FairyTail Mice

Most people do not like mice....their creepy tails and the little sharp teeth. Scurry, furry little pests that get into everything!!! I, however, LOVE them! I mean, who ever hated the little mice in Cinderella? The mice I use in my taxidermy are rescued or have died of natural causes. "Rescued"...meaning from the jaws of a snake or lizard. Rescued from a horrifying and painful death. At the EBV, they have "feeder mice" who have no chance for a home as a pet and can't be sold as such (for reasons they would not explain to me fully,.... Not Certified they said) So.....the ethical question I get all the time is "Do you kill the mice for art?" the answer is no. The EBV euthanizes them or throws them in the cages live. I choose the mice from the ones that they put to sleep before they are fed to the snakes. To me, I immortalize it and honor it's death with bringing it "back to life" in taxidermy. God gave us all living creatures as a testimony to His greatness in creation. When I see an animal, whether in picture, zoo or "stuffed" as in taxidermy; I see His great creativity and wonder at every detail.
  Taxidermy was first popular a very long time ago when you couldn't just turn on the TV, computer or such and see a porcupine. Books weren't always available to everyone. Taxidermy was the way to bring the animal to the public. Yes, sporting and hunting for trophy's is considered unethical today, and I would not hunt a squirrel just to stuff it.
  I recently spoke with a baby duck taxidermist who's relative works in a chicken hatchery that raises them for grocers. 30% of the chicks do not make it past a month. He takes the ones that die and would otherwise be thrown into the furnace and does taxidermy on them so that you and I could smile every time we saw their cute little beaks and webbed feet! It is my hope that the creatures that I stuff will be treasured for all of the wonder they are. Examine the mouses tiny paws, it's sweet little nose and delicate ears......and Praise the Creator for all that He has given us in the animal kingdom.

Reinvention

I believe everyone needs to reinvent themselves or their surroundings at least once in their lives....especially if you create. This last year, I created more goods than I have in the years past. glittered trees, Halloween bats and plenty of seashell art. All of which made me very happy....but somewhat unfulfilled. As I grasped straw after straw to find something new to inspire me....I always ended up with the short one. Then, about four months ago, I was asked to work at Paxton Gate in San Francisco.......and drew a very very long straw.
Inspiration (married with my lifelong love of taxidermy and entomology) started to haunt my mind and soul every waking hour. I've changed....my art had changed.
Scattered in my little home studio are taxidermy mice awaiting clothing and crowns, tiny mouse skulls adorned with gold, spread beetles that await painted shells and steampunk embellishments, forgotten butterfly wings begging to be made into jewelry and real caught spiderwebs.....you read me right, I am "catching" real spider webs for art..........
I couldn't be more excited. Sparrowsongs still has it's brand....but with more of a nature inspired groove.......
Here is just a hint of what I am unveiling at this year's Tinsel and Treasures Magical Artisan Boutique this October.

New Beginnings

As spring creeps up on us with sunny days and trees blooming, I'm reminded of new beginnings. I am beginning  what I call a "regular" job.....my three part time creative jobs right now are tons of fun but offer zero predictability (something I desperately need right now). So...the stars, fates and the Good Lord saw fit for me to work outside the home at Paxton Gate in San Francisco. THE only place in the US of A that I would even want to work at right now. The place is pure magic for a Pix like me.....a perfect blend of artisan creations using images and found objects from Mother Nature, Taxidermy, entomology, botany, minerals and fossils, along with unique and one-of-a-kind gifts.....A natural History museum with stuff you can buy! PURE inspiration and the place just feels right. It feels good, It feels like home somehow. The last place that I was ever excited to go to work to was....well.....there wasn't. Don't get me wrong, Worthington Photography, Target, Emporium Capwell, etc.....all good and fun jobs, but no where near what I feel here. I've always wanted to own and learn taxidermy and have it around me at home........(but alas, it's expensive!) Now I get to be surrounded on a weekly basis by roaring lions, funny monkeys and sweet little forest creatures!
One of the best parts of going "back" to work, and mind you, I don't "have" to work financially speaking.....but, Chef is allowing me to be fulfilled in the other ways that I need to be, outside of our family nucleus and relationships. He understands me like no one I've ever met before. He understands my need to be around people in a helping and giving way. He understands my need for creative inspiration. He understands my need to be busy! He wants me to be happy and is happy to give this to me. As he has stated to me before..."Pix, your happiness is essential to my own." AMAZING! So as I begin a new and exciting adventure, I can't help but feel like I am one of the most blessed people on the planet. I can't wait to learn and grow and give at work.....the overflow of the happiness in my heart can spill out to the ones I love and hold so dear. A better mom, step-mom, wife, friend, artist and person.........Yay!

Happy.

"If I could gather a star 

for each time that you have made me smile, 

I would have the whole of the heavens in the palm of my hand"...~Deni Kendig

Painting Teensy ...and Tennsier

Penopoly Pens is at it again! As the LA Pen Show approaches, I am busily painting tiny again....on a cylindrical surface the size of a small cigar. My paint brushes are 10's and 20's over zero's and I am about to do some serious squirrel napping in hopes of "borrowing" a tail hair in which to sign my name on these tiny treasures.....So far we have an Indian Eagle Feather, a Rattlesnake, a Purple Tulip and The Raven.....and introducing; Sakura or Cherry Blossom.

Valentine! Oh Valentine!

Last month I was in Grass Valley and saw delicate wired jewelry work that intrigued, delighted and definitely caught my attention. the fragile little images stayed with me thru these past weeks, and I have learned that when that happens to me, I must get it out via create-problem-solve-create-tweak-create-eat chocolate....then create. Here is the first prototype using materials I had in my arsenal....you know, the "some day I'll use these cause they're pretty" stuff. Now I'm sure a trip to the craft store in the next few days will be in order, along with a consult with a FAB jewelry designer and friend. After that, I may have something to fall in love with creating. It's been a bit of a dry spell in three dimensional art for me as I have been painting tiny pens again, so this is a welcome gem! Not that painting isn't fulfilling....it's just different. With Valentines Day coming up around the corner, I hope you enjoy little copper and brass birdies bringing messages of love to wherever you may roam.

Rainbow Forest

Dreaming a colorful Christmas!

This year I finally got to bleach and dye my own bottle brush trees....I've been wanting to for years, but Christmas always seems to come and go so quickly, that I just never got around to it. "Next year" I would say. Next year comes and goes again!.Working today on adding a bit of sparkle, decorating the bases and adding a few things to them....stay tuned!

Batty....baby!!!!!

Years ago, when I was into bear making big time....I used to create Prims....muslin/cotton stuffed animals that were then painted with paint and embellished. I am bringing some of my creations back into circuit for a show coming up this September. I tend to have a love-hate relationship with my sewing machine. I love how fast I can create an inspiration, but also enjoy the therapy of hand sewing. Mini-bears are completely hand sewn, bigger bears and rabbits are machine sewn...but Prims are both....AND I get to break out the paints and brushes! This next show will feature bats for Halloween, rabbits, bears and birds for year round and Reindeer for the Christmas season. Creating my own patterns has been fun....a process that I really enjoy. It begins with an inspiration. For the bats, it came in the form of a field trip to Paxton Gate in San Francisco. Scott nearly bought me this adorable tiny fruit bat that was taxidermed (is that a word?).....the thought of the little guy haunted my imagination and images began to be with me all the time. The challenge was to get the image that was in my imagination., on paper, into a pattern and bring it to fruition....So,.here you have it:

 the Bat at Paxton Gate

My Bat, Esmerelda



Paper Roses

Hand made, watercolor painted coffee filter roses.......Oh my! I love making these. They are very time consuming but the end result is worth it, and by using coffee filters, no more torn crepe paper half way through your design work....very happy, happy.

Painted Tweeties

I recently hand painted thistles on 1 1/2"mother of pearl beads as pins for my bridesmaids, and a necklace for me for my wedding. When venturing into a new medium or project there is always problem solving involved. With this one it was what to coat the paint with so that it wouldn't bleed or bubble or run, or do anything but create a shiny perfect seal.....mission accomplished! Now that I have a few birdies painted, look for tigers and lemurs and other wildlife in the future. I have begun EENSY, TINY painting again on celluloid pens and boxes as well.....look for them soon. Designs for the animals will have minimal bling and have an earthy, more organic feel.....getting away from glitter this season (SHOCK>>>I know!!)....simplicity is where it's at in my heart right now.

The Marraige of a Pix and a Jeep

The 11 day forcast said rain. RAIN!!!! ARGH!!!! With no plan B installed for the big day, my beloved and I held hands, bowed our heads and prayed! April 21st arrived and the sun was shining!!! Record highs were recorded and well.....we may have overdone it a bit

 on the praying! It was HOT!

Our backyard was turned into the reception hall with white table cloths, music, dancing and of course...eating! Chef made us the yummiest dinner of Duck Confit, Roasted Porkloin, Potatoes Gratin and a bounty of delectable appetizers and such. My friend Dorothy Costanzo made the yummiest lemon cake on the planet! And I had worked for months on bouquets, favors, decorations, invitations.....a DIY wedding if ever there was one! We wouldn't have had it any other way. A friend at the wedding took me aside and said he was gonna sign me up for OAA....Over achievers annonymous..ha! With the blessings of family and friends, we teared up more than a few times at the overwhelming love and support they gave us.

The day was magic and love and fun, family, friends and wonderful, dream-like and thrilling!  I couldn't have been happier to be marrying the most

 amazing person I have ever met....Scott Kendig.

We honeymooned in Napa and hit the giants of the culinery world as well as some great wineries. More pictures to follow as our photographer delivers them.

New Creations and Back to First Loves

When I got into my own business years ago, it was as a bear maker....teddy bears that is. I fell in love with the old fashioned mohair bears at a show a friend took me to and I was hooked. I got away from it for a time due to carpal tunnel and hand surgeries.

Now, I'm back in business!!!

There is something really magical about birthing bears and hares. I never really know until I have the eyes, nose and ears placed if it will be a boy or girl. When it's little face is done, it speaks to me and I know. A friend gifted me with some amazing mohair and synthetic fabrics that I am so excited about!

Look to upcoming shows to see polar bears, hares and my newest felted birds.