Violet inspiration

So what do I have next on the agenda to create ? Lets see, Spring is just right around the corner and inspiration for new dolls is coming faster than I can have a chance to sit and make anything . But I am writing it all down and will get to it as the months go by and right now I am in a flower mode. The first in line will be a doll with a Violet theme . It is said that carrying Violets with you is good luck, mixing Violets and Lavender makes for a stong love combination and putting it in sachets promotes good dreams and divination . What I like is that they say if you harvest the first Violet in Spring then your wish will be granted. Hmmm... Let's get to picking! ;)

Spring Clover Magic

I'm just counting down to spring how about you ? The weather has warmed up a little but still chilly.Boy do I already have spring fever and this came out in my latest doll creation now listed on eBay . I call her "Spring Clover Magic " . Beacuse when I see the clover in the yard start to appear from under the brown winter grass it is magic to my eyes indeed! So needless to say another gypsy doll came to be.I imagined her walking through the meadow somewhere close to her wagon , it is a warm spring day and she is gathering clover for her remedies. She may in stop to to rest a while and lay in a clover patch taking in the breeze and while she sleeps her long wild hair makes a good home for those little loose clovers...catching a few that blow about in the breeze.

OOAK Folk Art Black Cat Vintage Valentine Doll "Be Mine"

A new doll now listed on Ebay just in time for Valentines ! I call her "Be Mine"

OOAK Folk Art Black Cat Vintage Valentine Style Doll - eBay (item 260727927064 end time Jan-29-11 06:14:19 PST)

Gypsy Moon- Ivy Stew Doll

I HOPE THAT EVERY ONE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS !Ours was great ,I did indeed enjoy my time off and got to do a little sewing.I finally listed a new doll this morning on Ebay ! She is an inspiration of Moon Enchantment and Gypsy Magick Stew . Now that winter is officially here all I seem to want to cook is soups and stews , my crock pot has really been working hard so this is where the idea come from :) I have another doll to finish up but I have a bit of artist block with that one so not sure when it will be complete .. I will keep you posted though mean while drop by and take a peek at the new creation :)

"GYPSY MOON- IVY STEW "

Where does time go ?

Since having Tristan time seems to be flying by as it was just not too long ago I was posting that I was expecting and that this year we would have an addition to our Chirstmas Holiday and now ta da...he is 6 1/2 months old , our tree is up once again and we already have had our first snow for the year .. geez! :)

I've been away from posting anything on the blog for a while as I really have not had much time to create dolls or any thing else for that matter since I have been mainly concentrating on getting my perfume business Midnight Gypsy Alchemy up and running smoothly and in getting the company name out there. I am happy to say that it has been successful as now my line of perfume will be carried at two locations, La Belle Epoque in Salinas California and the Hexen Museum in Switzerland, both shops ran by two wonderful ladies I might add and are the sweetest people to work with . So with making perfumes, soaps and herbal healing salves, a full time job, Christmas on the way and and two babies ...I have my plate full.

I have been asked time and time again "when are you going to make more dolls?" and the answers is ... soon ...but no specific time . I have just been in a different mind set, and my artistic persona has taken on a different path so I have to find what works for me now and then move on from there in creating new dollies. I have a long holiday break come December 23rd and will not have to be back at work until January 4th. During this time I plan to find my cretive inspiration and finish two bodies I started a year ago .Oh my.. poor things no face or clothes for a year :(

One is a black cat and the other was molded to look like a china doll. The images and ideas I get now for my dolls because of the season , are of ice and snow, blues, greys and winter moons,herbs, jars, mandrakes, so I think this may be the direction I'm going to head in for now. I just have to sit myself down and do it ! ;) Wish me Luck !

Oh my goodness look how clean!!

My New Apothecary Studio is Finished!

I moved my studio down stairs to the den ,where I could be closer to everything and everyone and gave my old room to Tristan for all his wittle things...He is very pleased as you can see.:)

This is the glass door cabinet that I keep all my oils and infusions safely stored in and away from the light.

Right now this is the cleanest my work space has ever been but come Sunday this will look like a tornado blew in after filling orders !

The fireplace was an unattractive brown and ever since we moved in I always wanted to paint it, so I finally did and white seems to be more fitting . I am not too crazy about my old steam trunk being in front of the fireplace though but for now until I find a permanent home for it some where in the house it will have to stay there.

This is the desk that I sit at and fill orders for my "Midnght Gypsy Alchemy" business. I keep supplies in the little drawer under the desk and in the glass door cabinet above that I absolutely love ! You know I found this at a yard sale for $3.00 , it was brown wood but I painted it white to match . I love the lilly design on the front.

This is my computer desk /doll making station, I just move the key board when I want to sit and sew.

I keep my doll making supplies of fabric, ,beads baubles, paint and other sewing needs in the drawers . OK ,the inside of the drawers will remain unphotgraphed as they are not for the faint of heart(lol). I have such a hard time putting things back where they go and tend to stuff things in the wrong drawers, so that is a project I will work on next ..organizing my drawers!

A picture of the mantle that now houses all of my herbs, resins teas etc... in glass vintage apothecary jars that I have collected through the years.I am alway on the hunt for more as I am obsessed with jars and bottles and will soon add more to my home Apothecary .

To the left of the computer desk is my display and packaging shelf. I keep my doll creations that are ready to sell on this shelf as well as more jars of beads, buttons , pearls and packaging supplies.

Well there you have it, a little glimpse into my new studio which I am enjoying very much . There still may be some things I change and details I need to take care of like adding candles in the candle sconces on the wall and hanging up more pictures but that will be later on but for the most part I am happy with the result.

Practical Magic and home decor

This weekend I watched for the 100th time one of the most enchanting old movies in my collection .Many may be familiar with the 1998 movie "Practical Magic" starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman . It is one of my all time favorite movies to watch over and over besides" The Color Purple ". Well if you have seen this movie then you know how I feel when I say I WANT THAT HOUSE!!! Oh to just step into the TV and spend a day with the Owens women would be just magical ...minus the dead boyfriend who comes back of course(lol).For those who have not seen the movie, well get on your brooms and fly out and get rent it you will not be disappointed. I guarantee you to will be wanting to change your home decor and live more magical life because it will inspire you so ... I know it has for me ! I did change my kitchen to a cream, sage and white color scheme with greenery and herbs as the motifs. Oh and the shop that Sally runs ...Oh my goodness ! To a bath and body, perfume maker it is an absolute apothecary dream I am envious and would looove to own a little shop like that !

Who wouldn't loved to have aunts like those who have no problem eating chocolate cake for breakfast , make Midnight Margaritas and who saw spell casting as a fun past time, not to mention jumping of the roof and flying down on Halloween ! One day I tells ya , one day I shall live enchanted this way (ok maybe the roof jumping may not be good idea if i really can't fly ) an old lady with her herbs, a secret garden in a lovely house by the sea selling her apothecary creation to the town folks of a sleepy little town ,ahhhhh ...to dream , sounds lovely don't you think ? :)