Friday, November 26, 2010

Thankful...

As many of you know every year here at ROotie StudiO, I hold a class specially created for my students as my way of saying thank you for their support throughout the year. It is a Surprise Holiday Doll Class. No one knows what this doll is going to be- it is a Surprise!
 
With help from my sister this year, we did all the pre-work and we put together kits for each person which holds everything they will need to make this project.

This year's Surprise Doll was an Lamb that was a Chalkware figure. Earlier this year one of my students, Irene, brought in a book from me to look over. I have heard of chalk ware and found that this could be a charming project for us to do together!


 I found this book to be a nice inspiration. My next step was finding the supplies I needed to create this wonderful project. I found a darling chocolate mold of a lamb...and starting pouring...and pouring..
Lambs drying in the sun
Then going online to find those 
special things needed...
Vintage flowers from Etsy
Velvet ribbon from Piecemakers
Flocked and Gold Painted Papers
Boxes, bows, and Baubles...

Everyone arrives at the studio to find the doll under-wraps...

We then "unveil" the doll and out emerges their project we will crate together!
 
The everyone finds their "gift" in the classroom area and unwraps their gift to find the pieces to assemble their creation!
Everything wrapped inside their box...
  

At the end of a wonderful day- 
(Marilyn missing from photo)
 

It isn't what you have in your 
pocket that makes you thankful,
but what you have in your heart.

I am thankful for:
  • My husband, Mark, who brings me such love, comfort, happiness, and a beautiful life!
  • My family, ever supportive, loving, and always there for me.
  • My little kitty, Issy, who brings me warmth in my heart, and giggles.
  • My students, who bring me happiness in their encouragement, creativity, support, and love.
  • My friends, who bring me laughter, love, companionship, and the closeness of being family.
  • Little Frances and my new great-niece Kayal, who bring me fortune in being a part of her sweet lives.
  • My dollmaking- no explanation needed!
 


Friday, November 19, 2010

Boudoir Doll

Many, many years ago I had the pleasure of teaching in Australia. After my class, I meet up with my husband, Mark, in Sydney. We had a great adventure together...scouting our way to an area called The Rocks...then happening upon The Puppet Shop.

Once inside this magical shop, we meet the owner A Frenchman, who we converse with about how we got here in Australia and my profession as a dollmaker..."Oh, do I have something for you!"...and with that he disappeared into the back room and emerged with a doll head gently cradles in his hands!
 

As best as he had knowledge of this arrived in Australia during the 1930's. Carefully looking at this wonderful piece, I noticed the style- a Boudoir Doll...the silk hair, the shiny painted eyes, the softly layered fabrics....and of course those glorious flirty eyelashes that Boudoir Dolls are known for!

He then told me that he had had this head in the back room for years and years and was just waiting for the right person to come along and please take it as a gift...needless to say I was THRILLED!
We talked a bit more about the possibilities for this doll head. Initially, I thought of taking it apart and refurbishing it into a new doll.

As time passed and home again, I took a second look at this wonder and really started to note how beautiful she was- patina and all. I just could not bare to disturb her as she was...beautiful in her own right.

So, being the doll artist I am, I decided to sculpt and mold my own face (since I had the perfect model)...then out came the research in Boudoir Dolls. I wanted to make her in the traditional very feminine fashion, using yards and yards of fabulous fabrics...

 
One of the wonderful thing about being a doll artist is you can buy just a bit of very nice fabric and use them in a spotlighted way...below is the embroidered fabric I purchased at Allyn's Bridal and Millinery Shop- for us locals it is a goldmine of treasures from long ago to fabrics of today. You have to be prepared to spend some time there because it is a true digging for treasure(s)...

embroidered silk organza
with beautiful scalloped edge
 

fussy cute same 
fabric for shoes
  

 machine embroidered 
leaf design around underskirt
 And then a few yeas later came The Cowgirl...

and who knows what will be next...stay tuned!

Friday, November 12, 2010

One (Tiny) Reindeer

When I was designing a reindeer for a class ROotie StudiO; this started me to think about reindeer...I find when I am creating something new, it is best just to go with what your intuition is telling you and mine what shouting 1950-60 style reindeer!

So off to scout for "inspiration"...here are some photos of reindeer I found from that time period. I love these especially because of their sprightly stance.




Now to create my little one in cloth. I found the perfect fabric right in the first store I looked in! This project just might be one of those that goes smoothly through the entire process.
And it did! From the drawing of the pattern to the materials for it, everything came together just as I saw in my head... Twinkle Dash...

when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
with a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen!
"On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!

"To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

Friday, November 5, 2010

Pixie Tea Time

In the best of times, to be a full time artist can be challenging to make ends meet. And that is why I feel so fortunate that I able to be a doll artist and have the fantastic support of my husband, students, friends, and people who collect my work...and yes even my little kitty, who some days loves to come to the studio with me and sits by the door in the sun.

So to take that gratitude and share it with others...to pass that love along...is important to me.

Every year the Salvation Army holds a Doll Tea here locally, all the proceeds to children in need clothing them from inner to warm outer wear.

Tea...hummm, I thought, why not use the little Pixies we all made in class and they can be together at Tea Time!! Here are some photos from the display...I think they are all so adorable!

Needed a sign that is set up above the back drop...
All our little Pixies enjoying each other's company and a spot of tea...
I even made little tea bags filled with Pixie Dust, Flower Blooms, Star Light, and Fairie's Delight...

On a side note- the green teapot in the back is one I gave to my Mom many many years ago and now it had come to my home- so just a special memory!
 Close up of wee Pixies...
   
And what would a tea party be without petite fours??
 Hope you enjoyed them!




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