Happy Thanksgiving

Well it is Thanksgiving weekend and I have so much to be thankful for:

a loving husband and loving family
a great place to live and friends that share my passion for dolls
wonderful teachers who share their knowledge

Last weekend I spend a fantastic three days taking a Lavender and Lark workshop on picturesque Salt Spring Island with three good doll friends:

The scene was set and now for the workshop atmosphere, a house on a farm with horses, dogs and cats. Phoebe and her mom hosted eight of us and we created while having tea, coffee and yummy, yummy snacks from a local Salt Spring Island bakery. 

Phoebe provided all of the supplies including the vintage laces and hankies that we needed to complete our wee autumn fairies.  I was thrilled with the results.  In fact, all eight fairies were divine.  I foretell a lot more hand made finer fairies in my future.  Thanks to Phoebe from Lavender and Lark  for a fun and creative three days!

My completed fairy, I called her Ellette (means elf like)

the back showing the vintage hanky

She sits on her felted toadstool (we made them in class)

Here are the rest of the fairies:

Warrior Women

I was inspired by Arley Berryhill's blog showing his Warrior Women.  I loved the image of the strong female character displayed outwardly using fur, leather and chains to represent the inner strength, character and knowledge that women possess.

I decided to make three Warrior Women to represent the three stages of women:

• The young maiden, with her vitality, beauty and strength.
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• The mature mother figure Warrior with her confidence, fierceness and protective qualities.
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• Finally, the third Warrior Woman, the older sage, full of wisdom, knowledge and integrity.

For the Warrior Women series, I used Arley's "Candlestick Diva" pattern and then went to town with her exterior "armour", using fur, leather, chains, feathers, horns etc.

Here are the results:

The Maiden Warrior:

Next is the Mother Figure Warrior:

Finally, the Mature Warrior, the Sage:

The three Warrior Women together:

Until next time, bring out the inner Warrior in you for unity and strength for all!

Steampunk Crows

Well as many of you know by now, I love steampunk and making steampunk crows/ravens is too much fun.  Here are some photos of four of my latest crows. Two have been sold and two are at the Coast Collective Art Centre for sale.  Enjoy.

Steampunk Cage Doll

This is the second cage doll I have made, the first one, the traditional "Santos" cage doll, I will reveal later.

I made the "cage" using two pieces of wood (circular 5", square 4") from Michaels and some 12" wood "rulers" also from Michaels.  I cut the 12" rulers down to about 11" and glued and nailed the rulers to the bases.  I then used Arley's "candlestick diva" pattern to make the doll stump.

Finally, I could steampunk it up!  Steampunk is Victorian fashion with a futuristic, metal and spare parts assemblage to resemble something that you might see in a gentle "Mad Max" movie.

I love the result as you can embellish with unusual and found materials to your heart's content, and I did!

 I added some torn pages to the inside of the cage for interest and to age the piece.

 I added scrolls to her face and two "fancy" keys.  I painted her hair for the bare, strong look.

 I had fun with the arms and the joints using unusual joints that made it look more steampunk.

 The steampunk heart she is holding is made from polymer clay.

 The metal wings allows her imagination to fly!

 She keeps her scissors on the ready.

The hat is made from ultra suede with added keys, feathers and a tape measure hat band.