Who Stole My Cookie?

Every once in a while custom orders present a challenge, but are also very entertaining. In the case of this unique request, I needed to make a little blonde kiddo who was an expert cabinet scaler AND a cookie stealer extraordinaire.

**Idea image supplied by customer***, © Shelly Arroyo.*

Ideas always have to be designed around size and weight, per the purpose of the design. In this case, there is a standard working size and thickness I need to try to accommodate, in order for the piece to hang well on a tree branch. I have designed my pieces over the years with this standard in mind, creating the standard by years of trial-and-error. Anything protruding from the surface of the ornament must not be too heavy to have the piece hang at an angle. Likewise, the entire piece needs to try to be balanced symmetrically for weight. Sometimes, one or both of these measurements affects the placement of the holes for the item to hang, as well.

**Sculpting the little boy figure***, © Shelly Arroyo.*

**Sculpting the cabinet***, © Shelly Arroyo.*

**Every piggie needs a curly tail***, © Shelly Arroyo.*

If you give a kid a cookie…*giggle*

**Sculpt, post-bake***, but before finishes, © Shelly Arroyo.*

**Finished cookie stealer***, approx. 3 1/2″ H x 2 1/2″ W, © Shelly Arroyo.*

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my “balance” to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle!