The Doily Duck: November 2012

"I must be a mermaid...I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living"

- Anaïs Nin

I really do love mermaids. These intangible, mercurial creatures are my muses when making my paper doll art. There are no rules and no limits to my imagination when designing my mermaids.

I was once asked in an interview on the blog "I Am a Mermaid" what the appeal of mermaids was to me and I simply stated,

"I am forever drawn to the ocean. I find the ocean mesmerizing, dangerous, and calming at the same time. Maybe it's the vast unknown that is attractive. So to me, mermaids embody the ocean and all its mystery, danger, and beauty. There's something about mermaids that is devastatingly romantic and elusive".

So when I sit down to make my paper dolls I mix a little of my hopeless romantic side with a bit of my love for haute couture fashion and the end result is always something different.

My latest mermaid paper dolls are my holiday-inspired creations.

Mermaid Paper Doll 70 - "Chrysanthemum Joy"

Mermaid Paper Doll 71 - "Blue Swan"

Mermaid Paper Doll 72 - "Ghostly Sea Dragon"

Mermaid Paper Doll 73 - "Red Barnacles"

Mermaid Paper Doll 74 - "Sweet Plum"

Of course, I especially love stumbling upon those unique mermaid finds that totally grabs my attention! One of the best places to look is on Etsy.

Here are some of my favorite mermaid finds on Etsy:

Mermaid Screenprint by Roddy and Ginger

Merbunny by Etsy seller Alexis Colbert

Mermaid Rocking Boat by Enchanted Pumpkin Art

Better Than a Hoop Ammonite Earrings by Helena Bianca Studios.
(I love these earrings! I can definitely see any mermaid wearing these lovelies!)

There are also a handful of other beautiful mermaid paper dolls that I need to add to my own personal collection. My favorites from Etsy include:

Old School Tattoo Mermaid Paper Doll by Leila of Illustrated Ink.

Mermaid Paper Doll by Celena and Martin of The Filigree

Mermaid Fish Lady Paper Doll by Crankbunny

Mermaid Jointed Paper Doll by Five and Nineteen

Lost Pearl Articulated Paper Doll Set by Wool and Water

I also love these Mermaid Costumes!

Kim Kardashian's Mermaid Halloween 2012 Costume (Photos: Getty Images)

Mermaid Child Costume (Photo: Parent Magazine)

DIY Mermaid Costume (Photo: Erika McConnell/Halloween Celebrations)

Girl's Boutique Mermaid Costume Kit and Tutorial by Madd Hands

In addition, I had to share these absolutely gorgeous photographs by the talented Russian artist Nika Kurnosova. Her photographs with Olga Moskvina as the mermaid are like pre-Raphaelite paintings that capture the mystery and beauty of mermaid folklore.

(Photo:Nika Kurnosova)

If there was any one place to shop for mermaid memorabilia, Mermaid Cove, located in historic Old Town San Diego, is the place to visit. I was in Mermaid Heaven stepping into their light-blue ocean store.