A note about the construction and materials:

I usually begin by creating any needed clay parts — head, hands and feet. Each is individually sculpted out of low fire white clay. I use this same clay for my ceramic masks. I don’t use any molds. The clay is then bisque-fired in my kiln to cone 04, glazed, and fired again to cone 06.

Next, I turn to the armatures. All figures and critters have wire armatures constructed from coated copper wire or other armature wire. If the figures have ceramic head, hands and feet they are attached to the wire armature. If they have wood (or stump) snouts or stone parts, they are incorporated now.

The next step is wrapping the wire armature in polyester and in turn that is stabilized by wrapping thread around the polyester, and finally hand stitching pieces of muslin to create a covering for the padded armature. This creates a structure which is flexible and can be moved and positioned. (I come from a strong dance background, and would be sad to think my figures couldn't change position!)

Suede and/or leather come next ... either as total body covering in the case of the Stump Critters Avian Star Wanderers/Retaels/Pudding Stone People ... or as clothing for the figures. I use various types of leather — primarily black Japanese plongé, Italian lamb, and U.S. deerskin. My requirement is that it be exquisitely soft, pliable, and thin enough to hand stitch comfortably. I do some stitching on my trusty small 1920's Singer #221 quilting machine, but primarily I hand stitch.

Lately I have become fascinated by hand felting and have started using large and small pieces of felt that I have created from wool and silk fibers for saddle blankets, garments and covering for wings and areas of larger creatures.

Fur and sometimes feathers (the Retaels) follow after the suede, leather, or felt for the creatures. I use exclusively rabbit fur and sheepskin and feathers whose origin I know. (Most of the wings of the Retaels have Pheasant wings). I intentionally only use leather and furs from animals which are raised as meat animals ... feeling something respectful should be done with the rest of the body. The pheasant feathers are a by product of the meat industry as well. Other feathers are from aviaries, friends with bird pets, or from common sources.

Finishing touches may include LOTS of hand beading (I love using old beads mixed with new ... and search out unusual ones from many regions of the world), incorporation of antique or modern textile remnants (again I search out sources ... I've found some wonderful ones ... and always try to find out as much as possible about the culture from which the textile originates and honor all the hand work which has gone into the textile with my own extensive handwork. Occasionally, as I mention happens with my storytellers, I am gifted incredible remnants made by the person doing the gifting or given from his or her collections of textiles.)

Finally I look around my studio for the pieces that have been waiting on the shelf, sometimes for years, for "their" moment to be added to a piece. Frequently I have no idea when I collect items exactly where they will end up... the figures seem to choose them almost on their own.

And last...after the piece is totally completed, he/she/they (I often prefer not to specify sex) tell me who they are and their name arrives and their "story" gets started via a legend card.

Then they are ready to find "their" particular new owner ... I love watching them in this process. I often feel it’s done completely without my intervention. Sometimes it takes a long time ... sometimes a figure and friend connect immediately, but they all eventually find just the right home and begin new adventures.

Home
Star Wanderers • Stump Critters • Puddingstone People
Retaels • Masks • Books • Stories

About Wendy • Resume • Links
Construction • Ordering Information • Price Lists
Show Schedule and Contact Information

email Wendy

Last Update 8/8/08

Website designed and maintained by KMR & Company, Marketing Communications
Please direct any comments about this site to: Webmaster

All works and text are copyrighted by Wendy Ellertson. All photos are copyrighted. Wendy Ellertson holds the copyright on or the rights to use all photographs. Copying or use of all or any portion of this site is not authorized without the express written permission of Wendy Ellertson.
All rights reserved.