More Paper work

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.

Danger ahead

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.

Not Carved in Stone

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!

Beautiful Patterns

Textile artist Kathie Briggs has posted some lovely new cloth doll patterns for sale on her blog. Both blog and website are worth perusing for the beautiful quilt art.

A Quick Dose of Cute

Celebrate Spring with some crochet! Sayjai of K and J Dolls has a charming selection of free amigurumi patterns available on her blogsite, as well as more for sale through her Etsy store. They really are adorable.

Gung Hee Fatt Choi

When I was a little girl in Hong Kong, children celebrated Chinese New Year by going out to watch fireworks in the evening carrying cellophane lanterns hanging from bamboo sticks. These were wire outlined shapes, like animals, birds, or butterflies, with colored cellophane filling them. In the center was a little well holding a tea light or votive candle.

So just to be clear - hundreds of small children in crowded streets carrying highly flammable items hanging from sticks with lit candles inside. And yet no one ever seemed to be burnt up.

They were very beautiful,like carrying around a stained glass window.

Here are some paper patterns to make traditional Chinese costumes for your 18 inch doll. Carpatina makes some nice looking playline dolls and dolly clothing actually, including a wide range of international traditional costumes.

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.

Fairy Godmother

Julie McCullogh makes fantasy themed cloth dolls. I especially enjoy her Broadway show characters, being an old theater person from way back. I worked in the wardrobe on the Australian production of "La Cage Aux Folles" in the early 1980's. Her website has lots of layers, history, pics of studios and dolls made from Julie's patterns. A fun browse.

I Don't Knit, But...

It looks like fall is finally arriving, in North America at least. You can dress your American Girl warmly in a pretty, and very reasonably priced, hand knit outfit from Etsy seller Knits for Kids.
You can also visit her arts and crafts round up blog, where amongst other terrific makers she has featured...Iggy Jingles (that is to say me).
If you prefer to knit for your dolls yourself, Etsy seller Stylin' Dolls Knitz has some nice looking patterns.

Free Patterns

Cloth doll maker Connie McBride Johnson has just added a sweet sitting Fairy Faylinn doll pattern to the extensive list of free patterns available for download from her Clothmatters blog. I like the little felt pinafores they are wearing.

Tact-Isle

Sometimes it's hard to choose which photo to use, when there is so much variety and beauty to be found. Linda Misa is another Australian doll maker who makes beautiful cloth dolls with personality and lovely faces, and who also creates painted and paper collages. On her site she offers a number of free pin doll patterns and lists the classes she offers. Go Aussie.

Judy prims and witches

Surfing around I just found Judy Daigle's blog, Art Dolls and More. Can't think how I've missed it up until now. She makes character dolls in primitive style of cloth and polymer clay amongst other things. She also sells patterns including instant downloads. I love the personality in her dolls' faces. This cat is all but winking! If you hear fiddle music in the middle of night you'll know where to look...

Bambole Designs

Michelle Munzone is an accomplished Australian doll artist living in my old home town of Sydney. In addition to her website, she also has a blog. She offers lots of online classes and workshops, and sells doll patterns to share the love and fun. I especially like some of her recent creations, a series of Zodiac dolls (12 of them, naturally) in mixed media/spirit doll style. I'm a sucker for beading and text in surface detail.