We
began making hand cast and hand painted holiday
decorations and magnets back in 1989. Our
wildlife keepsakes could be found at Michigan art
and craft shows and also specialty stores like
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland...
The process is the
same now as it was back then. Each keepsake begins
with a small ball of clay and a picture or line drawing.
Our miniature sculptures take from 6-8+ hours to
complete. The quality of our sculptures is not
life-like but they are still considered rather charming.
When the
original has been completed, we hand apply a mold.
From these molds we make our holiday decoration
castings. Each casting is hand cast in a somewhat
flexible, opaque, vinyl-type material.
Castings are
trimmed and each is hand painted with acrylic
paints. Finally, each is finished as a holiday
ornament and packaged in a pretty box.
The first decoration
of the series has always gone to the person who
kindly allowed us to use their photograph or
drawing. Then others are made so they can be
sold by OES rescues. It's a small way we try
to help this wonderful breed.
Due to the hand painted
nature of these items, patterns and
paint boundaries
will vary. Box design and size may also vary.
