{Transformation}

I have been working on a few different patterns that I created from some old paper doll patterns. I think I have found one I like, although I still may tweak it later. If you notice, all the dolls heads are different shapes, that is because I am machine sewing and trying to learn the fine point of sewing a curve - not as easy as it sounds!

So once I have drawn out my pattern, I transfer it to the muslin, sew it, stuff 'em and then sew on the legs. Once I am done with that I prime the dolls with gesso (I use white but am thinking of using black next time). After they have dried overnight I add clay to the face and sculpt and if I want them to have fancy shoes I sculpt that too. Once they have dried (I like to bake my dolls in the oven to speed up the process), I start painting, once painted I spray 'em with varnish and then if they still need hair I add some hair then I add their arms.

That's it. Simple yet complicated and time consuming. From start to finish it's about 3-4 days, if I don't get interrupted by little ones (which I do so it's more like a week from start to finish). 

I do enjoy the process. It's fun and exciting and no two dollies are ever the same, which I love! I learn something new with each set of dollies I make and as I scourer the net I find the most amazing art and become inspired to try something new or go into a different direction. I am always changing and evolving the process.

New pattern - machine sewn in muslin

primed features sculpted

painted and dressed but 2 still need hair and they all need arms

All finished!

{Progress}

Since beginning my journey with sewing cloth dolls and sculpting with paperclay last year I am finding my style and I am enjoying my new creative outlet.

one of my first clay/cloth dolls sitting next to my newest

I am really seeing the progress I am making and how different my dolls are looking now in comparison with what they first were looking like. I am so glad I can see the progress I am making and of course the OCD in me still sees all my flaws and how I can improve.

I am making my own patterns and making my own creative decisions and my sewing skills are improving. I can sew in a pretty strait line now!

The purple bug eyed gal is one of the "fairies" I made for Ruth for her birthday and it and one other has survived out of the four I gave to her. She is so hard on the dolls but now I making them a bit more sturdy to out last how hard my girls are on the dolls. Who knew girls could be so rough on their dollies!

{Gaggle of Dollies}

I have been busy this week creating some lovely dolls for my etsy shop. I would have liked to have gotten more done but my carpal tunnel isn't letting me do any more then what I have done in the below image. I have been having lots of fun creating but at the same time I am frustrated with my hands for not cooperating, but there's nothing I really can do about it except take it easy when the carpal tunnel flares up.

At least I can still get my craft on, really that's all that matters, right?

some of my newest dollie creations

{What I've been up to}

I have been busy creating some "hinged" dolls out of paper clay. I have been trying different technique to do their hair, instead of gluing them on one small section at a time I have been sewing them, using my sewing machine to a little bit of felt. 


Making these dolls has been a bit of trial and error but I must say it's been lots of fun. I have also decided to hand paint on the eyes instead of trying to create eyes out of the clay, at least until I can get it the way I want. Since I first started I can really see where I am improving and what still needs improvement.

I think that I am finding my own "style" and niche. I am really enjoying using some of the vintage linens/fabric I have on hand to make these gals their clothes. I know they are simple but since I am not a great seamstress it has been helping me to learn my vintage sewing  (from the 60's)  machine.

I didn't take this picture but it is what my sewing machine looks like. It's a great little workhorse and my favorite color!! credit

Some of my dolls legs are hinged at the knee and some aren't. I am not sure which way I like better but until I figure it out, I guess I will continue to do both. 

I sold my first dolls over the weekend since opening up my etsy shop. It doesn't bother me if I sell anything or not but it's nice to know someone likes what I create and wants it. 

this is an "ornament" no legs, and can be hung anywhere, even in your car!

These are the hinged knee that I was talking about

This is just an example of the strait leg/non-hinged knee - this is one of my first hinged dolls

these are my newest hinged dolls. The one in white has strait legs and the purple has hinged knees.

{Bird Lady in Progress}

This is my current project - I am working on creating this lovely little gal who has been dubbed "Bird Lady". If you notice all my projects looks different - they each have taken on a mind of their own and "show" me what they want to become. I am  loving what transpires between my fingers and the clay. I can't wait to see how she turns out - Can you?

{Interpur girl dish set}

You remember the bowl with the lovely face on it, right? Well I found the rest of her on etsy.com after a friend told me that the set was made by Interpur a company based out of Korea. My bowl just said Korea so I really had no idea where to look.

credit

BIG thanks to Kate for letting me know where to look!  I found that my little girl head is near impossible to find, (apparently blondes are rare), but there are little brunette girls and there are even boys and I saw a tea set with a granny on it. I am soooo going to start collecting these when and where I can.

So without further ado, check out my now complete girl dish set.

{Before and After}

I have been busy creating some lovely ornaments for my shop and enjoying family this weekend. But I did want to share a quick before and after of an "Alien Mama" ornament I just finished today.

As you can see in the before she is still attached to a stick and hasn't been sanded or primed yet and as you can see in the after she has a lovely blue skin and green eyes and hair...what you can't see is the green spots coming down her head, neck and snaking down her back.

I just love how she turned out!! She is for sale in my etsy shop if your interested in having her dangle in your home. I am working on adding more "mama's" into my shop over the next week.

{Inspired}

I have a wonderful artist that I have been following for a couple of years and she posted a couple cute bunny people and I was inspired and tried to make one of my own for by my computer and so far this is what I came up with.

Colleen Downs is amazing and creates the most wonderful little creatures and is a great inspiration to me. You can find her blog here and her etsy shop here.

{Before and After}

I just finished another gal today. She was so much fun to do as they all are. She is listed on etsy if you want to purchase her. I am in the process now of making 4 more, two of which will be for my girls since they loved how this one turned out. The one for Myrna will not have arms or legs but Ruth's will.

when she was clay to all painted up.

{Etsy Here I come}

I am starting a new shop venture for some of my handmade items, photographic work and art work. I am slowly adding new items to the shop and hope to have it in full swing December 1st.