Sunday, December 28, 2014

Here a Head, There an Arm, Everywhere a Doll Part ...


Most altered art assemblage artists have a stash of vintage (or new) bisque doll heads to use in their work. They add an intriguing combination of beauty and eerie strangeness to a piece.



Some of us have even been known to go retro and use and celluloid or newer plastic doll heads and/or body parts. I like to use them because they're soft and cut easily into the shapes I want them to be.
Here's one piece I made which was a challenge piece that was to based on Lou Reed's "Take a Walk on the Wild Side." I used a plastic doll head and altered it to so it would lay flat on the front of the mini-shrine.
"Take a Walk on the Wild Side" Altered Kitchen Match Box by Tristan Robin Blakeman

This is a steampunk themed shadowbox that utilizes a porcelain doll head and porcelain baby doll arm ... I love the quirky charm they add!  


Steampunk Style Shadowbox by Tristan Robin Blakeman

Taking my daily walk through Pinterest today, I found some wonderful examples of ways artists have used their stash of porcelain doll heads (at least, they all LOOK like porcelain to me). I don't have any idea who created these works, so if they're yours, PLEASE post below and identify your work so I can give you credit for your terrific work!




 
Do leave a link to photos of porcelain or celluloid doll parts that you've used in art work in comment section below! I'd love to see what YOU'VE created with these delightful treasures from the past.

and then...go make something beautiful!
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 25, 2014


 Here's hoping yours is the best one ever ...



 "Christmas Morning"

Music by Todd Ellsion

Lyric by Stephen Cole 

 

Now go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

 



 

Monday, December 8, 2014

"She Loves Me!"

I just discovered this on Youtube - and really wanted to share it with you. If you dont know the enchanting, magical, charming musical "She Loves Me," please bookmark this and when you have two hours to revel in the gorgeous score, witty script and delightful performances about the loves and peccadillos of a group of sale people in a chic parfumerie. 

On Broadway, the lead was played by the magnificent Barbara Cook - and the original cast album is a joy forty years later!

I leave you to enjoy "She Loves Me." You won't be disappointed. It's always been one of my all time favorite musicals.
 

... and now that you're inspired, go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

Thursday, November 27, 2014


Best Wishes,
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Vintage Hallowe'en!































Have a terrific Hallowe'en!

...Now go make something beautiful - and spooky!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan
 
 


Friday, October 24, 2014

Tail of the Yak

As we all know, traversing the internet and finding wonderful spots to read and see exciting, new and unusual things, sometimes there will be a place that just makes you feel a little dreamy and your heart sing a little.

Such is the way I felt when I discovered
http://parishotelboutique.blogspot.com/
The Paris Hotel Boutique is owned by Lynn, who has been selling antique wares for 15 years and writing her blog since 2007. The blog is a companion to her online shop, Paris Hotel Boutique. Paris Hotel Boutique celebrates the glitz and glamor of a bygone era by offering vintage and antique finds including European furnishings, antique curiosities, first edition books, paintings, Mid Century decor, and a vast array of old hotel souvenirs and silver.

Today, I wanted to share with you her blog post of December 2, 2010.

A Favorite Shop: Tail of the Yak
It's holiday-time at Tail of the Yak, one of my absolute favorite shops in the Bay Area. The other day my friend Lisa and I took a little ride over to Berkeley to see the seasonal magic at this most charming shop.
You've probably heard me talk about Tail of the Yak before, but I'll say it again. Magic. Owners Alice, Lauren and staff do an amazing job of creating a space that makes you feel as if you've left the world behind. From paper-adorned antique Santos statues to vintage ribbons and amazing estate jewelry, this is wonderland at its finest.

What are these you may be asking? They are "surprise balls." That's right. Artist Anandamayi Arnold has been making various "surprise balls" for the shop for many years. I've seen everything from fruits to lumps of coal.
I look forward to every Christmas to see the newest creations by Anandamayi. This years' florals just knocked my socks off! The surprises are in the bulbs of the flowers.

Surprise balls are wound tightly, like a ball of wool, around their sometimes lumpy contents. Anandamayi starts with a streamer and adds little prizes as she builds the ball. The only problem is it's too pretty, who wants to open it?
Surprise balls run about $18 to around $95, depending on the amount of work involved.

 Love this chocolate ribbon...

vignettes of charming ornaments grace the shop...


This is just a very small area of the large jewelry case that graces the shop. Everything is so specially
selected and each piece is extraordinary. I could gaze through the case for hours...

 curiosities abound such as these figural-shaped graphite pencils...


AND, during the holidays a special annual tradition at Tail of the Yak are custom-designed poster-size calendars by co-owner, Lauren McIntosh. If you make a purchase you get one of these treats! I still have many of my old ones from years back. They are truly works of art.

If you happen to be in the Bay Area, you must visit this charming store. My photos just don't do it justice!

Tail of the Yak
2632 Ashby Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.841.9891

To see and read more of Lynn's blog, click here- and be sure to enter her blog contest giveaway!
To see all the wonderful items she has for sale in her boutique, click here

Now that you've been inspired, go make something beautiful!

¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan