The Prim Pumpkin

Being Whole as an Artist

2012-01-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

I am bowled over by the simple mystification that I have found the thing to do in life that makes me so happy. My dolls are an ever abundant source of comfort to me, they let me be a maker and they give me bliss.

*Bliss*

It's the thing that we, as creative beings in this world, NEED. We do, we need it, it is vital to our happiness. When we realize that the goal is to be WHOLE, and that we all have coves within us that we fill up with inspiration and bliss and then after the bliss has given us the gifts we need,... it falls through us like sand or glitter :) .... it's easier to claim the bliss we need.

Keeping yourself full of bliss is not easy and you can look at it like this: You need to nurture your wellspring... the place of your many coves.... Filling yourself up with creative inspiration is not an option ... it is a need for survival. Your bliss is important dear one and you are really the only one that nurture your soul.

Do it. it's important. you are important. your art is depending on you.

xxoo
Jennie

The gift of anticipation....PFATT Ornament Swap 2011

2011-12-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

I love swaps and the like! This Christmas the ladies of PFATT planned an ornament swap. I created 4 ornaments and sent them on their merry way to our swap queen Sylvia! After she collected all of the ornaments she parcelled them out and shipped them off with a wave of her magic wand.... Or at least I hope there was a wand involved!!!

When I received my package, I carefully removed each one and admired it so! Each ornament received a special spot on my Waterford tree!

The very first ornament was from Deborah Adams of Possible Impossibilities Studio.

It's the sweetest snowman with a red hat atop his head and the entire ornament is dusted with glitter dust.

The next ornament was from Rebecca Miller Campbell~of Miller Campbell Designs.

A happy dapper teddy bear, entirely hand painted, poked his little head out of the packaging!

And then I picked up a little gift bag, looked in and with a wide smile I pulled out a gingerbread lady that stole my heart. She was created by Rose Gilpin of Rosebaby's.

The last ornament was sheer opal essence! A tinsel fairy from Jo Ellen Dismukes of Lacey Jane Primitives. She is absolutely wonderful!

This was so much fun and it really took me back to the days when I waited with such anticipation to see what special things I was to unwrap. Things that were handpicked just for me!

Thank you graciously to all of my PFATT friends, not only for the ornaments, but for the constant friendship all the year though. ****

xxoo

Granny Pumpkin and her magic brooms

2011-12-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

Circles are an innate part of our history. We circle to share together and to let our stories flow from one to the next... and by sharing we see with our eyes what has lived in our hearts all this time. We all do the wash, cook the meals, nurture the babies, doctor our loved ones, and we all carry a bag of things that we no longer need... things that are like sticky mud holding us back... holding us down.

When we circle, we reaffirm for each other that we are not alone... we are magical and special.... each of us holding the ability within ourselves to leave the bag of self doubt, worthiness issues, old wounds that no longer define us, what others think of us, and a list longer that we will all admit..... just leave it in the middle of the circle... in the fire and as it burns it's gone.....Circles are a cathartic means of filling our vessels with a knowing........

While I was working on Granny Pumpkin the images spun of an enchantress of the brooms. Iconic imagery shows brooms flying about wistfully with pointy hat guidance, but what you don't see is the care and keeping of a besom or broomstick. I crafted each broom for this piece and my sweetness made blown glass potion bottles for each broom. I conjured an image of Granny, a wise soul, instructing each broom on it's magical purpose.... in a circle of sorts.

Click here to see Granny's auction on ebay......

Thank you for visiting today!

Muriel Bennette

2011-12-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

Please meet Muriel Bennette..
Muriel believes that the art work of a spider is magical. She presents a bit of spider web under a hand blown glass cloche bell jar. One of her favorite things is to listen to the stories of the wise old spiders. As they impart their stories, they spin webs with bits of love and whispers of mystery and tales of Halloweens gone by.
Bell jars are a beautiful way to display that of great decadence…. Sometime sweets or a wonderful flower will sit beneath the bell jar but Muriel wanted to show the decadent web from one of nature’s most wonderful artists.
I created Muriel Bennette with a soft palette…..a recipe of vintage white, soft lavender and old lace. Muriel is hand sculpted, without the use of molds. Because of this each one of my Prim Pumpkins are uniquely full of expression. Muriel is a warm buttery French Vanilla colored pumpkin; I like to do things a bit different around here!
She has a wise old look, due to the wise spidery company she keeps. Her head scarf is hand-dyed latte colored lace, fastened with a tiny gold button, from Paris, under her chin. Her hat is an adornment made with vintage trimmings and featuring a wax flower.
Her bodice is hand stitched and in her arms she holds the handmade cloche bell jar.
Under the jar rests the vintage netting, resembling a spiders web. Her skirt is truly a beautiful piece of vintage fabric. It’s the most beautiful color of lavender with a slight sheer to it. On the left side of her skirt I stitched on a piece of vintage netting with tiny black chenille puffs to give the illusion of a spider’s web. Under her dress I gave her a pair of blue/purple pantaloons. She stands on a wooden base painted vanilla. Muriel stands 19 inches tall.
What if Spiders spin hopes and dreams and the twinkles of the stars?...

Click here to see her auction

The Potion Peddler

2011-11-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

I'd like you to meet The Potion Peddler, my latest Prim Pumpkin! She carries a witches hat with her potion offerings in tow. She also has a basket hanging off her arm filled with her wares! She is now available on eBay. click here!

The circles that we form

2011-11-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for you dear blog readers, the ones who believe that what I do is a curious extension of my personality... and you are interested. I am so happy that you stop in and read the word of Prim Pumpkin. Just by doing so we circle the fire of creative inspiration. We ignite each other, encourage in comment and when the day is done, we form real connections in the vastness of cyber space. Invisible webs, connecting us very visually.

I was so excited today because a friend send me a text that she was at Barnes and Noble coffee shop and she saw someone in the cafe reading my blog on their laptop! lol! That is so cool! I am so thankful that through my blog, we can meet each others acquaintance.

Kindly,
Jennie

Benefit..... for the Art Center!

2011-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

All proceeds from Ozella~she's the last one I posted, will benefit the Art Center of Battel Creek!
CLICK HERE TO SEE HER AUCTION!!!!

Ozella and her Bumbershoot

2011-11-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful way to begin the celebration of this week! I love to show you my art because you love it as I do. This week I have a new offering on Ebay, I am still very excited to be a new seller on the PFATT Marketplace, and it's my wee one's birthday week. Hip Hip, Hooray! and for my big announcement.....Halloween isn't over... it's just a bit softer, wrapped in the lacy web of a sweet spider... I've decided to not force the other holidays into my art.... Halloween will do just fine.

This is Ozella. She is know for her wise ways and her gift of creation. She makes Witch hats for the tiniest of good Witches. The tiniest are the most powerful you see...... Ozella created this one using scrap fibers blessed by the Great Pumpkin. Old book pages on the brim imbue the wearer with literary spells!

I use feathers in my work, to honor the space between the heavens and the earth, and for Ozella, I've used two. One in the facinator pearched on her head, and the other on the base. The one on the base was gifted to me!

Ozella is layered in cotton goodness. All of her clothing is hand tailored to create the costume of a Hallowed Hat Maker.

In one hand she has the Witch hat and the other rests atop a bumbershoot~a vintage umbrella.

Ozella is now offered on eBay click to here to see her.....

PFATT MARKETPLACE

2011-11-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

Do you remember Idgie? She is now available on the PFATT Marketplace! I am so please to be a new artist on the PFATT Marketplace. The Marketplace is a gathering of Artists from all over the US and Canada..coming together to offer quality, handmade Art. It is updated on the 10th of each month at 1pm eastern time.

A bit about Idgie...

When I created Idgie, I thought she'd look wonderful in a pair of purple pants. I had a scrap of Irish linen; I think it may have been a tablecloth. I love the substantial feel of the linen. I prepared a dye bath and left the fabric to season. I was greeted with a lovely hue... just what I was dreaming of. The collar was an afterthought, I once again made a bath for the scrap and it dyed a shade or two brighter.

In the photo below, you can see her hand nestled in the wisp of hair...

Bringing us back to the feather in Idgie's hand, when I place the feather in her hand.... the story Idgie Threadgoode told came back to me. I've always liked the movie Fried Green Tomatoes...

The story Idgie told was this "One time there was this lake and it was right outside of town. We used to go fishing and swimming and canoeing in it. And, see, one November, this big flock of ducks came in and landed on that lake. And then the temperature dropped so fast that the lake just froze right there. And the ducks... they... flew off, you see, and they took that lake right with them. Now they say that lake is somewhere over in Georgia. Can you imagine that?" - Fannie Flagg

Imogene is adorbs!

2011-11-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

Hi lovies,

It's late Autumn here in Michigan. Our pumpkins have already seen the bite of frost and then the warmth of 60 degrees and then frost again! I feel my favorite season of the year is wilting dear ones. I hope for one or two more gifts of Autumn briskness before a new season sets in...
I am hold-up in my studio as the weather changes. Cocooning myself with a spirit for creativity and organization, welcoming the elders as they gather around the fire to tell stories, and celebrating in the ritual of creation.
As promised, this is one of Nana's charges. Little Imogene has been up to her stem in mischief! She is my latest completed art doll complete with impish grin. Imogene has a playfulness about her and has been called Nana's Shadow.

I am always so excited to show you my latest dolls! I am just tickled by each one. Bringing my imagination to reality is am amazing job! Imogene is a bit smaller in scale I have been working in. Her head shape is a bit different for me too, but as a maker, I love to embrace the new. At the market a few weeks back we picked out some mini gourds. The twisted and contorted shapes were very inspiring. Kind of like a still life in the studio.

Prim Pumpkin is about welcoming in a breathe of warmth, from the vintage fabrics to the hand-dyed trims and embellishment that are each hand picked for the individual piece.

Primitive styling and a true love for pretty pumpkins is what I do.

Imogene is dressed in soft fabric and the lovely colors of Fall.

Thank you for looking at Nana's Shadow, little Imogene.

Head piece of my dreams- A Wedding Crown Tutorial

2011-11-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

My new sister-in-law, Ruth, said that I looked like a Gypsy Princess as she pinned my headpiece on. She knew that I would find that to be the highest compliment.

I looked for months for the perfect head piece for our wedding. I scoured ETSY and Couture shops but I just didn't find it! I wanted a head piece that screamed from the rooftops... "ooh la la" while exuding the most romantical whimsy possible. It had to be
Jennie-esque.

To get this piece that I could so clearly see in my head... I decided to make it myself. I create all of the facinators and vintage hats for my art dolls so, FAMOUS LAST WORDS.. how hard could it be??

I'd love to share with you just how I made this head piece!

I knew the basic element that had to be included...a hint of feather to honor that which is between Heaven and Earth, a vintage sparkle, old lace and the most luscious french vanilla rose that I have ever laid eyes on.

First I bought two headbands and crossed them. I played with the two until I got the right angle and then I stitched them together.

I covered them with satin, and then lace. I kept positioning it on my head and adding embellishments. I was going for a whimsical style and I used the vintage jewels to balance the piece across my face. The large flower is vintage and the feathers were part of our table decor! I used clips from the beauty supply shop to hold it firmly to my head. Email me if you have any questions!

Words of advise: If you plan on making your own head piece, start early. Collect all of the elements you love and let them inspire the feel of the piece. Pay attention to color, with so many shades of white and off white you want the head piece to be just right. If you use vintage lace, wash it with mild dish soap to remove dirt. I found that just by washing the lace, the color lightened at least by one shade... that sounds like a teeth whitening ad!

Feathering Nana

2011-11-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Today is the day for celebration...Please meet

Nana in Robin's Egg. Nana has the soft coloring of robin's egg blue but a bit sullied. Her face tells stories that have weathered her, but time has given her the title of Matriarch.

The softness of her palette draws me in and the secrets I told her as I sculpted each line and wrinkle, flesh to the surface. Even though sculpted, she has an energy about her. She is wisdom and I want to hug her.

Nana in Robin's Egg is wearing an ensemble completely hand dyed. Her hair has old lace stitched in and I made her headpiece from a fallen feather. I use fallen feathers in most all of my dolls. It adds an feeling of inspired direction to each piece. For as long as I can recall birds have been a reoccurring draw for me.

As a child I would collect fallen feathers, not really knowing why. Later in life I learned that these were gifts, placed ever-so-gingerly in my path. Feathers propel us....

When Grandma and I opened our shop, we did not agonize over naming it. We had a scrap piece of paper and we jotted down about five names that we both loved and guess what, they all had something to with birds, wings, and nests. We settled on Cupid's Wing. A quote found me and I put it on our business cards... this is it:

“We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.”-Lucretius

This is a back view of Nana. Her clothing is all vintage. Some pieces are cotton and have spots of rust showing and others I used my very own dye baths to take them deep into a new shade completely.

Loosely in her hand, you can see one of her charges, a wee sprout. I will show you another of her charges later this week! I am simply in love with Nana in Robin's Egg.

Have a wonderful day dear one.

Welcome to my studio

2011-10-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Studios, workspaces, ateliers, many different terms for spaces that feed our souls. My Studio is magic. Filled to the brim with lace, vintage bits and glittery things that I've collected along the way. It's magic because I believe it is!

I carefully brought each piece back, to create a nest. A safe place to create, to love and to nurture each idea into fruition.

Prim Pumpkin studio boasts things I have toted with me for years. As I surround myself with these vintage items, I take comfort in the many stories that each item holds. The fabric that was once a mourning jacket, now a piece of a quilt. The quilt... part of a transformation. First a mourning coat worn during the most heart wrenching of times, then worked into a quilt of silks and satins. The quilt has held places of prominence in my life and home for so long and now brings a smile to my finger-tips, enchants my boy and is a catcher for positive energy and of tears if need be. I love keeping memories ...

In my studio you will always see art dolls in various states of love. I spend so much time with each pumpkin that sometimes they like to stay in the studio for a bit. I give to them and they give to me.

This Pumpkin is swathed in colors that I am pulled towards. Soft buttery oranges and pale blue green create the feel of Autumn, a time and color palette I am comfortable with. The pumpkin pictured above is very special. She is a Granny, Her charges are loose in the studio and it may be sometime before she can collect them all. She has that wonderful Matriarch feeling about her.

Did I mention my love for vintage suitcases? Yes, I do love them. Where have you been all my life you wonderful suitcase?

If you look close you will see a gift from my friend Grimitives. Kaf send us this beautiful Frida and she sits proudly in the studio, she is a happy doll! My love for birdcages has carried in to the studio as well. This one is a round top favorite!

Hand dyed silks and pink roses... hmmmmm... the stuff of dreams!

I have apothecary keeps all over to house small bit of that and this that I simply must keep!

A few of the forgotten friends that I just can't say no to. Imperfect dolls find their way to me, they know they can come and live in my studio and take tea with the others. They are all feathers in my nest.

I take responsibility for the energy I bring to the studio. I try to be observant of the energy and honor it.

I wish I could have each one of you dear readers to my studio.... not all at once, but with time to sit and soak in the inspiration as I do. Next year I'd like to have an open house and let you peek into my studio!

Numbering our tables

2011-10-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Sadly, this was not my first attempt at making table numbers for the wedding. At first I found dessert plates with beautiful shabby chic roses and hand fulls of luscious lilacs. I hot glued buttons from my collection forming the numbers. I found the results to be okay, but hard to read due to the randomness on the size, color, and shape of the old buttons... So I scrapped it and moved on.

In our Gypsy Cottage, I have collected lots of random vintage jars. Joe had worked on a job-site years ago and during his lunch time he would excavate glass jars from mounds of dirt. So we married our collections and had just enough for our table numbers.

My basic concept was to use the bottles as a vintage element to accent the entire tablescapes. I went for a whimsical look with the numbers differing from table to table. I wanted to carry the overall look of our stationary, so I purchased these wonderful little tags from Robyn Love,she is the wonderful artist that designed our entire invitation suite.

They are a two part design with the back being card stock and the top a scrolly layer of vellum. I then wrote my numbers in the center of the tags! Easy Peasy. For the others, I found this yummy polka dot fabric and hand sketched the numbers with a black sharpie. I cut out the numbers with pinking sheers.

Then I traced the sharpies lines with a glue pen, I think it's by Martha Stewart. I glittered each one.

I placed a vintage paper doily on the bottle and then glued the respective number to the doily. I used hot melt for the main gluing of each bottle.

Vintage bits or jewelry and ribbons were added to the finished numbers.

The table numbers turned out so whimsical! They fit the bill just perfectly. I finished the entire collection of 16 in one evening. Sometimes the hardest thing is coming up with the concept...

Photo: Kalamazoo Photoworks

Photo:Kalamazoo Photoworks

From The Prim Potion Pantry

2011-10-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Old textiles touch my soul. Maybe I was a weaver (or some profession in which fabric is as important as eating) in another life. I covet vintage textile, luscious new cottons, and the simplicity of muslin. As a teen, I dressed in lace, not realizing that while I was living in a Jessica McClintock dream, I was the only one in my Junior High doing so.

While the cool kids were chillin at the mall I could be found prowling through steamer trunks of bark-cloth and thinking about how the lacey beautiful tablecloths could be used in a different manner than on a table. I found out early that a large bedspread or tablecloth looks wonerful as a room divider! It simply didn't occur to me that this was not the norm for a 13 year old.

I employ many of the old techniques that I learned from my Gran, Mom and trial and error when dying my fabrics for my art dolls. I coffee/tea dye almost all of the fabrics I use. One technique that I find gorgeous is the fast rust method.

The recipe I use for this method varies depending of the textile I am working with. First off, you have to have a rusty thing to work with. Any metal that has rust will work, and keep in mind all of this magic happens outside. Put your fabric under the tap and get it a bit wet, squeeze the water out. Place your fabric on the rusty metal you have picked out. Get yourself an extra spray bottle and make a mixture of 3/4 vinegar (white) and 1/4 water. Saturate the fabric and sprinkle with table salt. My piece of metal is flat, this works well because the next thing you do is wrap the metal and fabric with plastic wrap. It's important that you keep the fabric moist and the plastic wrap helps with this. Just keep checking on your fabric, the warmer it is outside, the faster it seems to happen.

The two pieces of fabric featured in this post have each had an artful treatment in preparation for a Prim Pumpkin costume I am working on. The terracotta piece is wool, it started out a light peachy color and after a tea bath, I treated it with ground cinnamon. This is a small detail that adds a large pop of prim to my artwork.

When I create, I look to textile for inspiration and I strongly feel that when I prim each piece for a pumpkin the fabric conveys a mood, preserves a memory and evokes a warmth that only fabric can.

Each fabric I use, eagerly plays a supporting role in the production of my merry pumpkins. Creating for me is about layering with textile, heart, and merriment.

Back from Ghoultide and still floating on clouds... Skeleton Opal

2011-10-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well honey, let me tell you, I kind of feel like I am still recovering and getting back into the swing of life. The wedding is over.... The trip to Ghoultide Gathering was made, and now I am settling into a new season. One of the wonderful things about attending an artful gathering is the creative charge that everyone gets as a result of so many inspiring people in one spot! Ghoultide Gathering is the premier show for artists in my genre and it's the one time during the whole year when I am able to commune with artists I consider close friends. Many of the friends I have connected with through EHAG (Eclectic Halloween Artist Guild) and PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea) are sparkling individuals I talk to on a weekly basis, they get me, embrace my oddities and have traveled the artful path that I am merrily skipping down! In visiting with these folks I am more aware than ever that I am on the right path. My signature is feminine vintage Halloween characters, this is where I flourish and staying true to what I love is the most important thing... I'd like to introduce my latest Prim Pumpkin creation, a vintage skeleton dame called Opal.

Opal is a garden spirit. She is greeted each morning by a group of miniature pink flamingos! What a very pink way to start each day.

Her garden in one of pure magic with topiaries of fabric blooming.

When I started the color palette for Opal, I knew I wanted muted shades and I settled on French Vanilla. This is an easy palette to work with because when dealing with vintage you often get time worn white which, in my book equates to French Vanilla.

Opal's hat is a big part of her charm. It features beautiful plumes in unexpected colors.

She adorns random lost books with lace and ribbon and pearls... This is my kind of dame!

Notice her sculpted hands! They are a bit wicked and just as sweet as can be. I really like the look of her hands!

Her dress is a little bit machine stitched and a whole lot hand stitched. Take a look at the vintage lace, it's just luscious.

Almost all of my art dolls sport fabulous feminine hats, they all have personalities that requires one... I make them for myself now!

Each bit and morsel of shabby charm came right from my studio.

It could be said that I design dolls, but really what do is tap into my own magic and give you a piece!

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great" Mark Twain

Ghoultide Gathering 2011: Bountiful Ghouls

2011-10-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

I look forward to this event each year with the anticipation that a wee one might have on Christmas morning. Life, after all, is about collecting the moments which inspire this wonder. As we entered Ghoultide this year we were greeted by a happily familiar character. A Scott Smith creation making sure that everyone knew where to get tickets. Joe and I received tickets compliments of the promoters of Ghoultide Gathering. This was such a kind gesture and we were greeted like rock stars!

One thing that has remained throughout the years is the convergence of true collectors to Mill Race Village.This year, a Friday night pre-buy was added to the event! Although the rain and wind were wicked on the hair, I doubt any amount of elements could deter this group. The Ghoultide Gathering is comprised of 3 buildings, housing artists and a new "Tents on the Green" section for new artists. There were other buildings, but they were either closed or only open for historical tours.

New this year was sweet gourmet kettle corn tent. I am still eating the huge bag we bought.
The gardens looked amazing throughout the village. I even captured roses in October!

This is a Scott Smith greeter Jack o Lantern instillation

The tents on the green played host to new artist including my friend Joyce Stahl of Enchanted Productions. I love her orange tent and the wonderful decor. The Enchanted Production tent won Best of Show for visual artistry.

She was so busy the entire show!

Mill Race Village is a beautiful venue with tons of charm. This is one of the Victorian styled homes on site. Joe and were so enchanted with the tiniest of details...

From the tiny crab apples adding a touch of natural color,

to the luscious moss growing on the shingles of an out building....

I was amazed at the green hydrangeas, they were huge!

My green boots are so trusty! They kept my tootsies warm.

Passed the gazebo we spotted a small waterfall.... After all of they years coming to Ghoultide I have never noticed this.

This was taken at the Carriage House.

Joyce Stahl of Enchanted Productions

My new hat!

Our faux mustaches proved to be so fun!!

Ha ha!

We had a wonderful time!

Manor Wedding

2011-09-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

I felt as if I had been swept away....

The manor was reminiscent of European hideaway, and ever though Joe and I choose our venue in the bitterness of January, the place continued to delight. The pears behind my dress were growing up the manor wall.

When our photographers suggested this picture I swooned. I love the imagery of a pear!

So many things from our wedding were artist made.(another post to come) It was a true artful affair which is perfect since Joe and I met at an Art Center.

My dress is Marina by Michelle Roth

I peeked down from a tall window, where the lady folk readied...

I hand painted about 10 signs for the wedding. I love painting W o R D S... My favorite was a sign at the entrance telling everyone to tell Joe he looks gorgeous! This is our cake topper. It was made by Ann Wood.

Oh the shoes... The drama the shoe porn of it all. They are Hey Lady and I embellished them!

My son charms the ladies wherever he goes and this day was no different. I counted 4 ladies that he proposed to...

bouncing through the gardens!

My Dad and I took the longest possible route to the aisle....

This is my favorite!

And you know I could not resist ripe Orange PUMPKINS!!!!

all photos were taken by Kalamazoo Photoworks!

2011-09-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

Within the crispness of an early fall day we joined our hearts! I own you more of a post on the big day, but for now, I'll give you a picture.
<3 <3

Prim Pumpkin Idgie...a friendship story

2011-08-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people show up in the most unexpected spots of time. They throw their coat over a puddle and let you walk over it. This is the kind of friend Idgie is. She is my latest Prim Pumpkin bit of love and I am happy to share her with you.

Idgie has a warm smile and welcoming eyes you can tell her your secrets and they will go no further.

Her hair is a wispy bit of mohair and is the finishing touch. Idgie's hair is spun from a happy angora goat who lives as a pet on a farm in Georgia. Inclusion's are stitched into her locks... I added a touch of the purple linen to it. Idgie has the spirit of a traveller one who adds things to her being as she goes. a pearl here, a bit of linen there.... Idgie has an earthen yet impish quality that I find endearing.

In her hand, a stray guinea feather, a gift from a fellow maker friend, Drucilla- I have an affinity for feathers, I always have. When Grandma and I wanted to name our shop, we thought about the things that inspired us most. Wings, feathers and nests were at the top of our list.... yes, there was an actual list : ) The other component of inspiration was the old Victorian cupid imagery. So, our shop was called Cupid's Wing....

Bringing us back to the feather in Idgie's hand, when I place the feather in her hand.... the story Idgie Threadgoode told came back to me. I've always liked the movie Fried Green Tomatoes...

The story Idgie told was this "One time there was this lake and it was right outside of town. We used to go fishing and swimming and canoeing in it. And, see, one November, this big flock of ducks came in and landed on that lake. And then the temperature dropped so fast that the lake just froze right there. And the ducks... they... flew off, you see, and they took that lake right with them. Now they say that lake is somewhere over in Georgia. Can you imagine that?" - Fannie Flagg

When I created Idgie, I thought she'd look wonderful in a pair of purple pants. I had a scrap of Irish linen; I think it may have been a tablecloth. I love the substantial feel of the linen. I prepared a dye bath and left the fabric to season. I was greeted with a lovely hue... just what I was dreaming of. The collar was an afterthought, I once again made a bath for the scrap and it dyed a shade or two brighter.

In the photo below, you can see her hand nestled in the wisp of hair...

As Idgie came to be, I thought of friendship. The rarity of it. The true nature of it... How sometimes you can meet someone and know they will be part of your story and you will be part of theirs...

Prim Pumpkin Calavera

2011-08-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

I hope she is one of the top 5 things that make you smile this Sunday!

As promised, I am happy to share with you my finished Calavera. She began as a vision- pairing the colors I wanted to use, the raw fabric and the iconic Catrina imagery. I get lost sometimes in the texture of an art doll. The posibilites are endless and as I looked at the selected pieces before my I knew this Catrina was going to be soulful and special.

I was able to employ fine fabrics that I had held on tight to... for something special. The vintage fabric held stories from a previous lifetime. The bodice was constructed from a vintage quilt made of silks and fancy fabrics of the time. All pieced together, the quilted piece made me think of what the fabriscs had been and what they ment to the owner. Were they bits of family heirloom dresses, cut and stitched so very purposeful as to create a decor piece that the owner would be able to see everyday? I like to think so....

Calaveras are always a journey to create and on this journey I met a new friend. Artist, Drucilla Pettibone helped bring my vision to life by collaborating with me on the aspect of hair. Drucilla and I were on the same page, which made creating magical.

Her hair has vintage lace tied in as well as tiny ceramic bones stitched in. I created a feathery hat of sorts for her.

The top of the bodice is accented with silvery vintage beading. Just the right amount of sparkle.

I added an accent on her back as well.

Frilly underpants were quite the necessity. The Prim Pumpkin Calavera is now available via eBay Click here to see her auction...

Thank you for looking!

Pricilla Sprout in Swaddle

2011-08-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Each day, I strive to create a lovely life. A balance which includes nourishment from the studio and creating a home. When I think of the art of making a home my mind drifts back to old issues of Victoria Magazine, the ones that introduced me to a graceful woman called Tasha Tudor. Tasha embraced the complexly simple ways of artful home keeping. Keeping the balance is a kind of magic. Tasha Tudor happily created her 1830's era home and cared for her family, while writing and illustrating over 100 books. She made it look easy, lovely and easy.

Tasha Tudor, please click here to learn more about her...

In my creative process, if our home is a mess of chaotic static, I cannot make art. What I love is to put creative energy into our home. Sometimes when I spend time in the kitchen sleuthing missing spoon or wiping up the stray coffee splashes, the energy I have given comes back into my soul in the form of inspiration.

This weekend found me giving some love to the house; cleaning and purging. During this giving of energy, I was gifted with a return of a burst of creative spark. I finished an art doll that had been on my table for a bit. Her name is Pricilla Sprout and she is swaddled in a hand dyed bit of linen.

I feel like the weekend was a productive one. Pumpkins were created, windows were washed, my family was given an extra dose of love. I loved taking time seasoning my life!

Pricilla is in my etsy shop click here!

Prim Pumpkin WIP

2011-08-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

It's a happy August day and I long for the sweetness of Autumn. Fresh apple cider and home made donuts are the stuff I crave. Things are very busy in the studio. As I create, I am careful to hold back some pieces for a show I am doing in October. It's so hard to build a band of rouge pumpkins with the impending wedding and all! About two years ago I made an art doll to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos- Day of the Dead and I have been waiting so patiently for the inspiration to take hold for another one. Day of the dead is traditionally celebrated in Mexico. The holiday allows families time to honor those who have passed away. For those who celebrate actively, remember those who have passed away is a way of respecting their memory. I read an explanation of Day of the Dead that I really liked it said "Many participants believe a person can experience three deaths. The first death is the expiration of the body. The second occurs when the body is laid to rest. The third and final death takes place only if and when the departed is forgotten.

I started my first Calavera Catrina art doll of the year a couple weeks ago. These are WIP photos, she is coming along very well and I can't wait to share her finished photos with you.

The design work on her head is all free hand, she is primitive but this is the look I enjoy! She honors a lady of dignity, someone who nursed many wounds from that of a broken heart to a scraped up knee. She is vibrant and while she was on this earth, she was a ray of light.

A wee pumpkin seed was finished last week, crops are good around here! She is hand sculpted with fiber arms!

I like how her stem greets me with a wicked twist! I accentuated her swaddle with vintage hand dyed linen and old buttons. I think she will debut on etsy, not sure yet though.

Lucky Apples for the EHAG Emporium

2011-07-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

At 9 pm EST, The doors squeak open to the Emporium. Offerings of delight abound!

I am pleased to have a piece in e July EHAG Emporium, it is called Lucky Apples

11 hand sculpted apples float magically in a rusted tub and one is in the pumpkin's mouth making Lucky 12. The tub was found when cleaning out my Grandma's garage. Grandma's have the coolest things!

Bobbing for apples is such a fun Autumn pastime. This little pumpkin won! She came to the Autumn party as a spirited ghostie.

This Prim Pumpkin is a mischievous sort, floating over the tub....winning apple in her mouth!

Her neckline is embellished with vintage beading.

One of a kind original work of art.

The tub measures a hair over 5 inches across. Top of stem to bottom of tub 8.5 inches tall.
$125.00
SOLD -Thank you!
free shipping
If you would like this piece, please email me direct at:
cupidswing97@yahoo.com

EHAG Emporium opens at 9pm EST

My discoveries

2011-07-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

As I walkd into the library on Monday it was quite, so quite that the click and clank of metallic objects made their presents known. Passersby may have wondered what rattled, but they never asked. I had to smile because all I could think about were the tiny tea tins clanking about in my purse! I have big plans for you sweet tea tins.

When I stumbled across them at a thrift shop, I immediately thought of a Prim Pumpkin peeping out of the pastel tins, or a vignette with a pumpkin pouring tea! Whatever they will become, they will be filled with Halloween goodness!
It's always a giggle and a thrill!

Sprinkle the people you love with love.....Prim Pumpkin Featured on the EHAG BLOG!!

2011-06-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

When I look back at my art and my life I see clearly that for awhile, the two things were considered separate, by the ones I picked to surround me... and eventually me. My art was to be kept out of sight....Because it was Halloween, it was different... As soon as the people I allowed into my world were edited, the two paths merged. It was a great art, soul, life merger!

Now, Art is so alive in our home... it's a beacon of balance. Tender balance. It is this balance that is so inspiring. My art life is full speed ahead. I embrace what I love and what I love sprinkles me with good Ju-Ju -which is kind of like art MOJO. I find inspiration within EHAG-Eclectic Halloween Artist Group. I am thrilled to be featured on the EHAG blog at the moment! click here to see the interview.

I feel truly top shelf! Thank you!

Prim Pumpkin Mad Tea Party 2011 Let's Pretend

2011-06-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

Come one, Come all to the Prim Pumpkin rather MAD Tea Party.... This is my favorite real pumpkin, lavished with gorgeousness to welcome you!

Take a bit of magic with you!
The grand entrance to Prim Pumpkin Studio, the place where art dolls take on life and the setting of many a Mad Tea...

The paint has been capped, the glitter brushed away... My work table has taken on a softer look, brimming with lace, ribbon, pumpkins and sweetness in many variety.

The Prim Pumpkin carousel is in service for the evening!

Please take a magic wand!!!

The flying top-hatted one will lead the ceremonies...

Pumpkins gather here...

For sweetness to fill the soul.

A new Prim Pumpkin made her way to the tea. Shes the one with a squint in a magical shade of blue. She sits in a tea pot and I call her Arsenic and Old Lace...

She carries a vintage bottle embellished with the word arsenic across the front.

I think she is so tickled because the the bottle is empty... other party goers will not touch a thing; they can't be sure if the arsenic was real, or where it is now...

Fabulous bow ties are on the menu. You must eat them with a glittered spoon...
They taste like cotton candy.

Candy pearls and sewing confection are being served as well.

pure luscious

even the appendages came to tea...

The tea is a merry time but you MUST Be as quiet as a mouse.... A wee magical child sleeps...

She made her bed in a vintage hat!

Notions of wonder are everywhere

Before the wee one fell to slumber, there was a parade... The Coronation of Queen Alice ...played very well by the Little Nun doll.

Prim Pumpkin Polly looks on with delight! Behind her stands a pretend Alice.

"Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink, Or anything else that is pleasant to drink: Mix sand and cider, and wool with the wine-And welcome Queen Alice with Ninety-times-nine"- From Queen Alice, Through the looking glass.

We read Space Witch for fun! BUT no cackling... A tea party is a special time, It begins with a cuppa and life flows after that. The pumpkins played Looking Glass games until the sun sunk low.

Thank you A Fanciful Twist for Hosting this Tea for the 4th MAD year!

Carousel pumpkin vignette..... pleasure in creating moments

2011-06-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes on normal Sundays, the wind blows warm and is filled with the scent of magic... to me it smells a bit like cotton candy. When the wee circus comes to my garden, doilies are rolled out for the circus goers to walk on.

Great care is taken to make sure just enough pink is used in preparing.... This is Bijou, she is the older sister left in charge of her two wee sisters. They all decided very quickly they love the carousel and they love cotton candy!

This is Pip the littlest peep of a pumpkin

and this is Baguette she normally liked crusty bead, but to day sugar would be queen.

The pumpkins had a hauntingly wonderful time. They rode the carousel, dreamed candy dreams, and played in the fern tendrils.

Soon...the day was done and the circus began to vanish as eloquently as it had arrived.

The wee pumpkins had a wonderful time and all that was left in the garden was a loose scattering of rose petals.

I made this piece early in the year.... I took time and care creating the wee pumpkins and painting and embellishing the carousel. The lace on the edge of the carousel was a charming find. it's a beautiful shade of green with pink hinted in the weave. The art dolls are not connected to the carousel, but their arms are bendable. This fascinating vignette is now available on eBay

click her to look!

As a child I was enamoured with the magic of creating a diorama. In third grade we were asked to read a book of our choice and create a shoebox diorama. I didn't read the book, I will admit it now, I just created the vignette in my little shoe box and when I finished... I realized something was not right... It was too small. I took it all apart and used one of my Moms shoe boxes- which was much larger!!! And so it began... my love for staging vignettes, the happy creating of moments compactly, but straight from my heart.

Our is better...

2011-06-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

I must tell you about this man of mine! He is so loving and concerned with how I feel or what I say.... He wrote me a card yesterday telling me how soothing I am to him. He goes out of his way to make me smile or to make life easier at every turn....at each stumble, there he is, with the right string of words to soothe me.

He looks at my art dolls with curious eyes, wanting to learn about my process... He helps me make it through doll makers block when it happens.... When we have friends over, he is enthusiastic about showing them my work and the work of my EHAG and PFATT friends that we have collected. He is proud of me -genuinely, and sometimes I don't even know how to react because it has been so long.....

Last year when my dear little pumpkin was on the cover of Art Doll Quarterly, Joe was as excited as I was. When sweet things happen , it's nice to have a partner to share it with. "Our" is always better than "my". He is generous in spirit, kind in thought, and I can't wait to call him my Husband!

Growing Pumpkins- the art doll type

2011-06-09T03:54:00.000-07:00

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. Amelia Earhart

That is the way of thinking on my latest swerve in doll making. I wanted to dip into the area of folk art dolls not attached to a base. Fabric legs, my friends. My first was Hilda, and the next was Polly Spider.

I love the expression Polly took on! The thing I have learned about switching gears in your creative process is this:

You must do it from time to time

It's much harder to articulate a doll than I thought it would be.

When you try new things you are growing creatively, cultivating your spark. It should not matter if the world doesn't offer a warm welcome to said newness... do it to do it.

Grow!!!
Wiggle around in the uncomfortable space for a bit!

It's okay, because you can step out at any time. The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.- again Amelia Earhart

PFATT CHARITY AUCTION

2011-06-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

UPDATE!!!! AUCTION IS LIVE CLICK HERE!

We(PFATT) are about way more than selling on ebay, we love and care about each other, we share our trials as well as our triumphs, we go to bat for each other and we band together in times joy and hardship.....

I am a member of PFATT - Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea. This an absolutely huggable group and I am honored to be in such great company. We are having a charity auction on ebay and I want to get the word out. I will add a link as soon as the auction goes live.

The auction will go live on Sunday June 12th at 9:30pm EST-6:30pm PST. members of PFATT have made special ornaments to adorn a 34" tall cream colored real goose feather tree from Ragon House.

The PFATT members have graciously given their talents and time to design OOAK ornaments to be auctioned off for this very worthy cause.

100% of the proceeds from this auction will go towards the nonprofit organization FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered). To provide support, resources and information and promote awareness and research specific to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and to unite families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
This nonprofit organization was picked by one of our members, Carly, who is a breast cancer survivor.

I will post again when it is ready!

Wedding details...with PFATT help

2011-06-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

Do not scroll down if you are coming to the wedding ....

Centerpiece spoiler alert!!!!!!

I had so many ideas for tablescapes at the wedding so many in fact that my brain actually got stuck in mid-stream... I sought the help desperately of my wonderful PFATT sisters. They ladies had so many great ideas, I just had to take my own fledgling idea let it marinate with the PFATT Juices and voila... Topiary a la bliss. just had to make it my own and start creating.

We have a palette of burlap, plumes, book page flowers, brooches and shabby chic fabric.
The top of the urn will be covered in moss- I'll do that later- I don't want it to brown.
I'll be making lucky 13 of these!

And this ... a feminine rock, yes folks, leave it to Prim Pumpkin to dress up a rock!

Polly Spider sat down beside her...

2011-05-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
This Pumpkin has been very busy! I mean me, not my newest Prim Pumpkin! Last weekend saw us in beautiful Lowell, MI. Searching out Shabby Chic wedding finds in unexpected places is so much fun. I have heard, from super reliable people that the best revenge- or maybe this is a better phrase than the word revenge- the best thing you can do when someone has hurt you... is to be happy, live well, and get back in touch with things that make your heart sing. Last year was hard, it took an emotional toll on my spirit. But what a difference a year makes. I continue to evolve as a doll maker and I am happy about what I create. I now have a level of confidence in my own ability that I have never had. It's this inner knowing of happiness and the unwavering support from Mr. Pumpkin that means so much- and is the difference from wallowing in a puddle of mud or making a fabulous mud facial out of the whole damn thing!

This is Polly Spider. Her name stems from a wonderful lady who is a patron of the arts in my hometown. She told me last time I saw her "exuberance is God within"...she said it with a gleam in her eye and red fire-like ringlet bobbing by her ear. Polly Spider has a bit of a gleam in her eye too! She has mastered the sideways glance.

Lounging in lambs ear

Polly has a fabric body and a hand sculpted head. I used 6 different, but equally beautiful, fabrics in her construction. Her hat is where the spidery bits come into play. The vintage ric- rac looks like spider legs to me!

It's always nice to find something hidden, something just for you. I stitched a small pouch on Polly with one of her very own treasures for you to discover.

Cheers!

Prim Pumpkin Hilda a study in articulation

2011-05-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Grinning Hilda started as a study in articulation. I wanted to create a Prim Pumpkin that was not attached to a base. The result is a look that I will continue to evolve. The thing I love about Hilda is her little pumpkin shoulders. Guaranteed... I am making more in this style.

Hilda is jointed. I used luscious fabrics to create her dress and hat. I wanted to create the illusion of bubbles floating on top of her head. I made her had with large faux pearls.

She had a brief excursion with the fairy folks in our garden as she posed for the photo shoot.
Hilda has a sideways glance on her pumpkin face.

Vintage.. Vintage.. Vintage I love it and use it at every turn.

Hilda insisted upon green dotted stockings. I tried to sway her but she really wanted dots!

CLICK HERE to see HILDA on eBay

Rumpledcake by Twigs and Honey

2011-05-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

Photo: Twigs and Honey, Myra Callen

I am excited to tell you about something so brilliantly yum that I just can't stand it. I was looking for bridal head pieces and I stumbled across a wonderful artist named Myra Callen! She is a highly sought after designer in the bridal realm, creating romantic fascinators for atop the head. Her company is called Twigs and Honey. IT is there she creates lusciousness and this amazing fragrance as well. The scent is called rumpledcake. How amazing is that... RUMPLEDCAKE.. this is a word that I love to say, now seeded in my vocabulary ever so sweetly next to Framboise and Facinator...
I am sensitive to parfumes. I have just a few that I like and I tend NOT to stray from the path, but I tried this one. I am so happy with the blend.

Myra's description weaves a web of violet flower, bergmot and neroli, sandalwood and rose. She has creates a 100% essential oil eau du paufum of warmth and sweetness.

I really like how it's woody... but not masculine, sweet... but not Victoria's Secret sweet, and I just love anything with a violet fragrance anyway!

Myra's Website is http://www.twigsandhoney.com/ the scent portion is called TwigScent click here to visit.

Lady Louise and a bit on tatting from Prim Pumpkin

2011-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my studio! Please meet Lady Louise the Wicked Pumpkin. Creating art dolls is such a creative process, and after going through the process I feel so attached to these sweet little Pumpkins! From stitch to sculpt to paint... and then here for you to meet.

Her eyes are looking slightly upward, kind of sly. I blended several colors to get a orange crush-ish hue, which I love. I will use this recipe again I am sure. The Prim Pumpkin signature haute bit of couture features vintage tatting.

Tatting if you were wondering, is a beautiful technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops. I can tell you from years of shopping the markets that it is durable and stands the test of time. As you venture through tag sales and antique markets look at the amount of tatting that has outlasted the clothing it was affixed to! Long after the clothing has fallen in disrepair, the tatted edges is still elegant. The art of tatting dates to the early 19th century. The term for tatting in most European languages is derived from French frivolité, which refers to the purely decorative nature of the textiles produced by this technique. I am taken with many European varieties of lace, but tatting is a favorite! and I am happy to use a bit on Lady Louise. -She looks happy too!

Notice her banner made of old canvas and hand lettered. She holds it proudly in her dotted arms.

I wish I could have each of you over for tea and to play in the studio! For now I will settle with sharing the product of my happiness in the studio...

Lady Louise the Wicked Pumpkin

CLICK HERE TO SEE HER for SAle

Tatting reference:

Spencer, Charles Louis (1935). Knots, splices and fancy work. Kennedy Bros; 2nd edition, Wikipedia

Living or Imagined.

2011-04-25T04:11:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since the breezes held a touch of warmth. Sunday was the perfect day for a tea party. It floated in on a whim and enveloped us for a minute. Pretend was the most delish thing on the menu.

My son, Bry, invited all of the Pumpkins in our shared work studio. They obliged happily... We came to the shared assumption that Mud and Crowns CAN go together beautifully.

A velvet rabbit happened up on our blanket. She shared with us her love of tulle and turquoise. We thanked her and she moved along.

Checking to see if our pretend tea is warm to the touch...

Tiny little fingers about a demi cup! Ahhh this day was good!

We used cotton candy colored beads for our food, but it only made us hunger for REAL cotton candy.

A bit of rhinestone for good measure.

This is a magical alabaster egg. It's the earliest thing I remember owning. I would bury it in my mom and grandma's plants and they would unearth it each time they re potted. I keep it in a cloche style dome because I believe it is a magic, sacred, weathered piece of my childhood.

Mon Petite Fleur looked so pretty in the fresh air!

I brought my pocketbook, but instead of cash I had a crown. Not a single invited party, living or imaginary complained...

The Magic of a Royal Wedding... A studio celebration

2011-04-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

Back in the late 1980's I recall my first fledgling enchantment with delicate English living. I would scour issues of Victoria, soaking in the romance of tea, the chivalry of men and the magic. As we look to the quickly approaching Royal Wedding my inner Anglophile has been softly wakened and offered tea. I thought it only a proper that I create a Prim Pumpkin British Edition... in celebration of the Royal Wedding! 29, April 2011 will mark the day when we will have a real princess and the little boy that has grown up in the same time as me will be her royal knight...Her Prince of hearts. I felt a little celebration in the studio!

As you know and I have stated like 32 times...I am a fan of the magic of things and as a girl the magic of fairies was far greater that the mystique of the Easter bunny or Santa Clause. To me, the folks of England really believed in fairies. I love the stories my Grandma told me of the Cottingley Fairies. The idea of two little girls, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who in 1917 captured photograph of fairies who visited them. This all took place in England in a fabulous thatch roof cottage I am sure!

England was the place I envisioned when a story started with "in a land far, far away"

So, the magic of fairy dust...Royal Weddings...Love... and Pumpkins come together. In the spirit of Royal Pumpkin love, I give to you.....
"Royally Speaking"

Teacups were filled with wands, and my little prince was willing to help!

Details are sprinkled everywhere!

Her hat turned out lovely... in true Kate fashion!

Ahhh... and my Prince, all to happy to play!

This Prim Pumpkin is now on eBay... Let the festivities begin!

CLICK HERE

Thank you all so much for being part of my last Give Away!

In pumpkin love, Jennie

Drum Roll Please...

2011-04-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Children love to assist with the drawing of anything from a hat..... This is why I was especially excited when my TWO preteen lovies stopped in for a visit. While one is too cool for doing things, but will watch from afar, the other sweetie was all to keen to help! Last night was the close of entry for my Prim Pumpkin give away.... and if you recall, Miss Estelle is the Pumpkin folks were entering to win!

Lex selected her favorite couture vintage hat for the drawing. Each name was jotted on a paper and tossed into the hat. The names were swirled in a fairy magic manner..... A name was pulled from the hat....

And the winner is.......LACeY JanE!!!!!!

Lacey Jane is a fellow artist, please visit her at:

http://laceyjaneprims.com/

PrIM PuMpKin GiVe AwAY !

2011-04-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

So every once in a pink moon, I get the whisper of pumpkin fairies bee-bopping around. I usually do what they tell me and this whisper is saying time to host a delightful little

GIVE AWAY!

In one short week(Friday the 15th) I will draw a name and this sweet soul will receive Estelle (pictured in this post) as a Prim Pumpkin Give Away.

(international pumpkin lovers are welcome to play)

Yep, you read right... Just follow my blog, leave me a comment on this post if you already follow, and you are in the running for vintage encrusted Pumpkin Estelle!

When I was in the creation process of this little beauty, I spent several hours stitching sections of her skirt, you see I was trying to re-create an idea I saw on the most gorgeous table linens I have ever set your eyes on... I soon learned that the process was much too time consuming! The effect turned out really well! This is a unique piece for me because it is a hanging art doll ornament.

I call her Estelle. It just seemed fitting for such a Paris Pink sweetheart! I used so many vintage elements on her. Her hanger is constructed out of soft pink velvet!

Thank you for following my bliss and I wish you LUCK!

and LOVE...

You have to duck to enter my studio...

2011-04-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Prim Pumpkin friends, I hope this Monday afternoons post finds you happy and well! I have so much to tell you, The first is, I listed my sweet Josephine doll on eBay and her auction ends tonight... Click here to see her. I have been madly painting and planning our wedding! This is one of the signs that will greet our guests pictured above! The next is this... I had to go to work on Saturday, but on my way I saw an estate sale sign and to me, this was a fabulous attempt of sealing a moment of vintage bliss. The house was a modest ranch, but inside I found the most lovely hand work! I was lucky enough to buy two sweet chairs. They are feminine with button tufted accents. The lady running the sale sold both for $10.00... YES, I said $10.00. That then brings us to the point of where to put these little cupcakes? One already must duck when entering Prim Pumpkin Studio, due to this amazing gossamer salmon colored dream of a dress hanging from my curtain...

This dress is the kind that when worn, the lady must step extra high due to the influx of men falling at her feet. Trimmed in lavender, this was sure a show stopper in it's time...

This is one of the chairs! Striped in beige, pink and green and begging to be sat in! I am sure we will have many armchair journeys together!

Fondly,

Jennie

Coffee... the blood of creative

2011-03-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

I detoured on my way home... seeking out a Good cup of coffee, and by coffee I mean mocha. What started out as a trip for coffee bloomed into a shopping trip.

As I walked in the friendly aroma of coffee, it enveloped me.... Old wonderful aroma... The barista told me about the new Tribute blend. Tribute is a spicy and full-bodied blend with berry and dark cherry notes. It is the celebrating of 40 years for Starbucks! So, not only was I romanced by the bean, The have a new CD! It's a disc of dreams featuring Duke Ellington, Paul McCartney, Beck, Madeleine Peyroux, Dean Martin, Nora Jones + more! I think this one will sell out! I love music when I create, and this one is a breathe of fresh air.

This is Joe showcasing our coffee. The trip that love built. The coffee shop stop that filled out creative gas tanks but broke my bank. : ) I would be remiss if I did not mention the adorable coffee stoppers we received. We use them as swords and fight Princess Bride style though.

Carol James and my inspired studio...

2011-03-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

On Friday I had no idea the art doll spirits would conspire, and these two wee pumpkins would blossom ... James Taylor and Carol King filled our home with both texture and harmony. As their voices, perfectly paired, poured from the CD player a sense of inspiration came over me. Inspiration is a good read, a thought, a bit of music that makes me smile.

"The true worth of a man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others"- Albert Schweitzer

This white ghostie is called Carol James in memory of my weekend listening. :) She is small but filled with might and vigor. She secretly loves ruffles, they make her smile. Carol James wears stripes, she prefers simple shift dresses as opposed to the prim frocked pumpkins I usually create.

Skirted in chiffon, cotton and silk, Estelle is dressed like a cupcake.

You can get a good glimpse of her vintage garden look and her pearly trim embellishments here. She is a hanging art doll ornament.

When my studio is filled with the things that make it come alive like texture, love and music, I am at my most creative! Thank you for taking the time to meet Carol James and Estelle.

Have a happy week!

Divine Josephine

2011-03-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

Jennie Hepler in studio with Josephine, who now has two arms.

A curious breeze has penetrated the walls of my studio. On this breeze I feel the twinkle of French romance and old world charm. Because I am an armchair traveller, a rummager , and a collector of vintage bits I love the imagery of a Paris flea market. It's probably not how I imagine it, but it's my dream, so I can paint the picture however romantic I like.

I studied French, but if you don't use it you loose it. I think it's a beautiful language.

As I created Josephine I thought of French chocolate. I wondered in I lived in France, would I covet American lace?

Josephine is not a Prim Pumpkin of convention. She is a pumpkin who knows her heart realizing the importance of simple indulgence. Josephine loves toile and patterns, she reclaims millinery and creates couture. She does it all, but in a lady-like fashion.

I stitched this blossom from vintage velvet. It was the perfect accent I think. While my dolls are of a primitive nature, they are feminine and luscious in the way they come to life and share a story.

Josephine rarely is seen with out a hat, she has the face for hats! She is simply devilishly divine.

EHAG Challenge Fantome de Citrouille

2011-03-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure I offer you my piece from the Goblin and Ghostie EHAG Challenge.

This is a wee PrimPumpkin standing only 8.5 inches tall. Her name is
Fantôme de Citrouille
which translates to Pumpkin Ghost!

She is a sweet little confection of an art doll sure to steal your heart. Fantome has been haunting a little Paris pastry shop for years! She has a lovely hat and a flowing ghostly cloak. Do you know what frightens this little pumpkin? … I’ll tell you… the thought of a day without cupcakes! She has both hands on her face out of fear!

She is on eBay right now, snap on over and have a look see! CLICK HERE

I am a Brooch Bride-Vintage alternative bouquet

2011-03-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Our wedding will be filled with things we both love. If have been reading my blog for very long you know how close my Grandma and I were. I could not plan such an event without infusing her bright spirit throughout.

Grandma collected vintage brooches, she had an old Victrola case fashioned into a jewelry box to house her treasures. This past January, an idea from ETSY collided with my desire to make these brooches part of the wedding. I made a vintage brooch bouquet!

It really turned out gorgeous!

The collar on the bouquet is made from a rescued antique wedding dress. I am sure the dress is pleased to be part of another wedding! The dress, tattered beyond repair, was found at a charity shop.
I wrapped the handle in hand dyed velvet- real velvet! The feel of this bouquet is perfect! Make no mistake, there will be flowers, but there will also be my Grandma's brooches, blinged into a bouquet.
I fist saw this idea on ETSY and fell in love with the idea of becoming a brooch bride. It's a unique way to put family heirlooms front and center!
Click here to see my inspiration piece
After the dust settles, I will post a tutorial. I am also making brooch bouquets for my Maid of Honour and my Bridesmaids! : )

It was a warm August day when her hat arrived...

2011-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Her complexion had warmed with the earth and it was visible. She arrived at the park and all of the other girls stopped to take notice. Fleur was always dressed in floral, and this day would be no different. But, today she had arrived with a pouf of pleasant on top of her pumpkin head.
Her hat had finally arrived! This was the one she had waited for. It sat Primly on her head and her smile was ever so coy!

Fleur is a Prim Pumpkin with vicious cuteness! She has sheepish eyes and a turned up grin!

Fleur exemplifies an age when ladies wore hats to feel pretty and put together. I love that age and I miss it! I feel like I should be part of that time...
I collect vintage hats and I wear them about as often as I can. I created a flapper style beauty to wear on my wedding day! I'll show you some pictures of that next time. This post is all for Fleur and her love for hats! Don't you think she has the perfect face for wearing hats? Some pumpkin just have a face for them! For her, wearing a fancy hat is a costume of floral prettiness.

She belongs to her hat as much as it belongs to her...

Fleur is available on Ebay click here to view!

A PFATT Shoe in GIVEawaY!

2011-03-01T04:23:00.001-08:00

Good day happy blogland!

I am so happy to be part of a wonderful group called PFATT. PFATT stand for Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea. But more than an acronym, it's a group of caring artists who celebrate each other. I am so sappy about how wonderful these ladies are!

WE ARE HAVING A GIVEAWAY.

This is the piece I am donating....

"Shoes are a girls best friend"

A Prim Pumpkin art doll, standing in a vintage child's Mary Jane shoe. Pink and ivory tell a story of a little pumpkin girl who loves to accessorize. She measures 8.5 inches tall.

Do you want to make her yours????

Just drop over to the PFATT blog and leave a comment

CLICK HERE

Here she is with her pal Effie.

PFATT GIVEAWAWY LINK

She is actually standing in a vintage ADORABLE shoe. You all know how I adore shoes- they don't even have to be my size... Love 'em all...

This is my theory, My Prim Pumpkins love Halloween. They love to take on a costume, creepy as can be, but during the rest of the year they wear vintage finery!
Good luck to you all!

Shoe Porn- a non doll posting

2011-02-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

Personal style and details can create such an amazing ambiance. As many of you know I am in the process of planning our Vintage Chic wedding for this Fall. The details are wonderful to get lost in, but there are so darn many of them!

Famous last words..... Oh, I can do that... ha!

I have my dress and the next step in the process is finding the right shoe. I need the left one as well... :) I have been searching the Internet for something amazing...something remarkable... something brilliant! I have gleaned so many images of beautifully photographed weddings that my senses are honed....

Shoes are an important part of the event...his, mine and ours! People will be paying attention to details as we will have very little alcohol, So I present to you ... Shoe Porn! The shoes pictured above are from Hey Lady Shoes. I love these shoes...swoon : ) All of them!

The trend for several years has been a colored wedding shoe, but because I have an elaborate hair embellishment, I am opting for understated elegance. I know, I know- understated is not my traditional comfortable place in footwear.

These are my hearts desire... they are aptly called Twinkletoes

Twinkling from a different angle!

And here we have champagne goggles...
if you would like to visit hey lady, click here

Effie in Autumn Bloom!

2011-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:00

Effie is a Prim Pumpkin dripping with the charms of Autumn. Yes, I know it's February, and we were harshly reminded of that fact with ice, snow, power outages galore and bitter cold. But, I am dreaming of how a pumpkin would dress in her feminine vintage foundling scraps...fashioned ever so enchantingly into a frock of fancy... a hat of fluttering delight. "A merry day to you" says Effie!

My sweet little Effie is making her blogland debut! It's almost 11:00pm and I am so tired, but I have been thinking of Miss Effie and how much I want to share her with you. I hope this post finds you with power and well. On to Effie... She is the keeper of pumpkin-found items. You know, the lost or tossed items that pumpkin folk might stumble on and keep.

Effie is a pillar of her community, a lady of charm and grace. Her frocks are known for being lavish and feminine and above all.. WONDERFUL. A fanciful frock is a perfectly fabulous thing to be known for. She is standing here with Pippa, a gorgeous pumpkin girl who is in love with shoes!

This is her statement collar, complete with vintage embellishments and millinery.

In my imagination, Effie's cupboard looks like this!

I have very exciting news! I am now a member of EHAG. This is a huge houour and I am so excited. EHAG is the Eclectic Halloween Artist Group- a group of professional Halloween artist selling on eBay.

Effie is now offered on eBay! CLICK HERE!

finding my spot in ritual

2011-02-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

The thrill of creating something is a satisfying feeling. I may work a frock or a nose for days before I get it just right, and it's the getting it just right that keeps me drawn into the studio, pulled graciously to the table... eyes filled with vintage, sure to stumble on an idea. I still feel just as I did when I began this Prim Pumpkin journey. I want to share my bliss(aka happiness in my little heart!) through my art. My Pumpkins are the product of ritual. Ritual that summons romance and lacies.

It's this ritual of creating that is my best teacher. Last year, when I submitted work to Paula Deen Magazine I was honored at such an opportunity to share my Pumpkins! I created work and sent it gleefully only for the final culmination to be rather a heart breaker. I was told all of my work had been disposed of... From this experience I learned that it's not enough to create work and put it out there. The ritual began with an idea but I was so excited that the ritual stopped there. I understand my own process better now and I see that the ritual of creating does not stop when the pumpkin is complete. Part of the ritual is protecting what I create... which I did not do. A lesson I now have under my belt and I am at peace with it. From my trove of trims a cyclone of things begin to form. Laundry falls to the wayside and dishes pile up. dinner is called drive though or pizza during this time...

Getting the details right is an important part of the whole picture. I am guilty of spending a lot of time on a single detail, I work on it until my heart flutters in excitement!

Today I am honoring the ritual of creating from start to finish, feeling joy for all that fill the space in between.

It is because these little pumpkin characters are aching to burst out that I am an artist.

the legacy of rummage in my studio

2011-02-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

When I was girl I would stay at my Grandma's house a lot. In the evenings, after dinner we would fill our rituals with love. She was an avid collector of sewing bits and fabric, books, costume jewelry, couture...and dolls, all things that a girl dreams of looking through. She taught me an art that stays with me even today; the art of rummage. She had collected for decades before I was ready to learn. So the stage was set and the name of the play was discovery. I could and did spend hours looking at masses of buttons. If I had a nickle for each button my hands touch during my childhood, I would certainly be a billionaire! This is the same flavor I have created in my studio. The warm essence of a lounge for things of the past. Small and glittery, unwanted, past the prime, but all terribly welcome in my studio.

I think my Grandma would love the studio, she would think each detail was brilliant!

When I stitch in the studio, I save bits of scrap fabric in a box. I was in a quandary as to what to do with them and I created this hair embellishment!

At work today a lady actually said to me, mid conversation, you look like a Valentine... I really didn't know what to say, but I think I like it!

I can't help but think the bits of scrap I rummaged and put together poured out a little love!

Happy day from your VALENTINE!

Audrey... an inspired Pumpkin

2011-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

It was only recently I realized that I have been in love with Tiffany blue for quite sometime. Tiffany blue coats two of our rooms at home. And as I plan our wedding it is quietly creeping into our color scheme. I have a Tiffany and Co. box sitting at our computer as I type. It's simply one of those colors... you know the type, the ones that have the ability to make you happy at first sight. I am not sure if it's the calming shade of blue, or the excitement one feels when holding a Tiffany box, or the idea that it looks sweet like a cupcake or cotton candy...

This is Audrey, a Prim Pumpkin in Tiffany blue. I loved creating her. I feel like she will brighten bleak winter days and boost the sunshine a bit with her cheer. I feel so attached to my art dolls! It's as if when I stitch, sculpt, paint, gather vintage embellishments a wee bond is formed. What I am doing in my life at that very spot in time pours into my Pumpkins. I love to bring you into my vision of how a Prim Pumpkin behaves whether at a Halloween Ball, or during Prom, or at Tea...

I hope you loved a little peek at Audrey. She is currently listed on Ebay for auction you can CLICK HERE to see her. She loved her photo shoot! No matter where I posed her she took the cupcake!

A couple of my favorite Audrey Hepburn quotes:

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

My own life has been much more than a fairy tale. I've had my share of difficult moments, but whatever difficulties I've gone through, I've always gotten the prize at the end.-- Audrey Hepburn

Yes to the Dress and Pomander try

2011-01-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

I have so many ART DOLL ideas that seem to be spilling graciously over into my new foray as a DIY wedding lady... Because this is the wedding of two artists, a certain amount of artistic flair is expected...

So, this is my first attempt at a pomander- or kissing ball. they will be tied to the back row of chairs, or hooked down our isle. I am not sure yet where or how they will be implemented, but I really like the mixing of happy colors and textures.

Click here to see my dress!

I said YES, to the dress and i love it! I felt a bit like Giselle in it. I will not spring into song and have woodland creatures sitting on the tip of my finger though... But when I wear it I think I blink more...

My studio is looking very cool because all of the raw materials are there waiting to be used for DIY wedding or trappings of a vintage inspired Art Doll.... : ) My art dolls have taken to Paris... See pictures of their wanderings soon!

Your Primness,

Jennie

love and happiness

2011-01-27T19:42:00.000-08:00

When children find love, parents find happiness. This is a quote shared on one of the boards I am pleased to be part of... It's true... When my son grows to be a man, I hope for love in his life. This would make me burst with joy because this means he took the journey and found something special.

This is one of my latest art dolls, she is pouty ... but believe me she has her reasons! More to come... very soon, I left my camera on and low and behold ... the battery is gone!

My Plan!!!

2011-01-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

This happy day finds us tucked merrily in our gypsy cottage dreaming of pretty wedding and concocting amazing DIY tasks that undoubtedly will cost more than just buying the desired thing... My plan is simple, I will make 5 pumpkin dolls to coordinate my wedding, each having a task or something to monitor.

My theme is fabulously vintage. I am collecting a myriad of fancies to incorporate into our big day. I ventured to Marshall, MI yesterday in search of something and found 5 somethings, all lovely and all to reside in the studio until used or incorporated into a doll or this amazing wedding!

Our venue:Greencrest Manor click here Mister Artist and I love this place!

I am creating and spending time with my little guy today... which is close to my heart in the category of things I LOVE!!!

Bliss

2011-01-16T05:10:00.000-08:00

Exciting news! I am engaged to a most amazing man.

Prim Kate a pumpkin of vintage delight

2011-01-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

Prim Kate emerged from the studio in her finest couture. Brocade bustling about in prim fashion... I am so excited about how the fabric lifted ever so gently when I added a bit of pouf! Prim Kate has a very nice damask bodice and the top skirt is a vintage variety. Colors for blue and golden come together and create a rich lustrous weave.

Kate's hat is lovely! Made with only the finest in vintage millinery, and lots of love, of course! Kate's look is regal.

Prim Kate is now on eBay

Click here to see her!

plaid classic style

2010-12-13T16:10:00.001-08:00

It was 2:35 on a random Wednesday that I fell in love with plaid. Throughout my adult life I averted my eyes... in fear of being swallowed whole by a Ralph Lauren pony.. I think. My seasoned palate of shabbiness could not accomidate the treasure of tweed or the perkiness of plaid. I gravitated towards vintage golds and silvers with hits of patina.

Be still my beating heart..... Joe and I stopped into Barnes and Noble for a spot of coffee and a heap in inspiration soup and low and behold a Country Living Magazine British Edition was nestled in comfortably with the plethora of Holiday titles. The cover held the story of a Autumn ... a barn wood dream in amber. So I was pulled to this magazine and then drawn in like a moth to a flame ( I've always wanted to say that) to a story of a shepherdess. Alison O'Neil has a flock of 200 sheep bred for wool only, not the meat. She is know throughout the Howgill fells in Cumbria for her combinations of tweed.
She puts together some wonderful combinations. Some pieces were found at charity shops and some are available from her website. CLICK HERE

After reading this story spun with love, I began my fall into love.... I owned nothing in tweed but somehow the very thought of having something in plaid or tweed held the thought of romance.. And you know full and well I am an original hopeless romantic.

That evening I had a feeling ... oh you know the one. The feeling that if I go to the thrift shop right now there will be a prize just for me. One day it was a huge tiara and magic wand, another a pair of baby uggs, but today a British thought bubble was hovering. I found some wonderful treats! All of the fabrics pictured in this post were from this jaunt.

I love how beautifully stripes, tweed and plaid all go together. I love how British it feels and I love how it all came together . You will undoubtedly see plaid in my future work and you will know that my pumpkins have taken tea...

Growing my creative muscles!

2010-12-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

My dear friends,
It has been one of those weeks.... The kind that makes you stronger, Gives you a fresh wrinkle, and inspires you to sit an pen a post to explain...

This week made me see the truth in growing creative muscles. When I create it's from the heart and when my Prim Pumpkins go out in to the world I never imagined they would be ill received.... and that's what happened. I was not prepared for the feelings this stirred up. I was told by a publication that my work had been disposed of.

Because of this, I feel the sprouting of new muscles. Muscles that will make me a better artist. I still don't understand, but I will keep creating and aligning myself with wonderful artists and editors who lift up and encourage art.

Then, on Wednesday night, I fell down the stairs at home. I was in a hurry and this hurry slowed my pace WAY down!!! I am so sore! I feel like I need a Zen day.

I am creating a new doll, a smaller one than Parisina and Mimi. I am still so pleased with Parisina, she is a vintage dream. Her auction ends on Sunday so take a peek at her!

My week held more than this bit... it had happy bits as well, which I will tell about next week! : )

Thank you for listening as I told you about my rejection...

Love to you,

Jennie

Parisina in vintage finery

2010-12-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

I love all things vintage and of days gone by... I am a romantic and I am hopeless... THIS I KNOW, without a doubt ... for sure. :0)

I have been known to get lost in estate sales, caught up in the love letters and heartfelt bits from a child to her mother, and then saddened that these memories went unwanted. Not to worry, I am a memory collector! My studio is full of ephemera and Paris nostalgia stored and waiting to make the next debut! For my latest doll, I dipped into my treasure trove and the result is a luscious little bit of love Parisina and her doll.

Colors so soft and shabby come together to create Parisina. She is washed in layers of paint and dressed in vintage shabby chic finery. Memories and tiny bits of vintage remembrances took in a deep breath of new life...bringing Parisina and Mimi to life.

In her hand, Parisina holds her prized doll... she calls her Mimi. Mimi is adorned in vintage pieces of lace, buttons and pearly embellishments. Both are beautiful fancy pumpkins. Parisina wears a gorgeous hat! I'll post better pictures in her auction! When I use vintage fabrics and beautiful findings I feel like bygone memories are given new life and a second chance to tell a story. I hope you enjoyed a sneak peek of Parisina and Mimi. They are a Paris market pair!

I think the reason I love vintage so very much is because of the story. The wear on an old Rosary, giving way to the stories of birth, death, and great Faith that it has absorbed in the hands of whomever owned it. Or old dish cloths, I know in my Grandma's kitchen a dish cloth was tucked in the waist of her apron and had the power to do all of those kitcheny things as well as wipe away tears and hurt. PURE MAGIC !! I really believe that vintage finery holds the power and magic worth knowing about and worth holding close to our hearts. Anytime I can use old bits in my art, I will, because I want to give these stories another chance and I want you to add to the story that is already there.

Peace Love and Vintage!

Published Pumpkin up for Grabs!

2010-11-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

Good evening friends,

Here it is, 9pm on a Tuesday. I have been editing and prepping my latest auction (click here to see it) for about an hour and a half : ) Devine is his name... but he likes friends to call him Devie.

My latest offering is a Prim Pumpkin that you may be familiar with. This old fella was PUBLISHED!!! in the Autumn Issue of ART DOLL QUARTERLY. I say that in caps because I am still on cloud nine about it.

Devie is a love collector. He has an amazing job! He collects bits of hearts and gives them out to those in need! This is my quote for Devie...

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart . Who looks outside,dreams; who looks inside,awakes." This is by Carl Jung.

I have a very special duo on the work table right this moment and I can't wait to show you... But that's for a later post!

Pumpkins in pastel ROCK!

2010-11-27T16:37:00.000-08:00

I would be remiss in my blogging if I didn't mention the bitter nip in the air. It's almost eight thirty in the evening and I am cold and tired. The Christmas-time elves took my hand today and led me to some wonderful treasures for two people on my list.

Michigan has been enveloped in the brisk bite called winter. I love the pretty pea coats, and I have a couple, but I default to my Columbia jacket; it' s rated for Arctic temps, but not the most stylish thing.

My brain froze and when it thawed I started creating in Pink!!! Pink - and not the Victoria's Secret kind... the sweet vintage variety that I love so very much. Vintage pearls and finery from my studio came together and this sweet little Minne emerged!

This is Minnie with Pearls

Click HERE to see her auction!
Minnie exudes a bit of warmth... Just what I need! Her smile is welcoming and her pink hat will make you smile.

Her vintage pearl embellishments were give to me by a collector of my work. They proved to be the most wonderful addition. Thank you Rosemary for thinking of me!!

Minnie is an English Prim Pumpkin, she loves to take tea with me in the studio! In fact she is standing on a vintage saucer!

Her bodice would make Rachel Ashwell envious! Shabby fabulous.

This original tag was tucked into the brim of the hat.. A bit of pink nostalgia and the reason I call her Minnie.

We are both are looking at something very glittery. Please check out her auction and send me some warm vibes!!

Pumpkins in Pastel ROCK!

Huge LOVE and thank you for the LOVE back!

A magical gathering of PFATT

2010-11-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

When we traveled to Ghoultide Gathering in Northville, Michigan I had the pleasure of meeting a treat basket full of amazing Halloween artists. Most of these dear people are members of a sisterhood called PFATT. The acronym may seem like a string of letters but I assure you it's much more. It actually brands or marks artwork as mysterious , elusive and highly sought after. The letters pulled apart stand for Primitive Folk Art Talk and Tea but together it means a sisterhood of encouragement and understanding. I am so happy to have been invited into this group of professional folk artists! I think this will be a happy collaboration and eBay will be a welcoming artist marketplace to sell my Prim Pumpkins. Happy Happy Happy as a squashed up pumpkin head!

I have been dipping my fingers into the snowtime inspiration and this is what I come up with... a Snowtime Pumpkin. He is the first and there will soon be more... I feel them urging me to bring them to life!

In celebration of my invitation to PFATT, Joe took me to dinner at my favorite place and I indulged in a wonderful meal and a sinful dessert of peanut butter pie. The variety that blends the finest cool whip, cream cheese and peanut butter into a pie of dreams and magic.

I am so happy and I just wanted to share it with you!

Candy Corn Louie From Prim Pumpkin

2010-11-09T04:29:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy selling on eBay! I have received more than bids... The positive feedback about my art has been so encouraging. This is SLY STELLA, she is my latest offering on eBay

CLICK HERE to see the auction

But don't go just yet... Look at my latest work in progress....

Meet...

Candy Corn Louie

for Louie, the business of trick or treat is a serious one! Candy Corn has become his obsession; he even dreams about it, and the more tiny triangles of Halloween goodness he can get it his large jack o lantern grin the better. On Halloween night, Louie hides under the table and collects candy corn as you chow down on the higher food chain candy such as Reese Cups and Hershey Bars.

Candy Corn Louie has orange large corduroy pants that accentuate his plump tummy.

This is my little guy in the studio with Mommie.

He did not like sharing space on my work table with Louie and was sure to tell him about it!

This is Bryer ... building manual dexterity while sculpting a spaceship.

Creativity in action my dear friends! Please make sure you check out my latest auction, I am so happy with how it turned out! Thanks for stopping in!

a bit of Halloween blues!

2010-11-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

GYPSY is now listed on EBay click here!

I really can't believe Halloween is over... I have been feeling a bit down about the passing of a holiday which celebrates the child at heart in us all...The making or concocting of the costumes. The enjoyment of seeing others creation spun right from my imagination in shades of orange and black crepe.... Crooked stems and all of those pumpkin grins definitely make my season bright.

So, after I realized I was in a bit of a post Halloween depression, I went to a local antique shop for a creative recharge. I walked in and Vonda Shepard was playing on the CD player. Which makes me feel strangely comforted because it reminds me of Allie McBeal.... and I could never be as bad off as her... with the dancing baby imagery and all : 0 )

I was greeted by booths of Shabby Chic and vintage girly finds. Vintage fabrics, hats of velvet, vintage prom dresses in hues of melon and aqua. I was in heaven. So many stories... baby shoes, ballet slippers, and bits of lace! I left with a small bag but a big fill of color and inspiration.

My work has been incredibly received this year. Which means this is a pivotal year in my art. I was given room to create, a space to flourish. and when nurtured in this manner my creativity jumped into high gear! I was so very through the roof excited about having an article in Art Doll Quarterly and then when I was told that my doll would be featured on the cover I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!! I had a very nice follow up story in the local paper and then a great show were I almost sold out! All of this is positive reinforcement in the utmost! Which led me to eBay. I have been tip toeing around and after Pfatt encouragement, I slid into the water and I was so happily surprised at the interest!

The moral of the story is that when you are passionate about creating...it shows it pours through your fingers... and it reminds me of this quote:
" The greatness of art is not to find what is common but what is unique"-Isacc Bashevis Singer

My plan is to keep listing my original work on Ebay and Etsy and let the creativity flow!
Halloween in my Heart,
Jennie

Coraline Pumpkins

2010-10-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I have a beautiful almost 3 year old boy, the sun sets upon his mischievous grin and the moon rises with his wails of well... 3 year oldness. I wanted to create a pumpkin idea with him and this is what we came up with! Coraline Pumpkins! He loves to sort through my button jar and he picked out his favorites and then we tacked them on with low temp hot melt. I added sparkles with costume bracelets!

Giveaway results and some more!!!

2010-10-26T17:30:00.001-07:00

And the winner is........

First of all, Thank you dear friends for your genuine interest in my work!!! I am so happy so many of you jumped in this giveaway. I wish I had something for each of you!!!!

Little Lovie has a new mommie and her name is.....

Pam from Soft in the Head!!!

I am offering another prize!!!
I assigned numbers and did the whole random number generator ....
Leah's Art Magic
Leah, hop on over to my etsy and pick an ornament!
email me ladies- cupidswing97@yahoo.com

Baby Pumpkin Sprout on Ebay!

2010-10-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

Little baby pumpkin sprout... so snug in my studio!
This little lady is semi -famous : ) She was published in the Fall issue of Art Doll Quarterly! She is kind of a baby diva now! I am waiting for her to start making demands... She prefers the finest of things and even though she only has one wee little tooth- never leave her around chocolate unattended... it is guaranteed to disappear... Or maybe that was Joe????

This is my Prim Pumpkin leap on to the pages of eBay. It is something I have wanted to try for a long time and little baby pumpkin sprout wanted to be the first doll offered! If you would like to own this piece, I've included a link at the bottom!

Thank you to all of the Ehag and Pfatt artists who have encouraged me to sell on eBay. Your advise and guidance is always appreciated!

I made her dress from a vintage tea towel. I love the crispness of Irish linen! Her dress has the added embellishment of a hand-dyed silk ribbon.

Here she is posing for the camera in front of her pages in the magazine!

Click here to see her auction

The artful side of the tracks

2010-10-25T03:38:00.000-07:00

My heart has always found it's way to the artful side of the tracks.

I think this is partly an innate sense of thrusting upward the seeds that are planted in our souls and the other part is quite simply...frivolous gypsy spirit.

I am so lucky to have had a mentor and companion like my Grandma. Our lives had 21 years of overlapping time, in which, she crammed so much information that is still to this day making connections within myself an propelling me forward. One of the things she said with many different faces and within very different contexts is be who you are... It's ironic because I wanted to be who she wanted me to be... not necessarily who I already was.

"We must let go of the life we have planned to accept the one waiting for us." -Joseph Conrad

While my heart has always found it's way to the art within, I never realized I was walking a path predetermined and I just have to close my eyes to see my way.

This artful side of the tracks is home! I have found others here as well travelling by gypsy wagon, by worn shoes and by broom.

The seeds that were stuck down deep in my soul are working their way up through the hurt and happiness, love and sprinkles, through the depth of motherhood and family to the surface where if one looks within... is the exact time and circumstance in which the seed was to emerge....as a pumpkin!

At the last art show I did I was amazed at the feedback and it truly reinforced the get out of your own way baby and create! inner dialogue I have. I made it a goal to do a giveaway and list on eBay last week as small steps in the direction of my dreams. enjoy!!!

My giveaway ends Tuesday... Just put a comment on that post if want little lovie

May luck be yours! a Prim Pumpkin Giveaway

2010-10-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

In celebration of my 126th post, I am having a sweet little Giveaway!

Meet Little Lovie, she is just a sweet as can be ... my little pumpkin girl.

She is a one of a kind art doll. She has the very unique ghost pumpkin coloring and is trimmed with Nigella fabric. She is a wee one, standing about 9 inches tall.

Just leave a comment telling why you would like Little Lovie. The winner will be announced Monday, October 25th. She will be mailed to you just in time for your Halloween festivities!

Feel free to repost this on your blog or on your facebook, if you do that just email me and I'll give you an extra entry.

Have fun and may luck be yours!

Fall into the Art with Prim Pumpkin!

2010-10-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

T-3 day to the show(Fall into the Arts) and you could find me most defiantly packing the pumpkins who were ready and scurrying around to finish a couple more! The show was a big success! I liked my table set up, it turned out perfect, and that part really didn't matter in the long run, because collectors were there and happy to buy before I had the finishing touches on the table! The positive feedback was wonderful, and just the idea that Halloween and doll collectors came from hours away to add a piece to their collection was so very fun.

This sweet little boy now has a new home! He is so darn sweet I could just pinch his cheeks!

I handed out about 200 business cards!

This was the start of my set up at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The lighting was such, that some of the pictures are very light but I wanted to show you all the same. I did display Art Doll Quarterly on my table and that was a great thing because people actually looked at it! I had my

no photography, please sign....but people really didn't listen to that. I ask two people who were setting a tripods in front of my table what they planned on doing with the images and they were not even daunted. People just don't get that it's presumptuous to photograph another persons art work with out asking first.

Very blurry, but these were the last two I made for the show.

Great things come in two's!!! Fall into the Arts was a very nice way to show my work! Thank you for coming out and checking out what I do.

Lighting Candles

2010-10-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

"What we need in this world is more people to inspire others with confidence and fewer to discourage any initiative in the right direction; more to get into the thick of things, fewer to sit on the sidelines merely finding fault; more to point out what’s right with the world and fewer to keep harping on what’s wrong; and more who are interested in lighting candles and fewer who blow them out."

~ Father James Keller

Lighting candles...that's what I am thinking about today. After traveling to Ghoultide Gathering- A Halloween Artist Spectacular- and now getting settled back into my own studio at home, my mind is on fire with a burning to create... to ASPIRE...to do my part as an artist creating in the world... to encourage... to uplift and to let someone know how great they are!

My artwork is the culmination of thoughts and dreams... and my share of those who sat on the sidelines merely finding fault with me... I am the woman posting here today because I can give love to those situations, embrace them and move on... Just breathe through it, right....

I want my son, the little love pictured above, to be a confident creator and I want to show him by example how to get in the middle of it all.

Creating Halloween art, is the soothing serum of life for me! I am so happy to share it with you.

Ghoultide Remembrances 2010

2010-10-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

The ghouls and ghosties headed to a historic place of magic and spells for a dip in the pool of Halloween dreams! Yes folks, this is where dreams are cultivated into reality. On the evening of our arrival, we met the PFATT artists and their significant others for dinner which was delish! We sat with Carolee Clark and her husband, John as well as Laurie Hardin and her Husband, Kelly, Lori Davis, Joyce Stahl, Pam Gracia and her Hubby and Johanna Parker and her husband, JP. Conversation was brisk and many collectors joined us from across the United States. People contemplated who's art they coveted and who's they had.

The day of the show, I posed with this Scott Smith pumpkin scarecrow. The drizzle washed us all in the spirit of Halloweens past and present and filled our hearts with TRICK and TREAT.

What you can't see in the picture is one boot kicked up,... as in I just can't give a kiss without my shoe kicking up...

A PEACE of pumpkin... Ha! So, this year I had the wonderful company of my Lovie, whom thoroughly enjoyed the show and the pure enthusiasm of the event. We went to the Carriage House first, oddly with the illusion of scoring a Scott Smith pumpkin... Let me tell you, I lack the killer instinct it takes to achieve the feat! As I stood at the table arms were shooting around my waist and over my head ... These were not my arms by the way... I must have looked like Ganesha minus the elephant head, which by the way... Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles, I will remember that next time. Laurie Hardin, Monkey Cats Studio and Pam Gracia, Soft in the Head, were also in the carriage House, but we had to wait until the thinning of the crowd to see their works. It was amazing!

This was not a time of perusal and the purchase.. it was a time of love at first sight...See it, love it, can I afford it? how much do I like Raman? Buy it! Because it was snapped up if you didn't decide then and there.

I have always coveted an original Nicol Sayre doll and I was lucky enough to find one. After the Ganesha experience at the Carriage House, we headed to the Historic School House Church. This is where we found Nicol Sayre, Johanna Parker,Paul Gordon, Aron Lowe, Irene Gates, Dara Dimagno,Lori Ann Corelis, William Bezek, Maria Barton, Shelia Bentley, and the Arnolds.

I was really enchanted by Vinegar Babies and Ghosties galore at the William Bezek table. The bed was adorable Will! At the PrimDolly table one had to stop and literaly absorb the art of Sheila Bentley. I was so happy that Shelia said hi! and then I met Becca Bilas at Shelia's table as well!

After deliberation the jury came back with a unanimous decision this hag was meant to be mine!

I really wanted to show her off.... but the Hallows dew was still sprinkling!

A kiss goodbye did not break the spell of the day, maybe that was the kiss that made the excitement last, even as I type!

We rounded out the day with out Trick or Treat bag full of treats. I will show you later, but they include a William Bezek Vinegar Baby:) a Happy Nicol Sayre d0ll : ) A William Bezek Ghostly Lady and her shrunken Beau : ) We Hop Hop Jingle Boo'd over to Debra Schoch's table for a cannibal candy corn and two ornaments :)

The Cady Inn boasted the work of Kristen Beason, Carolee Clark, Allen Cunningham, Debbie Hawkins, Vergie Lightfoot, Pat Murphy, Ed Pribyl and Debra Schoch.

I wish I would have had time to talk to everyone, but the day flew by! I so much wanted to giggle and chat with Joyce Stahl and Lori Davis and show them my pumpkinly headed creations but time did not allow. I was delighted to meet Connie Porcher of Celebrate 365 Magazine! What a sweet treat she was!! Next year though.

Oh and Kim Short's cookies were gorgeous!!!!

The village itself is a little gem! tucked away in Northville. The brick wall featured stone name plaques of people who have made contributions to Historic Mill RaceVillage.

The Grand Entrance to Ghoultide Gathering, but for us it was the exit!

We ran into the Midwest Living photographer a lot and I can only imaging the wonder they will create with all of the photos!

A peek over the bridge, one of the last views of Northville for the day.

Thank you to Stephanie and Vaughn Rawson and to Bill Gilmore and Scott Smith.

Gypsy Squashblossom Lee -Prim Pumpkin

2010-09-29T04:28:00.001-07:00

I waited for the sun to come up this morning so I could take my pumpkin outside to photograph her... The wet grass met my bare feet in shocking alarm! It never ever in the slightest bit occurred to me to slip on shoes, I was a woman on a mission. The pant legs of my pajamas were wet but I persevered.... I wanted so badly for you to met her!

~Gypsy Squashblossom Lee~

The star of Pumpkin Burlesque

She will be going on a journey this weekend to Ghoultide Gathering, she is very excited...

She features vintage fabric and old time embellishments. She is a Prim Pumpkin original.

Sometimes we have to go outside in the early morning dew to see what the fuss is all about.

Ghoultide Loot Dream

2010-09-27T03:51:00.000-07:00

I know I should be getting ready for work, but I'd rather send you a quick little note! I told of ornament making in my last post and I wanted to share a picture. A sweet little Jack and a star to boot!

It's so cold here in Michigan this morning. My alarm went off and I really struggled to free myself from the warmth of my blankets. I remembered immediately that I had dreamed of Ghoultide, a Halloween artist gathering here in MI. Last year it was wonderful, I don't care that it rained or that I ran out of money before the salivation fell from my lip... Just so see the excellence of talent poured into such a small space is amazing. Can you tell, I am excited?? The event is next Saturday! I dreamed that I harvested loot, ate with the likes of artists comparable to Monet... in my mind, and shared it all with the man of my dreams...

As you know, one of my Prim Pumpkins was featured on the cover and more inside of the Autumn issue of Art Doll Quarterly, I can't tell you how wonderful this has been for my art work. I was greeted this morning by two emails from collectors wanting to add my dolls to their collection. Both had viewed my work in the magazine and wanted to post their mags to me for me to sign and post back.

To say the least, I am overjoyed that something I created continues to spark a happy spark in the eye of Halloween art collectors!

just a quick glimpse of a new Prim Pumpkin...

2010-09-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten about you my sweet blog lovers!

I have been fully in the swarm of creating!!! This is the latest lovie pumpkin wumpkin, he is much too sweet for pie. I have been making Halloween ornaments as well, which I will show you in my next post... all with the thought of my upcoming show....Fall into the Arts Battle Creek MI 10/15/10.

Okay, so I have to visit this subject ever so lightly... I only want to do shows next year, that are Halloween specific or Holiday... Folk Art focused. This one I am doing is the exception because it is fine art oriented and people really get my work. I need to find shows or a show that my art will be well received at. I have been doing well on etsy and ebay is a possibility...

While selling my work is not the reason for creating, I do need a viable lane of communicating with Halloween collectors. I have been thinking a lot about this and I really would like to be part of a Big Halloween Extravaganza.

This new little pumpkin is looking up in the sky for a wisp of glitter left by the broom of a good witch!

I want to show you some of my Halloween decor... I really have a ball creating auspicious vignettes of spooky cheer!

This image features work by the Holiday Queen, Joyce Stahl, Shelia Bentley, JoeTakens and moi.

This picture features a band of my Prim Pumpkins!

Market Untraditional Witch

2010-09-09T03:17:00.000-07:00

This is the Market Witch I had eluded to in my last posting. She rarely makes her way out of the house, because of this her skin is pale and when she dusts a fine powdering of rouge it looks strange and out of place. I am so excited to share her with you.

She moves quickly to the market with hopes of gathering all of the herbs to concoct her next potion...maybe it's one of love, or maybe it's a creative mojo potion, made with the intent of getting me on track for the Holiday.

I fashioned her clothing of bright and beautiful fabric, straying from the normal trappings of traditional Halloween coloring and flying on my broom directly into different.

Her hat really turned out as I'd hoped. Around the edges it's imperfect and has character. I imagined her hat to have once been black, but she loved the feel and so when the time came to replace it, she had it recovered ... like a good sofa, instead. :)

Just a peek into the studio during the creative process!

Bounty of the Market

2010-09-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

A whisper of the most wonderful time of year has breathed its magic through our little town these past few days. The farmer's market was filled with ponchos and lightly woven covers over the organic cotton t shirts and sundresses of two weeks ago. Apples speckled the farmer’s tables in all fashions and tangs of taste I love honey crisp ans wad delighted to find a peck. The peaches have had their time in the spotlight and now the prices rise as the farmers glean less and less from the trees. I have never really appreciated the magnificence of a peach until this year. I have always eaten them out of hand. I will share with you this wonderful recipe I found in an old Victoria Magazine on the side bar of my bog. It is wonderful and a tip that was not mentioned in the recipe is to submerge your peaches in hot water before trying to peel. If you don't do this, your peaches post prep will resemble a very unpleasant peach massacre.... you 1 peaches 0....

This Saturday, after the doll bodies were stitched together, we were like treasure hunters seeking a chest of gold at the market... and we found it in the form of tomato's, peppers, garlic, blackberries, flowers, and lavender shortbread cookies, a mixture that elated my senses! We have attended this market all summer long and by attended I mean like a play or production of sorts... the bounty of Michigan taking center stage... the fresh clean vegetables and succulent fruits were like still life arrangements in each vendor's area. I have been guilty of indulging in more than I needed... just because of the beauty of each composition...

Black berries were eaten ravenously out of hand as we walked, many of the other ingredients were to become a pizza for dinner.

I have a few works in progress this week, a market witch, a small pumpkin man and 13 lucky star ornies.

I hope your Labor Day is filled with the bliss of a new season.

The Prim Pumpkin

Being Whole as an Artist

The gift of anticipation....PFATT Ornament Swap 2011

Granny Pumpkin and her magic brooms

Muriel Bennette

The Potion Peddler

The circles that we form

Benefit..... for the Art Center!

Ozella and her Bumbershoot

PFATT MARKETPLACE

Imogene is adorbs!

Head piece of my dreams- A Wedding Crown Tutorial

Feathering Nana

“We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.”-Lucretius

Welcome to my studio

Numbering our tables

From The Prim Potion Pantry

Back from Ghoultide and still floating on clouds... Skeleton Opal

Ghoultide Gathering 2011: Bountiful Ghouls

Manor Wedding

Prim Pumpkin Idgie...a friendship story

Prim Pumpkin Calavera

Pricilla Sprout in Swaddle

Prim Pumpkin WIP

Lucky Apples for the EHAG Emporium

My discoveries

Sprinkle the people you love with love.....Prim Pumpkin Featured on the EHAG BLOG!!

Prim Pumpkin Mad Tea Party 2011 Let's Pretend

Carousel pumpkin vignette..... pleasure in creating moments

Our is better...

Growing Pumpkins- the art doll type

PFATT CHARITY AUCTION

Wedding details...with PFATT help

Polly Spider sat down beside her...

Prim Pumpkin Hilda a study in articulation

Rumpledcake by Twigs and Honey

Lady Louise and a bit on tatting from Prim Pumpkin

Living or Imagined.

The Magic of a Royal Wedding... A studio celebration

Drum Roll Please...

PrIM PuMpKin GiVe AwAY !

You have to duck to enter my studio...

Coffee... the blood of creative

Carol James and my inspired studio...

Divine Josephine

EHAG Challenge Fantome de Citrouille

I am a Brooch Bride-Vintage alternative bouquet

It was a warm August day when her hat arrived...

A PFATT Shoe in GIVEawaY!

Shoe Porn- a non doll posting

Effie in Autumn Bloom!

finding my spot in ritual

the legacy of rummage in my studio

Audrey... an inspired Pumpkin

Yes to the Dress and Pomander try

love and happiness

My Plan!!!

Bliss

Prim Kate a pumpkin of vintage delight

plaid classic style

Growing my creative muscles!

Parisina in vintage finery

Published Pumpkin up for Grabs!

Pumpkins in pastel ROCK!

A magical gathering of PFATT

Candy Corn Louie From Prim Pumpkin

a bit of Halloween blues!

Coraline Pumpkins

Giveaway results and some more!!!

Baby Pumpkin Sprout on Ebay!

The artful side of the tracks

May luck be yours! a Prim Pumpkin Giveaway

Fall into the Art with Prim Pumpkin!

Lighting Candles

Ghoultide Remembrances 2010

Gypsy Squashblossom Lee -Prim Pumpkin

Ghoultide Loot Dream

just a quick glimpse of a new Prim Pumpkin...

Market Untraditional Witch

Bounty of the Market