Stoked!

I just got my complimentary issue of Art Doll Quarterly (Winter issue) because I've got a couple dolls in there - part of an ODACA Behind the Scenes series:

 

Storybook Challenge - MAIDA group submission to Prims

Back in February of this year, the MAIDA (Making Antique Inspired Dolls & Accessories) online group decided to host a challenge with the intention of submitting those dolls to Prims Magazine. Our group project was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine (Autumn, 2012). The article was written by Dixie Redmond, who also has a MAIDA blog.

We decided the books/characters chosen would be old enough to be in the public domain, the dolls were to be under 17 inches in height, and no characters would be duplicated. Most of the dolls were included in the magazine feature. All of the submissions were wonderful, and really stretched our skills.

My doll is "Alice," made using my Verity pattern at 75%. Her clothing is removable. I used a vintage hankie for her pinafore (I knew all those hankies I bought on eBay would come to good use!)  Her flamingo caused me fits to make - not an easy project!

Alice (like Verity) is made from muslin. Her face is lightly needle-sculpted, then painted with a mixture of acrylic gel medium and modeling paste. Then a couple coats of gesso are applied, followed by flesh-tone acrylic paint. Her hair is Tibetan lamb. 

 Be sure to order your copy of the magazine here:

Autumn 2012 Issue of Prims Magazine

Autumn 2012 Issue of Prims Magazine

Under the Harvest Moon ~ Published!

I've been waiting for the September issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming magazine, knowing my newest pattern would be in it. And there it is, starting on page 14. I've not yet had a chance to read through it for any errors, but it looks like they included lots of the photos I sent them (a picture says a thousand words, doesn't it?) This is the best free advertising out there!

This doll stands about 22 inches tall. I'm working on another Harvest Moon doll right now, though not using the Fall colors. I also hope to use this design for my Hoffman Challenge entry. I've got to reread the rules and make sure I'm within the size parameters before starting.

Under the Harvest Moon

She's finally done, and I've settled on her name ~ "Under the Harvest Moon," or Harvest Moon for short. I finished her shoes today, and am really pleased with how they turned out (got them right on the second try, too!). Harvest Moon is just over 22 inches tall. Her clothing is removable. Her hair is fringed upholstery trim. She's supposed to be in the September issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming magazine.

The shoes are made from woven fabric. I thought I'd have to sew snaps, or make a tiny buttonholes, but they slip on easily (thank goodness!) without all that nonsense. Be careful if you click on this photo - I forgot to resize the image.

I really want to make another of these dolls, but need to get ready for my class in Auburn in a little over a week. Crunch time!

I Love Fabric

I really love fabric. It's a sickness. Every year I resolve to NOT buy more, and use what I have in my embarrassingly large stash. But I've done it again.

Patti LaValley and I stopped at Callapooya Quilts in Brownsville, Oregon, en route to our annual Eugene Luncheon. You could say it's a tradition. And right around the corner is a quaint little yarn shop, Brownsville Stitching, where we find fibers suitable for doll hair.

I found all sorts of lovely fabric, and with the design of my newest doll in my head, loaded up on Fat Quarters. Here's a combination I think would look nice, and I just happened to have this upholstery trim (for hair) that coordinates pretty well.

The new design is nearly complete (she just needs her shoes), and then I can get her and the pattern/instructions sent to Doll Crafter & Costuming magazine. Skirt and bodice fabrics are from Callapooya, sleeves and collar are from Lisa Shafer's shop. Striped stockings are from my stash (Yay!).

Labor Pains

I've been laboring for days, working on a new doll design for an issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming magazine. It's a slow process, completing a step, documenting that step in the instructions, illustrating and/or photographing that step, and scanning the illustration or processing the photo, and inserting it into the instructions. The pattern for the magazine will be abridged, and about the time the issue comes out, I'll probably release the unabridged pattern as well. At least that's what I've done with Soft Dolls & Animals magazine.

It's been quite awhile (with the exception of the luncheon doll in the previous post) since I've made a doll that's not coated in layers of Messy Mix, gesso, and paint. So this doll is progressing much more quickly that those other dolls. It's kind of refreshing, really.

A few posts back, Sarah left a comment. And she said a mouthful:

Oh, I hope you write more about this pattern-making project. I'm interested in your thoughts and process, since I find pattern designing a bit frustrating. I am looking forward to having my own pattern that I like, but I'm far from that point now. It's like making chocolate chip cookies knowing nothing only what probably should go into them, and making them over and over and over again, each time not quite right... ;-)

In a nutshell, pattern drafting is just trial and error. But, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Eventually, it becomes a little more intuitive, and by working with different materials, you become more familiar with their properties. Thanks, Sarah!

Designing a new doll

For the past few days, I've been designing a new doll for the September issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming. I've been writing the pattern instructions as I go, which is a good way to avoid missing any steps. I've also been photographing the steps and imbedding photos into the instructions (I just love photos in patterns.)

The deadline is May 1, to get all the written material, photos, and the finished doll to the magazine. I've been a little stressed about it, because I don't have a really clear picture in my head about the final look and costuming. She's a project in evolution, in other words. I do have a name for her and an autumnal color scheme in mind.

This photo is prototype number 1, made from unbleached muslin. I identified a few design issues with this one, have made adjustments and have been working on protoype number 2, made from dyed muslin. She has a body, head and legs, and is patiently awaiting arms.

I work the next four days, so this project will be put on hold. I've also got to work on another doll for an upcoming function, so will probably not get back to her until early April.

Published!

I'm thrilled to have made the cover of SD&A magazine! These folks always do a wonderful job of photographing the dolls. And, of course, the pattern is included in this issue.

I designed this Santa last Christmas, for my siblings (I didn't know what else to get them). I should make another for our upcoming ER Christmas Party and Auction (traditionally, I make a Santa every year to be auctioned off).

Thanks, SD&A!

New Release: Sleepytime Santa pattern

Yesterday and today (and probably tomorrow, too) have been spent collating doll patterns, printing cover photos, folding, and stuffing ziplock bags. My stock of patterns was low, and there's an upcoming doll show in September in Portland, Oregon.

Sleeptime Santa was designed in December 2007, and the pattern was completed at the same time. But as I also submitted a somewhat abridged version of it to Soft Dolls & Animals magazine, I have delayed its release. I expect it may be in the next issue of the magazine, as the holiday season is fast approaching. For that reason, I decided to release the pattern today. You can find it here: http://blueherondolls.com/blue_heron_patterns.htm

I still have a lot of catching up to do after Vegas, and my sewing room is a disaster area. Verity is standing on my work table, a constant reminder that she needs to be an official pattern. I'm getting there...

Submitting Work to a Magazine

In a previous post, Mae asked:
"How does one get into a magazine? Do you have to get a hold of them? Do you have to make a pattern for the doll you have in the magazine? How does that work?" I thought I'd answer her in the form of an article I'm writing for ODACA Expressions, the publication for members of the Original Doll Artist Council of America:

>>As doll artists, collectors and admirers of dolls, many of us subscribe to doll magazines. But if you haven’t considered submitting an article to one of these publications, you should. For the artist, an article will call attention to your dolls. Consider it the best free advertising. There is the recognition of your expertise, and even payment for that knowledge. Of course, the readers and magazines benefit from submissions, too.

What should you write about? With a variety of doll magazines on the market, one is bound to suit your fancy. Research past issues of the magazine for a better understanding of what they are looking for, i.e. step-by-step instructions, materials, sources.

If you are a doll artist, consider taking step-by-step photos of a new project, or submitting a doll pattern. Many magazines publish submission guidelines, indicating the kinds of articles they want and photography requirements. Here are just a few:
Soft Dolls & Animals~ http://scottpublications.com/sdamag/submit.html
Doll Crafter & Costuming~ http://www.dollccmag.com/DollCraftersubmissionguidelines.pdf
Contemporary Doll Collector~ (also published by Scott Publications, above)
Doll Castle News~ info@dollcastlemagazine.com

You may want to start with a query letter before investing time and energy in a full article. Check the guidelines first. Sending a letter first to see if an article idea interests the editor can be done much more quickly than researching and writing a whole article. Your query letter should be written on plain, white stationery, free from grammatical or spelling errors. Address the letter to the editor and include a stamped self-addressed envelope so the editor can reply. Many editors will accept query letters and articles via email; others prefer regular mail. Don’t wait for the magazine to contact you. Without submissions, magazines can’t sustain readership.>>

A couple months ago, I submitted a pattern proposal to one of the magazines above. I included all the information they requested (description, size, skill level, supply list, contact information, etc.) and several photos of the finished doll. I wrote that if they weren't interested or unable to publish the pattern due to space/theme constraints, to let me know ASAP and I'd submit it to another magazine (this pattern was one particularly suited to magazine submission - not too lengthy, good for many skill levels, etc.). Their schedule was full for the rest of the year, so after hearing from them I sent the same information to another magazine. They accepted the project and currently have the sample doll, a hard copy of the pattern, a CD containing the pattern instructions, illustrations and step-by-step photos. (Incidentally, the first magazine just contacted me and asked whether the project was still available.) The magazines have wonderful photographers and often prefer to take their own photos.

At least a few of the doll magazines also have galleries that feature photos of dolls readers have submitted. Just check out the magazines (some have gallery "themes") to find out how to submit a photo, and what their digital resolution requirements are.

Above is a photo of me and most of my patterns, holding my beloved Rosie.

SD&A Interpretive Doll Challenge!

I've not yet received the May issue of Soft Dolls & Animals magazine, but visited their website today and saw one of my dolls (Lydia, in the back) on the cover! I also recognize the little girl in the front holding the Annie doll - I think she' Cindy Ribet's doll. I don't know the makers of the other two dolls. I expect the magazine will arrive in the next couple of days, and I'm anxiously awaiting this issue. It should be filled with photos of challenge dolls, the pattern for which was graciously provided by Aletha "Ike" Putney.

Thanks, Ike!

Lydia

Lydia's vintage style dress and pantaloons are finished (no pattern yet for them, but the doll is made from Aletha "Ike" Putney's pattern in the January issue of Soft Dolls & Animals).
The skirt-overlay is an old hankie, cut in half and gathered. While Lydia's clothing is not removable, if I make another, I will make all the clothes removable.

I'm pleased with her face. This was a direct sculpt over cloth, and I'm still very much a novice. The first three or four layers of paperclay were applied with a paintbrush, thinned down to the consistence of baby food. Then I built up the nose, cheeks, lips and chin.

One of these days (soon, I hope), I will develop a pattern for an all-cloth Izannah Walker inspired doll. I've always loved the IW dolls. I recently got a videotape on eBay, documenting some of the early American dollmakers. Very inspiring, and I can't wait to get started!

SD&A Challenge Doll

The January 2008 issue of Soft Dolls & Animals magazine has an Interpretive Doll Challenge with a pattern by Aletha "Ike" Putney. The due date is March 1, so I spent all day yesterday sculpting and painting her face.

This is a simple doll, with lots of opportunity for imagination. The entries I've seen so far have been wonderful. They are on the Yahoo group vintageclothdollmaking, as Ike is a member.

This is my doll "Lydia" so far. She just needs her costuming, and hopefully that will be completed today.

Celebrating Christmas this weekend

We are celebrating the holiday this weekend since we worked Christmas (the down-side of being nurses). The up-side - it allowed me a little more time to finish shopping and sewing.

I wrote the pattern instructions for my newest Santa as I designed him. Of course, this means it takes longer to finish the doll. Here's the final (third) prototype. The first two will go to my siblings and their spouses. I'm almost done with the pattern publishing process, but won't release it until a little later in 2008.