Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
End of Summer Projects
Hello Reader,
It doesn't seem real, but as of today I've been retired 46 days! Where did the time go? I've always heard (but was doubtful) that retired folks are busier than they were when employed. That being said, I'm finding that my Outlook calendar is remarkably full.
I've been busy with a variety of activities including chores, house projects, yard work, one-on-one art days with three of my four grandchildren before they head back to school, sailing, co-planning a huge upcoming retirement party, sewing, and making some time-consuming and tedious changes to my website (still a work in progress).
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In my last newsletter I mentioned working on a new doll, a witch perhaps. With that in mind and before selecting clothing fabrics, I considered what I might use for hair. I found a piece of Tibetan lamb in my stash - black, with pale pink/mauve highlights. This isn't a piece I would have purchased (I generally favor auburn and browns), but for the life of me can't remember how I acquired it.
The hair color, theme, and the doll's complexion informed my fabric choices. With the exception of her boots, I kept the basic costuming fairly simple.
I didn't have anything on hand that worked for a shawl, so I decided to knit one instead (I am NOT a knitter). It's a simple narrow rectangle shape, but once again I had to review how to cast on/cast off yarn. I like how it turned out. The belt was made from my stash of leather, and I have a collection of tiny buckles.
At this point she could become a variety of characters - a witch, or someone else (not everyone wants to make a witch). With the belted shawl, she has the feel of Claire from the "Outlander" series.
Today I plan to give her ears, then make a wig of the Tibetan lamb. Fingers crossed the hair doesn't look too silly...
This doll (who has a cloth-covered polymer clay face) and/or the Enigma doll (not the one with the Amelia Earhart costuming) I taught at an in-person class may become my first online courses.
| Enigma |
For those of you interested in an online course, let me know which of these interest you the most.
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Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
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Deanna Hogan, Blue Heron Dolls
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, The weather is improving, and I've been spending more time outside cleaning up, deadheading, weeding and pruning (and rediscovering some unused muscles!) But I've also been working on a new doll project, one that may develop into a souvenir doll situation (if it comes to fruition, will involve a lot of time and materials over the next couple years). While I wait for confirmation (the committee's yes or no), I've been working on finishing another Enigma-style doll, enlarged 110%....
Hello Reader, I have one course sample doll that need to be completed. All that's left is hair, and I need to make some choices here. Do I go with Tibetan lamb like the others, or use the beautiful wool yarn I like so much? She looks a little serious in this photo, so hopefully hair , whichever I choose, will soften her expression. Originally I had two sample dolls for the course, videotaping each step (or so I thought). Turns out I large part of the costuming/dressing module was NOT...
Hello Reader, After months spent in the studio, today I finished my seventh (and last) video for my digital doll course. I don't know if you've ever recorded yourself on video, but I learned a few things: I stutter, I overuse the words wanna, gonna, kinda WAY too much, and it will take a really long time to become comfortable hearing my own recorded voice. Moments ago, I uploaded the course to my Etsy store. I feel like I've really accomplished something. Every step was a challenge. So if...