Join Ruffing's on Facebook, and visit Elizabeth's blog to enter a giveaway draw

We set up a brand new fan page for Ruffing's over on Facebook. We're posting photos of art from each of us, and Elizabeth Ruffing's videos, and anything new that comes up. Please "become a fan" if you are over that way. To those of you who already became a fan, thanks very much!

Elizabeth is also having a giveaway draw this week, to celebrate her 300th blog post, her 3 year blogging anniversary, and Valentine's Day too. Please visit this blog post for information on how to entering the draw for "Valentino the Hug Me! Slug", an original, one-of-a-kind art toy by Elizabeth.

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.

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. Trina the Chihuahua above center) can be found by clicking here, and Charlotte the Cocker Spaniel (above right) can be found by clicking here.

New Original One-of-a-kind Folk Art Pug Dog Doll Figurine 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.)

Please click here to visit Tillie the Pug Dog's web 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!