Because I couldn't help myself, I finished my new little doll (now named Milena), before quite finishing the installation for my redhead.

 Milena is in the shop as of today.

The redhead is still awaiting her bower, her embellishments, and a name.

 And then there's this.

 This mysterious creature, as yet unnamed, is still second (or third or fourth, depending on how you count) in line in my ever-increasing roster of projects "in the hole".

 And yet, as excited as I am about the rest (which is very), this one has taken over my mind and heart.

 I'm in love with it. Maybe even slightly obsessed. I love the way its limbs fall akimbo when it sits in my hand, the weight of it, the perfect palm size of it, the different attitudes it takes as gravity works its magic.

I can't help propping it in different corners of the room as I work on other projects, glancing over at it from time to time to see what it's doing, how its personality is taking hold of my environment.

 I love its waxed-twine joints and its awkward knees, its mysterious smirk and teddy-bear hood, and its Pierrot buttons - created with the help of my daughter, who was dying to try her preternaturally-agile hand at a little clay sculpting.

As many projects as I have to complete before I finish bringing this one to life, I can't wait to see how it turns out. And you?

 Goodness, many, many new things in the works for the shop to announce!

 A new series of illustrations...

 As well as a new series of romantic necklaces, both dramatic and nostalgic...

 Including some featuring cameos details from some of my most beloved illustrations.

 Some in the shop already, and many, many more to come (including another doll very soon!) in the weeks to come.

Enjoy!

(update: the second necklace shown here is already sold, but I'll be working on many more in the next few weeks!)

(Update: both the necklaces have been sold, but there are a couple of new ones in the shop, and more to come in the next weeks!)

Wow, what a whirlwind of a year! Only a few more days until 2011!

In shop news, I have a few new customized prints in the shop for a limited time, just from now until Valentine's Day!
All prints are 7" x 10" on 8.5" x 11" cotton watercolor rag. Beautiful paper, suitable for framing, each signed in the lower right corner. 

More special Valentine's offerings to come over the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, enjoy your family and your celebrations, one and all! OX

 I'm very proud of this lovely girl in her windy-day hat that I've been working on all week. She's a commission, and is off to her new home in China tomorrow.

Next up....a new one for the shop. This time a redhead!

 It's Christmas week, and all through the house...

 New things in the works for the shop!

 

 It's going to be a busy 2011!

Though conscious thought has been at a minimum since we've all been sick, lots of things have still managed to transpire in my studio. 

 Among them my Mr. Fox, whom I hand-sewed from some extra muslin, and hand-painted for our Christmas tree. 

He now wears a little brass bell from India around his neck, so that we can keep track of him. Foxes, as we all know, are sly creatures!

 Muslin and cheesecloth being dyed in tea. The steam is nice for clogged sinuses, which is a bonus ;)

 And drying in the studio, awaiting their transformation into tiny dresses.

 Feathers and sheepskin, awaiting their dodgy fate. Heh-heh.

 And then, in the midst of a solemn work day, there's this....

 A little sprite who pops in quite unannounced and dances around on the work table which I was attempting to use to photograph some pieces for the shop.

 Hence the white backdrop and lovely lighting which, I suppose, she did not fail to recognize for its dramatic potential.

The Q is crafty like that. Like Mr. Fox. You've gotta keep an eye on her. 

btw that around her wrist is her jingle-bell bracelet that she insisted I make for her from a set of mismatched vintage Indian brass bells that arrived the other day in the mail, and some of my tea-dyed muslin. It took me an entire James Bond marathon (all that my ailing brain was up for) to put them together, but I made one for her tiny wrist and one for mine. They jingle just faintly when you move, like the sound of distant sleighbells. They have been such a resounding success - neither Q nor I have taken ours off since I made them - that I think a version will soon be in the shop!

Also in the works, a series of cameo necklaces based on a few of my most popular illustrations. Hopefully ready in January!

 Though we've been a cooped-up household with a sick little girl to tend to, I have been working hard. As a result, my Little Mermaid is in the shop, and so is my January girl, Belinda!

 In her polar bear hat and snow-dotted dress, Belinda luxuriates in the season. 

 Belinda comes installed in her whiteout box adorned with white feathers and wrapped like a gift in a white satin ribbon. 

She is jointed at the shoulders and hips with elastic. She can be removed from her box, but if she is, she will have a ragdoll sort of languor to her limbs.

 Belinda is entirely hand-sculpted of natural air-dry clay and hand-painted. Her dress and hat are hand-sewn as well.

 On the workbench today...

 A little mermaid, yearning for the life above.

 On my workbench today: a commission for a blog friend.

I can't tell you how in love I am with this angora mohair that I found. It took a bit of trial and error to find the right hair, and the first couple of batches that I ordered didn't work out. But this...this hair is heaven. 

I have ordered a light auburn and a black-brown in the same premium angora mohair and can't wait to try them out!

Also today I am very excited about the mermaid tail that just came out of the oven...

hint, hint....

She is in the shop!

Complete with her hand-painted fabric moon ornament, and this original, frameable pen-and-ink illustration of pine forests to set the stage. 

ALSO: go here for an update on my giveaway...since we've all been under the weather and out of touch for a few days, I am making up for my absence by offering everyone who comments on this post a 20% discount coupon. In addition, one lucky winner to be chosen on Friday will win an 8/5"x11" print of their choice. Good luck!

More soon.

Coupon giveaway!

Go to my home blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a 20% off coupon code good for any purchase from The Voyagers shop! Winner will be chosen on Friday.

 Princess and the Pea is fully-fledged and nearly ready for the shop.

I'm very proud of her.

 Restless atop her feather beds, she is surrounded by a  cloud of finest, pale-blond mohair.

 She comes inside her box, but can be removed and displayed atop her stack of mattresses.

She also comes with a single, hand-painted fabric moon ornament.