EHAG EMPORIUM June 30th Update

Welcome to the June 30th EHAG Emporium update. I have THREE items to offer for this month's websale.  Please scroll down to view all three and my previous blog entry describing the inspiration for these three creations. Items will be sold first come, first served. Please add $7.00 per piece for shipping/insurance. PAYPAL preferred (paypal id allenwcunningham@cs.com), some exceptions for payment may be made. If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, email me directly at allenwcunningham@cs.com (click here to email) Thank you for stopping in and having a look.......Best Wishes to You! 

Item One   "Cat Cry"

No amount of shaking that rattle seems to sooth this crying baby. So, what's a Mama Kitty to do? Ah well, might as well smile, smile, smile. Nothing seems to concern this Mama.

Dolls are in paper clay, dressed in calicoes and black ruffles, Mama features a sculpted poke bonnet, and they stand on a base created form a vintage "made in Japan"  bellow toy.

8.5" tall, overall.... Item Sold

Item Two   "Saucy Sorceress"

With the wave of her wand, all things witchy and magical will materialize. One never can be to sure what the Saucy Sorceress will conjure up, but in this instance I see she has called up the tiny spirit of Hallowe'en joy!

Not quite your typical  Hallowe'en hag, the Saucy Sorceress is in paperclay, dressed in calico and black ruffles. Her hair is in the style of an 1830's  "milliner doll," complete with a slightly eerie skull hair ornament. A tiny half moon is painted on her handmade wand. The base is decorated with newspaper from a 1918 Pittsburgh publication, dresden sun, and gold rick rack.

9.25 tall, overall.... Item Sold

Item Three   "Mad Millinery"

Could it be so close to that most anticipated time of year?! It must be, as the Mad Milliner is in a frenzy of creativity, making all sorts of Hallowe'en hats! He has his milliner mannequin to display his most expensive Bal Masque top hat and a multitude of small party hats in progress are on the work table.

He is quite MAD, you know, so there is a twist to this piece... the milliner's head is interchangeable with the mannequin's head!

The doll in this piece is paperclay, dressed in felt and cotton. The two heads are interchangeable. Note the milliner's tiny jol pincushion. The milliner and table are both free standing, to allow versatility in display. The table is wooden and decorated with various fringes, newspaper from a 1918 Pittsburgh publication, features miniscule handmade paper and crepe paper party hats, and a milliner's bust mannequin.

Doll is 8" tall.... Item Sold

Bonnet Heads and Milliner Models

In anticipation of the upcoming EHAG Emporium update on June 30th, here is a hint regarding my contributions. These are the dolls that inspired my forthcoming offerings... 

  One of the most appealing aspects of toys and dolls, both historically and in modern context, is the idea that they portray the ideal; the ideal conveyance, the ideal home, or the ideal fashion. In terms of fashion, our 19th century doll-making predecessors bequeathed a rich legacy of fanciful creations. These fancies are infinite, but in this installment I will focus on two categories, with three dolls as illustrations.

  To begin with, there are two "bonnet head" dolls. Bonnet head is a general term used to describe a doll in any medium that features a molded hat or bonnet. The two pictured are from the latter part of the 19th century and were  probably fairly inexpensive when new. The medium used in these examples is a course, untinted porcelain slip well suited for making modestly priced play-dolls. This type of porcelain is commonly referred to as "stone bisque." Though cheaply manufactured, these ladies have not skimped on their apparel. The larger doll has a magical butterfly bonnet perched atop her head. What could be more whimsical than donning a garden's most glamorous inhabitant? In the second photo, this little stone bisque doll  is perhaps a bit more sensible, but no less attractive. She sports a very jaunty millinery creation featuring delightful ruffle and ribbon details.

Stone bisque shoulderplate head in a magical butterfly bonnet

Stone bisque doll with sensible, yet stylish molded bonnet

  The second style of doll I wish to focus on is the "milliner model." Of course, we identify millinery with hat-making, but millinery can also include all the trappings of fashion. In the broad context of millinery, you will find ribbons, laces, fabrics, feathers, and so forth. The milliner model doll was made in Germany with a papier mache shoulderplate head mounted on a rigid leather body. Carved wooden lower arms and legs complete this style of doll. Early doll collectors created a myth that these little beauties illustrated fashions of the 1820's-1860's. Modern research tells a different story. These little remnants of the past were merely play-dolls. The fact that they were playthings does not diminish their charms at all. My particular favorites date to the 1830's. Fashion records tell us that the 1830's were a time of ladies' hairstyles that were nearly as outrageous as those hairstyles of the 18th century royal french court. My pictured example has a quirky combination of curls covering her skull. Not only do curls cluster about her ears, they project from the top of her head in a feat that seems to defy gravity!

1830's papier mache doll

                                                    

Remember June 30th 9:oopm (est)!

Many EHAG artists (including me) will have new items for sale. My offerings will appear here, at this blog. To see other artists' work, click EHAG logo on right margin.

A Little Christmas in June

A Little Off- Season or A Little Off-in-the-Head,

You Be the Judge...

During these hot and humid early days of Summer, I could use just a hint of the cool crispness of Winter. Since I'm not some kind of "weather-wizard," I had to settle with working on this piece, entitled "Contemplating Christmas." This is a re-order, smaller version of a creation from April. As you can see, Santa is taking a little breather. He's hopped up on his vintage papier mache "boot-throne" and is contemplating plans for the upcoming Yuletide Season. He is dressed in an art-deco inspired fabric. Santa's boot is decorated with scans of my old Christmas postcards and tinsel trims. No matter the time of year, it's always a pleasure to revisit the Santas of years past and gain inspiration for a new artwork!

Detail of Santa Claus for "Contemplating Christmas"

EHAG Emporium May 31rst Art Sale

The Eclectic Halloween Artists Group May 31rst Art Sale!
The time has arrived and what fun it will be to see all the offerings of the many talented EHAG artists.

I am offering two items for purchase consideration. I gladly accept PAYPAL or PERSONAL CHECKS as payment. Shipping/Insurance on Hallo'Claus is $8.00 and for the Portrai'ments $4.00. If you are interested in any of these special sale pieces, please email allenwcunningham@cs.com (this email address is also my PAYPAL id). These items are being sold first come, first served and every effort will be made to update their availability as quickly as possible. Items ship no later than 2 days after payment receipt. Please scroll down for pictures, descriptions, and prices.... Best Wishes!

                                       

Hallo'Claus    Ever think about what Santa Claus is doing between Christmases? For those of you who believe in him, Santa Claus watches out for your best interests year 'round. On Hallowe'en, he is ever vigilant in making sure things don't get too scarey. He may even search you out and offer-up a little Hallowe'en present! Hallo'Claus is sculpted in paperclay, dressed in felt, stands on a wooden base, and measures 8.75" tall. His tiny cat candy container opens at the neck. For ease of shipping and storage, he is completely removeable from the base...ITEM SOLD

For every household black feather tree, here are PORTRAI'MENTS

This is my first attempt at Hallowe'en ornaments. I've done many Christmas ornaments in this manner, so it was time for a new interpretation. These are bas-relief sculpted paperclay on a double layer of sturdy mat board. The backs are finshed as the fronts, in gold with polka dots and feature a tiny ribbon loop sealed with a dresden trim (slip an ornament hook right into the loop).  The SET OF THREE includes Gentleman Jack, Clowning Cat, and Saucy Witch. They measure 3.5" tall. Normally ornaments sell for $20 a piece, this set is offered at a special introductory 15% off price of   ITEM SOLD

EHAG Black and White Challenge!

What do you know... I was invited to join the Eclectic Hallowe'en Artists Group! What a great honor. There is an ongoing assignment to create black and white pieces (The Black and White Fright Challenge) from May 1rst to the 7th. I have listed some things on ebay. This is my first time on ebay, so we'll see how it goes. Reserves are set low, so see if it works to your advantage! Below are photos with links to the auctions.


See the legend of the vaudeville circuits, juke joints, and even tent revivals...
Han'some Jack, the Banjo Man
(all the  ladies' hearts will be a-flutter)
Click link under Han'someJack's photos to view auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/EHAG-B-W-Fright-Allen-W-Cunningham-doll-OOAK-Banjo-man-/180501456322?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Folk_Art&hash=item2a06b9a5c2

Jeannine O' Lantern
What secret  lies behind Jeannine's alluring Mona Lisa Smile?  Click the link under her pictures to view her auction and find out the answer...

http://cgi.ebay.com/EHAG-B-W-Fright-Allen-W-Cunningham-doll-OOAK-candy-box-/180501463043?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Folk_Art&hash=item2a06b9c003

Spring Spree Update

After a bleak winter up and down the east coast and Midwest, a bright day of socializing and shopping was in order. April 17th turned out to just the day to fit the bill. Paul Gordon and a few of his artist friends hosted a day of fun, sales, and delicious refreshments. The weather even lent a gentle hand by holding back the winds and rain... for most of the day, at least!

If you haven't paid a visit to Mr. Gordon and his little wonderland of a shop, please put this trip on the top of your "to-do" list. Paul is a delightful host and words hardly describe the enchantment of his little (and quite large) creations. Martinsburg seems the perfect setting for an early 1900's movie and there are also some nice alternate shopping areas within 10 - 20 miles.

An invitation was extended for an "after-event" gathering at Paul Gordon's house. This was the highlight of the trip. Outside, the house is an impressive Second Empire-style in brick , with a mansard roof. Inside it's as if you step into the artist's mind. Curiosities and whimsies fill all nooks and crannies. Antique photos, paintings, posters, and tapestries hang from the walls. Dolls, mannequins, and decorative objects beckon for your attention from tabletops and shelves. What a joy it all is to be hold!

So, without further delay, please have a look at a few photos from the Spring Spree...

Paul Gordon's shop window on Queen St. in Martinsburg, WV

Upon first entering the shop...flower arrangement

Flower ladies by Paul

Little mousie by Paul

Leslie McCabe rug hooking

Cathy Shamel quilted creations

Dara DiMagno jewelry

Deborah Hartwick mohair soft sculpture

Deana Ellis needle felting

my things...'nuff said

and various photos from Paul's shop follow.

Paul Gordon and Friends Spring Spree

In just a few weeks, I'll be off to.....

Paul Gordon and Friends Spring Spree
April 17th 9am - 2pm
204 South Queen Street Martinsburg, WV 25401
304.260.0020

...a full report will follow