"Luna the Pixie Kitten" Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Folk Art Cat Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Have you seen Luna?

Luna is a pixie kitten, one of those mystical winged creatures of folklore with pointed ears who are said to be uncommonly beautiful.

Luna’s wide open blue eyes are brimming with kindness and good will, and she has not an ounce of malice in her heart. She is amiable and good-humored in all that she does. She never ever does anything naughty.

Luna loves to dance. Although her ballet moves may be just a bit awkward and ungainly, you must admit her tutu is really pretty.

Luna likes people, and she can be very helpful with work around the house or in the garden. If you lend her a feather duster, or even a Swiffer, she will whisk away the cobwebs in the uppermost corners. She will flit through the garden and land on a branch where, with her odd little voice, she will summon the bees to pollinate the flowers.

Pixie kittens bring untold blessings to those who are fond of them. Just ask Luna. She will tell you.

Luna is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from our own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is approximately 8 ¼ inches from the tips of her ears to the tips of her toes, and approximately 6 inches tall when seated.

Luna’s arms and legs are button-jointed with antique-looking silver filigreed metal buttons, so she can easily pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head. Her front paws are needle sculpted, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Luna’s curled tail enables her to sit very well balanced all by herself on a shelf, or a table, or in a cabinet.

Luna’s delightful tutu is made from layers of tulle, in lavender pink and lavender blue, with a hand-sewn waistband of light blue that snaps at the back and has a soft satin rose at the center.

Her mystical wings are made from cotton fabric and are completely hand-quilted.

Luna’s bodysuit is painted rich lavender blue, with a golden sliver of moon at the neckline. Her tights are the color of an orchid, and her ballet shoes are the color of a purple iris.

Luna is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. Luna is meant for display only.

Luna the Pixie Kitten is available for $450.00 plus shipping. Please inquire with your zip code for a shipping quote to ruffings@ruffings.com.

Please click here to visit Luna's web page.

Chelsea the Maine Coon Cat, New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Chelsea is a Maine Coon cat with big amber eyes and tall tufted ears. She is very sociable, very charming, and very much loved. Today is her first birthday.

In just a few minutes, her party will begin. As she waits for her guests to arrive, she is so excited she has to remind herself to breathe. She sits very still so as not to wrinkle her new party dress, and looks in awe at the beautiful cake with the pink roses on top. She hopes there will be some left over for later. It looks yummy.

Chelsea's first guests arrive!

And more guests!

They all admire the cake, trying to wait until everyone arrives. It's so tempting to just stick one little paw in the frosting...

Chelsea is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from our own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is 13 inches tall.

Chelsea’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head. The tufts on her ears are sewn-in fake fur, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Her curled tail enables her to sit prettily all by herself on a shelf or on a table, or in a cabinet. She will also happily sit on a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand are not included.) Chelsea is meant for display only.



Chelsea’s pink and white birthday cake was sculpted from paperclay, and has a removable wax candle. It rests on a round wooden base, painted green.

Chelsea wears an ivory blouse with gold buttons. Her bloomers are painted white, with rose polka dots. She has ivory-colored tights and high-button shoes that cover her little kitty feet.

Chelsea’s party dress is pale pink and ivory, with a dainty striped pattern of darker pink roses and green leaves. The trim and underskirt are of striped tan and dark rose fabric. A touch of ivory lace adds even more femininity.

Chelsea is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Chelsea is available for $650.00 plus shipping. Please inquire with your zip code for a shipping quote to ruffings@ruffings.com.

The birthday guests, as pictured above, from left to right, are "Loretta and Lulu", "Heidi and Helga", "Chelsea", "Emily and Edwin", and "Beatrice and Beulah". Please click here to visit Chelsea's web page.

Loretta and Lulu, New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Siamese Cat and Kitten Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Loretta is a patient and loving Siamese mom who is sincerely dedicated to being the best mother she can be.

When her kitten Lulu has her worn out and frazzled, Loretta tucks Lulu safely into her apron pocket to keep her from running and jumping in every direction. Then Loretta breathes a sigh of relief.

Lulu remains wide awake, peeking over the pocket at everything around her, and planning her next great adventure.

Loretta and Lulu are original one-of-a-kind works of art, created from our own design and pattern. They are made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. Loretta is 13 inches tall, and Lulu is 3 inches tall.

Loretta’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Loretta and Lulu’s faces were sculpted from paperclay smoothed into their fabric heads. Their whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.



Loretta’s curled tail supports her so that she can sit prettily all by herself on a shelf or on a table, or in a cabinet. She can also sit in a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand are not included.) Loretta and Lulu are meant for display only.

Loretta wears a periwinkle blue blouse, with a white collar and cuffs, and gold buttons. Her sleeves and tights are striped with purples, lavenders, blues, and burnt orange. Her kitty feet are covered by fancy two-toned high-button shoes with gold buttons.

Loretta’s charming little blue skirt has a pattern of pink heart-shaped flowers. The attached apron with its gracefully curved top is white, and trimmed with lovely white lace. The pocket in her apron, made especially for Lulu, has an appliquéd heart, satin trim, and decorative embroidery stitching.

Loretta and Lulu are signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.



Please click here to visit Loretta and Lulu's web page. Please click here to visit Emily and Edwin (above left) and please click here to visit Beatrice and Beulah (above right).

Heidi and Helga, New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Tabby Cat Doll and Hand-painted Goose by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

This is Heidi, a very determined tabby cat who lives in the Swiss Alps with her good friend Helga. Helga is Heidi’s white goose, and her very best friend.

It is spring in the mountains, and the flowers are beginning to pop out of the earth. It’s a good time for singing, or in this case, for yodeling. Heidi’s dream is to win the championship trophy at the annual yodeling contest. Helga has agreed to be her partner and lovely assistant.

Every morning the two venture high into the mountains to practice. They love to yodel on the very top of the mountain. Their seemingly melodious sounds echo back at them a hundred times or more.

“We are getting very good at this,” Heidi proclaims. Helga nods happily.

Down in the valley, the townspeople come out of their houses into the square.

“What is that terrible howling-honking noise?” they wonder. They put their hands over their ears, and go back inside, slamming the windows shut.

Heidi is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from our own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. Her face is sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. She is 13 inches tall.

Helga the goose is made of wood. She has blue eyes and lots of painted white feathers. Her collar is black with gold bands, and is covered in a delicate pattern of little flowers and leaves. Her wheels are gold. Helga is 5 inches tall and 6 inches long.

Heidi is painted in a multitude of tabby colors…silver gray, buff, ivory, gold, and black. Her paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose.

Heidi’s curled tail enables her to sit prettily all by herself on a shelf or on a table, or in a cabinet. She will also obligingly sit on a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand are not included.) Heidi and Helga are meant for display only.

Heidi’s painted underblouse is ivory, with a scalloped neckline and sleeves. Her bloomers are painted in matching ivory. She wears white tights and black high-button shoes that look just right on her little kitty feet.

Heidi’s pretty Swiss dress features an off-white bodice and puffy sleeves edged in lace, with a tiny red rose at the center of the collar. Delicate patterns of red embroidery run down the front of her bodice and set off the wide hem of her apron. Her black vest has gold embroidery to match its gold lining, and her dress has a full red plaid skirt.

Heidi is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Heidi and Helga are available for $650.00 plus shipping. Please inquire with your zip code for a shipping quote to ruffings@ruffings.com. Please click here to visit Heidi and Helga's web page.

Emily and Edwin Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat and Elephant Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Emily is a ginger tabby cat with amber-colored eyes that reflect her very sweet personality.



One of her favorite toys is a little gray elephant she calls Edwin.

“Edwin, you need your exercise,” she will say to the sleepy-looking elephant.



Emily then grabs his cord and goes tearing at full speed through the house. She likes to hear the clatter of his wooden wheels on the hard floors. She also likes the thumpity-bump sound he makes when she pulls him up the stairs, and the bumpity-thump sound he makes when she pulls him down the stairs.

Edwin is endlessly entertaining, and, despite all the bumping and thumping, is none the worse for wear. He’s made of painted wood. His base is country blue with golden wheels. His blanket has gold tassels and multicolored stripes. Emily pulls him by a hemp cord decorated with red and blue wooden balls. He’s 3 inches long and 2 3/8 inches tall.



Emily is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from our own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand-painted with acrylic paints. She is 13 inches tall.

Emily’s paws are needle-sculpted, and her arms are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Emily’s curly orange striped tail helps her to sit perfectly upright all by herself on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She will also sit nicely in a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand are not included.) Emily and Edwin are meant for display only.

Emily’s green blouse, with its dainty white collar and cuffs, and gold buttons, is painted on. She has ivory bloomers and two-toned striped green stockings. Her fancy high-button shoes are golden brown with black buttons, and look just right on her little kitty feet.

Emily’s white apron is edged in lace and adorned with a country blue satin ribbon overstitched with a pattern of green flowers. A graceful line of green leaves is embroidered above the ribbon, and a green geometric pattern is embroidered below.

Emily’s green skirt is beautifully decorated with embroidered linear patterns in country blue. A plaid ruffle that picks up all the fabric and embroidery colors is attached below the skirt.

Emily is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Emily and Edwin are available for $650.00 plus shipping. Please inquire with your zip code for a shipping quote to ruffings@ruffings.com. Please click here to visit Emily and Edwin's web page, and here to visit Beatrice and Beulah's (above right) web page.

Beatrice and Beulah, Original One-of-a-kind Lop Bunny Rabbit Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Beatrice is a lop bunny with soft brown eyes, large floppy ears, a wiggly nose, and big feet perfect for hopping about. She is known far and wide for her sweetness.

One day, after Beatrice had just been to the Bunny Boutique to buy a new outfit, she happened to pass by the Bunny Baubles store, which is also in the bunny shopping district. There in the window, looking pleadingly up at her, was a beautiful baby bunny doll in a green dress.

Unable to resist, Beatrice brought her home that very day, and named her Beulah. She had a special pocket for Beulah sewn into each of her dresses, as bunnies aren’t very good at carrying dolls.

Beatrice and Beulah don’t have tea parties, but Beatrice tosses up fresh endive, romaine lettuce, parsley, and cilantro for wonderful salad parties.

All the neighborhood bunnies hope to get an invitation, and Beatrice tries very hard not to overlook anyone.

Beatrice and Beulah are original one-of-a-kind works of art, created from our own pattern and design. Beatrice is made from 100% cotton fabric which has been sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. Beulah is sculpted entirely from paperclay and painted with acrylic paints. Beatrice is 12 ½ inches tall, and Beulah is 2 ¾ inches tall.

Beatrice’s big feet have needle-sculpted toes, and her paws are button-jointed with antique-looking buttons of filigreed silver on black, so she can easily pose. Her face is sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. She has a soft fluffy tail made from yarn.

Beatrice can be propped on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She can also sit in a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) Beatrice and Beulah are meant for display only.

Beatrice wears a pretty pale yellow blouse with a scalloped neckline, sleeves, and hem. Painted purple flowers on the front of her blouse match the flowers in her skirt. Her bunny bloomers are painted ivory.

Beatrice’s charming country pinafore has a pale yellow skirt with a pattern of purple flowers and soft green leaves. The apron with straps that cross in the back is also soft yellow, and edged with off-white lace. The big patch pocket meant for transporting little Beulah is edged in green satin with darker green patterns of decorative stitching. A little green heart is hand appliquéd onto the pocket.

Beulah’s tiny green dress has puffy sleeves with a white collar. Her white bloomers show from under her pink petticoats. A delicate pattern of pink flowers is painted around the bottom of her dress.

Beatrice and Beulah are signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Beatrice and Beulah are available for $650.00 plus shipping. Please inquire with your zip code for a shipping quote to ruffings@ruffings.com. Please visit Beatrice and Beulah's web page by clicking here.

Tabitha the Tabby Kitten, New Original Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Tabitha is a tabby and white kitten with bright yellow eyes and a sweet disposition.

Her favorite toy is a soft green ball, made especially for her. She always knows where it is, whether it has rolled under the bed, or behind the door, or under the stove.

It is filled with catnip. She delights in sneaking up on it, pouncing on it, and rolling around with it for hours.

Today she is wearing her best pink dress with little mauve flowers that encircle the skirt, and a matching mauve bow at the neckline. A big mauve sash ties in another bow at the back. Tabitha’s ivory petticoats show beneath the hemline of her dress. They match her big ivory collar. At the back you can see her striped kitty tail.

“Don’t muss up your pretty dress,” her mother cautions her.

And so Tabitha stands very still, holding her catnip ball, and wondering what in the world to do with herself until she can change back into her play clothes.

Tabitha is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her ball are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Tabitha is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Tabitha is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ½ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Tabitha's web page.

Claudia the Maine Coon Kitten, New Original Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

This is Claudia the Maine Coon kitten.

Her favorite doll is a tuxedo cat doll named Herman. He was especially made just for her by her favorite aunt.

Claudia talks to Herman in a soft little chirping voice. She tells him all her secrets and shares with him all her kitty dreams.

Wherever Claudia goes, Herman goes too.

Today Claudia is wearing her dark rose dress with pale pink polka dots. Her pinafore is pale pink and has a dark pink flower and green leaves on the bib. It’s tied in the back with a big bow.

Claudia’s ivory petticoats can be seen below the hemline of her pretty dress.

Claudia is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is made for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her cat doll are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Claudia is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Claudia is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ½ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Claudia's web page.

Crocus the Siamese Kitten, Original Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Crocus is a sweet little Siamese kitten. She was born in the spring at the same time the first crocus bloomed.

Crocus is very earnest, and quite serious. She cannot comprehend how a bowl, which is always supposed to have food in it, can possibly not have food in it.

“This has to be a mistake,” she will say, as she looks at the empty bowl in shock and disbelief.

“This can’t be right,” she will sigh, as she paces back and forth in the kitchen.

“This is a HUGE oversight,” she will cry, her voice getting louder and louder.

“How could this happen?” she will howl in dismay, and, sure enough, someone will put her food in the bowl, and listen to her quietly purring.

Crocus has extraordinary blue eyes that look out from her dark little face. Her pale pink dress is covered with tiny blue flowers, and has a big ruffled collar edged in blue, with blue cuffs. Her blue sash is tied in a big bow at the back, where you can see her dark little tail. Ivory petticoats show below her hemline. She carries a very empty rose and white bowl.

Crocus is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her bowl are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Crocus is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Crocus is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ½ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Crocus the Siamese on her own web page.

Original One-of-a-kind White Turkish Angora Folk Art Cat Doll by Max Bailey

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Snowbelle is a lovely white Turkish Angora kitty whose favorite time of year has finally arrived.

She sits by the window and waits for the magical snowflakes to begin falling from the sky.

Snowbelle loves the way the snow glistens when the moon is full and all the stars sparkle in the night sky. She loves it too when there’s a snow moon, and the snowflakes swirl softly all around her. She painted little scenes on her sled so she can remember how it feels all year long.

When the ground is white, Snowbelle will call her friend Hedda, and the two will take the sled and head for the downhill slope behind the barn. At the bottom of the hill they will lie on their backs and swish their paws in the snow to make kitty snow angels. Then they’ll roll the snow into giant balls to make kitty snowmen.

Snowbelle is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern and is meant for display only. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is 13 inches tall.

I sculpted Snowbelle’s face from paperclay, which I smoothed into her fabric head. Her pearl cotton whiskers were threaded through the paperclay before it dried.

Snowbelle’s arms are button-jointed with gold antique-looking buttons, so she can be easily posed, and her paws are needle-sculpted. Her white tail supports her very nicely, so that she can sit up all by herself on a shelf, or a table, or in a cabinet. She will also happily sit in a chair, or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.)

I created Snowbelle’s pretty dress from blue cotton fabric that has a delicate pattern of snowflakes, and added white lace at the neckline. She has painted ivory bloomers that match her cute little high-button shoes with gold buttons. Her kitty legs are covered with tights that are striped in two shades of blue. They match her wooden sled.

Snowbelle is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Please click here to visit Snowbelle's web page, and please click here to visit Hedda's (the calico cat above) web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Boston Terrier Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

When Prudence had her first birthday, her mama told her she could pick out her very own doll.

It was not a difficult decision.

In fact, it was love at first sight. Little Alice was by far the most beautiful of all the doggie dolls.

Prudence takes Little Alice everywhere she goes, and shows her to everyone she meets.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Prudence asks. They look at Little Alice, then at Prudence. They smile.

“She couldn’t be more beautiful,” they answer.

Prudence wears a pretty red dress that has blue flowers with yellow centers, and an ivory collar that matches her ruffled petticoats. Little Alice is dressed in bright yellow, with tiers of petticoats that show beneath her dress.

Prudence is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and Little Alice are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Prudence is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She stands 6 and 3/8 inches tall.

Please click here to visit Prudence the Boston Terrier's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

Please click here to visit Wanda the tuxedo cat (pictured on the left) too!

New Original One-of-a-kind Dachshund Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Dinah is a pretty little Dachshund.

She is polite, and sweet, and thoughtful. Dinah always has a kind word and good wishes for everyone she meets.

Wherever Dinah goes, she brings a gift.

No occasion is necessary. She just likes to drop by and surprise her friends with something special she made that she thinks they might like.

What she doesn’t realize, and what her friends all know, is that Dinah herself is a gift.

Dinah wears a soft beige dress with a white collar and cuffs, and tiers of white petticoats that show beneath her dress. A soft bow of deep rose at the front matches the deep rose sash that ties in the back in a pretty bow.

Dinah is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and the gift she carries are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Dinah is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Dinah stands 5 ¾ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Dinah Dachshund's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind White Persian Folk Art Cat Doll by Max Bailey

My name is Floradora, and I am a white Persian kitten.

Mama says I look just like the puffy little white clouds you see in the sky on a nice summer day.

This morning Mama told me not to get my dress dirty and not to show my petticoats.

She says it’s not at all ladylike for little girls to show their petticoats. “Floradora”, she says, “If petticoats were meant to be seen, they’d be worn over your dress instead of under it.”

But my petticoat is really pretty. It’s the color of roses, and it has a big ruffle with yellow polka dots. It’s so pretty I have to show it to you. It’s not like I’m showing somebody my bloomers!

My dress is okay too. It’s blue and has pink daisies that go all around the top in a circle, and a ruffle with a yellow border. If there was a contest though, my polka dot petticoat would win. That’s for sure!

Max Bailey sculpted me and my wonderful petticoat from paperclay, and made my cute little whiskers from stiffened cotton thread. I’m completely hand painted with acrylic paints.

I’m a one-of-a-kind work of art, and am made for display only. Max never uses molds in his work, so there’s never going to be anybody else like me.

I’m signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

I rest firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak, and I’m 7 ¼ inches tall.

Please click here to visit my, Floradora's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Jack Russell Terrier Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Kelly has so many admirers, she barely has time to sit down before the doorbell rings again.

One brings her a box of doggie candy. One calls to give her a brand new red ball. One brings her a bouquet of pink roses.

She graciously thanks each and every one of them.

Kelly likes the roses so much she pins one to her ruffled collar, right in front.

She sighs and goes back to watching her soap operas.

Kelly wears a pale green dress with a beautiful teal collar and cuffs edged in gold. The dress has a wide sash that ties in a big bow at the back. Tiers of white petticoats can be seen below her dress.

Kelly is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her rose bouquet are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Kelly is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Kelly stands 5 ¾ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Kelly the Jack Russell Terrier's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls. Above, from left to right, are Dinah the Dachshund (coming soon), Kelly, and Charlotte the Cocker Spaniel.

Thanks for stopping by!

New Original One-of-a-kind Westie Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Wendy is a sincere and generous West Highland White Terrier.

She loves dog bones.

If you give her a bone, she will put it in her pocket and save it until you give her another.

Wendy worries that a friend might come along who needs a bone. There Wendy would be, munching on the last bit of her only dog bone. That would make her feel terrible!

Wendy is wearing a purple dress with gold polka dots. Her lilac blue apron is trimmed in gold. It is ruffled and has a big sash tied at the back in a pretty bow.

Her ivory collar matches the petticoats that show below her dress, and you can see her cute little white tail.

Wendy is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her bones are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Wendy is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Wendy stands 6 inches tall.

Please click here to visit Wendy the Westie's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Corgi Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

This is Cassie, and she’s a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Wednesday is Cassie’s favorite day.

On Wednesdays, Cassie puts on a nice outfit, tucks her little polka dot purse under her arm, and goes to The Doggie Emporium.

There she chats with her friends, has her nails done, and shops for new outfits and delectable treats to last her through the week.

With a sigh of satisfaction, Cassie walks home with her new treasures, and begins to look forward to next Wednesday.

Cassie wears a neatly tailored blue jacket with gold trim. Her skirt has stripes of coral, pale blue, green, antique gold, and the blue of her jacket. Her coral purse has antique gold trim and blue polka dots. Below her skirt you can see the ruffles of her ivory petticoats.

Cassie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her purse are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Cassie is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Cassie stands 6 inches tall.

Please click here to visit Cassie the Corgi's web page. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Chihuahua Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Every morning Trina holds her mirror up to her face and peers into it.

“Am I as pretty as I was yesterday?” she asks herself.

“Oh yes, much prettier”, she decides.

She picks out several dresses from her vast wardrobe, and tries on each of them.

“This is my favorite today”, she exclaims, and puts on the lovely pink dress with the mauve scalloped collar.

Trina is entirely pleased with herself. She can now go about her day with complete confidence.

Trina’s pale pink dress is set off by the ruffled collar and cuffs that match the sash that is tied in a big bow at the back. Ivory petticoats can be seen below the hemline. Her hand-held mirror is black, decorated with gold lines and pink roses.

Trina is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her mirror are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Trina is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Trina stands 6 inches tall.

Please click here to visit Trina the Chihuahua's web page. Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls. Please click here visit Chi-Chi the Chihuahua (left below) too.

New Original One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Winifred is a sweet little tabby cat who loves company.

She always rushes to answer the doorbell with a plate of freshly baked cookies.

“Please, have a cookie,” she will say, whether her visitor is a neighbor, the mailman, or a total stranger. It is very important to Winifred to extend her hospitality.

“Please visit again soon,” she will always say, with her pretty little kitty smile.

Winifred is wearing a dress the color of burnt orange, with a pale orange ruffle at the neck and sleeves. Her matching sash ties in the back in a big bow. Little blue flowers with yellow centers decorate her dress, and her white petticoats can be seen below her hemline.

Her fur is painted in a multitude of tabby colors…silver gray, buff, ivory, and gold, with black stripes. Her yellow eyes have a touch of green, and her white whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Winifred is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her plate of cookies are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Winifred is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Winifred stands 6 ½ inches tall. (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Please click here to visit Winifred the tabby cat's web page. Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls. Below are, from left to right, Wanda the tuxedo cat, Suzannah the ginger tabby, Winifred, and Felicity the Ragdoll cat.

New Original One-of-a-kind Ginger Tabby Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Suzannah is a sweet little ginger tabby cat.

This is the year Suzannah was old enough to go to the county fair.

It was love at first sight when Suzannah saw the little prize bear behind the counter. She begged her daddy to throw the ball and knock down the bottles. On the first two tries, he missed. Then, giving her a wink and a nod, he threw the last ball. Down went the bottles!

Suzannah squealed with delight and pointed to the cuddly little bear in the yellow overalls. She has cherished him ever since.

Suzannah’s dress has a double ruffle at the neckline that has a border of antique white. The big sash tied in a bow at the back matches the blue ruffle. Her dress is a beautiful shade of green with white polka dots, and her white petticoats can be seen below the hemline.

Suzannah is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her little bear are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Suzannah’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Suzannah is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Suzannah stands 6 ¼ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Suzannah the ginger tabby's web page. Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

This is Suzannah with her friend Winifred. Please click here to visit Winifred the tabby cat's web page.

New Original One-of-a-kind Blue Persian Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Hyacinth might be described as an intellectual.

She is currently attending Kitty College to get her master’s degree in human psychology. The book she carries is called “Know Your Human”. It has lots of good tips.

Hyacinth has noticed that life seems very complicated for the human beings around her. They often require her help in solving their problems, and frequently need her counseling.

Hyacinth patiently points out to them that life is really very simple. You eat, you play, you sleep. That’s about it.

In her careful observation of human beings, Hyacinth has noted that there is a direct correlation between their being in a good mood, and giving out kitty treats.

She has determined that it is in her best interest to keep them as cheerful as possible.

Hyacinth is a Blue Persian cat, who sees the world through beautiful and intense yellow eyes. She wears a yellow dress with a pattern of blue flowers. Three blue bows with white polka dots adorn the front of her dress. They match the big bow at the back. Her collar and petticoats are white.

Hyacinth is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her book are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her gray whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Hyacinth is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She stands 9 ¼ inches tall.

Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Russian Blue Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Natasha is a lovely Russian Blue cat.

Her favorite doll is Ivan. He’s a puppy dog doll with a sad little wrinkled face.

Natasha’s friends find it scandalous that she carries around a doggie doll, but Natasha prides herself on being open-minded.

“Not all doggies are the same”, she tells them. “Some of them are very friendly and are nice to kitties.”

Her friends don’t believe her. They won’t allow Natasha to bring Ivan to their tea parties.

Natasha worries that Ivan feels left out. She cuddles with him at naptime and tells him that she loves him, and not to be sad.

They can have their own tea party.

Natasha’s brilliant yellow eyes have a touch of bright green. She wears a dusty rose dress scattered with pale pink flowers that match the pink yoke and pink sash that ties in a bow at the back. Ivory ruffles adorn the neckline and sleeves, and her ivory petticoats can be seen below her dress.

Natasha is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her toy dog Ivan are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Her whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Natasha is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She stands 9 ½ inches tall.

Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Siamese Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Here is Sasha, the pretty little Siamese kitten.

Sasha loves vanilla ice cream cones.

The ice cream tickles her tongue and freezes the back of her throat all the way down to her tummy.

It makes her whiskers twitch and her little body shiver with delight.

Sasha will let you have a lick of her ice cream cone if you give it back right away. Her bright blue eyes will be fixed on it until you do.

Sasha wears a pretty blue dress covered with pale lilac blue flowers that match the blue of the ruffle at her neckline, and the sash that is tied in a big bow at the back. Her ivory petticoats can be seen below her hemline.

Sasha is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her ice cream cone are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Sasha’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Sasha is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Sasha is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ½ inches tall.

Please visit our online doll gallery to see our currently available dolls, and our already adopted dolls.

New Original One-of-a-kind Tuxedo Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

This is Emmy, and she’s a tuxedo kitten.

Emmy’s eyes are big and yellow and filled with awe and wonder at the world.

Early every morning, Emmy takes her little kitty doll and rushes to the window to watch the sun come up, and another new day begin.

They listen to the birds singing in the trees, and watch the puffy white clouds drift by.

“This is going to be a great day!” Emmy tells her doll, who always agrees.

Emmy is dressed in a country red pinafore banded in gold, with a big gold sash that ties in a bow at the back. There is a pretty dark blue flower on the front of her dress that matches her sleeves. Blue and white petticoats show beneath her hemline. Emmy’s little tuxedo cat doll wears a pink dress with blue polka dots, and she has white petticoats.

Emmy is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her doll are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Emmy’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Emmy is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Emmy is an itty bitty kitty. She stands only 4 ¼ inches tall.

Many hours go into the making of each of my dolls. I strongly believe in fine craftsmanship and artistry, and I pay great attention to small details. Each doll is a unique work of art, and I am able to produce them in only a very limited number. I do my best to create little dolls with big personalities because that is what I love to do.

Please visit our online doll gallery to see our dolls that are currently available for adoption. Emmy is currently available on Etsy.

A print of Emmy will be available on eBay starting Sunday night, October 19th.

New Original One-of-a-kind Chihuahua Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

This is Chi-Chi the Chihuahua.

She watches “Dancing with the Stars” on TV. It is her dream to be a contestant on the show someday.

Chi-Chi practices her Latin dance steps daily in front of the mirror. Her little feet never miss a beat as she sways to the rhythm of the music.

She can hear it now. “And the winner is……Chi-Chi”, the announcer will say. Everybody will give her a big hug, and she’ll get to take home the big glittery trophy.

Chi-Chi’s dancing dress has tiers of red ruffles, banded in dark blue. In her paws she holds a yellow rose.

White petticoats can be seen below her dress, where her cute little tail emerges.

Chi-Chi is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her rose are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Chi-Chi is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Chi-Chi stands 5 ¾ inches tall.

Chi-Chi will be up for adoption on Etsy soon. Click here to visit Chi-Chi on Etsy.

A print of Chi-Chi will be up for auction on eBay the week starting on Sunday night, October 12th.

New Original One-of-a-kind Ragdoll Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Felicity is a sweet little Ragdoll kitten, and she is a dreamer.

Her blue eyes are always looking off into the distance, while she is dreaming dreams, and wishing wishes.

Her daddy told her to wish upon falling stars. Night after night, Felicity waited to see a falling star, but could never keep her eyes open long enough.

Her daddy made her a wooden star, and painted it yellow.

“Now you can make a wish whenever you please”, he told her, which delighted her to no end.

Felicity’s dress is two shades of soft blue. Her collar is bordered in the same light pink of her cuffs and the sash that is tied in a big bow at the back. A rose bow ties under her chin, and matches the decorative rose border at her hemline. Ivory petticoats show below her dress.

Felicity is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her star are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Felicity’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Felicity is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Felicity stands 6 inches tall. (You can click on any of these photos to make them larger.)

Felicity will be up for adoption on Etsy. Please click here to visit Felicity.

A print of Felicity will be up for auction on eBay the week starting on Sunday night, October 5th.

New Original One-of-a-kind Tuxedo Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Wanda is a striking black and white kitty with big yellow-green eyes and wily white whiskers.

She is interested in everything in the world around her and is always on the lookout for adventures to share with her doll Rowena.

Together Wanda and Rowena run helter-skelter after butterflies. They sneak up on other unsuspecting kitties, and leap out at them from behind bushes. Sometimes, they take out all the food in the kitchen and cook up delightful new dishes.

Every day is a new day to be filled with new surprises and daredevil escapades.

Wanda’s dress is forest green with little blue flowers. Her square neckline has a pale blue ruffle with a gold border. It matches the sash that ties in a big bow at the back. She has white petticoats that can be seen below her hemline.

Rowena has a ruby red dress with gold cuffs, a gold collar, and gold buttons down the front. Rowena’s petticoats are blue and white.

Wanda is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her doll are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. Wanda’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread.

Wanda is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Wanda stands 6 1/8 inches tall. (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Wanda is currently up for adoption on Etsy. Please click here to visit Wanda on Etsy.

A print of Wanda will be up for auction on eBay on Sunday night, September 28th.

New Original One-of-a-kind Dachshund Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Janie’s passion is playing ball.

When she isn’t playing ball, she’s thinking about it.

She imagines herself running as fast as the wind, her soft ears blowing backward, and her little legs just a blur.

Today she is all dressed up for company. She holds her bright green ball and looks hopefully from one face to another.

Maybe the company will leave soon so she can run outside and play.

Janie is a Dachshund with soft brown eyes. She wears a lovely yellow dress with a white collar and white cuffs. It has a scalloped orange hem and tiny blue flowers with orange centers.

At the back is a big orange sash tied in a bow. White petticoats can be seen below her dress, and her cute little tail emerges from the petticoats.

Janie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her ball are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Janie is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She stands 4 ¾ inches tall.

Janie will be up for adoption on Etsy. Please stop by and visit!

New Original One-of-a-kind Cocker Spaniel Folk Art Dog Doll by Max Bailey

There is no need to bring an apple to the teacher every day. Charlotte is already the teacher’s pet.

With her sweet expression and soulful eyes, she’s won the teacher’s heart.

Charlotte sits in the back row of the classroom, her little heart beating loudly.

She hopes she spells all the words correctly on the big spelling test.

Most of all, she hopes the teacher likes her.

Charlotte is wearing a pale peach dress with a blue collar and cuffs, and a blue sash that ties in a big bow at the back. A delicate pattern of little blue flowers and green leaves encircles the bottom of the skirt, and tiers of ivory petticoats show beneath the hemline. The very serious Charlotte holds a big red apple with a stem and a single green leaf. (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Charlotte is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her apple are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Charlotte is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Charlotte stands 5 ¾ inches tall.

Charlotte is currently up for adoption on Etsy. Please click here to visit Charlotte on Etsy.

New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Pug Dog Doll by Max Bailey

Tillie is a Pug with a sweet face, soft brown eyes, and a gentle expression.

Tillie would like to be a singer someday. She knows it will take a great deal of practice.

Her mama made her a special little songbook with the words to all of her favorites.

When Tillie begins to sing, all of her friends leave the room.

Tillie finds them very considerate to realize that she needs to concentrate on cultivating her voice.

Tillie wears a pretty green dress with a lilac-blue sash tied in a big bow at the back. Pale lilac-blue flowers decorate the front and encircle the skirt. The ivory ruffles at her neckline and cuffs match the ivory petticoats that show beneath her dress.

Tillie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and she is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her book are hand sculpted from paperclay, and entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Tillie is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak.

Tillie stands 5 ¾ inches tall. (You can click on the photos to make them bigger.)

Tillie is up for adoption on Etsy. Please click here to visit Tillie.

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Guess what I've been up to this summer! Here's a little sneak peak. Three new kitties are waiting to meet you. That's Floradora, doing her best curtsy.

And, something new for me...

One-of-a-kind, original folk art dog dolls! Ten friendly puppies, all wagging their tails, waiting to be introduced. (You can click on the photos to make them larger.)

I'll be introducing them all to you, one at a time, shortly! Be sure to check back :) I'll be trying to post here, on our Ruffing's blog, first, before anywhere else. You can subscribe to receive email updates, if you like, in the upper right hand corner of the Ruffing's blog. Hope you all enjoyed the summer and this holiday weekend! See you soon!

"Fiona" One-of-a-kind Original Folk Art Calico Kitten Doll by Elizabeth Ruffing

This is Fiona. Fiona has a lovely, well-mannered family.

Well, almost. Sometimes, she and her little brother, Ziggy, get a little wild on their bicycles.

Sometimes Mama yells and waves her paws in the air. It's funny when she does that.

Sometimes Fiona and Ziggy play Pat-a-cake.

Or they play with Ziggy's car, on the handmade quilt Mama made just for Fiona. It has a hand-embroidered blue butterfly in the center. Fiona and Ziggy pretend it's real and try to pounce on it.

When Fiona gets tired, she loves to take a nap under her quilt.

Mama hand stitched her quilt from pieces of cotton fabric she had from the dress she made for Fiona.

Fiona is approximately 10 inches tall when standing and approximately 6 1/4 inches tall when sitting. Her curled tail helps her to sit up. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is painted with acrylic paint. Her face is sculpted from paperclay with painted thread whiskers that were inserted before the clay dried. She is from my own original pattern and was handsewn and handsculpted by me, Elizabeth Ruffing. No molds were used. She is a completely original and one-of-a-kind art doll. Fiona is signed and dated, and She is sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She is meant for display only.

Fiona comes with her handmade doll quilt and her lovely original dress. They are also made from my own design and patterns, as is the hand embroidered butterfly in the center of Fiona's quilt. Fiona's dress has a pretty blue ribbon at the waist. Fiona tries to keep it clean and neat, like Mama says.

More information about Fiona can be found on her webpage...come visit Fiona's webpage.

Ziggy can be found on his webpage...come visit Ziggy.

And Mama Hedda by Max Bailey can be found on her webpage...come visit Hedda.

Check out our online doll gallery for the stories of our available and adopted original folk art dolls.

"Loxie" New Orignal One-of-a-kind Folk Art Fox Doll by Max Bailey

Loxie is a beautiful Red Fox. She is greatly admired, yet seldom seen.

Loxie glides through the woods, her forest green dress blending in with the ferns that cover the forest floor.

She doesn’t stay still for very long. If you look away for a moment, when you look back she may have vanished.

Now and then, Loxie ventures out into the meadow. As she is a redhead, she always wears her straw hat in the bright sunshine.

Loxie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her hat are hand sculpted from paperclay, and she is entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Loxie’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Her old-fashioned green dress has tiny gold flowers, with gold buttons and gold bands around the cuffs. She wears a pale green apron that ties in a big bow in the back. Her fluffy tail emerges from the white petticoats that can be seen below her dress.

Loxie is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Loxie stands 7 ½ inches tall.

She can be found on her own webpage...come visit Loxie's webpage.

"Miranda the Panda" New Orignal One-of-a-kind Folk Art Bear Doll by Max Bailey

Miranda loves flowers.

Should she offer you a lovely flower, don't hesitate. Take it.

If you should look out your window, and see Miranda heading for your garden gate, run outside and try to distract her.

Tell her what a pretty red dress she is wearing.

Talk about what a lovely day it is.

Tell her what beautiful brown eyes she has.

Miranda loves flowers. She thinks they're yummy! The prettier they are, the better they taste!

Miranda's pretty flowered dress has a gold border around the neckline and the hem, and a big gold sash that ties in a bow at the back. Her ivory colored petticoats can be seen below her dress.

Miranda the Panda is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her rose are hand sculpted from paperclay, and they are entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Miranda is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Miranda stands 4 7/8 inches tall.

Miranda the panda can be found on her very own webpage...come visit Miranda's webpage.

"Marla" New Original One-of-a-kind Mouse Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Marla once found a book lying beneath an old tree in the woods. She liked the dark red leather cover, and the book felt just right in her little hands. She carries it with her wherever she goes.

Marla looks very grave and terribly serious.

It is no wonder that everyone comes to Marla for advice, and to get answers to their questions. Marla used to say that she didn't know the answers, but she is always asked to please look in her book.

Not wishing to disappoint anyone, Marla obligingly turns the pages while she tries to think of wise things to say. She studies the lines of little black markings on the pages until some bit of common sense comes to mind. She does her best to be helpful.

Marla has become known as a very wise and highly intellectual little mouse, and everyone who meets her has great respect for her sincerity and good will.

Marla is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her book are hand sculpted from paperclay, and she is entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Marla's cute little whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Her dress is painted sky blue, with little pink flowers, and it is set off by a band of pink at the hemline and a big pink bow at the back. White ruffles adorn the neckline and cuffs. Her curled tail emerges from the white petticoats that can be seen below her dress.

Marla is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Marla stands 4 7/8 inches tall.

Marla can be found on her own webpage...come visit Marla's webpage.

"Maybelle" New Original One-of-kind Mouse Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

It is said that Maybelle brews the finest sassafras tea. It is her specialty.

If you are very fortunate, you will see Maybelle carefully making her way down your front walk at three o'clock in the afternoon. She balances her pretty pink and green teacup in its saucer so as not to spill her steaming hot tea.

"I have brought tea to share," Maybelle will say. "Have you any cookies?"

If you don't have cookies, Maybelle will most likely go to the next house. She'd like to be polite, but, after all, what is the good of having tea if there are no cookies?

Maybelle is an original one-of-a-kind work of art and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work.

She and her cup and saucer are hand sculpted from paperclay, and she is entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Maybelle's cute little whiskers are made from stiffened cotton thread. Her jacket is painted a sunny shade of yellow, and is banded around the collar and hem with mauve. Her yellow skirt is covered in tiny blue and mauve flowers. Her little tail emerges from white petticoats that swirl below her dress.

Maybelle is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Maybelle stands 5 inches tall.

Maybelle can be found on her own webpage...come visit Maybelle's webpage.

"Patsy" New Original Brown Bear Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Patsy once heard a story about a little girl bear named Cinderella, and a little boy bear who was a prince.

She likes to pretend that she's Cinderella, and that her teddy bear is the prince, which, of course, is why she named him "Prince".

Patsy can't remember the details of the story very well, but it seems that Cinderella had a beary godmother who made her a lavender polka dot dress and glass shoes. Then Cinderella went to a big fancy dance at the palace and met the prince.

The prince thought Cinderella was the nicest little bear at the dance, and that she definitely had the prettiest dress.

Not being the most graceful of dancers, Cinderella stumbled and lost her shoe. She was so embarrassed she ran home.

The next day, the prince came directly to her house, not only to give back her shoe, but to bring her some wonderful pumpkin cupcakes. They sat and ate them together, and all was just right in the world.

Patsy is an original one-of-a-kind work of art and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her teddy bear are hand sculpted in paperclay, and they are entirely hand painted using acrylic paints.

Patsy can be found on her very own web page...come visit Patsy's webpage.

"Christy and Quackle", One-of-a-kind Tabby Cat and Duck Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Christy is a sweet little tabby cat with a mischievous side.

Her favorite toy is a yellow duck.

When she squeezes his tummy he makes a startling noise halfway between a quack and a cackle, and so she calls him "Quackle".

Christy has heard that ducks like water.

She's taken Quackle down to the pond a few times, but doesn't dare put him in the water. She's afraid he might float away.

Christy 's friends wish he would float away.

Christy thinks it's very entertaining to sneak up behind them and squeeze Quackle. They don't think it's at all amusing.

Christy's friends are going toy shopping on the Internet. They are going to order a dog that barks, a lion that roars, and a parrot that shrieks.

Christy is an original one-of-a-kind work of art and is meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work. She and her toy duck are hand sculpted from paperclay, and she is entirely hand painted using acrylic paints. She is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Christy and Quackle are available for adoption for $250.00, plus shipping. Please contact us at ruffings@ruffings.com for a shipping quote.

Please click here to visit Christy and Quackle's web page.

"Maryanne" the Ragdoll cat doll with her own rag doll, by Max Bailey

When Maryanne asked her mother if she could have a Ragdoll for her birthday, she thought she thought she would get a little sister to play with. Instead, her mother made her a rag doll. At first she was disappointed. But she learned to love her new doll. Now she takes it with her wherever she goes.

Maryanne is a beautiful bicolor Ragdoll cat with China-blue eyes that reflect her sweet disposition.

She wears an old-fashioned blue dress gathered up at the sides. It drapes softly over a skirt striped with many colors to match the lower sleeves of the dress. Three gold buttons accent the front, and a large pink peony adorns either side.

I hand sculpted Maryanne and her rag doll, Margie, from paperclay. They are original one-of-a-kind works of art. Maryanne and Margie are completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

You can read all about Maryanne and her rag doll on her own webpage. Please visit our online doll gallery as well to see our other original folk art dolls.

"Fluffy" , New Original Persian Tabby Kitten Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

This is Fluffy. She doesn't like her name. She wishes it were Floradora, or Esmeralda, but certainly not Fluffy.

She is glad that at least her name isn't Puffy however. You can read all about her over on her very own webpage.

Fluffy is all original and one of a kind. She is hand sculpted in paperclay, and rests on a turned wooden base, which has been stained an oak color.

She is currently available for adoption over on her webpage. Please visit our online doll gallery to see our other available dolls. We're still adding links to more of our adopted dolls' stories at the bottom of the page.

"Jazzie" the Siamese Ballerina Kitten, Original One-of-a-kind Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

They named her Jasmine, after the sweet smelling flower, but everyone calls her “Jazzie.”

Jazzie is a little kitten with a big dream. Someday, she wants to be a prima ballerina.

She has the jumping thing down, and the leaping thing. Her somersaults are outstanding, and she’s trying to think of a way to work them into her first ballet recital.

The only really disappointing thing to Jazzie is that her little limbs are not yet long enough for her to put her paws together above her head in that graceful ballerina arch. Her ears always get in the way.

Today, Jazzie is twirling around the dining room table.

“Jazzie, you really are very weird,” her brother says, looking up from his violin practice.

Jazzie ignores him. She has just discovered that if she concentrates really hard on trying to catch the tip of her tail in her mouth, she can spin even faster. Depending on where her tail is at the moment, she can spin to the right or spin to the left!

When Jazzie is too dizzy to continue, she stretches out on the floor and watches the ceiling go around. She imagines she can hear the audience loudly applauding. The curtains part for the fourth curtain call. There is Jazzie, the prima ballerina, at center stage, her paws extended high above her ears in that graceful ballerina pose. Bouquets of roses are strewn all about the stage. Jazzie looks down at the orchestra and sees her brother, playing first violin. He looks so proud of his little sister!

"Jazzie" is my new, original, one-of-a-kind art doll, and you can read all about her by clicking here to visit Jazzie's own personal web page. We are working on getting more doll photos and stories up in our online doll gallery...So be sure to come take a peek! There we have our currently available dolls, and some favorites who have already been adopted. I've been giving Elizabeth some sculpting lessons and we'll be unveiling her new kitten doll very soon. Elizabeth is a very gifted artist and doll maker. I'm sure you'll enjoy her new work. Check back soon!

Princess Anna, New Original White Cat Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

I am pleased to introduce the very royal Princess Anna.

While palace life is really quite nice in many ways, Princess Anna has found that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. She eats the finest kitty food and wears the finest kitty dresses, yet sometimes she longs to sample just a tiny bit of the world outside.

On this particular morning, Princess Anna looks out from her window at the white shapes that dot the distant hillside.

“They can’t be snow,” she thinks aloud, “for winter has come and gone, and the sun has warmed the earth.”

While the palace guards are looking the other way, Princess Anna heads for the hills. She brushes aside the tall grasses that grow in the meadow, and forges ahead. She feels the soft breezes blowing in her hair, and the sun’s rays warming her lovely and determined little face.

She is gone for a long time.

The palace guards are the first to see her return, triumphantly holding a bouquet of white daisies. They smile at each other and pretend not to see her sneaking back through the side entrance of the palace.

“The Princess is happy,” the guards pronounce, and nothing further is said about the matter.

Lovely Princess Anna is as white as the daisies she carries. Her eyes are a soft blue, and her nose is a delicate shade of pink. Anna’s flowered red dress has a gold band around the neckline and sleeves, and is adorned with a deep blue ruffle and matching sash that ties neatly in a bow at the back. Her pale gold petticoats can be seen below her hemline.

I sculpted Princess Anna and her daisy bouquet from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for her royal kitty whiskers.

Our eBay store is on vacation this week in sympathy for the current eBay boycott. We will be posting our dolls, including Princess Anna, on our Ruffing's website. Elizabeth is working on expanding our art doll pages so everyone can visit, take a look at available and already adopted dolls, and read their stories. I welcome you all to please come have a look around.

"Isadora" New Siamese Cat Original Art Doll by Max Bailey

This is Isadora, my pretty Siamese cat one-of-a-kind folk art doll. Isadora is as slender and as elegant and as regal as the long-stemmed roses she loves.

Isadora once heard that if you talk to your plants, they will flourish and grow to be hardy and strong, and so she talked to her roses, in her strange Siamese voice, for hours on end. She thought the roses seemed to lean toward her when she spoke.

“Perhaps if I sing to them, they will become even more beautiful,” she thought.

Out in her backyard rose garden, Isadora sang, loudly and frequently. Neighbors as far as a block away heard her, for her voice was impossible to ignore, and came to see what all the commotion was about. They peeked over the garden fence to see the lovely Isadora gliding through the garden, singing her heart out.

Not one of them had the heart to tell Isadora that her voice might be less than inspiring for the roses, as they could plainly see how sincere and well-meaning she was. They feared the roses might wilt. But as they watched, the roses bent toward her, their buds opened, and fragrance filled the air.

“Now that is truly amazing,” they whispered, in awe.

Within a short time, Isadora was invited to all the neighborhood gardens, where she shared her gift. The neighbors sometimes hid when she sang, so she wouldn’t see them covering their ears. They loved her dearly, and it is said that they had the most exquisite flowers ever to be seen anywhere!

Isadora got adopted very quickly, before I even got to post this blog. But not to worry, Siamese lovers... I'll be working on her Siamese sister soon!

Please click here to visit Isadora's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

"Ginger and George" Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey

This is Ginger. Ginger is an orange and white tabby, and she’s a country cat. On summer nights, Ginger loves to sit on the porch in her wicker chair and listen to the crickets and the katydids. On pleasant fall days, she loves to walk through the dried leaves and hear them crunch and crackle under her shoes.

Ginger loves gingham dresses, especially this one, with its ruffling ruffle and long sash that she ties in a pretty bow in the back.

She also loves George, her gingham alligator. When she takes George out for a walk, all the chickens go clucking and running to the other side of the barnyard. She thinks maybe that’s because they don’t like the clatter George’s wooden wheels make as they roll over the pebbles by the back door.

Ginger is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is 13 inches tall.

I sculpted Ginger’s face from paperclay, which I smoothed into her fabric head. Her pearl cotton whiskers were threaded through the paperclay before it dried. I made her gingham dress from 100% cotton fabric, from my own design and pattern. George is made of wood. I painted him with my best version of green and white gingham, and gave him droopy eyelids and sleepy yellow eyes. He’s about 7 inches long and about 2 inches wide.

Ginger is signed and dated, and both are sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. Ginger and George are original works of art and are meant for display only. They are back from a photo shoot and are currently available for adoption in our eBay store. Please go have a look.

"Ginnie", New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Ginger Tabby Cat Doll by Max Bailey

Every Saturday morning Tony the Baker takes a batch of freshly baked gingerbread kitties from the oven, and decorates them with colored frosting, currant eyes, and candy buttons. They are his specialty. He sets them on trays and proudly places them on display in the bakery window.

Tony knows that shy little Ginnie, the ginger tabby cat with the sweet face, will stop on the sidewalk to admire them. She always does.

She will look wistfully at the cookies, her head tilted slightly to one side, then sigh softly and continue on her way. Tony will gaze at Ginnie through the window, admiring her beautiful coloring, her amber eyes, and her graceful ways.

Ginnie has two loves in this world so far………the color green, and gingerbread kitties.

On this particular Saturday, Tony the Baker appears suddenly in the doorway, holding two gingerkitty masterpieces he has just made especially for Ginnie.

“I made these for you,” Tony manages to say as he holds them out to her.

“Oh, I couldn’t, Mr. Baker,” Ginnie tells him, and only she knows that she is blushing. “I have to watch my waistline.”

“There could be no harm in a little nibble now and then,” answers Tony. “Here is one for you, and one to give to a friend.”

Ginnie thinks how pleased her friend will be when she gives her the gingerkitty with the green shirt. She takes it and puts it in her pocket, for she is generous of heart. She extends her paw for the other.

“Thank you kindly, Mr. Baker,” she tells him, and holding her gingerkitty somewhat near her heart, Ginnie continues down the sidewalk, glancing back at Tony the Baker only once, or maybe twice.

Ginnie now has three loves in this world so far.

Ginnie’s dress is her favorite color green, with a darker green sash that ties in the back in a very pretty bow, and a stripe of darker green across the pocket and around the hem. Antique white ruffles set off the dress at the neckline and at the bottom of the sleeves. Below her dress, you can see her many petticoats, one white, then each a different shade of green.

I hand sculpted Ginnie (and her cookies) from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for her long graceful whiskers. She is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, meant for display only. No molds are ever used in my work.

Ginnie is completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. She rests firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak, and she stands 9 ½ inches tall.

Please click here to visit Ginnie's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

Bunny Treasury on Etsy, "Hop in! Bunnies Helping Bunnies"

Special thanks to Michele from Etsy for Animals for adding Max Bailey and myself to her "Hop in! Bunnies Helping Bunnies 2" treasury list on Etsy! Many of the the Etsy for Animals members are helping out the Buckeye House Rabbit Society this month with donations based on their sales from their Etsy shops.

Our prints that are featured above are "Hiding", a little cottontail rabbit with Black-eyed Susans, by A E Ruffing,

and "Proud Mom", a Victorian mama bunny with a carriage-full of baby bunnies by Max Bailey. Both are available in my Etsy shop. 10% of sales (less shipping) from my and my daughter Elizabeth's Etsy shop will be donated to animal charities. So, come have a look around our shops, and the shops of other Etsy for Animals members.

Michele also added my "Yorkie Puppy" to her "Baby Animals Say Happy New Year!" treasury list on Etsy, which features items for sale from Etsy for Animals members. This print is also available in my Etsy shop.

"Belinda and BoBo", New Original Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Happy new year! Here is my own version of a new year's baby. This is Belinda and her kitten BoBo. Belinda is a very proud mom, and she loves to show her beautiful baby boy off to all her friends and neighbors.

Belinda is a tabby and white cat, as is her kitten BoBo. They have yellow eyes with a touch of green. Belinda’s old-fashioned dress is soft yellow with a pattern of pale blue flowers. The blue collar and cuffs with lace edging, match her blue apron, which ties in a big bow at the back. Her white petticoats swirl in a pattern beneath the bottom of her skirt.

I hand sculpted Belinda and BoBo from paperclay, and used stiffened cotton thread for their whiskers. They rest firmly on a turned wooden base. They are original one-of-a-kind works of art. No molds are ever used in my work. They are completely hand painted with acrylic paints, then signed and dated with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Please click here to visit Belinda and BoBo's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

Etsy for Animals: Artists Helping Animals

Mom and I joined Etsy for Animals just recently. This is a group of artists and craftspeople who have shops on Etsy, and who love and want to help animals. Many of them donate a percentage of their Etsy shop sales to animal charities each month. They also have an Etsy for Animals Shop. Items from this shop are donated by members, and 100% of the proceeds go to animal charities. You might want to check out their blog too.

We will be donating 10% of our Etsy shop sales (less shipping) to animal charities each month. My mom, along with Max Bailey, and later Abby Laurence, can be found at Art from the Studio of A E Ruffing on Etsy, and I can be found at The Art of Elizabeth Ruffing on Etsy.

Incidentally, I've also added the EFA links on the right sidebar of our blogs, along with a new categories section on the Ruffing's blog. Now it is a bit easier to find things...I hope.

Hedda and Hopper, One-of-a-kind Original Folk Art Calico Cat and Rabbit Dolls by Max Bailey

"Hedda and Hopper" are in our eBay store for the holidays. They took a little trip to be photographed and now they are back. Hedda and Hopper are the best of friends. She’s a calico cat with watchful green eyes. He’s a white bunny with inquisitive blue eyes. They see everything that everybody is doing.

Hedda and Hopper also have big ears. They listen to anything anybody says. There are no secrets these two don’t know.

Hedda is wearing that soft yellow and orange dress, with the big bow and a ruffle that frames her pretty face. Her arms are button jointed with antique looking metal buttons of filigreed gold on black, so she can easily pose. Her blouse is cream colored with yellow cuffs, painted on, as are her white bloomers with yellow polka dots, and her two-toned high button shoes. She’s an original one-of-a-kind work of art created from my own design and pattern, and is made from 100% cotton fabric which I sewed, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. I made her dress from 100% cotton fabric, and it too is created from my own design and pattern.

Hedda is 13 inches tall. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her stiffened pearl cotton whiskers were threaded through the paperclay before it dried.

Hopper the white bunny is made of wood. I painted his eyes a brilliant blue and coordinated his colors to match those in Hedda’s dress. He’s about 4 ½ inches long and 2 inches wide.

Hedda’s curly tail allows her to sit up all by herself on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She can also sit in a chair or stand with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.) She is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. Please go visit them! We have some greeting cards featuring Hedda and Hopper along with some of their friends up on eBay too!

New OOAK Original Kitten Folk Art Doll Figurines and Cards by Max Bailey

This is "Millicent" my new tuxedo kitten. She is planning a snowball ambush on a boy at school. Maybe she likes him, but she isn't telling.

In their one room schoolhouse, Tommy is the boy who sits behind her and teases her all the time. When the teacher isn't looking, he pulls her whiskers, and dips the tip of her tail into his inkwell. Then he calls her "Silly Millie".

Tommy will come around the corner soon. He'll walk right past her like he doesn't even see her. Then WHAP, he'll get a snowball right in the back of his head. Millicent will say "That's for you, Tommy Salami!" The snow will go down his neck, and he'll squeal and run home to his mama.

This is "Crybaby", my latest tabby kitten doll figurine. She is Hungry!!! Her little empty green bowl is ready to be filled! Now!

She cries when she’s too hot. She cries when she’s too cold. She cries when her mother leaves the room, and she cries when her mother comes back. She cries when her bowl is empty, and sometimes she cries when it’s full. No one ever asks “Where’s Crybaby?” They know where she is.

Please click here to visit Millicent's webpage. Please click here to visit Crybaby's webpage. Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

We also have a set of handmade blank greeting cards featuring images of my folk art cat dolls, including Millicent, Crybaby, and Frannie the tabby cat, up for auction on eBay too. The auction lasts until next Wednesday, December 5th.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend!

New Original Folk Art Doll Greeting Cards by Max Bailey

We've made up a few sets of handmade greeting cards featuring images of my one-of-a-kind art dolls. The images are printed on archival-quality art paper and glued, using acid-free glue, to acid-free ivory-colored cards, that are blank inside. They are printed with archival-quality pigment-based ink, and so they are suitable for saving and framing.

The cards are 5 by 6 1/2 inches and they come with matching ivory envelopes. Each card is individually bagged for protection. They make a nice gift for cat lovers and for art doll lovers.

We will be putting these greeting cards up for auction on eBay in sets of four. Please go check out our eBay store for our art doll listings as well. We will be putting some of our dolls up at Buy It Now prices in our store for the holiday season. Currently, "Frannie" and "Leah the Star Baby" are available for adoption in our eBay store. Other one-of-a-kind art dolls are available through our web site. Please check our art doll gallery page to see our currently available dolls, and email us with any inquiries. We have more on the way that are waiting to be photographed and we are a little behind updating our web site...So, please feel free to inquire if you hear one of our dolls calling your name :)

"Frannie" New Tabby Cat Original Folk Art Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

"What if I let go of my beautiful red balloon?" thought Frannie, the pretty little tabby cat. "The wind will take it up into the blue sky where it will soar above the puffy white clouds. The birds will be amazed at what a wonderful thing it is. People will see it and say, 'Isn’t that Frannie’s beautiful red balloon?' "

"Maybe it will glide over the hill, and when the wind dies down, maybe it will land in a tree in my friend Jessie’s back yard. Maybe Jessie will climb up the tree and get it, and show it to her mother, and her mother will say, 'Oh Jessie, that balloon looks just right with your pretty dress.'"

"No," thought Frannie, "I think I will hold on tight to my beautiful red balloon."

I hand sculpted Frannie and her balloon from paperclay. There is a little hole through her paw where the wire ‘string’ of the balloon can be inserted or removed. Her skirt swirls behind her as though a gentle wind is blowing. She stands firmly on a turned wooden base that is stained and sealed in golden oak. Frannie is 9 ½ inches tall, and 13 inches tall when holding her balloon.

Frannie’s old fashioned dress is soft gold, with little white daisies in a field of red polka dots. Her dress is set off by a red apron with a white scalloped edge tied in a big bow at the back. Her striped kitty tail emerges from the ruffled white petticoats that can be seen below her dress.

Frannie’s fur is painted in a multitude of tabby colors….silver gray, buff, ivory, and gold, with black stripes. She has yellow eyes with a touch of green, a pink nose, and pretty white whiskers made from stiffened cotton thread.

Frannie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art. No molds are ever used in my work. She is hand painted using acrylic paints, and is signed, dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Please click here to visit Frannie's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

New Max Bailey Christmas Elf Prints

I've been adding more new prints on Etsy. These are two Christmas elves.

The sweet little elf above is dreaming of Christmas, while his chickdee friends keep him company. A big yellow moon is coming up in the night sky behind him. It is called "A Christmas Dream".

In "Final Touches", Santa's helpers are very busy putting the finishing touches on a Christmas ornament. Only the most artistic mice get to be Santa's helpers!

Both these prints are on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, with an image size of 8 x 10.5 inches, and retail for $22.00, plus postage. They are printed on art paper, using Epson archival-quality pigment-based inks, and come in protective cello sleeves. If you would like to order one directly from us, just email us and let us know.

Sneak Peek...New Max Bailey Prints!

This is just a bit of what is on its way! We are introducing a new line of Max Bailey prints!

They are a standard size 8.5 x 11 inches and can also fit a standard 8 x 10 inch mat and frame set (not included).

Above is "Proud Mom", a Victorian-style rabbit mother with her overflowing carriage full of baby bunnies.

This is "Shopping Bears", showing two very excited teddy bear girls on their way home from a big shopping trip.

Both are currently available both on eBay and on Etsy, and they can also be ordered by emailing us.

Other images can be seen on Flickr. More to come!

"Lily and Caroline" Original Folk Art Cat Doll Figurine by Max Bailey

Lily is a lovely white cat. She gazes intensely up at you with honest blue eyes. Her sweet little face is very serious. If it weren’t for Caroline, her tuxedo cat doll, Lily would be very serious all of the time, but Caroline’s funny little grin brings a smile to Lily’s heart.

Lily’s dress is country blue with an orchid pink neckband, cuffs, and sash that is tied in a big bow at the back. The top of her dress and her sleeves have little pale blue flowers with yellow centers, and her kitty tail emerges from the ruffled white petticoats that can be seen from below. Caroline wears a red summer dress with white polka dots. She has yellow eyes, a pink nose, and of course, that contagious grin.

Lily rests firmly upon a turned wooden stand that is stained and sealed in golden oak. She is 6 inches tall.

I sculpted Lily from paperclay, giving special attention to the texture of her fur and the three-dimensional details of her doll, her paws, and her fancy sash. Lily’s whiskers are made from stiffened cotton, threaded through the paperclay before it dried. Lily and Caroline are completely hand painted using acrylic paints. No molds are ever used in my work.

“Lily and Caroline” is an original one-of-a-kind work of art. It is signed and dated and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation. Please click here to visit Lily and Caroline's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

"Crabby Alice and Ruthie" One-of-a-kind Original Folk Art Cat Dolls by Max Bailey

This is Crabby Alice and her friend Ruthie. Crabby Alice is a very sweet-tempered Blue Persian cat.

She isn’t really crabby at all, but she likes to look that way. It makes people say “Oh, poor kitty. Are you having a bad day?” Then she gets extra pats on the head, tickles under the chin, and sometimes special treats. She likes that a lot. She shares the treats with her friend Ruthie the turtle, and they giggle together as they eat them, making funny little muffled noises. When the treats are gone, they think up ways Alice might arrange her face to look even a little crabbier.

Crabby Alice wears a pretty red and white polka dot pinafore, with a ruffled bib and straps that crisscross in the back. Her blouse is a soft lilac blue with ivory collar and cuffs, painted on like her striped gold, blue, and red tights and laced up old fashioned shoes. She’s an original one-of-a-kind work of art that I created from my own design and pattern, then made from 100% cotton fabric which I sewed, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints.

She is 13 inches tall. Alice’s very crabby expression was created from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and sculpted in three different stages of hardening. Even her gray and unruly whiskers are grumpy. They are made of stiffened pearl cotton that I threaded through the paperclay before it dried. I made her 100% cotton pinafore from my own design and pattern.

Crabby Alice, though she may not look it, is very obliging. She has a curly tail that allows her to sit up and glare at you all by herself from a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She can also glare at you while sitting in a chair or standing with a doll stand. (Chair and doll stand not included.)

Ruthie the turtle is made of wood, and doesn’t glare. She looks quite friendly and happy, probably because she gets so many treats. I painted her shell in brown, orange, and gold, and the rest of her in gray green and brown turtle colors. She’s about five inches long and two inches wide.

Please click here to visit Crabby Alice and Ruthie's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

"Hedda and Hopper" One-of-a-kind Original Folk Art Cat Dolls by Max Bailey

This is Hedda. She and Hopper the bunny are the best of friends. She’s a calico cat with watchful green eyes. He’s a white bunny with inquisitive blue eyes. They see everything that everybody is doing.

Hedda and Hopper also have big ears. They listen to anything anybody says. There are no secrets these two don’t know.

If there is something (or a bit of nothing) you would like to know about, they will gladly tell you all about it.

Who was invited to Lulu’s party? What did Samantha name her new kittens? Who bought that pretty dress that was in the shop window…the one with the big bow in front? They know.

Hedda is wearing a soft yellow and orange dress, with the big bow and a ruffle that frames her pretty face. Her arms are button jointed with antique looking metal buttons of filigreed gold on black, so she can easily pose. Hedda is 13 inches tall. Her face was sculpted from paperclay smoothed into her fabric head, and her stiffened pearl cotton whiskers were threaded through the paperclay before it dried.

Hopper the white bunny is made of wood. I painted his eyes a brilliant blue and coordinated his colors to match those in Hedda’s dress. He’s about 4 ½ inches long and 2 inches wide.

Please click here to visit Hedda and Hopper's webpage. Be sure to visit them and catch up on all the gossip!

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

"Ginger and George" OOAK Original Folk Art Cat Dolls by Max Bailey

This is Ginger. Ginger is an orange and white tabby, and she’s a country cat. On summer nights, Ginger loves to sit on the porch in her wicker chair and listen to the crickets and the katydids. On pleasant fall days, she loves to walk through the dried leaves and hear them crunch and crackle under her shoes.

Ginger loves gingham dresses, especially this one, with its ruffling ruffle and long sash that she ties in a pretty bow in the back.She also loves George, her gingham alligator. When she takes George out for a walk, all the chickens go clucking and running to the other side of the barnyard. She thinks maybe that’s because they don’t like the clatter George’s wooden wheels make as they roll over the pebbles by the back door.

Ginger is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand painted with acrylic paints. She is 13 inches tall.

Ginger is very accommodating. Her curly white-tipped tail supports her very well, so she will sit very prettily all by herself on a shelf or a table, or in a cabinet. She will also happily sit in a chair, or stand with a doll stand.

George is made of wood. I painted him with my best version of green and white gingham, and gave him droopy eyelids and sleepy yellow eyes. He’s about 7 inches long and about 2 inches wide.

Please click here to visit Ginger and George's webpage. Hope you enjoy them!

Please clike here to visit our online doll gallery.

Three Little Kittens, One-of-a-kind Original Cat Art Dolls by Max Bailey

Here is a sneak peak at (from left to right) "Ginger and George", "Crabby Alice and Ruthie", and "Hedda and Hopper", my brand new one-of-a-kind original cat art dolls. We photographed them over the past two mornings, and they are very excited about making their Internet debut. We'll be introducing them one at a time, to give each one due attention, in coming blog posts. I assure you... they can't wait!

Their new pictures will be going up on Flickr soon. All they talk about is who looks the prettiest.

We have a new and improved Ebay About Me Page as well. Elizabeth made us a new logo and revised the whole page. It really needed some dolls! Much better now! Be sure to check it out and check back here for new kitties!

New Gray Tabby Maine Coon Cat Art Doll by Max Bailey

I just finished "Catarina"! She's my new beautiful Maine Coon Cat, with tufted ears and big yellow oval eyes. Catarina is wearing her favorite calico dress, the one with the red rosette that compliments her cute red nose. Her favorite pull toy is Harold, the purple giraffe. Harold has wheels so he can go with her everywhere.

Catarina is a one-of-a-kind original work of art. I created her from my own design and patterns. She is made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and painted with acrylic paint. I sculpted the front of her face from Paperclay, which I smoothed into the fabric. I threaded her wily whiskers through the clay before it dried.

Catarina's arms are button-jointed, so she can be easily posed, and her striped tail supports her so she can sit up all by herself. She has cotton lace around the neck of her dress and around her wrists.

Harold is hand painted with acrylic paint as well. Both Catarina and Harold are sealed with matte varnish for protection.

Please click here to visit Catarina and Harold's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

New Tuxedo Cat Original Art Doll by Max Bailey

This is Sunny the black and white tuxedo cat, named for his happy disposition and his round yellow eyes. Sunny is a good-natured and obedient cat. He'll always come when he's called if he feels like it.

Sunny's favorite toy is a painted wooden car. He got it for Christmas and hasn't parted with it since.

Sunny is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created from my own design and pattern. He is made from 100% cotton fabric which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand-painted with acrylic paints. I sculpted the front of his face from paperclay.

He's wearing blue and white striped overalls with a big sun blanket-stitched onto the bib with orange embroidery thread. It matches the sun on the hood of his blue and orange car.

Please click here to visit Sunny's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

"Daphne" New Tabby Cat Original Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

This is sweet Daphne, my new tabby cat original art doll. She has a look of complete innocence, with her big trusting yellow-green eyes.

I've made a brightly colored orange, gold, purple, rose, and magenta striped pinafore for her, with two buttons on the front. She has lots of little details you can't see here, like her ivory high button shoes and her fish bracelet.

Daphne is an original work of art, designed and entirely handmade by me, Max Bailey. Her body is sewn from 100% cotton fabric. Her face is sculpted from paperclay, and she is painted with acrylic paint which is sealed with matte varnish for protection.

Please click here to visit Daphne's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

Here she is....Bluebell the Siamese Mom!

We just managed to get Bluebell and her lovely daughter, Bridget photographed before we got a thunderstorm! I'm just crazy about this set of original art dolls! As I've said, I love Siamese cats, and to make sure I gave her that Siamese profile, I modeled the front of Bluebell’s face from paperclay, then smoothed it into the 100% cotton fabric I used for her body.

Using acrylic paint, I painted her starched white collar, prim pearl buttons, and fashionable two-tone, top-stitched high-button shoes. From her bright white bloomers emerge kitty legs in striped blue and burnt orange tights that match the sleeves of her dress. Bluebell’s dress has a bluebell flower on the chest pocket, and a fringed pocket on the skirt that matches the fringe at her hemline.

Lovable Bridget is highly detailed too...right down to her tiny whiskers.

Please click here to visit Bluebell and Bridget's webpage.

Please click here to visit our online doll gallery.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sneak Peek at Max Bailey's New Siamese Cat Original Art Doll

Siamese kitty on the way! This is "Bluebell" in progress, and, contrary to what you see here, she is already painted, dressed, ready and waiting for her official photo shoot. And...she has her own Siamese kitten!

I love Siamese cats and I just couldn't wait to show her to you, even in her beginning stage. I am so excited about getting her photographed!

New Original Angel Cat Acrylic Folk Art Painting on Wood by Max Bailey

This is "Terence the Tomcat". With his roguish good looks and feline charm, he is surely an angel, even if, at times, he may be thinking less than angelic thoughts.

Terence looks out from a rich warm background of browns blending into black, which gives the effect of Terence having just emerged from the darkness. He is painted in acrylic on solid poplar wood. I coated the painting with clear gloss varnish to give it depth, and to protect and enhance the color.

Terence will be up for auction on eBay starting tonight, April 13th, at about 9pm EST. Please go bid on him!

New Max Bailey "Bleuette" Folk Art Doll Original Painting on Poplar Wood

I'm so excited about "Bleuette"! I just finished her and she is gorgeous! Her big blue eyes and sweet smile were inspired by the ever popular Bleuette antique dolls who were first introduced in France in 1905 in La Semaine de Suzette magazine. Little French girls learned to sew making the patterns the magazine offered for Bleuette's extensive wardrobe. The premiere Bleuette was a Jumeau style doll, and was offered for free with a one year subscription to the magazine. Little Bleuette was so popular that she was offered in many, many incarnations until 1960. Today, she is still incredibly popular, and both the original dolls and their reproductions are widely collected.

This is an original painting done in the American folk art portrait style, with Bleuette emerging from a warm dark brown background that blends into black at the edges. Here Bleuette is shown as an angel who watches over bluebirds, two of which rest calmly in her hands and on her shoulder. She wears an old-fashioned blue dress with lace trim, and an ecru apron with a burgundy stripe.

"Bleuette" will be up for auction on EBay starting Friday, April 6th, at about 9pm EST. She is painted on solid poplar wood which is coated with a gloss varnish. “Bleuette” would be a lovely complement to any antique collection. Please go bid on her!

New Red Rose Fairy Original Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

According to my grandmother, we had fairies to thank for all things beautiful on the earth. From her imagination (and from mine), here is Rosalie, the Red Rose Fairy. She flies through gardens like a butterfly, and touches the rosebuds with her rose-tipped wand to make them open.

She is a one-of-a-kind, original folk art doll, made of 100% cotton painted with acrylic paint. She has a small loop for hanging. Blue-eyed and raven-haired, she is dressed all in teal blue, with a cascade of roses, rosebuds, and leaves that flow down her body to her toes. The golden three-leaf motif at her neckline also encircles her wrists, and her colorful wings bear portraits of her favorite flower.

Rosalie will be up for auction on EBay starting Friday, March 30th, at about 9pm EST. Please go bid on her!

Also, please go check out my new MySpace page. If you are on MySpace (it's a social networking site that is free to join), go ahead and add me to your friends list!

New Max Bailey Angel with Pansies Original Folk Art Doll

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of Patricia...Angel of Pansies! Pansies are among the oldest known garden flowers, and I like to think that over the years, some garden angels have been at work to create such beautiful blooms. Patricia is one of these angels. When she picks a pansy from the garden, two more will bloom in its place.

Patricia is a true one-of-a-kind original work of art, created from my own design and pattern. She is made from 100% cotton fabric, which is sewn, stuffed, and completely hand-painted with acrylic paints. She comes with her own oval wood stand, oak-stained and finished.

She will be up for auction in our EBay store shortly. Please come bid on her!

New Max Bailey art dolls in the works

These are my drawings for two original folk art dolls I am working on. The one on the left will be a fairy. I am planning to give her a rose-tipped wand to help her tend her gardens.

The one the right is an angel holding a bouquet of pansies. With spring on the way, I am thinking about flowers and how happy I will be to see them make a return.

"Lumina" New Original Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Here's my new original, one-of-kind star fairy folk art doll, "Lumina". My grandmother's fantastical bedtime stories inspired me to make her. I loved her stories about creatures who would do special favors for you when you weren't looking. I gave Lumina a star-tipped wand just for this purpose.

These are some of my drawings, along with my notes and the pattern I designed for her.

I'll be putting her up for auction in our EBay store soon.

Welcome to Ruffing's new blog

This blog is meant to continue where our "In Progress" page left off. I've switched to a blog format to allow for greater ease in keeping everyone updated on our most recent paintings, giclées, art quilts, and art dolls.
I've also been working on a new web site, The Art of Elizabeth Ruffing. It features links to our Ebay Store, my Etsy Shop, my photo portfolio, and my personal blog which offers a behind-the-scenes look at my studio and my latest creations. Please visit and have a look around!

"Lila Lovebunny" Original Rabbit Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey

Lila Lovebunny loves pink. She also loves Valentine’s Day, Easter, carrots, clover, and bright sunny days. Most of all, she loves love.

Lila is thought to be the prettiest bunny in the meadow. She has a special beauty, elegance, and dignity unmatched by any of the other lady bunnies, who love her just the same. Every year, the president of the white chocolate factory in town asks her to pose for his spring line of Easter bunnies, and every year, she is most happy to oblige. She always looks straight ahead at the world around her, and the world admiringly looks back.

Today, Lila is all aglow with the fact that she’s wearing her favorite pink dress, and the fact that she baked heart-shaped and frosted carrot cookies, no small task for a bunny. She carries them in a picnic basket, and offers one to each of her many friends. The gentlemen bunnies stand upright in the field when they see her approaching, and their bunny hearts beat a little faster. “It’s lovely Lila Lovebunny”, they whisper to themselves, in awe of her sweetness.

I think Lila is my most beautiful work to date, and she is certainly the largest, at 21 inches tall. She became more endearing in the process of creating her. I started with her head, an original sculpture I made from paper clay. At the point when I painted her pretty blue eyes, she seemed to take on a sweet personality of her own.

I then created the design for her body, which is made from cotton fabric, then stuffed and painted with acrylic paints.

On spring evenings, there are often as many as three or four cottontail rabbits in my backyard. If they notice me watching them, they will sit up with their front paws bent, as Lila’s are, and I wanted to capture that pose. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out how to create bent paws from sewn fabric and stuffing. They are button-jointed for flexibility.

Ms. Lovebunny’s pretty little tail was made from soft novelty yarn, and her whiskers, made of stiffened pearl cotton, were threaded through her head before the paper clay was dry.

Her Sunday best dress is my original design, and is made from pink cotton fabric. I painted the heart-and-flower design down the front and around the hem, in tones of mauve, red, periwinkle blue, and green. Her fashionable (but not exactly dainty) brown leather shoes, with their white bows and laces, are painted on, as are the striped stockings that match the colors of the design on her dress. The finishing touch was the ruffled collar made from cotton lace, which I think made her look even more feminine and old-fashioned.

Lila’s basket and heart-shaped cookies are made of wood, painted and varnished. Lila can stand with a doll stand, or sit on a chair or a shelf (chair and doll stand not included). She is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Lila Lovebunny has her own web page right here.

This is Lila with some of her friends. From left to right: Bridget and Bluebell, Lila, Horatio and Hannah, and Daphne.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Suzie the Sunflower Fairy" Original Folk Art Doll by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing

Here is Suzie, a cheerful little soul created to remind us all on dreary winter days, that spring is on its way. Suzie loves her job as Sunflower Fairy. When the earth is warming, she calls upon the sun to bring new life. Like magic, the little seeds that lay dormant in the cold of winter emerge as seedlings from the ground. With her sunflower wand, she touches them and gives them the strength they need to become tall and majestic. She watches over them, and loves their sunny friendly faces.

In the fall, when the birds and squirrels and chipmunks have had their fill of the sunflowers’ seeds, she takes the seeds that are left behind and gently tucks them into the earth, where they will emerge again next year.

Suzie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, created in collaboration by Max Bailey and Elizabeth Ruffing. She is 12 ½ inches tall, with a wingspan of 5 ¾ inches. Her body is sewn from cotton fabric, then stuffed and painted with acrylic paints. She has warm brown eyes, and brown hair streaked with gold from the summer sun. Her hair is sculpted from paper clay blended into the fabric.

Elizabeth made Suzie’s skirt from a pretty yellow cotton print with rose hearts and green leaves, and Max painted the top of her dress with matching hearts and leaves.

She wears little brown shoes with buttoned ankle straps, decorated with sunflowers. Her green tights are painted on, as are her ruffled white bloomers with rose ribbons. Her wings are quilted and painted in a multitude of fairy-like colors, from pastels to bright greens and yellows. The sunflower wand she carries was created from wood and paper clay, and it is removable, should you need to borrow it to make your sunflowers grow.

There is a small loop in the top of Suzie’s head, in case you would like to hang her up. Suzie can also sit on a chair, or on a shelf, or stand with a doll stand (chair and doll stand not included). She is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Suzie has her own web page here.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Horatio and Hannah" OOAK One-of-a-kind Original Flying Pig Art Dolls by Max Bailey

When I was little, I came up with all kinds of grand schemes, fantastic feats I would accomplish very soon. My dad, with a twinkle in his eye, would always say the same three words: “When pigs fly.” To me, that meant that if I could just find a flying pig, then anything would be possible. I looked for one, but haven’t found one yet.

And so I created Horatio, the ultimate flying pig, with grand and spectacular butterfly wings. As he looks toward the sky, he explains to his little daughter Hannah that some day her tiny wings will grow to majestic size, and if she watches her waistline just a little bit, she too will be able to soar way above the treetops.

Little Hannah is both curious and trusting, as you can see in her soft brown eyes. She’s made from fabric, stuffed, then painted with acrylics. Her snout and double chin are sculpted from paper clay that has been blended into the fabric. She’s 5 inches long, and her wingspan is 3 inches.

Horatio is 17 inches tall, and his wingspan is 10 inches. His black and white piggy head is an original sculpture I created from paper mache and paper clay, with fabric ears. Her shirt is orchid, scalloped at the bottom, and her baby pants are blue. She wears bright yellow booties with blue ribbons.

His body is cotton fabric, stuffed then painted with acrylic paints. Horatio’s arms are button-jointed for flexibility, and his body is bottom-weighted with pellets inside, so that he will sit very nicely wherever you put him.

He sports a collar with a snappy red-orange bow tie, and custom made pants that are painted with brown and blue vertical stripes (for that “slimming” effect), with an opening for his curly tail.

Pigs do need boots, and Horatio wears nice brown lace-up ones, painted on.

Boxers or briefs? Boxers. Red ones with white polka dots, also painted on.

Both Horatio and Hannah are sealed with matte varnish for protection. They are meant for display only.

"Horatio and Hannah" have their own web page right here.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Rosie" OOAK One-of-a-kind Original Art Doll by Max Bailey

Every year on Valentine’s Day, Rosie is invited to sell her roses at the general store in the middle of town. She’s a country girl, tall and slim and pretty, with strawberry blonde hair, who arrives in a homespun blue dress, a colorful heart apron, and a fashionable hat with a rose.

Rosie has the most beautiful roses ever seen anywhere, and nobody knows how she grows them. People whisper that she must have a secret garden.

Only gentlemen with true love in their hearts dare come to Rosie to buy her roses, for it is generally known that she can look into their hearts and see if there is love there. It is rumored that if she doesn’t see love in a gentleman’s heart, she will look at him with her clear blue eyes and say, “I am sorry sir, but you may not have my roses.” Yet if a sincere gentleman with empty pockets would like to buy her roses for his sweetheart, she will most often say “Sir, you may have them for nothing.”

Rosie is an original one-of-a-kind work of art, conceived and created from design to last brushstroke by me, Max Bailey. She is 15 inches tall, and carries red ribbon roses with green ribbon leaves, which I made just for her. (The secret garden is in my work room.) Her body is sewn from cotton fabric, then stuffed and painted with acrylic paints. She has needle-sculpted fingers and button-jointed arms to make her easy to pose. Her skirt is hand-painted blue gray, with decorative stripes of pink and gold.

Her hat is removable and hand-painted as well, with a little pink stripe along the edge of the brim that matches her pink tights and the pink stripes on her collar and cuffs. Although you can’t see it in the photos, I used the same pink to paint the ribbon on her pretty white pantaloons, which are painted on. Her fashionable high-button shoes are painted to match her outfit, and I added festive red hearts at the toes.

Rosie can sit in a chair or on a shelf, or stand with a doll stand (chair and doll stand not included). She is signed and dated, and sealed with matte varnish for protection and preservation.

Rosie has her own web page right here.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Gabriella", OOAK One-of-a-kind Original Angel Art Doll Ornament by Max Bailey

Gabriella is a lovely, blue-eyed angel with a golden halo, chestnut-colored hair with golden highlights, and long graceful wings. Her heavenly robe is a deep rose-red, with lighter rose highlights. The soft folds of the robe flow around her body, and I think she looks as though she might suddenly catch a breeze and lift upward in flight.

She represents my idea of what an angel watching over us must look like......serene, beautiful, and at peace. I painted her a brass horn with highlights to look heavenly, and gave her robe a gold band painted with precious pearls, rubies, and emeralds.

Her wings are attached separately and the details of the feathers are painted in shades of blue. She comes ready to hang by a pearl cotton cord. Including her wings, she is 10 inches long and 8 inches wide. Without her wings, she’s about 9 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Gabriella is signed and dated by me, Max Bailey. She is a true one-of-a-kind original work of art from the beginning idea of her, to her design, to her finishing touches. I painted her with acrylics and sealed her with matte varnish to protect her.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Patience", OOAK One-of-a-kind Original Angel Art Doll Ornament by Max Bailey

In creating "Patience", I was inspired by the beautiful dolls of the Victorian Age. Patience holds the symbol of peace, a white dove, in her hands. She has little flower-patterned bloomers, and golden lace-up shoes.

She wears a golden halo, highlighted with light tones to make it look like real gold. The golden light from the halo touches her long brown hair, and the top feathers of the dove. Patience has wing feathers that are detailed with soft blues to make them look feathery. She’s needle-sculpted at the elbows to give her more dimension.

I’m especially pleased by the way her sweet little face turned out. Her green eyes have a direct and hopeful look, and her expression is a little wistful, but thoughtful rather than sad. She’s what I imagine an Angel of Peace would look like, patient and hopeful.

Her little white-laced apron ties in the back in a big bow, and is signed and dated by me, Max Bailey, on the sash. Patience is 9 ¼ inches tall, with a 7 ½ inch wingspan.

The small loop at the top of her head allows her to be hung as an ornament, but she can also be displayed as part of a table centerpiece, or propped on the mantle with your Christmas greenery, or nestled on the inside of an indoor wreath. She is softly stuffed and very lightweight.

Patience is a true one-of-a-kind original work of art. I created her first in my mind, then from my own pattern. I painted her with acrylic paints (my favorite part), then sealed her with matte varnish to protect her.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

Pigs in Progress by Max Bailey

These are "Horatio and Hannah", my first sculpted dolls, in progress. This is my first time using Creative Paperclay and it has opened up a whole new world of art dollmaking possibilities for me.

Horatio, the papa pig, has an entirely hand sculpted head of paperclay over hand carved styrofoam, with painted fabric ears inserted. I smoothed the paperclay into the fabric for a seamless look. Hannah, Horatio's little piglet daughter, has a hand sculpted paperclay snout smoothed into her fabric face. They will both be painted with acrylic paint and sealed with matte varnish for protection.

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)

"Angelicat and Angelifish" Original Cat and Fish Angel Folk Art Dolls by Max Bailey

These are my first orginal folk art dolls, "Angelicat and Angelifish"!

Everyone who has or ever had a cat knows that all cats are angels. With her innocent and angelic expression, this petite white cat is adorable. She’s only 8 ½ inches tall from ear to toe. She can sit on a chair (chair not included) or she can sit by herself. Her cute little curled tail will support her back in a sitting position, and her small size allows her to sit pretty in your favorite curio cabinet, or nestle in anywhere among your favorite collectibles. Sitting, she’s only 4 ¾ inches tall.

Her quilted wings have been attached separately and are painted with feathery blue detail.

She has sweet little high-button shoes with black soles, painted on. Her faded blue apron sets off her lovely blue eyes. I painted a pattern of wavy water across the bottom of her apron just for her good friend Angelifish.

Angelifish is very colorfully painted and detailed in shades of blue and green, highlighted in yellow to give him that wet “fishy” look. He gazes up adoringly at Angelicat, and is suspended from her apron button with pearl cotton cord. Angelifish is only 3 ½ inches long. In addition to being Angelicat's best friend, he makes a wonderful ornament for a small Christmas tree.

Both Angelicat and Angelifish are signed and dated. From top to bottom and beginning to end, they are true one-of-a-kind original works of art. I made my own patterns for Angelicat (and her apron) and sculpted Angelifish from paper clay without using a mold. I painted them both (my favorite part of the process) with acrylic paints, and sealed them with matte varnish to protect them.

"Angelicat and Angelfish" have been adopted, but they still have their own web page :)

(This entry is copied from our former "In Progress" page and is back dated.)