Doll Show Post Mortem

Phil and I used to do a "post mortem" of SCA events on our way home from them.  You know...discussing what went well, what stunk, what we enjoyed the most, what we'd do differently and how should we do it.  We were "merchants" instead of "vendors", because those were medieval reenactment events, but the essentials remain the same.

This last Saturday's show was at a new venue, so the logistics changed some.  Primarily the set-up time was cut by a third!  I was seriously scrambling to get it all set up in time.  Part of that, however, is my fault.

My set up involves backdrops with drapes, layers and layers of tablecloths, holiday decorations, lace and crochet doilies out the you-know-what, and tiers of crates and tiny chairs.  Add to that the dragging out & unwrapping of umpteen gillion dolls, and untangling doll stands from out of that (shudder) horrible snarl of clanking wires and bases, and a big dose of Virgo Perfectionism...well, you can imagine.

This show has taught me that I must take Mr. Emerson's advise and "Simplify, simplify, simplify."

I spend all day yesterday sketching out a new lighter, easier and non-draped backdrop system.  New tablecloths that do not require layers, and new risers that do not require doilies.  I will miss that lush look of crocheted lace, but something had to go.  (Maybe a few doilies, just for a touch here and there?)  SEE???  Somebody stop me!  

Enough about set up.  The show went well on several levels. Dolls found new homes, I have new friends, and--thanks to a friend who'd saved lots of antique lace for me--new dolls will be dressed.
One particular delight was meeting Miss Loretta Nardone, of UFDC fame, discussing the possibility of a seminar on cloth and clay doll making at the 2014 UFDC Convention.
Oh--and listening to her Boston accent.  I love accents, and hers is so fun to hear!  

This week I have to tend to all that stuff I ignored in favor of the show, so now it's time to fix that.  

After I finish my coffee.

Hope your week is fabulous, dahlinks.

It's Show Time!

Well, not for a couple of days, but almost.

I have done a thorough recon of the entire house, the shed, and the garage.  During our move, I tried to direct all the doll stuff to the studio, but (long story) the movers by that point were ready to just shove a box...anywhere.  So, definite recon action going on.  Plus I'm changing the look of the booth up a tiny bit, so there was fabric assessment in there too.  I know, I know...if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but I had to tweek it a little.  Photos of the set up next week.

Last week I spoke to the show promoter/hostess about some arrangements. 
At some point she said; "The Cheshire cat doll I bought from you last year is lonely.  Do you have any more cat dolls?"

I did not, but I had an idea.

Miss D's Cheshire.

Dear little Xenny had not sold.  I thought she was cute, but apparently I was the only one.  Even Miss D, upon seeing her said..."she's great, but she needs...something."  So now Cheshire has a companion, if Miss. D. likes her. If not, I think she'll find a new home soon enough.

It's funny how once in a while I miss what a doll wants to be.  Maybe it's because I make several at one time and I'm not listening carefully enough to each one.  I don't miss it big, I just stop before they're really, truly, finished.  Since then I've been reviewing a few dolls in that light.  In doing so, I went over the photo albums of dolls I've sold over the last few years.  Holy COW I've made a lot of dolls!  It's easy to lose sight of that, when I'm always surrounded by them, but a couple hundred have gone to new homes.  That's not the point, but it was kind of a shock.

Here is Xenny, all dolled up. Hope your weekend is fabulous, dahlinks.

Xenny's body is the same, but now she has stage makeup and ruffles...she's ready.

Is it Autumn yet?

No, but I can see it from here.  It didn't begin to get light outside until twenty of seven this morning, and at the solstice it's already dawning at six.  So we have that going for us.  I have nothing against light, you understand, but weeks of 103 and 104 (in the shade, yes) gets tiresome.  We don't have anything like what my in-laws in Phoenix get, but then our humidity goes a way to make up the difference, I think.

So I'll take the later dawn as a good sign, keep watering the new landscape so it can survive its first summer, and I'll look forward to Autumnal colors to remind me it's not just about the temperature--Autumn is a state of mind.

I've got a doll show coming up in a week or two--and I think I'm ready.  Since the move, I will have to reconnoiter the set up stuff and make sure I know where it all is, but it's all here.  A few new Izannahs will go this year, and a few silly dolls that I have played around with in designing clothing patterns.

Tomorrow I'll take Marie-Grace to her buyer.  She's a favorite for several reasons (the buyer, yes, but I mean the doll) and I am glad to have taken so many photos of her.  I made shoes of wool felt, and found an antique pinner apron that just fits her.

Hope your Thor's day is fabulous, dahlinks.

She's one I've been working on...long way from finished, but I've grown fond of her unpainted.

21" redheaded Izzy with a 10" brunette.  The tiny white gown is very old, but fits her perfectly.

Marie-Grace, ready to find her new home.

Embroidery on linen, antique lace on antique cotton...I love my job!

 

Hands are clay sculpted over wire, added to a cloth arm.

 

Wool felt for shoes...with a bit of embroidery and a rose for romance.

Photo shoot for Playing with Dolls.

I have been trying to record ideas for this stuff, as it is whirling around in my head too fast.  So photos pin the ideas down, and hold them til I can catch up.  Lots of the clothing was picked up on Ebay, doll shows, or thrift shops.  Little of what they're wearing is what they'll end up in, but it was fun to see what fit who.  Doing so gave me this riot of ideas, and I've got to mull it for a while. 
But the pictures were fun, so I thought I'd share.
Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting discovery.

I've collected a lot of vintage and antique doll clothes over the last year.  I just discovered how many of my doll designs they fit!  Patterns must be made!  Wardrobes must be sewn!

You understand, of course, that this creates a great deal of time in which I can--with impunity, in the name of "research"--play with dolls.  Trading this one's dress for that one's pj's.  Giving them accessories and toys, designing props and dishes. 

Yep.  Doll making: it's not just a job...it's an adventure.