Friday, August 27, 2010

White Rabbit at Folk School

Rabbits...rabbits...I am still just not quite certain what it is about these funny little creatures that I find so amusing...while they are soft and fluffy and seem quite demure there is a wee bit of a mischievous playfulness about them! hummm... maybe it takes one to know one??I recently taught this class for the first time here at ROotie StudiO. Usagi Rakki or Lucky Rabbit (Usagi =Long Ears). Here are close ups of some of the dolls.

I will be teaching it again at the John C Campbell Folk Art School in NC in September- and yes-there are still openings!!


My students did such a beautiful job! It is such a wonderful feeling for me to create something and then watch it blossom into fabulous dolls made by my students...the color combos and the expressions on their faces- rabbit's faces that is- well...ok- my darling student's faces too!

love is the thread that binds us...



more rabbits to come in the ROotie E-News...

Friday, August 20, 2010

Dolls for NIADA

ok...where were we...NIADA and the dolls...

I created three Story Dolls to take to NIADA, the Dragon (which you have seen in the August 6th post) , the Seahorse, and the Butterfly.

As you know, I love the story behind the Chinese children's hats, I was fortunate enough to add to my collection the book of Stories of Chinese Children's Hats by Phylis Lan Lin. I hold this book very close to my heart because it took many months to locate a (used) copy since it is not longer published but I do cherish it! So when creating my Story Dolls, I take that special feeling and try bring that sentiment to my dolls.

The Dragon Story Doll is a traditional piece, which I love because it has the foundation of what these hats are all about. While the Seahorse and the Butterfly are my creation of what I would make for my child.

I am very fortunate, both of these dolls went to favored collectors who hold some of my other pieces!

The Seahorse
My husband and I both dive and more recently in the last few years, we see (or should I say find after hunting for a bit) Seahorses. They are in grassy and somewhat shallow areas and blend in so beautifully to their surroundings-that is why I choose soft watery colors...
Close up of colors
One of the Seahorses I designed
The pair on the hat
Seahorses are unusual in that
the male carries and delivers the eggs.
So I made a pair- notice the entwined tails!

Close up of stitching and her hand
Notice the lining- of copper and blue tone silk

I love to have surprise in my work-
Wonderful complimentary

fabric on the soles of my dolls.
The Butterfly

Vest opens to the Story (of the Butterfly)
one side in English the other in Chinese
and no...I do not read and write Chinese-
I had it translated!

Close upHat close up
Very close up of embroidered Butterfly

Soles with FlowersI hope you enjoyed this and found
something that touched your heart a bit!


Friday, August 13, 2010

We interupt this Program...

... about the NIADA Conference and my dolls...for this important message of bringing art into everyday life.

Mark and I were out walking with our friends, Kathy and Ray (and little Cayman-doggie too), well...actually, we were headed up to the Little Man Ice Cream Shop.
Mark wanted to go look at this big pile of dirt on our way. As we walked up to the constructions site, we came across this fabulous fence surrounding the entire site...

SOoooo...How could I NOT mention this in my blog...
This is the first I have seen any of this type of thing- Yarn Bombing:
Yarn Bombing is an amusing form of artful anarchism. It's a bit of cockammamie crocheting and granny graffiti all rolled into one!
I can tell you this- As we rounded the corner and from afar I could see these bright cheerful flowers on the fence that went on for a couple of (city) blocks. It was a wonderful surprise to see this burst of blooms on a regular old chain link fence...forget the big dirt pile...check this out...as I ran over to see it close up...crocheted...I LOVE it!



So we left this magical moment and walked across the last of the three bridges to get to the Little Man. This bridge suspends over the highway and connects downtown with North Highlands...Denver is a wonderful place to live, it is so very pedestrian friendly...and especially nice to go for ice cream on a beautiful sunny day!
view of Highlands Bridge from Riverfront Park Bridge

Coming back...

View of the Millenium Bridge which crosses over the railway
view walking back towards home

So after our walk and chocolate-orange gelato, I went right to my computer to see what the heck this yarn thing was all about...
they may term it as graffiti...
I can only see it as beauty... in each and every stitch!

for more information:

From the Ladies:

The Central Platte Valley Fence Project is a continuation of the exploration of scale and juxtaposition with the background upon which the work is placed. The concept of this piece is a wildflower garden, with crocheted pieces of around 6” to 12” in diameter dotting the fence and humming with leaves, bees, butterflies, and other garden inhabitants.

Colorado draws people from all over the world with its inspiring mountains and never-ending skies, with Denver as the cultural focal point. This installation celebrates that wild beauty through a sort of nostalgic delight: evoking feelings like the granny squares your nana crocheted, cookies baking in the oven, smocked dresses on little girls; simpler times.

and still more information:

Friday, August 6, 2010

Dragon Story Doll-and her new friends

Recently I was in Chicago for the NIADA convention with my Story Dolls...

Close up of
Dragon Story Doll


During the Show and Sale, I was approached by a couple, Barrie and Danny Shapiro, who own the Toy Shoppe. They are a breath of fresh air in this interesting time we are all living in. Both of them are excited about what they do and so very gracious.


They asked if I would be interested in their shop carrying my dolls. I had to think about this for a bit, and because of their enthusiasm and ease of self...I thought this would be a nice match. So my Dragon Story Doll went into their tender care...

Dragon Story Doll


The vest unfolds to reveal the lore of the Dragon which is imprinted on either side of the opening in Chinese and English.

My Story Dolls are inspired from the Chinese Minority Group; these hats are made for children by their expecting Mother’s incorporating a protective quality into each.


Side view of removable
Dragon Hat

Many years ago I pulled away from galleries and shops, for various reasons. I have worked very hard in this doll world and I have been so very fortunate that I can sell directly to my clients. But Barrie and Danny have such a spark about them, I can envision many happy years together...and so a new adventures begins!


I will keep you posted on where this journey takes us!

Note about my Story Dolls:
The silk chirimen fabric for these dolls is specially ordered from Japan. It has a beautiful matte finish with a very light texture.
The silk can be hand-dyed to depict the doll’s ethnicity.
Each doll’s head is hand sculpted using stone clay, then over-laid with the specially chosen silk and painted in detail. 18 inches tall
For more information about this doll~ Contact here





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