This is "Dream of Peace" I have donated to the The Peace Project at Gallery 9  for auction. She is a 14 inch tall OOAK cloth and mixed media Dream Doll with internal wire and wood armature for support. I painted her face and designed her sparkling heart to evoke both Byzantine and Central American iconography. Her body is a vintage cottage style print from my late mother's collection, while her vivid skirt petals are a combination of vintage and used clothing fabrics, new quilting cottons, and vintage Indian and South Asian fabrics from my mother-in-law's collection. Tiny colored glass sead beads also appear in many cultures including African tribal adornments and traditional figures, and Native American textiles. Included in her hair decorations are handmade cloth beads made from some yo-yos from a very old quilt that is beyond repair, but represents the traditional feminine crafts of pioneer America. My idea is that her multi-sourced clothes, charms and emb...

Very late, but better than never, I hope. This an embellished, hand drawn paper doll around the theme of Moon. She's called "Moonlight Becomes Her." About 7 inches tall, with a hinged neck. (Pencil, marker, galvanized wire, glass beads, sequins, metallic thread.) She's a little different for me, since I tend to work in cloth most of the time. Swaps have a tendency to get away from me. I've got too many other things on my plate, including a doll I owe a little girl who won it, and the next Coolaberration2010 (which is going to be awesome!). So I think I'll stay away from any more swaps for now.

If you go to my Etsy store in about two weeks, you will find it empty of Dream Star dolls. That is because my Dream Star dolls are going to be carried by The Gallery 9 in Culver City in conjunction with their next juried exhibition, The Peace Project by The Whole 9 , opening September 25 . The Whole 9 is an artists' community with online portfolios and real life networking and creativity inspiring events. I'm super excited because the curator Lisa Shultz invited me over and hand picked the dolls to be in the gallery shop as part of this wonderful event. I hope that a whole new audience will see my art dolls. In addition I have donated a Dream Doll to be auctioned during the gala reception. She is a multi-colored doll with a hand painted face, encrusted with beading, embroidery and couched ribbons. She'll be wearing a vivid mix of patterns and prints, while on her hands different colored beaded spirals represent each of the Four Elements...

Some of my gift tags are in a beautiful nature themed treasury by Etsy seller Baby Shower Supplies . It's lovely to be found and be in such grand company.

My good friend, and wonderful fiber and mixed media artist, Talitha Sherman is going to be teaching an awesome textile project with the Craft and Folk Art Museum here in Los Angeles. It's her first time working with that organization. Here's the full description: Sunday, August 15 (oh hey that's my birthday...) 1.00 - 4.00 PM The Fabric of Your Life: Family Tree Tapestry Celebrate your History with a Family Tree wall hanging made from meaningful fabrics. Join us to create a one of a kind piece of textile art celebrating your unique family and utilizing material that has journeyed with you. Bring your own fabric or choose from our supplies. Just about any fabric can be repurposed and turned into something special and new, your favorite old shirt, grandma's nightgown, bed sheets, almost anything. The fabric must be ironable; silks, satins and cottons work best. You will create your wall hanging with scissors, heat bond and an iron. First you'll fuse your ...

Readers of my recent columns might be interested in this Eco-Fashion history exhibit at the Fashion Institute in New York City. I know I am, but unfortunately getting there would be a bigger schlepp than I can manage. If any of you do go, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe they will have an exhibition catalog I could buy.

I will be demoing the Yudu at Michaels Hawthorne on Saturday, June 26, 1pm-5pm. Stop by if you are in the area, or check your local Michaels for a demonstrator. We are all over the place now. Wish I had my own.