Tuesday 29 January 2019

2019 Warrior Woman

I cannot believe that a new year has dawned and the first month is coming to a close!  Time does pass swiftly.

The first doll of 2019 was inspired by some remnants of kimono fabric donated to me by a fellow member of the Coast Collective Art Centre.  I made another warrior woman with asian aspirations.  I am including the reference photos that inspired me for this creation.  I used Arley's Candlestick Diva pattern as the starting point ( I just love his patterns),




 The doll came together quite easily as I decided on the bones for her and had them in my stash from Halloween.  You can see some of the fabrics I piled up to use for her costume above.

 Notice that the candlestick I used in in shades of brown, just like her costume.  This was done by sanding and repainting the black candlestick and then adding a glossy sealant.

 The back of the Kimono is pieced with an accent silk piece of Kimono that was included in the package I received from my fellow artist.  I just love to work with silk as it drapes so nicely.
 The hair is done with a mix of yarns and I added fine braids for that messy, warrior effect.


 Her feather head dress was in my stash from an item I purchased in the summer at a local decorating store.  It worked perfectly in her hair.
I hope you enjoyed seeing her in photos.  Yes she does have real fur from remnants of an old fur coat I was given (the majority of the fur coat was repulsed into fur teddies in memory of a grandmother).

This warrior will be in a show at Tullista Park in Sidney BC the first week in May.

Sunday 13 January 2019

Wooly Critters Galore

I cannot believe that another year has begun!  Where does the time go?  2018 was a very productive and creative year for me with a solo show in January 2018, a retreat in March making Akira Blount and Kate Church style dolls, a workshop with Phoebe of Lavender and Lark in September, a club doll show in October, a craft show in November (First Chance Show in Sidney), an Etsy pop up craft show in December (Tillicum Mall), and finally a solo showing of my dolls and critters at R Place Hair Salon in December 2018  and January 2019.

This year is going to be just as busy as I am starting with a trip to Portland Oregon learning to make artistic Waldorf dolls, a trip to Toronto, a workshop with Kate Church in May, a show with six to seven fellow artists in early May at Tulista Park in Sidney, a cruise to Northern Europe in September, a trip to Toronto in October to see family and attend the Toronto Sewing and Creative Craft Show and then perhaps another Etsy pop up show in December!  Of course this is without mentioning the events and participation at the Coast Collective Art Centre in Collwood  all year long.

The start of this month has begun with a bevy of wooly critters as my stock was depleted in December!  Here are some of the sweet new fellows:



































Now I have put aside the wool sweaters and am starting a new doll for the May exhibit so stay tuned.

Saturday 24 November 2018

Steampunk Crows

Well I cannot believe that we are well into November.  The weather has been so beautiful, unusually warm and sunny most days.  Alas, the rain has started and the leaves, once so beautiful and colourful, are now yellow and blowing off the trees.

Time to get crafting!  I thought I would make a couple more steampunk crows before the end of the year as I have had interest from the Coast Collective gallery (Wale Road, Collwood, BC) and from Two Hoots Gallery (Cobble Hill, Fisher Rd).

I ended up making three crows:

My first crow well, she is a world traveller and I even made her a wee travel journal, full of travel quotes: (This one is at the Coast Collective)

Cloth, polymer clay, found objects

The wee crow on her head is also polymer clay

You can see her metal purse on her crow foot!
The second crow is all about the light, so I named him "Lighten Up": (this crow is at Two Hoots Gallery in Cobble Hill)

He sits atop a light house

His wee companion inside is made all of polymer clay with metallic paint


Finally, to round off the trio, I made the iconic "Time Flies" to symbolize that the year is moving quickly to its end:

Take a look at his forked feet!


Notice this crow is tech savvy with his computer board on his wing

He is ready for flight and a new year!

Thursday 8 November 2018

First Chance Craft Show-Sidney BC

Once the doll show was over (October 21st), I could not rest as the First Chance Craft Show was just around the corner (November 3 and 4th). 

This was my second year at this juried show in Sidney BC and it was great fun and quite successful.  My ornaments were almost all sold (no dogs or kitties left) and many of my wooly critters went to new homes.  I even sold some of my larger bears and folk art dolls.

Here are some photos of my booth:











Now I have to get busy and make more ornaments for the Coast Collective Gift and Wishes show which starts November 14th and runs to December 23rd!

Ornaments Galore

  It is mid October and I have just finished making a gaggle of Christmas ornaments in preparation for the holidays: There are reindeers, pa...