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...jen o'connor's...Artful Adventures & Daily Inspirations

I Love Art, Adore the Handmade and Treasure the Vintage. I am the Fun Mom, the Silly Friend and the Writer who wants to make more room for beauty in the everyday.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

textures and color fantasies




































































Dreamy piles of yummy fabrics just waiting to be married under a tidy needle and thread. Texture and color fantasies; the anticipation of the combinations is titillating...felt and wool, gingham and organdy, my beloved Swiss dot and cashmere...
How fabulous that Valerie Weberpal can unite them forever with a stylish aplomb for cheer. She creates colorful and, oh so textural, dolls, pillow creatures, purses, mittens, throws and more sewn folk art goodies. Her craft as a seamstress is exceptional, and her imagination for fanciful adornment is perhaps unmatched!


...I fantasize about actually being able to sew. If I could, I would want to concoct something with just once ounce of the merriness Valerie imparts upon her creations. No creature is safe from her festive interpretation. Bugs and black cats, parades of bunnies and the rogue pumpkin fall prey to her needleworking charms. They emerge from her Harvest Moon Studio dressed in dashing tailcoats and sweet scalloped-edged skirts. They giggle at themselves, all asunder in top-heavy proportions. Marabou boas wrap shamelessly over schoolgirl cardigans, and spindly striped legs barely prop up cylindrically pillow-like bodies. They are darling, incongruous and perfectly matched!


This is happy stuff from a happy heart. Valerie's days are full juggling her wonderfully talented and active kids, a part time job at an old-time confectionary shop and her creative drive. She is the Mary Poppins of my daily e-mail correspondents, always cheerful, sure and steady, but up for any adventure. Her work forever reminds me of candy; it's the spoonful of folk art that, well, helps the rest of the day go down... Valerie is a joy, as are her dollies, critters and veggie folk that are sprinkled about my home. I catch myself in a grin each time my eyes fall upon the couches and chairs they inhabit.



Valerie sells her fabulous creations at the Kane County Fairgrounds show, and she will be at From Our Hands in Columbus this fall....so keep an eye out for her colorful booth, but be quick! Laurie Meseroll is known to snatch up the cutest things (see Laurie in my dining room grabbing two cuties!) and watch out for Lisa Kaus, she loves Valerie's work too! We are so very lucky to be able to offer her creations here at Earth Angels. Please join me in toasting Valerie and her talents!

...and now to thank you all...
...for your frequent comments on the blog and your fabulous emails. Your good thoughts take us together around the wheel of friendship. I revel in the camaraderie of our shared love for beautiful things. The artists have also told me how much they appreciate your connection to their work...so keep the comments coming, as well as the requests for peeks into our artists' studios. And if you haven't yet signed up for our "feed", please do (see feedblitz box at the top of the BLOG).
Keep cool and as I constantly remind myself...love art, eat cake and have fun....xxoo Jen
What's coming up each Wednesday and Saturday Posts...
...a Gal Pal Trek to York, Pennsylvania with Stacey Bear on our search for the perfect vintage find...a day trip with the kids to the Earth Girl Pottery studio and some fun with the clay....and posts saluting some wonderful artist friends! I'll also blog soon about the renovations underway here at Earth Angels...chain saws and nail guns are the constant tune these hot days of summer as we build a new outbuilding with studio space and add a bedroom for the boys and laundry room (yes, the "cookies anyone...?" mural in the mud room will soon be gone forever...)
more xxoo Jen

8 comments:

Lisa Kaus said...

Love this gals work- Her attention to detail is amazing and use of fabrics and textures just divine. Hope to have many more in my collection.

Anonymous said...

Valerie,
I was smitten with your work from the moment I laid eyes on it at the Folk Art Festival in St. Charles this past spring!!!

If you are reading this, please email me!! I spoke to you regarding the Kiln that you have. We talked about making little porcelain type reproduction dolls. I hope that you remember..... I took your card, but mis-placed it! I live in your town and would love to get together with you sometime. I make dolls as well.

Many Blessings!
Michelle Sylvia

Anonymous said...

i just love their querkyness!

Lori said...

sweet and silly...and silly IS a compliment, too much seriousness is BORING!!! these little beings are just fantastic, i am infatuated with their whimsical faces and wonderful clothing...i am not friends with my sewing machine either Jen, but when i see things like THIS, i truly wish i were...

Rabbit Hill Creations said...

I adore these creations! They are so cute, wool & felt happen to be my favorite!...such a talented artist.

gilfling said...

Oh I have just recently discovered your blog and I love it! So many wonderful artists and inspirations. I do love these dolls - the fabrics, textures and colour combinations are wonderful.

Diane Duda said...

I'm with Lisa and Laurie...I love these wonky little creatures! I hadn't seen Valerie's work before, so thanks for the introduction.
I'm not that far from Columbus...

Valerie said...

Well, all I can say is that you all and Jen are VERY sweet. Thank you for all your wonderful comments! I am bowled over by your flattery. I love making these dolls and I put a lot of myself into each one. I am glad you like them. That makes me want to continue creating. I am not one to make everything exactly the same so making these dolls offers a great freedom of expression. Thanks again for your comments, and especially to Jen, who may not be able to sew with a needle and thread, but does a beautiful job weaving her words into warm and cozy paragraphs that make me want to put a homemade cake in the oven on a cold winter day. Or any day, for that matter. :)


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