Easter Bunny Etsy Round Up

There are some cute Easter themed dolls on Etsy, just in time.

There are some sweet prims around including:

Georgia Road Prims Mama and Baby

Stitchin Sew Prim also has an aged seeming Easter Rabbit Doll clutching a chick and a quilted egg.

This wide eyed bunny from Annaboo Creations is a brighter folk art style.

The Bagg Lady 76 has a primitive Rag Doll Bunny with really fun big feet.


Not to be outdone, there are also some weird and wonderful odd characters.

Pinky Toast has some big eyed painted cloth dolls that are cool.

Loopy Boopy has a miniature Art Doll Worry Bunny.

I like Art Work by Lori's painted cloth Spring Bunnies with their big sleepy eyes (pictured).

Citsch Coo has a couple of different painted cloth bunnies that appeal to me.

T Dozier Art has a humorous paper clay full sculpt called "After Easter Bunny" that is ready for a vacation after setting out all those eggs.

Not bunnies, but Odd Princess Dolls is having an Easter Sale - 10% off some truly gorgeous ribbon jointed paper clay dolls.

Doll emporium Angelic Dreamz is hosting a doll convention. The JAMIEshow Premiere Convention, "Prohibition", will be held in Canandigua, NY September 28-30th, 2012. The plans include plenty socializing, three workshops, and a trip to the Strong Museum, as well a day of VIP shopping at the Angelic Dreamz store. Also included, a conference exclusive doll.

Fascinating article in Dolls

There is a very interesting article in the latest Dolls Magazine newsletter about Chinese artist and dissident, Liu Xia. Writer Stephanie Finnegan presents a compelling look at Liu Xia's photographs of dolls. As an artist living under a repressive regime, for her own safety, Liu Xia intentionally stays "in the dark" about international exhibits of her photography.
Currently showing is "The Silent Strength of Liu Xia" at The Italian Academy, part of Columbia University, in New York, extended until April 20, 2012.
Sobering, isn't it, to think that in China I might be arrested for the simple act of posting about an art exhibit.

Not dolls, but a request

I'm trying something - hoping to learn how this survey system works and get some insight on the topic. I have a Survey Monkey survey about Hand Made Greeting Cards. Please help me out  - there are only 6 questions. Since I can't seem to get the blog link to work (sigh), please visit my Facebook page and scroll to the direct link to the survey.
Thank you!

Michaels New Online Bookstore

Michaels now has arts and crafts books for sale online. The search engine and expansive catalog seem very clear and easy to use, but it looks like there is no "look inside" preview feature, at least not yet. The two most relevant categories to us here are Miniatures and Stuffed Animals & Toys. The titles include some familiar ones from past features and ones that are new to me like: "Making and Manipulating Marionettes" by David Currell.
There are also a lot of amigurumi and doll house books, including several by prolific Jean Nisbett.

My Little Altered Pony

by love-my-twins

Here we go - this is just wonderful fun.

My Little Pony Mods. 50 of them.

I think we still have some un-modded floating around here just waiting.

Rose Percy - a charitable doll does lunch.

Received from Jean Radke:

Doll Scholars of Southeast Wisconsin, a UFDC Member Club, will host the Remarkable Rose Percy Luncheon on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 9A – 3P, at the Pfister Hotel Imperial Ballroom, to benefit the Milwaukee VA Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center.

            The event will feature VIP Miss Rose Percy, “Duty’s Most Faithful Child,” a Civil War era doll, whose mission has been to assist charitable causes throughout her life. Miss Rose Percy began her mission at the 1864 Metropolitan Sanitary Fair in New York City where she was auctioned to raise funds for the aid of Civil War soldiers.  She continued her mission at the Red Cross National headquarters in Washington DC for several decades and was eventually sold to benefit victims of natural disasters.  Once again she is serving US veterans of all wars through her appearances.

  Special guests include Michael Canadas and David Robinson, directors of the Rose Percy Foundation; Louise Hedrick, Elm Grove, WI, author of “A French Fashion Doll’s Wardrobe”, National Antique Doll Dealers Association (NADDA) representatives from across the US, and Miss Rose Percy herself.

            Registered guests will be treated to a full day of festivities including a wonderful luncheon, a special presentation, a display of Rose Percy with her extensive wardrobe and accessories, and the opportunity to purchase fine quality antiques.  A limited edition illustrated book about Rose’s life story and other surprise souvenirs will go home with each guest. 

            The Doll Scholars will host auctions including antique dolls and clothing to raise funds to honor veterans and benefit the Milwaukee VA Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center and The Historic National Soldiers Home, established in 1865.  Funds will be used primarily for veterans’ medical care and restoration of the national historic site.  The gift to the “Old Soldiers Home” pays homage to Milwaukee’s West Side Soldiers Aid Society who organized a 10-day Sanitary Fair in June 1865 to raise money for a permanent Wisconsin Soldiers Home, and continues Miss Rose Percy’s legacy.

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

The Doll Scholars are also seeking donations for the Soldiers Home:

Contributions can be sent to:

            UFDC - Doll Scholars of Southeast Wisconsin

            6707 Maple Terrace

            Wauwatosa, WI 53213

I'm quite fascinated with this Rose Percy doll. One thing it shows me is just how long people have been creating personas and stories for the dolls they design. It's not just the child with a doll making up wonderful imaginative play stories for her, which is no small thing. It's that dolls are art and people love storytelling through art. 

Blog Giveaway at Iggy Jingles

I'm having a blog giveaway at my other blog for National Craft Month. Tell me what crafty things you will be doing to be entered for a Wish Doll with your choice of Lavender or Indian Musk fragrant sachet. Details at Iggy Jingles Crafts.

DOTY Awards Announced

Heidi Plusczok - Lilli Frog Princess

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic doll over $150

Dolls magazine, hot on it's merge with Doll Reader magazine, has announced the industry choice Dolls of the Year Awards. The winners are noted on the website. The Public's Choice ballot for DOTY will be in the June issue, along with pictures of the industry winners.

As part of the merge, Dolls will no longer be awarding the Dolls Awards of Excellence as a separate awards.

Folks, Dolls Magazine will be presenting special issues of Haute Dolls quarterly, that is part of the regular subscription. I encourage all doll lovers to subscribe if at all possible.

Carl Turner

Ceramicist and sculptor Carl Turner creates "Seussian" Taxidermy and other unique whimsical creatures from clay. On his blog he includes WIP pictures, including plasticine marquettes. Meanwhile more of his work is shown at his online gallery, through Saatchi Online.

OMG

http://briandettmer.com/

Only from cutting away - no moving the images or adding.
Also sculptures from upcycled cassette tapes.
Watch the videos too. They are cool.

Sean E Avery Sculptures

Here is the website of Australian figurative sculptor and illustrator, Sean Avery. He uses recycled materials like old cd's and circuit boards for his cool animals and creatures. You may have to convert the metric measurements. This Giraffe is a little under 20 inches tall.

Thanks Failblog. (His work was categorized as a "Win".)

No more ADO

Art Dolls Only, home to some wonderful doll artists, is closing as a club. The sad news was announced by the co-founders a few days ago. The club was an invitation only group, and one's work was scrutinized before acceptance. I have to admit to being a bit dazed, as the club appeared to be thriving with monthly and quarterly challenges, a traveling doll project, an e-zine, and a seemingly vibrant web presence - website, Facebook and Ning. However it seems that the heavy workload of promotion and treasuries and posting reminders was falling on a small minority of members.

There will still be a new ADO Etsy Team for former members, and folks are working out some kind of Facebook page so that we may keep in touch. The tag ADO Team will still mean something - a reminder of glories past.

Out of the Box(es)

Pablo Curutchet's giant man sculpture is made of recycled boxes. He has also made humongous puppies. Why do I think oddly of Minecraft? In any event rather cool.

Barbie Ma Muse

Vermeer inspired.

French artist Jocelyn Grivaud has created a website for Barbie's 50th Anniversary that is a loving tribute to the beauty and artistry that inspired her childhood joys, and apparently her own mother's knitting. Barbie is treated as the subject of famous artworks (including antiquities), with thoughtful commentary. I think it's clever and fun. Plus it is highly educational because there are also links to info about each fine artist.

My only problem is that I had planned a series of altered Barbies as statues, starting with my Winged Victory, and I see she already has a Venus de Milo. Well mine will be different.

My version of Winged Victory.

Thanks, Sandra, for the link.

IFDC Rocks!

The theme of this year's International Fashion Doll Convention is "Shock, Rattle and Roll". Convention events are themed around 20th Century iconic musical eras - and it's the 10th Anniversary.

Attendance is limited to 250, so don't wait to register. Workshops and seminars are listed in the Convention Packet PDF and includes JAMIE Show.

July 25-28, 2012
The Orleans Resort and Casino
Las Vegas, NV

Sheri

Sheri de Bow makes beautiful polymer clay and mixed media dolls, busts, head ornaments, and other fine art - all with distinctive large wide-open eyes. Her dolls engender a tension between whimsical, fragile beauty and danger. Her blog, Ostrich Girl, tells all about her recent exhibitions.

Claudia's Adventures

For your viewing pleasure, something to make you smile - The Adventures of Claudia blog.

From the same creative visionary who brings us Gerbils in Hats.

Life is good.

Kickstarter Obos

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

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?