About this Product
A hand sculpted whimsical bird based on the Blue Footed Booby, made using resilient Cosclay. This sculpture rests comfortably on a wooden base. I use epoxy glue to permanently attach the Blue Footed Booby to his base.
Facts that you should know about the Blue-Footed Booby: There is a large concentration in the Galapagos Islands, and they are born white fluff balls with white feet. Their blue color comes from their diet; the bluer the feet the healthier the bird. As part of their mating ritual the BFB male will do a dance to show off his feet for the prospective mate. They are cousins to the pelican, and their wing span can be as wide as 5 feet. They are also known as Nature's Arrow (when they dive they look like an arrow). Although the Blue-Footed Bobby is not currently on the endangered list, their numbers are unknown. Scientists are starting to tag and track to try to get an idea as to whether their numbers are dropping.
Made to order, one at a time by me. Turnaround time is approximately 4 weeks.
*Even though this Booby is adorable, he's not meant for small children, this is not a toy.
** Also please be sure that this guy is kept out of the elements. Enjoy your BFB indoors.
6" W x 11" H x 9"D
Judy B Freeman
Meet the Maker
Like a lot of artists and crafters, I've been making things from a young age. My family moved around a lot because my dad was in the service, so I was the "new kid" more than just once. I discovered that art and craft projects helped to keep me busy if we moved to a new town during the Summer months. During college I discovered 3-D art and got hooked first on sculpting and then on ceramic art. I graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and, as many can relate, I got a regular job or 3 or 5 and my art projects were relegated to hobby status. After a life of not making art my first priority, I was able to switch gears. First I concentrated on being a ceramic artist and potter, creating functional ware as well as whimsical sculptural pieces. Then as the 50 pound boxes of clay got heavier and heavier, I decided that I needed a plan to help save my back. So I started doing research and started working with polymer clay. I retired my potters wheel and traded 50 pound boxes of clay for 8 pound boxes of clay. I made the total migration several years ago. Then in 2020 a new product in the polymer category was released, called Cosclay. It's a hybrid plastic - rubber clay and like polymer bakes in the oven, but Cosclay is quite resilient. Cosclay can stand up to the rigors of shipping across country and I've even dropped pieces without any breakage. I continue my artistic journey and have had fun selling on other marketplaces like Etsy and wholesale to galleries and shops across the country through the IndieMe website. Now the Goimagine website calls to my desire to help make a difference with my art. To be part of a truly handmade marketplace and reconnect with humans across the country.
I have a couple of "claims to fame". In 2007 a filming crew came to my home studio and filmed a 7 minute segment for an HGTV show called That's Clever! I demonstrated from start to finish how I made a ceramic cat bank. It took 2 years for the show to finally air and what an experience that was. My next claim to fame was also when I was still working in ceramic clay. I loved to make fish teapots. Three of my fish teapots were purchased by the Kamm Foundation Teapot Collection, the world's largest collection of teapots. I've had pieces, both ceramic as well as polymer in a variety of group exhibitions and have been fortunate enough to meet a lot of really great people in the process. My motto: keep learning, keep making.
Thanks for visiting - any questions, please don't hesitate to send me a message.
How it’s Made
I first create an armature made of foil and wires. Then I go to work conditioning the clay by slicing, running it through an electric food chopper, then ball it and run it through a special machine called a Mammoth Clay Machine. I slab the clay, over and over again to get all of the air bubbles out and condition it so that it is perfect for sculpting. Then I cut sheets of clay and form them over the foil armature. I work on the legs by taking slabs and wrapping them around thick and sturdy heavy gauge armature wire that extends beyond the legs and feet. I carve into the clay for the feathers. Then the sculpture gets baked in the oven for multiple sessions for over an hour each. This cures the clay and takes it from a malleable clay form to a solid resilient state. Once the sculpture has cooled completely I go to work painting with acrylics. After the painting is finished and completely dried, I add 2-3 coats of a clear varnish to give the Blue Footed Booby a wonderful finish. BFB is mounted and epoxy glued onto his wood base.
Shop Policies
REFUNDS/EXCHANGES: It's important to me that you are 100% pleased with your purchase. If after receipt and inspection, for any reason, you are not happy with your order, please contact me within 14 days. We can make arrangements to either exchange or refund. Return shipment costs will be paid by the customer. And the amount refunded will be the total cost of goods purchased, not to include the initial shipping charges. CANCELLATIONS: Orders may be cancelled at any time prior to the order being shipped, and full refund will be processed. Exception to this policy would be if the items are customized especially for the customer, and work has begun.
GIFTS: Special conditions regarding items purchased as a gift. If the giftee (person receiving the gift) requests to return the item(s) I will direct the giftee to contact the giftor. I will await instructions from the customer that purchased the gift. Same Conditions apply as shown above in Refunds/Exchanges Section.
DAMAGED IN TRANSIT: NOTIFY ME WITHIN 3 DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THE PURCHASE OF ANY DAMAGE. KEEP ALL BOXES AND PACKING MATERIALS SO THAT A CLAIM CAN BE FILED
*At this time I only ship within the United States
**All images are the property of Judith B. Freeman, LLC and may not be copied without written permission.
