crafts, doll making, fabric, monster doll, sculpture

Make a cute and easy monster doll

Make a cute monster doll using this picture tutorial. You’ll need fabric scraps, yarn or string, buttons, polyfill, and any other embellishments at your disposal.

I used some coffee-dyed muslin for the face. All the other fabrics are cotton or cotton blend.

I cut a random pattern of a head, wanting a flat head and some funky ears.

I sewed the pieces together on my sewing machine, but the doll can be sewn by hand or glued together with fabric glue.

I turned the head inside out and got “horn-like” ears on the side, which I stuffed with polyfill tightly. I made sure to stuff the head well, too, before I put detailed features on the face.

I cut out the features and used fabric glue to gently attach them to the face, staying away from the edges since it’s hard to sew through glue.

Using embroidery thread, I sewed details to the head. I also used acrylic paint to brush on partial features that I then enhanced with thread.

Monster doll face emerging

You never know how she will look until you have the features of the face down. Creepy or cute? This one is cuter than creepy.

For hair, I used hemp cord that I tied to the fabric, and then separated the twisted cord to look more like hair strands.

I used two rectangular pieces of fabric to make a “sack dress” with some trim at the bottom. I pulled a string through at the top and then pulled it closed around the doll’s neck. Easy peasy neckline!

I stuck a kebab skewer up the body and head after filling with polyfill. That helps the head from tilting back or forward.

Next came the legs. I cut out a pair from random fabric and stuffed them with polyfill. Tip: Use an old horse hair artist brush to push fill into narrow spaces. The horse hair pushes the polyfill through easily.

I did the same to the arms and attached them with buttons at the shoulders. Don’t overfill the top parts, or the arms will stick straight out.

The same goes for the legs if you want the doll to sit down. This doll can be hung on the wall. I attached a ring on the back of the head for easy attachment.

Monster fun!

Add embellishments. I sewed on some lace and buttons, but embroidery would look good as well, or attached patches of fabric. The doll could hold something, a bag, or a baby monster. The choices are endless. The black satin trim around her neck was store-bought.

The doll measures 12″ tall, and I love her cheeky expression!

I will upload her for sale in my etsy shop tomorrow. Check out my shop.

art, intuitive art

How to paint intuitively, inspiring books

How to paint intuitively is something worth pursuing. In this post, I’m talking about a couple of wonderful artist / writers who forged the path of using intuition in art.

The below post is for my email subscribers I sent out today.

I hope you had a great May, and happy belated Memorial Day. 🙂 Summer is here!

I was racking my brain for a YouTube video this month and came up empty, which is okay. I was thinking back on my evolution as an artist, remembering the books that got me started on intuitive painting back in the 90s. I will talk about them in a minute.

I was pondering how we conform even in art. I often jump on Pinterest to check out various styles, and they are pretty much all the same.
Have you noticed how all the cars on the road kind of look the same? A BMW looks like a Honda. The cars in the 1950s had great style, and if you could afford an expensive vehicle, there was no mistaking the status of the car.  Where did this conformity start? We’re told what is “in” by advertising, of course. Brainwashing…

Selling on etsy, I think about what might sell, rather than just “going for it” and see what happens. I love my quirky clay characters that evolved from painting and polymer clay mosaics. It’s easy to see what sells the most; the items that conform to the accepted styles (as per Pinterest). It’s hard to explain. I have many items that don’t conform, and they don’t sell well. I loved (still do) making polymer clay mosaic boxes and plaques, and they sold, but then one day, they stopped selling. Abruptly.

I tell myself the Universe is saying, “stretch your wings; try something new and different. I do, and sometimes I’m surprised.
This fun character is my latest effort.

Every day I ask myself, “What will make me feel inspired?” If it’s a character, I will make one, but it could be painting or art journaling. Sometimes I crochet or write (fiction).  I don’t force anything, and intuition is about doing what makes me feel good.

If it’s hyper-realistic oil portraits or childlike paintings you love, go for it!!
Art is a lifelong pursuit, and there’s no way of knowing where the muse will take you. Just create something.

Children never wonder if their art will sell, they live in the moment and enjoy slapping paint on paper without thought to outcome.

Back in the 90s, I came across this book:
(I took the pictures from Amazon, so they’re not very good.) Click on the pictures for the link.)

Painting from the Source, by Aviva Gold. This is how the description starts: Imagine yourself painting with no hesitations, no conflicts. Your brush dips into pots of vibrantly colored paint; inner inspiration guides your hand into lines and shapes that find their perfect places on the paper.

I was sooo inspired by this book that I began painting like that. I made huge paintings that don’t look like anything I paint today. Here’s an old picture of a painting on paper. It hangs in my bedroom now, and I feel happy when I look at it.

The women appeared in all the layers, and I was stunned as everything took form. No plans, only one brush stroke after another. Sooo freeing! That kind of art has depth.

Another writer / artist I admire is Michele Cassou. I think she’s the founder of all contemporary intuitive painting. She passed away last year, but left a great legacy.

With eloquence and simplicity, the authors encourage the reader to journey inward toward his or her authentic self and discover the unique intuition awaiting there. It is this intuition that provides all the tools the reader needs to crumble the barrier between the innermost self and its uncensored manifestation.

Follow the extraordinary life journey of passionate painter Michele Cassou, who discovered a revolutionary approach to intuitive painting that opens doorways into the mystery of existence and its spiritual dimensions.From her childhood in the midst of World War ll France to her profound experiences there, in Canada, and in the United States, Michele exposes the ins and outs of an intense life of creativity- the hidden, the forgotten, and the sacred- in this moving, poetic collection of stories.

You won’t think about art the same way if you read these books. There are used copies on Amazon to buy, and I recommend the paperbacks.

It’s easy but not easy to paint that way.  You start on a painting and get stuck in the middle. The mind says this is bad, but when you persevere and stick with it, the art will reveal itself.  Judgment is always going to lurk, but ask yourself, “What is my next brush stroke,” and go from there (even if you don’t want to.)

Lots of love and inspiration!


P.S. Check out my new items in my shop  EarthandFaery.

art, mixed media, original art, painting, PDF patterns, writing

Welcome to new art offers in January 2025

Welcome to a new year! It feels good to start fresh while intending to have some great new ideas art-wise. I have had a busy month so far, and I like the pace and excitement of creativity. Not only did I make a lot of art, I finished a project that began in the 90s with another writer, and we spent the last six months finishing it. It’s a police mystery / thriller story. See the description below:

Buffalo, 1980s

Detectives Mike McNally and Bill “Turk” Matursky are resolving a tense jumper scenario at a highrise in one of the seedier parts of Buffalo, New York when they hear about the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest.  As an esteemed older priest is murdered three days later, the detectives are assigned to the special task force to help solve the vicious crimes.

There’s only a single clue to go on, and Mike turns to his long-time friend, Father Mark, to help with their investigation. He offers what he can, but the Church is stone-walling the law at every turn. The detectives have to appeal to the city’s underbelly for leads. Through many twists and turns, they discover that the suicide of a fellow cop and a tied-up hooker hold surprising clues.

Meanwhile, Turk is going through a personal crisis.  He won’t explain why to Mike who gets more frustrated every time Turk’s rash actions might endanger their lives.

Mike struggles to get past his divorce, but every overture toward a new relationship backfires.

Despite the seriousness of their criminal investigation, they find time to share comical cop stories, and their penny-pinching superior, Captain Burke, has an endless supply. 

Can you blend murder with humor? Maybe it’s the only way cops can cope with the horrors of their work.

It’s available on Amazon Kindle or paperback.

What I made in January

I had a good month creating art, and here’s a gallery view of my latest projects:

These items are all available in my etsy shop EarthandFaery.

The paper birds were a lot of fun to make and I love painting mandalas on wooden boxes.

I have more writing projects coming up soon so I travel between my computer and my studio to get everything done. Focus and intention help to keep my schedule straight and sheer doggedness gets me through the rough spots.

And there’s more…

I also created two PDF patterns:

They are easy to make! Click on the picture for the link.

Almost done… here’s the latest video I made for my YouTube channel: A fairy door diorama. Check it out HERE.

And here’s a praying angel for you. I wish you all the best and lots of creativity! xo

art, commitment, creator, excuses, showing up

How to be more productive

How to be more productive in a society that asks so much of us every day is a challenge. After nine-to-five it’s hard to get motivated when all your energy is gone, BUT if you take the step to do something you love, you’ll find that you perk right up. It beats sitting on the couch eating popcorn.

The first step

Identify what you can do NOW to move your dreams forward. I’m coming from an artist’s point of view, but all areas of life can use the same approach. As an artist, I have so many art supplies that I have collected over the years, so I have no excuses.

Making art is a journey. There is a beginning but no end. The journey is traveling through many facets of creativity, and when one style doesn’t support your enthusiasm it’s important to trust the progress forward.

The second step

Can you commit to something you love to do? When you sign up for an exercise program you commit to following through, but how many do? It gets boring but you gain stamina and mobility. So, what change can you make to be more excited about it? Try a different style? It takes creativity to get out of a rut. Commitment is invaluable! Follow through until it gets to be second nature. That is probably the most valuable lesson I have had in my years as an artist.

I have made many clay figures in the past, and the above picture is a new variant of the same theme. I wanted to make a toadstool hat, which I knew would be a challenge. This is how I did it (lots of gnashing of teeth.): I took a Styrofoam ball and cut the top off. I already had the sculpture’s head done. I carved out the foam to fit the head. That was the easy part. Then I needed pleated fabric on the underside. I used A LOT of glue to press down every fold of white muslin. (You should’ve seen my gluey hands!) I made sure the folds were attached well, and then I went back to press them down as the glue was drying. Then I trimmed the excess of fabric at the edge, and there it was. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I painted the red area first so that I wouldn’t get paint on the white pleats, and I added the clay hair afterward.

Step three: Keep experimenting!

You don’t learn what works unless you experiment with the materials. Many times a material won’t work, but you get a better idea of what will.

Set small goals

Climbing Mt. Everest takes MANY small steps. Say you can commit to half an hour of art-ing every day, plan ahead. If you’re a visual artist, bring a sketchbook in your purse and some pens and pencils. If you paint abstracts, make a wild background on a blank canvas. If you work with clay, make an armature for the sculpture you want to create. One small step will get you going.

How to be more productive happens in small steps!

The Universe helps those who help themselves. Brilliant ideas come from nowhere, and you can be the vessel for those ideas.

Show up, and magic will start happening 🙂

It’s true.

If you have no clue what excites you, think of what you liked in school, or what you were good at. Talent often shows itself early, a suggestion of a future to come. Doing what you love makes you HAPPY! If clueless, try different things; the smallest effort will eventually show you the path.

Lots of love,

Maria

My etsy shop EarthandFaery is filled with magic!

art, art tutorial, mixed media

How to make a simple clay bird

How to make this ornament:

I started with a “banana” shaped core of aluminum foil, and then I covered that with polymer clay. I rolled out a sheet of clay approx. 1/8″ thick and applied in sections to the bird shape. Then I added wings and some feather texture. I had clay beads from a previous project and used a couple of those and a jute string for hanging. I used an awl to push a hole through the bird before I baked it. Easy peasy!! If you don’t want to make one but want to buy one, you can do so HERE.

I had a pretty productive month of July, and here are some things I made, mostly clay figures: As you can see there were a lot of different figures involved! 🙂

I used polymer clay, plaster, paints, resin, and a few ready-made embellishments. I was particularly pleased with the figure with a dangling heart in the middle, made of plaster and a foam core. I love to experiment, and plaster is such a fun material, if messy.

The crochet blanket is my latest project that I finished last night. I think I’m obsessed with crocheting! If you missed the other blanket I made this spring, here’s a link to that blog post. Click HERE. The design is by Janie Crow. Everything she designs is breathtakingly beautiful.

How to be courageous

The only way to learn new things is to DO them. Book learning or art classes are good, but I don’t want to paint like the instructor or read books about art when I can sit down and experiment. I’m not saying it’s easy.

I constantly look for what inspires me, but then make something similar in my style. To develop a style, you have to try many things, make ugly art, and never give up! The challenge is always there, but you learn how to live it and “carry on” no matter what. Follow what makes you excited and make that in whatever medium you’re drawn to. Keep following that excitement and see where it leads! 🙂

You can always buy small batches of material and try them. That way you don’t spend $$$$$ on materials that then sit unused on a shelf. That makes you feel guilty every time you look at them.

All the above items are available in my etsy shop EarthandFaery.

I also have a YouTube channel with many mixed media art tutorials. Check out my latest video where I unbox a Grabie watercolor kit, and a Himi gouache kit. Click HERE.

Have a wonderful and creative August!

Lots of love,

art, crafts, crochet, etsy shop, original art, sculpture

How to make a studio mess

How to make a studio mess is so easy, but it’s really hard to sort and clean, and the floor, to say the least, is a disgrace. However, on the bright side, I created many cute things in June. It was sweltering outside every day, so I spent most of my time in air conditioning.

June was a month of diversity. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with crocheting, so I made a blanket. I started it in April, but I worked on it every day, and I love the design: The Fruit Basket blanket designed by Janie Crow. She’s an amazing designer, and I recently ordered the yarn to make her Lily Pond blanket next.

Here’s my blanket, but it still needs blocking to get all the kinks out.

The pattern was difficult, especially since I only knew basic crocheting at the start. But they say discipline is a virtue, so I stuck with it, and I learned a bunch!

Studio mess

I have been making dioramas lately, and those are so much fun. Here are a few examples. Many of the components are natural, things I picked off the ground.

I wish one of my three black-and-white cats could garden (especially weeding!) The last two dioramas were made from one paper mache box that I covered with plaster. The lid became the frame for an angel, and the box with the cat, a garden. I shaped that box a bit to make it less deep. Too deep and it gets dark at the back even if it’s painted white.

All these items are available in my etsy shop EarthandFaery.

I started painting a clay bird this morning and realized I didn’t like the colors. I was going to list it in my shop along with its sister waiting patiently in the background, but it’ll have to wait.

So that’s what’s going on around here, ugly birds and pretty birds.

I will have to clean since the actual workspace is getting smaller and smaller…

To put off the inevitable, I might use the rest of the yarn from the blanket and make some pillows…

I wish you a creative July! Happy 4th!!!

Maria

Artist and writer