Velvet Torso Treasures Mannequin, Lace,Buttons +

20" high with her 5" base, this figure is made from blace cotton velvet and has many vintage treasures sewn on her. Beautiful old buttons, pink tulle under her lace skirt, I believe needle lace dollies, tassels, beads and beaded lace, ribbon, and a large vintage button at top. I really like using these torsos to showcase my found treasures and get them out there again. A one of a kind.

Abstract Black Box Assemblage

35" by 11"" by 3" deep, showcase vintage wood box assemblage. Found objects, copper box and small wood box, hard rubber wheels, wagon wheels, , vintage zipper pieces, antique wrought iron pieces, applied metal handle, metal boat elements, easel part, metal pipe joint, woven metal, wood knob , washers, hooks, snaps and vintage buttons, wood pieces and toy wheels. Whimsical abstract art. All painted flat black except the silver elements. Solid and heavy, hangers on back but can stand alone, inside or outside.

St. Francis with the Birds

St. Francis with the birds, an assemblage in an antique wood slotted box, 13" by 21" Handmade paperclay owls, vintage repaired chalkware St. Frances from larger piece, Painted birdhouse, cut bases from an aged wood dowel, wood pieces, copper sheeting,painted and detailed vintage wood birds, ceramic vintage bird, wood painted beads, faux ivy and pine, small mirror.

blog hop

20 Angels on Wood

A grouping of vintage golden angels in an antique wooden box..which years ago had another purpose of holding 7-Up bottles. Now with a soft aged worn patina , embellished with angel figures and shell buttons and golden chains to keep them from flying off. At top is a small old handmade shelf, now used to point upwards, and topped with a star. Made and found elements help dress this up, and a bit of gold paint.  The overall size is 27" by 12" by 5". 

Henry V111

Henry V111, finished, except for alittle ear work and a final matt sealing of his face. I changed his beard from mohair to clay, and like it better. Now he has his sword and glove, after giving up his eating utensils. So, I guess he is almost completely done...

Waterloo in a Printer's Drawer

This is an antique drawer that I've wondered what to do with for a few years. Then I found a set of vintage plastic figures and I knew they could have a war in that drawer. Maybe it is Waterloo. Gold leaf and  found elements add to the look. 17" by 22", set for hanging on the wall. What fun!

More Mannequin Art

2 more examples of using lace beads and trim on a torso..

Mannequin Art

I have made 3 life size figures in my Mannequin Treasures series, using themes like buttons, lace and rhinestones. Now I am making a series of 15" size using recycled embroidery, buttons,tassels, lace, jewelry pieces fabrics and found elements. It is enjoyable for me to put together, and to use up treasures that I have collected for years. I am not buying anything new but using what I have on hand. I have some beautiful pieces of lace and trim that I like to bring to life in this way, instead of keeping them tucked away. I also like incorporating memory elements, like fabrics and tiny pictures that belonged to someone. This one is a hand stitched embroidery peacock with antique buttons and shell buttons with many other elements, and I am still adding on to it. The peacock is silk thread, and was part of a framed picture that was partly destroyed , and badly faded. The tassels are also vintage silk handmade.

Henry VIII , wating for dinner

I have been working on Henry theVIII for some time, and I am going to make him a dagger and gloves for his hands, but got an idea to use a fork and knife for the time being, and then it made me smile to see him serious about waiting for his food. Maybe I should add a bit of whimsey to some of my work. He is 26" high on his wood base, cloth body with paper clay head and hands. Glass eyes and mohair beard. My friend Roberta actually started a Henry 8th figure years ago and got tired of him, so she sent me his things, and I used the shirt she made, and some of her fabrics. Thanks, Roberta! It's been fun making him..so far.

another Vicent van Gogh

This Vincent van Gogh figure is the smallest I have made, at 22" high.

I used one of his self portraits for inspiration, done after he cut off his ear.

He is made from paper clay and cloth. Painted eyes. I just put him up on ETSY.