More finished dolls...

I've just about finished all the things I "had" to do regarding UFDC.  Of course, I'd love to have finished the OTHER half of the dolls, but as they work very well in their "in process" stages for the seminar, they're coming along anyway.

But here are two more.  I posted Tuxedo Kitty yesterday on FB, and Hugo today. 

Somebody once told me that I seldom make a doll with a smile.  I realized she was right.  I've always been a little leery of smiling dolls (call it the Chucky Factor?), so I set out to challenge myself.  These guys are okay...

You remember Gunsmoke?

Well here's my take on Miss Kitty.  Ya'll have a great weekend.

Back in the Day?

I was going through my doll photo files, trying to clean and sort.  This happens to me every fall, the urge to clean, clear, sort, and organize.  Dunno why, but I know well enough not to fight it.

At any rate, my photo files were a mess, and now they're not.  Yay me!  Getting ready to list a bunch of stuff in my Etsy store, and needed to see what I have/have not regarding listing pics.  But while I was digging through the virtual closet, I found quite a few of my old photos, dolls I made back when I was still VERY new at the whole process, playing with all kinds of new ideas, techniques and materials.

I'd say don't laugh, but some of these are pretty mirth-inspiring, so chuckle away if you feel the need.  I'm still proud of some of these starts, because they represent the very best part of finding out what I can do.

"Good Bones"

Made of a cornucopia basket, paper clay, and found stuff.

Her wings move on their hinges...but she's pretty lazy.

Josephine, Witch in Green Plaid.

Old Gardeners never die...they just become great compost.

Lord Elfwin, my second gourd art doll.

He's the Keeper of Santa's list...don't tick him off.

My FIRST gourd art doll...Tiamat.  I think she weighs 8 lbs.

Six months after she was finished, the clay finally dried and she cracked all over this nice smooth bottom.

Marcelle...made with a wooden spoon, various toys, wood bits, and paper clay.

Dreaming Bunny...she's preggers, and dreaming of the baby clothes she'll sew.

Jack Frost was a challenge doll when I belonged to Art Dolls Only.

He is proud of his skills.

This one is called "Twa Corbies" after a very old Celtic song...

...again, mixed media, with lots of found stuff. 

My first wooden cat doll.  These are so fun.

Learning cloth and clay...

Mostly these days I'm making the Izannah Walker dolls, wooden jointed dolls, and gourd art...but I can't completely get away from the mixed media, because I will always look at things and see something other than what's on the surface.  That is another Best Thing I've learned from doll making.

Ciao, y'all.

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.

Goodbyes and helloes.

Goodbye to a couple of wee friends...Diego and Lexi are on their way to Florida.

Diego

Lexi

I set up my doll show display in the floor of the family room yesterday.  This always amuses my husband, because I make a HUGE mess with stuff strewn everywhere, but it helps me visualize the set-up, and correct things before it's actually time to set up.  Plus it helps me see what all I need to finish.  This time it also helped me see how well my new back drops and display props will work.  (Pictures after the doll show, of course.)

Hello to Pumpkin Jack and Friend, who are newly listed on Etsy, and to several others as I get A Round To-It.  (yeah, that joke is old, but I like it.)

Pumpkin Jack and Friend

He's like our foster cat...always waiting for food.

 Also: I just bought 128 pairs of eyes this morning.  How many people can say that?  I love my job.