nature fairy

i had sworn i wasn't going to show or sell any of the jewelry that i'm making for the vendor show at artfest in the first of april - but i really can't help sharing this little sweetie with all of you, because she absolutely radiates with the anticipation of spring.  this is the last, and extra, day of february, and sure as rain, the clouds have gathered and are hanging over firefly road with all the greyness and bleak colors that the last of this season brings.  winter here in the mountains is not really over, really over, until well into may - and i say that without exaggeration.  yes, we have our short warm spells and sunny weather, but the nights are frigid, the cold penetrating, and the need for a good hearty fire lingering until the threat of frost is past - in may.

i love the way this little porcelain doll swings above the hand carved bird (which happens, i believe, to have a worm in its mouth), and below the vintage pressed glass (miss liz, i've thought of you all day long, as i've fashioned this particular piece) and sea green pearls.  this antique french silk ribbon - i'm sure many of you will remember that i've used it in quite a few pieces, and dyed it back in june) - is the loveliest shade of teal, and ever so hard to capture its colors consistently; one day it will seem blue; another morning, green - perhaps that is its simple beauty.  at any rate, i'm offering her on my etsy site for only a couple of days; if monday comes and she's still there, i'm yanking her up and putting her quietly into that drawer with all of the other pieces.  she won't mind, as she'll have sweet company there.  (note:  4:44pm.  sold.)

aren't they dear?!  the more i work with them, the stronger my attachment - which is bittersweet, as the numbers dwindle.  i've been seeing other little antique porcelain dolls cropping up recently in the most unexpected places - and have to frankly say that mine are the sweetest still.  for those of you who've written of late and inquired if i will sell them as they are, i'm afraid i have to say no.  they are far too difficult to track down, and i'd feel like i was shipping off a family member without having properly dressed her all up for renewed adoration. 

ah well. back to the studio, then, where birds' nests and eggs of stone and little dolls await me.  have a lovely weekend, one and all....

Comments

[Erin Gergen Halls]

Ah, like a good mother, proud of her little dears...impossible to keep secret something that sings so loudly of the beauty and promise of spring. And I love that you even considered what would happen if that particular lovely hadnt sold by monday. As if! 38 degrees here in my ravine today! For us in MN thats balmy! With sunshine to boot!

[Mary]

I had to stop selling my dolls since it was so heartbreaking for me to close the box lid on them. Would their new owner love them as much as I? Would they miss the other dolls they sat with on the shelf? So I know how you feel. And I know, I need medication.... :o)

[Ulla]

No doll should leave home without clothing on - You are truly the best wardrobe mistress around! Lovely!

[Frankie Kins]

OMGosh....that necklace is BEAUTIFUL!. I went straight to your Etsy shop before I read the end of the post and.....it's already sold. Boo-Hoo! :D

Wonderful work; wonderful post, as always.

[Lee Lewalski]

Gosh, I missed seeing this dolly sister too. And she seems to have disappeared on Etsy !!! I love reading all their stories. She is beautiful! Please show us more of this series. There is something so appealing about little dolls. And of course, your magic adds to their appeal ;)

[gina cuff]

Stunning work Nina, as always. Scrumptious ribbon.:)

~Gina

[misty]

this little sweethearts have fallen into the most perfect hands for their stories to be told.
i was driving home today and when i turned onto my road it was 4:44...i thought of you. ;-)
ONE MORE MONTH! one. more. month.
it's 9:30...i want to call, but i dare not.. ;-) happy leap day. xo

[pam q]

noooooo! Say it isn't so! It would be cruel & unusual punishment for you to not show us any more of your creations from now until after Artfest! Even just a glimpse from time to time for those of us who can't make it there! Please!

[Laurie G. (morningk)]

Thank you for sharing pics of your sweet dollies and the lovely artpieces they become. Always such a joyful treat, visiting here. --L.

[nita from red tin heart]

the little dolls are such sweet little things. i think it is partly due to the history of them, maybe.
They are just neat. Your necklace turned out so wonderful.
i hope winter is almost over...
today it was almost warm here. there was just a slight chill in the air. xoxo nita

[Corrine Davis]

Such a beautiful necklace. I can't wait til Melbourne, where I hope I can learn to create something beautiful too. I also live in the Mountains, and I well know the feeling of a frost in the morning and never quite able to seperate a winter wardrobe from the summer one. Even now in late summer (down here) We are dressed in jerseys while the rest of the country are still wearing T shirts.
Corrine in NZ

[Shirley]

"Yes, I say yes..." Yes indeed. She is so very BEAUTIFUL, especially set off with the bird and the green, Green! pearls and the ribbon.
Love this one, no not just love, covet extremely, this one among all the others I have seen.
You have such talent. Thanks, again, for sharing the work of your hands.
Xoxo,
Sassi

[Cindy Ericsson]

What a joy for the lucky one who leaped onto treasure so quickly! It was wet and grey here yesterday, but this morning is a glorious assurance of Spring's eminent arrival. I plan to wear flowers on my toes today (new ballet flats from Target) to celebrate.

[Karen]

Dear sweet Nina, Just getting caught up on all of your lovely posts after being away at the Synergy conference and then working all week. So, I sip my tea and step into your wonderful world for some magical moments...
Breathtaking work.
-Karen

[Diana]

I absolutely love her. I checked Etsy right away as well but someone beat us all to her. Your work is so charming and inspiring. I wish I could get to Artfest to meet you.

[lucinda]

what a lovely tender piece, a real treasure.

[terri]

Your Jewelry creations are so fabulous . You are such an inspiration to me , I'm new to your blog, and now I can't seem to get enough. The way you write.. drawing us all in. I feel like I live next door to you.
Terri

[kim]

i hope those girls are behaving, spring fever hasnt hit them yet...
i find my gals in the silliest places sometimes, they are a rowdy bunch....
xoxoxo

[Liza]

I just came home from a trip. . Its like returning to a stack of letters to read your endearing blogs. Im glad you want the girls to breathe. And they play around your place until they travel to those who marvel at their uniqueness. When I saw them all lined up together, it was surprizing how different they were from each other.

[Joy Logan]

Your jewelry has an amazing other worldlyness to it. This piece is stunning also!

[Brian]

Funny. When I saw that last photo of the "pretty maids all in a row" I immediately thought of "A Chorus Line," or at least the concept of a line of little dancers, now reduced to silence and stillness. But I guess through your efforts they dance and sing again.

[Elise]

this is a beautiful piece...i love the flowers wrapped in the brass filigree...

[Adrienne]

Just saw the bracelet you posted on Etsy, beautiful colors.