Santa at his Desk

Yes, even Santa has administrative duties ~ he makes a list, checks it twice....... 

This almost life size Santa was made by my very talented friend, Shari Lutz, who also hooks rugs.  This Santa was a special request order, as most of her life size Santa orders are.  The desk belonged to Shari's customer's father when his father was a boy in the 1930's. It is a Christmas gift for his wife who is quite ill.  Shari said that when the customer saw it he was in awe.

Shari hand sculpts the face and hands herself, she also created the book, created some envelopes which Santa would have received from children and tucked those into the desk cubby as well as around and under the book.  She also made a tiny mouse which can be partially seen at Santa's cap.  

Of course there were some handmade cookies, handmade candy cane, there's an ink bottle, pipe and other objects that Santa would need ~ Shari is very good at detail in her works of art and that is why she is in such demand. 

You can see part of her studio and tools of the trade in the back of this next photo.  I can see some hemostats which she and I use for stuffing our dolls.  While I make dolls too, I don't have a smidgen of the talent that Shari does.  If you look at Santa's right hand it appears to me there are even veins showing in his hand...detail, detail, detail.

Shari also shared with me that she sent a Santa to a customer who wanted replicas of her 3 children on it. She included sweaters that her children wore as toddlers ( her kids are now grown). Shari said the customer called sobbing and was so happy with it. Shari said it was things like that which make her feel so good and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

If you would like to see more of Shari's works, check out her web site: 
http://www.sharilutz.com/store/Default.asp