Today I took three art dolls to The Word Is Art gallery in Culver City for their upcoming Art Dolls exhibition. I have pulled "Journey" the bead head doll, "Hope" the 14 inch Dream Doll, and "Winged Victory" altered Barbie from sale to make them available through the gallery until the end of April.   The gallery is a nice space with lots of art doll artists in the cooperative. I really enjoyed looking around today. As soon as I have more information about the exhibit I will post here and at Dolls: Crafting and Collecting .   Work-in-progress. I will also be teaching a workshop during the exhibition, although I'm not sure what. The gallery offers some pretty sweet classes already including a cool mixed media vintage tin doll figure class . It's almost impossible to go wrong with those great looking tins.  

Stack of Either Way Dolls awaiting ironing and stitching - I still have to choose the hair, since it is sewn into the seam. These are my only kids' toy. One of the new batch of Wish Dolls, ready to go Pretty new Dream Star Dolls waiting for their hair - nearly done. Wish Doll pillow sachets in progress. Wish Dolls packaged and ready for sale - Indian Musk blend or Lavender sachets. All this and more will be for sale next Saturday .

I will be participating in this all handmade craft fair, on the most romantic day of the year - Ground Hog Day, 2013 will also be my 16th Wedding anniversary. I will be selling Art Dolls, Either Way dolls, Wish Dolls and some sweet Valentine themed mixed media gifts at the Topanga Community House . Very busy sewing and beading. I hope to see you there. It is a fund raiser for the Topanga Community Club park .

Jayn decided to be Rose Lalonde in God Tier Costume for Halloween trick or treating. The character is from the web comic, Homestuck . There seem to be some cosplayers online, who like the character and the costume, although Jayn told me that she had to explain her costume a lot to people on Halloween. The sewing was not difficult. We had a few moments of difficulty finding the exact colors at the fabric store, and I ended up custom dyeing white cotton interlock for the hood - after working out the exact dye proportions on scraps. The leggings we bought at JC Penney - and I like them a lot. I'll be going back for more in other colors for fall/winter for me, since they go so well into boots. Initially I tried doing an applique treatment for the sunburst, but it was too big and insufficiently detailed. The stretchy base tunic would not react well to stitching, so I tried Steam a Seam and dimensional fabric paint on the edges. This was a mistake as the fabric from the bad appl...

Here is a detailed sketch where I envisage using a stencil (I'd make mine from freezer paper I think) and related stamps to put images and texture onto existing background paper. Alternatively one could cut the two large spirals from a coordinating paper and glue or stitch it down before continuing. If stitched, I'd probably add even more ephemera peeking out from under the spiral shapes. Hmmmm. This is a sketch for a layout with a lot of moments, and a lot of ephemera to keep from the event. I think I'll be using it as the basis for a layout celebrating our trip to NEUC - as soon as I can get some photos printed. Lots still hiding in my camera. I like mixing different sizes of photo too. This is our home schooling life - learning every day. August is over, but summer weather keeps on keeping on. I'm glad I live near a sea breeze . Meanwhile I have sold three dolls in quick succession and donated one, so I'd best get to making. I plan on making a doll to au...

I'm going to be working on a commissioned art doll and costume for my friend in Australia, writing a how-to article about smash books/art journals for Natural Life Magazine, making finished examples for my upcycling book proposal, and working very hard on the art and layouts for my soon to be announced publication venture. What will you be doing? Make a comment here by March 10 telling me about your crafting plans for the month and be in the drawing to receive a beaded Wish Doll with your choice of Indian Musk or Lavender scented sachet. Tell your friends! Wish Doll with votive candle, aromatic sachet and instructions. Colors vary.

Here's some of the sample display and the prize package. I've just spent a few glorious days at CHA in Anaheim with ScraPerfect . I made some cards for my demo slots, although no-one was really interested in what I was doing because it was far more fun and informative to listen to Amy talk about her products. We are especially excited about the new Best Cleaner Ever . Amy at work. I traded two Dream Star dolls for some gorgeous Czech glass beads (as I have used in the dolls) from Beader's Paradise in Knoxville, TN ( their website will be up at the end of February) and I'm sure we both think we got the best of the deal. I have an upcoming commission that some of the beads will adorn.  Brush with fame: I spoke to Vicki Howell and Cathie and Steve at the Plaid exhibit. I can hardly wait to buy this collection of useful hot glue tools. Mod Podge has an upcoming new line of very nice spray sealers too, but we'll have to wait until midsummer to see most of them...

Well, after two days at the Uptown Village Market, I have come home with one commission (yay), a small amount of cash, but all the art dolls I took with me other than the big seller, Wish Dolls. I stayed up late last night (Friday) making a second batch, and I'm glad I did because they all went. My stall, Roya's spot and Sacred Waters Soaps (sorry about the blurry) The organizers are to be commended for keeping their promises. The vendors actually were all wonderful artisans and higher end local crafters. There were no mass market imports or factory made items amongst the sellers, and a quite a few fine artists selling prints and originals. I count myself in that group of fine artists. They gave us tickets for drinks both days, and lunch on Saturday. The organizers promised a mix of products, limiting the number of each type of offering. While it is true that there were plenty of jewelry makers from which to make a selection, they were all of different styles, and the fai...

I have decided to offer a pair of very special Dream Star Dolls for sale this weekend at Uptown Village Market . This pair of one of a kind dolls were made for a contest and show, with the theme of Art Nouveau. I based the designs on the beautiful figurative sculptures and costume & fashion illustrations of Erte . My mother had a collection of illustrated plates with his designs that she treasured. Both dolls are heavily encrusted with beading, and have custom made beaded skirts. The fabrics are reclaimed vintage and the faces are of course individually hand painted. One is white and gold with a beautiful swirled beading and swoosh shaped skirts. The other is a darker foliage inspired with exotically shaped petals and hanging beads. Both have yarn hair and paper beads. I'm pricing them at $60 and $70 respectively. I should add that the dolls did win blue ribbons for artistry.

...for your viewing pleasure. Three more beautiful one of a kind in a series Dream Star Dolls that will be available at the Uptown Village Market in a mere 2 days. Cost for a unique and gorgeous gift: $50 (+ tax). Here is Believe Zodiac, with beautiful silver charms and lively zodiac print fabric. She looks out serenely on the world with azure eyes. Her hair is adorned with blue paper beads wrapped in cording - lots of fun. Follow Your Heart Paisley wears rose petals and ribbon roses on her skirt. Her body is made from a vintage wool blend paisley twill that I love. Her wavy edged paper beads, wrapped in cording, remind me of cork (but they aren't!). Her charm reads "Follow Your Heart", and offers the good advice to "Love Life, Live Life" on the other. Homespun Gingham is made from this wonderful black and brown woven gingham that I found in my late mother's stash. She is full of love and hearts - sequinned and felt. Her charms include mor...

Here is the first batch of Dream Star Art Dolls for the Uptown Village Market. Each is one-of-a-kind in a series. Green Batik My beautiful beaded 8 1/2 inch Dream Star Dolls appeal to people on an emotional level. Somehow, magically, you will be drawn to one. I can't predict which doll you will like - it just happens. You will just feel called to her. You will pick her up, turn her over in your hands and enjoy the soft hair, the little surprises of the paper beads or the charms. Sometimes the words on some of the charms will be the clincher. I never know which will be claimed first. But somehow they all eventually go out into the world to inspire dreams of beauty. Bright Batik Some people keep them on their mantels, others by their bedside. Lots of people tell me they keep theirs beside their computer. Maybe you will tell her your troubles, or just feel grateful that there are beautiful things and beautiful people all around you. Orange Lady Charms Maybe you will see...

Here are the two gorgeous Asian themed Dream Dolls (14") with Kabuki mask faces. The first is a Kimono doll with charms and flowers ornamenting her dressed hair. She is made from a selection of new Asian printed quilters cottons, while her obi is silk from a reclaimed vintage kimono. Her kimono is lined with vintage silk. Her friend is wearing Shinto inspired wrap pants of a linen blend and a Shinto style headdress - a wrapped pony tail with flowered headband. I was so happy with the beading, which includes mother of pearl shell beads. Despite the vividness of their face paint, I get quite a serene feeling when I look at these two girls. I rather love them, and I hope they will inspire dreamy thoughts . I'd love to see them go to their new home as a pair - but destiny will determine that. The Asian Inspired lovelies will be presented at Uptown Village Market for $90.00 (+ tax) each.