About Me

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Welcome, my name is Sylvia Smiser. I am a self taught artist. I enjoy creating one of a kind art dolls and sculpted figures. Vintage Halloween styled artwork and Dia de los Muertos art dolls is what comes naturally to me and what I am most passionate about creating. I am a proud member of the wonderful art groups EHAG (Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild) and PFATT (Primitive Folk Art Talk & Tea). I am a participating artist at Ghoultide Gathering. I am honored to have been published in Art Doll Quarterly, Dolls magazine, Somerset Studio Gallery and Celebrate 365 Magazine. I am also a Physical Therapist and Mama to 15 year old Boy/Girl Twins. My husband is a wonderful man who is very supportive of my art and together with our two doggy fur kids we make one happy, busy family.
Showing posts with label witch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witch. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

"Dear Aunt Gretchen", A Sweet Witch Portrait


I'd like you all to meet, "Dear Aunt Gretchen".  She is a relief sculpture on stretched canvas. Her ensemble was fashioned out of all antique textiles. 
She is my first relief portrait and I'm excited about how she turned out. 

She is also special because she was a challenge piece. You see in my hunting for genuine antique textiles to use in my pieces I met a wonderful lady, Eileen Sturm, through her ETSY stores. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnniesAntiques

She is very generously setting up something called "Project Inspire Me".
I was very lucky to be her first challenge! 
What happens is she chooses participants then sends them antique treasures to work into a piece.  Then you send her photos of the piece you made so she can share with her listings. 

Here is what she wrote in my challenge: 


RESERVED "Challenge" for Sylvia Smiser at Anaboo Creations Only! - see the end of this listing for details on items above

Project Inspire Me Challenge: Sylvia Smiser at Anaboo Creations, www.ETSY.com/shop/AnabooCreations I challenge you to make one or more items with the lovelies in the photo's above and send me digital photo(s) within one month of to my Project Inspire Me email address at ProjectInspireMe [!at] petalannie.com

What you need to do: 
1) The challenge is accepted when you purchase the listing for the 20 cent listing fee and free shipping (don't actually pay the 20 cents, just mark your payment "Check" and I'll market it shipped) Oh, and If you are not currently a customer, you'll need to send me your full name and address.
2) Make 1 or more items with the lovelies provided above, within 1 month's time from purchasing the listing
3) Share what you make by sending me digital photo(s) of your creation(s) to my Project Inspire Me email address at ProjectInspireMe [!at] petalannie.com

What I'll do:
1. I'll hunt for lovelies in my overflowing, haven't seen daylight in years, boxes for just the right lovelies for your challenge. Some lovelies may come out of the current inventory in my shops.
2. I'll leave the current week's challenge up for 1 week ending Saturday's at midnight. If the challenge is not accepted in that time, a new challenge will be issued. 
3. I'll ship your Project Inspire Me supplies out Free of Charge (no listing fee, no shipping fee)!
4. I'll share your creations and a bit about what you do on my Project Inspire Me Facebook page when you accept the challenge and then again when you submit your pictures..
5. With your permission, I'll use your photo's as examples when I post new lovelies in my three shop, Annies Antiques, Metallic Trim Emporium, and Annies Lace Shop, with a credit to you and your shop on my listing.

Attention Artisans /Crafters, if you want to be considered for participation in the Project Inspire Me Challenge, here's what you do:
1. Send me a convo and the name of your ETSY shop or if you don't have a shop, convo me a photo of your craft and tell me a bit about what you do. I can't pull together a challenge unless I get a feeling for what will challenge you!
2. Optional, Sign into Facebook and find my Project Inspire Me page and give me a "Like"!

Highlights of items, all antique (late 1800s through 1930s):
1. The Victorian Witches Hat Applique, well that was actually a Victorian cornucopia applique, but all I could think of was "witches hat" when I looked at it - and of course, Sylvia Smiser came immediately to mind....I have a very limited amount of these appliques, they will be going into Annies Antiques shop in early October....
2. The beaded pieces in the right hand corner of the first picture are fragile but have a ghoulish look about them, you'll have to back them when you use them, or use the beads separately, really interesting pieces.....
3. The metallic string has a ghostly glow about it, it can't be pulled on so more for an embellishment rather than use to hang something with or sew with....
4. I threw in a rayon mesh from a early 1900s skirt and a piece of black millinery crinoline.....
5. Oh, and that silver beaded trim at the top, well that's gorgeous, came from a museum deaccension
6. I threw in the little orange stamens or pips as this challenge needed some color - ceramic tip

If you are interested in a challenge, I recommend you contact Eileen as her treasures are unbelievable and very inspiring. 

If you are interested in giving "Dear Aunt Gretchen" a home she will be available to purchase on the EHAG EMPORIUM which updates on HALLOWEEN NIGHT! 
Look for her at 9 PM Eastern Time October 31, 2014
on the EHAG EMPORIUM

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
~Sylvia


Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Halloween Adventure, A Halloween Party, and A Giveaway!


I was walking in the woods yesterday morning searching for Witchberries.  
What's that you say? You've never heard of Witchberries before? 
Well let me tell you, you can make the best Chocolate Witchberry Cupcakes from them and the most satisfyingly magical tea as well.  Delicious! 
As I was walking along I found some of those delicious Witchberries everywhere I turned. 
It's the best time of year to collect Witchberries you know.

Suddenly, I heard the most alarming cackle! 
and I had to go see what or who it was coming from...
I followed it through the woods until I came to a clearing where I found this...

Sweet little cottage. 
 I was so enchanted that I thought I would find out who lived there. 
So I walked up to the door and knocked 3 times. 
But there was no answer.
So I went around the back and I found another door. 
But nobody seemed to be home.  
I know this is bad manners but curiosity got the best of me and I had to look in the window. 
This is what I saw.  It was such a cozy little cottage.  Just full of charm.  
I so wish the owners were home so that I may visit and get to feel what it was like inside. 
Suddenly! 
There was movement! 
And that Cackle Again!!!



The chair at the window began to rock fiercely and I had no choice but to run as fast as my feet would carry me! 
AWAY!!!

Much to my relief, I awoke with a start.  I was home (Phew!)
I just sat for a moment to relax before the Halloween Party and I guess I must have dozed off. 

Yes, that is what happened. 
Here are my treats all ready for the Halloween Party! 
Wait a minute. That plate was full of brownies...

Oh I see, Eudora and one eyed Jack have arrived.  I think those brownie's are one eyed Jack's favorite. 
He seems to want to blame it on the plate and cups.  
But that is quite alright I can put more out.  There is plenty for everyone. 
This little scarecrow and his crow friend prefer the Witchberry cupcakes.
And the Witchberry tea, but those tea cups sure are ornery and like to play tricks before allowing you to have your treat.  


I'd like to send a special Thank you to Ms Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist for organizing such a magical gathering of kind spirited folks! 
I always enjoy this annual, wonderful, blogland event so much!!!

I'm so glad you were able to stop by and join us for this small but intimate Halloween Party. 
In gratitude I would like to offer a giveaway! 

You see Mr. Scarecrow is looking for a new home.  He was just fired from his last position for being too kind to the crows. 


If you'd like a chance to win him:
1. leave me a comment
For a second chance: 
2. Follow my blog, by clicking follow, up on the right side of this page
And For yet another chance 
3. follow my Facebook Page 

I will be picking a winner Saturday November 3rd. 

Happy Halloween Partying!!!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Developing new techniques and More Mini dolls for this months PFATT Marketplace!

Hello everyone and welcome back! This has been a month of discovery and adventure for me with my art work.  You see I am a paperclay artist.  It's what I feel most comfortable sculpting with.  However, I keep hearing more and more about polymer clay and how much more you can do with it.  The main drawback for me is that you have to bake it to set.  For some reason that makes me nervous.  Maybe it's the fact that I tend to be on the forgetful side and what if I leave my pieces in there too long and they burn?  There goes all that sculpting work down the drain.

Well, I decided to give it a try anyway.  I set a timer and a back up timer. : )  I've done this only once before, I don't know if you recall my Barnabas Collins Doll? His cane was made with Polymer clay. So this is the first time I make something out of my own imagination with polymer clay. 

I also wanted to make some minis.  So I made myself a pattern for the body added wiring and stuffed them.  Then I attached the heads and costumed them. 
I made 4 minis this time around.  The first two were featured in my last post. Frankenstein and his Mrs. Those I'm happy to report are already in their new castle home enjoying every minute!
The other two will be available on Monday on The PFATT Marketplace.  
Here are some photos, I hope you like these guys! They were so much fun to make and even more fun to play with.  ; ) 

Meet Wandering Wanda and Cyrus the Halloween Circus Cat.

Wanda is so proud of her handmade VROOMstick!



And Cyrus loves to do acrobatic stunts!



Thank you for stopping in! Have a wonderful weekend! 
Sylvia


Thursday, August 9, 2012

Meet Ms. Eudora Toadtickler and Her Friend One Eyed Jack


Hi everybody, tomorrow, the PFATT Marketplace updates at 10 AM Pacific time, Noon Central, 1 PM  Eastern time.

I have the special honor of being the featured artist this month!!! YAAY! 

Along with being the featured artist I will also be offering Ms. Eudora Toadtickler and her friend one eyed jack you see pictured here. 
She is a one of a kind art doll and her dress is made with authentic antique Victorian and Edwardian fabrics, lace, and trims.
Please scroll down to see all of her photos.  

 If you are interested in her just follow the link below and click on her paypal button.



 We hope you will stop by to meet us! 




Oh no, is that I spider I felt crawling up my leg!

Oh I almost forgot to mention that two of my dolls have been published in the Current issue of ART DOLL QUARTERLY!  I am so excited about this I could burst with giddiness! 


Here is what the cover looks like.  My Barnabas was mentioned on the cover WooHoo!

I hope to see you tomorrow friends!
Sylvia

Tuesday, June 22, 2010


My cloth and clay witch I made for my sister-in-law for her birthday earlier this month. I was glad she liked it.