Dec 21, 2015

Dot and Dolly's Santa Collection


Join me today as I open a box to see just what is in it





I thought that today I would share a few Santas in this collection.  You are seeing them almost as quickly as I am.  I had forgotten these pieces.

This one is The Quilted Coat Santa and I remember thinking at the time which was 1990 that I would call him Santa in His Coat of Many Colors.


He is completely handmade.  I made a body pattern to fit the heads that I'd been sculpting.  I sold many, many of these each one different.  They were a joy to make and each one had it's own personality. This one I gave to mama and now he is back home with me.  I had many others but didn't really keep any for myself.



Santa's beard is a little wild from time and storage, he is after all over 25 years old.  I can hardly believe how quickly the time has gone.  I like the color of his fur also.  I'm glad mama got to enjoy him and now I do again.


 Made in 1994


A little Closer

In pioneer days mothers would make their little children dolls with scraps of fabric.  They would only stuff the little head of the doll and the little arms were tied in knots.  I so enjoyed making these simple little dolls around 1988.  I added her and one of the hand sculpted Santa ornaments made in 1992.  I sold many of those too.  

A closer look at the simple Pioneer Doll


Closer look at a very simple clay ornament that outsold many other items made by me in 1992

In the late 80s and into the mid 90s I did craft shows and had items in a few stores around our area.  I did this under the then name of "Bric a Brac".  A name my mama wanted me to use.  It was such a busy time and she went with me to many shows.  I have fond memories of those times.




I made these almost whimsical Santa Head Ornaments from paper mache.  I covered styrofoam balls with the paper mache and then proceeded to build up the features. This was in 1994.  I remember it took almost a week to dry and harden but today they are as hard as a rock.  The great thing about these is that they are extremely light weight and can be used in any number of ways to decorate.




Sharing More Paper Mache Santas







The Following are made from clay and were such a success.  There are times when we make what people like and people liked these tiny little squatty Santa Figurines.








Patriotic Santa holding Noah's Ark

Who loves this as much as I?  I can say that because I didn't make this particular piece.  Isn't it amazing?  A Sumter artist Debbie Grooms made this.  It is carved clay on wood with tin star accent.  Mama and I always went to the Christmas Craft Shows in Sumter and we loved her work so we would buy a few while there.  We loved her Folk Art for sure!


Another Debbie Grooms Piece

This whimsical piece mama loved.  She was quirky that way and I know it took some talent to carve and cut this wooden piece.  I love it because she did but it wasn't one of my favorites.  She did like it and I have to confess it makes for a showpiece.

I'm going to quit now I just wanted to share this with you.  All of these pieces have been in a box that my Mama had with her.  It has been 2 years since she passed away and I've just been able to open that box to see what was in it.  Sentimental yes, humbling yes, most of the items in the box were things she had gotten from me and it touches my heart I guess she was my biggest fan.
I love you and miss you Mama....

Thanks for sharing this with me and my wish for you all is to have a Very Merry Christmas.



4 comments:

  1. Beautiful!
    I especially love the quilted coat Santa :)

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  2. Those are really nice! Maybe you should teach us how to make them??? :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Kathy!..I added on the design blog several videos for clay because I don't like being filmed...:) I will do a tutorial one day on that and the paper mache...I'll get brave and do it...Thanks for the encouragement!

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