Slightly Christmas

I haven't been feeling any of this "Christmas spirit", so I got this little tree.

Unfortunately, I have to keep it in an elevated corner so my cat won't eat it and die. (<--clearly I worry about him going, doing and eating all sorts of things.) I'm also hoping to keep the tree alive till spring so I can take it to my family's house and plant it in the yard.

Woodland creatures, gnomes and a random Pinnochio I got in Florence.

Here's an in-progress shot of another project I'm working on. It's also a long term project that'll probably take a while but I've got a lot of hope for this one being really interesting in the end. I'm not 100% settled on things so I won't give much away but this is just the beginning.

My silk spider visiting the photo shoot and getting comfortable made me think I should include some animals in this too, maybe bugs, maybe birds (they are sorta my thing). We shall see, but a fuzzy caterpillar sounds fun.

Updates All Round

I finally broke down and did it, I made a Facebook page:

Sacrificial Rabbits - Crystal A. Suh Facebook artist page

If you're on FB (and like my work), please "like" it and spread the word to your friends! ;)



I also have a new addition to my shop, a cotton spider (not to be confused with the silk spider). The cotton spider is bigger and a little more brutish but plenty nice and would be a funny tree ornament too.

You can view the listing/ purchase here: Cotton Spider on Etsy

I also have two recent "works in progress" shots to share, here is one:

I haven't decided if I want to just work on a series of singular hoop-frame pieces or if I want to go ahead and reserve these for a grand, decorative quilt. I've been wanting to do both but of course a quilt will be a super long term project should I decide to continue with it (eep!) 

Of course if this ends up being a singular scene, it's pretty much done.

Annnd here is my clay doll,

I was working feverishly on her for a few weeks and have taken a hiatus. There is a long ways to go, including making more pieces, painting, working on the jointing, hair and dressing but I've decided not to rush it. I want it to be as successful a first try as possible.


And as an item of note, my succulent was featured in this treasury by Chastity Hubbard

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODg3NDg2MHwxNDc4OTc1NDYy/all-the-plants

I was pretty sure making a realistic succulent and putting it in a jar would be a fun idea but I'm blown away by how popular it is- Thanks !

Holiday Ornaments

I made a few ornaments for the holiday season and put them up in my shop as a "choose one" listing, what do you think, tree worthy?

Vintage rhinestones

Vintage rhinestones

Hand burned flower

I thought the last one would make a good little "French Hen" (as in "3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree",) but Will said it looked like a shrimp x_x .


If you'd like to get one, they're available here, (if you don't mind shrimp on your tree *rolls eyes*):

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88072191/one-silk-bird-ornament-of-your-choice




I've also been busy gift searching for the holiday and found so many adorable/ pretty things, I was inspired to make a couple treasuries to share my findings, click them and look around!:

Treasury: "Super Sweet Cookie Jars" by me

Treasury: "Snow Princess, Dreaming" by me

The Spring Maiden

I promised a bunch of doll posts this month but after some thought (and an extra busy schedule), I found it might be best to reserve posts a bit.
I'd love to get a bunch of dolls together for a showing but that takes keeping them in bunches as opposed to selling them as soon as they come out.

That being said, I will however, be posting a few new items in my shop in time for the holidays, as well as some of peeks at the items I recently finished and am reserving.


As promised, here's my Spring Maiden, inspired by the 1920's and the sheer gowns of  Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti- Spring 2012.
I just listed her for sale on Etsy,  Etsy listing for Spring Maiden:

embroidered face

silk accents include a hand constructed flower

lace booties

open back dress is made of an antique handkerchief and lace bits

She can be purchased via my Etsy shop: Crystalistic

Halloweeny

Happy Halloween!

Made a tiny pumpkin girl as a paint test

Besides this pumpkin girl, I haven't really been in the Halloween spirit, but I did get together some of my recent in-progress shots and I've been told, it's kind of creepy...

Messing with newly filed hands

Hands holding bones and moss

painting eyeballs- wooooo

Bulging eyeballs from my unfinished head

Not in-progress, my cat:

Almost winky, Byron with a "tangereen", I ambushed him while sleepy

Come November, I'll have a few new dolls to debut. I finished the siamese sisters, a couple of birds (from basic to fanciful) and will also have a couple of lovely little maidens to show for my time away.

Till then, have a fun Halloween everyone! (I myself am just glad it stopped snowing!)

Absences

Hi Everyone,
I know it's been a while since my last post. I took an informal hiatus from making things to accommodate additional freelancing earlier this summer and then at the onset of September, someone very close to me passed away.
It's been a surreal experience overall and nothing could have prepared me for this loss. Needless to say, my work and communication were put on the back burner but after about a month I was able to find pockets of time with which I was able to pick up a few of my older started pieces and feverishly finish them off one by one. I still have a lot of old work to finish (and of course, new projects to start) but you can expect to see many new pieces here and in my Etsy shop within the next couple of weeks.

To those who noticed my absence and reached out, I thank you very much. It was fuel for my work when I was finally able to get back to it.

I still have photos to take and things to organize so I'm going to leave you with one of my favorite nature/art videos that feels very appropriate for what I'm feeling and who I lost. It's one of the most spectacular accounts of nature I have seen and I highly encourage watching this and his other videos if you haven't already.

"The Mountain" by Terje Sorgjerd aka TSO Photography at El Teide:

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Sneakpeek- The Gilded Bird

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since my last post- I've been taking care of a lot of personal business and was away for a solid week due to an illness in the family. Things aren't totally resolved but I am back to take care of things that are actually within my control.

So, I mentioned two birds but I will only be selling one and that is the Gilded Bird. It is comprised of different gold colored silks, glass beads and yellow-gold embroidery. It's stitch-signed at the tail and has a great big bow to add a girly, whimsical touch. The bow has a rich coppery-brown undertone.

I think the legs give this one a fun, "walking" stance

layers upon layers of ruffles

under the tail is the stitch sign with my initials

Currently available here: Gilded Bird on Etsy


And here are some lovely treasuries that have featured my work,

Thanks everyone for checking in despite my extended absence and also Thank you to all those who  have sent me birthday greetings! :)

The Birds That Were Reserved

Spent the earlier part of the week (or the later part of the weekend) getting orders together. Besides the birds I've featured and distributed to Etsy, here are pictures of the rest of the flock minus two.
These have all been reserved, either from in-progress shot inquiries or for consignment.

Possibly my most classically pretty bird, she's on the big side. Makes me think I should range size more often.

The dupioni silk really made a difference with this one, so shiny, quite different.

Coincidentally, I started this one around St. Patrick's day.

A little less slick than my crowned swan but I think the ostentatious air lends itself to the extra stitches, folds & leaves

Of all of them, this one gets the title of "Miss Congeniality"

Right now there are just two birds left from my sewing spree, one that will make it's debut by the end of the week (the little one with pearls) and one I'll be releasing around my birthday (the 29th). That one is a mystery bird I haven't shown any photos of, the theme is "gilded". It was kind of an afterthought, a last minute add on but it definitely stands out and makes a good finishing piece for this flock.

I'm curious to know if there were any stand-outs or favorites from the past month of birds cause I definitely feel I went in a few different directions and developed my sewing too.

Oh, p.s. no, I'm not done with birds for the rest of my life but I could definitely use a break to work on my other projects :X

Etsy Shop Update: The Easter Bird

Available now,

What do you think?

Also, I was featured in this lovely treasury:

"Muddy Springtime" treasury by valerie72molnar

I love that there are a lot of usable items in this one. Terrariums, cat toys, the bird nesting ball is one of my faves for concept.

Oh yeah, and happy April Fools Day!
I don't really celebrate it but maybe some of you do, in which case "go get um!" (unless you planned on getting me, in which case "don't.")

Work In Progress: The Spider

I have some special plans for this guy (girl?),

But it's gonna take more work on some other components before it's done (never mind that I haven't fully decided upon what to do with my fish). But you can probably get an idea of where I'm going with this one by the knit under it.

It's kind of funny to be showing off a spider piece while my creamy bird with a bowtie is featured in the following spooky-style treasury, but I guess all of the birds together like that is kind of creepy in an old Victorian portrait way haha.



"Things that go bump in the night" by Skunkhollow


As my sister, Joan would say, "Whoa dang..." while I was writing this post, I was also featured in this treasury:

"Botanical and All Natural" treasury by  BungalowbyMilkshake

Gorgeous hints of green in this one.  
I love Spring- even though Spring hates my sinuses.


*Just A Reminder* 

Bird fans, don't forget there's a special Easter edition bird out on Friday!
And though I usually reserve commentary on my own pieces, I can (almost 100%) promise you'll find this one whimsical and cute.  :)

Featured in Etsy Finds: The Hot List

Hi All,
Last post I mentioned I had a little possible press coming my way and here it is:

click for dynamic, clickable links version

Just a little segment of the e-mail but I've gotten a tremendous amount of positive vibes, kind msgs and overall support from it! It's just proof the little things really do count :).

Also, this Friday, I've got a (cotton) bird especially for Easter going up in the Etsy shop,

Actually, it doesn't need to be for Easter, so long as you like mischievous, disguised birds.
It's in the blue and white print I love (and have used for the alphabet birds).

 

I've also been featured in a couple very sweet, spring-inspired treasuries:

"hello denium" treasury by lorinichols

"I'll Fly Away Oh Glory" treasury by Saintwolf

 

Ok, I've still got a lot of non-sewing to do so I'll post an  in progress shot of my newest project next time. I haven't made any other animals since my fish so here's a hint: it's not a bird! :p

Etsy Updates- Three Birds

Hi everyone,
Apologies for the absence! The past couple weeks have been super hectic with day-job stuff, a little weekend trip w/o internet, jury duty and lots of errands (as well as life's little unexpected things to contend with, (I'm talking to you, IRS!).
All in all, nothing too bad but definitely time consuming and kind of tiring.

Yesterday I got news of some *possible* upcoming Etsy press so I decided to regroup and make a quick small-batch update. Taking into consideration all inquiries and possible *reserved* dolls, I've selected three that I will list in my Etsy shop around midnight tonight (in about 2 hours).

I have also *just* finished the last of the other birds you saw in the previous pictures (details and such). My fingers are raw now but of course, I already have my next priorities in hand (literally) and will also be addressing questions I've received about my last couple of posts. ((I hadn't finished those last details for the flock which in-turn made it kind of impossible to answer some of the doll inquiries I had gotten thus far- Sorry for the delay but I've taken them all under consideration and will address them accordingly).

Here are the dolls that will go in tonight:

Work in Progress: more from the flock of birds

Before all the birds are fully photographed and decidedly distributed, here's a little backtrack to a growing flock:

Amusing myself while making legs

The most birds I've ever queued to date (also: see cat in window)

Thought these three looked particularly good together, like a Cream Court

Once I've photographed them all (for details and etc), it will be decided if any make it to consignment and the rest will be released incrementally, (primarily via my Etsy). I *might* end up adding a couple more to the group because after this spree, I'm going to take a break from individually sold birds (includes bird pairs) and work on some unfinished dolls and longer term projects so if anyone was interested in birds, now is the time to keep an eye out.


On another note, I was also featured in a few treasuries :)  :



"echos of nature" treasury by Ampaden


 "Birds of a Feather a pif treasury" treasury by my4sisters






"On The Bonnie Bonnie Banks" treasury by KogoShuko