Waldorf Doll Workshop

I have always wanted to make natural material soft dolls in the style of Waldorf dolls and this year I was lucky enough to have just this opportunity!

In February the first Dollfolk Handwork Festival was held in Portland Oregon and I signed up for a workshop with Fabs from Fig and Me

I met many like minded ladies and I had a great time despite the cold wintry February weather.  The next festival will be held in the month of April or May, the organizers assured us so.

Here are pictures of what I made and of the workshop:

This is the model doll. She is 12.5" tall and so sweet.

A fellow doll maker's progress

Pinning the hair cap in place

My dolly all skinned and waiting for limbs

Here is my finished dolly, Francesca with a jumper and sweater made by Fabs

Her knitted beret made by me

Francesca's friend, Phoebe, made by a fellow Canadian from Kelowna

A wee one wearing a cape made by Fabs

All ready for a wintry day (see still needs her boots)

 The following are the process photos of constructing the head:

As soon as I returned to Victoria, I completed my second doll:

Meet Pippi, a sweet, fun loving girl who loves her monkey

Hand knitted cap and vest

Here she is showing off her outfit

Bye for now, time for a cup of java

I am now sure that I want to make more of these little darlings this year!

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.

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.