One of a Kind Art

New Etsy Items

2009-03-25T01:14:00.002-04:00

Hey you! I just wanted to drop a quick line to let you know I posted some craft books on Etsy! For the full story, go to my other blog and read this!

Also, if you'd like to do an interview here at One of a Kind Art, please contact me!

An Unusual Find

2009-03-06T13:23:00.003-05:00

I ran across something really different today. I have never seen anything like it, but I just love it!

It's one of many interesting projects by a person on Flickr. Please go check out all their images!

It makes me want to go out and find some of my own driftwood! How about you? LOL

Sweet and Whimsical

2009-03-05T12:03:00.006-05:00

I have just come across an artist whose drawings just make me feel like a little girl! LOL She lives in Italy, and does several different types of art, but from what I've seen, I like the drawings best. Not that there's anything wrong with the other, but the drawings just speak to me.

How do you feel about it? Does it say sweet and whimsical to you, too?

I just love this! And she has more drawings that are similar characters! They just make me giggle! And giggling is GOOD!!!

Go check out her blog and other works of art at http://gufobardo.blogspot.com/. You'll be happy you did!

New for St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-03T20:16:00.002-05:00

Saint Patricks Day is always fun for me, because it means we're just that much closer to Spring! And, since I hate the cold weather, the coming of Spring is a big deal for me! LOL

I love how everyone gets into the spirit, and wears shamrocks and leprechaun hats with child-like abandon! It's the perfect time for us artists and crafters to get our fingers green! LOL And there are all sorts of things being made.

Now, I couldn't grab a link to a picture of this one, but you have to go check it out! Someone got one of their trees involved in the fun!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetcreations/2342424471/

Now, this is truly one of a kind, although, not technically a craft. LOL It's a cake! It was made for a woman who's birthday falls on St. Patrick's Day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mycrayonbox/2036052099/

Isn't this a cute little guy? And the puppet ain't bad either! LOL Isn't this a fun way to celebrate St. Patty's? And guess what??? There is even a tutorial, so you can make your own! I just love leprechauns!

How do you feel about sock monkeys? Or, maybe I should say, sock leprechauns? Check out this cutie!

How about a 1920's flapper all done up in green for St. Patrick's Day? Isn't she lovely? You really must go check out the website of the artist!

http://www.artsycraftsyfolks.com/servlet/the-516/Primitive-Leprechaun-Doll-for/Detail

And one more, for those of you who love primitive decor for your home! Isn't he cute? There are also other things related to St. Patty's day on that site. Looks like lots of nice prim items.

If you make any OOAK art, or have a St. Patrick's Day craft to show off, post your url in your comment! We'd all love to see it!

Learn a new craft skill

2009-01-21T00:04:00.003-05:00

Image by clayladyinred via FlickrHey there! If you're here, it's very likely you're into arts and crafts. Am I right? I thought so! LOL

I'd like to share a few videos with you that I'm sure would be a great help to anyone. By clicking on the links, you will be taken to a site called SmartFlix. They rent only videos that help you learn something. Isn't that neat? If you're like me, and have a hard time spending money on expensive how-to dvds, this is a great way to test drive them first!

(The doll above is one of mine. She's a cheerleader made after my daughter!)

The first one is from my great love. Sculpting figures/dolls with polymer clay. It's called Sculpting Polymer figures for Beginners, and is made by the renowned Patricia Rose! She makes the most beautiful art dolls, and does a lot of teaching. The techniques she uses on her dolls are a bit complicated, so I'd start with this video, and work up to the more advanced ones.

Or, you may like a different style of doll, more like the ones Jack Johnston teaches in Making Art Dolls. I just love Jack's style! And I actually own these dvds! Some of the ideas I learned from them helped me make my Native American Indian doll I showed you in a previous post. Plus, if you have any questions, he is really great about answering emails!

Now, if you're into jewelry, you might enjoy this video called Essential Beadmaking. It is great for the beginner glass beadmaker, or anyone wanting to try a new technique! And, it's got great reviews! You can read all about it on the page!

A very hot craft right now is knitting! I have never really been interested in doing it, but I admire anyone who does! I just don't have the patience for it. When I make my dolls, I can see the results almost immediately! But, if you have been wanting to try it, then check out Knitting Workshop with Elizabeth Zimmermann.

Now, I won't try to con you. Yes, these are affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission if you sign up and rent after clicking a link here. Us stay at home moms gotta make a living somehow! LOL But, I wouldn't suggest these to you, if I didn't believe in them. That's just not right, and I would feel horrible if I tried to talk you into something that wasn't any good. So, if you are wanting to try something new (and there are hundreds of videos, btw), then please help me out by clicking through with one of my links! Thanks so much!

My Indian is Finished!

2008-12-30T15:19:00.004-05:00

As promised, here are the pictures of my finished Native American Indian! I'm sorry, but I was in too much of a time crunch to get pics of the wrapping and clothes making. Enjoy!

I made a fish pendant, and a bowl and spoon, which is in his lap.

I used a matte varnish, but it still had a bit of a shine, which showed up more with the flash from the camera.

Uck, the camera really makes the varnish show up, but it didn't look like that in person. Granny was tickled pink with her present, anyway! I forgot to take my camera when we visited her in the nursing home, but my sister-in-law is supposed to get a pic of her with her doll when she visits her. If so, I'll post that pic a little later!

My Native American Art Doll

2008-12-22T12:52:00.005-05:00

Image by clayladyinred via FlickrHello Everyone!

I wanted to share with you really quick the early parts of my Native American Indian doll. I am trying to get him finished by Christmas, as he's a present for my hubby's Granny, so I'm really working a lot, but I wanted to take a few minutes to show you how far I am right now.

Oh, here (to the right) is a pic of the first Native American I made. He is solid clay, and lives with my father-in-law.

Now these photos represent a few days worth of work. Didn't want you to think I did all this in one day. I'd be ..... Da da da daaaaa... SUPER SCULPTOR!!! LOL Which I'm not. So, without further ado, here are the photos!

These are the eyes I made and baked. I like to make more than I need, so I'll have some to work with if some don't fit or get lost, etc.

These are two sets of eyes I had begun painting. I made brown for this doll, and blue for the Willy Wonka doll I want to do next. In this pic, I still needed to paint the pupil and accent dot. After I did that, I painted them with a super shiny varnish!

These are the hands almost ready for baking. I still need to tweek them just a touch. They are on a wire armature that has been wrapped with floral tape. If you haven't tried this, I highly recommend it. It makes things sooo much easier!

Here is the baked head. As you can see, I added just a touch of the shoulders and chest, so the clothing wouldn't expose any batting in the finished peice. I still need to paint him, and coat him with a matte varnish. And, of course, add the hair. LOL

This shows everything I have at the moment. By the hands are a bowl, feather for his hair, fish bead for a pendant, and a spoon. They all still need to be baked and painted. You can sort of see that I drew out my skeleton pattern on paper, then cut all the wire, and floral taped it together. That floral tape seems flimsy, but it really holds it together well!

So, that's it! I'll post more pics probably after Christmas. I have a feeling I'll be pretty busy till then! LOL

Cute Santa and Elf Vignette

2008-12-19T16:15:00.003-05:00

Only a few days left till Christmas, so I figured I should show you more Christmas art, while there's still time. And this one is really cute!

This one is called Helping Hand, and is created by artist Betty Lou Byrnes.

Heralding from Naperville, IL, Betty has really made a name for herself in the Art Doll world. After studying under Judith Klawitter and Jack Johnston, she was awarded the title of Master Artist. Also, she's a member of The Professional Doll Makers Art Guild and the Academy of American Doll Artists.

But that's not all. This amazing lady has been featured in several magazines and books, and has had her dolls in several exhibitions!

Please take the time to go check out her site!

Sweet Gingerbread Houses, but Don't Eat Them

2008-12-15T20:20:00.007-05:00

Why? You ask.

Because these adorable abodes are made completely with polymer clay! Yep, you heard me right! An artist by the name of Sharon Sahl at SOS Designs makes these gingerbread houses, including all the embellishments, and other ornaments and such.

This year, she made 10 Christmas cottages, ranging in price from $195 to $255. Oh, I know, that sounds like a lot, but not when you see what intricate detail she puts into them. She has to have spent many hours on each one. And, I tell you what, they are selling FAST!!!

Look at the details on this! All the candies, pretzels, gingerbread folks are made from polymer clay! I find that amazing! But really, these pictures don't do them justice. Go to her site, and click the small pictures to see the large version! The site doesn't say what size they are, but I'm guessing probably around 10 to 15 inches, which just makes them that much more incredible!

Please do pay her a visit, and you might want to put in an order for next year!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to leave a comment, cause ya know I love hearing from you!

Art Doll Quarterly

2008-11-18T19:15:00.004-05:00

Hello Friends!

I'd like to share with you something I absolutely love! It's a magazine called Art Doll Quarterly. I love, love, love it!!! Had I known about it before, I'd have told you long ago, but I just recently discovered it! It's been published for a few years now. It's published by Stampington, who also puts out scrapbooking, and other magazines you may already know of.

This is the Winter 2009 issue, and it's wonderful! There are several different artists and dolls featured in this issue, and it's really hard to tell you which one is my favorite. They are all so different and special in their own ways!

Some of the dolls are all cloth, some are polymer or paper clay, and some are paper and other mixed-media. It's just amazing to see the wonderful imaginations that fill these pages. Maybe one of these days, I'd submit something of mine. Wouldn't that be a hoot?!!

What? Stranger things have happened! ;-)

A one year subscription is $35, and it's well worth it IMHO! If I'm doing my math right, that makes it about 50% less than if you buy it somewhere. Cool beans, huh? Which reminds me, I missed the Fall issue, so I'm gonna have to go order the back issue. Cause.... I just gotta have it!

Hey, let me know if you like this magazine, too! What is your favorite issue or doll/artist?

Very Unique Shoes

2007-11-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

I always see things made by polymer clay artists that are cute, sweet, beautiful, and sometimes, even scary! Today, though, I've found something that is just totally adorable! I bet you won't be able to look at Lucy Arnold's shoes without going "awwww"! LOL

Yes! They are really "awwww" inspiring! hehehe

And, they are so varied and original! I've never seen anything like them before.

But, her shoes aren't the only artwork she has to share. She's had a diverse background, and has worked in many mediums. I think you'll truly enjoy exploring her entire site! So, why not go visit her site, and let me know how you like it! *blatantly fishing for comments* LOL

Lucy Arnold

Tiger Pixie

2007-10-04T16:50:00.000-04:00

Greetings Friends!

I just remembered an exceptional artist I'd like to tell you about! Carrie Hawks, and her website is called Tigerpixie Art Studio. If you like cats and/or fantasy art, you are going to love her work! She uses such amazing colors and details, and places the cats in all sorts of whimsical and interesting poses and scenes. I am always inspired when I see her work, and I know you will be, too!

The image above is entitled "Bast Goddess", and is one of her fantasy cats. She also has Fairy, Gothic, and Domestic cats, as well as Original art. Please fly on over to Tigerpixie Art Studio, and check her out!

Woopitydoo Art

2007-09-21T23:31:00.000-04:00

I have always had a love for Halloween, and especially Halloweenish art!!! If it's kinda creepy and weird, I'll probably like it! And, I bet a lot of you do, too!

Well, this art doll from Woopitydoo Art was created by Pat Benedict, and she has a very nice collection of original Halloween inspired pieces on her website. A couple of the pieces seem to defy gravity, and I would love to know how that is done. LOL Go check out all her dolls at Woopitydoo Art!

Headless Horseman

2007-09-21T22:33:00.000-04:00

With Halloween just around the corner, I'd like to share a wonderful piece I've found! This one is entitled Headless Horseman, and was inspired by the story of Sleep Hollow. It is Nina Mason's interpretation of the Hessian, with period costume, and lots of amazing details!

Please check out her Etsy store at Nina Mason Dolls, if you like historical figures! She has several pieces available, and I have to tell you, they are just gorgeous!

Off Topic - Second Life

2007-08-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Ok, this has nothing to do with OOAK art.... or does it??? If you haven't heard of Second Life, it's a free virtual world! And, there are plenty of amazing artists there. Not just the ones who have created the main graphics, but there are even artists showing their work in the virtual galleries, and some of them are making a pretty good living at selling their work!

I wrote a short post about Second Life one of my other blogs, Shannon's Blog, if you'd like to check it out! There are links to join or check it out, if you'd like, and several pics! I hope to see you there!

My Own Art

2007-08-27T21:25:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you're interested, but just in case, I thought I'd let you see some of the things I've made. Click the photo to get to my Flickr albums. Enjoy!

Fabric Artist

2007-08-14T23:34:00.000-04:00

Beate's Fabric Art, by Beate Knapp of Dusseldorf, Germany, is definately one of a kind! I just ran across her blog, where she shows and discusses her various art pieces, and I instantly fell in love! Some are fun and some are funky, but all of them speak to me. How about you? Go check out her blog, and let me know what you think of this talented lady!

Beate's Fabric Art

Jurisdiction

2007-08-10T01:39:00.000-04:00

After searching for quite a while, I have finally found a site that I LOVE, but had lost the link to. You know how it is, you reformat your hard drive, and OOPS, all those beloved bookmarks are history.

But all was not lost, because I was determined to find this site for you! For several years, this woman has been my inspiration, and an aspiration for me. Her work is just amazing, and I know you will feel the same way.

Please take the time to visit every part of her site, as there are wonderful things everywhere, including her About Me page. She is one extremely strong and smart person.

So, go check out all her fairies, and other creatures on Widow Bryant. Please be aware some of her pieces are nude, but you will be warned before you view them.

The Creagers

2007-08-09T18:48:00.000-04:00

Greetings!

Today I'd like to share with you two artists! Yes, two! Count 'em! LOL

Richard and Jodi Creager are a wonderfully talented husband and wife team. They are both talented, mighty talented, on their own, but together, they create some of the most marvelous art dolls I've ever seen.

Check them out at Creager Studio.

Cheri's Fairies

2007-08-07T21:45:00.001-04:00

This lady is very talented. I've seen several of her fairies, and they are just exquisite! Check her out on Ebay. You won't be disappointed by what you find!

Living Art

2007-07-25T21:51:00.000-04:00

This is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. And, it's so unique!

About this Blog

2007-07-13T22:41:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to let you know why I've created this blog. I love OOAK artwork. OOAK means One of a Kind. I love to create it, view it, and share it with others!

My favorite style is art dolls, but I get a real kick out of anything that's original and unusual! So, I'll be sharing long time favorites, as well as new finds!

Please feel free to send me your OOAK art, and leave comments about other's work. Yeah, talk to me people!!! LOL