calming. 
OOAK Painted Muslin Fairy Folk Art Doll with a Word Art Message

OOAK Fairy Folk Art Doll Painted Muslin and Linen Trims


***SOLD***
You can see more of her on my website here 

In My World - OOAK Fairy Folk Art Doll with Painted Muslin

In My World OOAK Fairy Folk Art Doll Painted MuslinSometimes this big world seems more and more foreign, doesn't it? I mean, yes things always change...people change...communities change...styles change...trends change...feelings change...politics change, but even when all these things change there is usually still a baseline, and that seems to have changed too. 

Other times when I think about it, I think that the world has always been this way, and that the only thing that's different is that the veils are being lifted on the truth. 

Either way, it often encourages me to retreat to another world, a magic world. 
Would you like to meet one of the sweet little spirits from that world? 

She is a little shy, but when she speaks it is in volumes. 

"In my world, Everyone is Kind....We speak with Truth and Love...No one is Hungry...and We ALL care for one another"

OOAK Fairy Folk Art Doll Vintage Style Painted Muslin with Striped Hat

I must keep the location of her very special world a secret, so that big greedy ones don't try and conquer it too. 

[ In My World is an OOAK Fairy Folk Art Doll created with vintage style Painted Muslin]

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Wednesday, April 11, 2018

In a field of weeds Be a Daisy - OOAK Art Doll - Appalachian Folk Art

In a field of weeds....Be a Daisy. 
Don't allow others to pull you down so that they can feel more comfortable. Negativity breeds negativity. 
Be strong. When things are difficult, acknowledge it....honor it...and then choose to rise above...choose to still be happy....
Choose to Be a Daisy. 
In a field of weeds Be a Daisy - OOAK Art Doll Appalachian Folk Art

OOAK Folk Art Doll Black and White Polka Dots with Daisies
Daisies and Polka Dots Original Folk Art Doll Cloth and Clay

OOAK Folk Art Doll Black and White Polka Dots with Daisies


"In a field of weeds, Be a Daisy" is an OOAK Cloth and Clay Folk Art Doll. Her face is an Original Sculpt of Clay, and her body is free form sewn original created in a seated position. She is available on my site here Wise Woman Art Doll with Polka Dots and Daisies

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Understanding the Wild Woman an Empowering Folk Art Doll

Understanding the Wild Woman


OOAK Art Doll Wild WomanShe doesn't have time to waste worrying about what others think about her. She doesn't read the Reviews. This life is her "One Woman Show". 
She is the Director, the Producer, and she Designs the stage. Each day is her performance art. 

There is no Playbill, it is all Improv. It is her truth, her hopes, and her dreams. 
 She decided to stop thinking small and to stop living small. The cookie cutter life is not for her. 
Her spirit is too large to live inside the box of "should", and once she had stepped out of it she found she was in the land of "could". 

She has learned to be more discerning about who gets to join her on her stage. There are those who will try to steal your lines, those who will try to upstage, and even those who will try to take control and make it their own. So some won't get a call back, and others may just be given a small tight role. After all, this IS her production. 
She doesn't much care about how many people show up. What she does care about is that each day she goes out there and gives it her all, follows her heart, speaks her truth, listens with sincerity, inhales love, and exhales joy. 

This is the Life and the Passion of the Wild Woman. 
Wild Woman OOAK Folk Art Doll Wall Hanger

Original Sculpt Cloth and Clay Art Doll Purple Wild Woman

OOAK Purple Beaded Wild Woman Art Doll

Beaded Wild Woman Art Doll



This Wild Woman Art Doll is an Original Sculpt of Cloth and Clay, along with Purple Batiks and Beaded Felt. She was designed as a Wall Hanger and is ready to be displayed in any room. 

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Agate Sunset and her Heart Wide Open - OOAK Art Doll Wall Hanging with Symbolic Story

She walks with her Heart Wide Open. It is the only way that her spirit is able to Live....authentically. She finds joy watching and engaging with the precious life all around her, be it plant, animal, or human. There are lessons to be learned from them all, aren't there?. Though honestly, as of late, it has brought sadness to her.
Watching how people have been treating one another, the judging, the tearing down, the turning of backs on one another, and the total disregard out of greed or fear.....all seems to be at such heightened levels. The grief exists whether she is on the receiving end or witnessing it happening to another. At times it feels like her heart couldn't hold one more ounce of sadness.
Folk Art Doll Wall Hanging titled The Agate Sunset and her Heart Wide Open

There have been many who have offered up unsolicited advice for her sadness....turn off the news...don't be an advocate...don't participate in social justice events...don't engage in politics...delete people from social media...delete people from your life...turn your back...turn the other cheek...let someone else help...keep your thoughts to yourself....bury your head in the sand....just worry about your own life...don't talk about the negative...grow a thicker skin...you're just looking at things wrong...Close Your Heart. ...
Sometimes all those things make her snort a half giggle. She thought how funny it is that as children we are raised to be thoughtful, kind, and giving human beings....yet when we are older we are told NOT to be.
OOAK Art Doll Wall Hanging Appalachian Art with Agate Gemstone Beads

She is not going to change who she is. She will continue to walk with her Heart Wide Open...to feel...to love...to cry...to laugh...to help...to give....to be fully Present for herself and others.  She will continue to let her heart lead the way.
And in those moments when things feel a little rocky, when the sadness comes, and when the world seems disappointing, she will protect herself Spiritually.
She will close her eyes and imagine herself standing within the Agate Sunset....where the wide open sky looks like a painter's brush has spread magnificent streaks of magenta and fiery orange, dusty rose and splatters of periwinkle blues. She will hold close those wondrous Agate gemstones, gifts from Mother Earth, as they cleanse away the stress and stimulate her life force, those tool bits of spiritual protection. She will come to this space every night and she will come here as often as need be...to remember who she is...to remember that we are all Perfectly Imperfect...and to continue having the Strength to Walk with her Heart Wide Open. 
Original Sculpt Cloth and Clay Art Doll Wall Hanging with Agate Gemstones

A Cup of Honey Lavender Yogi Tea in the art studio
{As an aside, how perfect that at the end of writing this little bit about the Agate Sunset, I made myself a cup of Honey Lavender Yogi Tea....and the sweet message on the tea tag said "Your great happiness is based on the warmth of your heart" } 
( I shall never change :)




Mountain Folk Art Doll OOAK Cloth and Clay titled The Agate Sunset and her Heart Wide Open

Sculpted Folk Art Doll titled The Agate Sunset and her Heart Wide Open
This darling, Heart Wide Open, is an Original Sculpted Folk Art Doll Wall Hanging, Appalachian Art by Jeanne Fry. A printed copy of her story here accompanies her. You can find her on my website here OOAK Folk Art Doll Cloth and Clay with Agate Gemstones

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Heart of the Sage Woman - OOAK Art Doll

Sage Woman, your spirit was sculpted from some of the most powerful energies in the Universe. There are no cookie cutters, no instruction manuals,  for the making of a goddess. 

Sage Woman OOAK Art Doll Cloth and Clay for Womens Empowerment

You are a part of a glorious Tribe of Sisters that is as diverse as the layers of your soul. Stand tall in your Knowing. Stand tall in your Connection to the Source. And Stand tall walking your path on this Earth. 
Let your Voice reach through the winds. You worked hard to realize it. Let your Creativity flow. You have much to share. Let your Compassion weave the web. There are many who need it.

OOAK Art Doll Sage Woman Goddess Art

You are a Healing woman,
a Peacemaking woman, 
a Warrior woman, 
an Inventive woman, 
a Compassionate woman,
a Sage woman. 


Goddess Art OOAK Art Doll Sage Woman for Womens Empowerment

Never step into the shadows and dim your light because of the discomfort of others. 
Stand tall in the face of the Sun and the glow of the Moon and Radiate your immense Beauty. 
You, Sage Woman, are divine. 

Sage Woman OOAK Spirit Doll Art Doll


"Heart of the Sage Woman" is an OOAK (original one of a kind) Art Doll, created from Cloth, Clay, Gemstones, and Fierce Love.

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