THE CRONE GODDESS

Front View

Sold. Thank you Leslie!

Oftentimes I am asked at what age women can considered an official crone. Even though I have been told by many that crone apprenticeship starts at about age 60 and by age 70 you are a full blown crone, I don’t think it is that cut and dry. We as women, spend our lives apprenticing for that status. After a lifetime of just about every experience that can be imagined, those of us who have studied and as some say, “done the homework,” will one day, somehow know that we are wiser and confident in our older bodies. The poem I wrote titled “The Crone” says exactly how I feel.

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THE CRONE

Winged woman of flight.. the all-mother of humanity.. wise soothsayer Goddess Or hag.

Her eyes burn with the wisdom of antiquity.. Her voice murmurs a truth that cannot be heard by the unreceptive masses..

She has passed through the great change and she lives on to rewrite the burned chronicles of ..Her Story.

She allows each wrinkle to act as voice to proclaim and reclaim her power.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Side View

The Crone is 24 1/2” including Goddess tiara and 10” wide by 11” deep. I have sculpted her from stoneware clay which I then kiln fired to a high temperature. She features Ancient cloth and beadwork. If you are interested in purchasing The Crone, you can view more photos on Etsy or e-mail me.

Close up of Embellishments

I can’t say that I’m 100% there yet but I’m on my way. Have any of you out there decided at what stage of croneship you are able to place yourself?

Thanks so much for viewing. Cheryl

Back View

SEA FAN WALL HANGINGS

SEA FAN WALL SCULPTURES

Sculpture Number 1

I’m still on an ocean kick. Just finished these two Ocean wall sculptures that include Atlantic and Caribbean sea fans and Black sea fans from the Philippines. I haven’t had time to place them on Etsy yet but thought you might enjoy a sneak preview before I do.

Sculpture Number 1 Close-up

Fan Number 1 is 14" High x 10" wide and created with one of my original stoneware clay faces and Atlantic and Caribbean sea fan. priced at $78.00

Sculpture Number 2

Sold. Thank you Katharine!

Fan Number 2 is 11" Wide x 10" High and includes sea fan from the Philippines and a small sea horse and is priced at $68.00

Close-Up Number 2

You can e-mail me if you are interest in purchasing either of them and I can ship to you immediately. They would make great Christmas gifts for the ocean lovers on your list~

Thanks for viewing.

GYPSY SCULPTURE-ZIGANA

ZIGANA GYPSY SCULPTURE

Front View

Sold. Thank you Leslie!

I’ve long been fascinated by gypsy caravans. As a matter of fact, I was lucky enough to come upon one while in England a few years ago. If you would like to look at my posting of it, please click here. If you have a gypsy spirit, I think you will immensely enjoy that particular post, especially the u-tube of Gypsy Vardo Wagon.

I’m at it again with this gypsy sculpture I am naming Zigana. Here is her story:

Close-Up

ZIGANA

A storm was brewing. The Winds of change were struggling To free themselves once again. She knew she had been too long in one place. The roots of that place were starting to wrap themselves around her being, pulling and tugging at her once more. She knew it was time.

Moving on meant transformation. It meant leaving possessions, friends and sometimes family. She was no stranger to farewells. And, with each move, she knew she was leaving a part of herself behind.

Even though painful, she knew that once again she must pull back her shoulders, as if she were an obedient soldier. She must then wrap the blanket of memories around her and begin her journey as she had done so many times before. She knew she was Zigana, strong, vibrant, resilient and constant. She must begin…again.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Side View

When someone says that you have a “gypsy in your soul” what do you think they mean? It is probably not the fact that you move around a lot anymore, from home to home that is, but maybe it is because that you get restless and must venture out into the world to see something new and to learn some unforeseen lesson. Or could it be the tear that forms in your eye when you hear violin music? Whatever it is, I seem to want to capture that essence of the soulful gypsy in much of my work.

Back View

Close-Up of Beadwork

Zigana is 23” high and about 6” wide and approx 10” deep. She features a beautiful old Indian garment and lots of jangle beads including an old beaded necklace. Hope you like her. She is a bit expensive to ship but will be well worth it when you see her standing in your own caravan. You can view and read more about her on Etsy or e-mail me to purchase or for more questions. Thanks so very much for viewing.

EARTHWALKER WALL HANGING

Full view

Sold. Thank you Wayne!

Although I love the blue of the ocean and the blue of the sky I usually don’t decorate my home with blue. I do, however, wear blue clothing. When I was rummaging through my stash of cloth, looking for just the right material for a new piece I had formulated in my mind, I found remnants of an old cafetan that I had purchased from J. Peterman decades ago. I love the soft batiked look of the blue fabric which makes me feel it has been worn by women of some past civilization. I knew instantly that this fabric would work well for my Earthwalker Here is her story:

EARTHWALKER

She arrived from infinite space of her own choice.

She brought with her only faint memories of lives lived before. In her memories of all those lives, one over-all theme seemed to prevail..the ribbon of harmony in all things.

More memories stirred and she saw herself in a distant time, placing her ear to the ground and hearing the great mother whisper to her. “Listen,” she said, “to the pulse of all life.”

All nature was speaking to her and she was prepared to listen to the language of the stones..for even the stones have voices. The outer hard surface of a stone is merely the covering and the spirit lives within..just as our bodies are only temporary houses for our souls.

She listened to the garden and with relaxed vision, she saw and heard the nature spirits respond to the commands of the Devas..and each fruit and vegetable fulfilled their promise. She listened to the stream trickle past and on to a greater end.

She was at peace and entered into the silence,and being aware of the spiritual light, she became connected to the spiritual essence and knew that all is in flow..all nature is alive..THERE IS NO DEATH..only change.

Cheryl Dolby

Close-Up

I used a beaded sash for her headpiece, horsehair (taken from the tail) other old fabrics and blue and a beige beaded necklace. She is 8” wide by 25” high and priced at just $79.00 Hope you like her.

I have just placed her on Etsy where you can see more views. You can also purchase from me directly by contacting me by e-mail.

Thanks so much for viewing.

Close-Up of Beads

GRATITUDE BOWLS

GRATITUDE BOWLS

Oceana Gratitude Bowl Number 1

Sold. Thank you Connie.

Number 2 still available.

Oceana Gratitude Bowl Number 2

I’ve named my new series, Gratitude Bowls. They are similar to my Burning Bowls which are used to burn away any problems and habits by placing statements inside on small pieces of paper and then burning them out of your life. I like the idea of placing small statements of gratitude into the bowls and reading them on occasion to remind myself of all the things I have to be thankful for. Actually, it might be a good idea to use them for both.

Back Number 1

I read somewhere that gratitude is the open door to abundance. This makes sense because when you are truly thankful for what you already have, life has a way of delivering more of the same.

Side Number 1

Since summer is waning and I’m already missing it along with the ocean, it seemed appropriate to use the ocean as my theme for the first two bowls. Hope you like them.

Close-Up Number 1

Bowl number 1 is 6”wide x 5” deep x 11” high and features beautiful shells and a stained glass basin. I have priced both bowls at $68.00 each.

Bowl number 2 is smaller at 5” wide x 5” deep x 9” high and features assorted shells and stained glass basin.

I have just placed them on Etsy where you can view more pictures or you can purchase directly from me via my e-mail. Click here to view bowl number 1. Click here to view bowl number 2.

Side Number 2

Back Number 2

From the Top Number 2

Thanks so much for visiting.

DRUNKIN GYPSY WOMEN!

DRUNKIN GYPSY WOMEN!

Gypsy Trish

What can I say? Yesterday, after a fun day at the market where I sell my work, some of my gypsy women friends returned to Woodloft (my home) with me to have dinner and a last swim of the year. One thing led to another, and before long, we were all drinking wine and creating gypsy hats and scarves. The more wine we drank, the wilder the hats and scarves became.

Kyle and Gene

Kyle slumps glass wine bottles and transforms them into amazing crudite dishes. They are great for olives, cheese and whatever else you might think of. I love the way this Italian wine bottle turned out.

Gene is our market photographer. He loves to dress up each Saturday. Usually he wears wild shirts and ties. I had purchased this Italian silk tie from a friend years ago. It is hard to believe that he painted each one of the faces onto pistachio nuts! Gene is a good sport. He wore the tie all day long, even though customers were making more remarks about the tie than his work!

Leigh Ann and Wayne

My chef friend Wayne decided to purchase a new top hat. I think it suits him well. He and Leigh Ann stopped by to say hello on thier way to explore a new restaurant in town.

Trish and Purple Gypsy Hat

Anna Weaves Intricate Beadwork Onto Her Hat

Val Examines Small Embellishment

Gypsy Claire

Yours Truly-I Used A Beautiful Butterfly and Lots of Jangles On my Cloche Scarf

Gypsy Rebecca

Indonesian Noodles

This noodle dish was one of the most flavorful dishes I have ever eaten. There are lots of ingredients but Anna says it goes together fast. Anna has generously given her recipe.

Indonesian Noodle Recipe

1 lb angel hair or oriental rice stick noodles, cooked until al dente, drained and cooled under cold running water

1 small bunch scallions, white bulb and green stalks, sliced

1/2 lb. snow peas, strings removed, blanched in boiling water for 30 seconds, rinsed under cold running water, and then cut lengthwise in half

1/2 (or more) red pepper, seeded

and cut into thin julienne strips

1/2 (or more) yellow pepper, seeded and cut into thin julienne strips

1 small can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 small can sliced bamboo shoots, drained

1 jar pickled baby corn (I don't use them because I don't like them)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1 lb. small shrimp, peeled, deveined and cooked just until opaque (I substituted a package of fake crabmeat, chopped, sauteed and cooled)

1/2 cup salted peanuts (or more to taste)

1/4 cup (or slightly less) TOASTED sesame oil (the Food Coop had it last time I looked)

1/2 cup soy sauce or more to taste

1 3/4 cups Hellman's mayonaise (more or less to taste)

Hot chile oil to taste

(all of these amounts can be altered to suit personal taste)

1. Place the drained pasta in a large mixing bowl. Add the julienned vegetables, the water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, baby corn, parsley, shrimp and peanuts. Toss to combine.

2. Whisk the sesame oil, soy sauce, and mayonnaise together in a small mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the noodles and mix thoroughly with your hands to ensure that the salad is evenly coated. Season with drops of hot chile oil to taste.

Wayne's Last Meal Lasagna

My chef friend Wayne created this recipe called "Wayne's Last Meal Lasagna." He named it this because one guest mentioned that if she were on death row and had a choice of her last meal, it would be this fabulous lasagna. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make..here is the link for the recipe for those who are interested.

Finished Purple Gypsy hat-We Realize These Hats Were Just For Fun-No Great Craft Work Here!

Anna's Hat in Progress

Noone ever said that we artists are a normal bunch but you can be sure, we do have fun! Hope you enjoyed my silly post of life here at Gyspy Grove.

SOARING SPIRIT GODDESS

Close-up

Often times, I’m inspired to sculpt because of some object that I’ve come across in my treasure hunts. For example, I found an old necklace at an antique dealers shop. It was from India. It has jangles and a very old patina. I fell in love with it instantly and knew I wanted to create a tall standing Goddess befitting of it. Soaring Spirit was born. Her face spoke to me as I sculpted her. She seemed to be telling me of her struggle with becoming her own person. She had given her life to others and now it was time for her to begin anew.

Full length view

Soaring Spirit

A voice sounded..at first it seemed to be a Murmur. Quietly it expressed the thought.. "Take your power now." As the days passed, it became increasingly Louder until it became as a roar, vibrating her Entire being.. "Take your power now.!" She Began to reexamine her life. So much time Had passed, and in all that time she had Remained spiritually deaf and blind. She had Not heard..She had not seen...and the voice Continued speaking to her..resonating Throughout every cell in her body..electrifying To the inner core of her soul until she had no choice but to listen.."Take your power now." It continued. "For you have given your life To others and in that giving, you have emptied Yourself. It is only when you are empty that you Can truly be full and free to live".....

Cheryl Dolby

close-up of necklace

Back

Soaring Spirit is 23”high x 10”deep by 8” wide. I have sculpted her with stoneware clay which I then fired in my kiln. Her embellishments include the old necklace from India, and beautiful upholstery cloth. She is priced at $325.00. I have signed up for Paypal’s relatively new feature of buying now and making several payments that are interest free! This will help tremendously with purchasing one of my larger pieces since shipping can be costly for these items. Just go to my right hand side bar and click on the Paypal “Bill me later” logo and they will walk you through this wonderful new feature. If you decide to use it, just click my Etsy shop and choose “Bill me later.” You also can e-mail me for more questions or to purchase by check.

Frida Burning Bowl

FRIDA BURNING BOWL

Frida Burning Bowl

Sold. Thank you Gloria!

I had been planning on making a Frida burning bowl for some time but wanted to add just the right embellishments. Since Frida loved color and flowers, I knew I had to find just the right ones. After searching through my stash, I found several beautiful old jewelry pieces of flowers. The one on top is a cluster of three and is a real antique made of clay. The one on the right side is of metal. I added a sparkly gem from an antique earring to her naval. She is the standard size of my burning bowls and is 5”w x 6”deep and about 10” high. She is priced at only $68.

Close-up

I have created many posts of my favorite Mexican icon- Frida. You can view one of them here.

Close-Up of Antique Flowers

The concept of the burning bowl came from Unity church. They use a large bowl on New Year's Eve and ask each person to write down some vice or problem they would like to leave their lives. Then, the bowl is set ablaze and the problems are gone. I decided to make smaller, more personal burning bowls that can be used as such or a candle or incense can be placed in the stained glass bowl. You can view more images of Frida at my Etsy shop or inquire at my e-mail. Hope you like her.

Side View

Everywoman

EVERYWOMAN

Top View

Side View

When I finished this piece yesterday, I tried naming her but every time I did, I had to start over. She looks as though she is Native American, yet, I see Italian, Slovak, Greek, Egyptian, African and practically every nationalty in the world. I wrote a story called “Morning Song” that seems to fit. She represents every woman..she is universal and timeless.

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“ Morning Song”

She woke up this morning feeling different. She heard the sounds of this morning and yet the sounds of many other lifetime mornings were returning. She heard the infinite sound of distant runic bells, a call to alms, merchants voices echoing over the river Nile, sheep bleating on a pastoral hillside, roosters, guns, flutes, chimes, laughter, weeping..for she had heard all these mornings and she had heard all these sounds before. It was as if they were all becoming one great sound...one great morning..this morning....and she knew that all the returns of mornings purpose was to teach her the uniqueness and significance of this morning...of now.

~Cheryl Dolby~

Close-up

Morning Song is 6"w x 7"d x 13!/2"H. I used stoneware clay, which I then kiln fired and added stains and embellishments. Antique beadwork adorns her body. I have priced her at $185.00 and just listed her on Etsy.

Also, the story of Everywoman can be found at my Etsy shop in my book “Layers.

You can also contact me about either of these items by e-mail.

Beadwork

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