The Last Dollandia Girls (for now!)

I finally shipped everything out to Washington yesterday.  I said a prayer and now I will just have to wait and hope it all makes the trip without being in a million pieces!

I finished 2 final Dollandia girls and they made the trip as well.  They are smaller than the others, maybe about 7" total.

Back to the studio!!  I'm still making zippered pouches since I can pack them in my suitcase.

I can't wait to see you all!!!

Dollandia!! (again!)

Here are the new inhabitants of Dollandia. They will all be making the trip to Artfest. They are about 6" tall, although it's been said, a bird on the head or a pincushion hat will certainly make you taller! The cage girl is about 7" tall.

The Greeting Card Factory!

This weekend's activities included the making of some new cards. I'm pretty good at setting up an assembly line, I think I finished up about 125 cards. They are in my (somewhat warped!) sense of humor, and all in black, white and red. There are 6 designs plus 1 that is seperate.

Getting Ready for Artfest 2011

Hello, all!  We're only about 3 weeks away from Artfest and I'm working like a maniac to get it all done so this post is in my (really trashed!) studio.  I am working on funky buttons, new little people, skull barrettes, pendants, sketchbooks and a new tiny painting.  More when all is done.

Also, I am so excited that Kathie, Collette and Martina are taking my class!  I can't wait to meet you!

Sexy Eyes vs. Evil Eyes

Okay...I'm posting this before I chicken out!  Tonight I was telling my daughters (ages 15 and 16) about an incident when I was about 20 years old. 

I went to a "get-together" (aka party!) with some friends.  There was a new guy there.  We began talking and really seemed to be connecting.  After a long conversation (where he seemed very interested), I decided to throw some "sexy eyes" at him.  He got a startled look and quickly excused himself.  I was totally bewildered.  I went home and later that night went to the bathroom mirror to try out the "sexy eyes" on myself.  Mother of Pearl!!!  Those weren't "Sexy Eyes"...those were freakin' EVIL EYES!!  I won't scare the life out of you by showing you exactly the look I gave that poor boy (I did show the girls and they laughed hysterically....and then hid in their rooms!) but suffice it to say....I never did the "Sexy Eyes" again!!

Just thought I'd share.....

Metal Mania and Something Different!

Okay....first, Metal Mania!!  I just finished a bunch of new bracelets and necklaces.  They are copper and brass.  The background pieces have been etched and soldered.  Any riveted attachments are hand-drawn, cut and soldered.  The bezels contain tiny art from my paintings.

And finally.....Something different!

I felt a need to do something loose and fun so I made these 2 little paintings below.  They measure about 9" x 3" and are acrylic on plywood.

Thanks for checking in!

My Willowing Interview!!

I was interviewed this week by the wonderful website http://www.willowing.ning.com/  .  The interview is up on their site as of this morning.  Please check it out!

On the Dollandia front:  I finished 3 new kids this week!  Then I took them to the cemetary to photograph them...we had such fun....tee hee!

They are below.  From left to right:  Johnny Somewhat Rotten, Zoe and Marmalade

Weekend in Dollandia!

I spent the weekend with my beautiful daughter, Bailey at our family cabin in the woods.  We had a great time, just making music (her, not me) and making dolls (me, not her)!

 Notice Raspberry (to the right) overseeing the creation of her relatives!

These are not paperclay, they are kiln-fired, glazed ceramic.  I'll show the finished dolls as soon as they are complete.

I also spent some time working on tiny, original drawings that will become ink and watercolor originals for necklaces.  Each little drawing measures 1" x 2".  Some are monsters, some are pretty (creepy) girls plus an owl and a bird carrying a baby!  Again....pics when they are complete!

One final thing for today.  I told you all a while back that my daughter Bailey had made a video of her original song and my painting melded together.  I forgot to post the link!  Here it is:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q35fUQtYjJ0



Saturday in Dollandia

This past Saturday, I felt in need of some immediate gratification.  I came from the world of labor intensive porcelain dolls.  It's just not possible to make one in one day!  I instead chose to use Paperclay.  I don't often make my figures out of Paperclay, chosing instead (these days) to use ceramic clay.  I was very happy with the feel of the clay, the blendability and of course, the drying time!

I wanted a non-perfect, almost Tim Burtonish face and a very poseable body.  I made her body from wood and the arms and legs are Paperclay over wooden dowels.  I hope you enjoy seeing her!

Jane Davenport's Interview on Willowing

If you are not familiar with Willowing, you definately need to check it out.  This month features an interview with the prolific artist and photographer, Jane Davenport.  It's a really great and entertaining interview.  She gives us a glimpse into her journals and the history of her art.  Check it out here:  http://willowing.ning.com/page/artist-interview-jane

Thanks for the Shout-Out, Jane!