Dottie at the Circus: Mini Altoids Tin

Here's a little Mini Altoids tin circus, featuring Dottie, a fine circus elephant performer. I removed the lid of the tin, and used it as a floor, where Dottie can perform.

Dottie is a tiny plastic elephant, but I made her a little hat and blanket to dress her up for her circus debut. The hat is made from Apoxie Sculpt, painted red with white dots. The little pom pom on top is a clear seed bead. The blanket is a little snippet of ribbon, with painted on white "fringe".

The flags are made with matchsticks and the same striped paper I used on the sides of the tin.

A tiny circus poster on the back, advertising the elephant show:

And there you have it, a tiny circus that can fit in the palm of your hand.

Dancing Elephants

I love it when I get custom orders on Etsy. I just made a set of three ballerina elephants for someone whose niece is expecting twin girls. She ordered an extra one for herself in hopes that some day she'll have a granddaughter.

I wish her good luck!

Ballerina Elephant

Not every elephant dreams of running away with the circus; this little twinkletoes has decided to pursue her love of ballet. It's recital day, and she stands atop her paper maché trinket box stage, fully dressed in her frilly tutu with its pink bow, a bejeweled crown, and her favorite necklace: a strand of pearls with a tiny star charm on it!

Someone has thrown a flower up on stage to express how much they enjoyed her dance.

 

This one was really fun to make. I gathered up a strip of tulle for the tutu, and then added the cutest little ruffle and some pretty pink ribbon on top. I made the little crown with some silver glitter, some lightweight wire, and some faux pearls. I've never tried to make a necklace for any of the elephants I've done, but this one just begged for it. I think it turned out pretty cute.

I only have a few of these elephants left. I sure am going to miss them when they're gone. 

A Couple of Circus Elephants

I managed to scrounge through my packed supplies and find enough stuff to put together a couple of elephants. One of these will be auctioned off next weekend at a March of Dimes fundraising event, and one will be for sale on Etsy. I just can't decide which is which.

Another Santa's Helper

This elephant borrowed Santa's pant and boots, and is now wondering just how he's going to fit down that chimney, which is strung with festive Christmas lights in anticipation of the big day.

 

And here's my favorite part of this one: the little buttoned flap on back of his pants.

We are Santa's Elephants

Not an elf, but a Christmas elephant! I decided I needed a little ho-ho-holiday time after making so many witches and goblins, so I dressed this elephant in a felt Santa hat and put him to work delivering gifts. Luckily, he's got pretty good balance; he hasn't dropped one yet.

The trinket box is covered with some pretty Graphic45 holiday paper and a bright red ribbon.

And here's the end. Literally. Maybe one of those presents is for YOU!

More Pumpkins!

I thought one of my elephants might enjoy hanging around in a tiny pumpkin patch, so I dressed him for Halloween and set him loose. He picked out the best pumpkin, and carved it into a cute little jack o'lantern. Trick or treat!

Another Trick or Treater

I really loved making my first little Halloween elephant, so I had to make him a little buddy. This one is similar, but many of the details are different.

Like his friend, his bag is separate so he can access his candy.

Trick or treat!

Arrrrrrr! Elephant Pirate!

One of the other moderators from Craftster was bemoaning the fact that her dog had chewed a leg off the paper maché elephant she bought from Michaels. We were all trying to help her figure out what to do with the now-three-legged elephant, when someone suggested making it a pirate. All day I thought about that pirate elephant. I had to make one of my own. I felt bad about cutting his little leg off, but I think he really loves his new peg leg.

I've named this little fellow Bertram. He'd like to think he's fierce, but who's he trying to fool with that newspaper hat? I'm so glad I stocked up on these little guys.

Here's his good side:

 One more for the road:

Arrrrrrrrrr!

Pink Elephant With Party Hat and Umbrella

Meet Eleanor. She started out life as one of those pink elephants that appear to drunks, but ended up in the circus as a top performer. She never goes out without her pink umbrella to protect her delicate skin.

She's definitely a girly-girl with her rhinestone forehead jewelry and her bright pink toenails.

Little diva!

Circus Elephant

 Michaels is now carrying adorable paper maché animals, including elephants! I went and picked up a few, and here's what I did with the first one: I painted the elephant grey with pink ears and cheeks. I had some great G45 polka dotted scrapbook paper, so I mixed up some colors to match the paper and painted a little blanket with a heart on her back. I painted a paper maché star box the light cream color, and then painted orange-y stripes on the sides. I then glued some more of the scrapbook paper to the top of the star. Once all that was dry, I used some inks to give the box and the elephant a little age and depth.

 Here's where the importance of being a magpie comes in: I found her little rubber ball a few months ago in a parking lot. Yes, they laughed at me when I scooped it up, but who's laughing now? Look how the color goes great with the rest of the piece! It's perfect! I attached the ball by sticking a sharp needle up through it, and then down through the trunk. A little dab of E6000 keeps it secure.

Here's her backside...

 

                                                                                                              ...isn't her bum so cute?