dolls eyes.

Ive been working out ways to put acrylic dolls eyes on cloth dolls,mmm not as easy as one would think,well anyway the good ol PVA wood glue has as always come to the rescue for this task.
I'm making some creepy rabbits and the doll eyes are just perfect for these creepy little guys,they just make them so much creepier.
The dolls have been on the back burner a bit lately as Ive been painting a bit more than usual,Ive been approached for an exhibit in the new year so Ive been focusing a bit more on that but the dolls will be 0platyed with this week ands some new little characters shall be born.
I have been thinking about the cloth that I use for my dolls and find that calico is my fave,I love to dye it and paint it,it takes a bashing quite well and I love it hardiness,it is tough and flexible for artists like my self who are rather abusive when working on dolls and other textile works.
SDo tips for the week is,if you want to really experiment and work textile dolls and othe rworks,calico will stand up to a lot of punishment.

from paper to cloth..

I have been designing dolls the past couple of days for the book,I love this side of doll making,it is the beginning and conception of each little character that comes into my world.
I find that a few doodles will get me started and then from there I progress to character forming,then on to what I will use as materials & then the process of putting it all together until completion,very fun and very rewarding....

I use this method for most of my art work from boxes,assemblages,photos,books and paintings.

I recommend that every one keep lots of sketch books and reference books to use for this side of designing,I have around twenty to thirty books that I refer to all with my own designs and references in them.
Also keep mood board books and design board books to keep scraps of cloth,trim,colours,photos and other inspiration handy for the design process.

I photograph each project and keep it journaled for future reference,this way I can build from what I have already done and move forward with designs and characters.

Tip for the week,I find that because of my arthritic condition that stuffing can be a bit of a nightmare so if your have problems in this area you might like to try an old worn down bristle paint brush,use the hairy end to stuff with,it grips the fiber fill nicely and gets it in in half the time,make sure that the bristles are worn down to about half their original size and are stiff and and hard.

Dotee dolls

I didn't get to much done this week in the doll department,but I have managed to get the dotee dolls a bit closer to being finished and the Tadmers with painted faces are a step closer as well,so not all was wasted.

I experimented with the Tadmers hair using different fibers,I still have quite a bit of embellishing to do on them before they are done,I have around five to eight different versions of the Tadmers made,I keep thinking that I haven't found the right look for them as yet,am I obsessive,perhaps.

I dragged out two dolls that I purchased from the two dollar store that I have been working on for some time,I am just following my instincts with them,just working it out as I go,which is fun and very unrestrictive,I think one will join the Tadmers,well its looking that way.

I find some awesome trims at the local craft store this week,I now visit once a week even if it is to buy only 5 dollars of something,at least I am keeping my stocks up to date,I find if I do it this way then I don't get frustrated when stocks get low.

I found some brilliant stretchy lacey trim that makes for great little tutu's on the smaller dolls and some wonderful batik cotton that will make some great mermaid style dolls,I love the craft store.

A days work.

I spent the day finishing off the mary fairies and other dolls,The painted face Tadmers now have hair and tails they just need their little faces painted,I will finish off all the existing dolls and then work on the new designs,kinda excited about that....
Sadly I'm back to work tomorrow so I wont be doing much until Thursday but I will do a great deal of work on the dolls and the book once Thursday arrives,lots of sewing,painting and photography to come.
Until then have wonderful few days....

The dolls are resting today,I haven't been able to work on them buts that ok,more will be born in the next few days,the tarty fairies will soon be finished and the painted face Tadmers as well.

The little round chubby fairy is almost put together and ready for painting and embellishing,she is going to be so cute,the womb dolls also are half way there as are the cone heads,yep Ive been busy with my little cloth companions.

My little teddy is about to get his eyes tonight so will soon be able to see and join his fellow swan st bears,I felted this little guys nose,now thats a first for me,a break away from tradition,he is too cute.

I went hunting for new buttons and lace today and found some beautiful bits and bobs,I also found some nice bottles at the super market that begged to be altered so Im thrilled with them and going to buy more this shopping day,though the juice in them was so bitter that even the teenagers said one was enough,now thats a first.

I wanted to buy some beaded trim but the cost is ridiculous so Ill make my own I think,its just getting around to it I guess,I did buy lots of nice ribbon and will be heading back next week to get some more material,I want to make some nice aprons for christmas gifts and saw some beautiful shabby chic sort of cloth that will be nice when made up,I also scored some lovely patterned felt for some plushies to make when I have time to fiddle around,maybe after the exhibit.

I think I will pop off and make a roast,chow.

Well I haven't had much of a chance to work this last few days,Ive been in a bit too much pain but I did get to muck around a bit and finish a couple of dolls and take others to a near complete state.

I had my camera out for a play around as well so I haven't been totally fruitless though I would have liked to do more.

Oh well hopefully Ill get more done mid week and I'm feeling better by then,I would like to get some more of the books done and more dolls completed but I wont count on it because I might be shuffling doctors etc, blahblahblah...I want to create not sit in dull old waiting rooms watching the wall clock and flicking through old magazines,its all so hoohum.

I have almost finished dark dollie,I needle felted her hair today,I just have to dress her and she is done,she tried to get me to paint today,I found her playing around my paint powders but I was to lazy and sorry for myself to mix up any nice new watercolors,I do so love mixing my own colors though,there is something magical about creating my own colors with the different pigments and binder,mmm perhaps tomorrow.

I have an exhibition coming up in a few weeks so I might have to get cracking on the paintings for a while but I do miss my dollies when its exhibit time.

I'm selling off my kick wheel since my ankle is messed up so I will convert that space into a work area in the bigger studio to make ceramic doll heads and jewelery,I'm looking forward to that when ever it happens,still it will be nice to get out there when it warms up a bit,Ill fire up the kilns and get cooking.

Ok I think that about does it for now,Ill pop over to my other blog and fill in on the painting side of things,so untill next time keep creative.

I need sleep...

Im so sleepy but wanted to give a quick blog tonight,I will be doing more doll work tomorrow so will post any pics I have on their progress in the next three days or so.
I think I am finally getting the hang of the lay outs ect on this blog site,at long last.
O k well Ill be back tomorrow with an update on the creative process of my dolls and what ever else happens.

A very dollie weekend...

Ive been working like mad on dolls for three days,my desk is overloaded with cutsie little beings and bright colors.
Ive been painting,sewing,photographing like mad,my book is now two more pages further than it was last week,hooray!
Ive been experimenting with mohair and sculpy,cloth,acrylic,coffee,boxes,lace,bits and bobs,my studio is in chaos and my hubby has left,nah not really but he has hinted at a tidy up but hey when I'm on a roll I'm best left alone to continue with the creative flow,Ill be back to the real world tomorrow and wont be free to create until next Thursday,so Ill be up late tonight.
I have also been working on some watercolors to keep the flow going,I find that I work better if I break things up.
Ive also done more on my little inspiration books ,I love doing them ,they keep me focused,Im working on dreamy bedrooms and sweet treats,the are such eye candy and fun.
Well enough talking to myself and onto more paint and play,so until next time keep creative.

I'm trying my hand at setting up better blog,Im not game to retouch my other one incase I lose it so here goes on a new one,I will be adding mostly my doll and crafting work here and my painting and photographing on the other.

I am working on some new doll designs at the moment,Im trying a whole lot of looks with a single pattern and seeing what I can come up with,it will be fun to see some little characters be born.