Quirky Cute Art of All Kinds...
Many years have passed since I first started this crafting adventure, and since then, all sorts of cute art and quirky oddities have come out of Protean Studios! At one point before my long Etsy hiatus, I was running three separate Etsy shops: art, jewelry, and cute randomness - phew! I'm finally opening up shop again, and it's good to be back!
I base my designs on things that inspire me: mostly nature and tasty things in the case of jewelry, art, and plushies! What I happen to create is always changing, always evolving...
[Definition of Protean: very changeable; readily taking on different shapes and forms]
♥ About kokeshi dolls ♥
I've always enjoyed kokeshi, a Japanese type of art doll, and creating them is a labor of love. Each doll starts out as a "blank canvas": plain unfinished hardwood. The techniques I've used have changed over time but always involve individual sketching, painting, and finishing each doll. Currently, I prefer etching each doll through wood-burning for greater depth of appearance. Finally, after drying and meticulous refining, I apply a coat of protective varnish.
♥ About quirky paintings and sculpture and so forth♥
If you haven't figured out by now, I love art and crafting. I have problems sticking to just one medium but that doesn't mean I take short-cuts in techniques or production. I spent well over a decade as a member of my local art center's ceramics studio, mostly working with high-fire ceramics, so I guess a part of me has always been addicted to sculpting and making things. Nowadays I prefer working with polymer clay and mixed media when I get the chance, as well as experimenting with my newer hobby of altering and customizing decorative fun figures.
♥ About fiber craft ♥
I learned how to sew from my mom (aka master sewer/quilter/needlecrafter). I make plushies because they make me smile. My designs are my own and sketched by hand from my imagination. I create pillows, pot holders, and pouches with just as much care and attention to detail. Everything from the needlecraft to the needle-felting is a labor of love. The added functionality of utilitarian fiber craft makes the creative process so satisfying.
MY PLEA TO YOU:
I hand-draw my patterns, designing my items from scratch. Please respect my art by not reproducing, imitating, or printing my work, especially for commercial purposes!
Copyrighted; all rights reserved.
Sales of artworks do not transfer copyrights.
my old acct name: muzzywolf
support *handmade* etsy shops! ♥
♥ Oh, and need I say it? Yes, there is an actual person (me!) over here, creating items for your amusement! It's a sweatshop of one. I hand-sculpt, glaze, etch, paint, cut, sew, and hand-sew (ouch!) all of my items, meaning it takes a LOT of time and energy. (Even the most deceptively simple creations take hours to complete!) So postings are relatively rare. Sorry! Really need or want something? Send me a message!