Petite or Mini Blessing Totems were born from making the large Blessing Totems, to have something sweet and small to hang in a small, intimate spot and bring you joy and peace and delight. After having learned to make the large plaster mold for large Blessing Totems, I carved a small face with clay, which was then cast into plaster creating a press mold.

The eyes and lips on the mold casts are closed, allowing me to work with them in this initial way, or to open their eyes and mouths, which they then seem to come more alive and to breathe or to speak.

This one has eyes and mouth closed, with a serious, intense pensive face. She is made with red clay, and embellished with flames or feathers emerging as her hair, aura, and headdress. She is embossed with a design that is cold finished with touches of copper paint and has spiral markings on her face. These are one of a kind pieces, even though they all begin from one small mold. I enjoy adding the tiny coils of hair, or the sun bursting emanations that emerge.

Hang one in your work space, kitchen, or near your bedside lamp, to bless you off to slumber.

This piece measures 4” x3” x 1 ½”.