I love to go sight-seeing through the Etsy shops and today, in the special wedding section, I found customized Wedding Cake Toppers for only $250. A $100 deposit is all it takes to begin work on a handmade cake topper that bears a striking resemblance to bride and groom.
Toppers are sculpted from dollmaking clay which is layered over a stronger armature for durability. They measure about 5-6 inches in height. You can personalize your topper even further by adding touches like a likeness of your pet. How cool is this? I cannot imagine a cooler, more unique keepsake for the bride …read more

Artist: Helena Gullström
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Website: Helena Gullström

Helena Gullstrom was born and raised in Sunne, Sweden, a small town in the western part of the country. She currently resides in Los Angeles. With painting and drawing being an important part of her life, she began serious study with Franklin Liegel at the Otis Parsons School of Art Design in Los Angeles.

My work is an extension of myself, hopefully ever expanding and evolving. I allow myself using a large array of materials, including concrete, oil, acrylic, wood, metal etc.
This enables me to always feel like as if I’m discovering something, …read more

Name: pablo solomon
Location: Lampasas, Texas
Website:
pablo solomon
pablo solomon’s work is a beautiful celebration of the human form. If you are at work or would prefer not to see nudes, please take this into account. But you will be missing some wonderfully sublime works!

Commissioned piece: recycled toys on wooden frame
Ryan McElhinney has taken his talents primarily into the areas of lighting and furniture. For such serious subjects, it looks to me like he’s having way too much fun, you think? I am particularly taken by all the pieces that he makes with recycled toys, like the frame above, and this lamp:

How much do you want this action figure lamp?
With international training and flair, Ryan has worked on movies, received numerous design prizes, and has done commission work for many people whose names you would recognize!
WAY too much fun. And a lot of …read more

I want everything this man makes! Furniture and folk art sculptures, which Richard Dunbrack creates “from significant period artifacts and found objects”. Just marvelous! Visit The Thieving Magpie…it’ll put a smile on your face, gauranteed!

Recklessly Driving Down Dirty Back Roads

You might remember Joe Pogan’s artist profile last year, because I bragged about actually being fortunate enough to own one of his pieces. Well, Joe has come up with 14 videos (so far) to show the pieces in the round! What a great idea. You can see all of Joe’s videos on YouTube if you’d like.
Here’s one that looks a lot like my bird:

500 CERAMIC SCULPTURES
Juror: Glen R. Brown
Editor: Suzanne Tourtillott
Deadline: March 14, 2008
Lark Books seeks images to publish in a juried celebration of international ceramic sculpture to be released May 2009. Submissions may span the full range of contemporary ceramic sculptural practice, from representational and figurative to abstract, non-narrative work.
Submission information here.

Art Attack Thursday!

You know that we love recycled junk around here…and I’ve got a new-to-me artist to share with you: Boris Bally. I don’t know why I haven’t come across his stuff before. It’s really good! He’s been in all the art journals, many fine art books, and has exhibited more places than I can even begin to list. Boris makes everything from furniture to flatware to wearables. Enjoy a spin around his website!

Nickel Grabber Brooches
 

Triangular ‘99
Shibori dyed fabric, polymer clay and found objects
17” x 12” x 4”
Artist: Laura Tabakman
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Websites:
Laura Tabakman
Flickr photo album
Laura, I’m impressed that you do both wearables and non-wearables, both so incredibly well! How do you describe your work?
I work in mixed media, fiber arts and polymer clay. I feel more comfortable working in three dimensions, using basic forms evocative of nature and primitive cultures. I am particularly interested in process and materials, and in choosing them for each piece I look for contrast; hard, rough, dull and strong materials (steel, roofing material) combined with delicate, smooth and …read more

Artist: Ptolemy Elrington
Business name: Hubcap Creatures
Website:
Hubcap Creatures
How do you describe your work, Ptolemy?
I generally make representations of natural forms from recycled or reclaimed materials. I’ve diverged occasionally, because I’m always up for a challenge, but that’s my preferred work direction. A lot of work is with reclaimed hubcaps, hence my website and business name.

What is your creative process like?
I like the process of discovery that is an inherent part of the work I do. If I make something from a basic material, like clay or wire for instance, I’m completely in control of the form, and thus for me …read more