A Dollmaking Journey

Art Is Fox Doll Workshop Done!!

2012-01-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

Fox Dolly

Oh my gosh...so much pressure is lifted!!! ugh....I hate deadlines....I'm always "just making them"!!@!

Anyway.. the fox doll is complete... I end up really loving her. For a while...she was being a "Brat" and not getting a personality...but she finally came "out".....

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She is about 8 inches and she has a sculpted Head, bodice, jointed upper arms, lower legs and tail. Her body and upper legs are a two way stretch bodysuit that I sew up on the machine. This bodysuit fits over the wire armature with all paper clay pieces attached...and then lightly stuffed.

She is an animal dolly with human qualities....(because I believe animals have special qualities that help us see them as human. ) I chose a Fox because I want my Tale to be one of decadence dripping with diamonds, luscious with leopard printed leather and fur, daring with red shiny boots...and some Mysterious with an old frozen Charlotte in hand! This Charlotte is actually a "fake out" from a tiny two part mold my friend Sue Milo made for me! Lucky Me!!! I can now have a frozen Charlotte anytime I want! ha ha and embellish and age it however I want. Life is truly amazing!

New Year..New Hopes, Dreams and Dolls!

2012-01-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Every Dream is Worth Dreaming

Mermaid Ballet Slippers from Sof t Leather and Polymer Clay soles

Vintage Paperclay Mermaid

A "Fox Tale" .........Coming Soon!!

Sue Milos Master Molds!

Well...I guess I had to re coup from Christmas! But I'm feeling Strong ..Energized and Excited for New Stuff to Happen! There is a lot of New Creative Energy flowing...and I have Completed a Mermaid Doll!!! Of course Under pressure...because that is good for me!

Her tail is paper clay on a foil and wire armature that is jointed so it can bend. The design in the clay was created by pressing a stamp into the moist clay. Paints and rub-ons were used to create depth...the it was glossed with triple thick. The joints were created with bead caps and findings. I had to send the doll out and hopefully she will be in an Article. I won't say anymore until it happens!!! haha

(I hate rejection!).....

Sues "Many" Tiny Sweets!

Anyway....I went to visit my Friend Sue Milo and we both got crazy with creating tiny sweets...Finding special molds...clays...embellishments for toppings...blah blah blah...I cant wait to continue on my sweets making journey...But I Believe Sue went over the edge! haha...She made some beautiful original sweets..and she also went nuts creating her own molds....She is now the "Precision Master Mold Maker" in my book!!! Check her stuff out!

And last but not least...Is my ART IS You 2012 Class Project. She Is halfway there...The Class is written up and now She needs to Come Alive ! I know where I'm going with this....I hope she becomes who I want her to be ..sometimes these dolls are so stubborn...and refuse to cooperate...

2 Done Dolls!!!!

2011-12-04T16:48:00.000-08:00

December Babe Paperclay Doll

Pink Leopard Cake Doll

So Sad..she does not see her Beauty

I 'm Feeling connected and working through a lot of dolls and Ideas...ok..2 down...a million more to go!!!

Anyway....The Pink Leopard Cake Doll has a funky little face and and I got to practice my favorite painting technique in Pink for her cake hat that was created from Pluffy clay!!! Leopard..i just love it! My good Friend and Teacher, Lillian Alberti, taught me how to paint Leopard Print... I am forever greatful. I also did her shoes the same print, and added Teeny tiny polymer roses...also a Technique taught to me by a good friend and teacher, Amber Dawn Inventive Soul! ...I think a girl should always have matching accessories....

Pluffy Snow Goose Hat

Her dress and hat have tiny polymer flowers
made with a kemper cutter

Pluffy Cake Hat...the tiny beads are actually polymer clay created from a cool "fondant" mold...what'll they come up with next!

I also completed my little sad faced doll...she is my favorite...she is frail and skinny, quite sad..but I just have to Love her....something in her little face. She is a Winter girl...like me, a saggitarius...her name is December Babe and her hat is a SnowGoose made from pluffy clay and a cool candy mold! After I baked the goose..I carved her a little thinner and added paperclay to the bottom creating a cap do her head would fit...

Pink Leopard painted print..tiny polymer roses...crystals...

So many new faces in my head.....

2011-11-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

Almost ready for her face!

She is getting sanded and strung! She'll be painted with watercolors instead of acrylics

Choosing Colors

Ready for wigging..I think Red hair!

What will she be?

New Faces in "first stage" of refinement

I just cant pinpoint a tail color for her....maybe if I wig her first..hmmm

So its the end of November...so many dolls to finish...by Christmas! But new faces keep popping up in my head...and I have to keep stopping what I'm trying to complete...to just "Quickly " sculpt that face that I keep seeing....ugh....feeling crazy with this energy! Does that ever happen to you? I bet that it does...but I think sometimes we stop it from coming by trying to Follow THE RULES!!!!... November and December are always powerful months for me....I guess for most people too...Thanksgiving and Christmas. This time is "Magical"..... sometimes overwhelming...but its always"Exciting".... and Dec is also my Birthday...a double whammy of energy and focusing on what I "Want" and what I "have" to do! haha

Anyway...here are some dolls that absolutely must get completed!!! One will be going to Holland to my Over the top...talented friend Marijke van ooijen....she's gotta be "real special"!!! And another is going to Totowa NJ..to my good friend Alison. I grew up with Alison...and when I was 15 she was in a very bad car accident...I made her this plaster decoupaged book with a little girl in it...and 35 years later...she still has it! Sometimes friends are there to remind us of our future dreams and our "now" accomplishments...A never ending story!

So I am also working on an etsy shop where I will sell some dolls and also some sculpting tools and tutorials....Time...hmmm..I guess I'll figure it out as I go along....no big plan! haha (Not that there really is ever a big plan....)

Start of some tiny candies....

Class with Ankie Daanen.....WOW!!!

2011-11-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Trying on some hair...I think this matches her coloring and Freckles!

My Freckled Girl and hands Sculpted in Class "Ankie" style .....

I took a two day class in NY at Gwen and Doris Jackson's House. What an amazing experience...all the way around. I traveled with Heather Brauner...and as soon as we arrived at the Sisters' "huge" newly renovated house...I felt right at home....many sudents stayed in the many rooms on three floors ...Like one huge "Pajama Party" !!!

Then 2 days of working on a doll....I am truley amazed by what I learned and accomplished in that time!!! Something clicked for me upon meeting Ankie...her LOVE for the "doll" form and her undying energy was PURE POSITIVE INSPIRATION!!! I loved being with her and learning more stuff!!!! I purchased her book, and on the back cover....she has written....'Dollmaking, a never ending Story." WOW!!!! aint that the truth!!!?!!

well...when I arrived home...I took my doll head and hands and put them on the counter to admire what i had created...and along comes my most favorite cat in the universe, moon..and "Swats" the one hand...I watch in slow motion as it smashes down on the tile floor...ugh...4 fingers crack off! MOON!!!!!

4 broken fingers on the right hand!@!! First stage of repair!

But...amazingly..I used e6000 and holee!!!! they are stuck! I sanded and now will have to apply a little more paperclay!!! Just another one of life's Lessons!!!

With Ankie....an amazing Experience.....

Ankie brought beautiful dolls....this is My favorite.....

Our Class head sculpts

"Art Is" class photos and a late start to Halloween!

2011-10-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

PUMPKIN HATS made from a marshmallowy bakeable "secret" clay..see below

So a couple of photos of my paperclay doll and embellishing workshop at Art is....This was just a "thrilling" class....everyone worked hard for two solid days...the class was filled with amazing mixed media and doll artists ......and a very talented doll Artist helper, Heather Brauner ........Missy Munroe is not in any of the pics as she left a day early, Sorry Missy!!!

Now on to Halloween....not much time.... no more lolligagging.......but two Pumpkin Girls have been started! My trade this year was a mold and instruction for creating these funky little pumpkins!

The Mold....Amazingly...I found in the Dollar store!!!! An Ice cube tray!!! Wow....best find yet!!! when I bent the tray in half...the stems ended up going in the same direction, creating a 3d pumkin mold. I used a pretty cool clay that i had bought a year ago .... I hated it so I so i tossed it aside. surprisingly it never hardened even though I didnt cover it....what the ???? well I finally read the directions...and what I thought was a marshmallowy air dry clay...is actually a clay THAT MUST BE BAKED....! WOW...IT WORKED BEAUTIFULLY IN THE MOLD AND BAKED SMOOTH AND LIGHT!!! hooray FOR "PLUFFY".... IN THE KIDS CLAY AT MICHAELS!!!! HAHAH

Cindy Lou dolls done!!! ugh!! On to Halloween Dolls!

2011-09-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Suessical Hairdos!

Ready to be tagged...

Completed Candy Hat

Cleaned, brushed and Dyed Mohair

Preparing for Wigging

Finally....ugh!!! Cindy Dolls are completed ready for their tags and bags!...Wigging is a time consuming affair for ten dolls....but I think its really the point where they receive their personalities!!! I mainly use Goat Hair because I love its silkiness and it just seems the most realistic. Hair has always been an Issue for me! Four kids in our family, I was the only one that had this huge head of frizz and curls that grew out and up instead of down! Maybe that is why I take the time to prepare and beautify the hair ...Just a weirdo thing that is important to me!!!

I buy a whole goat fleece...actually many fleeces of different lengths and textures in a natural color after the "shearing" season. I have to separate the matted, dirty, smelly!!! hair into bundles..wash it many times and condition it. I dye the bundles with regular hair color....and then condition again...and de-matt, trim and brush ...what a job!!! But I love the results and the ability to have any color and texture hair on hand.

When the doll is complete, I cover her with plastic wrap and carefully drill the top of her head with my little walnut hollow drill...this is a great drill because it fits in the palm of my hand ...its light and I can control it. after drilling, I coat the raw paperclay with a tacky glue...and then I start to wig her.......

OK!!!! ON TO HALLOWEEN DOLLS!!!

Art Is east coast retreat....Whoville Cindy lou dolls...moving along!!!

2011-09-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Whoville Hats.....

Pinwheel Painted.....

Tiny Shiny Coats and Sparkly Striped Pants

Cindy Dolls painted ...faced up...

Design Established...Hair will be last.....

So Finally!!!... These dolls are moving along at lightening speed. Once I just sit and focus...the ideas flow and the outfit comes together. I thought for sure they'd just hang there for another year...but I seem to work better under pressure...haha (whew!)

Anyway.... I like Candy...so I found these cool swirly mint candy molds (Wilton)....the perfect "TAM" hat for Cindy...When I think of Suess..I think STRIPES!!! and colorful...ugh...

two things that are hard for me...but I was able to put a Pink Candy...glittery shiny "Twist" to the idea...and I'm liking it now. I Powdered up the candy molds and then used paperclay...trying to "hollow" out a head shape in each candy hat. When Dried...I drilled a hole so that the armature wire protruding from the dolls head could go through the hat...the I made tiny whipped cream poufs from the same clay...and drilled a hole halfway through, so that it becomes a cap to the hat...hiding the armature wire.

I Created my jacket pattern...and planned it so that i could fit a wire ring inside the jacket bottom to create a crazy suess-like shape....I then created tiny clay buttons...I started from an Idea my friend Sue Milo had using paper....But I'm "More CLAY"!!! Sue used a tiny embossing folder that has the cutest tiny buttons...she embossed the buttons and punched them out with small circle punches. I really wanted a thicker button...so i tried "CLAY" in the embossing folder ...WHOA! so cool!!! after baking the buttons...I drilled tiny holes with the smallest drill bit and then pushed silk ribbon through, tying a knot....

The Pants were made from plain pink velvet fabric that I Stamped with a neat line stamp painted with acrylic paint...then I sprinkled with fine angel dust glitter....

Next I painted tiny shiny pink pearl ballet slippers...Gold outline...and I'm working on diamond crystal straps....

Back to work till the next post....

Oh MY ....END OF SUMMER...BACK TO BLOG.....

2011-08-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

Working on "Grinches Cindy dolls" My Version!! haha

Well....no good computer down the shore....but its the END of SUMMER and back to blogging......I miss all my DOLL FRIENDS...cant wait to see what everyone is up to!!! Here is whats been going on going on here.....

Getting my paperclay doll class together for Art is 2011, and creating some suessical dolls for this Grand Event!!!!!!!!!! So I'm Creating My Version of the Grinches Cindy charachter in a tiny paper clay doll......All the pants are made...a stretch Velvet in light pink that was stamped with a really cool "stripe" stamp that I have...I used mauvy bright pink acrylic paint...after the stripes dried....I painted a layer of fabric medium over that and then dusted a light coat of light opalescent sparkle...hit it with a heat gun....looks cool....and still stretched right over the dolls legs.....

Her Jacket is a baby pink "SHINY Raincoat " Fabric.....I'll trim it with this funky faux wild fur in white. After all the jackets are sewn...wigging is next....then painting tiny "shiny pink patent leather shoes"!!!!

One of my favorite pictures of Cindy from the Grinch Movie

First coat of paint for 10 dolls!

DAy W Dolls...My Charm making Table.....

Me and Maria DWD

Me and Minnie DWD !!!!

Beginnings of the Grinches Cindy Dolls....Confusing!!!

DAY WITH DOLLS!!!! Our Purple Petal Studio Friends!

Day W Dolls Charm Making Table.....Lots of Fun!

Linda Misa Class

2011-05-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Face Painted...needs a last coat of shine, and "twinkle" in the eye!

Painting in the works, first coat....black! Then Flesh...then shading and color!

I chopped her fabric arms and legs...and did them in paperclay...just hard for me to do fabric! haha

Linda Misa's class Doll...realistic face painting...love that little bird!

The gang!

Class dolls in the works!

Here I am with Linda and one of her wonderful creations....

I had the opportunity to take a two day class with Australian doll Artist, linda Misa.

I traveled with one of my best Doll artist friends, Heather Brauner, to Stephanie Novatskies House. Stephanie is a fantastic cloth doll and mixed media artist..... she wins way too many contests! She has a great Studio...check it out in the pictures.

Wow..Linda was great....A warm and loving teacher, I connected with her as soon as I met her. She was ready to tell all....just a fantastic person and teacher. She taught us her cool painting techniques for a more lifelike face using tones, shadows and blending...something that I really wanted to learn and some day master.

She also showed us a cool bleaching technique to alter any piece of fabric...then continue with painting and free motion embroidery...I'll show that in my next post.....I can only accomplish so much in a day,(well...a couple of days!...hahaha)

I t was a great class with my "family" of doll artist friends....I wish for more times like this one.....

Bunny Rabbit Dolly

2011-04-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Coloring bead caps for joints

She is laughing because she is hiding a pink jelly bean in her hand!

yes...yes...I know its wayyyyy after easter! But The doll was completed ...and I got all caught up in family stuff...easter...a high school senior that may or may not graduate....you know...Silly stuff....that could rip your heart out!!!!

Anyway...I gave the Bunny Dolly to my mom....but I know I will make more animal dollies....it was a cool experience and I didnt have to wig her!!!!

So..jointing the rabbit , this time I doubled the wire...I added a wire going through the arms and the body, (same for the legs) and then added a decorative bead to the outside of the arms, looped the wire with pliers, then clipped...It really holds the arms and legs to the body and is an added embellishment. The bead caps were treated with alcohol inks and gilders paste, sealed with matte varnish spray, to give a cool vintage look. I added pink dots with acrylics to pretty blue beads that i had...

Her jelly bean shoes are made out of soft pink dyed leather, premo polymer clay soles (premo is great for the soles because it is very strong...yet has some flexibility. I

Her clothes were all dyed with an acrylic paint , mixed with fabric medium and a little walnut ink for that "old " look.....you can see all the lace and ribbons ivory...then after dying...how great is that you can use any one of the magnificent cheap craft paints and make all your fabrics match....WOW.... The tiny jelly beans were made from polymer and varnished.

her easter basket is a silk cocoon dyed with acrylic paint...the chocolate chick is a cheapie plastic chick painted brown...then glossed with triple thick ......the grass is paper towels left over from painting everything!!!!

"Art Is" Dr Suess Theme for 2011 Swap

2011-03-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

Original simple polymer sculpt with 2 paperclay "Copies"

10 Heads and 20 arms!

Cindy Lou from the Grinch Movie

Brush your mold with powder, smooth the paperclay into a thick disk

Press the paperclay disk into the mold, Press in the foil "skull"

An easier start to a paperclay doll when creating a "Series"

So it seems that I needed to just dive in and start my "Art Is" swap ornaments. They are due in August...but I know I am a huge procrastinator, and I am trying to change! HAHA. I put all my wire joint doll projects aside to at least start the swap...Now that I have the beginning of 10 Cindy Lou dolls from the "Grinch"......heads, and arms....I have gained momentum, I can actually breath a bit easier...

I knew this would be a lot of work...but the deal is, you make 9 swaps (I made an extra to keep!). When you get to Art Is and you receive your registration "packet", you also receive a package with 8 handmade ornaments (the 9th one goes to Marlene Halveron for The HoneyComb Cottage Project ) How exciting is this...to open 8 handmade gifts, and Know that one of my pieces of art will go to a beautiful human cause! Oh My Gosh! I cant wait..So I"m workin at it, every chance I get!

I am designing the dolls using a picture of Cindy Lou from the "Grinch Movie". This little character inspires me to try and remember to be loving and compassionate even under "not the best circumstances"... I sculpted one simple face from polymer, and then made a mold. This helps me to create 10 dolls a little quicker , for this type of Project. Now.... dont get me wrong...you cant just stick a wad of paperclay and pull it out of the mold and ...Wha lahh! you have a sculpted head! NO...it comes out pretty flat and there is work involved...but at least you have a start, to a doll (for me...the START is the Hardest part!!! ). From there I add bits of clay, building the face up and smoothing it out. AND Then....Its your original doll....you made the original face and mold...so there is No CHEATING involved!!! haha

Cuddling "Moon" while working on 10 faces!

For the head...after lightly dusting the mold with powder, I smooth a piece of paper clay into a disk and fit it into the head mold. I then take a tiny foil "scull" on a piece of armature wire, and push it into the center of the mold (creating a nice solid armature), halfway down into the paperclay. I then pull the clay with the armature out of the mold, and add some more clay to create the back and top of the head, When I get the right shape, I start to add my details and let it dry. I am constantly adding wet clay to the already dry face, perfecting the details. I love the way you can take away and add to paperclay....and after sanding , smoothing and painting...no one really knows what you did, if you were in turmoil, if there is a "fix it" going on, they just see the end result!!!

So now that the heads are completed and smoothed, the arms are created but have to be refined.....then I will create the legs and then the neck/bodices...I think they mill have a ball joint swivel head. I'll have to see how it goes!

Lot of "refining" work, But it"s a start!

To Doll or Not to Doll Today! huh!

2011-02-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

Bead Joints

"Moon" Cat Doll

A Charming Mood!

Hmmmmm..To Doll ...Or Not....! NO...i just have too many crazy ideas flying through my head...so I pulled out ..... a LOT of STUFF to just "Create" ! On Monday...I will be getting together with a group to show them how I created "Girl Interrupted's Charms....and for the Girls to show me some cool "Charm" techniques that they do. I am definately excited for this meeting...because this is what brings together..."The Energy that CREATES WORLDS" !!!!!! Everyone bringing ideas and techniques to the table...I think its the Best kind of meeting.

Today I also pulled out a Tim Holtz Book that I have "moved" around for a while...But today's the Day! This book is SOOO Interesting...Today....(You know what I'm talking about...something has to click before you "SEE IT"......

So, I will play today with whatever I have at hand...(that's a "LOT"! haha) ...and see what I can come up with. I will then use these new charms as inspiration for the doll I have started...but cant seem to continue! I think this will be the boost I need.

The paperclay doll that I started is being bratty...I tried to work in the "IDEA" of a ball joint doll using beads and making a type of Hinge....looks cool right?! haha Well....it doesn't work!! after trying different connection ideas..I chopped them off and and started something more basic..I guess I'll have to do more "Ball Joint" detective work....

I also started a cat...while looking at my "Live Model" MOON (my favorite cat-child in the universe). I love the animals eyes I used...he already looks alive ...even without a mouth!

So these two dolls will remain in a "Coma like" state until I can blow some creative life into them

I started some thin polymer clay sheets (so thin...like paper), stamped. after heating with my heat gun and baking the sheet to a cardboard feel...I used my new tiny punches that I found as leftover valentine merchandise...a tiny wing and elongated heart...whoa!! what a bargain find...this was the only one there! I also cut out some tiny kemper cutter flowers...shaped and texture stamped....and Then started fooling with all kinds of mediums...crackle, triple thick, texture glass....rock candy stickles..acrylics...and my new favorite stuff....Gilders Paste....so here is a starting point...gotta get to work....I'll come back with results and techniques!

Little "Truffle" is done...Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

Tiny Red Valentine boots Designed from my Favorite Boots!

Truffles Peanut Butter cup hat...Top stamped, highlighted and glossed!

Well. its almost Valentines day....and I completed my doll before the holiday! I am usually behind the "eight ball" ......and the doll never gets done in time...but the weather made me just SIT and "BE" ! I am thankful for this lousy cold snowy weather!!!!

So I think this Doll feels like a "Truffle" ....So Be it!! (i think its a cute name....and some day if I ever get a chocolate color cat, I will name her "Truffle" too!)

OK, anyway.....DETAILS!!!! Her Valentine Heart on her dress was "Heart" stamped out of red polymer clay, I cut a hole in the center before baking...then I took all of the tiny candies I made and arranged them to fit snugly inside (That took a good hour and a couple of cracks in the heart because I had to find the right combination for the candies to fit with no spaces..ugh! they are so tiny, I thought I would have a breakdown...

Boot pattern cut from paper towels

Soft Pink Leather painted with RED acrylic

Her RED Boots are my favorite Part of this Doll! I did the boots differently this time...instead of attaching the leather directly to the sole, I made a pointy toed boot cardboard sole first (I made it longer so i got a very fine point that would be able to curl up...(JUST LIKE my FAVORITE cowboy boots that I ADORE!). I then attached my leather pieces (That I had to paint red because I had no RED leather, I sealed with Super Matt spray by Duncan...they actually came out very "worn" ..just what I was looking for!) to that, gluing "UNDERNEATH the cardboard (I usually glue inside the already baked polymer sole...very tricky when something is this Tiny).......Then I made the same pointy sole in polymer, a teensy bit larger, and attached that to the cardboard, then baked the entire shoe...WOW..the boot came together with much more ease....that is not to say that these boots were quick and easy....they took a good part of my day to make...but I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!! haha!

And Finally her Hat...oh my...we tried MANY hats..... But this is the Hat for her!!! It is made from polymer, BY FORMING in a Wilton peanut butter cup candy mold. At first I tried making it look like a peanut butter cup, but it didn't look right with the top not covered in chocolate....and the only way to see the peanut butter would be to take a bite out of it....hmmm, I just wasn't feeling it....I tried to make the chocolate on top sink, but as I was attaching the thin layer of chocolate to the top...it "Pouffed out" and I thought...OMG it looks like a TAM! one of my favorite hats when my daughter was little! Still a little too "plain...so I stamped it with a valentine s word stamp....and i added a tiny bonbon candy to the top.

Leather glued "OVER" a cardboard sole

Valentine Wire Joint Doll

2011-01-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is coming up ...and a doll is half way there! The came fast...But, its what I'm trying to do with her that I am lolligagging around with. I Know what I want to say with this doll...but I sewed all day...and nothing worked...right at the end after I shut my shop light off...an Idea hit me!!!! So I will try again!!! TOMORROW!

For Now...here is how she started and where h is right now. I patina'd the gold findings with Gilders Paste and then matte sprayed them...In my stash, I found "Cool" square beads in the exact same color as the patina and I thought it was a very vintage look.....BUT....when I used the "SQUARE" beads...it limited how far the arms and legs will bend...a round bead works like a ball joint and allows total movement. I had already glued the wires inside the body parts so this is a "Lesson Learned"!!! But she poses just fine...sitting or standing..I would have had just a little more freedom with a round bead.

This Dolls HEAD was done different than girl Interrupted...(her head and bodice were one piece. ) This head was sculpted separately and I made it fit onto the separate neck like a ball joint so it swivels smoothly in all directions. I love this because now the doll can look around...it gives her "Personality" and freedom to be posed.

I also worked on these tiny candies for a couple of hours.....I even made the tiny candy papers...they will become a heart shaped box of candy some how incorporated into the doll...wether she wears it or holds it....only my "spirit guide " knows ...(haha..seriously...)

Charm School!

2011-01-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

So this is the second part of Girl Interrupted....It is the meaning of the doll! She is actually a "Journal" for my daughter who is traveling between being a teenager and an adultt, and getting mixed up along the way in substance abuse. The petals in her dress are Proms and grammar school dances gone by......her leopard kitty dolly and Leopard Boots, are her "Funky" style that I love.....a crown for the "Princess" she truly is! The Handmade Charms are "Tiny stories" of where she has been and what she holds inside.

These charms were created from polymer clay. A lot of my "New charming" experience , came from Amber Dawn, a miniature charm artist and a very good friend (who actually Created a NATIONAL CHARM DAY!!!! Hooray!!!) I used stamps for design,texture...and words. I used all types of mediums including sparkles, acrylics, alcohol inks, ink pads, gilders paste, crackle finish, resin and triple thick, for shine, sparkle, texture and color.

I had found out about Gilders paste from a magazine, and my friend Tery picked them up at a bead show....WOW!!! I quickly ordered them...and I'm loving what they do! (They can be used on all surfaces...)

I used a light cured resin system and I love the beautiful shiny hard domed result that I get. After I "resined-up" some of my charms, I was able to drill holes for my connections, with no problem.

Well, " Girl Interrupted" is compete and its time to "move on" to new dolls!

Some processes of Girl Interrupted

2011-01-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Mezmerized by a found "Charolotte"

As I am working through parts of the doll, I took a few pictures to document some processes. Sometimes a picture is worth a "Thousand Words"!! haha! Really!

So As I tried to Wig this doll, She found a tiny Frozen Charlotte that she became "Mesmerized" with...ugh! She would not let me Wig her!...... (just kidding, I got too tired tonight!)

I Created her crown and Little Boot "Soles" from polymer clay that I ran through the pasta machine. Running it through, gives you a perfectly smooth thin uniform piece of polymer so everything comes out evenly. First, for the crown, I "ink stamp" the clay for color and texture.

I am a "Findings" Freak!

I cut out my crown shape with an exacto using a handmade template place lightly on my stamped clay. I smooth the edges for a "softened" look, then I put the clay around a metal form (piece of 2-4 inch metal tubing). At this point I add wire where ever I want to add beads and crystals. After baking the crown, I loosen it from the form with my exacto. I then layer after layer..blah blah blah..alcohol inks, dry brushed acrylics, crackle medium, triple thick...whatever, then I add my findings and gems!!!! There you have it!

Funky Leopard Boots are about 1/2 size of my pinky!

For my boots, I created the polymer soles with the same type of template...adding an arch...then I shape the fabric around the soles with a PRO tool and my fingers, using fabritac and a lot of "patience"!!! I found the tiniest ever metal lace holders.

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And Kitty doll is complete! Her Crown was created from a polymer clay "Leopard" Cane...(taught to me by Amber Dawn...Miniature extraordinaire!!!!) decked with diamond Crystals. She has a Leopard mohair sweater from fabric that was given to me by my very dear friend, Mary Louisa Klawetter...Its very special, so I only use it for tiny things so it "Lasts"!!! haha and Moon (a naked pink sphinx cat) , My inspiration for Kitty Doll....Loves to "Eat" Tulle...Now I have to hide this doll in the cabinet......

Jewel Joints and Bloomers

Art IS paperclay doll...moving along!

2010-12-31T17:44:00.000-08:00

I am so inspired right now...By everything around me...So many Ideas that I want to put out into this doll...Now I am in the home stretch and I'm getting siked to Wig her. But I have to get her outfit together...then i will know how her hair should fall. Sometimes it just works out like that!

I have "Jewel jointed her with metal findings , stones and shimery beads. She really is poseable and even a little "dangly"!!!!!

I have a ton of "Vintagy" fabrics ,ribbons, and Doo dads that I am "Auditioning".

I had beautiful tiny vintage Crepe roses that I tea stained that I will definately use on her....They look "old" but "Pretty"......

"GIRL iNTERRUPTED "2011 "Art is" paperclay doll

2010-12-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

I am late with my my 2011 "Art is" doll....but she is coming along!

She is a full paperclay doll consisting of separate body parts that are wired together with gems and findings. HER BODY WAS CREATED FROM A FOIL CORE AND COVERED WITH PAPERCLAY. THIS IS MY FIRST SCULPTED BODY...SO IT IS A BASIC SHAPE. BUT I want her to be a "doll" and not a "sculpture" ! Her Wired joints can bend and her legs and arms "DANGLE"!

This little girl will have a "KITTY DOLLY" ...The kitty is also a tiny FOIL CORE with WIRE and PAPERCLAY sculpted over the FORM. Her arms and tail are separate on wire so they can move. She will be sanded smooth and shiny, painted and I'm "seeing" a vitage dress on her!!! haha After she is pulled together...I have silky "lama" hair washed and brushed waiting for her to be WIGGED!!! and then on to the CROWN and COSTUME!!!

Wow I better blog!!!!! Merry christmas!

2010-12-20T15:44:00.001-08:00

Wow, I think I am coming alive again...gotta blog this week...Anyway...Merry Christmas....I ll post the start of some new dolls this week! Colleen

ART IS "You" Tiny paper clay doll class and Pictures of Art Is

2010-10-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Miss Minnie and Barbara

JUDY!

Dolls drying after being sealed with Super Matte Spray

Really Focusing! Miniaturist Naomi in the center

Missy and Sylvia

Well, Art is you has come and gone! What a wild ride!!! It was fantastic...and I'm still all confused now that I'm home! I have seen so much inspiration....learned so many new techniques ...found out about new tools and gadgets and doo-dads! A Billion new art friends! It's hard to get back to "reality"!!!

But the Tiny Doll 2 day class went great! Everyone created a doll....and the girls were so excited that they could hold it in their hands....and admire these tiny works of art! Each one of the dolls took on life and I am so proud of everyone, especially for the girls that have never made a doll, or worked with paperclay. This was one of the best experiences I have had making dolls and doing art !!!

Class Working Hard...Christina creating her first Doll!

Joyce Creating her Ballerina Fairy!

Mary working in Keith LoBues class

Keith Lobue Metal etching class WOW!

Sallianne "Acting out"!

"Glinda"....ugh I mean Kecia!

Suze Weinberg..Encaustic class....So Cool!

Teri in Suze's Class...So Happy!

Pamela Huntingtons Tiny fairy book class (this is her book!)...Fantastic

BonBon Baby auction Doll for the babyface Foundation

Glinda Girl...Good Witch Completed for Art IS You East Coast Retreat!

2010-10-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Glinda Girl is complete....She is a Vintage Fairy doll....she is a little bigger than my usual 5 inch dolls...I "d say 8 inches...I think I can get a little more detail easier with this size in paperclay. She has a lot of Vintage pointy back crystals and findings that I have found on Ebay....I love finally using some of my "Hoarded finding purchases" ....Most of the time...after I buy them...I don't use them because I'm afraid I'll use them up...ok...so when "DO" I use them??!.....I think this is a "sickness"........

Her hat was created using this cool form that Jimmy thought of ...a wine aerator ! It helped me to form the perfect witch hat from polymer clay. While the clay was on the form, I pressed a pretty stamp into it, then after baking...I dry brushed with acrylic paint, then used a gold rub-on and Gold leaf pen...tiny vintage pointy back crystals were glued in place with Gem tac by beacon....i love this product !

Her Wings were wire-shaped on a pegboard, glued to a shimmery wrapping paper that was hit with a heat gun. I painted them with 2 part resin...then added metal findings, gems and no hole beads. We will be creating this type of wing in my "Embellish The Doll" Class on Sunday.....

ANY way...the countdown is on....Wed. I hit the road for Connecticut and I cant wait till I get to my hotel ,,,this is the first time I have ever attended ,an Art RETREAT!!! I can barely "contain" myself!!!

ART IS "You" ................................... ALMOST HERE!!!

2010-10-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

WOW..I have been waiting a year for this! and its happening next week!!! I'm leaving for Art IS YOU the East Coast Retreat for 6 days!!!! WOOHOO......nothing to do but "Create
" ...well....Eat too! and be with my Art friends, and meet new art friends.......Learn techniques....Teach what I have learned on my journey so far......

I am teaching my "Tiny paperclay dolls" class for two days...The Class is titled "LULLABY LEAGUE" Day One, Create the doll....Day two, Embellish the doll.

A lot of work...organizing the class...making my books and kits...but it was also exciting....and I cannot wait to see what everyone does in class....

I am also taking a mixed media tiny book class, and metal classes...Patina and Etching! I'm thinking metal crowns....maybe wings...or maybe just embellishments for hang tags....

I dont know how I'll fit all of this in my car...and I have a bigger 4 door jeep wrangler...but man...Its going to be tight....

The Witch is a doll that I'm working on for the theme of Art Is...Wizard of OZ...She's like Glinda...she needs her final embellishments.....

Heathers Doll, AmberDawn"s Charm Class

2010-09-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

Many things have been happening...but not enough time in the day to blog!

First.... I attended a Charm class That was held by Amber Dawn at the purple Petals studio....

Heather traveled with me into NY and we spent 5 hours of learning techniques , and putting together some really cool charms! It was great to just be together and be creative ! Here are two types of charms that we made...Tiny pocketbooks that were really tiny little books inside! And tiny keys with itsy bitsy polymer roses. ThaT Amber Dawn .....What a "Charm Guru"!! haha! ...billions of ideas and techniques just flowing out of her soul....when you leave, you are kind of "recharged" with new inspiration!

And then there is Heather's New Doll! A very beautiful "Classy" fairy. I LOVE this Doll... I LOVE her Leopard Velvet outfit with leather jacket and shoes! Everything on the doll is done to "Perfection"!

Halloween is coming!

2010-08-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

Top Hat Girl with a "Halloweenie on a Stick"

So I am really rolling with this years Halloween dolls....Top Hat girl is almost done...I have to finish her "Little "Halloweenie on a Stick" baby! The babies hat is a dyed silk cocoon and it will be more designed like a pumpkin....it also needs to be "stepped up a bit" with embellishments and silk ribbons!

She is paperclay really sanded and polished smooth ....with a soft body that has a new "Cool" armature inside...My friend Heather Brauner, Dollmaker Perfectionaire!!! taught me last week...I love it...you kind of build a little "cage" on the body...it shapes the body better...and the clothes seem to lay nicer! THANKS HEATHIE!!! Check out Heathers site from my favorite blogs list. I will post a picture of this armature next post for the next doll.

Her top hat was made from premo clay over a wide metal tube to create its shape..., I "triple thicked" it to match her Shiny Patent leather shoes! This hat was inspired by my good friend Cindy Sowers...Millinery Extrordinaire! You can check out her site in my favorite blogs List....A Dolley A Day! (Love that name.....)

Chickie Corn Girl is complete...her clothes are Tea, Coffee, cinnamon stained, and her hair is wild and has braids and fabric strips weaved into it!

Her Chickie Corn hat and all of the hanging chickie corns are made from yellow, orange and ivory polymer clay. Her Trick or treat pumpkin is a silk cocoon dyed orange, and decorated with vintage findings ..... I decopauged a "Tiny" vintage picture I found on the internet..My Very Creative friend, Sue Milo (from the Milo Files!) gave me the idea after we both decided the pumpkin was sweet...but Boring! That extra step made the pumpkin come to life..Thanks Sue!

Last Bon Bon Babe Chocolate! Start of Halloween Dolls!

2010-08-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

I completed the last Bon Bon Babe...she is a Chocolate Bon Bon! The striped fabric reminds me of a fancy candy wrapper, the ones that are twisted on both sides ...so I tried to make her have a Puffy "Wrapper" type dress. I stamped a tiny harlequin design with distress ink on pale yellow fabric, and it appeared gold and matched the striped dress....Like A "miracle" ! Stamps are such a cool tool...allowing you to design your own fabric!

Her Chocolate hat was formed with two tools.... I found a kids PLAY DOUGH set with some cool "sweets" molds. One of them was this candy with a "Dallop" shape on top. I put a sheet of chocolate colored clay in the mold, and then used one of my "Cupper" balls to squeeze the clay and form this perfect little hat! I used Texture squeeze paint for the chocolate drizzle...then glossed it with Triple thick...adding tiny handmade polymer candies and a silk ribbon bow.

She has "Candy jointed arms too! I created two strawberry topped chocolate beads in between two filigree bead caps...I added some silk ribbon to match her dress.

And now its time to start some Halloween fairies! I pulled out all of my halloween prints, I tea stained most of them for a "Vintage " feel.... I found a very cool piece of Vintage Black and Orange striped Velvet ribbon...I can't wait to use it!

Bon Bon Babes!

2010-07-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

I have been working on these dolls for my upcoming class at purple Petals studio this Saturday. They are Bon Bon Babes! The little girl with the pink cupcake hat is complete. I like this little doll because she seems different than what I usually do. For her, I used a picture of a japanese doll that i liked. She doesn't look like the picture.....but I liked using a "Guide"! It really helped keep me on track of making the features small...it kind of gently "Nudged" me..."NOW Col.. , do those lips look as "HUGE" as you are making them!!? " haha!

Anyway...She is paperclay over foil and wire armature. The bottom of her cupcake hat was made from a mold that I made from a little rubber tart I found for $ 1.00...how cool is that?...and the top is clay that I sent for from japan that is like whipped cream, and then painted with acrylics and "topped" with Texture glass medium! Well, its not as easy as they make it look...that little "dallop" of whipped cream took me about 3 hours to get it to look the way that I want. I will have to ask Miss Amber Dawn, "sweets extraordinare" for an easier way!

Amber has inspired me to create the next doll....She is just in the idea stage, auditioning hair and clothes, but she'll definately wear the "Chocolate" hat... The Hat was created over one of my wooden cuppers, then I used gallery texture paint to do the chocolate drizzle, then glossed the chocolat up with Texture Glass. She is a chocolate Bon Bon...and she will have a lot of tiny candies on her outfit. I made the tiny candies (below) from polymer clay, but they are not glossed yet!

I still have to make many more !

Dolls in progress for class

2010-06-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching Tiny Dolls at the Purple Petals Studio in Maspeth NY on July 10th and 11th , with the help of A fabulous Cloth and Clay Doll Artist Heather Brauner. Last week, Heather and I got together to create some new dolls for the class......Heather is actually working on a tiny "Prim" doll that will be crackled! Cant wait to see her completed!

So these are my 2 new Tiny paperclay Fairy dolls for the "occasion"!!! I think they will be "sweets" dolls inspired by Talented Polymer Clay Artist Amber Dawn! Amber makes "Amazing" miniatures and charms...lots of beautiful Tiny "sweets" and cupcakes..Yum! I have taken polymer caning and sweets classes from Amber, and I will try to apply some of what she taught me to these dolls. I'll see what happens!!! haha!

I found some great fabrics that remind me of taffy and chocolate and Caramel....Mmmmm!

I have included some of the steps we will be going through to create The Tiny Paperclay dolls . I'm So looking forward to this class!!! These New York girls are Creative and Fun to work with! Dori, the owner of the Studio, and "Charm Girl" Amber Dawn will also be Participating ...how cool is that!?

A Tiny Doll from Polymer...

2010-06-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, I Taught a small group the tiny Mixed Media doll in polymer clay ...I normally do the doll in paperclay, The girls thought it might be easier for them...so I changed some things around and I really like how the doll body worked out.

I made the same head /Bodice armature from foil , but I added a complete wire skeleton. In my paperclay dolls...I would always just build the arms and legs on wire, and push the wires into the stuffed cotton body. They were more "leaners"! Now the doll can do a full pose! Also, This doll was done with a 2 way stretch fabric that slipped over the wire skeleton, with the arms and legs completed...it was then stuffed......see photos.

I completed my doll and she has a tiny Wish Fairy" with her. I Embellished the doll with teeny tiny roses out of polymer clay that I covered with Texture Glass Medium...they actually look "encased" in glass"! I love this stuff!! I learned how to make these teeny little roses from Amber Dawn . The minute I laid eyes on Amber's teeny tiny roses..I knew I would want to incorporate her technique into a doll...

I actually had a problem with her arms being out of proportion after I put her together...so I cut the baked arms in half, taking some length away...I was able to slip the arms off of the wire and attach fancy BEAD CAPS , then adding a rose...making a "pretty" JOINT!

Her Wings were shaped from wire, I used tissue paper and 2 Part Resin...adding glitter..then I gave it a coat of Texture glass...

Her crown is polymer clay with gems, clay roses and metal findings...tinted with alchohol inks, gel rub ons, and my new favorite Tim Holtz, distressed rock Candy!

Her ballet slippers are velvet and silk ribbons.

A Day with Doll Artist Lillian Alberti

2010-06-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I was able to have my good friend Lillian Alberti, AKA "Lilliano" , come to my shop to reconnect, talk "Art" and work on our on going projects.

Lillian is working "Fast and Furious" making paper clay dolls, and Teaching all over the states ! I was so happy when she was able to "Carve out" a little time to come over and "Play"!!!

The Day was fantastic, and Lillian ALWAYS inspires me with her dolls that "Tell a story" ..they make the viewer feel certain emotions. Her doll's "Eyes" and "Fingers" really talk to me !

See Lillian's dolls in progress....Her Alice, has a Rabbit jumping into the hole, with his back end and the perfect little velvet jacket sticking out...it really makes you feel like you see him jumping down the hole! (unfortunately I did not capture that in my picture.)
..but you can see the doll on her website www.A-lil-whimsy.com !

Also visit her blog cottagehill you can click on her blog from the sidebar on this blog under "My Absolute Favorites".

Making Leopard Canes with Amber Dawn

2010-05-23T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, last week was another "mini" class at the Purple Petals Studio in New York! Myself, Tery and Heather took the trip into the city to learn more Claying Techniques from Amber Dawn. Amber was ready to teach us whatever our little hearts desired!!!

I forgot that I mentioned to her that I would love to learn creating Leopard Print in clay.....As Amber took out her clay and samples of work...Something "UNBELIEVABLE" caught my Eye! O M G! TEENY TINY Leopard print made from polymer!!!~ I didnt believe that that was possible...How did she make it look like Leopard...How did she get it so tiny??? The possiblities of using this in my doll making was making my heart race...Crowns, shoes, ...blah blah blah...So she is asking us...so what do you want to do? and I'm looking at everyone like..."Nah I dont want to do leopard...Right!!!!!!!??? Every one loved it...and they all agreed...We had the best day learning this designing/reducing technique! I was High when I left there...It felt like I received a very "Cool" Gift!

This is how the Design started...and these tiny pieces are what we ended up with! We all worked on this print together..Wow! I love it!

We all created Beads in class, and Amber gave me the two samples she made....see the picture . I made the tiny pocketbook charm when I got home after Amber showed us her pocketbook making technique....it is very small...like a Penny!

We will be getting together with Amber Dawn to learn more techniques next month!

Tiny Polymer Mixed Media Doll Class...More Milo Files!

2010-05-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday, Our "Secret" group met and created new "Milo files"......I had the pleasure of teaching the group my TINY Fairy Mixed Media dolls, but in Polymer (most of my tiny dolls are paperclay). Heather has sculpted, but never this tiny...and Doreen and Sue have never sculpted with polymer., both of them are new to dolls! Everyone felt that they would do better in polymer. I agreed that polymer takes detail easier, but PAPERCLAY CAN ALSO BE EASY IF YOU USE LESS DETAIL IN SCULPTING, AND USE MORE "PAINTERLY" DETAIL. IN THE END, WHICH EVER MEDIUM YOU ARE WORKING IN.. IT IS EASY AND FUN TO CREATE A TINY MIXED MEDIA DOLL!!!!!
These are the two dolls that I am working on with the class. The larger one was the first doll created..and it literally "Crackled when I baked it. I had such a hard time with the first batch of clay...after this happened ..I threw out the clay...maybe it was old!? I never ran into this before...so I started on the second one (to the left) and I like her much better, she is tinier and has nicer detail. Maybe I will try and crackle that first doll as suggested by Heather! hmmm! maybe she will work out after all!

The crown was created for the second tinier doll...I 'll try and incorporate the vintage black and white Diamond design into her outfit. This picture doesnt show the correct color of the diamond design...It is worn out black and pearl white!

I arrived at Sues with some sample dolls as a guide for size, and also a kit for each Person! The kit contained the conditioned clay .... (I used Prosculpt with Bisque Cernit mixed in for a soft yet blendable clay.), pre made foil head/bodice armatures, "SKIN" fabric, Prepared Silky Mohair, Eyelashes and Triple thick for glossing the eyes and lips, shoes...

Of course we had a little bit of "Christmas" first!! Doreen made beautiful beaded bracelets for everyone...gifts of "Crafting items" were flying around and Sues daughter Carol even stopped by and gave each of us a beautiful handmade Beaded ring! What an "INSPIRING" day!

Anyway, after much Chattering about Techniques and Products the class really went great!...and in a few hours everyone was able to bake their fairy head and bodice. I showed them how, after baking...small changes can be made by carefully smoothing on a little clay and rebaking! I usually use this technique to change the lips ,nose, or an uneven cheek without it being visible.

Next Week we will create the arms, legs and soft body, and put the doll together. Woohoo! cant wait!

There are also some Pictures of the First part of this class, Tiny hats and crowns. See the picture of everyones completed creations! WOW!

Make and Take a SUCCESS!! haha!!!

2010-05-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

So , Here we are at the Shephard valley Creamery doing the BIG FREE Make and Take!!! WOW LOTTA WORK!!!! I created the two different sheep for kids to create at the shearing festival on Saturday! All week long I sewed a hundred tiny felt Sheep bodies, got my supplies together..and made my PLAN!!

My friend Heather said that she would come and help, ..I was doing this on my own, so I welcomed her. WELL!!!! THANK GOD!!!! All the plannung I did, could never have prepared me for the Day!!!

When we arrived, the creamery offered us a wonderful talented helper, she is a 12 year old "Sprouting" artist..we could not have done it with out her!

" WOW....tons of kids...every kid that walked by wanted to make the "Tiny Lamb dolls" Oh, and so did their PARENTS!!! Once the ball got rolling there was no turning back...Heather was on her game...and she Quickly made new rules!!! I dont remember even seeing faces or bodies after a while..just tiny hands...with glue and sheep hair flocking stuck to them!!!

All in all it was a fantastic experience and it was a thrill to introduce ART to childeren..

Purple Petals...Amber Rose Miniatures...Tweener TECHNIQUES!

2010-04-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

Well its been a busy 2 weeks with a lot going on and Nothing getting DONE!!! I guess it was a "TIME OUT" for technique learning!

Last week I took at class at the PURPLE PETALs STUDIO in Maspeth NY with my friend Heather! We Took a Minitaure Class with Amber Rose. Amber is a Minature artist extrordinaire...creating the most beautiful charms from clay and mixed media. We learned a "skinner" blend and how to create beautiful shades of color blending into each other for petals and leaves. All of the work with clay for dolls...we were the "dummies of the class!!!"...There is a whole "Other" clay world out there!!! So much to explore...not enough time to create it all!!!! See some of the pictures.....Of course I came up with some vintage Treats and pillows with the tiniest flowers that are my favorite thing that Amber taught me....They will probably adorn my next couple of dolls!!! The picture of the mixed minies are Ambers beautiful inspirations..... There is a picture of Amber Rose teaching, and also of Dori, The Fantastic creative Owner of the Purple Petals Studio!

Also happening soon is my "Make and Take GIG" at the shepherd Valley creamery on Saturday may 8th. I will have a set up there, doing a make and take for kids to make tiny sheep dolls....the picture are my samples of what we will do....The little sheep is sculpted from clay ...cover in sheep hair and painted. The other is a sewn felt body using the same technique.

And One last thing I did this week, was bought a couple of the Tim Holtz Sizzix dies and created a bird cage charm. Of course it was too big for me...so I cut it out of Shrinky dink...dyed it with some alcohol inks , stamped it..."vintaged" it up with some metallic rub-on colors AND SHRUNK it...Added some worn findings...! Of Course, My Bird is OUT of her cage!!! A "Sagg" is always working on "being FREE!!" Its pretty cool looking and its "just my size"!!!

Mixed Media doll From the Milo Files!

2010-04-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

This Sunflower girl is My Flat Doll. She is a mixed media doll made of fabric that was painted with acrylics, I added paperclay to the flat head, I crackled and stained parts of her, she has metal wings that were cut and textured on the sissix, then patina'd, and her arms are jointed with jewlery end caps treated with alchohol inks! Her skirt and bra are made from a piece of vintage lace that was literally "dissentegrating"...but I wanted to preserve its past...so I treated it with "Porcelain petal", then sprayed with a sealer...its delicate...but it is keeping the fabric "ALIVE" forever!!! Her head has tiny polymer flowers that I cut out from my tiny cutters that i have in my ebay store...they were painted and stained...gems were added!

So...the Milo files are stories from an"underground" creative group that I have joined...We meet on tuesdays and the creativity in the group lies in the "UNKNOWN"!!!...

You never know if it will be every Tuesday...or once or twice a month! You dont know what you'll eat there...sometimes a can of soup....sometimes "homade Lasagne and meatballs....(Delicious! MMM!)

You dont know what the next project will be, and you NEVER know what you will GET there!!!

Theres creative goodies being passed around from all of the members...its almost like "christmas" on Tuesdays!!! haha!!!

BUT Seriously...a small group have been getting together and "JUST CREATING" at Sue Milo's house! All Members Share their "specialties" and teach the group....!!!!

The First week, Doreen taught Soldering charms....The second week Sue taught the "flat Doll" that she made from a pattern from cloth, paper, scissors... The beautiful flat dolls on the board were Sue's Creations that inspired this class!

This week was my week to teach "crowns"!!! We had a great day...and I will have pictures of the crown after out next "Secret meeting"!

There is a shot of Sue's beautiful Studio...every thing is in its place..Really!!! Also, there is a picture of the sugar scrub that she created (PINK!!!) she made the labels too!! ...WOW!

It was a great day, that ended at Michaels finding new TREASURES by "Sculpey" and Lisa Pavelka products!!!! YEA!!!

Wendy Froud Workshop

2010-04-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

I attended a Wendy Froud Worshop in New York, at the Purple Petals Studio, this past weekend...WOW!!! It was a 3 day workshop on creating a "creature"...I wanted to take a class with Wendy...but i was a little "afraid" of the "creature" thing! I thought about just doing a pixie or fairy...and I was told Wendy would accomodate that...but then I thought about it. Get into a new mindset,,,TRY it!!OPEN a NEW DOOR....So I did and I was amazed at all of the fantastic techniques that I learned from Wendy and Toby! They are both amazing and giving artists!

I'm very excited to try again and be a little more "BRAVE"! haha I worked off of a picture of my child, ugh!! I mean my "cat" moon.. I still have to dress him..The almost completed doll is just "DRAPED" with some fabrics..to try and get an idea for an outfit.

I met so many new friends that are very talented artists..Sherry put the class together and took care of everything, she was great...and I dont think everything would have flowed without her.

Leapord Girls!

2010-03-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

This was a hectic two weeks. Every time I tried to work on something I had to get out of my shop for rediculous things, like make dinner...or pick up a kid...or SHOP Rite...UGH!

Anyway...I got through my two leapardy dolls. "GOT THROUH" means I forced myself. I loved making their crowns and painting them leapord...they are my favorite crowns to date because I'm so excited about the new painting techniques that I am learning. (I also made Tiny square polymer buttons and painted the "tiniest" leapard print on them...then added a tiny diamond to each one.) But i sculpted these two faces a couple of months ago...and I think I have changed since then...so I think it was hard to make these two dolls work....They are "nice" thats about it Just not WOWed!!! ...haha! (feeling critical!)

Check out the dolls...Actually, the little boots i did one step crackle on...I do love how "Vintage Old" they look...I will definately use this technique more. I guess each new doll...you learn something different!

Now that I completed them...I am excited for the next new faces..that I already have in my head.! They will be my "SWEETS" dolls......

Painting Leopard...being Inspired

2010-03-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today I had a get together with my friend Lillian Alberti...alias...LILLIANO! She is a wonderful teacher...now traveling to different places to "do her "LIL BIT of Whimsy"! So I cherish the time I get to spend with her! ....I thought I was going to her...but I believe she had "cabin fever" and came by me!! Then a phone call came in...long story short, my friend Heathie came over too. We just all worked on our own things.

My "thing" was inspired by Lilliano...who created the most beautiful leapord slippers for her "Princess and the Pea" doll.....I couldnt believe she painted them. I really wanted to learn that ...because painting is a bit of a struggle for me...and I'm a "Leapord Freak"...I hoard anything Leapord...and now she opened my world up...OK...JUST PAINT IT!!! then , I have FULL CONTROL..I can make anything leapord! Oh my gosh...THAT IS INSPIRATION! So I worked hard (taking as many tips from Lilliano as I could)...while we all worked and talked "ART"!! haha I am very happy with what I accomplished today (i'll keep at it until i get my "perfect" leapord print)... I have an Idea for a Leapord crown to go with this tiny dolls little leapord pants i made from my painted fabric....so i'll see what happens for this doll!

It was Fantastic to have this "Creative" get together With Lillian...she teaches me that you can " create" anything in your head with what is "on hand"...and I teach her to open the box and find "more stuff" to use!!! haha

And Heathie is also a BIG inspiration to me...she excells in anything that she tries...she is great with Fabric and needlesculpting...and also with clay..

Tweener work for the next doll!~

2010-02-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

So...I was feeling like I was in the need of trying some already learned and some New techniques. I Want my next doll to incorporate a technique that I have to learn ...and Then I'll apply that technique to the doll.

I Finally got to watch a bunch of DVDs that I ordered! I really picked up a lot of cool things. The Four that I really loved were by Beryl Taylor, Ruth Rae, Tim Holtz, and Angie Scarr.

I am only in the beginning stages, right now...I started by creating a bunch of Fabric papers, with muslin, tissue papers, colorful napkins, and some Vintage ephemera that I had. I coated some old book pages and a part of my handmade papers with 2 part resin...to make this very cool..glass like paper, the book pages actually came out translucent shiny...I want to cut that into shapes with my sizzix, then add stitches and findings.

I tried the very cool technique of heating thin pices of polymer with my heat gun...and then using a paper punch to cut designs. I took this a couple steps further...by rolling thin sheets of clay, dusting with perfect pearls, then texturizing with stamps, some inked ....then baking so that its hard and flexible. I punched my desings...then used more perfect pearls, rub on colors, paint pens..then glossed them with triple thick...I love the embellishments you can create with this simple cool technique!

I found the best paper punches that also have matching stamps (3 designs) that snap right onto the punch, so you dont lose them...the stamps really add depth to the clay design...These were Martha Stewart paper punches..WOW!

Tiny Fairy complete....

2010-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

This tiny fairy is now costumed and complete! She has organza that was melted into layered flowers on her skirt and pants. The top part of her skirt was an old shirt of mine that i tea dyed, and her shirt was gold and ivory ..also tea dyed...after I put the outfit together...It didnt work for me..., so I used a tiny brush and acrylic paint to add the pink to the shirt..., then I made some tiny clay flowers, dusted with perfect pearls...they were glossed and I added pink crystals.

Her boots were painted that same mauvy pink as the shirt ... adding ivory polka dots..glossed them and added crystals. Her tall crown is made of polymer, stamped for design and texture , dusted with perfect pearls ...metal findings and wires for holding gems were added before baking.

A Tiny Sad Fairy!!

2010-02-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

This new fairy is very small...she is a little smaller than the tiny dolls...She turned out kind of sad and she seems to be "longing" for something (hmm ..the accessories may express that) ...so I'm going with it!!! I was able to really smooth her parts out nicely sanding with a medium sponge, then sand/smooth with my micro sanding cloths at 400, 600 and 1200 grit (i am now selling them on ebay )!

Her Hair is natural lama hair ..not Dyed, its very soft and wispy..

I have put together some vintage Fabrics. and i found this weirdo fur scarf at a flea market last summer...maybe it will be the collar of her dress..... I will costume her over the weekend.

I want to paint pink/mauvey boots with tiny polka dots...i'll see what happens!! I'm thinking the Amber wings are going to go better with this idea now....
The wings i have with her...are too sparkly for this sullen fairy

News Board : February, 2010 - Art Is...You - The East Coast Art Retreat

2010-02-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Check out Art is...My classes are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday!

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

News Board : February, 2010 - Art Is...You - The East Coast Art Retreat

Wings ...Day 2!

2010-01-27T17:32:00.000-08:00

So I "Worked" on wings again today. I went in many different directions...and failed a couple of times...but now I feel like I'm getting "Some where else"!!!!

The rust thing worked so cool...In the morning...there were small rust spots on the wire that I treated last night...but I remembered reading ..Apply in thin coats...to get a heavier effect. So I did one more coat...and I LOVE what it looks like. I now have a "Rusty old pair of wings" from a fairy that has been lost out in the elements for years and years! I found this crinkled mat shimmer type paper that was for making bows...cheap stuff... I glued it to the rusty frames and hit it with the heat gun...maybe because it was cheap...It tightened smoothed in an instant..leaving those tiny crinkles all around the edges next to the wing frame, but remaining So Crystal Clear everywhere else!

I dont know if I really captured it in the pictures, but the wings look like rusty old window frames...with that old looking glass that has "Frost" on the edges because its so "fridgid" out! These are my favorite wings...because I keep seeing these old windows to some old forgotten place!

Then I did a "shimmer" pair that I am pretty happy with...The frames were wired around a wing design that i took from a wing art cd printed on a clear plastic sheet (its 4 seperate wings wired together.... I then used Ranger Gold alcohol ink mixative to color the wire...It gives it a more Matte metallic look. I used the sheets of angelina glued to the frame and "zapped" with heat! Then metal findings were also colored with the gold after being attached. I coated the wing with Triple thick closs coating. After drying...I added gems...Actually its still not dry...I just had to finish them! hahah!

Workin' on Wings!!!

2010-01-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

OK...so I have a ton of information on wings...But when i started to work on them...well...NOTHING was working! I began this wing thing frustrated...BUT then I started to flow!! I saw a picture of these wings done in a cool book called Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton. The Wings were shaped with wire...then tissue paper was glued on the back..and then they were dipped in resin. So I startted working on them...I didnt like the tissue paper idea...so i used angelina in a sheet...i cut around the edges after gluing...then hit it with the heat gun...it tightend the sheet around the wire, putting a few "pretty " holes in the wing and , pearlized it! I took my wings a little farther and added some ornamental metal findings...I used two part resin , and then finished it off with vintage diamonds. These wings are for a tiny doll..now I will base her clothing around the wings.

I did the second pair...wiring them also...but instead of the resin, i used triple thick glaze....

and for the third pair...I did not wire veins...I dipped the wing with findings glued in place, in melted Utee ...then after hardening, I added one more set of findings and diamonds .

The last pair is in progress...and this is the one i'm most excited about! I read in the Jan/feb issue of somerset studio, an artist that uses a metal paint...and then a solution to rust it, and she uses it on most all surfaces...i'm thinking of vintage worn wings and crowns...ugh!!! the possibilities!!! I was on a mission, where do i find this stuff...i go back to the magazine...she DOESNT TELL!!! hmm...where...then ...i'm thinking...hey wait a minute...i think i have something like that...i search my shop...where is that stuff??! FINALLY....I find it...I got it in the city last year...and never tried it...I got iron, bronze and copper metal paints...and green, blue, and aging dark patinas!!! hahahaha so I tested it on a bad wing and a piece of clay!!! OMGOSH...it works...I have rust!!! so I wired a new shape wing and painted them...dried the paint...and then put the solution on and left it for tonight to "RUST"!!! I think these are going to be Very Cool wings....

Lillian Alberti Paperclay Doll Armature Class

2010-01-18T16:51:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! This weekend I hosted an armature class by Lillian Alberti at my house ! It was a fantastic weekend, we learned so many valuable techniques to creating a good strong armature. And we learned tips on celluclay and its ability to build up the armature, then finally covering it with a thin layer of paperclay.

Everyone stayed for the weekend... we ate good food, inspired each other.....and worked late into friday and saturday night!

This is a picture of Lillians mouse dolls that she just completed! I love these dolls, they really are perfection...she made the little cakes too!

Also, Lillian with my "Moon", he is a "naked" sphynx...some day I will make a little doll with "moon's" head!

Lillian was a great teacher, she was patient and just so inspiring! I really appreciate her art and her ability to share her knowledge........

Lullabye League Body Parts Completed Today!

2010-01-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

Today I got some time in to sand and paint the arms and legs of these tiny dolls. I painted them with Hannie Sarris paints...this gives such a beautiful finish....I do love the easy coverage this paint gives. I then sprayed the parts with Duncan super matte spray. It goes on shiny...but dries to a beautiful soft matte finish.

I sewed up two tiny bodies using a very easy pattern I created to fit perfectly into the paperclay upper bodice that I sculpt for these dolls...I Hollow the center of the bodice out, leaving a short armature wire that goes into a small opening at the top of the fabric body.

I Hot glue the two parts snugly together.

Heads and bodices complete !

2010-01-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today I worked on the other two "Lullabye League " dolls.....I sanded...painted and Wigged them. I gave them a soft shimmery look by dusting them with this pretty pink Channel face powder that I had...(Even after i sprayed them with super matte by Duncan) I think they will fit this group..They are gazing...which is "A Good Thing"...I needed them to be a little more "graceful" than the last set of dolls....I feel like I accomplished that...and hopefully they will come "Alive " when I dress and Embellish them!

In This second picture I have competed their wigs...the first picture, I wet the mohair down and back...Training it a bit...then with some spraygel ...after it dried...I brought it forward in nice waves!

Lullaby League dolls moving along!

2009-12-31T15:32:00.000-08:00

Moving along smoothly...I think it's the full moon! I'm on my last 2 dolls of the "lullaby League" Fairys from the wizard of OZ! I'm working on these dolls for the ART-IS retreat 2010. I completed the first doll...but the other two dolls that I origally started for this threesome...did not look like "lullabye Leaguers"!! haha But I think these two will be perfect. Sometimes I cant tell untill after I paint and Wig them....sometimes they Just want to be something else....

I also have completed four other head/bodices of Munchkin Fairies that will be part of this "Series".

On the top Picture..I have sanded one of the faces..and the other one needs to be sanded. You can see the big difference, that sanding the paperclay makes.

Merry Christmas SCOTT!!!

2009-12-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

WHEW! I did it! Finished my brother Scott's "Daddy Doll" on Christmas eve...by the skin of my teeth!! But I was very happy with the finished doll....When i picked it up...it was soft and cuddly and the picture I used of my dad from his childhood really came to Life!. This doll is a symbol of the Love my dad gave to all of his children. He worked so hard, and yet he "played" with us and all of the neighborhood kids loved...JOE! He was always funny...even in church...when the collection basket came around, and he had to give each of us four kids a quarter...he'd give us funny things to make us laugh in church...a nail clipper, a nickle that squirted water...One time he found a tiny inch worm dancing on this ladies perfectly coiffed Behive hairdo in the pew in front of us..They are some of my best memories!!! haha!

His clothes are made from Velvet fabric that came from Elizabeth Taylor's seamstress' "stash". (my dad loved that actress), given to my by my friend Tery. I had to cut around the Gold embroidered name...but the velvet is exquisite..feels so soft! and his boots are made from thin leather with tiny buckles and clay soles. His little scarf is made out of Fabric that says...When this you see, Remember Me!"

He has a beautiful vintage metal heart bead hanging from his shirt...because he was "ALL About Love and Compassion" ....Always!

Ornament Exchange

2009-12-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

I attended the Neptune Christmas meeting, and with my camera in my pocketbook...I didnt take one picture!!!! You get so excited to see everyone and hear about what everyone is CREATING...before you know it...its time to leave...and you forget you even have a camera with you!

So, these are pictures I took of my ornament that i made, and my good friend heather received, a tiny chair. I used an EPB pattern book called "A chaititable affair!" and then I minimized the pattern and put my own "twist" to it. The tiny heart pillow was created with a heart stamp on fabric and sewing and stuffing!

I Received, as my ornament ...the beautiful blue and silver decorated cone.....I hung it on my kitchen wall!

And I received a "Special" ornament from my good friend Stephanie...She is the beautiful Vintage looking angel. I just love the felt backing and the vintage laces used!

And last but not least, I received a birthday present from my good friend Tery....the coolest little embossing machine! Its new by sizzix...love that it looks like a pocketbook!! and I also got a pair odf Beautiful leaopard gloves!!!! Love them!

Every ornament that was given was beautiful and unique...and I'm mad at myself for not taking pictures!

Trying to finish 3 Tiny Dolls

2009-12-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

TIME is getting "Tinier and Tinier" as christmas is gaining! I'm going to have to start baking cookies this week or the kids are going to get really mad! So i'm just trying to finish these 3 Tiny dolls, along with an Ornament for an exchange at the neptune Meeting, and finishing My brothers "Dad doll" for his christmas Present ! TodayI didnt feel too good...sore throat and achey...so i was able to lollygag around in the shop in my pajamas...and I completed one doll, "The lullabye League" doll....and i put together ideas for the other two...the blue doll will have a Bird"s Nest hat, and The other doll looks kind of "Christmasy!" in Red.

For Lullaby league, I made a lot of tiny flowers from polymer with my tiny lilac cutters, and the color looked horrible pink when done...so i used my "NEW FAVORITE" color from Americana paint (99 cents!!! ha!) Melon, and this beautiful liquid gold leaf paint...I love what the flowers transformed to...i didnt even glaze them because they looked cool vintage after I painted them and wiped them a little with a paper towel...

Mixed Media Journal Page

2009-11-24T12:42:00.001-08:00

So...I created a mixed Media Journal page for a "Healing" Journal for my very good friend Stephanie Notaski. Of course I was late for the "giving of the journal", But the page could be added into the book (I think!) .

I tore this apart twice, before I came up with the "Wired Semi- flat" paperclay doll! I created the Head/Bodice and put holes in the shoulders while the clay was still wet. I did the same thing for the arms...then I wired the doll together, using wire, metal findings and beads. I used alchohol inks and gilded rub-ons on the wire and metal parts to age them, and I tea stained her clothes. The Background Is white fabric and handmade textured white paper free motioned with white thread and THEN painted...this was a different approach Than using different colored fabrics and threads.

I learned the technique from a new book called Stitch, Cloth, Paper and Paint by Angie Hughes. This is a beautiful hard cover book that has fantastic pictures and easy to follow instructions.

Painting with Lillian!

2009-11-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

This week I had a painting class with Paperclay Artist Lillian Alberti ! She is a fantastic whimsical Artist and I adore her painting. She seems to make her dolls come alive with the paint....We had a great afternoon painting and chit chatting in her Lovely Home...and she made a "killer lunch" !

I'm so excited because I think I left the class with something that I did not have before...I've never had painting lessons, so I didn't know about blending and shading....and color mixing is tough for me...I usually end up with "MUD"! I think I get the "blending" concept now...I just have to PRACTICE it!!

I sculpted a bunch of paperclay head and bodices...and Lillian painted one of mine as she taught me...So we made collaborative art...my sculpts and her painting ! She kept the first head and then she painted another of my heads for me to keep as a reference of what I learned...the one "dirty little faced" child in the middle is my painting!!!

New Set of three paperclay dolls!

2009-10-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

Today I strung the three new paperclay doll bodies.... theirHead with busts, arms and legs were sculpted from paperclay over styrofoam and foil and painted with acrylics. I sewed and stuffed their fabric bodies and attached arms and legs. I drilled holes in the shoulders and strung the arms through using heavy button thread. Then I glue gunned the soft body into the paper clay bust, after i removed the styrofoam and foil. I still had an ounce of energy...so I wigged them using dyed mohair. They were supposed to be halloween dolls..but i feel like its too late...i dont know...maybe they will be a different theme..I'll see how it flows!

Halloween Dolls 2009

2009-10-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

So I'm looking at my past two years of halloween dolls...and I'm trying to do something different. Here are my 2007 and 2008 dolls...and the START (kind of late!) of the 2009 dolls I have also made all of their arms and legs, I'll sew their bodies tomorrow!......

I only have an idea for one doll...hoping the other two will just floW!

Last of this Tiny paperclay doll series.......

2009-10-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

These are the last 3 paperclay dolls of this series, "Children and their dolls".

The Little girl in the leopard outfit is a bit shy because she's kind of Odd looking, so she has a "Fox" mask. The Mask was formed from super sculpey and then "FLOCKED" with mohair that was dyed brown...i tinted the darker areas with watered acrylics.

The last two dolls are birthday twins with their mini crying babies and gingerbread cookies!

ART IS in CT!

2009-10-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!!! I went to ART IS in Connecticut for one day...oh, I think i'm going for all 5 days next year! It was really cool and my good doll friend, Minnie Curry from the Manhattan doll club is one of those "mover and shaker" people...so she introduced me to so many new people. It was just people taking all type of mixed media classes all over the hotel, eating, inspiring each other...and of course a cool "market place"!!!

I took the Lillian Alberti paperclay class. Lillian is a "whimsical artist" and her work was so inspiring! She brought so many Nursery Rhymes to life in a Wimsical Way....

Tiny Paperclay dolls ...Cupcakes and "Weirdo Princess"!

2009-10-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

This is another tiny paperclay doll that is now complete. I thought her face was soft and sweet like a cupcake...so there you go!

Her Dress is sewn from vintage "flea market" lace..and the detail on her shirt is just watered down acrylic paints painted with a fine brush to bring the Flower details of the lace out....i coated this with a thick medium that dried clear. She has a tiny polymer "candy baby" with her...and she also has some of those same polymer candies on her outfit..they are coated with "triple thick"...my "new favorite glossy topping!" , and glass glitter.
Her cupcake hat is make out of polymer and Golden's "stucco" medium. I made the base, the cake part out of hollowed polymer, then added a little tissue paper coated with polymer medium. After that was baked, I "swirled" stucco medium, which was lighty and fluffy (a tiny bit gritty), just liked frosting! I painted, coated it with polymer medium and sprinkled with glass glitter.

Weirdo Princess's cat is fabric, coated with some paperclay to build up her face. She was sanded...painted and sprayed with "duncan porcelain" spray. It gave her a muted ceramic like look which I really liked because I had painted her too bright and glossed her...she looked, well, "not good"! Then I just took a chance and sprayed her with this "Porcelain look " spray...and it was exactly what I was looking for..a muted vintage look. Her collar is a string of vintage diamonds.

Vintage Bebe completed!!

2009-09-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

OK!! Vintage Bebe is completed.... the only thing i need to do is make an old raggedy teddy bear for her one "cyclops" hand...it will hide the hand and give her a little more charachter!

This baby is a little sad...it is kind of what i was going for...next one i will try an actual "pout" I knew i didnt have time in class to play with that...

Also...she has a bit of a "startled" look..which could have been avoided if i brout her eyelids a little more over her eyes. That tiny bit of white showing makes all the difference in the world.... i like large eyes and i was trying to open them more..a larger eye would have been the better option...haha!!!

Her clothes are all sewn out of Very old vintage pieces (shirts, collars, decorative mats) that i have collected from flea markets and antique shops. I had to be careful making her shoes...the silk material was so old...if you pulled it..it just shred into a handful of fibers, so i was able to save the fabric by brushing polymer medium on the back , making it sturdy and easier to form the shoe....The soles are polymer clay.