All Dolls Are Art conference 2011

             I would like to share with you, a recent event that I had the pleasure of attending.  It is called the " All Dolls Are Art'  Conference in Austin, Texas.  The conference is a three day event filled with classes by some amazing cloth doll artists.  We all get together to create, learn, and make new friends.  It is an opportunity to let the creative muse to run rampant and clear the cobwebs out of my brain.  There is a showroom where artists can display and sell their work.  One of the best parts of this conference  is the "Treasure of the Gypsy' booth.  The booth offers a fabulous array of exotic silks, trims, ribbon, doll patterns, and so much more.  
                 I took 2 classes from Barbara Schoenoff.   In one class, we made a doll based on an English warrior queen named "Boudicea".  Boudicea lived around 300 c.e. and defended Britain against the Romans.  Barbara is a great teacher and has a plethora of information about history and costuming.  We had a great time in class. My 'Boudicea' doll has taken on a different persona (now that she's done fighting the Romans). Since taking her home, she has become an 18th century lady with an elaborately high hairstyle.   Most of the time whilst working on a peice, something wonderful will happen and take on its own persona.  When you open your mind and let the creative force flow out, anything can happen. This is when making art is truly rewarding and exciting.

            I would like to thank all the hardworking people that made this possible. I can not wait until next year!   Happy dollmaking!

The lover, continued.

here is the progress on my latest fabric sculpted figure. I feel like his personality is really beginning to emerge. I still have a few finishing touches, stay tuned...

!8th century portraits

The 'Lover'

Ahh, at last I have a moment to blog.  I am working on the first of a series of dolls based on 18th century  paintings .  This particular pattern is named  "Harold, the angel'  by doll artisan:  Arley Berryhill .  However, I think that my character is going to be a bit more on the devilish side.  I am soft-sculpting the body in order to create a more realistic body type. I have dubbed him "The Lover" and he will be attired in a rose coloured silk suit , and will sport  a fabulous powdered wig.  I want to bring the 18th century to life thru my art. I hope it comes out the way that I can see it in my head.  I'm getting much inspiration from a book that I am currently reading about Madame Tussaud.  She was the founder of the famous waxworks. It describes her life amongst the nobility in Marie Antionette's court.  She was able to immortalize the Royal family in wax for all to see.  Thanks for dropping by, I will keep you posted on my progress.

my week in review.

hello darlings,   I have just finished up with a crazy busy week. I've been working at the salon, and getting busy I must say.  Trying to squeeze in some time to work on my latest doll project. I haven't gotten as far as I would like.  So I am going to get after it this week. After all, the "all Dolls Are Art' convention is coming up soon, and I need somthing great to show.  For the PAst 2 days , Dimitrius and I have been working on a music video. We have beautiful dancers, costumes, makeup and hair.  Oh,  and Dimitrius is really great in it.  As soon as he is done editing it, I will share it for you all to see.  Keep on dancing till the world ends!  

Off with their heads!

18th century men's wigs, made of wool roving, white glue, and lotsa love. These are my fancy gentlemen.  Only , after many hours of  getting dressed, powdered and rouged;  will they present themselves at the french court.

My Beauties

My Beauties , a set on Flickr.

Wigging out!

Hello blog buds!   I have finally gotten my dollmaking studio in order and am working on wigging some of my beauties.  A good head of hair (or head covering) is  just the thing a doll needs in order to be finished,  unless your doll has a beautifully shaped head, that is.  I like to make wigs  from scratch.  My process starts out with deciding what kind of material will be used to get the best result. I like using human hair, synthethic hair ,  and wool roving is also a great material  to work with.   Then I measure the head and make a  cap out of a special  type of wig making lace.  Then after all of this is done, I can begin to attaching the hair to the cap, and 'Voila" a star is born!

Lady Gregarious

Let me introduce Lady Gregarious to you.  I created her for the 2008  Enchanted Doll Artist Convention in Albequerque, New Mexico.   The Doll body pattern is by the talented ,  Mr. Arley Berryhill.  It was at this convention that I got to meet many talented people, ( who are just as obsessed with dolls as I am). She has recently donned a golden carriage headpeice in honour of the recent nuptuals of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. I shall be exhibiting more of my peices future posts.

My lovely week.

                 Top o the morning to you all! It has been a most busy week here in Austin.  Sunday was filled with teacups, makeup and cameras.  Dimitrius and I are doing some photo shoots with our friend Michelle Syma.  She is a budding young photographer with an amazing eye for detail.   The photographs  will be used for our various portfolios.  It was an Alice in Wonderland themed shoot. I played the part of the Mad Hatter, only less Mad and much more gentlemanly.  Dimitrius played the White Rabbit  in an avant garde fashion. I  am excited to share the pics  with you all as soon as they are ready.  The next day we met up with Another dear friend, Nina for a skydiving adventure in San Marcus.  Nina and Dimitrius decided that they needed to jump out of a plane. It was a very cool experience for them. I stayed  safely on the ground and watched  and took photos.  They really enjoyed it,  and I think that I may venture to do it  in the future.                                                                             The rest of the week has been filled with work, cooking, cleaning, a little socializing, visiting Half-price books for some good reads, running around the lake, ect...

All Dolls Are Art Conference.

 I am so looking foward to the ADAA conference in Austin this summer.  It is a 3 day event where we , as dollmakers can go play, shop, and learn.  There are going to be some amazing doll artists teaching workshops. I will be taking Barbara Schoenoff's classes.  She is teaching a 2 day class on  'Boudica' ,  the English warrior queen, and a 1 day class on fairy dolls. I too the "Scylla"  mermaid doll class from her in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She is an awesome and fun teacher, so it should be a blast!