Octavia Delarue or Big Nose Fae #2 WIP: Ears

My darling Octavia now has ears. Check back for more pictures of her progress. Now I am off to work on her hands.

Octavia Delarue or Big Nose Fae #2 WIP

Introducing Octavia Delarue, my latest big nose fae. She will be my second big nose fae. My first one was Avarona Milkweed. Octavia has brown acrylic eyes. She is sculpted out of paperclay over a styrofoam egg. Normally, I use a round ball of styrofoam, but I thought I would try something a little different. I think I prefer the egg shape better. I think I am going to make Octavia on the chubby side. I want her to be a happy plump faery. As always, stay tuned for more updates on Octavia's progress.

I have started a mailing list for those of you who are interested when I put a new doll up for auction on Ebay. I will put a link on the sidebar of my blog for future reference.

At Last, Baby Beatrix is on Ebay

Original Legs

Redesigned Legs

Well to say that this doll was a challenge is the understatement of the year. This doll went through several changes. The biggest was her legs. Oh man, they just wouldn't stay together. The clay leg would just pop right out of it's cloth leg. I wound up taking off the cloth legs and tossing them into trash. Well they went into the trash after I threw them across the room in frustration. So with a pencil and drafting tools, I designed a new leg and decided to make it hinged so she could bend at the knee. For added security, I glued the leg into the cloth and covered the join with ribbon. Normally, I just sculpt the lower leg directly onto a cloth leg. But for some reason I decided to try a more traditional technique using sewing buttons. Never again! Okay, perhaps "never" is too strong a word to use, but it will be awhile before I do it again. The last headache was her dress. I was originally going to use this awesome yellow silk, but it just didn't go with her overall appearance. So I thought I would use one of my favorite calico prints, but the armholes were too small for her. That got tossed as well. In desperation, I pulled out boxes of fabric and the plain pink broadcloth just seemed to be right. So after careful re-measurements, I found inspiration in one of the best doll books around, The Collector's Book of Doll Clothes by the Coleman sisters, and made a new dress pattern for Baby Beatrix.

At any rate, Baby Beatrix is now up for auction on Ebay. Click here to go to the auction. I hope you can stop by and place a bid. A lot of work has gone into this doll. At least watch her so you can enlarge my ego. I love seeing how many people are watching.

Without a doubt, my next doll is going to be another big-nosed fairy. I need to make something whimsical to lighten my dollmaking mood.

Welcome Natalie

Did you know I love to exchange links? Well, I do. I would like to welcome Natalie Hamade, the latest addition to my links. If you are not familiar with this incredibly gifted cloth doll artist, please visit her website and blog. Natalie has been published in several doll magazines and she teaches workshops.

Baby Beatrix WIP

Baby Beatrix now has arms, legs, body and human hair. Tonight I begin her wardrobe. I am hoping to have her completely finished by Sunday or Tuesday. She will be up for auction on Ebay by Tuesday at the latest.

Baby Beatrix WIP

Beatrix now has a torso, neck and ears. I will post more pictures of her as she progresses.

Little Usha Mauvais on Ebay

Click here to go to the auction.

Little Usha Mauvais Complete

At last, Little Usha Mauvais is complete. Her dress is made from black silk and black and silver brocade satin. I used black satin ribbon to trim her dress. There are tiny handmade bows at her shoulders. The pagoda sleeves are purely 19th century, which in turn gives the dress a period look. She is wearing a petticoat to help fill out her dress. The full white sleeves are made of an unknown fabric. It feels like silk but has stretch. So it definitely has spandex in it. I wish I knew what it was exactly. When I had the fabric cut, I asked the lady what it was and she didn't know either. Usha ended up looking very gothic lolita. Which I have to admit, I really like it. I enjoyed styling her hair, but was very nervous while doing it. I think her bat wings are just okay. At any rate, I may put her up for auction on Sunday or Monday.

I am including a sneak peek of my next doll. She is about two years old. Her name is Baby Beatrix. She will be a 19th century inspired doll. I already have the fabric. It is a lovely gold and black silk. I can't wait to work on her some more. Of course, I will post pictures of her progress.

Little Usha WIP

Usha now has a wig made out of black Tibetan lambskin. Her hair has not been styled yet. I have begun her costume. It is made out of black and silver brocade satin and black silk. I needed to take a break and I decided that would be a good time to take some quick snapshots of Usha.

Polymer Clay Eye Doll Street Class

Have you ever wanted to make your own doll eyes? Are you frustrated by the cost of glass or silicone eyes? Is there a type eye of you wanted for that special doll and was unable to find it? Do you want to make purple, orange or albino eyes? Now you can make any color you desire.

Create you own custom polymer clay eyes using this simple step-by-step tutorial. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make the lens, pupil, iris, and eyeball using inexpensive items (most of which you probably already own).

I have provided a resource page in case you do have difficulty finding any of the items.

There are four pages of reference pictures of eyes ranging from newborn babies to toads. With this tutorial, you will see just how easy it is to create your own custom eyes for any kind of creature .

The class is no longer available, but you may purchase a copy of this tutorial at my Etsy store.

Little Usha is painted.

I just finished the last touches on Usha's paint job. Now I need to work on her wig. As always, stay tuned for more pictures of Usha's progress.

A New Link

I have discovered a very clever little blog entitled, "Bent Objects." It is just too cute.

Polymer Clays Eyes Tutorial Completed

I am so happy to announce that the polymer clay eye tutorial is officially completed. I will be offering it as a mini-class on Doll Street. In addtion to Doll Street, I will be selling copies of the tutorial in my Etsy shop. It will be available as a PDF file for ten dollars.

Poor Little Usha

Sometimes you have a doll that presents many problems. Usha is one of those dolls. I have removed her head, hands and feet from the first body. The reason is it was too bulky. The problem was I did not take into account the amount of clay that was going to be added. At any rate, I designed a new body and decided not to cover it with clay. Now I am thinking of using a resin candlestick as a base and omitting her legs. It would be like the angel I made for the Angel Challenge of 2007. I am ready to move on with Usha and sell her on Ebay. Perhaps in another week, maybe even by Sunday.

I have an update on my Polymer Clay tutorial. My wonderful husband graciously offered to edit and proof my tutorial. I just need to look over it. I plan to see if I may offer it as a class over at Doll Street.

Deanna Hogan of Blue Heron Dolls

I just wrote to Deanna Hogan of Blue Heron Dolls and asked if it was okay to link to her blog and post about her fantastic tutorial. She kindly answered and gave me her blessings. You will find links to her website and blog on the right hand side of my blog. If you are not familiar with Deanna's exquisite cloth and mixed media dolls, then by all means please see her site. You will not be disappointed. She is just starting her blog, so go on over and leave some comments. We all need to support one another. :)

Deanna has taken the time to write and photograph a wonderful tutorial on making an Alabama Baby Reproduction. The pictures are exceptional and the instructions are very clear. Now I am going to have to make one. Click here to visit Deanna's tutorial.

Polymer Clays Eyes Tutorial WIP

Geez! Writing a tutorial sure takes a lot of work. And it's even more time consuming when you don't know how to use Microsoft word. Despite my frustrations, it is coming along. I have finished taking all of the photos and finished a first draft. I hope to have it done by Monday or Tuesday. Cross your fingers and pray I don't throw the computer out the window.

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Ute.

The Rules: Start with 7 random facts/habits about yourself. People who are tagged have to write 7 things on their blog. Then choose another 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment to tell them they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Seven Random Facts About Yours Truly

1. I actually dream about making dolls.
2. I have adopted two little Chihuahua/Terrier dogs. Their names are Molly and Lil' Joe.
3. I want to learn how to read, write and speak Japanese.
4. Eventually, I will own every album by Illusion of Safety.
5. If I find a shirt I like, I will buy every color of it.
6. My husband taught me to use a sewing machine.
7. My right foot is bigger than my left one.

Oh brother, am I weird or what!