Etsy's Handmade Blog
Artistic Endeavors: Melabo's Favorite Sculpture
Story by melabo
Published on January 24, 2009 in Spotlight 		Photo by

doubleparlour

Today's Artistic Endeavors curator is animal oddities sculptor melabo. We love her work and her taste, and we think you will too.melabomegan.jpg

I have put together a group of quirky small-scale pieces that could easily infiltrate a home. I looked for good-natured artworks that could be tucked into a space. What I am trying to figure out in my own work often draws me into the work of others. Thus, I'm naturally attracted to all things clay.

I’m also a sucker for whimsy and humor in art. Character and story development engage me. Color and pattern, and more color and pattern, never hurt. Lots of the pieces I picked out make me think of toys and play. I try to keep my process joyful — with varying degrees of success during cold winter months — so it's reassuring to see happiness in the small objects of other Etsy artists.

 

Ribcage with Heart

This is a perfect valentine for the literal minded. By xlessthan3, $7.

View Item | View Shop

 

Lonely Planet

This one is a favorite. It reminds me of the little prince all alone on a planet. It's such a whimsical little figure, and the tree looks off-hand and breezy. By nongmok, $35. Find more clay sculpture.

View Item | View Shop

 

Maddison

I enjoy this creepy little man. I love the outfit and the expression on his face. I've been wondering about the potential of polymer clay, and this shop has been inspiring on that count. By doubleparlour, $60. Find more polymer clay sculptures.

View Item | View Shop

 

Paparazzi Attacks Mobile

This mobile would give a homeowner an excuse to use the word "paparazzi" more frequently. What are these laser cutters all about? Seems like a tool with lots of potential. I love all the shadow puppets on Etsy, and I thought this mobile concept was another nice use of cut paper. Graphic. Slick. Funny. By SaltyandSweet, $30. Find more artful mobiles.

View Item | View Shop

 

Imaginary Conversations (Add Your Own Message) Paper Wreath

More 3-D stuff made from paper. I like that the interiors of the cones are in color. By haru, $85. Find more sculpture made of paper.

View Item | View Shop

 

Terra cotta horse

A horse is a horse, and this one is straight to the point. I have a soft spot for animal art, regardless of the fact that I'm not really an animal person. Perhaps a terracotta horse can't love you back, but you will never have to pay to board or feed it. By carolynsjing, $100. Find more sculpture in the Ceramics & Pottery Category.

View Item | View Shop

 

orange flower bowl no5

I know very little about glass, but after working with clay for so long the transparency of the material is very appealing to me. This bowl would make a jaunty hat. By gulguvenc, $75. Find more scupture in the Glass Category. [NOTE: this piece is actually made of recycled plastic bottles. Thanks, neile!]

View Item | View Shop

 

The Flight of Icarus

Being a ceramic dork, I like seeing all the processes used in the pieces in this shop. The molds and decals are used in a dark, moody way, rather than the kitsch-fest that often is unavoidable — as I can personally attest. The wall pieces have curious narratives and strange environments. By avahaney, $175.

View Item | View Shop

 

small spiky bowl

This is a new shop and I am really responding to all the texture. They make me think of all things aquatic and outer-space. By lindayeargintaylor, $45. Search "organic ceramic sculpture."

View Item | View Shop

 

Turquise and pink - standing porcelain pillow sculpture

Stepanka is a favorite. She uses the porcelain like canvas for her innocent muted line drawings, subtle glazes and sometimes translucent clay. Her forms are called "pillows," giving the hard clay an implied softness. By stepanka, $400. Search for "assemblage sculpture" in the Art Category."

View Item | View Shop

 

Mudia2

These pieces would make your walls feel as adorable as your head in one of dadaya's felt hats. These pieces are over-embellished chaos with so many colors and textures. It's over-kill goodness. By dadaya, $100. Find more fiber art.

View Item | View Shop

 

Looking for more artwork? Stay tuned for the rest of the Artistic Endeavors series.

Art Category | Sculpture Category | Ceramics Category 
More Art Related Posts | Art for Every Room Showcase

Tags 3d, art, Artistic Endeavors, assemblage, ceramics, clay, fiber art, glass, melabo, mobiles, New Hampshire, polymer clay, sculpture, shopping
All articles in Spotlight
Related Items
This article was reported by:
melabo
shop . profile . contact

55 comments     Login to add your own!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. KatHannah

Great write-up and selections melabo. I too am a fan of doubleparlor and your own works are wonderful. Love the expression you used "good-natured artworks".

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. neile

Great picks! I love your work also melabo. It is cool to see what you love.

Just wanted to mention that the 'orange flower bowl' you chose is not glass. It is actually made from recycled plastic bottles (which, I think makes it even more awesome).

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. Northernista

You truly have talent melabo.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:55 p.m. christinececelia

That bear-child is a bit scary for me!!
:D
great picks!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. LisasLittleCreations

Wow, Melabo-your creations are beautiful. Squirrel girl is my fav. Love the face on Maddison from doubleparlor, also.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. ledthread

super cool. i noticed the lindayeargintaylor shop just today, and i really like it too. i got obsessed with ernst haeckel a few years ago, and some of the stuff in that shop reminds me a lot of his 'art forms in nature' paintings.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. TillyBloom

Beautiful, yet disconcerting, I adore Melabo's work!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. Krystyna81

I love that these finds are all new to me ! It just proves that Etsy is a vast and diverse, not to mention incredibly talented and inventive, marketplace. Thanks for sharing!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. Vanessa

ledthread good call with the haeckel. true, true.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. EpicBones

so nice to see some cool sculpture on here.. for some reason i always forget about sculpture, but i love it.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:14 p.m. glamasaurus

Wow these are some awesome finds.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:25 p.m. circlesareforever

I love everything here, it is so ridiculous amazing!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. littlepancakes

neat-o

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:34 p.m. ModernMetalJewelry

Wonderful collection from an amazing group of artists!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. theliz4eva

This is really a great thing you curated right here. Like it a bunch.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. 4TheSparrowsNest

Polymer clay does indeed have wonderful potential...doubleparlor has really executed some skill in manipulating this material. Very admirable! Try searching PCAGOE to find other polymer clay works by the polymer clay artists guild of Etsy.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. kricketbee

very cool and interesting finds.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 8 p.m. theRasilisk

dig that rib cage!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. LaCometaLab

Very impressed... this is a stunning selection and I have found many new favourites here!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. VedaArts

these are really one of a kind art objects. i dig this treasury of finds. great job.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. fisheye

You've got to love the diversity here! Great choices!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Enjoying this artistic endeavors series~ love melabo's work~ found new favorites~ again great read~!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 9 p.m. odiliafu

Cool, original and interesting picks!!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. TwoWomensCreations

All this talent just pouring out from everywhere.
Amazingly wonderful. Etsy has it all.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. RachelesOriginals

Very imaginative and versatile!!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. Warmth

spotted xlessthan3 last week. the ribcage with heart is past fantastic...this person has TALENT....

Jan. 24, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. workingforpeanuts

Thanks for pointing out some great good-natured art!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. AmyJaneClayAddict

I feel honored to be a part of this diverse collection, Thank you Melabo!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. Lundberg

great! I am loving seeing sculptors represented!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 10:26 p.m. HopeCreationsStudio

So Wonderful

Jan. 24, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. oldworldprimitives

Wonderful picks!

Jan. 24, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. LegendaryTigerHero

how nice!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. FlanneryCrane

Thanks for sharing!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 12:25 a.m. kristensteinfineart

Beautifully curated. Love the spiky bowl and the clay pillow. Lots of new favorites in this set.

Jan. 25, 2009 at 12:38 a.m. EirewolfCreations

Great spotlight! I'm checking out those artists now. I love the spiky bowl and "Maddison" in particular.

Check out my work for some more whimsical polymer clay sculptures! :-D

Jan. 25, 2009 at 3:12 a.m. SaltyandSweet

Thanks for the mention!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 5:04 a.m. voleurdebijoux

art gives us a burst of joy during the humdrum of life. lovelove it!! :)

Jan. 25, 2009 at 5:37 a.m. TheNebulousKingdom

so great! thanks for this wonderful article and intriguing pieces of art!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. beachhouseblues

It's so nice to see these curated collections.
The talent on Etsy is inspiring!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. foodchic

So fun! I love the new talents you've found.

Jan. 25, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. worksofwhimsy

Some really interesting sculptural pieces. Thanks for sharing your finds!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. fatcrowpress

It is always interesting to see what artists pick, looking at favorites is one of my favorite things to do.

Jan. 25, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. jennifergibbs

very unique selections!!

Jan. 25, 2009 at 6:04 p.m. moondogcottage

LOVE the little man in the bear suit! He looks like he absolutely hates wearing it! Cute, cute, cute!

Jan. 26, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. LaireMarie

Lovely selection!

Jan. 26, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. nfall2rt

OoooOOOOoooo

Jan. 26, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. artesprit

nice work ms. me.la. bo. tee hee. i want to see you wear that glass hat. great finds!
i like the tiles in your shop...
xo

Jan. 27, 2009 at 1:47 a.m. paulasmits

Melabo, PS I love your bud vases. Very nice :o)

Jan. 27, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. treefox

eep! awesome stuff!

Jan. 28, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. joannetracydesigns

Melabo, I've got one of your sculptures and love it! Interesting to see your picks here!

Jan. 29, 2009 at 2:11 a.m. BluCille

That's a neat flower bowl. Very pretty.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. Softpencil

Nice sculptures! I love the orange flower bowl!

Feb. 5, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. TheModShop

Great stuff. I love this series!

Feb. 11, 2009 at 2:05 a.m. artdecadence

What wonderful choices...i too love the little man....

June 2, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. Madamedgar

This selection is quite nice, especially the rib cage. But among all, I prefer your cake toppers with animal heads. 2 thumbs up!

Previous Page | Next Page