Dolls and Beads

Okay, what can be better than dolls and beads? Well, maybe vacation, and a 28 hour day! I'm back home and to work, but I wanted to finish up the doll I was working on this weekend in a class sponsored by Time for dolls. We had Barbara S. coming in for a two day workshop. Barbara & I drove out to Albuquerque 2 summers ago, and I really got to know and admire her, but I'd never taken a class from her. She is a fabulous teacher & if you ever have a chance to have her show you needle sculpting a face, it is a MUST! I got to visit with her & my friend Pam who started Time for Dolls with her friend Mary. Pam was nice enough to let me stay over night at her house so I not only got some premium dog time (with Barney), but we all watched Chocolat in her private theater...I got to sit front row. The last day in class I was lucky enough to win a doll that Barbara made for the club. She is lovely and sits on my bed. LUCKY ME! If you'd like to see some of Barbara's other dolls/patterns please check out this link to Dollmaker's Journey.

I really enjoyed making my doll Kiri Alyd. I took Barbara's original pattern and reduced it by 65%. I don't have room for larger dolls in my house & I do adore the small. I was able to finally learn to make clothes! Thank you Barbara! I've struggled with this concept since I've started, but she was patient with me & the sewing machine Gods made HAL cooperate, so I not only made pants, but a shirt and fur vest for Kiri. I didn't paint the eyes like others did as I like a more dimensional look and hey! I've got enough beads to make eyes for 100s of dolls, so I changed that also on this doll. His head is smaller too so I couldn't use a tibetian sheep skin for the hair as the pattern called for so I had some mohair wool that I got from The Black Sheep back at AFIC and just needle felted it. I also gave him a beard. The vest is from an old beaver skin coat that someone from the Guilded Lilies brought in. I thought it perfect, but did it every shed. I'm still picking beaver fur off of everything downstairs. I HAD to use to beads, so I outlined the shirt and the vest with a picot beaded edging. I really like him ALOT! I know I have a sword someplace to put in his hand & I might have to make him a crown so he can be the King of the Elves (oh yes! I do now want to make more of Barbara's elves in this smaller format).

Now for more beads! I really did enjoy the class I taught at Byzantium on the Palm Prayer Doll. I brought home the class example and finished up the doll that I use as demo for class. You'll also see the doll I made for the ArtBead.com challenge & yes! there is a tiny glimpse of my Use the Muse III called Fire Moth. Just a peak of her face. I made her into a brooch to be worn as the contest calls for only jewelry.

So what am I up to next? Well, I think I really need to make more of those smaller dolls. I also bought Barbara's circus performers & I think they'd work well at probably 50% reduction. I still have the beaded stuffed animals for BAD to work on before I can "poke" them to bead on their own stuffed animals a little more. And I'm working on the Twinkle Twinkle class from Tahoe still. Speaking of Tahoe, I really have to get more of those pictures worked up to share with everyone. I'm teaching a flat cuff beaded bracelet in November at the bead store & I'm also teaching the Guilded Lilies the Palm Prayer Doll for free (they only buy a kit from me). Christmas is coming, so that has to be thought about. I really need to get some class samples made for next year to give to Roxie, and I have an idea for BJP 2010...boxes & secret treasures. Between that I need to get my dogs groomed, deal with work, and get this house ready for the Christmas party for the GL gals. Can we actually get someone to make the fun part of the day longer??? I wish.