Faerie Shaylee

I just returned from a seminar with the delightful, talented Deb Wood. I learned SO MUCH more about sculpting with polymer clay. Faerie Shayleee was the result of my adventure. "Shaylee" is of Celtic/Gaelic origin meaning "Fairy Princess of the Field". Can you see her freckles??

Faerie Shaylee

Blogging Friends are the BEST!

Another lovely surprise in the mail last week - from my friend, Lynn B, The Stitching Fairy. Aren't these gifts AWESOME?!?!? (I'm not certain why these pictures are showing up caddy-wompus, they look fine until I import them into Blogger)......

THANK YOU, LYNN! I LOVE THEM ALL!!

Now I'm getting ready to head north for a five days of sculpting!!

Surprise Package, Nerissa and Marin

Good morning! Time is flying by 'way too quickly between posts. I really, REALLY must become more diligent about reading your blogs and updating mine. I'm afraid 2017 has found me woefully short on both.

A few weeks ago, I received a surprise in the mail from a sweet blogging friend, Jo (Serendipitous Stitching).  Jo send a lovely card and a copy of Cross Stitch Collection magazine that contained my blog and interview. Jo - THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF ME! (Aren't blogging friends the greatest EVER?!)?

In spite of no stitching to show, I have been busy - here is my first full body sculpt - Nerissa. It's American/Greek for "Daughter of the Sea" or "Nymph of the Sea". I took a class from Deb Wood. She is an awesome sculptor and teacher - Deb - THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF!!

Nerissa, Daughter of the Sea

When I returned from working with Deb, I immediately started another mermaid sculpt. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm very proud of how this little one turned out - meet Marin, Star of the Sea:

Marin, Star of the Sea

Marin's Journey

 One of the things I love about creating is researching the meaning behind whatever it is I set my mind to create. It makes the entire process more meaningful to me. It is my hope that that spirit will shine through to the observer.

Before embarking on this little mermaid’s journey, I studied the myth and folklore behind mermaids. They are considered to be sea dwelling creatures with the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of a fish, conveying elegance and fantasy. Most have long hair, either red or gold. Their hair symbolizes that of the supernatural or of the gods. In myth and folklore, mermaids are often described as being seen above the surface of the sea combing their hair and gazing into a mirror. The ancient Syrians are said to have worshipped a mermaid moon goddess, Atargatis.

Out of this information Marin was born - a golden haired beauty, gazing into a mirror admiring her gold tresses and hypnotic gaze.  The name “Marin” is of Irish and Celtic origin meaning “star of the sea”.  Hence the star fish embellishments surrounding her coral throne and the sand dollar with the star on her crown. Marin wears a moon tattoo armband in memory of Atargatis.

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And - there's MORE to share! Till next time.....