Dolls: Crafting and Collecting

Kickstarter Obos

2012-02-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

Here is another Kickstarter project that is close to funding and looks like fun - Obos by Really Brothers. I like the look of these - nice clear graphics and recycled cardstock. I like the limited packaging too - very slick. Good luck! I hope your get reach your target.

Oh, and here is Planet Obo.

CHA De Witte Engel

2012-01-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

I've been loving participating in the CHA Expo in Anaheim. I visited Pollika and saw the sweet line of De Witte Engel doll kits and supplies. In addition to the charming lines of tiny doll kits - fairies and pixies - from felt and cotton cloth, they also sell wood-and-rope doll bases, felting tools and felts, and an all cotton skin tone jersey in every possible complexion. Very soft and stretchy.

How cute are these?

Knitted critters

2012-01-19T16:20:00.000-08:00

Here's a new book for knitters - the very clearly titled "Knitted Dinosaurs". There's some info about yarns and different pictures of the finished paleo-fauna on the publisher's blog.

You know, I don't knit, but these are cute. For knitters, they could make a nice alternative to socks and beanies for your kid gifts this year.

More Paper work

2012-01-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

Somehow or other I'm just finding a lot of paper sculpture today. Today I learnt that in Japan the art of paper cutting is called "Kirigami".

Here is a person who makes cute figurative sculptures from your business cards. The Petrina Case Etsy store is sweet too.

The other site I found today markets patterns for 3D Kirigami including birds and dinosaur skeletons. Easy Cut Pop Ups has links to video tutorials, and at least one free pattern.

Print-and-Fold-A-Day

2012-01-13T11:54:00.000-08:00

How did I miss this blog for so long?

Toy-A-Day is a blog with a daily download of a printable full color template for a folding doll figure. They are cute and nice graphic design. The characters vary wildly from celebrity portraits like The Beatles to The Little Prince to characters from contemporary storybooks and classic pop culture. They are up in the two hundreds now, so plan to spend a few minutes browsing.

Steve Jobs Action Figure controversy

2012-01-06T22:21:00.000-08:00

As a likeness, this figure is amazing. As an interesting website, the in icons site is cool also. Lots of movement. But as a business move in the school of "better to ask forgiveness than permission"....that's a whole 'nother thing.

Apple is not pleased. But does Apple own Jobs' image or does his family? The comments are interesting.

Maybe just the licence them the figure already, and perhaps donate that money to some worthy cancer research charity. Is Apple going to get into the doll making business? Not likely. Maybe inicons should pay a hefty rude tax for not asking first - OK. Yet I'd like them market this doll. It's good work.

OTOH, as the relative (by marriage) of a celebrity, would I be happy to see a commercially produced portrait doll of my late father-in-law made and marketed without permission ? Well, I'd at least want it to be this gorgeous - but no. I'd want it to be licensed properly and above board. And maybe a US company...

We'll keep watch.

Steampunk Fair

2012-01-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here is an event that will surely be of interest to doll makers - The Steampunk World's Fair. This will be held in Piscataway, NJ, May 18-20, 2012. At $50 for the weekend, this has to be one of the least expensive admission fees around.

There will cakes and costumes, and music and merchants. Too late to apply as a vendor for this year - but maybe for next....? No list of vendors yet - but there will surely be dolls. I mean, surely. {I wish they put links to more pictures from the past events on the site, and a list of last years vendors and merchants. That would be useful.}

Nigrica Little Folk of Faery

2011-12-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a sweet Etsy store, Little Folk of Faery. It looks like someone has been out with their butterfly net capturing those pesky fairies and bottling them. They are ever so tiny, and I assume still just as magical.

This store, relatively new, is part of the Whimsical Art Doll Artisans team, which is dedicated to "the most curious, bizarre, eccentric, fairy tale-esque elements of life". Some familiar faces, others new.

Treasury alert

2011-12-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a lovely Art Dolls Only member made treasury for the New Year.

I hope everyone's holiday has been grand so far.

Text Enhance Opt Out

2011-12-20T23:39:00.001-08:00

OK. You can opt out of seeing Text Enhance on your computer (supposed to be "creating relationships between vendors and consumers" - right, thanks for the effort.)
Slowly mouse over the link until the te box appears. There is a small ? in the top right. Click on that and you get taken to an opt out page.

Thank you for your patience, and I can't see them now.

Text Dis-Enhance

2011-12-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

OK Blogger has put Text Enhance into my blog - I may have allowed it, but it was unintentional on my part.

It's annoying and sometimes the links are counter to what I might have wanted to post - to commercial sites I haven't visited or considered. Nor am I sponsoring any of the "survey for a gadget" links.

If you hover over a linked word and it says "powered by Text Enhance" it is NOT my link. Click at your own risk.

Meanwhile I am going to try and take it off, but I have to research how.

That is all.

All Dolls Are Art 2012

2011-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Registration has been open for a little over a month for the next All Dolls Are Art conference July 26-29 in Austin, TX.

The theme of the conference is "World of Make Believe". Oooh, luscious.

The teachers include (wait for the trumpet!) Arley Berryhill, Annie Hesse, Marilynn Huston, Angela Jarecki, Fran Parrigan-Meehan, Lisa Renner and Christine Shively. Like a who's who, isn't it?

There are various other activities including a Pin Doll swap, sales floor and exhibits, and events to benefit Austin Children's Shelter, including a silent auction.

Yoborobo

2011-12-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

In the cause of the holidays, and as an antidote to a certain commercial mass produced doll that leaves a bad taste in my mouth - all to do with creating fear in children - I've been looking at Elf Dolls.

I just found this terrifically cute Etsy store of seller Yoborobo. There are some sweet elvish monsters in cloth and felts as well as some very pretty and bargain priced little jointed polymer clay dolls.

Maggie Iacono to be Honored at IDEX

2011-12-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

Maggie Iacono of Maggie Made Dolls will be presented with the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award by Dolls Magazine at IDEX in January, 2012.

A NIADA member since 1993, Maggie is inspirational not only because of the delicate beauty of her ball jointed pressed felt dolls, but also because she has managed to create a genuinely prosperous business that supports her family from doll artistry. Or to put it another way, she makes a living as an artist, doing what she loves.

Congratulations on the well deserved honor.

Black Eyed Kids Kickstarter Project

2011-11-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

OK not dolls, but I know that there are a lot of Goth and Creepy doll artists out there who would dig the theme and visuals of this young lady filmmaker. I mean seriously - look at the poster right? She wants to make a horror movie with a microbudget. She has three days to go and she needs just over $4000 to get her full funding. Can you help by pledging any small amount and/or spreading the word?

Disclaimer: I don't know Sunshine personally. I just like to encourage enterprise and creativity in kids. Plus in her You Tube profile she talks about all my favorite books as her own!

Embroider Everything Workshop - book review

2011-11-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

For the first time, I've been asked to review a book that might be of interest to doll makers. I'm so happy to be able to report that the book is beautiful!

Sewist Diana Rupp, creator of the Sew Everything Workshops, including her prior book of that name, has written "Embroider Everything Workshop", a comprehensive guide for beginner or aspiring embroiderers.

My late mother made counted cross stitch, producing about eight sweet embroidered bibs for my newborn and two crib blankets that were so pretty that I hung them. My daughter is now 12, and considers these to be her family heirlooms. In a world where machine embroidered articles are available at many stores for very little money, I understand that the true value of embroidering monograms on dishtowels, or making small patches for your kid's jackets, is the love imbued in the process. Diana describes embroidery in part as meditative, and I have to agree that I feel that too when I embroider on my dolls and their costumes.

The work is a comprehensive introduction assuming no prior experience, and includes needlepoint, smocking and counted thread cross stitch as well as freehand linear and chain stitch based embroidery. Personally I would consider myself more than an absolute novice, but certainly not a proficient. So although I had some familiarity with some of the basic stitches, there is a lot more in the book that was new to me, especially the tips and tricks interspersed throughout.

I appreciated the clear diagrams of stitches in the first one third of the book, and the detailed information about different kinds of needles, threads and canvases. I learnt a lot of new stitch names, and enjoyed the historical info about embroidery and textiles that is featured along the way. Diana Rupp's passion for her vocation comes through in personal snippets about her journey and preferences.

The rest of the book is how-to projects designed for beginners to practice their new skills. Most of these are short and accessible for gifts, useful home wares, and a bit of fashion using different embroidery techniques. My favorite project in the book is the embroidered pet portrait, making an absolutely custom piece of textile art based on a photo of your pet, and demonstrating the skills to make custom embroidery designs from any photo. This is the kind of work that no mass-producing factory situation can duplicate.

Finally there is a series of brief Appendices detailing finishing, blocking and display techniques, some fonts for monograms, and a useful index. The book is bound in one of my favorite crafting formats, the way I want my book to be bound when it is published, with a lay flat hard cover over spiral bound pages.

The special extras are an envelope of 48 pretty iron-on transfers as patterns and a pull out stitch practice card into which you are invited to poke holes. I'm not certain of the utility of this last item, since it is considerably stiffer than fabric and would not really facilitate some of sewing stitches. However it could be used as a template for practice stitches on fabrics, or a portable stitch guide.

So all in all, a useful, informative and pretty addition to a textile artisan's library.

Paper Doll books publisher

2011-11-19T00:40:00.000-08:00

I love vintage style paper dolls, because I've been a costume designer. Historical paper doll books are such a fun way to do your research into historical costuming. I also like going back to original sources, like period magazines and other visual media - but paper dolls are just fun.

Here is Paper Studio Press. They have a bunch of very pretty looking paper dolls divided into categories, including movie stars and fashion eras. I'd like to use them in collage work. Read the Artists' bios to learn another secret of their charm - the dolls have been painted by some terrific illustrators and much of the art is vintage. The artists themselves almost all seem to have shared a childhood passion for paper dolls and art.

You Tube Cornucopia

2011-11-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

I've only just come to realize what a tremendous resource You Tube can be for doll artists. A search of the phrase "art dolls" produces 19,600 results. Many of these video producers also link to artist's sites and stores.

Tutorials are very popular. Still Moments Nursery, a reborning studio, is one such producer. Nikki Holland has uploaded almost 300 videos on the Still Moments channel including many tutorials and how-to's filled with tips and tricks.

Others are more like news magazines, such as this mini-documentary from Russia Media rounding up art doll making in Russia with interviews and beautiful visuals, or this visit to a doll museum collection in Toronto (above).

Doll artists can make a video slideshow galleries and catalogs of their work, set to enjoyable music, like this adorable one from past featured Cart Before the Horse, or the sublime Anna Zueva.

Collectors show videos of their doll collections or visits to conventions, while stores display their merchandise.

Looking at all these, I suddenly feel like a luddite who has yet to step into the 21st Century. I have a video camera, and editing software.

Do you have favorite You Tube videos about dolls or doll making? Please share in the comments!

New Beaded Work In Progress

2011-11-08T21:56:00.000-08:00

Ralonda Patterson has just contacted me with an invitation to follow the realization of her latest large scale doll project through her blog. She is a beautiful bead artist, and expects the journey of this doll to be of great interest to other doll artists. As she puts it, "I am excited to share this experience with you and hope you will find inspiration and insight into your own process as you create."

I'm following, as I love seeing WIP's and learning about others' creative processes. See you there!

Paper Doll Book

2011-11-08T00:18:00.000-08:00

Illustrator and painter Emily Winfield Martin makes prim-with-an-edge cloth dolls and maintains the Black Apple blog and her Curious Art Etsy store. Recently Random House has published her illustrated crafting book: "The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer" filled with whimsical paper dolls for you to color cut and play with in many sweet and creative ways.

Crafts Marketing List

2011-10-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

From Moiracoon's charming shop. I rather like it this close to Halloween,

even though it has no particular reference to the content of the post.

It's not strictly dolls, but it is a fantastically useful resource. Moiracoon, mixed media and quirky jewelry designer (dare I say another steampunk adjacent aesthetic) has created an extensive list on her blog of online arts and crafts marketing resources. Who knew there were so many marketplaces? I've bookmarked the post for future reference. She also has two Etsy stores (this is one, you can find the other in her profile.)

Artistic classes

2011-10-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

The new online classes at A for Artistic are really beautiful and full of techniques that can be applied to other projects.

Starting soon is Marlaine Verhelst's "Your Own Horse". This features a kit with the basic horse shapes and other important materials. Also upcoming in November, "Creating a Hardscape Costuming" with Marilyn Radzat (pictured), "The Gatherer" with Cindee Moyer, and "If the Shoe Fits" with Diane Keeler.

Where else can you find all these eminent people gathered under one virtual roof?

Candy dolls

2011-10-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks go to Shari Harel, who has sent me notice of a series very special events coming up in November of intense interest to doll collectors.

Theriault's Antique Doll Auctions will be presenting for auction "Many Wonderful Things" 19th and early 20th Century dolls and automata on Saturday November 19, 2011, and "To the Manor Born" 350 Madame Alexander dolls from Candy Spelling's spectacular collection on Sunday November 20, 2011 at the historic Waldorf-Astoria in New York. These gorgeous MA dolls will be on display, open to the public, for 2 hours that morning from 9am-11am, after which the auction will commence.

Catalogs featuring the dolls from both auctions are available from the Theriault's website. (There are some nice links to informative sites there also.)

The press release description of Candy Spelling's well chosen and cared for collection makes me wish I had the wherewithal to participate:

"early portrait models such as Victorian Bride, red-haired Pink Champagne lady, Judy portrait, and Deborah Ballerina. There are Godey ladies and gentlemen, rare models from the Coronation series including Estrella, dolls from the Me and My Shadow series including Mary Louise, Victoria and Agatha. “Most of these dolls are so rare that they only appear on the market every ten years or so”, notes cataloguer Florence Theriault, adding “And to find them in such impeccable condition is just pure pleasure”.

The collection also includes four examples, Rachel, Joseph, Ruth and David, from the rare biblical series, a number of Wendy models inspired by Gone with the Wind including Aunt Pitty-Pat, Cousin Grace¸ Nana, Cousin Karen, and Aunt Agatha, and a baker’s dozen of rare dolls created exclusively for FAO Schwarz during the 1950s. There are plentiful and exquisite examples of the Alexander fashion icons, Cissy, Elise and Cissette, and legendary Alexander models costumed by the couturiers of the Ice Capades. The 8” Alexander child charmer, Wendy-kins, has been a special favorite of Candy Spelling, and rare and bountiful examples are offered including fashionable children, ballerinas, storybook princesses, brides, clowns, and dolls in historical fashions."

On Saturday November 19th, in the evening Candy Spelling herself will attend a Gala Reception, ready to sign copies of the catalog, to be held at Alexander Doll Company in New York - with the opportunity available to make more special purchases.
Please call 800-638-0422 or email info@theriaults.com to RSVP.

Debate at Dolls

2011-10-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Arriving at the Grand" by Joan Greene

Winner Fashion Dolls $500 and under.

Here is an interesting article and subsequent discussion over at Dolls magazine, the current issue of which has just come out online. Stephanie Finnegan is asking about the fine line between definitions and words. Do you define yourself as a maker or an artist or something else? What is the difference between an Art Doll and a Sculptural Figure? Could be fun.

You can also see a video illustrating the Dolls Awards of Excellence 2011 and revealing some cool news about plans at Dolls for the future.

Kaliningrad

2011-10-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here is the site of recent follower, Oksana of Koenig-Artdoll. The dolls that she makes, from polymer and paper clays, wood and all natural textiles, stuffed with sawdust and embellished with encrustations of beads, are so beautiful and delicate looking. Where many other European doll makers tend to the lean and pointed (also beautiful!), Oksana's sweet faced figures have round baby faces, with tiny features, reminiscent of antique dolls from Victorian times. But the clothes are far more aesthetically linked to Russian and European folk art and I want to say Rococo, than Victorian costume.

I notice that she credits past featured Anna Zueva as one of her teachers.

Just looking at beautifully made, gorgeous dolls never gets old at all.

Froud in New York

2011-10-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Ah, fortunate denizens of New York and environs, you have two opportunities in the near future to participate in one day workshops with Wendy Froud.

The days are Saturday, November 19th or 26th at the Animazing Gallery in Soho.

Animazing Gallery is hosting an Art of the Frouds exhibit from early December to mid-February. All of this is to celebrate the Froud's book. Also visit the Facebook page.

This is a very fun Etsy store

2011-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered CurlyCueDesign - an etsy store that describes itself in part as "Steampunk Adjacent" - which I love. The collage style jointed paper doll puppets are really gorgeous and evocative. They come with small accessories, and you can get clothes for some.

Much ADO E-zine!

2011-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Click here for the beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Much ADO E-zine from Art Dolls Only. I sit amazed to see that all this beauty is free.

A collaborative effort with gorgeous art work, tutorials and useful information, this is a must for any art doll enthusiast, maker or collector.

I have a brief article in it (about the mini monthly challenges) and there are pieces from some of the most familiar and hardworking doll artists around. There are even downloadable pattern pieces included.

Summer Dreaming

2011-10-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the blog of recent follower Summer Smith, Dreamspirations Gallery. I love the depth and clarity of her sculpts, especially what she can achieve with paper clay, and delicacy of her paint and chalk work. Scroll down past the fine crochet work for more sweet elves and other sculpts.

She also has an Etsy store.

Doll project on Kickstarter

2011-10-01T23:15:00.000-07:00

I've found a few doll related projects on Kickstarter, and this ambitious one from Bezel Dolls, is current.

I'm posting it because it is doll related, even if it does have a bit of a "too good to be true" air about it. Let me explain. These folks intend to release licensed celebrity likeness dolls (aiming for extremely high resemblance) to the collector market, in both talking and non-talking versions, at what sound like rock bottom prices.

Now I love a good celebrity doll, and the company has a somewhat undefined relationship with incredible repaint artist Noel Cruz, who is "helping" with the designs. The photography on the project site is of his repaint/face ups of assorted fashion dolls that are amazing looking. These one of a kind dolls start at over $800 on Ebay, and the pictured Angelina BJD reportedly sold for $3,350.

In the light of these prices, using Noel Cruz's extraordinary dolls as illustrations feels a bit "bait and switch" in referring to dolls that will retail at under $40, if you know what I mean. The project is certainly a lesson in marketing and promotional buzz generation - google Bezel Dolls and see for yourself. Everything on line seems to be self generated.

However other than saying the Bezel dolls will be good likenesses and will wear clothing reminiscent of styles the celebs have worn, there is very little info about the proposed dolls themselves. I gather from looking at the shipping box size (for the rewards) that they will be 11.5 inch fashion dolls - but do they have joints? What kind of hair? How many will be made of each edition? I have to believe that at the price points they are not going to be hand painted, or very limited editions. But then again look what Jason Wu could achieve for amazingly low prices.

So I guess, since I am here to promote doll art and doll collecting, if you have $25 (+ shipping if outside of US) to spare for something sight unseen and brand new then maybe go for it. I honestly don't have any idea what the doll will look like when you receive it - but they say they are going for Nicki Minaj, so it should be colorful at any rate.

Boxcar Fair

2011-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

OK, they have all their funding, but you can still be part of something wonderful.

Here is another amazing puppetry and film art project from Kickstarter. The project is awesomely cool, as are the artists participating. There is a nice video summary showing some of the automata in action.

The puppets are from the mind and hands of Tom Haney. You don't want to miss these. Many of the gallery items have quicktime movies of the delicate, whimsical motion. Click on the most recent figurative vignettes in the portfolio to find work in progess shots, interior workings and design sketches. (Love seeing other artists' processes!)

Steampunk Animals

2011-09-26T01:18:00.000-07:00

New Jersey artist, Tere Hurst makes gorgeous anthro figures and animals. One store sells sweet little figures of cloth and paperclay, including pins, that look like they stepped directly from the pages of Peter Rabbit or The Wind in the Willows. In another the animals are steampunk characters and Victoriana, sculpted and delicately painted. There's a simple clarity to the shapes and colors. Steampunk but still sweet, rather than gritty. A blog for the dolls, and another for the creative journey.

Coupla Etsy cloth doll artists

2011-09-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

Amanda Sue Myers is a tattoo artist with a line of pretty cloth dolls in her Etsy store. They have big painted eyes with a painted illusion of deep 3D and layers of costuming.

Jennifer LoveJoy, with her shop JenFey, makes beaded and embroidered Dragons, Animals, Fairies and cloth Spirit Dolls with beads and embellishments.

Just like 'em. Different from the usual, different from each other.

Here's an Etsy Sale

2011-09-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

Shabby Chic Shreds is having a big sale, including a bunch of cute prim style art dolls, to celebrate a wedding. Hit the store, enter the coupon code MUSTHAVEIT and get a nice discount.

Then go ahead and visit Evie's interesting and pretty blog.

Brigitte Doerner

2011-09-14T00:16:00.000-07:00

This is the web portal to the fascinating world of a puppet maker and doll artist, Brigitte B. Doerner of Czech Republic. There are links to blogs and etsy - but the most interesting part is the step by step photo essay detailing the carving of a marionette. Be sure to follow the Projects links.

Free Tee Tute

2011-09-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a tutorial and FREE downloadable pattern for a tee shirt for 18" dolls - would probably also fit 16" American Girls with little fuss. Thank you New Green Mama.
That is all.

She's A Pirate

2011-09-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Noticed on Craft Magazine...

Here is the website for "She's A Rebel" a short stop motion animation film being independently realized by artist Daisy Edwards. The site documents the process and progress with lots of cool WIP stuff early on as well as shots of the working puppets and sets. Really cool to see and read. The story, by the way, is about a female pirate.

Win a Bear, Oh what a cutie bear.

2011-09-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, this is a truly adorable little bear. Go here to Wendy Walker's site and scroll down for all the deets on winning this sweet wee jointed bear, and see all her other beautiful and prizewinning miniature work.

All Things Small

2011-09-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

All Things Small is a maker of highly detailed miniature plants and flowers for doll houses and other miniature uses. They are so pretty and fresh looking. I especially love the potting station. The material used for most of these plants is rice paper. Also available from the simple and clearly organized website are kits, tools and accessories.

The sizes for each flower pot or basket are in the descriptions. Once again, I wish miniaturists would include something standard like a coin for visual reference in their photos. But you can't have everything.

Haunted Dollhouse

2011-08-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a Flikr set of an interesting miniature doll house. The Blogess isn't usually about dolls, but this is a cool thing to examine. Can't show a photo, but do follow the link.

Wee Peeple

2011-08-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Kendra Niagra's website, Wee Peeple Dolls, is huge and fun, and her cloth dolls and animal totems are beautiful. Clearly she has a delightful sense of humor. But seriously, the website goes on and on. Just keep scrolling. And there are stories too.

I especially enjoyed exploring her recycled materials tutorials.

Contest to win Supplies

2011-08-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

This might seem a little odd for a doll post, but the products are wonderful. I'm on the ScraPerfect design team and of course I use the Best Glue Ever, Embellie Gellie, Perfect Crafting Pouch and Perfect Cleaning Cloth in my scrapbooking and paper crafting.

But they are also fantastically useful for doll making. The Best Glue Ever is great for fabrics, as well as putting beads or rhinestone embellishments on to surfaces. The Embellie Gellie is a tool that I use for lifting and placing small items, as well as holding small items down while I alter them. The Perfect Crafting Pouch prepares all kinds of surfaces - including fabrics! - for clean and crisp stamping or printing, AND is a fantastic mold release for polymer clay in silicon and other molds. The Perfect Cleaning Cloth is anti static and removes Pouch residue and cleans your spectacles beautifully.

HOW TO WIN? Go to Facebook.com/ScraPerfect and post a response on the thread that says:

WANT TO WIN A PRIZE??? Just tell us where you heard about this contest for ScraPerfect Products. We'd also like to hear questions or comments about our Magically Perfect Craft Products...Where's you first heard about them? What do you love about them? How you use them most?....

THE PRIZE: The Best Glue Ever, Embellie Gellie, Perfect Crafting Pouch and 2 Perfect Cleaning Cloths.

Contest Details: Contest ends November 15, 2011. Winner will be drawn at random form the Facebook posts. Paid shipping to the US, as well as Israel & Brazil where we have DT members. (If winner is from another country, they may choose to pay shipping or forfeit the package.)

There are also TWO online articles:

Cool Techniques & Tools for Papercrafting

Courtesy of ScraPerfect Products
Create a card and learn how to instantly dry pigment without heat, archieve inkjet printing on vellum, apply glitter to acetate with no static cling, and more!

How to Scrapbook Using Homemade Adhesive Dots
Courtesy of ScraPerfect ProductsNeed tiny adhesive dots ones for beads or micro-gems, long ones for fiber, or giant ones for making flowers? Read how to make them any size or shape, save oodles of money, and be "green".

More info and ideas at the ScraPerfect blog.

Lucille

2011-08-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Lucille Ball would have been 100 today. Google Search is marking the event with a vintage tv that shows clips from "I Love Lucy" on the search engine home page.

Mattel has been making beautiful portrait dolls of Lucy, sometimes with Ricky, sometimes with Ethel, since 1997. Here is a fan site with a list of the entire line. I didn't realize it was so many. As portrait dolls, they are very nice because they really do capture her face and her expressions and the costumes are splendidly detailed renditions of the tv show garments. We have a couple ourselves.

Franklin Mint released a beautiful 16 inch vinyl portrait of Lucy in 2002 to celebrate 50 years of Lucy on television. This doll had a bunch of wardrobe accessories including a trunk. Check collectors' sites for sales or auctions of that one.

Effanbee made a collectible Lucy doll in 1985, but in my opinion the face and hair looks more like Ginger Rogers than Lucy.

Finally, here are some Kelly dolls styled as Lucy.

Danger ahead

2011-08-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

If you knit at all you will love Rebecca Danger's critters. She sells knitting patterns and sewing patterns that you can download instantly for cute animals and monsters too. Be sure to visit the FAQ tab for useful links to how-to videos and other helpful info. Now all you have to do is choose really cute yarn to end up with really cute stuffed toys.
Oh - want to try before you buy? Under the shop tab, she has some free patterns.

Upcoming Doll Classes in NM & NY

2011-07-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

Marlaine Verhelst - Taking Care of the Chicken

Received from Ankie Daanen:

***********************************

Hello, Dear Dollfriends.

I like to let you know news about upcoming dollclasses.
You might be interrested!!

MEET ´THE DUTCH TOUCH´.
Marlaine Verhelst and Ankie Daanen will come to Albuquerque, NM!!!
In a five day class Marlaine will teach hand sculpting into airdrying stone clay, based on human forms and proportions
and painting the piece with watercolor.
Ankie will teach inspiring lessons in clothing and finishing the doll in a personal way.
All students will go home with a finished piece!

DATES: Monday October 15th through Friday October 19th, 2012.
PLACE: Sandia Courtyard Hotel & Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM.
Roomrates are $59,- for two persons, incl. breakfast / excl. taxes.
The total fee for the five day class will be $ 875,-, payable in three terms.
Kit fee will be $25,-, payable the first class day.
For more info on this class you can get in touch with Ankie: ankiedaanen@hotmail.com

ONE OPENING in the ´DUTCH TOUCH CLASS´ in Rye Brook, NY!!
DATES: October 25 through October 29, 2011.
For more info on this classyou can get in touch with our host Barbi Kantor - Goldenberg: dollart29@aol.com,
or with Ankie: ankiedaanen@hotmail.com

TWO DAY CLASS IN WESTCHESTER, NY, MOUNT VERNON:
Ankie will teach a two day class : how to make a ´doll out of the box´.
You will learn how to sculpt a fantasy dollhead and hands from air-drying clay.
How to make a body, how to paint and finish the doll and how to decorate a box-on-wheels and finish the complete project.

DATES: November 1st through November 2nd, 2011.
For info on this class you can get in touch with Gwen Jackson: mamagdolls@msn.com
Gwen has extra bedrooms for students.

NOTICE: Find out all about classes Marlaine and Ankie teach in August during the NIADA convention in Denver.
www.NIADA.org

by Ankie Daanen

*******************************************************
I've been to Albuquerque. The old town is pretty, there are nice Mexican food restaurants especially and there is lots of art to see in the region.

Please contact Ankie directly for more information. These are all wonderful opportunities to work with masters of the doll making arts.

Filigree Fantastic

2011-07-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

I never ceased to be amazed and inspired the creativity in the world. I have just found the adorable and whimsical site for The Filigree, a Fairy Tale Newspaper. The site features information about the paper, gorgeous fantasy animals and anthro figures ("filigreetures") made using polymer clays over armatures and repurposed silk fabrics for the skin textures, Art Dolls and the most gorgeous Paper Dolls.

The paper dolls are a big feature of the Etsy store. The whole concept and brand is most intriguing.

Gather at the Old Farmhouse with Junker Jane

2011-07-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

Junker Jane's Monster on Etsy

I was explaining my slow progress on my Aesthetic Preferences Profile quiz on my MMM blog. I mention shabby chic/prim as a major style look. Here's the group blog of an Etsy team, Old Farmhouse Gathering, that make many beautiful prim and american folk style things for the home including beautiful dolls.

For anyone interested in running down a sweet rabbit hole the artisans button on that page takes you to a plethora of links to their blogs and shops. There delectable foodstuffs, traditional recipes, shaker furniture makers and of course dolls, like Prims Gone Wild, Angelbug Prims, and Night Owl Studios.

I think Junker Jane may be my current favorite, though. These go beyond the typical prim rag doll, to be prim rag monsters. Her work has an unmistakable look, lots of assymetry, lots of layering. Even though she appropriates elements of the prim aesthetic like aging, distressing and raggedy edges, you never think you are looking at an antique. They feel both aged and contemporary.

The Junker Jane website is also nicely organized. Her photography is exemplary.

Harry Potter all gone

2011-07-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

As it happens most (but not all) of these dolls are sold out, but they sure are fun to look at. We have Tonner's Hermione and Ron at the Yule Ball, and they are truly beautiful detailed dolls.

Win a Kokeshi

2011-07-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

...courtesy of the Craft and Folk Art Museum store in Los Angeles. In conjunction with the current exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum, you can win a sweet kokeshi by artist, Kathy Yoshihara, by going to this blog post article and commenting before July 19th - so hurry along.

A world of teddies

2011-07-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

Here's an online show of artful teddy bears. You can vote for your favorites but only for 3 days, July 15-17! There are some adorables amongst the miniatures and the full size.

Lego art

2011-07-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ok this is just highly amusing to me. There are tons of ads on the site but scroll down for the famous album covers recreated in legos. Beatles predominate, but there are some others too.

International Art Doll Registry

2011-07-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a community site for doll artists, the International Art Doll Registry. At this site there members can access tutorials, get critiques and help, and participate in challenges - but most of all show their dolls to the world with links to their sales sites. The annual membership is a reasonable $39.00, and there are also annual contests.

The next associated learning opportunity will be a Polymer Clay Sculpting Seminar hosted by Deb Wood. This will be in Minnesota August 17-21, 2011. Details from Deb directly.

Ric Rac Softies

2011-07-03T01:39:00.000-07:00

Here's Jodie of Ric Rac's tutorial for making a personalized plushie doll. A quick browse around her blog finds other soft dolls, whimsical stuffed miniatures made by reducing patterns, and a general fondness for clean shapes, pretty felt colors and a sharp eye for retro influenced design. I like it.

Vote for your Bu

2011-06-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Bu's are little droplet shaped vinyl figures. Joining the trend started by Kid Robot and Munny figures, various artists have transformed these blank canvases into art dolls and other decorative things with paint and mixed media. You can vote for your favorite until June 30th.

Figurative artists' call

2011-06-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

The Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, CA has a call out for participants in a juried show "Figures and Faces" in the main gallery. They are looking for all media other than film and video. The deadline for jpeg submissions is July 5th for the exhibition in August. Fees apply which look commensurate with other similar shows, and there are also prizes. The works must be for sale.

John Frame exhibit

2011-06-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Showing until June 20 at Huntington Library in Pasadena, CA is "Three Fragments of a Lost Tale" - figurative sculptures and carved wooden and mixed media puppet/dolls by artist John Frame. At the website is an 8 minute film of the artist at work including some stop motion segments. The scale of the figures is tiny, so the sculpting is even more remarkable especially jointed fingers. He sews costumes and incorporates metal armatures and acrylic/glass eyes.

Also interesting are segments showing John Frame gathering natural materials and using mud and dirt to color and stain wood for the figures and scenic elements.

Incredibly beautiful and thought provoking.

Big Book Big Mannequins

2011-06-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

Writer, doll maker and illustrator Sylvia Ion is offering a couple of downloadable PDF How-to books through her Class Concious Big Books. I'm seeing one that is for a life size paper mannequin and another for a child size display stand. Both are built over existing forms, and I can see how the techniques could apply to all kinds of large scale sculptural work. How intriguing. The PDF's are part of a larger ongoing book project, something of a magnum opus for Sylvia, compiling all her life size doll work.

Kickstarter project

2011-06-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Mauricio Baiocchi is in the process of creating a beautiful independent film using puppets and miniatures. He needs what in the film world is a microscopic amount of money to complete the work.

Kickstarter is a "crowd funding" website. Individuals pledge to contribute any amount they can or want, to all kinds of projects and ideas. Some project organizers offer different rewards for different levels of contribution. Your credit card/paypal account is charged only after the deadline specified.

The catch is that unless the project receives pledges for the entire amount requested by the deadline specified, your card will not be charged. It's an all or nothing deal.

Please visit the site and watch the video trailer. I think you'll be as charmed as I was. He's getting there, and he has 37 days to go.

Chopoli breathtaking

2011-05-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Following the treasury images back to their various sources, I knew that I had to feature the amazing work of German doll artist, Tatjana Raum, selling as Chopoli. She crafts beautiful tiny polymer clay fairy creatures inspired by the colors and milieu of her home in Bavaria. The delicate coloring and fine textures of these brilliantly proportioned figures is second only to the vivid, lively expression in their faces.

But there's more! Her Wooden Spirits which fuse wood, bark and polymer into magical hanging or standing sculptures, are even more extraordinary and beautiful. They form the base of her art prints, but each one is hand sculpted and textured in such a way that you believe that they are portraits of the tree's Dryad, emerging from a fallen bough, perhaps searching forever for their original tree. The extreme realism of the expressions and proportions combines with the whimsy of the coloration from the natural source material. I love how there is one angle where the face is staring right into your eyes, your soul.

Doll Treasury

2011-05-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Abi Monroe, ADO member and fine doll artist, has been so gracious as to include my "Journey" (a different detail above) in her latest treasury. There are some other very interesting dolls there.

Sweety birds

2011-05-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Here is Ann Wood's site where she sells awfully sweet hand made birds. They really are delicate and pretty. On her blog she is showing a whole flock of bride and groom birds.

She also has raggedy fabric collaged owls and lacy spiders from upcycled vintage materials. Very cool.

Kate Middleton Doll Contest

2011-05-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Dolls Magazine is running a contest to win the Franklin Mint Kate bride (mentioned previously). Go Here. It's a pretty thing.

Amazing origami

2011-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

This is just incredible origami. Brian Chan folds insects, critters, objects and figures, including the Iron Man featured on Craft. Seriously - this is genuinely stunning. Had to show two pics - can you believe it? Each uses a single piece of uncut paper.

Toodlesocks

2011-05-17T01:34:00.000-07:00

Sue Anne at Toodlesocks Studio fills her polymer clay babies and fairies blog with useful sculpting tips and tricks. Her wee babies are utterly adorable, so the tips certainly work! Perhaps her most unusual OOAK's are her apes. Orangutan babies - really an overdose of cuteness.

That was quick

2011-04-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Ashton Drake's Catherine Middleton porcelain bride doll. The tiara's not quite right, but the dress looks good. Also they do say "fully poseable."

Mixed media to the max

2011-04-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

I was browsing at the Recycled Art Dolls Flikr site and I found Lisa Rupp's repurposed and recycled dolls and dogs - Mixed Media Max. I love mixed media and found object art in general. I like the sheen many of these old wood pieces have, as well as the humor of the faces. You can buy her sculptures from her Etsy store.

Rabbit Round Up

2011-04-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a selection of offerings from Etsy.

A Little Catty, whose work is perennial in these roundups, has a sad faced cloth bunny gnome, Bambi Bunny, amongst others.

The Snippet presents Contemporary Folk Art dolls including Bunny and Ellie.

A ten inch tall polymer clay and cloth OOAK Bunny girl is by Xpression Dolls.

She's Built for Speed is a gourd doll by Mamagourds.

There are quite a few prim style Easter Bunnies, including one from Dumplinragamuffin and Baggaragg's Magnolia's Parasol. Piecakeprimitives has a Spring Easter Folk Art doll that is very sweet, and not a bunny.

Also prim style are the hand painted Bonnie Belle Bunny Rabbit by Mustardseed and Miller Campbell's Bunny Rabbit Easter Doll.

The yarn afficianados are not left out.

Lazy Muse's Amigurumi Bunny has a lot of personality.

Out of the Frame offers an Amigurumi Love Messenger bunny.

MariannW's Hand Knit Bunny Rabbit in a Cashmere Dress has a lovely old fashioned prim look, as does Cuteycritter's Barnaby Bunny handknit.

For a dose of cute, try Totally Timmy's adorable needle felted White Easter Rabbit, or Grimitive's Needle Felted Jelly Bean bunny, all dressed up in pink.

You can knit your own bunny from one of the patterns at Dawn Toussaint's shop, including the sweet lop eared Laurel.

Chubby Creepy Bunny Plush is a minature that comes from Estonian shop 5erg.

Nonesuchgarden has some beautiful sewn felt bunnies in sweet gelato colors that are adorable, including Clover.

For something on the odd side of whimsy...

Here's Fiona Art's Easter Butcher Bunny.

Loopy Boopy has a couple of big eyed bunnies including Roy the Rabbit Boy Strange.

Clothmoth has a whole troup of embroidered bunnies that are beautiful including Mommy Bunny.

Pictured is Sir Cedric Goodhead's Harelequin the Rabbit Jester.

Tickletoot's Wooden Art Doll Bunnies are too cute.

Happy Spring

Gargoyle contest

2011-04-05T00:32:00.000-07:00

My Feenix is sponsoring an art contest to create the visuals of a fictional creature, which includes a 3D category.

They mention sculpture, paper mache or stuffed animal. The character is described in the fantasy adventure book, "Blood Trinity", out now.

There is one thing - they do say that if selected as a finalist, you send in your original piece but it will not be returned. So that is something to consider as a doll maker. The Grand Prize is $1000 plus other goods.

Knitted figures

2011-03-29T00:45:00.000-07:00

Fiona Goble's latest book is "Knit Your Own Royal Wedding". I think it looks charming. Ms Goble has also written other books including "Fleecie Dolls" and one about soft Monsters.
Her flikr stream has more photos of her textile crafts and soft dolls.

RIP Dame Elizabeth

2011-03-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

An extraordinarily beautiful repaint of the Barbie that looks photo real. Didn't you think at first it's a photo of the lady in her costume?

Here's Divine Dolls Creations page of Elizabeth Taylor face ups in costume repros from a selection of her best loved classic films.

Looks like the Franklin Mint portrait doll has sold out everywhere very quickly.

The "Father of the Bride" Barbie looks just like her from that sweet movie. Watch for it on TCM.

Colleen Babcock classes

2011-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Colleen Babcock will be teaching classes in the US and Canada during April and May. The full schedule can be found on her blog. She has one pattern that is exclusive to the class which is this very pretty Medieval stump doll lady with her cross stitch.

new Exhibit

2011-03-05T11:19:00.000-08:00

The final show at the *new* gallery in Toronto will be Lois Schklar's "Thirty Years of Dolls".

The opening reception is tonight March 5, and then the show runs until March 20.

Lois blogged with Fiber Quarterly, seeking dolls from private collections for the exhibit. The fQaroundtown blog lists events, exhibitions and features the work of interesting Canadian textile artists. Worth browsing around.

Tiniest

2011-03-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

Found on the beautiful blog of art doll maker Karagozlu Surey.

Highly Anticipated?

2011-03-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Or should that be constipated. It's been a while since I posted something with this particular tag.

I'm not sure which is more peculiar, the toy or the fellow promoting it. Also scroll down for a delightful coloring book page.

And the english translation is here.

Can't hardly wait.

IFDC Vegas

2011-02-26T13:38:00.000-08:00

The International Fashion Doll Convention will be held July 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas. The theme this year is Wizard of OddZ. Should fit right in to Vegas.
The Registration is limited to 250 participants, so if you plan on going I wouldn't wait to register. At the website are links to a couple of Yahoo chat groups connected with the conference. In addition to lots of fun events, dinners, artists' gallery and the awesome competitions, there are a number of inexpensive creative workshops - furniture, accessories, face ups. Past year convention dolls have looked gorgeous. Oh and don't forget - costumes are encouraged!

More Scrumptious Miniatures

2011-02-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

Here is the blog of recent follower Kathy Olaf-Obrenski of Wee Little West. In addition to selling her delicious looking miniature food plates, she holds regular sweepstake give-aways on her blog. The colors are lovely and the food is highly detailed and beautifully presented. She doesn't say on her blog what her materials are; I'm guessing polymer clay. I only wish that there was something to show scale in the photos, like a coin. Some of these are so incredibly realistic it's hard to believe they aren't life size. Too bad they aren't; they look so yummy.

Soldier in Action

2011-02-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

Found by my husband on Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide - Rupert Valero, a soldier in Afghanistan is assembling very interesting figurative sculptures from recycled found objects. Some have a robotic quality. He is interviewed here with links to his flikr, and sells his work on his Etsy store.

In a Treasury

2011-02-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

How nice to have "Journey" included in a beautiful doll treasury on Etsy! I'm in the good company of a bunch of other doll artists who have appeared here in the past.

Thank you to EarthenJewels, who makes very lovely hand made earthenware beads. Seems to be a theme today!

Baubles, buttons and bright shiny beads, ting-a-ling-a-ling-a

2011-02-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

It's not dolls, but it could be wonderfully related. The Bead & Button Show will sparkle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 4th through 12th with the first five days before the sales floor opens filled with dozens of awesome workshops for every skill level. There's bead weaving, wire wrapping, lampwork, polymer clay and metal clay classes, and more. The whole conference looks absolutely packed.

Fees vary and usually include the materials. I notice from the website that some classes are already sold out, while others have limited space, so if you want to book, be quick. Also the age limit for many of the classes is "at least 12 years old" - so I love that the event is teen friendly!

While you are there, keep your eyes peeled for beautiful beaded doll maker, Dot Llewelyn. Thanks for the heads up, Dot.

Groundhog Day

2011-01-26T22:44:00.000-08:00

Incidentally Feb 2nd is my wedding anniversary.

You too can celebrate Groundhog Day with one of these adorable amigurumi from Mooncreation's Etsy store. This one has a top hat. Or you can make your own with planetjune's pattern.

Bewilderandpine has a charming miniature polymer clay Groundhog with certificate for your observances. Order by Jan 28 for timely free delivery.

Raggy Rat has a very hairy faux fur groundhog in plushteam's store.

Zfla makes plush critters from repurposed sweaters including a Sweater Scrap Groundhog.

Violastudio also has a recycled boiled wool Bandit Groundhog softie.

Feb 2nd is also Imbolc on the pagan wheel, dedicated to rebirth, first stirrings of Spring, milk, and the goddess Bridget/Brigid (various spellings abound.) Carioca Witch has a small cloth goddess figure with images and symbols hand embroidered thereon.

You can learn more about Brigid at TheVioletSparrow when you check out her miniature Brigid figure with her cow and candles. Be sure to read the description.

Rounding it out, pixadoodles2 has a selection of well priced corn husk dollies for your Sabbats.

Another amazing Russian doll artist

2011-01-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

Anna Zueva's dolls are beautiful a thousand ways. There is a magical whimsy about the faces and eyes. The textures of the costumes and the sheen of the skin. The necks. I love her color combinations. They aren't naturalistic, they're stylized - yet you expect them move at any moment. Little living characters.

Anna works in multi media - paper clay, paper mache, textiles, acrylics. Her website includes some video slideshows of her dolls, with lovely music, and an appearance on Russian television, without subtitles - but you can see her painting a face up. Plus she shows how the adorable little vignettes are rearrangeable.

Thanks Christine Alvarado, who is no slouch herself, for the heads up via Facebook.

Middleburg

2011-01-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

Susan makes beautiful prim style folk art figures and other designs using a 100% recycled paper pulp of her own concoction. Here Etsy store is beautiful, not slightly due to the bright, light quality of the photos. Can you say Shabby Chic? There are lots of beautiful items that will enhance your spring decorating.

But winter need not be forgotten. These sweet snow sculptures which defy the meagre label "snow men", were featured on her entertaining blog about her life, art and ecology in North Carolina.

Gorgeous convention in Philadelphia in May

2011-01-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

The Doll & Teddy Bear Artist & Collector Convention is being touted as three conventions in one and will happen May 12-14, 2011 in Philadelphia.

The listed participating artists and speakers are a veritable who's who of art dolls, and the workshop and topic outlines sound very incisive and detailed. Many really get into the nitty gritty of techniques or will present insights into the creative process and doll history. Examples inlude Ankie Daanen's How to Make Shoes and Krystyna Poray Goddu presenting her book Dollmakers and Their Stories: Women Who Changed the World of Play.

The website is worth visiting itself for the participating artists' gallery, most images linking to their websites.

The beautiful doll pictured above is by Nancy Wiley, who has recently created 3D illustrations with dolls in backgrounds for a new edition of Alice in Wonderland.

A Sad, Bad Business

2011-01-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

I have been asked by beautiful doll artist Yve Hooson of Freaky Little Things to pass on a warning about a serious, sad situation in the doll world.

Usually I am posting websites where you can see and purchase beautiful dolls or related products. However in this case the post is caution against dealing with a BJD distribution company called Dollfair which is unfortunately leaving a growing trail of dissatisfied customers and frustrated doll artists in its wake. Dollfair is trading under the several other names as well including Limwha, Enchantment Doll and Atelier Nouveau.

A blog has been set up to keep customers abreast of legal and other developments, and Anita Collins of Sleetwealth (who needs a feature here all her own!) has also elucidated her story from the point of view of a doll artist. More information and discussion forums can also be found at BJDCollectasy.

Sometimes even the best intentioned projects turn to sordid mush. It can be hard in the face of desire and illness and desperation to just admit defeat and stop. I worked on a movie project once that collapsed and no-one got paid, neither workers nor vendors. In the beginning it was all optimism and plans - but there was a point when those in charge should have pulled the plug and we would all have cut our losses.

So in the doll business as with any other, Caveat Emptor, and always read the online reviews of any company before sending them your money.

Costume Class Giveaway

2011-01-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

Edwina Sutherland is giving away her 1812 online costume class to three people who comment on any of her blog posts this month (January 2011). Just to be clear: to enter comment at Edwina's "Not Carved In Stone" blog (not here - I mean please comment here if you wish, but it won't be in the sweepstakes).

You can see a preview of the relevant class at Edwina's main website. Isn't this a pretty thing?

Saraluna

2011-01-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Patti Culea for the link to fiber artist and doll maker Sara Austin. She has lovely painted, dyed, embroidered work at her Etsy shop, as well as new blog. I'm very intrigued by her ongoing project using rediscovered vintage German doll heads.

Sara will be offering classes at Piecemakers Country Store along with a host of other artists. The Orange County Doll Makers Club meets there second Tuesday of each month.

Recent New Doll Publications

2011-01-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Sherry Goshon has just completed her book covering the basics of cloth doll making, including patterns - "So You Want to Make Cloth Dolls". 50 pages, spiral bound, on her Etsy store.

Pamela Hastings has produced her most recent "Hot Flash: A Celebration" (pictured) available from her website. This joins her other doll making books and kits featured there.

Also the latest Winter edition of Adele Sciortino's Costuming and Trim newsletter is out. Honestly, are any of you not subscribers to this beautiful FREE publication by now? Really? Adele is part of a new online art teaching venue that looks rather special. A for Artisitic currently has a bunch of doll making classes, including a "Finishing the Doll" series zeroing in on specific skills, as well as a journal making class and accessories. There is a free doll wig tutorial there also.

Finally, not a doll publication per se, but I am being included in a new E-book by Instructables. My Wavy Edged Paper Beads - which I use as doll embellishments - are one of the featured projects in Jewelry Making edited by Scoochmaroo.

Look Alike Doll contest

2011-01-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Via Twitter:
Join Paradise Galleries on Facebook and upload your photo to win a free doll, which winners select. You have only until January 10th to submit your photos that show which doll and you look alike. Then viewers will vote. The three with the most votes win.
Paradise Galleries is an online doll store featuring commercial collectible dolls. One of the newest fashion dolls that looks quite nice is royal fiancee, future princess Kate Middleton. This limited edition 17 inch portrait doll comes with a reproduction of the "the" ring. I hope she has better luck and a happier life with hers than the last bearer. It seems so - at least this happy couple is of the same generation and have known each other a while.
Here's a prediction - I bet Paradise Galleries will do a bride version when the time comes, since they already have the face mold.

Retreats

2011-01-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

There are very few spots left for Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard's popular Iowa Retreat to be held in September, 2011. There is also a New York retreat on Staten Island in July and waiting list for the sold out Reno retreat. For a very reasonable fee you get to make a cage doll figure under the guidance of two doll artist teachers, as well as commune with other artists in an intimate studio setting.

Want to move to Blue Hill?

2011-01-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

First post of the new year! With new work, time got away from me over the holidays, so I missed doing my usual holiday Etsy round up. Sorry about that. I'll do one in honor of Winter in the next few days.

In the mean time I hope you will enjoy the whimsical mixed media figurative sculptures of Laura Balombini. She uses kiln fired porcelain, polymer clay, wire and wood, and creates surface interest with glass and ceramic mosaics. Many figures are animated. Small birds are a repeating motif.

Ms. Balombini is currently selling her home and studio in Maine. It looks like a beautiful spot. As an urban apartment dweller I am very envious of a separate studio space as well as all the green.

Get Dolled Up

2010-11-16T18:13:00.000-08:00

Making Ends Meet is holding an online doll auction to benefit breast cancer research. All the dolls have been donated by the artists, and are in a friendly competition by viewer vote for a nice gift certificate to MEM. You do not have to bid in order to vote for your favorite. Patti Medea Cularis has a doll in the group (pictured), as does 11 year old Jessica Baillee Carter-Collins, whose doll is currently the front runner.

Marwencol

2010-11-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

"Marwencol" is the imaginary town that Mark Hogancamp has invented and populated with incredibly detailed 12 inch (1/6th scale) dolls and action figures who portray characters in his ongoing WWII photographic saga. Using Barbies, GI Joe and other highly posable figures, along with custom made accessories and a mix of made and purchased clothing, he is creating allegories as therapy following his horrible experience of being beaten by thugs, to the point that he lost all memory of his past.

Documentary filmmaker, Jeff Malmberg has already won a passel of awards for his feature film about Mr. Hogancamp and his art. It has just opened in Los Angeles. Both film and the photographs look extraordinary and fascinating. I'm thinking Oscar (R) buzz.

Textile workshop at CAFAM

2010-11-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

My friend and homeschooling mother, Talitha, is holding her Family Tree Tapestry workshop at CAFAM again this Sunday, Nov 14. All the work is fusing, so no special sewing skills are needed. If you live in the Los Angeles area, or know people that do, please pass this on! It could be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your holiday decorations.

All Dolls Are Art Convention

2010-11-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

Announcing the inaugural ADAA convention in Austin, TX July 28-31, 2011. The theme is Toys in the Attic.

Registration will open on the website December 3rd, but the outlines of the workshops are already up, and my conference experience says don't wait to book your hotel room.

Pictured is one of the dolls Lisa Renner will be teaching, "Reliquary".

Not Carved in Stone

2010-11-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

Edwina Sutherland has just opened her new Etsy store for her beautiful needle felted figures. She also carries patterns for her cloth dolls and needle felting supplies.

Let's all buy handmade for the holidays!

That's Someone's Face

2010-11-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to reader Mary Shummer for finding this site, That's My Face, where you can have a custom head made for 12 inch, and some smaller, action figures. Apparently they will use full face and profile photos to create a computer model and custom mold of your face to fit a variety of doll necks. They can also do age ups and other mods, and create other custom products like masks and origami faces.

For some entertainment, check out the list of available celebrity heads which include the familiar, like Barack Obama, and a bunch of political guys I don't know, but probably should. Not that Bruce Schneier instantly makes you think "action hero doll". I guess I should be keeping up so that I would recognize Neel Kashkari in a plaid shirt.

AFIC artist profiles

2010-10-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

I know I have posted previously about Artistic Figures in Cloth, the fabulous semi-annual convention next happening April 28 through May 1, 2011 in Columbus, OH.

However organizer Cyndy Sieving has started posting on the event blog illuminating interviews and profiles of the amazing artists who will be featured workshop presenters at the event. The most recent, just in time for Halloween, is Susan Barmore.

All Hallows Eve approaches

2010-10-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a wonderful time of year for doll makers. Zan Asha of Vagabond Creations is celebrating with a month long Halloween blog carnival. Also check out the doll swap she is organizing. (But be quick).
When you visit, keep your sound turned on to enhance the mystical trippiness. I enjoy the soundtrack choices.

Beadie Give Away

2010-10-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a giveaway from doll beader extraordinaire Dot Llewellyn. To win one of her cute Pocket Monsters comment to her via email by October 15.
And while you at her blog, be sure to browse around for more of her work and philosophy. It will surely lighten your heart.

Autumn Equinox

2010-09-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn equinox is fast approaching. I like an excuse to showcase some dolls, so here is a little round up of some timely Etsy offerings.

Griselda has a lovely Autumn Tarot/Spirit doll amongst others that fit the theme.

My doll friend Kats in the Belfry (who also found that Equinox site) has her cute little pagan people.

Over at Painting Pixies you'll find a whole forest full of sweet felted mushroom people.

Bonnesinging is Ready for Fall .

From Brussels, Mademoisell G has some beautiful painted cloth dolls bundled up for chilly weather like Agathe.

For your dollies' Mabon celebration, here is some miniature bounty (pictured) by Afterdarkafterall.