John C Campbell Class 2012

Many, many, many years ago...when I was first starting in dollmaking...I was at a Conference ...the whole dollmaking world was so new to me at that time, all the dolls were a new adventure...a new path.

One of the main speakers was a person who created marionettes...as I sat there, the marionettes were on stage...waiting...patiently...as I was also. The presentation started and the marionettes came alive!! Movement...it was beautiful! 

Since then, I have been to many puppet and marionette shows- so fortunate I have been, to be able to sit in on shows in foreign countries, were I may not speak the language but the language of the art reaches everyone.

I had always wanted to make a marionette and needed to research and study this craft. I found it so interesting that it is indeed not a doll at all! The techniques infuse some of dollmaking but have techniques that hold true just to marionettes!

So now many years later, I have been able to create a marionette to share with my students.

I will be teaching this process at the John C Campbell School in NC. Together we will have a week for you to create your very own. For more info click here

 some details:

 Silk and linen hat with woven ribbon trim

mohair yarn used for hair

 

silk velvet for vest over-dyed for a vintage feel

linen apron with vintage woven ribbon trim

 

wool booties with silk ties

So I hope you can join us at JCC, it is a magical time that we have together!!

we would sure miss you if you couldn't be with us!

Chinese Carrying Case

So I thought...What about a case for these girls??

Something covered in a beautiful fabric...silk... a brocade...hey! I have one that I bought in China...

 The interior of a rich silk also...black to set off the red...

 tufted interior pillow...

 

and bound with a pretty closure and woven ribbons...ok!

the final touch a satchel with hand-made tassels-to hold those special thing within!!

 

and now we are ready to go off to Piecemakers in CA!!

See you in October girls!!

Chun Woo ~ Spring Rain

Many of you have seen or taken Ling Li Hua (Delicate Pearl Blossom). She was designed for my classes after many commented on my Gallery Pieces- Charm Girls -Story Girls.

Ling Li

Now, I would like to introduce Chun Woo (Spring Rain-Gift from Above)! She is Ling Li's sister. I loved making her and am excited to be teaching this class in October at Piecemakers in CA email here for class info... AND along with your choice of Chun Woo or you can make Ling Li  plus their Chinese Carrying Case*!!

Chun Woo

Costume of Vintage silks, 

with new satin, cotton, linen and brocade silk

Needlesculpted face with glass eyes inset

Fine cotton overlay

 Close Ups:

Chun Woo's pocket (bag)

 with rain droplets 

Chun Woo's Raindrop Hat

Chun Woo's Silk Pants

with cotton cuff, linen slippers

Ling Li with Chun Woo

Chinese Carrying Case

Next week, the Chinese Carrying Case!

*If you miss this upcoming class in CA, I am having Ling Li~ Chun Woo + Carrying Case here at ROotie in August 2012. email here for info at ROotie- sorry no pattern available-yet!

Lily

On the 4th of July, my dear husband said her would go to the antique mall with me- but only for a couple of hours! Happy with that...off we went on a sunny and very warm day.

I found her after skimming through rows and rows...on a shelf with many, many other dolls...sitting there quietly, patiently for me to spot her. And I did in a heartbeat and pulled her off the shelf into my waiting arms... I was thrilled!!

After drifting through the rest of the booths, looking for maybe another Bradley-type doll...I came across this little dress..

And then a thought came to me!! Who says I HAVE to have a collection (three or more)...well ok- maybe later on...but in the mean time, I think I will fix her up and make her pretty little dresses.

If you collect and want to re-sell...then you don't want to disrupt the condition of the doll by changing anything...but the monetary value of this doll is not that great- I got her and the dress for $12 with my 4th of July savings of 15% off! What a find!!!...now the heart value is a whole other thing, it is, as they say, priceless and think of all the fun this will be!

So her name...Mimi...Kimi...Lili....Lily!! That's it!

Lily is of Latin origin. Flower name: the lily is a symbol of innocence and purity as well as beauty. 

So I must stop dreaming for the moment of Lily's dresses and what could be...I have my dolls for classes and NIADA to make...

...and for now, Lily, will sit quietly and patiently on my shelf and together we will dream of what is to come!!

Reference for Lily's 1960-style dresses:

Barbie Fashion by Sarah Sink Eames

Can't you see it!?!?!?


Check out Ojo Neko- Princess Cat 
on ROotie Enews

Big Eyed Dolls

It all started many years ago with a doll on a pink sewing box! When I came across this fabulous find, I remembered the doll from my childhood and of course was instantly drawn to it because of the sewing box!

below images from the web

It sits on a shelf on my work table in my studio...I was lost in thought when my eyes landed on it...and I thought...who was the maker of this pretty little doll?

These big eyed dolls were made in Korea and Japan during the 1960s and 1970s for the American market. 

 

The doll’s bodies are constructed of wire skeletons surrounded by Styrofoam and/or cloth, with each finger being armatured. Many are mounted on a wood or plastic base so they can be nicely displayed.

Also differentiating them from most other dolls is the fact that their faces are painted on. I love the ones with the stockinette overlay! Big surprise- cloth!

"The dresses are often elegant period pieces, with big hoop skirts and plenty of lacy frills, although their catalog includes such a wide variety of themes and ethnic styles, including a few "mod" ones that have proven to be the most elusive and most sought after."

One of the most well known was manufactured by the Bradley Doll Co. 
(as in Milton Bradley) also known under Artmark and Treasured Dolls as these dolls above.I have also found a few manufactored under Herman Pecker Dolls as these dolls below.

 

Their most defined charateritic is their oversized head and big eyes...made in Japan... hummmm....reminds me very much of today's Japan's animé art and the ever popular ball jointed dolls (bjd)! 

 

 

History doesn't repeat itself,

at best it sometimes rhymes.

Mark Twain