Hello Reader, We had no trick-or-treaters yesterday, so now we have a Costco-sized bag of candy to dispose of (one way or the other). It's now November 1st, and it's (again) a dark, dreary, rainy day here on the north Oregon coast - perfect for starting a new project. This time last year I was busy designing a new holiday ornament - Mortimer Moose (http://www.blueherondolls.com/Mortimer%20Moose.html). I had the idea that I might design a new ornie every year, and if that's going to happen I'd better get started NOW. I'm open to ideas! As mentioned in a recent newsletter, I continue to chip away at the big project I've been working on - souvenir dolls for an event that will be held in 2027. I'll need to make 30 to 50 dolls, so I've been working assembly-line style in small groups of six. I just finished my second set. It's challenging to create that many dolls with a uniform look and consistency. When not working on souvenir dolls I plan to create other dolls to take to next year's ODACA Day in Norfolk, Virginia. ODACA members had a Zoom meeting in September, and decided to have another challenge - this time "Spools & Tools." Challenges are wonderful ways to create something completely out of the box (see Magda, below): Now it's time to clean and reorganize the studio, or I won't be able to find anything!
*Have you missed any Tips or Tutorials?* Tip #1: Sewing with Freezer Paper
Tip #3: Sewing Stripes Tip #4: Realistic Fingernails
Tip #6: Drafting a Clothing Pattern Tip #7: Pleater Board Tutorial
Deanna Hogan
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Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, Autumn is my favorite time of year. It was sprinkling a little as I let the dog out to do his business, and immediately noted the nostalgically distinct and comforting smell of petrichor. When I informed my husband, he had to look it up (yay, finally a vocabulary he didn't know!) I spent last week sewing the Old World Santa I mentioned in my last newsletter. He's essentially done, though he's holding a temporary lantern (I think the scale is just a little too large for him), so...
Hello Reader, I can't believe we're nearly halfway through September! This summer was gone in the blink of an eye. I published my last newsletter in July, right before the UFDC Convention / ODACA Day. I'd hoped to send another before now, but life conspired. My husband and I caught COVID in Kansas City (or on the flight home) so we lost a week, followed by three weeks of babysitting grandchildren. So on weekends (when the upstairs studio temperatures were tolerable) I worked on my {secret}...
Hello Reader, It's down to the wire now, as ODACA Day is fast approaching. I've selected the dolls traveling to Kansas City, and have begun tagging and carefully wrapping them in tissue paper and bubble wrap. I'm more fortunate than some of my fellow doll makers, as my dolls are primarily cloth. Those who make porcelains or sculpt in the polymer clays have a more precarious job of it. ODACA Day is under the umbrella of the annual UFDC Conference. ODACA's theme this year is "All That...