Frankie the French Bulldog - Mommy I'll Take This One

Frankie is the sweetest French Bulldog and as you can see he has picked out a favorite duck. He has managed to drag mom all the way to the pet store to pick out this special duck. And wouldn't you know, lo and behold when he got to the store, right in front of him was Bella the Boston Terrier and she picked out the yellow duck. Well, Frankie was so mad, that's the one he wanted and there was no yellow left, so his mommy talked him into getting his second best color, blue. He seemed to be very happy with his blue duck once he got home and settled in with his new toy.

Frankie is hand-sculpted from polymer clay. He holds in his hands a blue glass duck. The piece is varnish sealed for protection.

Frankie the Bulldog's size is approximately:
1-7/8" tall base to top
1" front to back
1" side to side

Dachshund Necklace

This Dachshund Necklace titled Lucky Libby was created by cooljewelrydesign and was recently sold at a craft fair. Pam, the designer of these lovely creations, makes some wonderful jewelry pieces and below is just one of my favorites from her shop titled Window Shopping.

Bonnie - Dachshund in the Dog House

Bonnie -- the Dachshund in the Dog House
This is a custom piece I just completed for a wonderful customer. Bonnie, her house and her waterbowl are all hand-sculpted. She lays on a hand-cut wooden base, she is chained up next to her dog house. She can go in and out of her dog house whenever she likes. All pieces are tacked down to the base except for Bonnie because she likes to roam every once in a while. Next to Bonnie is her very own water bowl for when she gets thirsty.

Boston Terrier Art Tile

Boston Terrier Art Tile
This unique wall hanging is a handcrafted art tile. The tile is made from a black polymer clay. In the upper right hand corner sits a photograph from my original Boston Terrier drawing. The tile is then etched and stamped with various floral and butterfly stamps, painted in pinks, reds and greens. The entire piece is then varnish sealed for protection.

The tile hangs from silver chain. Attached to the chain are black clay daisy beads painted in pinks and reds and three large vintage crystals.

Size is approximate:
3-3/4" long top to bottom
3-1/2" wide

Including the chain and beads the tile hangs approximately: 7" in total length.

Work In Progress

So while I am at the log home I am always looking for something to do because there's no phone and no computer out there and I have to keep myself busy somehow. The house is still a work in progress so there's not much for me to do with dust and work tools all around -- my husband is very busy, but there's not much for me to do until the decorating part comes in whenever that might be. So in the meantime I look for projects and here are two of them. I decided to bring my clay up there and covered a few switch plates. Here's one that has been stamped and painted and put up already. And then there's the stair railing. My husband put up the 4x4's and the rail, but I painstakingly shaved every one of those twigs -- it took me about two years and it's almost finished. Here's how it looks so far.

Interview with feltangel

I would like to introduce everyone to Gunilla of feltangel,
a fellow Etsy member and member of our Dogs and Art Flickr Group.
Gunilla makes some of the most adorable needlefelt doggies!
Please stay for a moment and get to know a bit about Gunilla,
feltangel and her craft. 

1) Tell us your name.
My name is Gunilla Rehn and I live in Stockholm, Sweden.

2) What breed of dog do you have?
Unfortunately I have never had a dog. Members
of my family were allergic to animals and now I live in the center
of Stockholm which isn't a very suitable environment to dogs. But I have
always loved dogs and I´m a volunteer doggy walker at a dog shelter in
Stockholm, which actually celebrates 100 years on May 17.

3) Any favorite dog stories you'd like to share with us?
As a doggy walker at the dog shelter you take a dog out
for a walk in the forest and give it some special time. 1 1/2 year
ago one of the dogs (a dachhound) suddenly stopped in
front of me and made me fall so bad that I broke my ankle
at 3 spots. I had to go by ambulance to the ER and had
to be operated on, It took me about 5 months to get rid of
the crutches!

4) What kind of art do you create, i.e., paintings, plushies,
photography, sculpture?
I needlefelt dogs of different breeds. It gives me so much joy and
pleasure and they almost become alive to me, since they all have their
own personality.

5) Is your main focus on dog art and if so, what made you choose
the dog as your main subject for creating this type of art?
I also do wetfelting and needelefelt other things like angels,
but the dogs are so dear to me and I tend to come back to
them all the time.

6) Do you create or make anything other type of art/craft that's
not dog related?
As I said I also wetfelt and needlefelt other thing, and I also knit
and do embroidery.

7) If you sell your artwork, where can we find your pieces for sale?
I have an Etsy shop, feltangel, but no items for sale right now, since
I´m producing for a big show in August.

I also sell some items on my website UllochKrull.  

Danielle the Dragonfly Bead

While we were camping Lena and I returned from the forest with this pretty little dragonfly and named her Danielle the Dragonfly. She flew up on Lena's nose to say hi and they became fast friends, but Lena had to leave her behind because Little Danielle is happiest in her forest flying around the river from flower to flower -- she only stops by occasionally to say hello.

Danielle is a bead hand-sculpted from polymer clay. She has a purple head and green body and has wings in solid purple and solid yellow and two cane wings in similar colors. The front of her body has a pretty floral cane, her booty is stamped with a purple heart and her antennas are yellow and purple.

The approximate size of the bead is:
1-3/4" tall top to bottom
1-3/4" side to side (wing to wing)
1/2" front to back (nose to back of head)

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Gone Camping

Lena and I are going to the country and as you can see Lena has her bags packed and she's ready to go. We'll be back in just one short week. Unfortunately, where we are going we have no access to a computer and just wanted to say that we'll miss all of our blogger friends and we will be back posting in just a short while. To all my Entrecard friends, when I return I will be back dropping like crazy. Hope everyone has a nice week!

Sally the Sock Dog Bead

Sally is a little Sock Dog Bead and she loves to sit around and read books, she loves 'how to' books and her latest one is 'how to make a sock dog' -- she wants to make another one so she can have a friend to play with.

Sally is hand-sculpted from polymer clay. She is done in all purple with turquoise ears and blue tail. She has two small patches, a blue one on her tummy and a red one on her booty and there's a yellow heart on the back of her head.

The approximate size of the bead is:
1-1/4" top to bottom
7/9" side to side
3/4" front to back

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

New Critter Bead - Ophelia the Octopus

Little Ophelia the octopus just loves to swim in the waters of the ocean. She loves to swim along with friends and go way deep, deep into the waters and hide behind rocks where her mommy can't find her.

Little Ophelia is a bead hand-sculpted from polymer clay. She has a purple head and is done in many colors of pink, blue, yellow, turquoise and each of her little arms are just a bit different, some in patterns including dots, flower stamp, spirals, flowers and stripes -- she's a very colorful little gal.

The approximate size of the bead is:
3/4" top to bottom
1-1/8" around at base of legs

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Cocker Spaniel Pendant

The hand-sculpted Cocker Spaniel is golden and lays on a golden tablet background. The pendant is sculpted from polymer clay.

Approximate size of the pendant is 1-1/2" long (bail to bottom x 3/4" wide.

Pinky the Elephant Bead

Little Pinky is so happy that the weather is getting nice outside -- it's time to go splash around in the river, she just loves playing in the water and splashing her little brother :)

Pinky is hand-sculpted from polymer clay. She is done in colors of blue and purple with a bright pink trunk and very, very large mint green ears, one ear is stamped with a pink heart. She has a beautiful kaleidoscope cane on her belly, one pink foot with blue stamp and one black/white foot.

The approximate size of the bead is:
1" top to bottom
1-1/4" side to side -- (ear to ear)
5/8" front to back

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Bad Boy Buster

Bad Boy Buster -- You can plainly see that Buster is just hanging out and probably for trouble, so someone needs to bring this boy home and give him some special attention!! He is on a 20 inch chain of antiqued pewter which closes with a dotted pewter s-hook.

I belive I heard him singing some type of rap music during the making, but I could be confused.

A wonderful necklace made by CoolJewelryDesigns using my Hip Hop Boxer bead.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mom's Day to all the moms of human children and the four-legged furry kind too! Have a great day, give your kids a hug and a kiss, take your furry friend for a walk, treat your pup with a nice tasty treat when you get home, a little kiss and enjoy the moment.

Bella The Boston Terrier - Mommy I Want This One

Bella is a darling Boston Terrier and as you can see she has picked out her most favorite duck. Mom took her to the store to let her pick out her own new toy and out of all those ducks that were on the shelf, Bella picked this one.

Bella is hand-sculpted from polymer clay. She holds in her hand a yellow glass duck (bead). The piece is varnish sealed for protection.

Bella's size 'is approximately:
2-1/4" tall base to top
1" front to back
1" side to side

Dog Patch Critters

Charlie and Chip

I would like to introduce Nancy of Dog Patch Critters, a fellow Etsy member and a member of Dogs And Art. Nancy makes some of the most adorable critters around and has two of the cutest Doxies, Lucy and Lexi. I hope you'll stay for a minute and get to know Nancy, her real dogs Lucy and Lexi and her menagerie of handcrafted critters.

1) Tell us your name and how many dogs you have, the name of your dog/s and how old they are? My name is Nancy Dontigney (pronounced dot knee). I have 2 dogs, Lexi is 11yrs and Lucy is 13yrs.

2) What breed of dog do you have? Lexi is a wire-haired Dachshund and Lucy is a chocolate smooth Dachshund.

Lexi and Lucy

3) How long have you had your dog/s and how did they come to be your dog? I was a mini Dachshund breeder for 25 yrs and owned their mothers. I have had both girls since they were born.

4) Do you find that you've come to favor a certain breed of dog and if so, what are their unique characteristics that you've found to be so wonderful? When I was in my late teens a friend had a Dachshund and I became hooked. I have had other breeds over the years, Labs,Cairns, and Goldens and I love most dogs but my heart belongs to doxies.

5) Any favorite stories you'd like to share with us about about your dog? Lucy is the nose. She caught and killed a rat that had taken up residence in our garage after all of our attempts had failed. Lexi is the chow hound. She can make to the fridge in under 5 seconds.

6) Are there any other pets in the home other than dogs? Just my hubby!

7) What kind of art do you create? I consider myself a Teddy Bear Artist. Making bears led to making other critters.

8) Is your main focus on dog art and if so, what made you choose the dog as your main subject for creating this type of art? I made a dog to go with a bear and everyone wanted to buy the dog. Collectible mohair dogs are now one of my specialties.

9) Do you create or make anything other type of art/craft that's not dog related? Besides Teddy Bears and dogs I make cats, bunnies, birds, and the occasional imaginary critter.

10) If you sell your artwork, where can we find your pieces for sale? I have a website Dog Patch Critters and an Etsy shop of the same name. I also sometimes list on a site called Bid4bears. It's an auction site for bears and related items.
Greta the Schnauzer

Stop by either Dog Patch Critters website or her Etsy shop to see all of Nancy's wonderful critters -- they truly are adorable.

Cooper

Pam of CoolJewelryDesigns has made another wonderful necklace using one of my pendants, this one a Cocker Spaniel pendant -- she calls this piece 'Cooper'.

Here's a beautiful pair of earrings that I spotted in her shop.

Beyond Begonias

Collie / Sheltie Bead

Collie / Sheltie Bead hand-sculpted from polymer clay, painted and varnish sealed.

Size is approximate:
1" vertical (top to bottom)
1" horizontal (ear to ear)
1" nose to back of head

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Darren the Deer Bead

Darren the Deer is a happy go lucky deer. He loves to scamper about the forest and hide behind trees, he loves playing his favorite game 'hide and seek' with his brothers and sisters.

Darren is a bead hand-sculpted from polymer clay. His body is deep pink and his head is yellow. He has bright blue ears and a bright tail made from a green/pink/yellow/blue cane. He also has a pink heart stamped on his booty and a purple nose.

The approximate size of the bead is:
1" top to bottom
3/4" side to side (at head)
1" front to back

The bead is pierced vertically from top of head to bottom.

Basset Hound Art Tile and Angel's Gate

The Basset Hound Art Tile is handcrafted from polymer clay. It is first sculpted from a golden brown polymer clay. In the upper left corner sits a photo from my original Basset Hound drawing. There are flowers etched into the tile, surrounded by two butterfly stamps. The piece is then painted in colors of yellow, purple, pink and green to match the florals in the artwork. The entire piece is then varnish sealed for protection.

The tile hangs from reclaimed jewelry including gold tone chain. There is a gold tone link chain hanging down one side of the tile adorned with clay floral beads and at the very bottom a large teardrop bead hand painted in matching colors.

Size is approximate:
3-1/4" long top to bottom
2-4/8" wide at widest point
Including the chain and beads the tile hangs approximately: 8" in total length.

50% of the sale of this art tile will to to Angel's Gate Charity. It's a wonderful charity my sister mentioned to me. She had seen a segment about it on Oprah. Angel's Gate is a center where they take care of handicap animals, older animals, etc., it's hospice for the animals.

Angel's Gate
Hospice for Animals
http://www.angelsgate.org/

Meet ShellVergel

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

I would like to introduce everyone to Tatyana of ShellVergel, a fellow Etsy member, and a member of my Dogs and Art Group on Flickr. Tatyana not only is the proud owner of two Italian Greyhounds, Perry and Marco she also creates unique and beautiful dog artwork on clam shells. If you would like to see some of her wonderful creations stop by her Etsy shop at ShellVergel. I do hope you'll stay for a bit to read the interview and get to know Tatyana, meet her dogs, and view her wonderful shell creations.

1) Tell us your name. How many dogs do you have, their names and ages? I'm Tatyana Vergel, and I share my life with two dogs, Perry and Marco. They are litter mates, they'll be 18 months old soon.
Perry and Marco

2) What breed of dog do you have? Italian Greyhounds - the smallest of the sighthound group (running dogs such as Greyhounds and Salukis). Major cuteness and cuddling comes standard with them.

3) How long have you had your dog/s and how did they come to be your dog? These are my first dogs. I have grown up a major "dog person" and have spent my entire childhood begging my parents for a puppy. The answer was always 'no' so I tried to be involved with dogs in any way I could. I volunteered in a vet's office and am now a professional groomer. I finally felt "grown up" enough to get my own dogs recently. Then my mum and I convinced my stepdad that it wouldn't be so bad having a pupper around. I went to a great responsible breeder, and before I knew it I wound up with the pick of the litter show prospect puppy (Perry) and after a few months we took home his brother (Marco).

4) Do you find that you've come to favor a certain breed of dog and if so, what are their unique characteristics that you've found to be so wonderful? Honestly, there are so many amazing breeds out there that I would want to own some day. I really am fascinated by the variety of breeds out there and can make a list of dogs that I am drawn to. But I have a special place in my heart for sighthounds, including my very own Italian Greyhounds. I find them incredibly beautiful, silly, independent characters. They make the best snugglers!

5) Any favorite stories you'd like to share with us about your dog? Probably one of the most amazing moments I've had with Perry was at our second dog show. I entered the boys on a whim and was there only with my mother - no other "experienced" support. I had barely any idea of what I was doing in the show ring (the judge actually told me where to go a few times) - but we took Winners Dog and a three point major. It was a major high because no one expected it to go to the newbies (especially when a local longtime respected breeder had entered half of the dogs shown that day). And *then* people got interested in who we were all of a sudden ;)

6) Are there any other pets in the home other than dogs? We also have two cats - eleven year old Tim, my kindred spirit, my best friend. And three year old Anton, the weirdo.

7) What kind of art do you create? Right now my main focus is painting portraits of dogs on clam shells. I collect the shells at a local beach myself. It gives me a chance to explore many breeds and practice my painting skills. I also do a little graphite work, occasionally I draw portraits.

8) Is your main focus on dog art and if so, what made you choose the dog as your main subject for creating this type of art? Matter of fact, I rarely depict anything but dogs in my art. They are my muse. I think the huge variety of shapes, sizes and personalities is the primary drive. I feel that I really get to know a breed just by drawing or painting it. And I want to get to know them all!

9) Do you create or make anything other type of art/craft that's not dog related? I painted an orchid once. And I sketched some Disney characters a few years ago... Yep, dogs are my muse.

10) If you sell your artwork, where can we find your pieces for sale? You can find my painted shells in my Etsy shop at shellvergel.etsy.com.


Siberian Husky

Cheap Sunglasses

I started a topic in my flickr group Dogs and Art where you enter your dog photo and add a song title and lyrics that fit the picture. I started with a photo of Lena. My stepdaughter always likes to dress Lena up and on this day she put her sunglasses on her, alas, the song Cheap Sunglasses by ZZ Top.

ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses --
When you get up in the morning and the light is hurt your head
The first thing you do when you get up out of bed
Is hit that streets a-runnin and try to beat the masses
And go get yourself some cheap sunglasses

Stop on by the Dogs and Art Group and share in the fun -- we're always looking for new members! Anyone can join, the only requirement is you must love dogs!

Oliver the Octopus Handmade Bead

Little Oliver the Octopus, we call him Ollie for short, just loves to swim in the waters of the ocean. He loves to swim along with his friends and go way deep, deep into the waters and hide behind rocks where his mommy can't find him.

Little Oliver is a bead hand-sculpted from polymer clay. He has a purple head and is done in many colors of green, pink, blue, yellow, bright purple and each of his little arms are done in different patterns including dots, heart stamp, flower stamp, stripes, swirls -- he's a very colorful little fellow.

The approximate size of the bead is:
3/4" top to bottom
1" around at base of legs

Corgi Bead

Here's a new Corgi bead that I've recently finished and I think I like this one a bit better because I used paint to highlight some details and it brings out a richer quality to the bead. All beads are varnish sealed for protection.