Where Nutcrackers by Heidi began…

Nutcrackers have captured my imagination and held it for 20 years.  I started making nutcrackers because nutcrackers are typically soldiers with weapons and I do not have weapons in my home.  This includes images of weapons in media or entertainment, toy weapons, miniatures or, of course, actual weapons.  So I begin changing the nutcrackers to make them into something else, first by turning a rifle into a flag, then with ever-increasing complexity.  Then I created personalized nutcrackers as gifts for family and friends.  My drapes here invite you to come close, into the experience of a theatre where one might see The Nutcracker Ballet.

The customization of The Nutcracker is itself a parody on nutcrackers as a decoration.  Nutcrackers are extremely rigid with a precise body type without variation.  The faces are all identical they're all structured the same way, a series of blocks and dowels.  The most famous brand is Steinbach.  The nutcrackers of each type are identical, whether purchased in Australia or Alaska, France or Fuji, structured and rigid.  They are always male and people will spend $700 and up for each one in order to have the precise collection of the precise 30 nutcrackers. 

My nutcrackers make fun of that rigidity by taking a very structured format and doing all kinds of crazy things with it.  I am able to create something that's personalized for somebody that you love or respect, somebody who's famous, or something that makes a political statement.  

So I'm happy to create whatever type of person you would like.  It is always a human being and never animal but with almost no restrictions beyond that other than the base structure of a nutcracker itself.  I ask you to describe the subject or statement you seek, then pull together elements of reference.  I will not make political statements I fundamentally disagree with, literal demonstrations of organized religion, or things that are completely commercial, unless of course it's making fun of the commercial entity.  Other than that it's up to you.

Pricing…

Nutcrackers range from $200 to $300 and some a bit more based on the level of detail required.  Materials are about $100 and each takes about 30 hours to make.  They involve carpentry, carving, painting, custom color blending, sewing, modeling clay, scissors, glue, nails and screws, digital editing of images and photos, and repurposing items like key chain charms and tree ornaments.  I ask that you let me run free with the information you provide to create something truly unique, never reproduced or copied, never to be seen anywhere else.