You Make Me So Very Hoppy

"I'm so glad you came into my life..."

Yes, folks, this is supposed to be a frog. I'm sorry I take such terrible pictures. It couldn't be my SCULPTING that makes it not look like a frog, now could it? He's great fun because he's jointed; he's hypnotic to hold.

He has genuine black pearl toes, iridescent skin, and all sorts of strange sparkly things on his back. I even tried to position his legs in the correct direction for your viewing pleasure. (His legs naturally fold backwards. UhhHuh, it's scary.) Yes, I will probably pop him into February's exhibit. You'll be able to see that he really is green (and orange).

In the background is a picture of one of C.F.'s frogs. If you love animals, flowers, beads, and humor you simply must visit C.F. at http://www.cforiginals.net/.

Behind the frog's back you can see the cover of C.F.'s Jungle Book. I highly recommend it; even for a child. Librarian friends are you reading this? I'll be waving it around, asking you to order it. It really is delightfully good.

Alice in Wonderland

The ohhhsolovely dark blue, First Place, ribbon winner from the competition this month is CasaBlanca's Alice. As you can see, CasaBlanca has chosen to depict the classic scene with the Pink Flamingo. The greenery framing the piece added interest and is a nice touch. CasaBlanca's pieces were well sculpted and a treat to behold.

CasaBlanca also won a red, Second Place, ribbon for a delightful black boy piece. I thought him to be great fun. I do not know whether or not CasaBlanca will part with him. Also, she does GollyWogs. Everyone knows how much I love them. I have it on very good authority that GollyWogs have red hair when they are born, their hair only turns dark when they are much older. Anyone interested in handmade GollyWogs, with red hair or otherwise use email: info@cathycara.com.

This award winning 'Alice' is available. Anyone wishing to contact CasaBlanca can use info@cathycara.com

Window's Shoes

Ohhhhh, so delicate. It is really a shame that you can't see the tiny beaded heels. CasaBlanca are you looking? I do LOTS of variations on these.

Visit http://www.cathycara.com/ reasonably regularly. Not yet, but once the site is more 'operational', I plan to offer these regularly. In the meantime, yes, you can still 'ask' for them and I'll make you a pair.

Or two. Or three. Orchid has LOTS of extra shoes.

Window

Orchid's sister, Window, is another fine sculpt by A.D.
Window is one of a kind, hand sculpted from German clay, possessing fourteen points of articulation. She will be on display in the Exhibit for the month of February 2007. If you require directions to the Exhibit, contact info@cathycara.com

The photograph shows Window's hat. It is pink and blue fabric trimmed with antique gold. There are rhinestone ribbon roses and large plumes of vintage ostrich feathers. A golden bird nests somewhere within. I had a great deal of help from MiniRoses in producing this hat. Hat making is a complex art all unto itself.

Orchid in Texas

I've promised to 'backfill' the blog here and there with Orchid's past escapades. When people wonder how someone across the country can know about Orchid (since we've still been hiding her from the magazines), the answer (sometimes) is: because Orchid has been there. People have met her.

Last year, Orchid went across the country. She was in approximately fourteen or fifteen states. So many, that I lose track.

Orchid is wearing her souvenir sombrero and the black high boots that I made for her. Good thing, because there are snakes in them there bushes. I'm sure.

This photo taken in Texas, may have been one that was done by a professional photographer. I will have to double check and see if he'd like the credit.

Here There Be Dragons

You are looking at a 'CF Dragon'. This is as opposed to a 'CF Original' dragon. They are two ENTIRELY different beasts, sharing many of the same characteristics. I'm going to try to explain it to you once, and thereafter you get to bother C.F. That's 'C.F.' as in 'C.F. herself' as opposed to dragon/seahorse/hedgehog/phoenix. You get the picture, there really is a C.F. And, since it's essentially C.F.'s fault that these creatures are rather rapidly proliferating through out North America, and who knows, maybe Europe and Africa, C.F. can handle all your heavy duty questions. Visit: www.cforiginals.net. Write it down, you know me, I might not repeat it again (What? You think I have nothing better to do than look up information that I specifically told you was important and NOT to lose?) So, C.F. is the source of all knowledge when it comes to these creatures. Not me, folks, C.F. . That being said, let me tell you about them.

They are SO ADORABLE, you could DIE from looking at one. The one that you see above is NOT AVAILABLE. He's mine, mine, mine. They are so adorable that I secretly think that C.F. has bred them with Medusa snakes or something. Although, C.F. didn't breed the one above, but I tell you she's still responsible. C.F., the twenty-first century Dragon Queen, has sanctioned a special breed of 'C.F. Dragons' for Little Cow Harbor. So, now, all of you in the neighborhood can have one of these little darlings in their house. And the TRULY hard part for all of you will be having to choose between a 'C.F. Dragon' from Little Cow Harbor (meaning one that was born and bred in your town) and a 'C.F. Original' dragon/seahorse/hedgehog/phoenix/etc./etc./etc. from the West Coast. I feel like a traitor telling you that my favorites are the Originals. But Originals are originals and like the 'Princess and the Pea' I can tell the difference, and I prefer C.F.'s. For those of you who care, Orchid will be wearing a 'C.F. Original' bestowed upon her by the Dragon Queen, so be sure to ask to see it. Yes, I promise PHOTOS, as soon as I have some.
I'm so excited over the infestation of dragons in Little Cow Harbor that I can hardly sleep! I kept expecting mine to wander off during the night. And the most amazing thing about mine is that he kept sprouting new wings. He started off with two genuine pearl nubber bumps. One of his bumps got all scary and injured like and then he had sprouted FOUR pearl bumps. Then, delicate solid glass wings appeared. And I thought the transformation was over. But, no, THEN he sprouted LABRADORITE wing bumps with iridescent Austrian crystal and I was cheering him on going: Yes!Yes!Yes!!!!!!!!! (I learned this incantation chant from MiniRoses). C.F. could have given me a heart attack. She never told me that they continue to evolve.
So, my advice to you is contact C.F. . She will direct you to websites, chat groups, and books that deal with this very specific beast. As you already know, if Orchid has one, you REALLY want it.

The next exhibit begins February 1st and runs for a month. If you require directions, use info@cathycara.com. There definitely will be 'C.F. Dragons' from Little Cow Harbor there.

Vamp

Vamp is off to Richard's studio, getting her 'show pictures' done. She is the 2006 collaborative effort between A.D. and myself. The division of labor was once again the same, with A.D. doing the 'hard work' (i.e., the sculpt) and me doing the 'fun work' which is everything else.

Once again, we have ourselves a winner. Vamp came home with a light blue ribbon from the UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs) competition. Orchid, our diamond girl, again won dark blue, First Place (ooohlala!!!) and life goes on.

We have already started work on our entries for 2008, so for any club members looking to be entertained by us then, don't worry - we're planning to be there.

I am considering doing the 'Flamingo Show' in November. My jewelry, crowns, SHOES(!!), maybe elves, certainly DRAGONS(!?) would be available IN PERSON then. However, that will depend on the response that I get from any of you who attended this last show. Meaning (here, folks, I'll spell it out...): If you want me to appear IN PERSON, you had better email me to tell me so. info@cathycara.com is for all of you who have asked for EMAIL over the years, so USE it. If I have to pay to do a hokey show and none of you care about buying shoes or crowns, then I'm NOT going to do the show. As many of you know, EVERYTHING I do is word of mouth. So, please, tell your friends. Pieces are still only acquired by someone who knows someone. Although, I have this past year tried to donate several to charity auctions for causes I deem worthy. I figured that this allows someone who knows NO ONE to get a chance.

A special note to whoever was lucky enough to win one of my elves: they are EXTREMELY (can you hear me yelling) delicate. They do not like windowsills, they like to be protected from cats. They are happiest in china closets. The answer to what they are made of is: elf flesh. There is no 'elf hospital' that they can go to if they become injured. You are now on your own with them and as long as you always remember that they are ELVES, and not toys, you should be fine. Anyone wishing to acquire an elf, they come jointed/semi-jointed/non-jointed can contact me at info@cathycara.com . Several elves will be leaving for California soon, well maybe, but that's another story.