Announcement    February 8th, 2024 - Well, big news on the horizon! I'll be moving my entire studio/work/live space in March into a house! This is the culmination of our four year search for a place that would offer more room but still allow me to create without putting a premium on price or (more importantly) volume.

The last few years have been trying. Family loss, escalating costs, and watching the town I live in change in ways I'm not sure I like. I contemplated moving halfway across the county, scoped out several wonderful areas of WI and looked at various places closer but, in the end, I'm staying put, though in a new town ten miles away.

***What this means for Shadow of the Sphinx***

I'm hoping, once I am settled, (end of March) to be able to complete work, especially custom orders faster. My space issue in my current studio means I cannot possible keep all of my in progress pieces out given each stage of the process has its own complications and needs and what often has happened is I am forced to store half-done pieces until I get enough space open or several pieces tha are at the same point in the process, so I don;t ruin others while working on them. In the new space, i should have several work areas where pieces can be sculpted, fired, patinas applied etc etc.

And I hope to be able to move forward on ideas I've been sitting on for years due to the lack of space to try them out. So hopefully, you'll see all of that starting to appear in the shop in 2024!

The one thing that won't change is my commitment to making every single piece by hand, just as I have since I began this creative pursuit in 2009. I look forward ot continuing to serve the Kemetic community and all of you who simply love the work.

May it be a year filled with new horizons, inspiration and joy in your world as well!

Nicolas


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Why Handmade? By that, I mean specifically, why make each and every single altar statue, icon and amulet in this shop from scratch every time?

In a world where 3D printing is more accessible than ever, where Etsy is joined by ever more third party vendors for what is listed as handmade, where work made from molds and casting are more common, I want to say that production of that sort it just never felt like the right path for me. I have nothing against such methods and appreciate the cost effectiveness they can provide, but I took a different approach from day one as a sculptural artist and will continue to make these pieces in my shop one at a time , or as long as I remain a living, creative soul in this world.

Why? Well, this is for several reasons. First, nothing makes me happier than to make things by hand. There's no greater joy for me than seeing each piece come to life from a lump of clay and to send them off to all parts the world (49 countries as of this update!!)

Second, When I think of how far my work has come from the first iterations of any deity it is rather mind boggling. If I had not made over 2500 statues and amulets to date, my skills would never have grown to this point. And that, at it's core, is the only reason to create with such regularity. To improve. To better my skills and to be able to see that happening month in and month out over 14 years has been wonderful.

And last, because I want YOU, my dear and cherished customers, to feel the energy that goes into each and every piece and to know that even with the simplest designs, your is truly a one of kind piece because each one is made entirely by human hands. Despite my own drive for perfection, it is utterly imperfect in some way. But each piece IS infused from a creative heart that loves what it's doing each and every day.

I hope that shows in the work you purchase from me. That desire and intent to offer something special and unique. . . those are the most valuable things I have to offer.

Thank you all so much for your kindness and support!

nicolas

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Welcome to the Shadow of the Sphinx.

I have been deeply fascinated with the mystery and symbolism behind the art and hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt since I was a young boy. The touring treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamen, the mysteries of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids all stirred such great wonder within me.

I found myself, at the age of 9, making renditions out of cardboard and tin foil of the elaborate jewelry of the Pharaohs that I saw in photos and painting images of the gods Thoth and Horus on my feet.

I felt somehow as though they were protecting me.

I secretly (at first) painted hieroglyphs on the walls of my bedroom closet and would often pretend that I was living in those ancient times.

Now, some forty years later I have allowed my love and reverence for these things to come to the surface and I began creating this line of polymer and gemstone icons for your own personal altars, Kemetic shrines and/or home decor.

My statues are styled after the traditional votive statues of Ancient Egypt. That is to say, NOT the gilded golden idols of kings and queens but the statues of everyday life. Prayer and offering statues. Home altars and handmade with humble simplicity.

New customers, as you look about please remember all of my statues can be created in a variety of sizes and prices! If a larger piece is out of range for you, or a mini statue not quite enough, please ask about having one custom made for your altar or shrine. Thank you!

The statues and pieces in my shop are always changing! Please consult the sold items for other examples of my work, especially the array of custom pieces I have completed in my sold listings. Keep in mind that the sizes vary from piece to piece. If you see something in the shop that is larger or smaller than you wish, just convo me about creating something just the right size for YOU. From Mini (2") pieces all the way up to large (11") statues!

Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and ideas for things you may wish to see featured here.

There's a certain light, a magic, found between the pages of history, lingering in the shadow of the Sphinx...

nicolas

One final thought:

As my shop has grown over the last fourteen years I have found that a large percentage of my orders are custom requests from the ancient pantheons of our world. I could not have imagined the wide range of altar pieces that I have been able to create for people to have on their personal altars.

It was also a desire of mine from day one, to have work that was affordable for almost anyone to have. With the demand and increase in production, my prices have had to rise as well. But I want to say that if you have a need for an altar piece and do not think you can afford a custom piece, message me because the range of pieces my own work is inspired from is vast and varies from highly detailed to very humble and simple forms.

The shop here, as you might expect, only showcases some of the best and most requested work. I can make small, inexpensive pieces to fit almost any budget. :)

Just let me know your situation and limitations and we will go from there!