Willow Tree is an intimate, personal line of angels, figurines, ornaments and keepsake boxes representing qualities and sentiments that make us feel close to others, heal wounds, or treasure relationships to living things. The name Willow Tree symbolizes that which is gestural, beckoning and romantic. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry flora or fauna symbolic of human virtues or qualities. The angels are rendered so as to reveal their expressions th (more…)

Willow Tree® hand-carved sculptures speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire. Susan Lordi identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. About Willow Tree®, Susan says, “I try to keep the interpretation of Willow Tree® open. I hope this makes it more personal, and allows the viewer to decide its meaning.

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When a person sees a Willow Tree figurine, they are taken immediately by the beauty and simplicity of the piece. These figurines are not the kind of sculpture that many people have become accustomed to in this fast paced and hectic life.

The pieces are created with a specific purpose which is to convey a human emotion through a simple line that does not have extra decoration or adornment that detracts from the fluid movement of the sculpture.

When Susan Lordi creates a Willow Tree figurine, she has been inspired by friends, family, nature, or beauty, to reflect the feelings that have been shared. She delicately sculpts the figure from clay. She may add an item to the sculpture that relates to nature and the human spirit. These may include rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, or a book for learning.

Most of the figures are sculpted in pairs. Humans are not meant to be alone and the sculptures reflect the support and love that one human being can give another. When comforting, consoling, or reflecting, the figures provide a person with the feeling of peace, serenity, love, and simplicity that is the signature of the Willow Tree figurines and ornaments.

When a sculpture has been completed in clay it is sent to China. Once there a mold is made from the original sculpture. This mold contains every detail that is one the piece and is filled with resin. After drying, the resin sculpture is an exact replica of the original. The piece is then hand painted using four layers of thin water based paint.

Once completed the finished products are sent to destinations throughout the world. Many people wait eagerly for the introduction of a new figure or ornament from Susan. Many of the pieces have gained value as collector’s items and some people have collections that began in 2000 when Susan sculpted her first Willow Tree figure.

Each sculpting takes up to fifteen months to go from Susan’s studio to the shelves and websites in which they are sold. Susan is continually working on new projects and collections to enhance the pieces that provide the basis for the collections. (more…)

Willow Tree® hand-carved sculptures speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire. Susan Lordi identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. About Willow Tree®, Susan says, “I try to keep the interpretation of Willow Tree® open. I hope this makes it more personal, and allows the viewer to decide its meaning.

(more…)

Susan Marker Lordi had previously been an internationally renowned artist in textiles before beginning a journey that would result in the art that she produced today that is in demand throughout the world. In 2000 Susan began sculpting her Willow Tree ornaments and figurines. The figures are very different from where she began her career as an artist. And yet, years after leaving college she found that her college notebooks contains the drawings and doodles that would one day be the impetus of Willow Tree.

The inspiration for Willow Tree is drawn from friends, family, and people that Susan knows. She is an observer of the relationships taking place around her. From those observations she is able to create the beautiful pieces that make up the collections that are offered.

The ornaments, figures, and boxes that make up the Willow Tree collections are inspiring and give an individual the opportunity to share a feeling or emotion with another person easily. Each sculpture is inspired by an event or an event that can be easily shared in sculpture.

When a person first sees the Willow Tree ornaments, they may think that these are wood sculptures. However, the ornaments are made from a mold created from the sculpture that Susan makes. The ornaments and figures are sculpted from clay that Susan works on in her Missouri studio. When an ornament or figure has been completed it is sent to China.

Once in China a mold is made from the sculpture. A resin is poured into the mold which provides an exact replica of the sculpture with each knife and sculpting etch on the figure. After being removed from the mold it is hand painted with four layers of thin water based paint. This paint is lead free and allows some of the ornaments to be used as cake toppers for weddings.

Upon completion of the painting process the sculptures are cured and sent to their destinations. Some stores have sold the Willow Tree line since its inception. The ornaments are also available through many Internet Sites. You will find that the figures and ornaments are also available on Susan’s Willow Tree website and the Demdaco website.

The figures are made using one of four skin tones and different hair colors. Susan is now working on expanding her collection to include other ethnicities in the sculptures. Her “Child of My Heart” figure is a tribute to a friend who is very involved with international adoption. (more…)

Willow Tree Thinking of You Angel Figurine. Card reads: “Keeping you close in my thoughts.” Made out of Resin.

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Willow Tree® hand-carved sculptures speak in quiet ways to heal, comfort, protect and inspire. Susan Lordi identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. About Willow Tree®, Susan says, “I try to keep the interpretation of Willow Tree® open. I hope this makes it more personal, and allows the viewer to decide its meaning.

(more…)

The graceful Willow Tree Angels and figurines are lightweight cast replicas of originals by Kansas City artist Susan Lordi. Each item comes gift boxed with an accompanying description card.

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