Fearless - A Spirit Doll for Encouraging Bravery while Redesigning one's Life

Fear.

We all have it, that thing that holds us back from living the life we're meant to live. It feeds our Inner Critic all the things it can to make sure we don't try new things. If you let it, it will hold your Soul in a perpetual state of anxiety afraid of your own capabilities, other people, and even the world. 

It also can present itself in small almost unseen ways, quietly slipping in, and holding us just enough that it doesn't stop us from living life - but it will interfere by lowering our expectations of ourselves. It will whisper in our ears to only put ourselves out there...just a little bit...as if flying under the radar...trying to convince us that living "safe" is the answer. Of course, there is a difference in living safe and not fully putting your heart into something. If you only give fifty percent, you'll never receive the fullest potential. 

And then there comes the day, that miraculous and long awaited day, when your gentle Spirit screams inside....

"Let me OUT ! I want to Live ! I want to dance in the rain and sing on the mountain tops. I want to take my brush and paint everything I see, purple and red and orange and yellow. I want to DO the things that other people write about. I want to love without fear and laugh without limits.  I want to trust my own voice and see where it leads me. I want to live, FULLY live, this one Life that I have. 

And when the spirit has finished her plea, the glass wall of fear shatters into a bunch of meaningless, powerless shards that crumble into nothingness. And what is left....is a beautiful blank white canvas...waiting for You to start painting your new reality. 

This is a moment to celebrate,to honor like a new birth. And it is this moment that inspired my creation of the "Fearless" Spirit Doll, an honoring and a reminder of how you got here, why you're here, and to cheer lead Each Step Forward. 

The "Fearless" Spirit Art Doll is available in my Etsy shop here

Fearless Spiritual Warrior Art Doll on Etsy

The Pumpkin Queen - Royalty from the Pumpkin Patch

Be careful while out walking through the pumpkin patches, my friends, for Fall is here and the Pumpkin Queen is hurrying about in a very busy state. She must make sure that everything goes as planned, so so busy with all these holidays. It's not just Halloween that keeps her on the go, but Fall itself, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. She is in charge of an entire Season and that's a lot of pressure on anyone. 

Thank goodness that the gnomes and faeries are here to help her, but still....she works from sun up and late into the night. Every leaf has to be just the right fabulous color and every pumpkin has to be plump and ripe. 

She is a kind queen, but at the same time - there will be no slacking off ! The humans rely on her to bring them this highly loved time of year. They have expectations and she will not let them down. 

When she walks down the rows of the pumpkin patches, inspecting each one, the squirrels and the birds all stand to attention for her. Two cardinals hold onto the train of her dress, filled with fall leaves that have latched on along the way. 

She won't have a rest until before Christmas, when olde Kris Kringle will take over duty. 

So be very mindful when out on those chilly afternoon walks, you just never know where she might be. You will know when she is nearby if you see Mother and Father Cardinal. If you see the cardinal couple, it usually means that the Pumpkin Queen is hiding out of sight, nearby. 

The Pumpkin Queen Folk Art Doll is listed in my Etsy Shop. She was created for adult collectors and not for children. She is designed as a Wall Hanger for easy display. 

The Pumpkin Queen Folk Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

The Spirit of Mardi Gras contained in an Art Doll

I have long been enchanted by the Art of the Venetian Carnival, Mardi Gras, Mask Making, the Colors, the Clothing, and the Culture. This love inspired a new Art Doll...aptly named "The Spirit of Mardi Gras". I wanted the art doll to portray that feel in a sophisticated yet subtle way. 

The Spirit of Mardi Gras - a Cloth and Clay Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Close View of The Spirit of Mardi Gras Art Doll

The Spirit of Mardi Gras - Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

She is listed in my Indiemade Shop here

The Spirit of Mardi Gras Art Doll

Maia of the Seven Sisters a Celestial Wisdom Keeper Art Doll

Maia came to me in a dream, not just once... but many times. She had lots of stories to tell me, stories of her world and stories of her life. 

Maia is the eldest of the Seven Sisters, or the Pleiades. The Pleiades are an open cluster in the constellation of Taurus, comprised of approximately 500 stars and measures 12 light years in diameter. The Nine brightest starts of the Pleiades are named after the Seven Sisters and their parents, Atlas and Pleione. 

Maia spoke softly, like I would imagine how an angel would speak, and told me about her parents.. Her father's name was Atlas, a Titan, who's job was to hold up the Sky. Her mother was an Oceanid lovingly called Pleione. She was the Protectress of Sailing. One day Pleione and her daughters had a chance meeting with the well known hunter, Orion. Orion became obsessed, and soon the Seven Sisters and Pleione became the object of his pursuit. 

Day in and Day out, Orion pursued them all over the Earth. He pursued them until Zeus intervened. Zeus transformed the sisters and Pleione into doves and placed them in the heavens and it is here that they remain. 

Maia, being the oldest of the sisters, is the most nurturing. She loves to be a guide, shining as brightly as possible for all to see. She encourages travelers to have courage on their journey and to trust their instincts.  She whispers "Follow your own Star" softly, asking you to trust your star...the one that resides inside your heart. 

The next time you are looking up at the stars, see if you can find Maia. You will know when you see her, her star shine will let you know. 

I created Maia, as one of my Wisdom Keeper Art Dolls. She is a cloth and clay Folk Art Doll, bringing the stories from the sky to life. 

Maia is listed in my Etsy shop here
Maia Seven Sisters Art Doll on Etsy

Considering my Art Dolls as members of my Wisdom Keeper Family

Over the years I've been asked many times if I keep any of my Wisdom Keeper Art Doll creations, and if it is hard putting them up for sale because of a sense of attachment. 

To the first part of the question...I keep very few of my creations. I could probably count on one hand the number of Wisdom Keepers I have kept in my realm. The ones that I have kept marked a significance for me, symbolic of growth as an artist or growth as a woman. Do I have favorites? Yes, but they change over time like my own sense of being. 

One Wisdom Keeper that I have kept holds a special place in my heart, although I have to say I don't even quite remember the name I titled her with. To me she represented Magic, the magic and beauty  of being a woman, being able to manifest, and a sense of whimsy. While many of my art dolls could reflect that same thing, this one was different....she had Toes ! 10 glorious toes !As an amputee, this was special to me because as I created each toe and painted the nails, it was as if I was doing so for myself. 

Clay Sculpted Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

While I love each of the art dolls for their own special attributes and what their symbolism means to me, I don't feel a great sense of attachment for I feel that their being is meant for someone else to begin with. 

Another Wisdom Keeper that was special to me was my first commissioned piece. I have to say that creating a commissioned art doll is far more gratifying and special, because during that creative process I feel that I am connecting energetically with the recipient, and the Wisdom Keeper itself holds something far more amazing. 

Crow Goddess - Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

I was in love with the Crow Goddess, as she just embodied a sense of peace, wisdom, and mystique. 

When I began creating the Art Dolls with Gourd and Clay, my creativity went wild. I love working with those mediums and found that the ways I could "play" were endless. My senses evolved, feeling like the Cloth and Clay art dolls were symbolic of inward processes and soul work, and the Gourd and Clay art dolls were more reflective of our outward projections of being a woman. In a sense they reflected the symbolism of the new moon and the full moon; the contrasts of the vibrant dancing singing woman of the full moon vs. the quiet reflective poetic woman of the new moon. 

The Storyteller Gourd Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

The "Storyteller" was one of the first Gourd creations, her meaning so special to me, of the importance of passing on the stories and history. 

Ecstasy in Motion - Gourd Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

I then began to explore working with the fluidity of motion within the art dolls. This truly changed something in me as an artist, bringing a sense of deeper connection. 

But no matter the medium or style of creative process, each Wisdom Keeper carries a sense of reverence of being a woman and it is that feeling that I ultimately wish to share with others. 

Someone asked, if one of the Wisdom Keepers were "you', which one would it be?

As an artist I am sure that there is a piece of me within every art doll, but I suppose the one that most reflects how I feel inside......

Peace and Love,

Jeanne

Traditions in Her Americana Kitchen - Folk Art Doll

She was taught that the heart of a home is it's kitchen, and has spent her life nurturing her kitchen as her creative space...her community space...her family space...and her traditions space. She grew up in a town in upstate New York that many years ago had been a beacon for immigrants because there was work available. There was a cigar factory and a shoe factory. As more and more people came, more companies came to make their home there. GE and IBM later became the standard of sustenance for most of those families, and the men would work there until they retired.

The town was a rich blend of culture: German, Italian, Czechoslovakian, Polish, and Irish families made this community. They appreciated their neighbors and learned from each other while continuing to carry their family traditions with pride in this wonderful new country. 

She remembered as a young girl passing neighbors homes that had hand written signs in the windows, letting people know that had certain traditional foods for sale from their kitchens; pierogies, baklava, sausages, sauces, breads, and desserts. It was plentiful handmade and local foods.  

She learned to cook from her mother and the neighborhood mothers, and by the time she graduated school she had quite an impressive recipe collection and every kitchen utensil she would need.

Those memories have been kept alive in her Americana kitchen, filled with food, laughter, love and pride. 

SOLD

Mermaid Wisdom from Cher, the Diva of the Ocean

"Listen darlings, if you want to Live an amazing life...you have to Believe in that amazing life" explained Cher. As she leaned against the coral ridge sipping wine from a lovely weathered conch, more and more young mermaids quickly swam up to join the circle and listen. Cher was their idol and news had traveled quickly through the cove that she was spending time at a meet and greet before her performance. The girls were giddy with excitement, for not only was Cher the most beautiful mermaid in the sea, her spirit was even more gorgeous. 

Her soul sparkled, colorful and vivacious, filled with edgy humor and goddess wisdom.When she entertained, the ocean seemed to stand still, mesmerized by the beauty and power that escaped her lips. 

"Now, I don't ever want to see you looking down and feeling defeated, that doesn't become your pretty faces. You can achieve whatever it is that's in your heart. If you can dream it, you can live it !" continued Cher. "Understand, darlings?" 

Oh yes, they all exclaimed. They would remember, forever. 

Cher loved those moments, for she was taught when she was young, the power of words. She vowed many years ago to always pass the power on, lifting and strengthening the circle of women.

This mermaid is listed in my Etsy shop here
Cher Diva of the Ocean Mermaid Art Doll on Etsy