Art + Design + Four Legs + I Want This

Jen Ray will make you happy.

I’ve blogged about Atlanta-based artist Jen Ray before (her “Siempre” print was on my wish list back in 2009, and more recently her “Toro” print made an appearance on the It List post I wrote for sfgirlbybay), but after opening my mailbox to some of her tiny treasures earlier today, I decided I really need to post about her more recent work.


Product photos by Jen Ray // All pieces available in Jen’s Etsy shop, Corduroy

Look at these clay animals! Oh my gosh, SO cute. I chose the Action Mole with Mint Mittens (I love moles), but there are plenty of others, too. This little guy is my spirit animal, and he’s already made a home for himself on my work table. I love having him there! The best thing about Jen’s work is that it’s friendly. Her illustration style, penmanship and renderings of animals are so open and warm, and everything she makes immediately feels like it could come and live with you and be a good friend.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure I want to buy everything in her shop!

UPDATE, December 2014: Jen Ray’s shop (full of gorgeous, handmade pottery) can now be found here.


Product photos by Jen Ray // All pieces available in Jen’s Etsy shop, Corduroy

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43 Comments

  • Reply Joani June 20, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    Genius! Epic. Love.

  • Reply Jen Ray June 20, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    AWESOME!

    It really means so much when people (like you) really GET what I’m doing, especially when there are those who would say that making Action Moles and drawing Honey Badgers is a ridiculous way to spend days and make a living.

    Thanks a million Anna. You so totally rock. 🙂

  • Reply Lindsay June 20, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    HOW have I missed the honey badger?!?
    Also, I want to buy every single one of those tiny little animals!

  • Reply Erica June 20, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    I had to buy the little bunny for my work desk. It’s been kinda gloomy there lately so I’m happy to bring a new little toy in. The mugs are next on my list.

  • Reply Miss Alix June 21, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I adore the action rabbit. So cute. Must have.

  • Reply Tamera June 21, 2011 at 1:05 am

    I will bite bad things and Roger that make me inexplicably happy.

  • Reply Gracie June 21, 2011 at 3:50 am

    Oh I hadn’t seen that video before, ha ha, so funny. Love the Action Mole!

  • Reply Monica June 21, 2011 at 7:08 am

    The golden bandit bunny and his wooden leg rock. Love the shape of the mugs too. They look like they would feel nice to hold. The “Shades” mug is perfect. Thanks for sharing!

    • Anna @ D16 June 21, 2011 at 7:45 am

      They do feel nice to hold! They’re not giant coffee cups or anything, but they feel very nice in the hand. 🙂

  • Reply meg June 21, 2011 at 7:39 am

    I’ve been coveting those mugs and prints for a while now, but I’m too cheap (thrifty?) to spend $30 on a mug. You’re making me re-think it, though…

    • Anna @ D16 June 21, 2011 at 7:44 am

      Jen hand-paints each mug individually (they’re not screen-printed—so each one is unique), so maybe if you think of it not so much as being just a mug but as being an original painting that happens to be on a mug…

  • Reply Kathy June 21, 2011 at 8:39 am

    Hehe… Honey badger mug!? LOVE. IT.

  • Reply Sarah June 21, 2011 at 8:51 am

    yes. love. thank you so much for sharing.
    i’m a sucker for anything honey badger. i hope she adds “thanks, stupid” and “it runs backwards”

  • Reply Erin June 21, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Holy. Crap. A honey badger mug is totally going to make my friend’s day. Thank you for the tip!

  • Reply Ceci June 21, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Hilarious! So funny! The mug is great! I want one!

  • Reply paule June 21, 2011 at 9:44 am

    Oh! Sweet discovery! Yé, i want everything too…. must contain myself.

  • Reply PamDammage June 21, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for the link to Jen’s fun work! Those little neon socks are too perfect, and timely. I also like the gold on the animals. And the mug would be great to have at the office…

  • Reply Jen Ray June 21, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Thanks again y’all, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy inside from all the love!
    Please feel free to contact me with any questions or special requests.

  • Reply DawnMarie June 21, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I am in love with this shop. Thank you for the heads up. This is my type of humor and little fun to add to any day. I looked real quick last night and now I notice the peg leg guy is already sold. I am so sad. My little cat Salem was hit by a car before I adopted him and has a whole rebuilt bionic front leg. I have to have that little clay guy to represent how cool and special my cat is. Especially since no one wanted him at the shelter and now everyone thinks he is the best pet ever.

    • Anna @ D16 June 21, 2011 at 10:12 am

      DawnMarie, you should convo Jen directly with your request! I’m sure she’d be able to make a special order for you to represent Salem. (A bionic leg!! SO COOL!!)

    • DawnMarie June 21, 2011 at 10:18 am

      I really need to. She makes honey badger stuff and little guys with bionic legs. Her and I need to cross paths. She is speakin’ my language.

  • Reply Jen Ray June 21, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Dawn Marie, Salem sounds like the raddest cat ever!

    I will totally make you a little cat with a bionic leg if you like.
    Hit me up thru the Etsy site or at info at jenray dot net

  • Reply jennifer in sf June 21, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    After you tweeted about your mug yesterday I had to order the “look at that sleepy f**k” mug, and then while I was there also had to get a bunny with gold pants! I already have a tiny fox with a gold face from elsewhere, and I have the feeling they’ll be good friends. 🙂

  • Reply Eliza June 21, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    oh my god, thank you. thank you so much for sharing the link to the honey badger. i had no idea how empty my life was.

    also: jen ray’s work is beautiful, and playful and whimsical. major hearts.

    • kelly w June 21, 2011 at 11:17 pm

      Seriously!! How did I not know this existed?! And I need the ‘I will bite the bad things’ mug.

      THANK YOU, Anna and Jen Ray. xoxo

    • Eliza June 23, 2011 at 5:03 pm

      honestly? i’m not sure how i didn’t know about it… but now i am doing my part to spread the word!

    • Anna @ D16 June 23, 2011 at 5:10 pm

      Honey Badger will not be stopped!

  • Reply aileen June 22, 2011 at 8:51 am

    thank you for this post!! a very close friend of mine is moving far away and this makes for the most PERFECT going away gift!

    thank you thank you thank you!

  • Reply Sally @ ourdreamlives June 22, 2011 at 9:55 am

    Awesome, fun happy lovely stuff! I would like a row of little clay animals on my mantlepiece, they’re soooooo adorable!!
    Lovely lovely blog, by the way!

  • Reply twomarmosets June 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    I had never seen that Honey Badger video — it’s now my favorite thing ever.

  • Reply cara June 23, 2011 at 7:04 am

    yes yes these are so great! thank you for sharing 🙂

  • Reply Shannon June 23, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    I really do love those spirit animals. I have a bad habit of rewarding myself for no reason (quite frequently) and I think tomorrow I might reward myself with the little coyote, or the bear, or the mouse. Well, I’m not sure but I have to have one!

  • Reply Howie June 26, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    ha.. Her stuff are great.

  • Reply Caroline C. June 27, 2011 at 12:45 am

    Gah! So psyched to see this. Have crossed paths with talented Jen in South Carolina. Foust and I say hi!

  • Reply Maggie June 29, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    cute mugs, I want one. Thanks for the honey badger link, I literally cried laughing. Bad Ass!

  • Reply Melissa July 6, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    My boyfriend and i have what we call a “Shelf of Embellishments” (basically a 3 tiered shelf full of strange cutesy knick knacks and tiny animals). THESE CLAY ANIMALS WOULD BE PERFECT OMG THEY ARE SO CUTE

    • Anna @ D16 July 6, 2011 at 5:48 pm

      Haha! BUY THEM ALL. 😀

  • Reply Mrs Bok July 28, 2011 at 5:25 am

    Those clay animals are gorgeous!!!! Hrmmmmm wonder if there are clay chooks and clay echidnas in there…

  • Reply Beautifully Urban September 7, 2011 at 2:33 am

    I am in LOVE with the clay animals. I’ve spent the last couple of months getting them shipped to their new lilly pad (UK)! Your post has made me see I am missing 3 from my family!!!!! I’ve just rushed a message via Etsy to Jen asking for a custom order. I need these beauties like I need chocolate before my period! Your awsome!

  • Reply kim baise July 10, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    wonderful post! jen ray’s new works rock!

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