To Doll or Not to Doll Today! huh!



Bead Joints



"Moon" Cat Doll



A Charming Mood!



Hmmmmm..To Doll ...Or Not....! NO...i just have too many crazy ideas flying through my head...so I pulled out ..... a LOT of STUFF to just "Create" !   On Monday...I will be getting together with a group to show them how I created "Girl Interrupted's Charms....and for the Girls to show me some cool  "Charm" techniques that they do.  I am definately excited for this meeting...because this is what brings together..."The Energy that CREATES WORLDS" !!!!!!  Everyone bringing ideas and techniques to the table...I think its the Best kind of meeting. 

Today I also pulled out a Tim Holtz Book that I have "moved" around for a while...But today's the Day! This book is SOOO Interesting...Today....(You know what I'm talking about...something has to click before you "SEE IT"......

So,  I will play today with whatever I have at hand...(that's a "LOT"! haha) ...and see what I can come up with.  I will then use these new charms as inspiration for the doll I have started...but cant seem to continue!  I think this will be the boost I need.

The paperclay doll that I started is being bratty...I tried to work in the "IDEA" of a ball joint doll using beads and making a type of Hinge....looks cool right?!  haha Well....it doesn't work!!  after trying different connection ideas..I chopped them off and and started something more basic..I guess I'll have to do more "Ball Joint" detective work....

I also started a cat...while looking at my "Live Model" MOON (my favorite cat-child in the universe).  I love the animals eyes I used...he already looks alive ...even without a mouth!

So these two dolls will remain in a "Coma like" state until I can blow some creative life into them

I started some thin polymer clay sheets (so thin...like paper), stamped.  after heating with my heat gun and baking the sheet to a cardboard feel...I used my new tiny punches that I found as leftover valentine merchandise...a tiny wing and elongated heart...whoa!! what a bargain find...this was the only one there! I also cut out some tiny kemper cutter flowers...shaped and texture stamped....and Then started fooling with all kinds of mediums...crackle, triple thick, texture glass....rock candy stickles..acrylics...and my new favorite stuff....Gilders Paste....so here is a starting point...gotta get to work....I'll come back with results and techniques!   

Little "Truffle" is done...Happy Valentines Day!



Tiny Red Valentine boots Designed from my Favorite Boots! 



Truffles Peanut Butter cup hat...Top stamped, highlighted and glossed!

Well. its almost Valentines day....and I completed my doll before the holiday!  I am usually behind the "eight ball" ......and the doll never gets done in time...but the weather made me just SIT and "BE" ! I am thankful for this lousy cold snowy weather!!!!

So I think this Doll feels like  a "Truffle" ....So Be it!! (i think its a cute name....and some day if I ever get a chocolate color cat, I will name her "Truffle" too!) 

OK, anyway.....DETAILS!!!!  Her Valentine Heart on her dress was "Heart" stamped out of red polymer clay, I cut a hole in the center before baking...then I took all of the tiny candies I made and arranged them to fit snugly inside (That took a good hour and a couple of cracks in the heart because I had to find the right combination for the candies to fit with no spaces..ugh! they are so tiny, I thought I would have a breakdown...



Boot pattern cut from paper towels



Soft Pink Leather painted with RED acrylic



Her RED Boots are my favorite Part of this Doll!  I did the boots differently this time...instead of attaching the leather directly to the sole, I made a pointy toed boot cardboard sole first (I made it longer so i got a very fine point that would be able to curl up...(JUST LIKE my FAVORITE cowboy boots that I ADORE!).  I then attached my leather pieces (That I had to paint red because I had no RED leather, I sealed with Super Matt spray by Duncan...they actually came out very "worn" ..just what I was looking for!)  to that, gluing "UNDERNEATH the cardboard (I usually glue inside the  already baked polymer sole...very tricky when something is this Tiny).......Then I made the same pointy sole in polymer,  a teensy bit larger, and attached that to the cardboard, then baked the entire shoe...WOW..the boot came together with much more ease....that is not to say that these boots were quick and easy....they took a good part of my day to make...but I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!! haha!

And Finally her Hat...oh my...we tried MANY hats..... But this is the Hat for her!!!  It is made from polymer, BY FORMING in a Wilton peanut butter cup candy mold.  At first I tried making it look like a peanut butter cup, but it didn't look right with the top not covered in chocolate....and the only way to see the peanut butter would be to take a bite out of it....hmmm, I just wasn't feeling it....I tried to make the chocolate on top sink, but as I was attaching the thin layer of chocolate to the top...it "Pouffed out"   and I thought...OMG it looks like a TAM! one of my favorite hats when my daughter was little! Still a little too "plain...so I stamped it with a valentine s word stamp....and i added a tiny bonbon candy to the top.

Leather glued "OVER" a cardboard sole

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

                 

Art IS paperclay doll...moving along!

I am so inspired right now...By everything around me...So many Ideas that I want to put out into this doll...Now I am in the home stretch and I'm getting siked to Wig her.  But I have to get her outfit together...then i will know how her hair should fall.  Sometimes it just works out like that!

I have "Jewel jointed her with metal findings , stones and shimery beads.  She really is poseable and even a little "dangly"!!!!!

I have a ton of "Vintagy" fabrics ,ribbons, and Doo dads that I am "Auditioning". 

I had beautiful  tiny vintage Crepe roses that I tea stained that I will definately use on her....They look "old" but "Pretty"......

"GIRL iNTERRUPTED "2011 "Art is" paperclay doll

 

I am late with my my 2011 "Art is" doll....but she is coming along!

 She is a full paperclay doll consisting of separate body parts that are wired together with gems and findings.  HER BODY WAS CREATED FROM A FOIL CORE AND COVERED WITH PAPERCLAY.  THIS IS MY FIRST SCULPTED BODY...SO IT IS A BASIC SHAPE. BUT I want her to be a "doll" and not a "sculpture" !  Her Wired joints can bend and her legs and arms "DANGLE"! 

This little girl will have a "KITTY DOLLY" ...The kitty is also a tiny FOIL CORE with WIRE and PAPERCLAY sculpted over the FORM.  Her arms and tail are separate on wire so they can move.  She will be sanded smooth and shiny, painted and I'm "seeing" a vitage dress on her!!! haha  After she is pulled together...I have silky "lama" hair washed and brushed waiting for her to be  WIGGED!!!  and then on to the CROWN  and COSTUME!!! 

Wow I better blog!!!!! Merry christmas!

Wow, I think I am coming alive again...gotta blog this week...Anyway...Merry Christmas....I ll post the start of some new dolls this week!  Colleen

ART IS "You" Tiny paper clay doll class and Pictures of Art Is



Miss Minnie and Barbara



JUDY!

Dolls drying after being sealed with Super Matte Spray



Really Focusing! Miniaturist Naomi in the center 




Missy and Sylvia 

 Well, Art is you has come and gone!   What a wild ride!!!  It was fantastic...and I'm still all confused now that I'm home!  I have seen so much inspiration....learned so many new techniques ...found out about new tools and gadgets and doo-dads!   A Billion new art friends!  It's hard to get back to "reality"!!!

But the Tiny Doll 2 day class went great!  Everyone created a doll....and the girls were so excited that they could hold it in their hands....and admire these tiny works of art!  Each one of the dolls took on life and I am so proud of everyone, especially for the girls that have never made a doll, or worked with paperclay.  This was one of the best experiences I have had making dolls and doing art !!!

Class Working Hard...Christina creating her first Doll!  

Joyce Creating her Ballerina Fairy!

Mary working in Keith LoBues class

Keith Lobue Metal etching class WOW!

Sallianne "Acting out"!

"Glinda"....ugh I mean Kecia!

Suze Weinberg..Encaustic class....So Cool!

Teri in Suze's Class...So Happy!





Pamela Huntingtons Tiny fairy book class (this is her book!)...Fantastic



BonBon Baby auction Doll for the babyface Foundation