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About this Product
Presented for your consideration, the Spotted Trunkfish ornament. Factoid #1 the Spotted Trunkfish ornament is, in fact, based on a real reef fish. Factoid #2 Spotted Trunkfish was handcrafted by me, in my Florida studio. I use an incredibly resilient clay called Cosclay that bakes in the oven. Factoid #3 The colors are derived from acrylics that I handpaint, There are final finishing coats of a wonderful gloss varnish. After the varnish has cured, I add a twirled wire that can be used as a hanger. Factoid #4 You can also opt for a suction cup so that your fish can be attached to a smooth shiny surface, like a window. Factoid #6 Cosclay is very flexible, so much so, that if you drop your fish ornament, she will not break. As my husband says, "Coolamundo"
Care and Feeding: No need to feed this Spotted Trunkfish ornament . Cleaning is easy, you can use a soft cloth to give her a quick dusting. The paints and clay have lightfast qualities, however, I recommend that this fish stays indoors and out of the rain. The elements may, over time, wear away the varnish and expose the paints, that could then chip and flake. So best if your Spotted Trunkfish lives inside.
Beware: Each of my fish ornaments were not created to be a toy for small children.
Dimensions: 4" - 5' in length
Delivery: Each Spotted Trunkfish Ornament is custom made to order. Once I receive notification of your order, I jump into action to work on your ornament. It usually takes me about 1-2 weeks from start to finish. I will keep you posted along the way with Messages reporting progress along with work in progress photos.
Uncertain? Are you loving the colorful ambiance that fish could bring into your space? Are you uncertain whether you'd be a good fish parent - worried about the upkeep of an aquarium? This could be the answer for you! Colorful, collectible, tropical fish ornaments. Start with one, they're like those potato chips, you can't just own one. You will never find this fish in the sea.
Judy B Freeman
Land O Lakes, FL
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.
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How it’s Made
I first create a paper template that I make from my fish sketches. I use the templace for the shape of the fish. 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. First up, I add texture to the reverse side of the fish, using a texture sheet of fish fins. Then, using my template, I cut out the fish using an exacto knife. I then smooth out rough edges and burs, then create scales by impressing a special tool into the clay. I outline and make marks for the fins and add a small piece of clay for the pectoral fin. Lastly I add a hole for the hanging wire. The sculpture gets baked in the oven for about one hour. This cures the clay and takes it from a malleable clay form to a solid resilient state. Once the ornament 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 super clear gloss varnish to give her a wonderful finish. The final step is to twirl a wire that will be the hanger for this ornament. Voila!
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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.
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