Valentine Wire Joint Doll

Valentines day is coming up ...and a doll is half way there!  The came fast...But, its what I'm trying to do with her that I am lolligagging around with.  I Know what I want to say with this doll...but I sewed all day...and nothing worked...right at the end after I shut my shop light off...an Idea hit me!!!!   So I will try again!!!   TOMORROW!   

For Now...here is how she started and where h is right now.  I patina'd the gold findings with Gilders Paste and then matte sprayed them...In my stash, I found "Cool" square beads in the exact same color as the patina and I thought it was a very vintage look.....BUT....when I used the "SQUARE" beads...it limited how far the arms and legs will bend...a round bead works like a ball joint and allows total movement.  I had already glued the wires inside the body parts so this is a "Lesson Learned"!!!   But she poses just fine...sitting or standing..I would have had just a little more freedom with a round bead.

This Dolls HEAD was done different than girl Interrupted...(her head and bodice were one piece. )   This head was sculpted separately and I made it fit onto the separate neck like a ball joint so it swivels smoothly in all directions.  I love this because now the doll can look around...it gives her "Personality" and freedom to be posed. 

I also worked on these tiny candies for a couple of hours.....I even made the tiny candy papers...they will become a heart shaped box of candy some how incorporated into the  doll...wether she wears it or holds it....only my "spirit guide " knows ...(haha..seriously...)

Charm School!

So this is the second part of Girl Interrupted....It is the meaning of the doll!  She is actually a "Journal" for my daughter who is traveling between being a teenager and an adultt, and getting mixed up along the way in substance abuse.  The petals in her dress are Proms and grammar school dances gone by......her leopard kitty dolly and  Leopard Boots, are her "Funky" style that I love.....a crown for the "Princess" she truly is!  The Handmade Charms are "Tiny stories" of where she has been and what she holds inside.

These charms were created from polymer clay. A lot of my "New charming" experience , came from Amber Dawn, a miniature charm artist and a very good friend  (who actually Created a NATIONAL CHARM DAY!!!!  Hooray!!!)  I used stamps for design,texture...and words. I used all types of mediums including sparkles, acrylics, alcohol inks, ink pads, gilders paste, crackle finish, resin and triple thick,  for shine, sparkle, texture and color.  

I had found out about Gilders paste from a magazine, and my friend Tery picked them up at a bead show....WOW!!! I quickly ordered them...and I'm loving what they do!  (They can be used on all surfaces...)

I used a light cured resin system and I love the beautiful shiny hard domed result that I get.  After I  "resined-up"  some of my charms, I was able to drill holes for my connections,  with no problem.

Well, " Girl Interrupted"  is compete and its time to "move on" to new dolls! 

Some processes of Girl Interrupted

Mezmerized by a found "Charolotte"

 

As I am working through  parts of the doll, I took a few pictures to document some processes.  Sometimes a picture is worth a "Thousand Words"!!  haha! Really!

 





So As I tried to Wig this doll, She found a tiny Frozen Charlotte that she became "Mesmerized" with...ugh!  She would not let me Wig her!...... (just kidding, I got too tired tonight!)







I Created her crown and Little Boot "Soles" from polymer clay that I ran through the pasta machine. Running it through, gives you a perfectly smooth thin uniform piece of polymer so everything comes out evenly.  First, for the crown,  I  "ink stamp" the clay for color and texture. 



I am a "Findings" Freak!

 
  I cut out my crown shape with an exacto using a handmade template place lightly on my stamped clay. I smooth the edges for a "softened" look, then I put the clay around a metal form (piece of 2-4 inch metal tubing). At this point I add wire where ever I want to add beads and crystals.  After baking the crown, I loosen it from the form with my exacto.  I then layer after layer..blah blah blah..alcohol inks, dry brushed acrylics, crackle medium, triple thick...whatever, then I add my findings  and gems!!!!  There you have it!



Funky Leopard Boots are  about 1/2 size of my pinky!

 

For my boots, I created the polymer soles with the same type of template...adding an arch...then I shape the fabric around the soles with a PRO tool and my fingers, using fabritac and a lot of  "patience"!!! I found  the tiniest ever metal lace holders. 





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And Kitty doll is complete!  Her Crown was created from  a polymer clay "Leopard" Cane...(taught to me by Amber Dawn...Miniature extraordinaire!!!!) decked with diamond Crystals. She has a Leopard mohair sweater from fabric that was given to me by my very dear friend, Mary Louisa Klawetter...Its very special, so I only use it for tiny things so it "Lasts"!!! haha   and Moon (a naked pink sphinx cat)   , My inspiration for Kitty Doll....Loves to "Eat" Tulle...Now I have to hide this doll in the cabinet......

Jewel Joints and Bloomers