Dhokra Casting in India

This video is a compilation of photos from the dhokra village and video from the dhokra workshop we attended while in Santiniketan at the Santiniketan School of Visual Art and Design.

A few of my Experimental Dhokra Pieces

Dhokra is a lost wax casting technique and the closed casting method is only used two places in the world. One of the professors who took us is the professor for the small metals department and was incredibly excited about this part of the trip. West Bengal, India is one and the other is in South Africa.

There were three craftsmen from one of the dhokra villages that came to help with the workshop.

Be sure to check out my other India and art videos on YouTube.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

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175+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Artists and Family

My favorite part about Christmas is Santa. Not because I like to receive receive receive but because there is something special about giving without expecting anything in return, not even a thank you. 

Growing up my mom filled the stockings and added a few Santa presents under the tree on Christmas eve. Santa's gifts were always wrapped with matching paper and ribbons and boys. True beauty. 

As I grew older Santa continued to come even though we all knew what was going on until one Christmas eve I snuck downstairs and started adding stocking stuffers and I continue to, to this day (even at the in-laws house and they don't even do Santa).

Whether you already have a stocking tradition or want to start one this year, here are some great ideas to get you started and many on a thrifty budget. I will start with stocking stuffer ideas for your artists in the family and go through ideas for several other family members...If you are in a hurry, here are 5 Last Minute Holiday Ideas.

Artist Stocking Stuffers 
1. Paint brushes
2. Paint tubes
3. Paint Palate
4. Favorite songs to listen to while making art
5. A gift card to Blick or another online art supplier
6. A cute apron
7. Bite sized candies
8. A travel watercolor kit - or watercolor paint refils
9. A travel water container
10. Art books
11. Little knick-knacks or anything beautiful
12. A gift card to a local art or craft store
13. Kneeded eraser, nice pencils (I like mechanical but some people don't) and a sketchbook 

14. Tape ( duct tape, artist tape, washi tape, double sided tape)


Kid Stocking Stuffers
15. Mini box of sugar cereal
16. Stickers – especially scratch n’ sniff stickers (Michaels craft store has a good variety)
17. Pez
18. Chinese paper yo-yo ( or other random paper toys)
19. Candy necklace
20. Stretchy bugs/critters
21. Silly straws
22. Glow sticks (you can get 15 packs at the $tore around Halloween)
23. Astronaut Ice cream ($3.10 for a 12 pk. here on Amazon)
24. Lip gloss/lipstick
25. Mini nail polish (inexpensive and good choices of kid’s colors at Walmart)
26. Fruit snacks
27. McDonald’s gift card (just enough to get an ice cream cone on a “date” with mom or dad)
28. Matchbox cars
29. Slap bracelets
30. Kazoo
31. Crayola Model Magic packs 

32. Coloring book and crayons 
33. Food shaped erasers (girls love the scale of these for American Girl dolls)
34. Glow in the dark stars and planets
35. Heat bags (sew a pouch of fabric or a sock filled with dry rice
36. Dress up jewelry
37. Earrings
38. Travel game 
39. Webkinz or other small stuffed animal
40. Fancy scissors
41. Silly socks
42. Box of crayons, markers, or colored pencils
43. Journal 
44. Silly putty
45. Can of silly string
46. Animal sponge capsules
47. Expandable t-shirt, towel or washcloth
48. Glue sticks
49. Markers
50. Watercolor paints
 51. Origami paper
52. Disposable camera
53. Rearview spy glasses
54. Smencils (scented pencils)
55. Noise maker (shakers, tambourine, maracas, whistle)

Teen Stocking Stuffers
56. USB Flash drive
57. iTunes gift card
58. Stretchy book covers
59. Diary with invisible ink pen
60. Cell phone cover or a new cell phone 
61. Embroidery thread for friendship bracelets
62. Beef jerky or other snacks
63. Gift card to bowling alley or skating rink
64. Makeup
65. Art Lessons
66. Gel pens and black paper
67. Perfume
68. Nail polish in funky colors
69. Manicure pen
70. Lanyard for keys
71. Keychain
72. Wallet
73. Earbuds
74. keys to something special like a first car parked in the driveway with a giant bow.
75. books or a book (I was a nerd and asked for several books on the AP reading list one year, but this could be a great chance to give an artist book, graphic novel, or auto biography of an inspirational figure. Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul is also good.)

Mom Stocking Stuffers
76. Scented hand sanitizer (particularly from Bath & Body Works)
77. Camera memory card
78. Jewelry (Earrings, necklace, etc. My mom loves huge earrings. I sometimes buy them at the $tore, take the charms off and string them as necklaces.) Wire wrapped Jewelry or make paper bead jewelry.
79. Gift card for a pedicure, manicure, or massage (I know this one’s not “cheap” but it sure will earn you a lot of points, dads!)
80. Keychain charms of kids with initials (SO cute!)
81. Package of decorative buttons (for crafting)
82. Knitting needles or crochet hooks
83. Crochet or knitting pattern book
84. Fancy hand soaps (particularly from Bath & Body Works!)
85. Seeds an a mini pot
86. Scrapbooking ribbons, tags, embellishments, etc.
87. Scentsy

88. Beaded bookmark (can be found in card or gift stores or on Amazon here)
89. Fancy scissors
90. Scrapbook paper (rolled up in a paper towel tube)
91. Gourmet coffee or fancy hot coco mix
92. Specialty tea
93. Ped Egg or pumice stone
94. Votive candles 

95. Icing tips/bags
96. Mascara 

97. Box of dollar store note cards 98. Chocolates (bag of Dove or Bliss)
99. Coffee shop gift card
100. Nail polish
101. Scented hand lotion (particularly from Bath & Body Works!)
102. Tree ornaments
103. Purse
104. Gift Card for favorite store and offer to go on a shopping spree with mom (or just give her the card so she can get away)

Dad Stocking Stuffers
105. Tape measure
106. USB flash drive
107. Picture hanging hardware
108. Nails & screws
109. 3M hooks
110. Car charger for cell phone
111. Beef jerky
112. Car wash gift card
113. Golf tees
114. Golf balls
115. Video/Computer game
116. Coffee shop gift card
117. Drill bits
118. Tool keyring 
119. Mini flashlight
120. Gift card to bowling alley
121. Wallet
122. desk calendar
123. a nice tie
124. socks 

 Anybody Stuffers
125. Favorite candy bar
126. Snack packages (cheese crackers, cookies, etc.)
127. Hand Sanitizer
128. Gum
129. Sudoku book
130. Christmas ornament (start a tradition and give or make one for each immediate family member)
131. Hand and foot warming packs (found in the dollar spot at Target)
132. Slipper socks
133. Hot chocolate packets
134. Mug with candy canes and coco
135. Video Games
136. Kinect or other gaming system

Practical Stocking Stuffers
137. Calculator
138. Book light
139. Pencil sharpener
140. Deodorant
141. Toothbrush
142. Kids toothpaste
143. Dental floss
144. Barrettes / pony tail holders
145. Comb
146. Hot comb, flat iron, gel, or other hair supplies

Adult/Bestie/Husband/Wife/Romantic Stocking Adult Stocking Stuffers
147. Unmentionables or Christmas underwear
148. Victoria’s Secret gift card
149. Date night our on the town gift card
150. Butterscotch Schnapps and Apple Cider mix and cinnamon sticks
151. Peppermint Schnapps and Hot chocolate mix with a candy cane
152. Artwork is always a great idea.
153. Mini scented candles
154. Gift card for a tattoo 

Family Stocking Stuffers
155. Deck of playing cards. Bang is also a good game
156. Video games
157. Ornaments
158. Ski Passes
159. Netflix or other yearly subscription
160. Movie tickets
161. Travel tickets
162. Maybe pet supplies for a new pet
163. Game sets - Yahtzee is easy, you can find dice and the refill sheets. Our whole game cost less than $5

Pet Stocking Stuffers
My mom always had stockings for out pets and I was typically the one to open them. These were often items that we had for our dogs anyways, but added a little fun to Christmas morning.
164. Chew toys
165. Canned food
166. catnip
167. Play stuff/toys
Tot Stocking Stuffers 
168. Playdoh
169. Bubble bath
170. Bathtub crayons
171. Pacifier
172. Cute socks
173. Baby/Tot photo book (tots love looking at pictures of themselves and their family members)
174. Dum Dum lollipops (not for the youngest tots!)
175. Bubbles
176. Character band-aids
177. Board book (one of my favorite authors of tot books is Sandra Boynton)
178. Character spoon and fork set
179. Character kids cup (Target “dollar spot” often has these)
180. Shoes

If you like countdowns or want to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, you could pick several of these and gift one each day. 

What are some of your favorite gift giving ideas?

Henna 'n' Sarees

Felicia Follum Sketches and Hand Drawn Greeting Card

The past couple weeks I have been spending a good amount of time looking at henna designs and creating some greeting cards inspired by the women we saw in India. Both the shape on the cards (and several paintings) and the delicate henna patters remind me of the elegant beauty that Indian women possess.

As we traveled on the trains I kept seeing women in saris walking along side the road, in a field, or even thought a pile of trash. The women in their beautifully colored and elaborately detailed fabrics created a unique elegance. The saris, in most settings, stood out from the architectural or prairie landscapes. I absolutely loved the repetition of the shape.

When I came back and found a quick watercolor painting I had in my sketch book I was in awe. I sculpted, I drew, and I painted...and I still am creating more images based on that same idea.

In addition to the Indian Woman shape I love the delicate designs that India was covered in, especially those used to decorate women's hands a feet for weddings and other holidays. The patterns appear to be influenced by old Indian art styles such as miniature paintings of Gods and Goddesses that people use in their homes as a part of their pooja.

Felicia Follum Chalk Pencil Drawings

The begining of our trip was spent in Delhi, Old and New. In the Handi-Crafts Museum I spent a large amount of time in the miniatures section, just looking at the texture and patterns in the gutters and the various repeating shapes and symbols. Some that stood out included the peacock, snake and lotus flower composed of thin lines.

Throughout the trip and even upon returning to the US, I continued to see these shapes repeated on paintings, sculptures and in henna designs. The sketch in the photo above was inspired by henna designs. Though I am not sure what will come out of all these henna and pattern sketches, I am excited to continue designing as I am sure I will know exactly how to use the patterns when the time comes.