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.

SOLD



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.)

SOLD



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.)

SOLD

The Story of Lady of the Wood, gourd art sculpture

The Lady of the Wood is not often seen, but her presence can be felt when you are strolling  in the forest. During those moments of long walks and soul searching, she watches over  seekers (those that are on a quest for peace and perspective). She knows that her land is more than a geographic coordinate, it's a journey, and while seekers visit she offers them serenity, a new outlook, a chance to breathe easy.

Lady of the Wood by Jeanne Fry

She listens even when words are not said, and knows that the gifts she offers are of high value. For truly, what is more important than soothing another soul? The world can often be harsh, and she has chosen to be a friend to all who need comfort.

Gourd Art Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

She asks for very little in return for the nurturing she provides...only that you arrive with honesty in your heart and respect for the woods and those who inhabit it.

So the next time you venture on your walk...remember that the Lady of the Wood is present, listening, and loving.

Lady of the Wood

SOLD



The Wee Bit Garden Spirits

We humans can easily get caught up in a whirlwind, hurrying from here to there, busy busy all the time..and sometimes we forget to slow down...slow down and listen. When we stop long enough and block out the outside noise (televisions, electronics, smart phones) we may be able to hear the wee ones.

They are all around us you see, even in your yard. Of course those are the wee bit garden spirits. Have you ever seen them?

Wee Bit Garden Spirits

These three were conversing under my Rosemary bush, right on the edge of my porch. They had the tiniest of whispers and I had to bend down closer to get a good listen. They were very friendly and happy to meet me, and Ooohhhh the stories they had to tell.

I had to pick them up in order to hear their sweet little voices, and they each introduced themselves to me.

This is Ella. She is the wisest and elder of the Garden Spirits. She holds the knowledge of every plant and flower that exists. She tells of how important it is for one to keep their connection with the Earth and how tending the soil is healing to the soul.

Ella the Wisest Garden Spirit

This is Felicity. She is Happiness through and through. She talks about keeping it simple, and how simplicity is the key to happiness. She reminds us not to let the worries keep us down, but to cherish the sweet things in life.

Felicity the Happy Garden Spirit

And then of course there is Bella. Bella is the listener of the group. Bella listens to whatever is on your mind...your hope and dreams...and your fears and worries. She takes your worries and plants them in her garden, and soon they become a flower bloom, full of transformed positive energy.

Bella the Garden Spirit

I hope you take the time today to....Listen, you never know what you will here.

SOLD

Symbolism of Sweetgrass Blessings Medicine Doll

Sweetgrass Blessings is my newest art doll in the Medicine Doll series. Her symbolism  is representative of sweetgrass, a cleansing of negativity and a calling in of kind kindred spirits around you. I think we all need to take an inventory of our relationships from time to time, and ask us ourselves which ones are healthy...which ones are unhealthy. During certain periods of our life, we may find that we need to move on from those unhealthy relationships. This is the period that Sweetgrass Blessings symbolizes.

Sweetgrass Blessings Medicine Doll by Jeanne Fry

When you have decided to set new boundaries on how others treat you, and that you only want people that are kind, nurturing, and with good heart around you...this is the personal healing time that is representative of Blessings of Sweetgrass.

This medicine doll was created with these very intentions in mind, lovingly hand stitched, sculpted, beaded, and painted. She is meant to remind you of the importance of you.

SOLD

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. 

SOLD

Folk Art Doll Miniatures carry Bundles of Inspiration

For the past seven years I have created Folk Art Dolls that were created in a variety of themes from whimsical to cultural to spiritual. They have allowed me to explore endless possibilities in mediums, sometimes evolving from Gourd and Paper clay, all Clay sculpts, or Beaded Cloth and Clay. But one of my greatest joys in the creating, is expressing myself through my Art Doll Miniatures.

Beads, Cloth, and Clay to create an Art Doll Miniature

 Folk Art Doll Miniatures are known as Art Doll Ornaments, Ornies, Mini's, and Poppets. I call mine Wisdom Keeper Poppets, because they carry bundles of inspiration in each little Art Doll.

Mermaid Folk Art Dolls by Jeanne Fry

Each of these  Art Dolls are based from cloth and clay. I hand stitch each of them from batik, cotton, one of the many fabrics I have collected over time. Their faces are crafted from Art Doll Clay, and then hand painted with layers of acrylics and sealed with a satin or gloss finish.

Once I have stitched the body and attached the face, the possibilities are endless in how they evolve. I add hair using fleece, fibers, and silk mohair  from alpaca or sheep that has been hand dyed, or knitting yarns. Sometimes I even just bead their hair using seed beads.

Folk Art Doll Miniatures with hand dyed fleece locks for hair

Once she has formed, I begin embellishing with lots of different seed beads, glass beads, clay beads, and beaded trim. I attached small metal charms, ribbon, organza, paper flowers, dried botanical.....the list is endless. (This would account for the countless boxes, bins, and jars of embellishments that fill my studio)

For those that will be Ornaments, I sew a small leather loop on their back. Some have pin-backs so that they can be worn on a coat lapel, attached to a tote bag, or even to a curtain. Some of my Art Doll miniatures are designed to be Wall Hangers, with a loop on their back to hang on a picture hanger on a wall. This alleviates the need for shelf space that many of us have a shortage of.

Many of my collectors carry them in or attached to their purse of tote bag, others hand them in their car or on their office wall.

I tend to create my Art Dolls in themes...Inspirational, Empowering, and Whimsical. I make separate lines of Gnomes Dolls, Mermaid Dolls , and even Rabbit Art Dolls for Easter.

Gnome Folk Art Doll Miniatures

Rabbit Folk Art Doll Ornament

Trinity Goddess Folk Art Doll Wall Hanger

And of course I create Frida Kahlo Folk Art Dolls too, one of my favorite inspirations.

Frida Kahlo Folk Art Doll Ornament

Creating Folk Art Doll Miniatures or Ornies, are such a joy...to create a small piece of Art with large meaningful impact.

If you would like to see my current Folk Art Dolls you can find them in my Etsy and Indiemade shops here

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com

Art Dolls and Painting as Expressive Modalities

My artistic passions are split between creating Art Dolls, Painting, and Writing. Because of that you will notice that there tends to be a lag between posts here on the Wisdom Keepers Art Doll blog, since I post when I have completed one of the dolls. Although it doesn't necessarily mean there is a lag in the creativity. Both modalities allow me the freedom to express the stages and processes of being a woman, self empowerment, and inspiration.

I have spent a great deal more time painting this year than in the past. Partly because there has been more of a demand for it, and partly because I have found it to be very beneficial in my expression recently.

Thought I would give you a glimpse at where my creativity has taken me...

The Divine Feminine Original Painting by Jeanne Fry



Perseverance Mare and Maiden Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Day of the Dead Madame Dragonfly Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

For Those that Walked Before Us Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

The Source Tree of Life Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Owl Butterfly Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Luna's Heart Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

She Flies with the Owls Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

She Let's Go of the Weight of the World

My love of both the Painting and creating Art Dolls is equal. Both afford me great expression, and I go back and forth between the two often depending on where the inspiration takes me.

You can see my work on our online gallery on Indiemade
http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com

Or on Etsy at
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

Thanks for visiting.

Honoring the Celtic Trees Beth is the Birch Tree Art Doll

I was inspired to create an Art Doll symbolic of the Celtic Trees and their meanings. I chose to focus on the Birch Tree, that represents the dates from December 24th through January 20th. The Celtic name is Beth (pronounced beh), also known as Beithe, Lady of the Woods, and Paper Tree.

Celtic Tree Art Doll Birch named Beth



The Birch is considered to be the Goddess Tree. It's symbolic meaning is Growth, Renewal, and Stability. It is known for the honoring of long traditions.

Beth Birch Celtic Tree Art Doll

The Birch Tree is sacred to Thor, and to the Goddesses Diana and Cerridwen.

Beth Birch Celtic Tree Art Doll

Beth, the Celtic Birch Tree, is created from Gourd and Clay and stands approximately 12.5 inches tall and 9.5 inches wide. She is hand painted with several layers of acrylics to give her a wood sheen look, and then Birch Tree silhouettes are painted around her body. Her arms are branches and she is adorned with Moss around her neck and shoulders and again around her waist. Her hair is natural hand dyed fleece which is adorned with moss and a leaf.
She is attached to a wooden base for display that is signed and dated by me. A story card accompanies her to tell about her meaning.

SOLD

Jillian Frost an OOAK Winter Elf Art Doll of Gourd and Clay

I had taken a break for a few weeks from creating Art Dolls so that I could paint, but delved back in for the holidays. Of course my creations don't focus on Santa Claus or Snowmen, but rather on olde stories, lore, and tall tales. Most of them revolve around the woodlands, my favorite part of nature.

Coming back to the studio first produced Jillian Frost. Jillian Frost is a Winter Elf, a gourd and clay art doll.This OOAK figurative sculpture is filled with Woodland elements.

The Story of Jillian Frost

Jillian Frost, a Winter Elf, has arrived in town for the Holidays. Jillian is a mild mannered Elf, tender and caring, and watches over the woodland animals during the long cold days of Winter. She helps the wee ones find warm homes to shelter them and directs them to where they can find food. The birds especially will flock to Jillian, for they can sense her authentic compassion. She allows the winged ones to come into her home and perch on the holiday tree. They build small nests and string popcorn garland on the tall spruce tree, while she bakes cookies in the oven.

Jillian knows what old Jack Frost is up to and when he will be bringing the Frost and frigid temperatures. She is always one step ahead of him, hurrying the woodland animals to their safe havens. Grandma Jillian is most loved in the Woodlands.

Every evening the woodland animals (squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and other wee ones) will gather around Jillian as she tells them stories. They love this time of day when Jillian will spin a story and share with them a snack of gathered nuts and fresh baked bread.

(When Jillian hadn't been adopted after her holiday creation she was packed away, and in a sense had gotten lost in the archives. Now upon her reappearance, she has gotten a makeover and is ready once again to find a new home.)

SOLD