Group Discussion: Fairies

Recently, I came across a reader kindly criticizing Doll Crafter & Costuming writing too many articles about Fairy dollmaking. It struck me as being true. Fairies are popular with artists and collectors.

There are a lot of dollmakers creating fairies, myself included. My own evolution has swung the gamut from primitive dolls to fairies. My reason is simply this: people pay more for fairies than they do for prim dolls. I feel I put just as much work into either kind too. But I have bills just like everyone else. So I need to follow the buying market. Also, it is more economical for me to use the same amount of supplies towards a doll that will sell at a higher price.

Let's compare fairy dolls and primitive dolls on Ebay. Today, I counted how many auctions started today, Saturday, in the Fairies, Elves, Dwarves category on Ebay. Are you ready? 105 auctions were listed today. That's a lot of fairies, elves and dwarves. But let's be honest, most of the auctions were for fairies. I think I saw one ogre and few dragons. I also noticed sellers taking advantage of the category by selling items to go with those fairy dolls, like wings, chairs and other prop pieces. Now let's take a look at the Primitive dolls on Ebay. 168 auctions started today. That's a lot of prim dolls (I noticed that there were multiple dolls listed by an artist and a lot of patterns). The difference between the two categories, as far as prices go, is that on average fairy doll auctions prices start off around $49.99 to $149.99 while the prim dolls tend to start out at $9.99 to $19.99. What does this mean to you as a fairy or prim dollmaker? To me, it says quite a few things. Among them would be that fairy dolls are more appreciated than prim dolls by collectors and fairy artists use clay while prim artists use cloth (cloth versus clay will be for another discussion at a later time). Why is this so? What do you think?

Why are collectors so enamored with those ephemeral little creatures? As a dollmaker, what is your opinion? Do you have a favorite type of doll to create? Is it fairies? Are you making fairies to pay the bills? If you do love fairies, share with us what it is that fascinates you. If you despise the little winged brats, tell us why.

Blue-eyed Fairy WIP

Currently, I am working on three pieces. This is one of them. She is a blue-eyed fairy with a rather severe face. The head measures 2.75" tall.

The head will be attached to a neck and then to a cloth body. Then I will sand everything nice and smooth. Her eyes still need to be cleaned. So they look a little gross right now.

I used a photo of a model as a reference this time. Usually, I just sculpt a head from imagination. Or, the head is a conglomeration of reference pictures. But, this time I chose one picture of sulking super model. The lady has no eyebrows. None! But, my fairy will most definately have some eyebrows. She is more of a natural beauty who doesn't need to resort to plucking her eyebrows to look fabulous.

I have chosen a color scheme for her. It is the beach. So there will be light greens and blues, and creamy white in her costume. I think her hair will be brown mohair. I have some lovely blue-green silk from another project, which I will use for her dress. I can't wait to get started on her costume.

As always, stay tuned for pictures of her progress. Oh yes, if you have any constructive criticism, please leave a comment. But make sure you read the entire post first before doing so.

In the meantime, I have an auction on Ebay for my hand beaded fairy. It ends this Wednesday. I have my polymer clay eye tutorial up for auction on Ebay and on Etsy.

handsculpted big nose fairy 04

handsculpted big nose fairy 04
Originally uploaded by Coppermouse Dolls

Here is an update regarding Octavia Delarue. Her head is now attached to a cloth body. I glue a 3/8" wooden dowel into the head and then insert it into the cloth body. When I am satisfied with the angle and position, I smear glue on the dowel and then sew the cloth body neck opening closed. Then it's time to add a 1/4" layer of paperclay around the dowel. Then I place the doll in an 170 degree oven for about two hours. This drys out the clay and secures the head in place so I can continue to sculpt.

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.

Avarona Milkweed Completed

I have put the finishing touches on my fairy. Today, I finished her skirt, wings and crown of flowers. Avarona Milkweed stands at 26 inches. She is the biggest doll I have made to date. I must admit it is rewarding to work on such a large scale. Will collectors be interested in a fairy doll of this size? We'll just have to see. Someone has suggested putting a reserve on her, but I think I will start the bidding off at the price I want and see where it goes from there. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of her. Please enjoy.

Avarona Milkweed WIP Hair

Avarona now has a head of human hair. It still needs styling. Stay tuned for more updates.

Avarona Milkweed Paint Job

Here are some photos of Avarona's paint job.

Big Nose Fae Update & Name

Hooray! I have finally chosen a name for my big nose fae. It is Avarona Milkweed. Her first name is Celtic in origin, sadly I do not know it's meaning. Her last name reveals a bit of her nature. She will be a little mischievous faery.

This past Friday, my husband and I went to our most favorite place on the planet, the Golden D'or. Golden D'or is a huge fabric outlet in the Dallas fabric district. They have every kind of fabric you could ever imagine and the best prices to boot. I found a nice light green stretch velvet to make Avarona's dress out of, and some lovely iridescent organza for her wings. I can't wait to get started on her costume.

Today, I just finished drying out her feet and calves. Now that they are dry, I can sand and refine them as needed. Her arms are finished. Her face still needs some work. Also, I have added more detail to her chest. She now has shoulder blades and collar bones.

Be sure to check back for more details. Lastly, I have included a sneak peek at my next creation.

Happy Dollmaking!

Big Nose Fae Update

Today, I have been working on my Big Nose Fae. Yesterday was spent trying to make the right cloth body for her. After my third attempt and a few cuss words later, I finally got the cloth body the way I wanted it. Hooray! After I stuffed the torso, I made a simple paperclay chest. I glued the wooden dowel for the neck in place. Then I baked it for two hours at 170 degrees Fahrenheit. The approach is to create an inner structure or support system first, then add details. Then I attached the head by slipping it onto the wooden dowel and built up the neck. Next, I created some daring cleavage for her. Now, all that needs to dry. I think I might let it dry naturally for now.

Her hands and feet are in the works as well.

I look forward to completing this fairy. My goal is to sell her on Ebay next Tuesday May 1 or by Sunday May 6.

In the meantime, please check out my auction for Orangeblossom Danderfluff on Ebay. She ends at 7:30 pm Pacific on Tuesday May 1.

From Thumbnail to Sculpt or Campaign for Real Faeries

Last night, I did a lot of sewing. So as a break, I decided to draw some big-nosed creatures. The sketch above is the one I was most satisfied with. Then I went to bed, but I couldn't stop thinking about my drawing. Sometimes when you create something, they have a tendency to run around and shout, attracting attention to themselves. So I got up and pulled out the paperclay and started to sculpt. Here are some pictures of the rough sculpt. I look forward to working on her some more. She needs to set up and dry out before I can continue.

Lastly, I have to decided to start my own campaign for real faeries. More on that at another time. Until then, happy dollmaking.