Last Artist of the month for 2008!

For those of you not yet aware of the artistry of Beth of Strange Dolls, this will be a visual feast!!



So exciting!!!



Beth Robinson (Strange Dolls) is an ingenious artist with a grand conscience that shows in every piece she creates. Clearly affected by the world around her, I believe she often creates pieces that reflect her desire to understand & explain the darker circumstances of our world today.


"Stitch Bitch"



I so enjoy her attention to detail and the subtle differences of textures and color even when a "blood stain" is present. This never over-done ability, really impresses me.





She has found wonderful recognition, as she was recently commissioned to create for a Cirque de Soleil installation and fundraiser for energy efficiency!! What an honor!!
The dolls are 30 inches tall and made with Cernit and Aves. They were suspended, like acrobats, in the air.





These odd dolls are not something you will find in a toy store. They are hardly something you would buy for a child. They are misproportioned, strangely dressed, and they have a story and character uniquely their own.







Created after reading about doctor assisted suicide, she created this gripping piece
(I could not upload photo's at the time of publishing, so click link to view..amazing!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strange_dolls/447742587/





Each doll is entirely hand made using polymer clays, vintage fabrics, acrylic paint, and sometimes real human hair or teeth. Each piece is one of a kind.





Artist Bio:




Beth Robinson is a self-taught Vermont artist who has been making and selling hand made dolls since 2003. Although she found significant success with her oil paintings, her life was transformed when a friend sent her a link to a Japanese doll artist's website. From that moment she realized that taking her characters off the canvas and turning them into actual little people would be the best way to express herself.



Her dolls have been featured in the magazines: SPIN (USA), Stuff (USA), Maxim (UK and Hong Kong), Rue Morgue (Canada), Art Doll Quarterly (USA), Nordic Vision (Norway), and RIP (Russia).





"Apparition"

In closing, it is really no wonder that Beth has found such success in her few short years of sculpting. She clearly took to it like a duck in water and has found her "voice". Her dark, even at times unsettling works are always strangely beautiful in execution and leave you pondering what prompted such a piece?

~Links~

Blog - n - Website

Santa came to town & made Mom & Dad proud!

Our 15 year old son Gavin played Santa Claus today for the township children (shhh & maybe some adults)!



Santa always comes the Sunday before Christmas each year driving around town on top of the Fire Truck. Santa's helpers hand out candy canes to all the residents who wait for him to come by!





~I have the warm & fuzzies~

A wonderful honor and my 1 year Anniversary blogging today!

I love the Wymzee Arts award and what it stands for. I am very honored to be thought of in such a lovely way that they chose to add me to their list of recipients.

~CLICK~

To read my interview

What is the the Wymzee Arts Award?

This has been made to Showcase what we believe to be the..... Top Creative Blogs, Websites & Artists currently online. We selected these people because of their Outstanding Art Work, Friendship, Support to all the Craft Community, and Creative Excellence. You will see us showcase only the Best! We would like to say...Welcome to Wymzee Art Friends"Showcase of the Best Artists for the year 2008"

Thank you Sandra & Lisa for thinking of me in such a positive way and for understanding that nothing would make me happier than to see every artist succeed in a way that makes them happy.

a HUGE Thank you to many of you who have followed my lil ambitious blog. Hard to believe I have been doing this consistently for a year already.

You ALL (yes even the woman who called me a devil worshiper for combining Christmas & Halloween arts together on SpookyTimeJingles.com) have made my life better.

I have seen many opinions, suggestions, hopes, dreams, aspirations & inspirations. I have seen many of you lift each other up and care for each other in times of need. I have seen you join in swaps, host swaps, give awards and help spread "the" word about the latest and greatest.

This whole blogging atmosphere, 100% has created communities of people with common goals who genuinely care for each other, even though many have never actually met.

I am undoubtedly a better person due to this art driven community we have accidentally created. You all inspire me and show me the best in people. Thank you all for so much for welcoming me with open arms and for caring about what I have to say.

Much Love,

~Dani~

Ok, One more...PLEASE!

This cause is VERY important to me. PLEASE read and vote online.



President -elect Obama's team has created a web site asking individuals
to submit ideas for change and below is a link regarding ending sexual
violence. They are going to look at the top 3 ideas, so spread the work
on this one, which currently has only 61 votes.



http://www.change.org/ideas/view/get_serious_about_ending_sexual_violence







As a volunteer first responder to victims of sexual assault I can tell you we need ALL the resources we can get.





Besides, keeping up with the current technology so that forensically we can be sure to capture all the evidence (our machines are only a few years old are already outdated). We also need to provide the victim with a multitude of harsh medications to help combat any sexually transmitted diseases, a full change of new clothing as we take everything for forensic testing, Medical Care, Counseling, Legal aid, and sometimes shelter all add to the astronomical cost of caring for victim.





Imagine you or a loved one was in such a situation, would you not wish you had these services to help you through what is undoubtedly among if not thee absolute worst event ever in your life?




Now deal with it for the rest of your life.





I could ramble for hours and truth be told the details of why ALL nationwide organizations need more resources is because rape and incest is not going away without more monies, education & prevention programs & YOUR HELP!!





Please take the time to vote.




To learn more on how you can help or how to protect your loved ones, please visit:

Please make a difference FOR FREE!! GIVE RESPECT

Dear Friends....



There's a worldwide rally for respect going on. And it's all about preventing violence against women and children by building safer, healthier, and stronger homes and communities throughout the world.



Join me at the rally for respect at GiveRespect.org. Geoffrey Beene Gives Back™ will donate $5 to the Family Violence Prevention Fund just for entering the site. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference.



I ended having $25.00 donated in my name FOR FREE just by following the simple instructions that took me 5 minutes or less to click! I decided to donate $5.00 of my own money and Geoffrey Beene MATCHES YOUR DONATION !!! Just Keep following the prompts to donate for FREE!!



PLEASE... LET US ALL...

Show People we do care about them and that we will not tolerate abuse.


With Respect,
~Dani~

1st Time ever offered....

~I painted this in 2007 remembering some of the harder times in my life~


Ok, y'all...here it is. Go to my Etsy shop and....




MAKE AN OFFER!


That's right, make any offer on any piece for sale on Etsy .


Why, you ask?


Well, I have a very dear friend who was downsized many
weeks ago and still is without any income and lil prospects for the near future.


It is very important to me to help this friend. I adore this person and know how hard they are struggling. Many years ago this person was there for me in a time when I needed help as much as I didn't want to admit it.



ALL monies will go to help this person.



~Hugs in advance~


~x0x0's Dani~

~Quick News~

December 1oth will mark the next update on Pfatt!



You will find, I have some super fun & festive holiday pieces up for sale and priced to sell with Free SHIPPING!! Woo Hoo!



I would also like to ask you to visit my fellow SpookyTimeJingles artist Ginny Diezel on her Pfatt debut on Wednesday the 10th! Ginny is a wonderful artist/designer who is too humble to tell you how accomplished she is (Demdaco, ESC, Robert Kaufman.......).



~ HappY HolidayS my friends ~


~may the season bring you tons of smiles & heart warming joy~



~Dani~

Catching up and winner announced!

Well my friends I am soo very behind but really who isn't, right? Good news is my Red Friday Sales event went so well that I am stunned. I hadn't been selling much over the last few weeks and I can now see it was not my art that was the issue, it was pricing/shipping.

It is a frugal time and I must adapt by making smaller, less time consuming pieces. This is a bit of a challenge for me as I create whatever my minds says to.

I never did my November Artist of the month (hate that I didn't..ugh) & I am just getting around to announcing the blog giveaway winner for the Christmas cd.

I am tickled Christmas pink over the random number generators choice of #4 as she is one of my dear blog friends and a SpookyTimeJingles artist...

Suz Of Surprise, Delight, Joy

CONGRAT'S!

I hope you enjoy your Jingle Bell Jam Cd and it helps puts you into an extra festive mood!

~Hugs to all my sweet blogger friends~

~dani~

Red Friday is coming!!

This Friday, December 5th is Red Friday!


A group of us Etsyans will be updating our shops with new goodies and sales for the holidays ALL on the same day! I have been saving some new Holiday Treasures just for this special Etsy Sale.<BR>


To see the list of participating shop owners click the ad above or go to http://www.handmadehullabaloo.blogspot.com/.
More added daily until we hit our cap.




Happy Shopping!


Oh and do not forget that SpookyTime Jingles had an extra update today!! You should see these pieces of holiday art..AMAZING!!

SpookyTime Jingles will be updating again on its usual day the 13th of each month. So more goodies again in 2 weeks!! Woo Hoo~