Jeżyk or "hedgehog" ornaments are a traditional form of Polish folk art, a paper craft that dates back beyond 100 years. This style of ornament making became popular on and off during the last century in the United States, where they became known as porcupine ball ornaments, perhaps through a twist of translation to reflect our own resident spiky animal (there are no wild hedgehogs here).

To me, in a more modern context, they looked like stars or sea urchins, so I called them Star Urchins™, which became my unique product brand name. I have been making them for most of my life. My mother learned to make them nearly six decades ago, and she, in turn, taught me how to make them during the Christmas holiday season when I was a child, as a way to connect me to my Polish heritage. I reintroduced them to a new generation of artists and crafters on a larger scale via the internet when I began selling them here beginning in 2009. The interest has been astounding.

As the popularity of my creations grew, a new meme caught on, and these ornaments are now most commonly referred to as "Polish stars"; various forms can be found across the web. (I do not yet offer a tutorial for my ornaments, and please note that any tutorials or derivative works currently online do not reflect or represent my work, nor my techniques.)

My work has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers and blogs, and has found happy homes with scores of collectors. I've sold thousands of pieces, shipping them across the globe. And by now, I have made in the hundreds of thousands of points, all by hand! My expansive line has included ornaments (including my signature hand-glittered Sparklers, and recycled newspaper, book and magazine ornaments), tree toppers, place card holders, magnets, stemmed flower bouquets and more, to be enjoyed as modern folk art, on or off the Christmas tree, any time of year. Each is handmade by me, in my Michigan USA studio, to keep the heart and soul and beauty within this traditional family craft. Please help spread the word about independent-artisan handmade and original modern exploration of traditional art forms. Thank you, sincerely, for your support.

Enjoy, from my home to yours,
Kathleen.
Kissa Design

www.kissadesign.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kissadesign