LoopyBoopy

The Guest List Part II

2012-02-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to present the remainder of the dolls from The Guest List. You can see the first half of the guest list in my previous post.

Bethany Burgess

Bethany had asked Bobby Anderson to the sock hop, he said yes, but when Sarah Jane told him Bethany still sucked her thumb he decided not to go with her. Sarah Jane Tillman just laughed.

Yvette Bonner

Sarah Jane was a mean girl. Last week Sarah Jane told her that she was ugly and that God didn't let ugly little girls into heaven. Sarah Jane laughed.

Wynona Francis

Mommy said she should not hate anyone and while Wynona really tried she just didn't like Sarah Jane. She was so rotten to all the girls, once Wynona told Sarah Jane that she was a mean girl and Sarah Jane laughed.

Poor Girls.

I have of course one more doll to add to this series, none other than Sarah Jane Tillman.

The Guest List

2012-01-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

Eudora Baker

My next series of dolls is a collection of 8 dolls entitled The Guest List

Each girl is on the guest list of Sarah Jane Tillman's annual tea party. None of the girls have any desire to go as Sarah Jane is a mean girl and has committed dastardly deeds to each girl. Of course the are all obligated to go as everyone knows an invitation to the Tillman estate is not something you turn down.

Josie Lynn Whitney

Here are four of the girls invited to the party and of course their little personal tale and history with the dreaded Sarah Jane Tillman.

Josephine Weltey

Nadine Faulkner

Happy 2012

2012-01-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

2012 Winter Worry Bunnies

Happy 2012 everyone. I have a feeling its going to be a great year!

To start out the year I've made my collection of Winter Worry Bunnies. These little fellows will find anything and everything to worry about. Its believed they have special powers as well, if you rub their bellies they can take all of your worries away. That's what I'm told anyway.

Daryle #8

Daryl worries Penny will find out he likes her more than just a friend kinda like.

Simon #7

Simon worries mom will find out he left his droppings in front of Mrs. Robins burrow.

Jimmy #2

Jimmy likes to wear pink but worries the other bunnies will make fun of him

These bunnies and the rest in my Shop are part of my Winter 2012 collection of Worry Bunnies. There will be 20 bunnies in this collection and once they are gone they are gone. This style, color and size of worry bunny will never be created again. Your bunny will be completely unique, one of a kind. Each bunny will come to you signed, number and dated.

Enjoy!

Things I'm Thankful for

2011-11-26T19:06:00.001-08:00

Yes, my belly is full, too full in fact, my house is warm and my family is safe and healthy. I have a wonderfully supportive and quirky husband, a especially talented and beautiful daughter, basically a perfect little family that I adore. When you actually take the time to think of the things you can be thankful for it is really quite easy and fills you with a sense of calm and gratitude.

I have been blessed beyond these very simple yet valued things and am glad for the season to help remind me just how very blessed I have been. I get to create art for a living! Its not something I take for granted and can never fully express my gratitude to those who support and appreciate what I do. My work is absolutely an extension of who I am and for others to enjoy and acknowledge that is one of the greatest gifts I've been offered in life.

I also want to share with you some work that is currently available in my shop. These dolls are from a series I'm working on called The Orphans of New Orleans Past. At 1432 Magazine Street there is an old building that once was St. Mary's Orphanage, operating in the late 1800's. Of course the orphanage is now closed and I believe the building abandoned. When I drive by this building I can't help but wonder about the children that ended up there, who their parents were and under what circumstances a child ends up in an orphanage. These dolls names, birth dates, parents and addresses are inspired by historical periods in New Orleans history, they are the children I imagine lived at 1432 Magazine Street.

Bridgette Millaudon

Bridgette Millaudon, Orphan of Uptown

born April 26, 1908
mother - debutante Celeste Millaudon
father - unnamed
last known address: 6008 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA

Simone Lamothe

Simone Lamothe, Orphan of Storyville

born Sept 24, 1901
mother - Francis Lamothe
father - unknown
last known address: 345 Basin Street, New Orleans

Beatrice Hooper

Beatrice Hooper, Orphan of the Vieux Carre

born May 17, 1906
mother - albino performer Ceclia Hooper
father - fire eater Raymond Hooper
last known address: 675 Decatur Street

Celeste and Babette

2011-11-17T12:02:00.001-08:00

Babette

Celeste

Yet once again I find myself MIA from bloglandia. Do you ever find yourself burning your candle at both ends? I have felt this way since September and am so looking forward to a holiday break, where all I have to do is sit on the couch, eat my mother in laws fabulous food and have her wait on me. She is the very best at that. Until then I'll keep at it. Celeste and Babette are a couple of the new gals I've been working on.

I have a couple of more gals in wardrobe:) I'll post them here when they are properly dressed.

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and the upcoming holiday season!!

Holiday Ornaments

2011-10-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

A short post to share some of the new holiday ornaments for your tree. I hope you like them!

I'm Back

2011-10-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hazel hates dolls, they creep her out.

Ha, I love the irony of Hazel's story!

So wow, I have been so busy and have so neglected my lil blog which is usually the case this time of year. The Carnival of Saints and Souls Gallery show was a huge success. The artists and their dollies were amazing as was expected. You can see all of them here as well as my dolls from the show that are available online through the gallery link.

Today I wanted to share with you some of my very favorite suppliers on Etsy. A great supplier is like your best friend, they make your life so much easier as an artist and though I really want all of their stuff for myself I know that's not possible so I'm gonna share with you.

For the most amazing vintage laces and Victorian textiles scraps please check out Bonblu and dishvintage I visit both of these shops almost daily to see what they have to offer and they continually have the most beautiful laces and trims that will make you drool.

While I don't use the glass eyes regularly when I did I found VintageVancouver for a great constant supply of antique glass blown German eyes. She has all sizes and colors at a really great price and I can vouch....they are gorgeous!!!

Last but not least is my new and favorite supplier of Tibetan Lambswool. I've always had trouble finding the perfect supplier of this must for my dolls. FunwithTrollDolls has filled that need to a tee. Her plates are gorgeous, wonderfully priced and she does custom dying on request. Try her Teeswater wool. Its so beautiful and really fun to work with.

Thanks so much to our dolly suppliers..without you we couldn't do what we do. I hope you'll find some goodies in these wonderful shops....Oh, lest I forget all of these shops have amazing customer service which also a huge bonus.

Admitting my Computer Inadequacies

2011-09-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

dpi, pdf files, image size, photoshop...ackkk, it all drives me crazy.

So I threw in the towel and decided to let a new and very dear Internet friend of mine make me some new business cards and postcards. I am so thrilled with my experience that I just must share with y'all. Above is the front side of my new postcard....I love it!!

I met PhanieMarie on Etsy and we immediately hit it off, she is whacky, smart, cute and talented. Once I took a peek at her work I realized she was going to be more than an Internet buddy, she was gonna be my new graphic design artist!

What a relief to just hand it all over to her and let her create and work. She designed and ordered all the promotional stuff I need for my upcoming Carnival of Saints and Souls show and I can not be more than delighted with what she has done for me.

Not only did she come up with an amazing design that I immediately fell in love with, she lead me in the right direction for professional printing and delivery.

If your a computer boob like myself these kind of things can drive one crazy! Deciding to hand it off to a professional was the best decision I ever made!!

Please check out Phanies work in her Etsy shop or her website where she offers services of photo restoration and more.

Sneak Peek of Miss Lil Bo Sheep

2011-09-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

I predict that I will do little posting on my blog during the month of September. I'm working diligently to make new dolls for the holiday season as well as working on my collection for the Saints and Souls Gallery Show the 1st of October.

The line up is out and you can read all about it on the official blog. Another amazing line-up of artists, definitely a dolly event you'll want to attend if possible.

This is a peek at my first finished doll for the show.

Miss Lil Bo Sheep - Saint of the Unoriginal

Little Bo Sheep

Follow her and she will safely lead you down the path of mediocrity and commonplace.

Of course nobody sets out with hopes of following Miss Sheep, but her lure of a safe and easy passage is hard to resist. Shes a beauty to look at but evil in nature.

New Dolls and My Fall Schedule

2011-08-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

Josie

Josie hates returning to school after summer vacation. All her friends got bigger and shes not sure they remember her.

So excited and a bit nervous about my fall schedule. Looking forward to making some Halloween dolls, who doesn't love the inspiration of the Hallowed Eve? I also will be showing my work in the Saints and Souls show again at the Poets Gallery at the end of October. Like their Fan Page on Facebook to get updates and images of the dolls for sale. You can also purchase online if you find something you cannot live without. There will be a gathering of amazing doll artists for the show, you won't want to miss this one, but more on that and some of the artists showing later.

I also, much to my dismay got my jury summons and schedule, every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of October I must report to the New Orleans courthouse to fulfill my civic duty. Its kind of strange as I've always wanted to sit on a jury but it just could not have come at a worse time, but isn't that always the case.

It'll all get done and fussing over it will not make it go away or any better, so I will take one day at a time.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Josie and Lilith a couple of new dollies available in my shop.

Lilith

Lilith haunts tea parties. She met her demise eating crumpets and drinking tainted tea at her friend Gwendolyns summer tea party. She enjoys spending time with the little girls in their pretty party dresses but would like it if they knew she was there so she could show them her good manners and her excellent croquet abilities.

Back at It

2011-08-10T13:52:00.000-07:00

Giselle

I love my summer vacations, seeing family and freinds and getting out of the New Orleans heat for a bit. As well I'm always eager to get home after about a week. I start to get a little cranky when I'm away from my own bed and my dolly making stuff.

As usual I have come home with copious amounts of supplies that my family has gathered for me throughout the year. I don't know where they find this stuff but my mother and sister are my favorite suppliers. I came home with the most incredible and luxurious vintage laces and fabrics I could not wait to get my hands into and start creating.

Giselle is my first Halloween doll of the season. Her dress is made from a vintage netting that is by far my favorite type fabric and thanks to mom I have gobs of it!

So glad to see summer winding down. Eager for a bit of cool weather and my fall routine of dolly making!

Loopy August Sale

2011-08-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Jeannie and other dolls on sale

As usual my summer postings are slim here on the loopy blog. I've been busy with the little squid, we've been vacationing and having some summer fun.

Once a year, I like to offer some pieces at a tad bit lower prices for my customers and it is that time of year! Click the link above to go to my shop and see the dollys that are waiting for new homes at a slightly lower than usual price.

I am currently on vacation in my birth state of Michigan. Visiting family and enjoying the slightly, and I do mean slightly cooler weather. My Michigan trips are also my shopping trips. I have been scouring estate sales, garage sales for the perfect antique fabrics and trims for my dollys. Something about rural Michigan, the vintage textiles are in abundance!! As well my mother and my sister, both antique dealers save up their findings for me all year. I cannot tell you how excited about the materials I have found. I cannot wait to get home and get to work. New/old materials are so inspiring!

I'm looking forward to fall and getting back to my doll making schedule.

I hope ya'll are having a wonderful summer!

Cassandra and Tessa

2011-06-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

Tessa

Thanks so much for the nice comments on my last post!

I've been working on these new dollies with the painted eyes. A couple of things motivated me to try something new. Well, first I just like to push myself to use different materials and techniques and have recently found the time for a little exploration, which has been fun. I also have been wanting to make some smaller pieces, that might be a bit more affordable to most. The element I regularly use for eyes just doesn't really allow me to work smaller so I was needing to come up with something different. Also, as all you doll makers know you end up with a lot of scraps and pieces of your favorite fabrics and textiles, too small to work with but too precious to throw out.

These smaller dolls are a way to get to use those bits and pieces I've had around as well as some hair scraps, again too little to use on my larger dolls but too much to just throw away.

The biggest misconception is that smaller is easier or faster...HA, no way. It seems the smaller I work the harder it gets, those tiny hands are no walk in the park. But I do like the dainty little things. Next week I'll probably work on some of my regular loopy dolls but I'll definitely be revisiting these mini loopys soon.

Cassandra

Joelle

2011-06-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Joelle

No, I haven't lost my marbles:) Just playing with some new ideas and looks for my dollies.

Joelle ponders if the joy of having the puppy is worth the sadness when he dies.

Faye

2011-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Faye

Strolling by the swamps edge Faye found some eggs. They were abandoned so she picked them up and planned to see them hatch. The problem is shes not sure if they are bird eggs or gator eggs and shes a little nervous for the big day.

Nathan

2011-06-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I sat down to quickly make a small sheep as a tag along to another piece I'm working on. I started creating and creating and eventually ended up with not a small sheep but Nathan the Billy Goat. Wow, what fun to be lead away into something I had no idea was in my head or was waiting to be created.

Nathan

I have a special place in my heart for fantasy. I read the entire series of The Chronicles of Narnia books at least three times as a tweenie. I suspect Nathan comes from those memories of adventure, fantasy and letting my imagination run wild. He makes me smile, and I hope he does the same for you!!

Some new Dolls and Summer Plans

2011-05-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

May

As the summer months near and people are looking forward to getting outside, down here in the bayou I am preparing to hole up for the next three months in my cool, air conditioned home. Perhaps its the combination of the stifling heat and effects of mid-life that makes it nearly unbearable to step outside. It seems to get worse each year, to the point some days I believe I just may die from sweating too much. I try to take it in stride, as I know many up north have been holed up for months themselves, hunkering down in the winter snow. With the good comes the bad in most everything I suppose.

I do look forward to spending time with NoraLeigh. She plans to learn how to cook this summer. She has really taking a liking to the culinary arts, which I also enjoy..so that should be fun and yummy. My sister has just moved to a kind of commune in Mississippi, near by. She has a lovely pond, peace and serenity on a secluded 20 acre plot. Obviously we plan to spend a lot of time out there.

With summer vacations and the busy-ness of being mommy dolly creations, as usual slows down. I'll be creating and sharing whenever I can find the time, but no doubt it will not be as often as usual.

So with that, I'd like to share some new pieces I've been working on.

Daphne and Deliah

The Gift of Motherhood

2011-04-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

Clara and Baby Lanie

Boys and men are a rarity in my family. The last three generations my family has been made up of primarily women so when I think of Mothers day I think of the mother daughter relationship.

I created Clara and baby Lanie with Mothers day and all that being a daughter and a mother means to me. Motherhood is truly a gift. Without it one can neverly fully understand, appreciate or properly forgive her own mother.

I frequently have light bulb moments in motherhood as I'm screaming at my daughter or exasperated with her mood swings, remembering my own mothers frustration and misunderstanding of me when I was a daughter at a similar age and she was a mother.

With motherhood comes the most extreme emotions of love, fear, joy, anxiety, resentment, pride, guilt, regret..the list goes on. With motherhood comes every emotion that makes us human. It truly is a gift.

My daughter NoraLeigh recently said to me, "mom, I'm afraid to have a child. Afraid I won't raise her right" my response to her was, "all you can do darling is do the best you can and love them as much as you can, and you'll be a wonderful mother". The rest just plays out and that is what makes us not perfect but beautiful mothers.

Happy Mothers Day to all those perhaps not perfect by beautiful mothers out there!!

Caleb

2011-04-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Caleb

What? Everyone has an accident from time to time.

Casey

2011-04-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Casey

Casey likes Easter well enough, she just hopes she cand find some dang eggs this year. Why does that bunny have to hide them so well, after all we're just kids?

Casey is the first of three girls I'm working on this week.

Inspirations

2011-04-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

So often I hear the remarks that my dollies must be inspired by Tim Burton. It's interesting to me as I am a fan of Tim Burtons work and do love his characters but I wouldn't call myself a huge fan. I've seen most of his movies once, some maybe twice but that's it.

I think inspirations may trickle down and perhaps Tim Burton was a fan of whom I believe I'm most inspired by, Margaret Keane. Keanes prints were iconic in my youth. I had a number of them on my walls and remember laying on my pink chenille bedspread admiring the artists work and identifying with the images. She was a master at capturing emotion and depth, most entirely through the eyes.

Eleanor

I was feeling pretty excited recently when I created Eleanor. One of the limitations I've been running into in creating my dolls is with their eyes. The element I use lends toward a sideways look, so I have been feeling a bit trapped in that expression. With Eleanor I decided to really play with the eyes and was delighted when I got her to look straight ahead, resembling even more a Keane painting.

Of course I'm not trying to copy Keane's work but am intrigued with the emotion she captures through her big eyes and try to do something similar in my medium. I'm excited to play with this newly learned trick of mine and see what I can create, I feel likes it's opened a door of expressions I wouldn't have been able to achieve before.

Raven

2011-03-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Raven

Why on earth did mother make her wear this silly dress to the party? How is she supposed to hunt for bugs and play football all covered in lace. Mothers are not always practical.

Happy weekend everyone!

Etsy and Buyer Privacy Concerns

2011-03-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Etsy, the site in which I currently sell my work is changing a lot. The recently have recieved some bad press in regards to buyer privacy issues. Making all buyers now searchable by user name or real name on the site. They recently tried to combat this by making all feedback private and making it clear when you sign up that you have a choice in whether to display your real name or not on your user account.

I want my buyers to feel confident and secure in making a purchase from me. If you in anyway do not feel comfortable with registering or creating an account on Etsy to make a purchase, I ask that you please contact me through my blog or my facebook fanpage .

Now, done with the yuckky stuff:) Meet Melissa, shes looking for a new home...her current one is not the best.

Melissa

Helen and Rachel

2011-03-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Helen

Rachel

Both of these gals have sold but I thought I'de share them here on my blog anyway. The girls tend to get a little jealous if they don't get equal air time.

Carnival 2011

2011-03-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

Another Carnival season comes to a sad end. The magic has been dispersed, the beads have been thrown and caught and the glitter and wigs have been put away for now.

Unfortunately I had to sit Mardi Gras day out this year, my RA keeping me on the couch. No worries, I 've learned to take pleasure in watching my family revel in the celebration and that brings warmth to my heart and a smile to my face.

I love that my daughter, NoraLeigh has taken after her mama and works weeks in advance on her costume and preperation for the magic of Mardi Gras day, so if I'm not there in body I know I'm there in spirit. She is so creative and inspired, I like to think perhaps that is a bit of myself rubbing off on her. She inspires me everyday.

So it's back to work for me, with a renewed inspriation and a touch of Mardi Gras magic to motivate me.

Marcy

2011-03-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

Marcy

Marcy wishes they would move back to the city, there is no one to play with out here in the boondocks.

Elsa

2011-02-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

Elsa

Elsa loves riding the carriages through the French Quarter but she does worry about the horses, they must get tired and how they manage to avoid the drunken sots on the street is a mystery.

Elsa is available in my online shop

The Progression of Art - Ugly to Pretty

2011-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:00

Somewhere along the way of this artistic journey I've been on my dolls got pretty. Of course pretty or ugly is completely subjective and this is my opinion. I have no idea how or when this happened. Truth is, it's been a progression I was completely unaware of. Above is Virgina a current dolly and below is Bethany, a doll I created 2 years ago.

Whats funny is when I made Bethany I never set out to make an ugly doll. I was still fairly new at this art doll stuff and she is just what came out. When I set out to make Virginia I didn't intend to make a pretty doll, again she is just what comes out these days.

I'm very grateful and honored that people see something in what I am doing, even if my talent wasn't or isn't still yet honed.

If I had any advice for a new and budding doll artist (or any artist for that matter) I would say that though your technical skills may not be what they will be in the future always create what is true in your heart. Work to achieve what you want to say. From my experience people will still be able to feel and appreciate that even if it's not yet the best you have to offer. Art is a continuous, ever exciting journey that never ends.

Three New Girls

2011-02-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

Elodie

Elodie hates going to her grand dads house. He insists she act proper and his stuffed mirliton is awful.

Yes I've been a busy little bee and I'm happy to share with you three new girlies.

Piper

Piper vows to one day own a small cottage and raise bunnies. She'll have hundreds of beautiful bunnies. Until then she'll have to continue to put them in the Madames soup.

Virginia

Virgina hates the ballet classes her mother insists she take, she wants to take archery. She believes she would be very good at it.

Embellishing Ella

2011-02-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

Ella

With embellishing in mind I set out to make Ella. So with her tiny underpants, tights, underskirt, skirt, over skirt and her velvet jacket she has five layers of clothing on:) Each piece I finish completely even if you don't end up seeing it. I just can't stand the thought of unfinished panties under all her clothing. Ella is free standing and measures approx 12" tall.

In making her I had to dig deep into my stash of vintage laces and linens which was a really great thing, I found stuff in there I had forgotten I had. It's good to rotate your supplies from time to time.

I've been diggning through Victorian parlor photography for clothing inspiration and I think Ella's little get up would fit perfectly into the era.

Joanie and a new look at Photographing

2011-02-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

Meet Joanie, She wonders why people tip cows.

Today I'd like to share nother story about building friendships and sharing ideas in the art doll world.

A very dear cyber friend, Paula Nerhus recently took home one of my dolls. Its a huge compliment when another very talented artists sees something special in your work and brings one home. Please see Paula's work here ....amazing huh? Check out her flickr here

Paula is not only an incredible art doll aritst she is also a very very gifted photographer and she did the special favor of photographing Ellie, the doll she brought home and sent me the photos.

For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get those photos on my blog so I'm going to give you the link to my flickr account where you can view Paula's photography of a Loopy doll.

Paula's doll A Light in a Dark Place

I was obviously blown away by her talent and work. Her images got me to start thinking on how to photograph my dolls in different ways. I have a long way to go to equal Paula's talent, but I'll keep at it.

Jaqui of Odddollz Visits

2011-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Shelby

One of the numerous great things about living in New Orleans is that people come here to visit and I in turn get to meet a lot of really wonderful people I've became friends with on the web and through doll making.

One of those people is Jacqui of Odddollz

Meet Jacqui

Jacqui is a amazing doll artist and a beautiful person. The last time she was in town I gave her a naked Loopy doll and Jacqui took her home and clothed the dear thing. She named her Estelle and gave her a great gothy burlesque attire with purple hair and black patent leather gloves. I immediately fell in love with her. We got to spend a day making dollies, we exchanged some dolly making ideas and some vintage scraps and trims. What a sweetheart, Jacqui loaded me up with some of the most incredible little laces, ribbons and goodies.

If you ever get the oppurtunity to work with another doll artist I highly suggest doing it. It's really inspiring and fun. One of the things I took from the day is embellishing! Being a bit of a minimalist I don't typically embellish my dollies much but Jacqui showed me some great little tricks, like making hats and the last two dolls I made, Jodie and Shelby ended with with hats a and lot more trimming than I normally do.

Jodie

The doll making community is really such a wonderful group of people. I've found so many aritsts willing to share techniques and knowledge of the art form, little did I know when I got into this that I would meet so many amazing artists and wonderful people.

Edie and Penny

2011-01-27T11:30:00.000-08:00

Edie

Penny

Something Different Benny

2011-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Meet Benny. I've decided to take a day a week and work on something different from what I normally do. Benny is what has come of those days.

I thought about approaching the head from a totally different and quite opposite direction than my normal loopy dolls. Typically my dolls eyes are big with tiny facial features. Benny on the other hand has teeny eyes and huge facial features. I really like the way he came out. He's full of wonder with a little hesitation.

I'm looking forward to exploring new designs, it's good for my creative soul:)

Abileen on Ebay

2011-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

A quick post for today. A wonderful customer and online friend is moving to her dream house and is having to downsize. ThimblePrimStudios is a wonderful artist and supporter of artists, be sure to check out her blog.

Having moved many times in my lifetime I absolutely understand the need to clear out when doing so.

For this reason she is selling some of her doll collection on Ebay which includes a loopy doll.

Click on the first image to go to the auction and the second image to go to the sold listing with more images.

I wanted to let you know abou this auction. Aibleen is one of my favorites with her little pony tails. This may be an oppurtunity to pick up a loopy doll at a bit of a lower price as well as help out a dear artist friend.

Dolls of 2011

2011-01-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful celebration and that the new year brings much joy and happiness to each of you.

I've been busy busy creating dollies and have sorely neglected my poor blog.
I'm happy to say that my work is selling very quickly and I'm having a hard time keeping available dolls in my shop. I have the most wonderful customers and they have been keeping me jumping.

For this reason I am considering changing my selling format. I'm working up a way to have shop updates instead of random listings. This will allow me to get lost in creating for a couple of weeks and then spend some time on the computer listing. It will also give my customers a heads up as to when dolls will be available.

For the time being you can sign up to receive updates of new listings through the Subscribe to Feed link in my shop (right hand side menu at the bottom of the page). It's pretty self explanatory once you sign up.
In the future if you would like to be notified of my shop updates please sign up for my newsletter from the link at the top of my blog. By doing so you will receive an email that will notify you of the work I'll be listing and when.

This is going to be a new thing for me and a schedule I'm going to have to develop, so it may be a month or two before I get it going. I also wanted to give those that are interested the opportunity to sign up for the newsletter. I will also give notice here on my blog.

Christmas Stubbies

2010-12-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

Valerie has her misletoe, she is ready. Now if she can just get Jimmy Jones to hold still.

You can find more of my Christmas Stubbies here

Jessica

2010-12-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

Jessica loves the carnival. She loves riding the carousel horses but mostly she loved the Freak Show and couldn't wait to get to the big red tent to see the bearded lady and the snake man.

A Lot to worry about at Christmas

2010-11-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

Drake worries that his sister Dolores might have been a little nicer than him this year, he regrets putting that grub in her carrot soup this summer. That whole naughty or nice thing is hard to remember all year long.

The Gift?

2010-11-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

I think I shared this interview with Etsy awhile back but wanted to bring it up again as I have been having some reflections on where life has brought me.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, a difficult disease to live with as are all chronic illnesses. I had a bad day this week and was unable to get up and get moving. The reflex response is frustration and I have to remind myself that this is my life and I must deal with what it hands me. I have to remember to be patient and take care of myself.

It's these down days that I sometimes become most inspired. I've realized because my body has made me slow down it's enabled me to explore my creative self. I was always a mover, doer, a person that felt compelled to be doing something in order to feel productive. I now realize it's nearly impossible to be reflective, thoughtful and creative when one is constantly moving. RA taught me this.

I do believe life and what happens to us has a purpose. So is my illness a gift? Sometimes I think it is so. I'm not sure I would have ever slowed down enough to realize my true creative self without it.

Of course I wish I didn't have this disease but there is no sense in lamenting. I'm grateful for the ability to see what I've gained from my life experiences. Life is beautiful, difficult, crazy, fun, inspiring, painful and sometimes very hard but I truly believe that all of that is necessary for us to become and realize who we are and who we are to become.

So when life seems to much to bare, remember there will be knowledge to come from that pain. To recognize it, learn and grow from it is our task at hand.

Camille

2010-11-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

Camille wonders how Santa can travel the whole word in one night. She worries when he comes to her home in Louisiana it will be too hot for the reindeer and maybe he won't make it to her house this year.

Althea has taken up Voodoo

2010-10-26T11:36:00.001-07:00

Althea has taken up a new hobby, voodoo. Her first project is old Ms Hendricks who isn't very nice to her cats. She hasn't seen Ms Hendricks in a few days and is starting to think she may be pretty good as this voodoo thing.

Bigger Dolls

2010-10-18T13:19:00.001-07:00

Gabby

Just a quick post to tell you what I've been working on. Bigger thicker dollies and they have boots! I've also learned to needlefelt and these gals hold some of my first pieces. What fun poking away at that wool.

Artists of the Carnival of Saints and Souls Show

2010-10-11T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm assuming if you are follow my blog you are a fan of art dolls, and if so you are in for a treat here. This post is full of photos and links so I apologize to those with a slow connection, but believe me it will be worth the wait. This is the first of two posts.

I recently had the amazing pleasure of meeting some of the most inspiring and creative women in the art doll world at the Carnival of Saints and Souls gallery opening here in New Orleans. I was blessed to be able to remain in my home town and have all of these women come to me for a showing at the Poets Gallery. Showing my work with so much talent was truly an honor.

I'm am more than delighted to introduce you to a few of them.

Here is a photo of Miss Christy Kane and myself and yes she is as delightfully wacky as she appears. Christy curated the show, bringing all this talent together and as well creates the most intriguing cloth dolls I have ever laid my eyes on. Please be sure to check out her work on her Facebook page or her Etsy shop. Friend her, follow her, I promise you will not be disappointed with what you'll find. Below is one of her dollies I hope to own one day.

Saint Agnes of Rome - Patron Saint of Purity

Next up is Lateefah Wright, you can also find her work on Etsy. I have been a huge fan of Lateefah's work for a very long time and to finally meet her was a real treat. Her work is so moving and I have to admit I expected her to be a bit of an art snob and was really nervous but to my sheer delight she turned to be one of the sweetest people I have met in a long time, a real live doll and gentle spirit, though you wouldn't guess it from her work. There is so much passion, power, mystery, otherworldliness, feminity in Lateefahs work, I really don't have the words to describe how her dolls inspire me, though I've obviously tried:)

Sheri DeBow is next. Sheri is what would call a beautiful tornado. She has soo much positive energy flowing from her, it truly smacks you in the face and says "life is beautiful and you must enjoy every moment of it" It's infectious and being around Sheri is truly a gift one must recognize. Her dolls are beyond beautiful. So much detail and little tiny things to look at. Their little faces, well you just want to kiss them. I felt very fortunate to talk with Sheri about what inspires her dolls, her fears and hopes and having done so the dolls speak to me even more so.

and here is St. Flora, who almost brings me to tears every time I look at her

There are more artists that I want to share with you but also don't want to overwhelm you so I will stop for now. Look for future posts with equally amazing artists from the show and in the meantime you can see photos from the show and the dolls for sale at the Poets Gallery Facebook page or here is a link to the artists albums. If your interested in purchasing any of the dolls from the show please write Jeanne Noir, the gallery owner from the Poets page. Shes a real sweetheart and art doll supporter!

More Saints

2010-09-23T06:18:00.001-07:00

I've been working my hiney off for this show (well not literally though I wish:)

It's been a strange process as I was originally looking forward to the theme Carnival of Saints and Souls, encouraged by the opputunity to do something a little different. As time went on and no light bulbs of inspiration were going off I started getting nervous. I can't deny that I was also feeling anxious about the degree of talent I will be showing with and felt I needed to come up with some of my best work.

I researched Saints and found it a very interested topic but still nothing came to me so with the clock winding down and the deadline looming I just decided to start sculpting and see what happened. What came out is what I do best, desperate souls. I found myself identifying with the people that needed these Saints more than the Saints themselves so I created some needy ones as well.

I did try some new techniques and am happy with my collection so far. Here are just a few pieces. These pieces will be available in my Etsy shop if not sold at the show.

Blogs Of Note

2010-09-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Oh my poor poor blog. I have been so busy of late with the gallery show coming and the busy Halloween season upon us that I haven't even looked at the poor thing in over a month. Well you can imagine my surprise when this morning I decided to tend to my little space on the web to find a huge increase in traffic, comments and new followers.

With the help of google I discovered Blogs Of Note and found that my blog had been featured. Please check out the site there are gobs of great blogs to check out recommened by blogger.

So I'd like to thank all the new visitors for your comments and for choosing to follow my blog. I typically post more frequently that I have been in the last month or so and hope you'll enjoy my artwork and various meandorings on life.

As mentioned I've been working on Halloween pieces and below you can check out some of what I've been working on.

Somebody I've been working on

2010-08-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Just somebody I've been working on. Admittedly a bit different in style for me.

Summers End

2010-08-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Summers end? Well not by most calendars but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know most of you northerners look forward to warm summers but down here in the bayou it is so blistering hot and humid I fear at times I'll need to adapt and grow gills to survive.

Yes I have been in the land of the missing, spending time with the kiddo, going to the beach and now a last minute vacation up north to see my family. It's been fun, and it's been grand but I am so ready to get back to normal. Clarissa here is the last doll I made and she was made over a month ago.

I have some exciting things happening in the fall that I am very much looking forward to. First is a gallery opening with a number of my very favorite artists from across the country. The theme is Carnival of Saints and Souls, it will be held at the Poets Gallery right here in New Orleans. More on that later.

As well the Halloween season is approaching, one of my favorite times of the year. I have some new design ideas in my head and am looking forward to creating for the creepy season.

I foresee a lot of creating in my new future and I am just itching to get at it.

Lost in Wonderland

2010-07-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of an adventure in Wonderland? Tea with the Mad Hatter or perhaps a toke of the hookah with Mr. Catapillar? Well this weekend you can take a stroll through the magical land with the participants of the ADO Blog Challenge. Be sure to view all participants entry by clicking on their blog links on the sidebar of the ADO Blog

Lewis Carroll's magical story and in depth characters are an artists dream as far as inspiration. I myself made many Alices and to really challenge myself made the Queen of Hearts.

So don't miss out in the adventure. Be sure to check out all of the aritsts interpretation of the characters of this timeless tale.

Eyes

2010-06-23T09:22:00.001-07:00

I have a confession to make. A few years back I discovered totally by accident how to use my secret element to make eyes. When this happened I was thrilled as the truth is I've never felt very comfortable painting eyes. As it would happen the eyes of my dolls have made them my own and I'm grateful for this accidental discovery.

But I can't deny that I'm always so impressed and intrigued by peoples ability to make such life like eyes and thought I'd give it a whirl.

With a little help from one of my ADO team mate, Susie McMahon I've managed to give my last two dollies some hand painted eyes. Please take the time to check out Susie's blog and work, she is an amazing artist and just a wonderful person as well. Susie is an accomplished artist with great knowledge and she is so willing to share with and help her fellow artist. I feel privileged to have come to know her through the art doll world.

I will certainly still be using my regular eyes for most my dollies but I'm feeling a bit accomplished in having actually painted eyes. I've been telling myself for years that I can't paint eyes and well...apparently I can:) The funny ways we limit ourselves....

Grimms Fairy Tales

2010-06-08T10:53:00.001-07:00

Hansel and Gretle

I've been spending some time getting inspired by reading some of the original Grimms Fairy Tales. The original brothers stories are nothing like the stories that our parents read to us a children. They are much darker and were actually written for adults of the time.

Lil Red

I've been having so much fun reading these stories I have to remind myself to stop and actually make a doll!

Greed and the Gulf Coast

2010-06-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Our Mother Earth has a gaping wound and continues to bleed because of greed.

No dolls in this post and no images of the subject because we've all seen them and frankly they only make me cry.

Of course because I'm from New Orleans I have a personal interest in this current man made disaster. The last time it was mother nature and though the wrath of Katrina was devastating, what we are facing now I fear is far worse.

Our wetlands and wildlife will suffer for years to come. Our local economy will not be the same for a very long time. Animal life, people, the earth... we all will suffer.

Though I blame BP and feel they are responsible, I can't help but feel a bit of the responsibility lies on my own and each of our shoulders. I've begun to rethink mine and my families need and use of energy, plastics and oil. Changes have been made and we will continue to make an effort to reduce our reliance on these companies product. I hope the rest of the world will give this some thought as well.

I've recently made a donation of one of my dolls to a shop on Etsy that is a collaboration of artists, vintage and supplies sellers that have come together to raise money for the clean up on the Gulf Coast, Help the Gulf Coast. 100% of the proceeds go toward helping with the clean up.

If your an artist, perhaps you would like to donate to the cause. Or perhaps you'll find something of interest within the shop that you can't live without. Every little bit each of us does helps.

As I've stated many times in my blog New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region is very near and dear to my heart and this recent series of events has my heart aching, but it's not only my personal home that I cry for it's the earth and the horrid things we do to her that really has made me so very sad. I do hope this is a huge lesson learned and that all of us will take the time to stop and think about what we are doing to this beautiful planet we all call home.

Hedgehogs

2010-05-28T06:16:00.001-07:00

Heidi

Just a quick post today to include a couple of my new Hedgehog dolls and to wish everyone a wonderful long weekend.

Today is the last day of school for the lil squid so doll making slows dramatically around here. Although it's frustrating not to be able to create at will I do look forward to some time with NoraLeigh. Spending the summer with her is sure to prove fun and inspirational.

Hector

Bella

Saints

2010-05-24T07:05:00.001-07:00

I've recently been invited to participate in a gallery show here in New Orleans in October. There will be some other amazing doll artists there..but more on that later.

The theme of the show is Saints, which rather threw me at first as it's a subject I know nothing about. Well I've been having some fun doing some research on the topic and have found that there is a Saint for everything under the sun, in many different religions and regions of the planet. I guess we all need someone or something to turn to in times of trouble.

I made Isabella with this theme in mind. Kind of a practice fun for the show. I'm happy with her Saintly look and am looking forward to creating this collection.

Sammy and Sally

2010-05-06T10:27:00.001-07:00

Well I've spent the last couple of days trying to make a 1960's suit with drainpipe pants for my little Harold to no avail. This could prove more of a challenge than I bargained for.

So I decided to move onto another challenge saving the suit for another day. This challenge was for ADO's MMC, themed Circus Sideshow. Sammy and Sally came about.

Harold and Maude

2010-05-02T19:35:00.001-07:00

This weekend the hubby and kiddie went on a camping trip leaving me alone to a quiet house and movies of my choice. I came across the cult classic Harold and Maude and thought I'd give it a go. Okay, I have no idea how I have lived 45 years and not seen this perfect movie. I watched it three times this weekend and cannot wait to watch it again.

If you've not seen this movie, I cannot recommend it enough. The character of Harold speaks to me like no other. I won't give the plot or story away, but Harold is a young fellow so desperate to be seen and recognized by his overbearing mother that he continually fakes his own suicide. 50 times, he tells his therapist, that he has hung himself, slashed his throat or shot himself in the head. Each meticulously planned theatrical attempt is seen by his mother as quite an annoyance to her busy life.

Harold eventually meets the most beautiful woman and falls deeply in love...please be sure though it is not your typical love story. The Cat Stevens soundtrack is just the icing on the cake of this amazing movie.

So today I feel completely compelled to create Harold in a Loopy way.
The ideas are swimming and it' exciting to be so inspired. I will need to learn to make a 1960's suit which is a bit daunting but I'm determined, this is a character that I must create.

Judy and Bethany and Jazz Fest

2010-04-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

Judy

It's Jazz Fest time in New Orleans which brings lots of fantastic music, food and outings along with more guests. This year I'm blessed with the company of some very old friends from Michigan. It's so good for the soul to visit with people you've known for so long. We are having a wonderful time. Plus I so enjoy sharing my favorite city with people. I get to see it all over again through fresh eyes.

Going out to the Festival tomorrow for some sun, booty shaking, good food and all around fun. If you've ever been to the New Orleans Jazz Fest you are aware of the magic of the event. One of my very favorite things in life is getting lost in the groove of some funky live music and I plan to spend pretty much the entire day in that state of mind.

In all the commotion I've managed to make a couple of new dollies that I'd like to share with you.

Bethany

Edward

2010-04-25T14:24:00.001-07:00

Edward wanted to go to wizardry school. He was quite certain he had natural talent, for instance sometimes when he got angry the wind would blow very hard.

Billy

2010-04-15T06:22:00.001-07:00

Meet Billy

I don't make too many boys. Not sure why, I guess I never was really been around lil boys. I have a daughter and I had two sisters. I did have a little brother but when we were young he mostly just bugged me. (I do love him dearly as an adult I assure you:) Perhaps it's because boys wear boring clothes, no pretty frilly dresses.

I do like Billy's little outfit though and would much like one in my own size. You may recall a while back the argument between me and my sewing machine, well it seems my sewing machine was just old and has finally bit the dust. So I had to sew Billy's clothing entirely by hand. I do a lot of hand stitching anyway so it's nothing new but I can't say I've ever sewn an entire suit from hand, thank goodness it's only 6" in size:)

I must be getting old as the thought of hand sewing this outfit by hand 10 years ago....well I just wouldn't have had the patience. Now I find all those tiny little stitches to be quite relaxing and rewarding. To be honest it didn't take nearly as long as I would have thought. I think there was more fighting with my sewing machine than actual sewing. Every time I would get it out my blood pressure would go up in anticipation of the trouble that was about to ensue. I guess that explains why the hand sewing was so relaxing.

Anyway, I have another little boy I will be working on today. I will be hand stitching his clothing as well and I'm actually looking forward to it.

Dear Sewing Machine - RIP

New Dollies

2010-04-06T12:58:00.001-07:00

I frequently get requests for small dolls. Perhaps from people populating their dollhouses as that is where dolls belong:)

The problem is I find small dolls to be harder to create than larger dolls. I have the utmost of respect for miniature artists. I honestly don't know how they create such tiny little things with such great precision.

My new dollies are a bit smaller and probably took me twice as long to create:)

Harper the Traveler

2010-04-03T17:09:00.001-07:00

As some of you may know I'm involved in a collaborative project called the Traveling Doll Project. I did this last year and it was so much fun I decided to do it again. If ever as an artist you have the opportunity and most importantly time:) to do a collaborative project I would highly suggest you do so. I have learned so much about doll making and technique by being involved in these projects.

So this is Harper, my second doll that I've work on in the project. The first Delta Dawn, you can view here

Harper was first created by Nicole of MealyMonster who lives in Buffalo New York.

Nicole sent lil naked and pale Harper off to Cindy Sowers from Vermont and she got some make-up, hair, a fancy hat and a groovy chair.

I've given Harper a bit of a new hair do and fancy lil dress. I will be sending her off to Susie McMahon in Australia for her last leg of her travels.

I so love how each artist is inspired differently by each doll they receive and the progress and changes are so unexpected. I look forward to seeing what happens to Harper next.

Exposed

2010-04-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

I've had a re-occurring dream most of my life.

I'm walking down the hall of the school I graduated from, Onsted High in rural Michigan. It's a crowded hallway with all my classmates going about their business. All is normal except for the fact that I am naked. I know my clothes are in my locker but for some reason on this day I cannot find my locker and I search for it frantically to no avail throughout the dream.

There is a reason for relaying this dream. This week I had the privilege of being featured on the Etsy blog in the Quit Your Day Job series.

As artists we expose ourselves through our art all the time but I found I had to gather a lot of courage to expose myself in the literal sense, such as an interview. You may not believe this but I'm actually quite a private person.

The comments, emails and response I've received have been nothing less than amazing, quite overwhelming and humbling. Customers, friends and strangers have written me and commented with words of encouragement and support, some that have brought me to tears. This I did not expect.

I know I am blessed to be part of such a wonderfully, supportive and creative community. So here I am friends, naked in the hallway but this time I don't feel so frantic about covering up and have learned that exposing myself is perhaps not such a horrible thing.

I wonder if next time I have that dream it might possibly have a different ending. I'll keep you updated:)

Susie's Best Loved Doll

2010-03-24T12:13:00.001-07:00

It's kind of funny that when I was a young girl Idid not play with dolls and as an adult I play with dolls everyday. I did have a Raggedy Ann doll (and still do) that sat on my bed but she really was just a decoration and not a toy.

Though I didn't play with dolls my very favorite book as a child was a book about dolls called The Best Loved Doll. I must have read this book at least 30 times. It was a great little story about a girls dolls and how they all had individual characteristics that they were sure made them each Jennifer's (the dolls owner) favorite doll. If you've never read it I do recommend you do so.

This little story has inspired my next series of dolls called Susies Best Loved Doll. Each of these dolls, like the original story believe they are Susies favorite doll and why not, as each doll does have something very special about her.

Creepy Clowns with Bodies

2010-03-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

Please meet Samuel.

I've had a number of requests for full bodied clowns which I thought might be fun, so Samuel and Fredrick have come into being.

Clowns are funny things, it seems people either love them or hate them. I took a clown class in 4H when I was a youngster and it was actually fun. I think my clown name was Farmer Bill if I recall correctly. I really wasn't very good at being a clown, though I did like the make-up and costume the trying to make people laugh part did not come easy to me, I was of course a cranky teenager at the time, so my clown days were over.

Samuel

2010-03-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Please meet Hilda the Hedgehog.

Sewing Machine Blues

2010-03-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

My sewing machine and I have been duking it out this week. I'm not sure why she is so ornery with me. Of course I realize my sewing machine is an inanimate object and doesn't really have feelings but we spend so much time together I tend to think of her as a good friend and when we disagree about when and how she should sew well, I tend to take it personally.

So I've been throwing spools of thread, ripping out seams and doing a lot of yelling she in return has been messing up my stitches and stopping for no reason. I thought we needed a break and stepped aside and did some hand stitching, but when I return, thinking we might have made up she starts up with her shenanigans again.

Amidst all this turmoil I somehow managed to actually finish some dolls this week. This weekend I'm going to try to patch up my relationship with my sewing machine, give her a good cleaning and oiling and I'm hoping my efforts will make her see that we really can be friends.

Minny

2010-03-02T15:18:00.001-08:00

Minny can be sassy and quite mean at times, but she can also be sweet like the time she didn't step on those ants.

Green Lena

2010-02-27T07:11:00.001-08:00

I'm usually not much for holiday decorations and don't do many holiday dolls but my sister gave me some wonderful vintage green velvet fabric and I couldn't help but think St. Patricks Day. So please meet Lena the Leprechaun, shes feeling lucky today.

Be it the hint of spring, the flowers starting to bloom and the birds singing..something inspired me to give Lena a smile. I read somewhere, or perhaps saw it in a movie that the art that surrounds us is revealing. I look around at all these gloomy faces and think huh?

So Lena is here (for only a short while I hope:) to impart a bit of cheeriness amongst all these dismal gals. The other dollies just keep looking at her like shes up to something:)

Elizabeth

2010-02-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

Alright so I went a bit crazy with my new fabric I told you about in this post

I just couldn't help myself, once I got to cutting and playing with the fabrics I just couldn't stop. Elizabeth got a party dress like none other. I think the vintage toole will be my favorite in the bunch. I foresee some dollie tutus:)

Elizabeth is headed off to her new home and with future dolls I will probably use the vintage fabrics with a bit more restraint...probably:)

Obsessions

2010-02-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

I'd like to tell you a story of a very obsessed girl.

It's late at night, everyone is asleep in the house but the girl. She is an artist, she makes little dollies and she is working on one this quiet evening. The doll needs a blue dress...hmmm, first the girl looks in her fabric stash, no blue. Next she tip toes into her daughters closet. Her daughter is a growing gal and often has clothing that no longer fits her. Hmmm, still no blue fabric. Now the girl wanders into her own closet tiptoeing as to not wake her husband and there it is the perfect blue fabric. She considers the shirt that is made of the very fabric she has in dire need of. It's a nice shirt, she wears it sometimes but not too frequently. It's a perfectly good shirt, no reason it should be destroyed....no matter....snip snip snip...the shirt is now a perfect dolly dress.

Okay I must confess the girl is me. I have little self control when it comes to needing fabric and quite frankly when the time comes no shirt, dress or piece of clothing in the house is safe:)

Fabric Bliss

2010-02-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

If your anything like me you are always on the hunt for that fine vintage fabric and lace
I use almost all recycled and fabrics on my dolls as I feel they just don't make the stuff like the used to. The cottons were softer, the silk was silkier and the lace was more scumptous, the organza crisper and so on.

So when my sister Corky brought me this 1940's wedding dress from Michigan I nearly did a back flip in sheer delight. I cannot begin to describe the yards and yards of ivory silk fabric this dress is made from, the French net cotton lace or the crisp cotton toole. Oh my, I will be using these fabrics for years to come there is so much of it. Another bonus to vintage fabrics is they are all made from organic fibers so they all take dye wonderfully.

Oh and I must add that this dress is a wreck..stains, holes a bit of dry rot on some of the lace. I would never, ever cut up a vintage dress that is still wearable..so y'all can exhale:)

So I must say a special thanks to my very dear sister Corky. Please check out her vintage shop on Etsy CorkSpork, she always has seriously yummy stuff!! Thanks again sis, love you!!

Alright off to dress this dolly with my new stash.

Alice

2010-02-21T12:17:00.001-08:00

I have been dying to make an Alice. I guess with all the buzz around the new movie the age old story is on most of our minds. I have to be honest in saying I'm a bit nervous about the new movie, I'm old school and don't really like people messing with the classics. Of course anything with Johnny Depp in it is good for eye candy if nothing else:)

So here's a pictoral of Alice in progress

Funny how they change so. It's hard to believe that they will not look like aliens when they are done.

For Alice's images I had the perfect little rustic box I stuck her in. I love how it makes her appear to be the giant Alice.

Pretty sure I have a few more Alices and perhaps other Alice in Wonderland characters up my sleeve.

WIPS

2010-02-20T14:01:00.001-08:00

A trio of gals I'm working on.

OHOW Winner

2010-02-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

Pumpkinhaus

I'm delighted to annouce that Dani over at Pumpkinhaus is the winner of the Zombie Love Couple

I closed my eyes and waved my magic mouse and pointer up and down and all over all of the wonderful comments I recieved and it landed on the Darling Dani's post! Congratulations Dani! Be sure to check out her fabulous blog, she is an amazing textile artist, doll artist and seriously groovy person to boot!!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by, I so enjoyed all your comments!!

Mardi Gras Mayhem

2010-02-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

Well it's that time of year again. The glitter is deep, feathers are flying, sequins and all that is shiny has come out of the bins to create yet another Mardi Gras costume.

It's also the time of year I essentially disappear from the web for a week, perhaps two. I have my brother John and his wild family coming from Michigan for the celebration. My sister Corky her daughter Chloe and their two dogs also from Michigan will be staying with my sister Sissy that lives around the corner. We'll be going to the parades the parties and once again celebrating life and each other in the form of Mardi Gras.

So if you notice an absence of LoopyBoopy be sure I will return once the beads have been caught, the costumes have been donned, the alcohol has been drunk and the booties have been shook. I look forward to returning with renewed inspiration and zest for life as Mardi Gras always is great for both.

Delta Dawn has Traveled to the Bayou

2010-02-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

The dolls have begun to travel. I recieved Cindy Sowers doll one day last week. Can I just say meeting Cindy through this project has been a hoot. She is a seriously on the ball kinda gal and is definetly going to be keeping me on my toes during this project. Thanks Cindy, from a self proclaimed rather sluggish procrastinator:)

Cindy is a cloth dollmaker while I work in clay. When I recieved Cindy's doll I was thrilled at the sweet dainty, girly dolly I had just recieved. All sewn up perfectly even sporting nylon stockings....but headless!! Well, I just could not have this gal running around without a head for one more day, so my job became giving Dawn a head.

So I made my first attempt at attaching a clay head to a cloth body. I first sculpted the head using paperclay. Then I added clay to Dawn's muslin neck, once it was all dry I glued the head to the neck and added more clay to shape the neck. I then added apoxy sculpt for strength...and gosh dang if Dawn now has a head that I believe will never come off. I gave her some paint, hair and a scarf, the poor girl was freezing her tata's off walking around in her knickers.

This is my favorite part of this project. This is a technique I never would have attempted were I not forced to. So I learned something new:)

Dawn got herself a little vintage Ginny suitcase while in New Orleans. I need to work on her journal a bit and the girl will be off to her next destination, Tasmania Australia.

You can see the progress of all the dolls for this project over at the Traveling Doll Blog.

Who Dat Going to the Superbowl?

2010-01-30T05:41:00.001-08:00

Da Saints, dats who! Alright, a bit off subject from my regular blog posts but a subject that is very dear to my heart.

The truth is I'm not a big sports fan, but I am a huge Saints fan. I've lived in a number of major cities and never have I experienced a similar connection of a city to it's football team. On game day while wandering around the city you can feel the electricty in the air, strangers smile at one another and proclaim 'who dat'. If they win the same strangers are yelling, dancing in the streets and hugging each other.

It's been said that since Katrina the Saints have united a city of defeated people and gave us hope. The truth is this connection was apparent before Katrina devestated the city. I remember the days when fans wore paper bags over their heads and the team was nicknamed The Aint's. Even in those not so victorious days the people of New Orleans embraced and were united by our faltering team.

If you've read my blog you know my love for this city. It's always very difficult to relay exactly what this city means to me and its residents, it's a feeling that one must experience to understand.

I hope with the Saints going to the Superbowl and the national spotlight New Orleans has assumed recently that the rest of the world will get a glimpse of a city full of culture, tradition, love of life... a city full of people that have endured tragedy and prevailed, a city this time united in victory rather than devestation. You can be sure this city will be on fire come game day. There will be a party here like no other when the Saints win the Superbowl.

....and when thats all over, we have Mardi Gras, ahhh how I love this city!

One World One Heart Blog Event

2010-01-25T10:44:00.001-08:00

Alright, I decided I must get in on this event!! I'm browsing all the beautiful blogs and having so much fun. I also have such wonderful blog followers it just wouldn't be fair to sit this one out.

What a great event put together by The Whimsical Bohemian.

The truth is I've been so very busy of late I wasn't sure I wanted people visiting my very neglected blog. I do welcome old and new visitors and promise to keep things a bit more fresh around here in the coming months.

So on to the fun stuff. The giveaway. Zombies!!! You know Zombie Love is forever and they truly love each other for their brains. So here is the gruesome pair.

*How to enter*

1. leave a comment on this post, please only one comment per person.

2. Please be sure your comment takes me back to you, if you are not a blogger, make sure to leave a email address where you can be reached.

3. On February 15th, 1 random winner will be drawn from the comments left. Winner will be notified by email .

I have another piece to offer for this event over at the ADO Team Blog Giveaway, along with 16 other artists!! This is the giveaway of giveaways so please take the time to check it out, comment and you will have the chance to win something wonderful!! Heck with that many pieces it would be hard not to win:)

Good luck and have fun browsing!!!

A Glimpse of my Traveling Doll

2010-01-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

Here is just a glimpse of my Traveling Doll, Hester Bates and her journal.

I you didn't follow this project last year I really encourage you to do so this year over at the Traveling Doll Blog . The Traveling Doll Project is an ADO event.

This year we have 7 teams, consisting of doll artists from around the world. Every particpant starts a doll and then sends it off to someone, somewhere else on the planet and that artist then adds to the doll and so on and so on. Each doll also starts off with a journal which the artists fill with thier experience and progress.

This year I am on Team #1, TeamPoupee. The gals on my team are amazing and accomplished doll artist. I would be lying if I didn't admit that I am a bit intimidated by them:) Please check out their sites

Nicole at MealyMonsters

Cindy Sowers

Susie McMahon

So please be sure to check out this event and see where Hester Bates ends up.

A Day with Zombies

2010-01-14T12:34:00.001-08:00

I think I needed a bit of a break of the color expolsion that has been taking place at the Loopy pad lately and got out my old color palette to make some zombies. It was fun to put away the needle and thread for awhile and just sculpt and paint like the old days.

I decided to offer some of my zombie cake toppers in a more diverse nature. These couples can be purchased as either heterosexual or homosexual pairs. I have to be honest in saying that I got the idea from a recent Etsy article but was quite sure I hadn't seen any zombie couples and felt it was a niche that needed to be filled.

Hair

2010-01-12T13:54:00.001-08:00

I've recently been follick-ly liberated. What a joy. By far the hardest part of making dolls for me is hair. I think it's because the hair really can make or break a piece.

So I've been through tutorials, looking through others work, books etc... trying all kinds of techniques and materials. Lately I've just acquired the 'what the hell' attitude. Wefting and gluing and just going banana's with the hair and wow what fun.

In another life I used to be a hair dresser, you would think I could style some hair. So I've been reverting back to my big hair, goth days and remembering the freedom I used to feel with others hair and mine and I believe it's paid off. This new series of dolls I've been working on definitely have less contrived hair and I think it's fun.

A Girls Dream House

2010-01-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

I just must share this beautiful story with you. If you haven't yet please take the time to check out a very dear cyber friend and ADO team members blog Kaerie Faerie. Kaerie has taken the time on her beautiful blog to show us a very treasured doll house that her grandfather made for her mother, who eventually passed it down to Kaerie. What a special gift. Kaerie is going to be remodeling her special little home and will be documenting the progress on her blog, so be sure to follow her progress it's sure to be a treat.

I am honored that Kaerie has taken one of my little dollies home to add as a resident to her dollhouse along with some of my other very favorite doll makers.

Thanks again Kaerie for sharing with us. I will most definetly be watching your progress.

Be sure to check out Kaerie's dreamy little softie dolls in her Etsy Shop too, they are absolutely precious!

Giselle

2010-01-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

Sure Giselle she would clean her room, walk the dog like mom said but as soon as she had enough money saved Giselle planned to run off and join the circus.

Lula and Beth

2010-01-05T11:08:00.001-08:00

Lula often worries about ghosts.

Beth is feeling melancholy today.

Daniela

2009-12-30T12:24:00.001-08:00

Daniela lost her mother and father to the plague. She was an orphan now but she would not go to that orphanage the nuns were trying to take her to. She was planning to stow away on a steamer in the port and make the voyage to Paris. Yes, Paris was sure to be a grand place to live.

This week with the little one gone to grandmothers house I've been indulging myself in the guilty pleasure of making a doll just for the fun of it. With a vow to myself to really learn how to make doll clothing I recently purchased some patterns from Browns House Doll Patterns. Wow, what a fun site for a doll maker indeed.

Daniela's little red traveling outfit was made from one of the patterns I purchased and you know what, it really wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. I'm looking forward to learning the ins and outs of this and feeling more freedom to alter the patterns to fit my liking.

Tis the Season of Giving

2009-12-19T14:26:00.001-08:00

Yes it is, the season of giving. And in the spirit of the season I'm giving Rachelle to a very dear online friend and fan.

Please take the time to check out the blog of OldBlackCatBoo
Shes an artist that has great ideas about the re-use of plastic and a seriously cute dog named Blue. Shes also a budding art doll artist and a great supporter of the art doll community.

OldBlackCatBoo, I always appreciate your support and kind words on my blog and in regards to my work. I hope that you'll enjoy Rachelle, Lawrd knows the girl could use some cheering up and that dog of yours is sure to be the fellow to do so!! Perhaps a few big laps of that tongue? How could that NOT cheer you up!!

Thank you so much and Happy Holidays to you and your family!!

More Lil Debs

2009-12-19T12:34:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays to all my friends in blog land. I hope everyone is enjoying the season the way it should be enjoyed. Appreciating all that we have as well as enjoying the company and love of our families.

Down here in the bayou we have had many, many days of rain, I'm talking 3 weeks. As if the holidays don't put enough strain on ones pysch this rain has mad me literally want to crawl under a rock. I'm glad to say, the rain broke and the sun is shining and I am eternally grateful to the powers that be for allowing it to be so.

In the midst of this weather/holiday turmoil I have had the saving grace of time to work on some new dollies. I have to thank the goddess for the blessing of time to create. It truly is my savior. I have been working on some more Lil Debs as I had so much fun creating them and their tragic stories last time, I felt some more were in me. I'm pretty sure I'm not done with this series but I am done for the holidays. I've put away my clay and supplies and plan to focus on creating a warm and fun holiday for my family for the remainder of the year.

Here's wishing all of you lots of love, warmth and happiness this holiday season!

Paint

2009-12-14T10:57:00.001-08:00

I've been playing with paint. I've never really felt comfortable with paint but to my good fortune my sisters new roommate is a art teacher and has been giving NoraLeigh and I some lessons. You know what...it's great fun!

NoraLeigh and I have been painting fools. Shes actually really good, she amazes me all the time with her creativity. It's a beautiful thing to see your daughter engrossed in creating. I worry though as I do see that sort of frenzy in her eye wanting to do more and more:) I know this all to well, creating is just such a rewarding experience and I'm glad shes learning this a such a young age.

So these are some of the new little paintings I'm offering in my Shop

and below is one of NoraLeigh's paintings. You think shes a bit inspired by her momma? It's quite flattering to say the least!

Coming Out Ball

2009-12-11T17:41:00.001-08:00

It's the girls Coming Out night. See each of their disastrous events here

More New Dolls

2009-12-10T21:04:00.001-08:00

I have been a busy gal of late. Tomorrow evening I will be offering a new group of gals in my Etsy shop.

Six Disastrous Debutantes. Poor things have had a coming out party like no others.

If you are subscribed to my newsletter I will be sending out an update with images of the finished pieces before I list them tomorrow evening.

Some new Stuff

2009-12-09T12:36:00.001-08:00

Extra Set of Eyes

2009-12-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

So I had this extra set of glass eye balls hanging around and decided to go ahead and use them. I prefer the marbles I use but once in awhile it's fun to make something different. Jesse ended up with the eyes and for some reason shes really lookin like an Olsen twin:)

My sister made me a pattern for bloomers and panties so I've been making lots of lingerie lately. She has blue hair and a pretty blue fascinator I made from a vintage hat piece.

Lilith

2009-11-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

Lilith is the shy one, but she is starting to come out of her shell.

New Doll

2009-11-20T13:03:00.001-08:00

Somebody I'm working on:)

Emmy

2009-11-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Emmy works for Madame Josie Alton at the Arlington Annex bordello, 225 Basin Street. Emmy is just a room servant, she could never do what Mdme Josie's other girls do, though they do get paid better.

Loopy Scrooge

2009-11-18T14:32:00.001-08:00

Yep, that's me the Scrooge. Ahhh the Christmas tunes are playing the inundation of Christmas commercials has begun and everyone is gearing up for the big ol holiday, Bah humbug!

I have never liked Christmas, well ever since I've been and adult anyway. Every year I get caught up in my house being spotless for company and feeling its never clean enough, buying the right gifts to only end up feeling its never enough, Christmas dinner that is usually burnt...the stress and angst builds as the holiday nears.

Well I have made a vow to myself this year. This will not be my holiday this year. I have decided that the house will be clean enough, the presents will be from my heart and they will be sufficient, whatever we sit down to eat that day will be delicious, even if it's burnt. I plan to enjoy my daughters smiles and excitement about the holiday, my husbands love, support and warming hugs and my family's visits.

If you have a problem with the holidays I hope that you too will choose to appreciate the season. This year it's going to take some work, I'm going to have to be very mindful but I'm hoping as the years go on it will become easier to create a holiday season that is a happy time and one that I will look forward to.

With this new attitude I've been working on more holiday ornaments. Yep the reds, greens and whites are out and you know what..it's not so bad:)

The Boudior Girls

2009-11-12T11:18:00.001-08:00

I've been having fun delving into the history of the Storyville brothels as this is going to be the backdrop for my next series of dolls.

I'd like to introduce you to Candy and Ruth. They both work for Madame Josie Alton, who owns one of the nicest bordellos down on Basin Street. Wealthy gentleman, politicians and men of high class visit Mdme Alton's often as she always has the prettiest and most well mannered girls. She calls them her nieces.

These dolls are a tad different that others I've done as they have jointed knees. I really love this as it makes the dolls even more animated. I might try the elbows next.

I'm working on some more of these dollies so stay tuned:)

Another Beautiful Day

2009-11-06T12:52:00.001-08:00

Wherever you live I hope that is as beautiful there as it has been here in New Orleans. The cooler weather has been so uplifting for me I feel like a person renewed!

I think the change is apparent in the new little goth girls I've been working on. They are actually smiling:)

I've been meaning to share a few things with y'all. I've been so busy of late that it seems there is not enough time in a day for everything that needs to get done which I'm sure y'all understand.

First a bit of shameful promotion. Promotion of my work is absolutely the hardest part of my job. I hate doing it but alas it is a necessary evil. So with my head bowed I share with you a Loopy interview on the ADO blog.

Also I Twitter. Not much mind you, I find the site very confusing and frankly have a hard time following it. When I list new dolls I do provide links on Twitter almost immediately so if your interested in shop updates you might like to follow my tweets.

Last you can follow me on Facebook on the LoopyBoopy Fan page.

And just one more thing....if you would like to receive my newsletter which will include bi-monthly updates on what I've been working on and what you can look forward to seeing in my shop there is a link at the top left hand corner of my lil blog here that you can follow to do so.

Whew, I'm glad that is over:)

Christmas? It can't be

2009-11-03T13:52:00.001-08:00

Alas the Halloween holiday is over. Boohoo. It was fun while it lasted. To be honest it was so incredibly crazy around here I can't say I'm not glad to be back to my regular routine.

Yes making dolls. So I've gotten out all of the red and green fabrics and laces, given some thought to some Christmas designs and these are the first of the season.

I'm quite sure I'll be burned outta Christmas by the first of December but for now it's rather fun working with the color scheme and the holiday themes.

Your Invited to the Midnight Ball

2009-10-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

An event not to be missed. My friend Yve over at Freaky Little Things
is hosting a Midnight Ball on her new website.

Be sure to check it out after sundown on Oct. 31.