Strange Stuff Saturdays – The Lovable Uglies

There is a large segment of the general populace that finds cute in the ugly, and I am one of those people. It’s almost a “runt of the litter” complex, we want to rescue the irregular, the odd, the strange, and the left behind. These items make us want to take them and give them a home. There was a recent attempt at creating an upscale and widely-marketed “Ugly” stuffed toy, you know the ones I am talking about. For me, the product missed the mark because it broke the rules of the Ugly Cute. The items were not unique, they were meant to appeal to children and create a collector frenzy, and they were quite expensive for something so mass produced. Today’s Strange Stuff post is dedicated to the truly Ugly Cute handmade Art Dolls and Plushies that hit the mark, and maybe even go a bit beyond it. You may like them, you may not, but you may just fall in love with Ugly Cute.

Valentine Creepy OOAK Art Doll- Monica- Valentine Heart Balloon – Lilac Linen by Sandy Mastroni, Art by Sandy Mastroni on Etsy.

PAX – 9IN Strange Artist Mohair Bear by Emma Nicholson, Emma’s Bears on Etsy.

Aberdeen the monster Art Doll Plush By ThEm DoLLz by Jen Musatto, ThEm DoLLz on Etsy.

5-inch Nebulous Bunny – GREEN by Brittany U., Nebulous Frog on Etsy.

Art Doll Soft Sculpture Handmade Oddling Dax by Elizabeth Matlack, Oddball Art Co. by Lizzy Love on Etsy.

Sgt Snickers The Plush Pug Dog Tan and Brown Stuffed Animal by The Jae Bird on Etsy.

Have you fallen for one of these Ugly Cute creatures yet? I have a few on my “To Adopt” list. What’s great about this kind of item on Etsy is that the prices range vastly from under $20 to over $100 USD. That makes Art Dolls so accessible to just about everyone, and you can build a collection of special dolls for very little cost. Many of these dolls are not meant to be played with or handled excessively, but others are durable and make nice toys, it is very important to find out that information from the creator if you are buying for the little people in your life.

Rainboid – Plushie with Rainbow – Small by Sezen UYGUR, yumusakseyler Soft Sculptures and More on Etsy.

Martin, Soft Art Toy, Bear Probably by Eve Leitch, orangeni Soft Cuddles on Etsy.

Plush Toy Little Critter – Rocket by Little Critter Plushies on Etsy.

Alvin the Llittle Owl OOAK Pose-able Art Doll by Misty Currie, Amidst My Imagination on Etsy.

Buddy and Pal- A Custom Creepy Cute Plush WonkyDoll by Kelly and Joe, Jellykoe on Etsy.

Handmade Plush, Primitive, OOAK, Softie Doll with Button Eyes and Daisy Ways by Shawn Lee Jennings, Ribbons and Rust on Etsy.

By now I am sure “you are picking up what I’m putting down” [how hip is my lingo?]. What I mean is, you get my point. There is an undeniable charm to these handmade OOAK dolls, and you are likely to see at least one in this very tiny tip of the Etsy Art Doll iceberg that you respond to. It made you giggle, it made you smile, maybe it made you want to click that link below the image and see more. And that is the point for me, the purpose of this blog really. To present a sample of amazing and inspiring items that you may not have even known you would like. Maybe you didn’t even realize that these items were so easily accessible outside of a gallery or studio. The dolls I have selected to highlight appeal to my personal taste, and many other people’s I suspect, but there are many more to be found that might be more to your liking, so don’t be shy, head over to Etsy and take a look around.

Found On A Friday – Accidentally On Purpose

Illinois born Megan Carter is a rarity among the artist I have come across on Etsy. Her work is striking and powerful, and yet she seems so unaware of just how good she really is. Her shop name says an awful lot, why else would she have named it Accidentally Good. It may be an accident, but there is no doubt about it, she is beyond “Good”, Megan’s work is great.

The first image I saw of her’s, I came upon quite by accident. Simply titled Morte, I saw so much in this painting. I reminded me of something specific, the face was speaking to me, and how could it not. Megan has the ability to turn a few colours, well chosen, into something beyond a composition of elements, her work is deep and affecting, and it has a way of staying with you. And I must admit, it will now be staying with me, I couldn’t resist her.

The above work goes by the name Jinx, again it is minimalist abstract portraiture in style, but the play of positive and negative, dark and light, makes this painting another standout. Make no mistake, you are not looking at a print, all of the work currently on sale in Megan Carter’s Etsy shop is one-of-a-kind [OOAK] original work. These are not copies or silk-screened reproductions, not photographs, this is the real deal. Most original work of well known artists on Etsy sells up into the hundreds of dollars. But this is a rare opportunity for you to “get in” on the work of an artist before she hits that tipping point.

Prices range from just $30 to $80 USD, and Megan uses primarily Acryclic, and some Water Colour, on Canvas, Wood, or Canvas Pad. The image above is of Megan’s work titled Tatiana features an example of a Water Colour on Paper original.

I found Gloria, the image above to have a lovely retro feel to it, it looks very Old Hollywood Glamor to me. But then, that is what I like best about Megan’s work, it speaks differently to each viewer, where I see Old Hollywood, you might see something entirely different, and isn’t that the point of art?

The above 9×12 Original Acrylic on Canvas Pad work, entitled Robyn is a perfect example of why you can have original artwork in your home for less than the price of most art prints. This image is a steal at just $35 USD, and illustrates perfectly why Accidentally Good is the most ironic of names for Megan’s Etsy Store. Click on over to see the rest of Megan’s work currently up for sale, and see what you “Accidentally” fall in love with. I found it on a Friday, but I will treasure it always.

LINK: Accidentally Good on Etsy.

Found On A Friday – Pinkytoast

If there is one thing I can say about today’s Found On A Friday feature, is that it was love at first sight. Sometimes I can easily put into words why I love something, other times I am not entirely sure, I just know that the object in question “speaks” to me. In the case of Pinkytoast, these fabulously creative works of original art didn’t just speak to me, they screamed. It seems fitting that this post lands on a Friday the 13th, because it’s a little scary how wonderfully addictive this artwork is.

Pinkytoast is moniker of an incredibly charming and creative artist from Brooklyn, New York and her work is simply enchanting. Pinkytoast calls her original artwork, prints, and dolls Big Eyed and Sweet and Sour, and it is all that and so much more. Pinkytoast‘s images of Sad Eyed Vixens, Stylized Pin-ups, and Kawaii Cuties with liberal dashes of delicious pinks and yummy pastels are instantly recognizable and ultimately desirable. She has a huge following of fans and collectors, and her work has been blogged to the nth degree. My personal feeling is that you can never have too much of a good thing, and so today I bring you an ample sample of Pinkytoast and tell you where you can find her work and how you can get it home for yourself.

The artist’s self-described ‘Sweet and Sour doll art’ is inspired by “retro kitsch, fairy tales, little kiddles, mod fashion, blythe, dollfie, vintage rag dolls, sad clowns and circus shows, the melancholy of goth, and all things pink”. From pencil sketches and original paintings, art prints, handmade pillows and dolls, and items created with her original printed images as adornments, there is something for every fan of Pinkytoast at every price point.

In her Etsy Shop, Pinkytoast offers a wide range of goodies, such at the original painting at the top of this post entitled Swan Song-Angel Cage My Heart, the Spring Rain Kokeshi Doll Home Decor Pillow featured above. The Vintage Boxer Sings A Rainbow 7×10 Art Print is an example of what Pinkytoast refers to as a one of her Sweet Tooth Girls.

Things take a little turn away from the “Sweet” and head into “Sour” territory in some of Pinkytoast‘s other work. Little Blue Bat Girl in a Gothic Garden 6×9 Art Print [above] and Winter Deer Wear Your Feathers 11×14 Art Print [below] are a little more abstract and even creepy images, but equally attractive and stylized works of art.

Prints are priced starting around $10 USD and up, depending on size, and original works of art move into the $500-$900 USD range. Original dolls and ornaments made of custom Pinkytoast fabrics, paper, other fabrics, and other mixed-media findings are hand-made one-of-a-kind items that can add a touch of whimsical fun to your home or office. The current selection available in Pinkytoast‘s Etsy Shop are all offered for under $60 USD, and they are hot sellers to be sure. A few of these fabulous dolls are featured below.

The best bargain by far for the budget bound and penny wise are the Pinkytoast pocket mirrors, buttons, coasters, bottle openers, and key chains created by the artist using her original artwork prints and featuring many of her most delightful works. For around $6 USD/CDN you can put some Pinkytoast in your pocket, on a key chain, or on that boring coffee table. Check them out following this preamble and then head over to her Etsy Shop to get a sweet and sour sampling of Pinkytoast.

Link: Pinkytoast Original Big Eyed Art + Sweet and Sour Dolls on Etsy

Time Travel Thursdays – Smashing Plates

Thursdays here at Foraging For Fab celebrate everything Retro and Vintage, gathering great memories from our own past and the iconic era’s that preceded us. This week I asked the question, “Where do old License Plates go to die?”. I imagine some are hung on the walls of random garages, some are reclaimed and recycled, others just get lost along the roadside. But when you think about it, they are pieces of history, they tell us about car culture and the places we have lived, and they are treasured memories of past Car Loves to some. When it comes to License Plates, it seems an awful shame to send them all to the scrap pile to be turned into yet another metal something or other, that’s why I was thrilled to spot these shining examples of upcycled art by the Recycled Art Company of Niceville, Florida.

In their Etsy Shop, the Recycled Art Company has no less than 200 examples of how old License Plates can be not only useful, but also beautiful and functional. There are smashing works of art, whimsical ornaments, functional pieces of furniture, and wonderful word blocks. You can deck out your cottage or vacation home, spruce up your place of business, or add a personal touch to a baby’s room. There is no better gift for the Car Enthusiast in your life, and prices range from under $20 USD to over just over $1800.00 USD for the most intricate and large items, such as this amazing “Original United States Map” where each State shape is actually made out of the License Plate that it represents.

So definitely add this Etsy Shop destination to your trip-tick or GPS, and stop to check out all the fab work by this upcycling upstart. And before you ask, they do take custom consignments, all you have to do is drop them a line with a request and they will work with you on creating the perfect one-of-a-kind personal “Smashing Plate” art piece you desire.

Strange Stuff Saturdays – Moon Faces

A lot of people have heard the term “Outsider Art“, but few may actually know it’s meaning. Outsider Art refers to art produced by self-taught artists who are not part of the artistic establishment or art created outside the boundaries of official culture. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation of course, I suppose I would consider myself to be an Outsider Artist, since my training ended when high-school did, some 20 years ago. Everything I have done since is based on the basic skills I was taught, such as mixing of colors, thumbnail sketches, and brush care. The mediums I am most comfortable in were the ones we used back in school, specifically acrylic and water color, pencil and paper, and not much else. Frankly, most classes I spend in the hallway or Principal’s Office after voicing my opinions a little too aggressively about a teacher who felt it was ‘OK’ to simply take the brush away from a student and add to their work what he was trying to explain was missing. I know he doesn’t miss my being in his class.

Today I wanted to share some fabulous Outsider Art I came across on Etsy, my go-to place for a little bit of everything handmade and wonderful. These artist have labeled their own work as Outsider, which for me is the only criteria that matters here. I am not the ‘Establishment’ so I have no need to qualify it further. Take a look, see what you like, and if you like, this sampling. I have gone with a little bit of a theme today, as I tend to group things in my mind that seem to have common threads. The theme is the “Moon Face”, what I call round or circular type faces. Each photo will be followed by name of the work, the artists name, and a link to their Etsy shop. These items may or may not be available for purchase when you visit, but you will find other work by the same creator(s) in their shops.

HILDEGARD by Tim’s Sally, Etsy Shop owned by Mindy Lacefield

ROUND THE CORNER by Bread and Circuses, Etsy Shop owned by Evie

“I am not who you think I am” by Original Art by Reza, Etsy Shop owned by Reza Kessai

Branching Out by Tricia Joy, Etsy Shop owned by Patricia Anders

Original Painting by The Wonderful Place, Etsy Sop owned by Chrissy Butler

This is just a small sampling of the Outsider Art available on Etsy, and just a few of the pieces I really had a connection with on first sight. Also, remember this is just a small group that I put together under a category of my own making, the “Moon Face”. Many different styles appeal to me, and there is so much beyond that that may appeal to you for different reasons. So please visit Etsy and take a look around at all the Fab there is to be had. It will be time well spent, even if you don’t spend a dime, but I dare you not to.

Found On A Friday – Barking Art

If you love your Dog(s) [and who doesn’t] you will want to check out this amazing artist on Etsy. Shauna Morrissey does custom portraits of your puppy or puppies and her style is out of this world fabulous. When I saw this portrait I thought it was a one-off, but she actually specializes in animal portraits. From $150.00 USD upwards you can have this amazing one of a kind art memento of your favorite couch companion, or give it as a gift to the dog lover in your life.

This Piece is called “POLLY The Pug”. ‘Barking Art‘ by Shauna Morrissey is her Etsy shop. Head over and find out how you can get one done of your dog(s). Personally I think the bright colour is one of my favorite things about Shauna’s style, I love the way she blends and shades, and the cartoon like style is so enchanting. Here is another example of Shauna’s work, entitled “THEODORE”, this Great Dane is beyond great!

LINK: Barking Art