Cult of Doll Almanac Published

The Cult of Doll Almanac is a collaborative project made of a collection of beautiful dolls with their own intriguing stories, all around a theme. You can read for free here.
Congratulations to Yve and the whole team.

Crochet Patterns DVD

Maggie's Crochet, a site for aficionados of the craft, is selling a charming instructional DVD of doll clothes and accessories patterns. The blurb describes over 500 patterns for 18 and 13 inch dolls, as well as whole toy patterns.

Enjoy.

Downloadable Doll Clothing Patterns at Pixie Faire

It's been quite a while since I posted a resource here, but this is definitely a site worth exploring. At Pixie Faire they have hundreds of reasonably priced downloadable patterns and instructions for dolls clothing and accessories, conveniently sorted by doll type or name including AG, Karito Kids and Ellowyne Wilde.

I am attracted by this millinery pattern for felt dolls' hats - wonderful for creating historical costumes for dolls. They also have a section to make matching items for doll and owner, a few choice freebies, and video tutorials for certain skills.

Asian Art Figures at Auction.

It's a little cheeky, I know, but here is an online auction at Paddle 8, of Asian Art pieces that were owned by my late mother and father-in-law. These pieces were some of the art and decorative objects that my husband grew up with in his childhood home on Tower Road in Beverly Hills in the late 60's and 70's.

Both his dad, the actor James Coburn, and his mother Beverly, were in love with Asian art, especially textiles and spiritual art work. They slowly amassed a collection that they purchased on trips to South East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, as well as from local dealers. Every piece was one that they lived with and enjoyed in their home.

The artist and designer Tony Duquette was a personal friend and designed the interior of the home as well as creating a number of custom works - including the very unusual Bird of Paradise sculpture that is part of the auction.

Of some interest to doll lovers, included in the auction are a pair of cool antique carved wooden figures from India. Around 4 feet tall, their hair and costumes are painted directly, in trompe l'oeil style, including the jewelry and trims.

Also included is an amazing vintage articulated wood snake from Japan. I've held this one, and it is amazing how carved wood can be so extraordinarily flexible and fluid. It's really very beautiful and unusual.

There are several Indian paintings in different media, including a gouache on paper of a couple in a sumptuous room. The details of the textiles are beautiful.

The auction is happening now, but is only for a limited time - until October 24th.
Please share!

New A for Artistic Site

The new A for Artistic Site is up and looks lovely. Finally Adele is charging a tiny fee for that incredible newsletter she puts out (it's worth three times the price). The list of teachers reads like a who's who of doll artistry. Very best of luck with it!

Adele Sciortino Pinterest board

Here is Adele Sciortino's  art doll Pinterest board. I'm not sure if the dolls inspire me to do better, or make me want to give up altogether. I think I'll choose the former. What amazing beauty and wonderful photography too. Please follow.

IDEX has ended

A few days ago I received the dreadful news that IDEX, the doll and teddy bear trade show, has been cancelled most likely forever. I immediately contacted Dolls Magazine to confirm that this was legitimate and not some hacker type prank. Unfortunately Joyce Greenholdt, the Editor was able to confirm for me that the news is true.

However the good news is that Dolls Magazine and Jones Publishing does intend to continue conducting the Annual Dolls Awards of Excellence.  The contest is two tiered with the Industry Choice awards going out, which then become the nominees for the Public's Choice ballot. This year's voting has ended but everyone interested in that preeminent contest for doll artists should pay close attention to the upcoming December issue of Dolls, when the winners will be announced along with next year's contest.

I don't know why the show has ended, but I do know that magazines only stay afloat if people buy them. If you are not a subscriber to Dolls, which is available digitally and newly for Nook tablets, maybe now would be a good time to become one.

Horrible Adorables - MS American Made nominee

Here's another cool soft critter maker on the Martha Stewart American Made contest. They are hand made of felt over foam - animal friendly reimagined taxidermy, according to artist Jordan Perme. You can see more on the Horrible Adorable website - the visual design of which echoes the humor, and retro influenced aesthetic of the animals.

Shawnimals stuffie dolls Martha Stewart American Made nominee

...and can use votes. It's easy to log in and vote - including via Facebook. I've seen these happy little toys before. I think they did a kickstarter for something fairly recently.

Atlanta Ball Jointed Doll Convention

They are all over the place! Awesome. This time it's the Atlanta Ball Jointed Doll Convention with some terrific special guests. October 18-20, 2013 - coming up very soon.

Saint Louis BJD Convention

A small but sweet convention in St Louis sponsored by the local doll club, Dolly Playmates. I'd like to join the League of People Who Dress Like Their Dolls. November 15-17, 2013.

ScraPerfect Design Team Call

Beading with the Embellie Gellie by ScraPerfect holding my seed beads.

It's not dolls, but it does relate to mixed media art, as I know many of you make. Plus I use the products in my doll making - especially the Embellie Gellie to hold beads.

ScraPerfect is looking for some artists to join the Design Team. I've been a member for a couple of years, and I love, love, love the products. You can read all about here on the blog.

Cult of Doll Call for Entries

Attention Doll Artists: here is the latest project from Yve Hooson and Grace Garton. 

They are looking for artists whose dolls "have a story to tell" for their proposed almanac series. Read all about on the new Cult of Doll Blog. This interests me a lot. Since the sad demise of ADO, I've felt the lack in the world of a strongly innovative art doll design focused group, and I definitely plan on joining their Etsy Team (if they will have me!)

From the Team page:

Cult of Doll has 3 membership requirements:
* All artists joining must undertake to create one original doll every 2 years which will feature in a bi-annual online publication which will promote all Cult of Doll members. That doll must debut in the "almanac" and not have been featured anywhere else before its publication.
* All members must use a team tag on all of their relevant Art Doll etsy listings
* All members must feature the Cult of Doll logo on their blog, facebook, etc... to help promote other team members work

Not too difficult at all.

By the way - do check out Yve's new doll shop - Nightshade Dolls and Grace Garton's Little Black Crow Studio.

Please Pin!

Nefer Kane's Circus

OK you MUST go and visit Nefer Kane's site to see the extraordinary new line of resin ball jointed figures. These are not your typical BJD fashion dolls (although of course those are beautiful also). These are divergent dolls - creepy cute - very solid on their legs, and sublimely stylized. And then there are the different face ups.

You can see more and purchase at Oobie Dolls - another fine site to visit and browse.

Right - off to follow Nefer Kane on Facebook.

As always, Please Pin!

Scary Godmother Doll Kickstarter

At last an awesome doll related Kickstarter that needs support! The project is for a new jointed character fashion doll, based on the comic character The Scary Godmother, that is a very cool doll from a very cool artist. I love the actual pitch too, because if you scroll down you will see the creative process of designing the prototype illustrated.

In addition to being an intriguing concept, and a creepy-cool character that so many of us love, this project is a way of supporting a female comic book artist. I don't know if you have noticed, but comics do seem to be a pretty testosterone dominated field. I suppose doll design might be the opposite.

The perks are terrific too. The perk of the actual doll starts at $50 - so very reasonable in comparison to say Fashion Royalty or many Barbie collectibles. And she comes with tiny wings and a ghostly cat.

Please visit this kickstarter!

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Simple Simon and Company Doll Pattern

Here is a free downloadable pattern and tutorial from Simple Simon for an adorable little cloth play doll. I like that the tutorial shows stuffing the arms and legs separately.

It shows embroidered facial features and felt hair. I think it would be a very nice base pattern for portrait dolls of your children or grandchildren, or story book characters. It would be simple enough to turn the skirt into a pair of pants as desired, or make the legs from patterned fabric as "tights".

Please Pin!

Win a Queen's Treasures Fairy Tea Set from Doll Diaries. You have until midnight July 30th.

Call for Submissions - IDEX memories

From the e-mail:

Best of IDEX - We Want to Hear From You!

Whether you have attended IDEX as a collector, exhibitor, buyer, member of the media, or just tagged along with a friend or family member, chances are you have a great memory from a recent or long-ago show. We want to hear about them! We have our own list going, and it grows from year to year, so now we want to hear from you. What is your best memory from IDEX? Did you attend an extra-fun event last year, or recall a moment from a show over a decade ago that stuck with you? We want to know! We are enjoying the relaxing summer months and hope you are too. Stay tuned for more information to come throughout the summer about next year's IDEX. We have many exciting things in store for everyone! _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Send us your Best of IDEX moments and memories Sincerely, The IDEX Team

Marianne Loyd's Teddy Bear Poems.

Author and fine Teddy Bear artist, Marianne Loyd has published her book of poems about Teddy's in both paperback and Kindle forms. The book is called Teddy Bear Poems: straight from the paw. The Kindle edition is 99cents, at least today.

Nicky Epstein - "Knits for Dolls" book review and giveaway!

I'm thrilled to have been sent a copy of eminent textile artist Nicky Epstein's new book for review. It's called "Knits for Dolls: 25 Fun, Fabulous Outfits for 18-inch Dolls", published by Sixth&Spring Books.

Now here's my full disclosure. I can't knit, only crochet and loom. So I can't speak to the clarity of the actual pattern instructions from experience. However given that Ms. Epstein is a star in the world of artistic knitwear, with numerous well received books to her credit and regular contributions to knitting magazines, I'm pretty sure that the patterns will give the desired results.

I love the outfits she has designed for the dolls. I personally love wearing knits and would probably like most of these garments if they were my size. The colors as pictured are luscious and vivid. Some of the garments are more formal and have sweet lacy textures. I particularly like the dress with the beading knitted in to the pattern.

Others are funky, hip or boho. There are textures, different stitches, twists and turns - I should think working your way through these lovely patterns would be a great course in fancy knitting techniques. There's even one sweater that resembles a nordic pattern.

Also included are many accessories - hats, purses, socks, shrugs - and some delightful ideas for making coordinating doll sized jewelry. Finally there are some recipes - for people food - treats for doll tea parties. Oh, and I nearly forgot - a vintage style knit bunny.

I really appreciate the styling of the photos, with the props both miniature and full size. They are fun, and exemplary for anyone who takes photos of their dolls as product photos.

I'm really looking forward to Nicky Epstein's "Crochet For Dolls" that a little birdy told me was coming soon.

The book is available from the Nicky Epstein website (through Barnes and Noble as an affiliate link I suspect so I encourage you to go that route.)

Now that I have this book that I can't use, I think I will run a contest. Any one who comments on this post - maybe tell me about your favorite knitted toy or doll - will be in the drawing to win my copy of this charming book. Let's say around two weeks - so comment before 4th of July to be in the drawing. 

Please tell your friends about the contest, and share on Facebook too!