folk toys store (favourite things #120)

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

My dream store to own and run myself - a store that is filled with all kinds of Japanese folk toys. I have a few around our home and so some of them made their way into this little store.

Under a blue tiled roof hairstyle and you will find a little wooden store with a red corrugated iron roof selling folk toys - in the main window: a lucky red ox (akabeko), an otaka poppo (carved toy hawk) and a hanging goldfish lantern. Around the back of the store you will find more - a large maneki neko, a tai guruma (sea bream toy on wheels), a kibuna (yellow carp toy), a kokeshi and a toy kite. On top of the store girls head is an inu hariko (paper mache dog) so that the store can be seen easily from down the street, especially helpful if you are lost.

My 'favourite things' wood girl series share the places and things I love, a favourite motif, object or theme, or are inspired by a microseason. Turned from American Tulipwood, a sustainable and interestingly grained timber, the pieces are turned by a production wood turner in the UK to my designs, then added to and painted by me, a British artist. They are finished in a clear matt acrylic protective top coat.

Favourite Things girls are numbered on the base, this one is #120.

This girl is approximately 26cm in height.

My pieces are painted in a naïve and simple style, with visible brush strokes and differing paint consistencies. It is important to note that these dolls are made from real wood which will have naturally occurring markings and grain, and sometimes there will be small amount of bleeding along the grain, or knots, which is to be expected when using untreated wood - please make sure you consult the pictures carefully before purchasing.

PLEASE NOTE: Wood girls should be kept away from water which can damage the wood and painted surface, and also away from direct heat/ sunlight which also can affect the surface colour and the timber itself.

Items going to the US are currently all shipped individually to prevent delays at customs, therefore cannot be grouped together for shipping.