Works in Progress- It's Always Something.....

Well, I'm bopping along on my doll-making book. The pictures look pretty good....I think.

But, now I'm worried about the dark ground I'm using. I like it because the colors stand out to me. Some people see the black as too stark.

I'm going to just go with what I've got because I really hate stark white grounds and I really don't want to make 3 more dolls. I also have to stop 2nd guessing myself if I want to get this book done.

Titania- Fairy Queen

The headless winged figure I wrote about a few weeks ago finally decided who she is.

I was trying to decide what to do for a Shakespearean Challenge that one of
my doll groups is hosting.




I was going to do a new version of Ophelia or maybe Livia from Titus Andronicus, but I watched a version of A Midsummer's Night Dream the other afternoon.

Now the frilly tiny sweet Victorian fairies are just adorable, but to me real fairies seem more earthy and temperamental..... if not down right nasty if their desires are thwarted.


My Titania is regal and pretty, but more sinister and more animal than human. I realize she has no arms, but I was thinking fairies would be able to transform themselves to fit the situation.

If Oberon could give Puck a donkey head, I don't see how transforming wings into arms when necessary would be difficult.

Titania is in many ways an experiment for me. She's my first freestanding figure built over a hidden base. The interior of her wings are appliqued and beaded pieces of lace. Both experiments were successful and I intend to create more freestanding figures.

Works in Progress--Photos for Book in progress

I started a book sometime ago on how to create a half doll like my blue and green creation Nerina.









Well, I've gotten the sections on how to make a metal armature for a half doll done.








Yesterday I worked on photos on how to cover the armature with yarn and batting. I am getting the hang of photographing as I go. I found it kind of frustrating at first. Today I'm working on pictures of sewing the first layer of fabric to the batted armature.


Yes, all these are random photos....I'm not giving away this process for free ......:)



Eventually these steps will give you a doll that looks something like Nerina. I 'm enjoying this writing exercise, but I am still nervous my written directions will be difficult to follow.


But I'll never know if I can do this if I don't try. If everything goes well, I should be done soon.:)

Works in Progress Dragon Woman Part One

I've been playing around with designing a freestanding figure. The skirt has a metal frame and a covered wooden base inside the bottom of the skirt to add stability.

The interior of the wings have sections of lace covering them and the exteriors are covered in velvet.

I'm working on the head now. She's going to have yellow lizard eyes. I'm debating on whether to her sculpted fabric or beaded hair.

After the head I want to add some more draped fabric and beading to the skirt.

Fear and Loathing of the CPSIA in the High Desert

Most doll artists don't realize the horrible thing that is going to happen to them on Feb. 10th. I know some of you are realizing your dolls may be in jeopardy when this new law becomes effective on Feb 10th.

Now, I know this is difficult to understand with all the legalese, but here is the law as it stands . http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

To put it plainly, as I understand it....ANYTHING from toys to clothing to books intended for a person 12 or under will need to pass 3rd party testing for lead and the listed chemicals.

Even fabrics etc that have been certified by their manufacturers lead free will have to be retested after you make said fabric into a doll or dress or whatever.

You may say you'd test willingly but there are only 14 certified labs in the US. , the item
is destroyed during testing and each component will have to be retested when you buy new supplies and each test for each component can be 500.00 or more.

So if you make 1 doll style with 3 types of fabric , 3 colors of thread, 4 colors of embroidery floss, 1 type of interfacing and 3 buttons.... and all this makes 12 dolls every time you buy a new bolt or length of fabric etc it will need to be tested.

At 500.00 a test that's 6500.00 for every dozen dolls you make. So each doll would need to cost 554.00 each just to cover the testing. If you were originally only selling 100 of this design a yr for 40.00 a piece wholesale, you will have to stop making dolls. Goodbye to your dreams of running a business.

You might want to contact your state reps and go vote at change.com. Oh and this includes items at thrift stores etc so forget buying used clothes etc for your kids to help stretch your family budget or buying antique or vintage childrens books etc as special gifts.

I guess all we'll have to choose from when we're buying for kids are " supposedly" tested imports that will cost a fortune
This site Change.com is going to present the top 10 ideas to Obama's staff on Jan. 20th. We are in 9th place now in the running. Here is the link.


http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

Please go sign up and vote NOW and post this everywhere. Don't forget to write your state reps too.