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Friday, July 15, 2011

Dipping into DIPs

For those who don't make dolls, a "DIP" is a doll-in-progress.  I posted a photo of a basket of DIPs quite some time ago, and sadly, the basket hasn't gotten any emptier (and in fact, there are about six DIPs who never made it into the basket).

Within the next couple days I need to send a doll for the ODACA Day Luncheon Raffle. The Luncheon is in Anaheim on July 24th, and as I won't be attending this year, I need to hurry.

I had the brilliant idea of making a new doll for the Luncheon, so I picked a doll out of the basket (the one marked with a red arrow) and have been working on it. She/he needed some significant work on the face, so I've been applying layer after layer of paperclay to build up the features and hide that horrible little puckered face.

Now I can see that there's no way I'll get the doll done in time to get it mailed, so I'll be sending an already-completed doll tomorrow. I haven't decided which one will go, but it must go.

I'll continue to work on this doll, though. The pattern I used is a very old one - Butterick No. 331, patented in 1898 (or 1899?). My stuffed doll seems disproportionately long in the torso, which may be due to the natural stretch of the cross grain of muslin I used, but other dolls of the same era seem to have that characteristic, too. I used this 16-inch doll pattern (my doll ended up being 18 inches tall after stuffing and assembly), but I've also got the pattern in the 24 inch size.

July 16 update: I just had a chance to check out Adele Sciortino's latest newsletter, and guess what? She's announced a "UFO Challenge" that I think will be a good incentive to get this DIP done (a UFO is an UnFinished Object, for those who've never experienced the concept). Just click on "Newletter" at the top of her home page to register for this free newletter that's just packed with great doll information! The deadline for this challenge is October 15, 2011. Submissions will be published in the Winter issue of Creative Costuming Newsletter.

4 comments:

  1. RhissannaJuly 15, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    A DIP? I'll have to remember that! I've got DIP's I've kept a decade. Is that too long? a decade too long?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Molly MartinoJuly 15, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Your dip into the DIP basket collection didn't get you far but fortunately you have finished dolls on hand for the Luncheon Raffle.

    You put so much work into your fabulous dolls I don't know how you can part with them. As an artist myself you do need to share your talents. People purchasing your work will take the upmost care of their selections you put so much love into. Selling also keeps us in the business & we're able to purchase materials to continue doing what we enjoy so much.

    I read something intereting from a another potter who decided he wanted to be remembered (and his talent) years & years from now.

    He makes these smaller versions of his work using high-fired clay, and when he travels for shows or on vacation he drops one of his creations into a nearby lake where he might be visiting. No one will find them for eons. He thinks one day someone will & it will be a fun discovery.He adds his name, date and the state he lives in to the bottoms of each piece.

    I thought this would be a fun project for my students and we have many lakes here in Ohio to choose where we want to submerge our masterpieces for future discovery.

    Pottery and a sculpted piece high-fired will survive for thousands of years. The students had fun with this idea of being discovered long after their time on this earth.

    I wouldn't suggest you submerge your dolls. Ha! Just sharing a fun story from another art medium.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deanna HoganJuly 16, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Thanks for the comments, ladies ~

    Rhissanna ~ I don't think there should be a time limit on DIPs! I've even had hand-me-down dips from a generation ago. That being said, I'd hate to leave DIPs to my unsuspecting heirs ;-)

    Molly ~ This morning I got a doll in the mail for the raffle. I've resolved to finish this particular DIP before moving on to something else. I got another layer of paperclay on her, starting to develop the facial features. No picture yet, because she's pretty hideous!

    I loved your story of the potter leaving something behind. What a wonderful idea. Now how can we convert that to the textile artist? Hmmm...

    I do find it difficult to part with some projects. Sometimes I just hang onto them until the time feels right to let them go. Last year I had someone offer to buy one of my dolls for $100 over an asking price, but as I wasn't ready to part with her, there was no asking price! (I've got her name and number, though).

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Deanne~Your textile dolls are best
    on dry land. You'd have to
    use an airtight capsule,
    that could withstand earthy
    elements. Stick a small doll
    inside and find a neat
    burial site. Leave a note.
    That's the best I can come
    up with.

    A Japanese gal, close
    friend to my late eldest
    sister told my sister to
    keep fabric colors fresh
    while in display cases, add
    a small cup of water, then
    replenish it when the cup
    is dry. Have you ever heard
    of this? My eldest sister
    lived in Japan for 4 yrs.
    An artist too. She spoke the
    language fluently.

    You sent a really cool doll!
    I like the mini guitar too.
    Have a good one!
    ~Molly-san

    ReplyDelete

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