Madame

I recently completed a commissioned doll for one of my sister's co-workers. She had showed him my blog and he asked her if I would make a doll for him. His name is Joseph and he is the Concierge for the Ritz Carlton Hotel here in New York City. When I asked my sister what type of doll would he like, she explained it would have to be dramatic because Joseph's personality is a little "extra" therefore the doll would also have to reflect that. I immediately thought of Arley Berryhill's Madame pattern. I looked it up on the net and showed it to my sister and she agreed it would be perfect. The photo on the right is her without her coat. I used a bronze fabric with matching trim to make her dress. I love the way Arley designed this doll. She has a fabulous pose. The coat she wears is also great and goes very well with this doll and was not difficult to make; which is always a plus. The design in the coat doesn't show very well in the front view photo, but it has a black background with silver, bronze and gold glitter lines that swirl throughout the fabric. You can see it better in the rear view photo. My sister gave Joseph progress reports as I worked on the doll. She told me he was very excited and couldn't wait to see it. She took the doll to work with her when I finished it and even though it was his day off, Joseph came in to pick up Madame. My sister said when he saw her he gasped and said I love her! She also said everyone at the job loved it and said it was the perfect doll for him, but it doesn't end there. My sister said an hour after he took Madame home, he called her and said "I can't stop looking at her" Joseph has already commissioned me for another doll. You can't get more of a compliment than that and I think Madame is ready for her close-up!

It's Halloween

It's that time of the year when the weather starts to get cold and the days get shorter. The children are celebrating Halloween by dressing up in costumes to go out for trick or treat. We grown-ups who play with dolls will make dolls to reflect the Holiday. It's one of the favorite holidays for doll makers and crafters. The doll club I belong to decided to make a witch as our project for the month. The pattern used would be whatever we chose to use. I used a free pin doll pattern from Mary Tressler's site for my witch's head. I enlarged it and made the rest of the parts myself. I really like the nose which is why I chose this particular pattern. I embellished her with some cob webs and a few spiders for a little pizazz. Neither show up in the photos very well though. I had fun making her. Well, that's it for now. I'm finishing up another project I was commissioned for so I'll be back soon to tell you about that one. Until then.........Happy Halloween!

Mermaid On A Rock

In my last post I mentioned having a few things in the works. Well, I finally finished one of them. I've been fighting a cold and haven't really felt up to doing anything but I'm better now and was able to finish one of my projects. This one is from a pattern called Mermaid On Rock designed by Susan Barmore of Frowning Francis Folk Art Patterns. What's interesting about working with this pattern is it is all painted and the parts are assembled with glue. Another thing I found interesting is the face is actually 2 parts. One part is a regular pancake style face pattern. The second part consists of the forehead and nose which is glued to the face above the eyes after they are painted giving the face dimension. The pattern called for the eyelashes to be drawn, but I decided to use the individual lashes you can buy from a beauty supply shop. I thought they would go well with how the face is assembled. I enjoyed making this doll and it appears more difficult than what it really is. After making this one I sent a photo to Susan Barmore. Most of the designers like to see your interpretation of their design and this was Susan's response to me. " Hello Venus, Thank you so much for showing me your work. You did an amazing job with the mermaid. I think she is beautiful and the best job I have seen to date. I also looked at your blog and the charmed cobra is incredible. What a wonderful design and your execution is just flawless. Your work has a deep spiritual glow to it. Thanks again for thinking of me to share your art with, you are a very talented individual. Susan"

Needless to say I was flattered.

Well, I'm off to get started on my other items. I have to make a witch for my doll club project. I haven't decided if it will be a good witch or a bad witch and I also have to make a pincushion for a swap with one of the online groups I belong to. Decisions, decisions.......be back soon!