COZY CREEK PRIMITIVES

I'm a self taught artist who was born and raised in Bucks County, PA, and now live in Colts Neck, NJ (hopefully to return to PA one day with my husband and fur babies!). I have been running my shop Cozy Creek Primitives for over a decade! Here in my little home-based shop, I value quality over quantity. I take my time and put lots of loving attention to detail into every original One-Of-A-Kind piece of art I create, along with plenty of imagination, uniqueness, and whimsy! I don't have anyone working with me or for me (well, except Scamper, the rather sizable Siberian Forest Cat I hired as my Production Oversight Manager). I create each and every doll, every stitch, every detail from start to finish by myself. I don’t use professional lighting, backgrounds or camera tricks to photograph my creations; they are never touched up; what you see is just what you get! My photos show my dolls in normal, every day backgrounds and regular home lighting conditions. I want you to see what they’ll look like in your warm and cozy home, not in a sterile and cold studio setting. I use only high quality materials to create my art. I make sure that my items are solid, sturdy and well constructed. I realize that my items aren't just a decoration for one season, or one holiday. I know they will be brought out year after year, or on display every day of the year. Some will be given to loved ones and special friends as gifts or even handed down to children and grandchildren... they become part of a family and a home, so I make sure each one is very special. I use only non-toxic, U.S.A.-sourced materials in the creation of my art and nothing that I use has a chemical odor. Chemicals bother me so I know they must bother others as well. The only scent my dolls will have are the light, pleasant, heart-warming smells of coffee, tea, cinnamon and vanilla. I use only hypoallergenic stuffing and all of my items are created in a completely smoke-free and clean environment. DISCLAIMER: Every piece of art I create has to first receive Scamper's "Kitten Paw Print of Approval" before it enters my shop for sale! Scamper loves to hang out on my work table to supervise and help with everything I do! Every piece of art is signed and dated by me, then stamped with a little paw print to represent Scamper! I enjoy knowing the items I create with my heart, here in my home surrounded by the love of my family, will be treasured by my customers as a part of their own homes and families! God Bless, Wendy Marro

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

SIMPLE DIY Primitive Paintbrush Santa Claus!

Good Morning! I've been seeing these adorable Santa Claus Paint Brushes for several years now, and there's so many different varitations on them.... I prefer the more primitive style ones of course! Today I'm going to explain how to make these simple little cuties, anyone can do it! Read on for tutorial below!
( photos courtesy of Pinterest)



There are MANY sizes of paint brushes... so you can choose to make one large Santa to hang on a wall or several small ones as ornaments.. just make sure you get a BRISTLE brush! This is what makes the beard look so prim and neat!

You can choose to leave the ferrule ( the metal or wood part that the bristles go into)  plain, OR you can paint it a flesh color with some acrylic craft paint  ( as seen in the first photo)

His eyes are simple black buttons, you can choose the size and style you want, and there are many different ones available at your local craft store! You can also use many other things for the eyes ( you can cut out circles from felt for instance)
 For his nose, use a round top button or a wood bead ( also found in the craft store!) round unfinished wooden beads come in packages and in various sizes! Just paint his nose the color you'd like ( flesh color or red) allow paint to dry then glue on the eyes to the ferrule and the nose to the very top of the bristles.

Now.. for the hat! You can paint the wood handle red as seen in the second photo, ( simply allow to dry then decorate as you like.. you can paint little white snowflakes on there, or little moons and stars, or glue on something you find at the craft store!) For the first photo, you can make a little hat out of some felt or flannel or fleece then slide it over the wood handle and glue into place. 
Trim the hat with a little fur or white felt or maribou, hang a little bell on the end of the hat and tada! 
You can give Santa some wire rim glasses ( either purchased at the craft store) or buy some heavy guage wire and create your own ( which I like better!)

He's your Santa, so get creative and make him with whatever materials and style tickles your fancy!
Have fun HO HO HO!