Of course I’m referring to the nine perky, uncommonly good-looking, crazy-talented women who’ve visited Alphabet Soup this past year to share their wares in our Indie Artist Spotlight series.

If, like me, you’ve already shifted into holiday gift-buying mode, you’re probably hungry for some good ideas. Supporting independent artists is always a win-win — your lucky friends and relatives receive unique heartmade-handmade gifts, and you’re helping to ensure that these ingenious, inventive people can continue to make the world a more beautiful place with their delightful creations.

Just to refresh your memory, I’m linking to all the Spotlight interviews and sharing two new items from each of their Etsy shops. Click on any image to be taken directly to the listing. Be quick about it, especially if you want to place a custom order. Enjoy!

* * *

1. Bossy’s Feltworks – Kari Van Gelder, Mandy Troxel and Amy Lum from Orcas Island, Washington, create sweet and whimsical felted animals, ornaments, pincushions and mobiles that are so good they’re baaaaaaaaaaad. Cornelius loves their new bear ornament!

* * *

2. PetitPlat – Stéphanie Kilgast of Vannes, France, is the queen of food miniatures (perfect for dollhouse collectors, 1:12 scale, and tasty jewelry aficionados). Note that Stéphanie recently published an English/French Miniature Food Tutorial Book, suitable for beginners as well as advanced clayers.

* * *

3. Dedalos Art Dolls – Patty from Florence, Italy, creates beautiful paperclay dolls and paintings inspired by her love of cinema, history, fairy tales and fine art. She recently added some animal dolls.

* * *

4. Uneek Doll Designs – Debbie Ritter of Cullman, Alabama, specializes in miniature caricature style art dolls of all kinds. She’s taken clothespin dolls to new heights with her unique method of utilizing wood, clay, wire, fabric, fiber and paint.

 * * *

5. Alkelda Dolls – Farida Dowler from Seattle, Washington, fashions sweet embroidered wool felt dolls (Waldorf-inspired) that are perfect for nature table displays, creative storytelling, or as faithful desktop companions offering quiet inspiration.

* * *

6. HandmadebyMia – Mia Nieminen of Eastern Finland handknits, hand sews and hand decorates/needle felts gorgeous handbags, pouches and cozies. Animals and flowers are her favorite decorations, and she’s known for her big-eyed birdies.

* * *

7. Water in My Paint – Deidre Wicks of Toronto, Canada, expresses her abiding love of animals in her whimsical watercolors. Her training in fashion design is evident in the charming way she accessories her subjects with hats, eyewear, mustaches, bowties and neckties. Nattiest attired animals around!

* * *

Wasn’t it fun revisiting these wonderful artisans? Hope you find the perfect gift(s) for the special people on your list.

HO HO HO!

———————————

Copyright © 2013 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.