Gypsy Magic in her Heart, a Wisdom Keeper Art Doll

Remember when you were a child, and your dreams were bigger than the sky? Do you remember those times when you thought that anything was possible....when you could do everything....when you believed in magic? When we were children we were still innocent. We were in tune with the world around us, and in tune with ourselves. Our intuition was strong. We could see and here and feel things that the adults couldn't.

Growing up we learned other things...pessimism, how to build walls, and black and white. A much smaller population comes into adulthood with the same zest for believing. Many lose their intuitive senses. 

This was the reason I created the my most recent Gypsy Folk Art Doll.

Gypsy Magic in her Heart, Folk Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

 This Wisdom Keeper comes with a little scroll that reads "Don't ever let anyone tell you that magic doesn't exist, for it is always alive in your heart". 

With immense attention to detail, the Gypsy is hand stitched from a beautiful detailed and designed cotton fabric of rich colors. She measures 16 inches tall and is in a semi seated position. Her hair is created from black wool roving and styled loose and wavy with beaded trim as a headband. I sculpted her face from clay, sanded, and then painted with acrylics and sealed with a satin finish. She wears two black beaded long dangle earrings. Around her waist is a wrap around skirt that closes with a leather tie that has small metal charms attached to it. Small metal bells are sewn to the bottom of her skirt. Her gold colored blouse stands out from the rich design, providing a beautiful background for the many beads, charms, and necklaces she is wearing. A shoulder wrap that matches her skirt is worn and secured with a metal scrolled button. 

 "Don't ever let anyone tell you that magic doesn't exist, for it is always alive in your heart". 

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Tending the Sacred Fire ~ The Spirituality of Sculpture

Tending the Sacred Fire is a new Gourd and Clay Sculpture by Jeanne Fry. 

"The Sisters take their responsibility of tending their sacred fire with great care. Each step, thought, and movement are focused on their intentions and prayers. They carry with them the wisdom of the women before them, carrying on tradition for those who will come after them."

In this artwork, I used as much care in choosing the elements of the sculpture, as the two sisters in the story. I wanted to capture the essence of their spirituality and use Earth element symbolism. 

The sisters are sculpted from gourd and clay. Acrylics of periwinkle blue, greys, and burnt umber were used to represent a soothing sense gathered from being in balance with the Earth. Burlap was used to create their head wraps, that was painted with acrylics and a textile medium that gives them structure. 

The taller sister who is carrying firewood, wears a shoulder bag made of the same burlap that holds a small blue paper flower, symbolic for their ancestral wisdom. The rose colored paper flower at her hip represents the Divine Feminine.

 The shorter sister, who is also wearing blue paper flowers on her head wrap, holds her hands clasped together at her waist, to receive the blessings from their prayers. The sacred fire circle is created with river stones and miniature wood in the center. Each sister has a large dried botanical at her feet, each holding one small dried paper flower or botanical, both gifts back to the Earth for their gratefulness. 

The sculpture sits on a wooden display block that is painted black and is signed, titled, and dated on the bottom by me. In it's entirety the sculpture is 11.5 inches in length, 10 inches in height, and 5.5 inches in width. A story card accompanies the artwork.

Tending the Sacred Fire, a Gourd and Clay Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

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Mother Crow Gourd Art Doll Sculpture

Crows are a highly skilled and beautiful totem, and even though we have learned so much about them they still hold great mystery. We understand that they are intelligent, can use tools, and have adept communication skills, which along with their ability to work as a team make them proficient at manifesting their wants and needs. And even after all of our observing and studying, they still hold a magical sense about them that intrigues us.

It could be there are some stories about them we still do not know....such as who is Mother Crow?

Mother Crow Gourd Art Doll Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

Mother Crow presides over the entire Crow Kingdom. She stands majestically at the Tree of Crows, which is their homeland. It is here where they return to every evening as the sun is setting and the moon is rising, under the safe and loving watchful eye of Mother Crow. They are given reprieve from the constant chore of being watchmen during the day, and can rest safely under her guard. While they rest, she with great care rejuvenates them, spreading her magical sheen of protection and mastery over their feathers. Mother Crow is ever present to them here at the Tree of Crows...waiting nightly...to spread her magic again and again..watching over her clan of Crows.

Mother Crow Gourd Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

Mother Crow Gourd Art Doll Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

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Gaia Earth Turtle Folk Art Doll

When I think of all the animals that walk, fly, or slither in our world, I think of the turtle as one of the most connected to the Earth. She steps slowly and quietly as she moves, feeling the pulse of the ground as she walks, almost as if she is in a meditation. I imagine her in deep conversation with the Earth as she meanders, listening to stories of what used to be,and how things will be in the future. And  I imagine her telling those same stories to her young ones, teaching and guiding them as they grow. 

Gaia Earth Turtle, a contemporary folk art ornament by Jeanne Fry

"Gaia Earth Turtle is the elder of all the Turtle Family. She holds the wisdom for all and shares her stories daily. Her stories tell of our connection with the Earth, how to care for her, and the importance of our relationship with her. She begins teaching the turtle clan when they are very young, so that as they grow they share the knowledge with others. She steps lightly, with care and respect, as she walks upon our living Earth..grateful for it's gifts."

SOLD

Free to be Me, a Woman's Empowerment Spirit Doll

Sometimes those mornings sneak up on you...those mornings when the face staring back at you in the mirror is that of a stranger...those mornings when you just can't get your hair right, or the clothes don't fit right, or you don't even feel right in your own skin. How hard we can be on ourselves as women, always comparing ourselves to the "perceived" notion of what society thinks we should be.

Free to be Me, a contemporary folk art spirit doll by Jeanne Fry

We can spend years going through this drama if we're not careful, judging ourselves so harshly. The constant "fitting" into that box can become mundane and monotonous. And I don't really know what that moment is and can't truly explains when it happens...it's different for each of us...but soon one morning you wake up and feel perfect. Perfect being....YOU.

Was it piles of self help books? Women's Studies? Our circle of friends? For me it was simply the morning that I woke up and decided to give myself a break and ACCEPT myself, Love myself, and Cherish myself for who I am. Pure and Simple...I gave myself permission to be free.

Free to be Me, a woman's empowerment spirit doll

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Nissa the Gnome from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina

Nissa the Gnome lives on the edges of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. She is one of the happiest gnomes you could ever meet, and because of that is a sort of guide. When the tourists come to town (the leaf lookers) as they are called, she will come out... especially when they seem lost.

Nissa the Gnome from the Blue Ridge Mountains

When a visitor is getting hungry and looking for a diner, or a place to lay there head down at night...Nissa will appear and whisper suggestions in the wind for them to hear. She wants everyone who visits her mountains to fall in love with them as she has, so she makes sure that they can find everything they need to be comfortable and and content.She will often have brochures tucked in her pocket and will sneak and place them within a visitor's reach so that they can find an abundance of beauty while here. I suppose she is the best little travel agent in the forest.

Gnome Art Doll Ornament

Felt Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Mrs. Ellette Autumn, a gnome in Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Mrs. Ellette Autumn, is a gnome originally from Llangenny,Wales who now resides in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Ellette is a domestic gnome goddess...taking wonderful care of her family and creating a beautiful home that always smells as if cookies just came out of the oven.

Mrs. Ellette Autumn, a gnome from Spruce Pine, NC

 During her days she checks in on her elderly neighbors, tends the gardens, and rummages through tons of cookbooks finding new and exciting recipes to delight the kids with (who can tend to be picky eaters)...and finally in the evenings when the children have gone to bed, she and her husband spend their evenings sipping cocoa, holding hands, and star gazing.

Ellette Autumn Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Radella the Listener Red Haired Gnome from North Wales

Radella Gnome resides in Colwyn Bay, which is in Conwy, North Wales. Her personality is much like her town, filled with beauty. Radella, since a child, was always an excellent listener, and anyone speaking to her knew that she was as captivated with their words as they were with her raving red hair and sweet eyes.

Radella the Listener Gnome Art Doll Ornament

 When she grew older it was of course a natural choice that she became a counselor so that she could truly help those that came to share their story with her. She emits serenity, healing, and love to those around her and she is admired by all that meet her. She is often found on the seaside and is always ready to share a story.

Radella the Listener Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Aludra Star Art Beaded Art Doll Ornament

What would you do if there was nothing stopping you? What could you accomplish if you didn't know the word "couldn't" ? Just ask Aludra Star....one of the smallest little stars who is part of the Canis Major constellation. She lives on the edges of the constellation, her family, and some would probably ignore her existence. What can one little star do in the Universe?

Aludra Star Art Doll Ornament

Well, Miss Aludra Star shines brighter than the Sun...truly she does. How can that possibly be? Quite simply, because no one told her that she couldn't. Her heart and spirit are as big as the sky and it radiates through her, around her, and lights the world for others. THAT's what one little star can do. (She inspires us to do the same)

Aludra Star an Art Doll Ornament


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Her Treasured Memories Shabby Chic Art Doll

"She holds close to her heart moments in time that are special and endearing...memories of her grandmothers, her mother, her sisters, and loves. She holds these close and is grateful for the lessons she learned and the growth that she experienced, for these are all the things that made her the woman she is today, and she loves to share them...Her Treasured Memories."

Her Treasured Memories Shabby Chic Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

"Her Treasured Memories" is a cloth art doll with that vintage look of the feminine. Designed to display on a wall with a special loop on her back, she captures memories from the past. At 12 inches tall, she is hand stitched from batik fabrics with a batik fabric wrap with a tribal design to represent wisdom from ancient ones from her family. A trim of cream colored fabric flowers wraps around her waist and on her chest, along with a white satin beaded trim that wraps around her hair. Over top of her head and shoulders is gold colored organza. Her skirts holds memories..charms of a clock, tea pot, tea cup, flowers, as well as an old key. More room is available on her skirt for you to add more charms to her skirt of memories. Her face is created from clay and painted and antiqued with acrylics. She is a vision of sweetness and beauty to add to your space to remind you of the treasured past.

Charms on Shabby Chic Art Doll

Her Treasured Memories Art Doll Wall Hanger by Jeanne Fry

Shabby Chic Art Doll

(My art dolls are meant for adult collectors and not as children's toys)

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Her Treasured Memories



Marla Gnome the Flower Shoppe Keeper

Marla the Gnome has a cute little shop in her woodland community where she sells cut flowers from her garden. You can always find her at her shoppe under the blackberry bush where she has bundles of flowers wrapped in handmade papers and tied with ribbon

Marla Gnome the Flower Shoppe Keeper

 She always know just the right flower that will brighten some one's day and suggests certain bouquets to the men gnomes who are looking for gifts for their love. She takes evening walks in the woods gathering wild flowers to add to her bouquets, and leaves a trail of petals wherever she walks.

Marla Gnome Art Doll Ornament by Jeanne Fry

Marla is an art doll ornament that is hand stitched from felt. She wears a light brown skirt and light blue shoulder wrap with a red fabric leaf, green fabric leaf, and grey dried flowers that adorn it. Her hair is yarn fibers that flows about in waves under her brilliant red cap. Her face is clay and painted with acrylics. A leather loop is attached to her back to hang as an ornament. Marla measures 10 inches tall.

SOLD

Bea the Woodland Gnome and Chipmunk Keeper

Every woodland gnome in the forest has a particular job, a job that keeps the families together and the forest running smoothly. Bea spends her time as the Chipmunk Keeper. Now some may not think this is very important job, but to the contrary...it is a sacred job to the little animals that run in the forest.

Bea the Woodland Gnome

Bea watches over the chipmunks and helps them conceal the entrances to their burrow homes. She visits their homes each day, covering them with leaves and flowers creating their camouflage.

She loves to play with the little ones, who run and scamper so quickly, and she herself has learned the skill of swiftness in her movements.

Bea the Woodland Gnome, the Chipmunk Keeper by Jeanne Fry

"Bea" the Woodland Gnome is an art doll ornament created from felt and clay by Jeanne Fry. Her body is hand stitched of felt, wearing a deep brown skirt and light brown shoulder wrap. Her skirt and wrap are adorned with silk fabric leaves and a leaf garland runs down the side of her skirt. Her face is clay and painted with acrylics, with hand dyed wool roving that creates her hairdo. She wears a red cap with a flower and dried botanicals on the front. A leather loop is attached to her back to hang as an ornament. Bea measures 13 inches tall.

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Serendipity Brought to Form

I have always been delighted by serendipitous moments, when your dreams are confirmed, those happy little surprises, and you know that things are working out as they should.

 This is what inspired my latest art doll, named of course ~ Serendipity.

Serendipity Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Serendipity is the sweet little spirit that arranges those serendipitous messages that come to us throughout our days...the messages that are confirmations to us that we are on the right path. During those moments when we question our own instincts and wonder if things are "right", she creates those little messages that appear in unexpected places, reminding us to trust our intuition.

Cloth Beaded Art Doll

She is a reassuring little being, that offers a confident and relaxed persona, and extends that energy when she is near.

(Serendipity is an art doll that is hand stitched and beaded. Her body is created from rich blue batik fabric that is hand stitched and beaded down the arm and around the ankle with auburn and amber seed beads. She wears a wrap around skirt and a gauze type scarf in reds and oranges. Around her neck she wears a silver key that has the word "Life" stamped in it. Her face is made of clay and painted with shades of cream and periwinkle blue. Hand dyed wool roving creates her beautiful hair in shades of magenta, browns, and highlights of amber with some simple beading that adorns it. Seated in a relaxed and casual position, she measures 7 inches tall with her leg extending 9 inches.)

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Katrina Maize the Crystal Healer Spirit Doll

I'd like to introduce to you a new friend...a bounty of beauty in a small package. Her name is Katrina Maize and she is a crystal healer.

Katrina Maize the Crystal Healer Spirit Doll by Jeanne Fry

She comes from a very distant, remote, and private island in European waters where she grew up learning everything there is to know about crystals and gemstones. As a child, you would never see Katrina without gemstones with her, most often her pockets were stuffed with them.

Crystal Healer with Citrine Druz Crystal

 As she grew older she learned how to use them in healing, realizing how powerful these beauties from nature could be. She collects her rocks from all over the Earth, but she is always willing to share her treasures...she always has just the right one to give as a gift to someone who needs a little love in their day.

(This cloth and clay art doll is a Crystal Healer named Katrina Maize. Katrina is completely hand stitched from a vibrant print fabric and sculpted into a seated position. Her face is clay, painted, and sealed. Her hair is hand dyed wool fibers that is intricately placed and swept back and adorned with gemstones. In her hands she holds several gemstones of rutilated quartz, carnelian, and green aventurine. She wears a small black velour mini skirt that is beaded up the side with carnelian and green aventurine. On her left knee sits a citrine druz crystal cluster. Katrina is approximately 6 inches tall, rich and divine. Her lap is a perfect place for you to place even more of your own crystals.)

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The Story of Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid

You might be thinking that Jillie is the only one of her kind. Well, she is unique in so many ways, but there are many more like her. Jillie is half Dragonfly and half Mermaid. She comes from the Dragonmaid family who live in the deepest waters in the Bay of Fundy between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid by Jeanne Fry

Now Jillie, being a Dragonmaid, has the special ability to swim in those wonderful deep waters and the ability to fly within the sweet breezes up on the earth scape...both of which she loves doing. She spends her days whale watching and occasionally will ride the water spray from the whales and then fly off among the clouds and dance through the sky. During her exploration flights up top, she listens intently and watches carefully all of the goings on of the humans and animals  who live there. She keeps notes of little stories and sketches pictures of them on a shell tablet she carries with her.

Dragonfly Mermaid Art Doll

In the early mornings right after the sun rises, she goes exploring with her sisters looking for fossils. She loves history and seeing where things come from. This passion of hers has made her a great storyteller, spinning tales for the younger ones and entertaining them for hours. And this is Jillie's destiny...to become the Master Storyteller for all of the Dragonmaids, telling them the tales of the Bay of Fundy and beyond. 

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I Will...a Woman's Promise to Herself

Day in and Day out..we make our Lists. Lists of things we need to accomplish each day, the errands,the phone calls, the tasks, and responsibilities. When I flip back through the notebook of Lists, I begin to notice that I don't include things on the list that are for ME. They are all tasks that are related to making a living or the duties of living, but they are not necessarily the acts related to caring for myself and my spirit.

Maybe I assume that those things are to be done in my Spare time?? And I realize what a disservice I am doing to myself. It is now that I determine to ensure that I am put on my own list. Nurturing my own body and soul is as important as caring for my home, taking care of the family, and making a living.

As an artist I create, but not necessarily for myself. Yes, it is what resides deep inside of me, but not really for ME. Lost is my time for journaling, or doing a painting that is intended for my home. My works are intended to be empowering for others, yet who is empowering me?

This weekend I pulled a painting out of my inventory to keep for my own, to hang in my bedroom, and felt....what a gift for myself.

And now I promise myself that I will include Me on my to do list each day, and hope that my other women friends include themselves on their own lists.

This past week I created a new art doll, named "I Will"

"I Will...release my Inner Child....

I Will nurture my mind and soul...





I Will attend to my own needs...

I Will take time for ME each day."

"I Will" is a reminder to every woman to regard her own needs as important as everything else on her list.

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Earth Meets Sky ~ Gourd Art Doll Exhibit

My latest collection of work revolves around the theme Earth Meets Sky: The Emergence of Woman. My goal was to show representations of women that are balanced and in tune with Nature and the Elements. Women that have emerged in their own full rite, as strong and compassionate women, who are confident and comfortable in their own skin.

"Sweetgrass Blessings to the Star People"

~ As  sweetgrass is burned in ceremony, blessings are sent to the heavens where the Star People reside~

(She is created from Gourd and Clay, with layers of acrylics to give her a rich look. She holds a bowl in her arms with Sweetgrass, which is used in blessing ceremonies. A sweetgrass braid also surrounds her base. Her hair is braided down the back and adorned with feathers.)

"Earth Meets Sky Kachina Gourd"

The Kachina Gourd was created to express the Spirit of the combination of Sky and Earth elements...using the symbolism of the sun designs and colors along with the symbolism of mountain ranges and earth colors.A balance of Unity.

Diana the Huntress of the Moon

I was inspired to create Diana to represent the woman who is known as a great huntress, adept at capturing what she is seeking. She is affiliated with the Moon, thereby tying in her symbolic representation of connection between and Earth and Sky.

She is created from Gourd and Clay and embellished with wooden bead necklace, beautiful alpaca fleece for hair which is tied back, and she holds her bow made of wood and sinew.

"Gaia"

The all-knowing representation of Mother Earth, who's tree limbs extend to touch the skies in a balance of completing the circle.

Gaia is created from Gourd and Clay, handpainted, and is embellished with leaves and fibers.

Zorya ~ The Three Attendants to the Sun

This piece was inspired from a Slavic legend of Zorya. The three attendants to the sun were known as the Morning Star, the Evening Star, and the Midnight Star. The Morning Star opened the gates to release the Sun Dog. The Evening Star ushered the Sun Dog back in and closed the gates. The Midnight Star held the dying Sun until the next morning when it would be released again.

Created from Gourd and Clay.

Medicine Woman of the Four Directions

She is known to honor the directions in all that she is and does. The symbolism of them is handpainted on the front of her. The East for new beginnings, the South for the Present, The West for Completion, and the North for the unformed.

Created from Gourd and Clay. She sits on a tapestry that matches her head wrap.

 "The Blossoming of New Beginnings"

I love all aspects of gardening and growing beautiful and plentiful things from the soils, and so the collection would not have been complete without a representation of a new blossom. She is created from a Gourd with clay petals. She emerges from the petals, peaking out at her new beginning, enchanted with the new world.
Gourd, Clay and Hand dyed Fleece

"Wings of Transformation"

After spending her time in the cocoon of lessons, she has emerged to greet her new self, and test her wings in flight.

Created from Gourd and Clay, she is clothed in in beautiful folk fabrics, butterfly wings held in her pockets, and two metal discs that read "Wander" and "Inspire", which will help her on her next journey of helping others in their transformation.

"Earth Tapestry"

A handpainted wood carving on base, representing the rich and complex Universe that we all live in.

Embellished with feathers and beaded base.

I loved creating this series, with so many of their stories dear to my heart.

 

These creations have all been SOLD, but you can visit my Etsy and Indiemade shops to see my current Art Dolls
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

or
http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com