Sunday, November 29, 2009

Moonbeam Wings


Sashi Nayagam is a UK cloth doll maker, with some paper and mixed media thrown in for variety. She has just posted a pretty lace wing tutorial on her blog, where you will also find a nice finger turning tute and other WIP's. Check out her website for some free patterns.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Episode Guide: Science of the Movies : Science Channel

Episode Guide: Science of the Movies : Science Channel

Posted using ShareThis

Upcoming episode about stop motion animation with hand sculpted figures.

There must be more to this story...



From Fail Blog.

Dolls to Alaska


Received via Patti Culea...

We were hoping you might hit up your list of terrific doll-maker-friends, to
once again enter the Alaska Fiber Festival show.
This year we will be giving out a $250.00 viewers choice award for the
crowd's favorite doll. The entry fee is $20.00 plus shipping to & from the
show (if the doll maker doesn't sell or doesn't want to sell the doll at the
show). If they do want the doll to be listed for sale, the AFF will retain
20% of the sale price, sending the rest to the maker.

We would like dolls to be here by Feb. 15th, 2010. They can be shipped to:
Deb Hardman
5911 E 142nd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99516
907-345-5888

Doll maker should include
1. Maker's Name
address
phone number
e-mail

Any special set up instructions should include a photocopy of the doll
attached to the contact info.
Return postage including insurance

If dolls aren't sold they will be packaged up & shipped back on or before
March 20th.

The dolls will be on display at the Conoco-Phillips Atrium March 12-14.

Please let me know if you can help us out, & I would appreciate just an
e-mail for a head count on anyone who would like to participate.

Thanks so much,
Deb Hardman
AFF Doll Coordinator

Cyber Monday on Etsy


Thanksgiving is done and so is Black Friday. Here is a round up of some of the great doll deals that are available on Etsy now for Cyber Monday (aside from the shipping deals and free gifts at my store, that is.)

Anniemaize has a fairy riding a snail that is very sweet.

I like this whacky Mrs. Claus from A Little Catty.

Fairies by Nuria makes 5.5 inch tall polymer clay fairies with all kinds of professions and themes, including a Christmas Fairy.

Not everything has to be pretty-pretty to be cool for the holidays. Check out Dolls and Dead Things for some beautiful creepy Barbie redux dolls like the deceased but still magic Sugar Plum Fairy.

Offering free shipping on some extraordinary art dolls and busts is Nefer Kane. I love the character in the faces. They have a wistful, deep mood. There is another post here in Nefer's future.

Parker Farm includes this new vintage style Santa in their inventory.

Reminding us to give to those less fortunate, is the Deb the Doll Gnome's doll pattern called American Poor.

The Modern Quilter's all cloth Ginger Blue would be a great cuddly doll gift.

Future Rock Star has a couple of Harajuku inspired hand painted soft pillow dolls for kids.

Last, but not least Eufaria has a whole collection of charming polymer clay and fiber fairy ornament dolls in a multitude of colors.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Felt real


OK this needle felter, Robin Joy Andreae, is achieving an insane level of realism with her work. Just incredible finesse. I can only imagine the kind of time commitment each of these little animals takes. And her piggies are so cute too.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Monkeys In Space



If you have an I-Tunes account (or are willing to get one), here's a nutty contest with prizes for making a monkeys-in-space themed miniature diorama. One of the prizes is an amigurumi figure. Hurry - the contest closes Sunday, November 29.

Beaded dolls


Doll friend Lynn Manning makes beautiful beaded dolls and cloth dolls with bead embellishments. She is a prolific and enthusiastic participant in challenges with the Beaded Art Dolls Yahoo group. They also have a blog with many slide shows of people's work. Explore and be inspired.
But don't eat 'em, they only look like candy.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Eclectic visions


Thanks for the heads up, MA. I have been enjoying looking at the mixed media spirit style dolls of Michelle Marquette. The dolls are tall, from vintage fabrics with the patina of age - there is a simplicity about them that is quite compelling.

She is a featured artist at a couple of galleries including Show of Hands in Denver, and Albuquerque venue, Mariposa Gallery.

There are a few more mixed media and fiber art doll makers part of the stable there, including Sarena Mann and Nancy Corrigan whose sweet and bright stuffies have a colorful appeal that is quite different from Michelle's dolls.

I love art dolls - something for everyone.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Fashion doll collector


Fashion doll enthusiasts will enjoy Fashion Doll Empire, Cliff in Hong Kong's thoughtful and picture heavy collector's blog. He writes enthusiatically about his own doll collection, upcoming releases, gently compares and critiques different body types and sometimes includes tutorials, like some recent helpful tips about modifying doll neck holes to facilitate interchanging heads. It really makes you realize how crowded the BJD fashion doll field really is.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Magick Workshop


Well it's short notice but anyone planning to visit the Bethlehem, PA area on November 21st can enroll in a polymer clay miniature figure sculpting workshop facilitated by Molly Stanton of Elven Elysium.
Molly also has an Etsy store where her delicately detailed, fine featured fantasy creatures are available for sale.
Oooh, she also has a store at Custom Dolls, Houses, & Miniatures. I'll have to look around there some more. Stay tuned.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Plethora of Giveaways


Thank you Glo, for compiling this handy dandy list of other art doll and mixed media bloggers who are holding blog giveaways now and in the near future. Visit Mrs. Art Doll Maker for deets.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Art Opening in California


Opening this Saturday at The ARTery at The Lab in Costa Mesa, California is Animal Instinct. Benefiting the Humane Society, the exhibit will include the work of over 25 artists celebrating the beauty & wonder of animals with sculpture, photography, graffiti-influenced work, prints (including etching & letterpress), crochet, plush, paintings & more.
The picture is a Beastlie by participant Leslie Levings.

Danse Macabre


OMG - it's after Halloween but you have got to check out Freaky Little Things new website, the Nightshade Hall. It really is a total aesthetic package. There are great galleries of Yve's work, which displayed as they are really show the breadth of her talent.
Be sure to read the stories contained in the Ballroom and the truly original and fun way the ADO Halloween challenge has been enhanced to a new level of humor and artistry. Now I'm even more sick that I didn't finish my doll in time to attend the party. Very cool, very,very cool.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sea Gypsy


I must admit to being drawn to all the different art in the Sea Gypsy Studio. I like her dolls - paper, polymer clay, cloth and found embellishments - very much. But it's worth browsing back through earlier posts to see some of her lovely vintage fabric hangings and colorful, highly detailed textural painted portraits of women. Plus she crochets - I agree, you can never have too many flowers.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Cloth, Paper, Scissors art doll challenge


If you get the Cloth,Paper, Scissors email newsletter, "Embellishments" you will have already heard about the ‘Mother Earth’ Art Doll Challenge.

Here's part of the description:
"Make an art doll representing Mother Earth and enter our reader challenge. We’ll show a selection of our favorites in the March/April 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and on our website.
But hurry, the deadline for submitting your entry via email is December 18, 2009."

Finalists send the actual work to the magazine (one of my favorites). The rules aren't up on the site quite yet, but you can probably subscribe to Embellishments and read all about it.

If you have questions about the “Mother Earth ” Reader Challenge, contact Barbara Delaney at 978-897-7750, ext. 207, or bdelaney@interweave.com.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Day of the Dead


Here's a quick round up of some of the Day of the Dead skeleton dolls and Catrinas around the place.

Mystic Voodoo has a selection of figures.

Spirit Mama on Etsy has a cool Rocker Muerto Doll

Du Buh Du Designs has a whole gorgeous DotD photo display on her website right now, that is lucious. That's one of her pieces pictured above. Also check out her ornaments.

Lynn Dewart is a mixed media artist and doll maker that I have only just discovered. She has a selection of Bone Dolls for sale through The Next Door Gallery and intriguing gallery Vintage Religion.

For a change here'e a Vogue Knitting pattern for DotD soft dolls. They are kinda cute.