Shakespeare Challenge Continued!

Greetings and Happy Monday everyone! This week I have returned to profiling our amazing ADO members for the Shakespeare Challenge, as we are quickly coming to the deadline for finishing our dolls!

If you missed out--the Shakespeare challenge is one of many creative doll Challenges and, in this case, the participating members are asked to pick a character from one of Shakespeare's plays, and create a doll.

The results have been unique, wild, whimsical and fantastic. This week I continue the interviews, below. Enjoy!


Esther Verschoor of Essies Dolls

1. What inspired you to participate in the Shakespeare Challenge? What character did you choose?
   I'm always fascinated by Shakespeare somehow, can't point out why. So when I saw the Shakespeare challenge I wanted, no I had to participate but due to lack of time I had to make something simple. I choose to make Lady Macbeth, such a sad story which show how thin the line between good and bad can be.
   
   
2. What methods and materials did you use to create your doll?
   
   
   I made a half head from polymer clay with a intense sad and tired expression, her hands are also made from polymer. I painted it all with heat set paints and rooted her hair with mohair. I covered the backside of the antique frame with antique fabric and I also used antique fabric and lace for her gown. The buttons are tiny freshwater pearls.
   
   
3. How long did it take to complete your doll? What were the easy parts of creating it? What were the harder parts of creating it?
   Because I'm so busy I had very little time to come up with an idea and make it, so I choose this easy/quick to make piece. It took me less then one day to make it because there are no hard parts to make to it.
   
   
4. Are you satisfied with the finished doll? Is there anything you would change? Did you learn anything in the process of making the doll?
   
   Although I like her and she exactly expresses what the title ("what, will these hands ne're be clean?") of this piece is about, I wanna take more time to create next time. That way the piece will be more beautiful

Polkadot Cherie of Polkadot Toadstool

1. What inspired you to undergo the Shakespeare Challenge? Which character(s) did you choose?

I love Shakespeare. When I was younger I thought Shakespeare meant stodgy and boring. Later in life, out of curiosity I started learning more about Shakespeare and read a book about the history of Elizabethan Theater, and became hooked. Life on the fringe for actors and playwrights, the irony of bawdy entertainment that was so unacceptable that the "somebodies" would only attend in masked disguise, the danger of the plague when gathered with others at the theater, rivalries, kings and queens. If it didn't really happen, I think only Shakepeare's wit and imagination could have made it up. Shakespeare is so funny and clever, but I have to admit to having to use the Spark notes.

I chose the three witches of MacBeth. I think they as a group were a brilliant use of character. I think MacBeth's story would have had a happy ending, had he not come across them in the woods. Yet they didn't do a thing to him, but tell him a wee pinch of a prediction.


2. What methods/materials did you use to create your doll(s)?

I hard sculpted their heads, hand/arms, and legs/feet and soft sculpted their upper legs, arms and torso.

3. How long did it take you to create your piece? What were the easier aspects of your creation? What were the more challenging aspects?

I'd say it probably took me 40 -50 hours to create all the pieces. It did save time that they were all for the most part costumed the same and I have a fondness for making witches. One of the challenges was to create three different witches who each had her own personality. I tried to think about what they may have thought about MacBeth. Being able to see into his future, did they despise him? Fear him? Were Curious of him? Proud of him?

4. Are you satisfied with your finished piece? Did you learn anything new in creating this piece?

Yes I am. I particularly like the witch who stirs the cauldron. She came out looking all kinds of annoyed with MacBeth and I think it's kind of funny. Yes, I learned how to make a 1:12 scale cauldron. I think I'm going to make more, that was fun!

Shelle of The Dollings

What inspired you to join the Shakespeare Challenge? Which character did you choose?
Having been, throughout my life, both an ex-English Lit major and an ex-theatre stagehand, my affection for the bard is hardly surprising, and it seemed like the absolute perfect challenge for me. Oddly, I had just finished two Shakespearean character dolls unrelated to the challenge and neither wished to recreate the same characters...or cheat with the very same dolls! Being on a bit of a morbid bent, I decided to continue on my sad little theme and create my own sad version of Titus Andronicus' poor sad Lavinia.

What methods/materials did you use to create your doll?
Lavinia is crafted in the same manner as all my little Dollings. A bit of Sculpey brand polymer clay squished into a vaguely humanoid shape (because I'm rubbish at sculpting,) limbs rolled like silly little snakes and many moments of careful careful painting. Arms and legs will be very simply jointed with bits of wire, and clothing will be craftily arranged more like origami than any real costumery (because I'm a rubbish seamstress too!) As I've yet to exactly finish her, I'm not sure where she'll diverge from the norm, or if she will at all.... but she is a bit bigger!



How long did it take to create the piece? What were the easier aspects of creating it? What were the more challenging aspects?
Oddly, I've been working on Lavinia for what feels like far longer than any doll I've made before, though she isn't so very different in technique. I can't properly say how long it's taken, as she is - I'm embarrassed to admit - not entirely finished just yet. However, the challenging and easy aspects have already made themselves well known! The ease of her has come with her similarity to all my other work. though she is a bit larger, stylistically she is vaguely familiar. The challenges, on the other hand, have been surprisingly foreign to my typical dolls. From the mundane technicalities of how to make her stand upright to the emotional issues her character brings to mind, she's been a far more involved doll than my usual work.


Are you satisfied with the finished piece? Did you learn anything in the process of creating the doll?
I'll let you know if or when she's actually a finished piece!


~Next week! More Shakespeare Mayhem!

Storage for Tiny Shinies

Here is a tip for organizing your creative space...

Many of us have small beads, buttons, charms etc. I find it quite satisfying to store these in clear tubes on a spinning rack. The racks are inexpensive and your goodies are always in plain site. I love going 'shopping' through my beads and it is interesting to come up with combinations you may not have thought of when you put two different tubes side by side. The racks and tubes can be found on the fire mountain gems website (links below).


Things I store in tubes:
snaps
jump rings
eye pins
mini buttons
beads
rhinestones
charms
no-hole beads
rivets
...and more!

3-tier Revolving Display Wire - Sold in Packages of 6

Bead Tubes--Sold per Package of 10

Vintage Photos...What Stories They Tell

It's Saturday Morning, the coffee is brewing, and I'm looking out my window in my studio watching the sun rise. Yip...It's going to be a beautiful day. I hope you all have a wonderful day, and you are enjoying Saturday's Vintage Photographs. Some of the these pictures just takes me back 30 some odd years ago. Especially the the first photograph. Now, what little girl didn't give a tea party with their dollies? I just absolutely love this photograph. I must say I think it's my favorite. Lot's of meaning in this photograph.

I hope that by looking at these photographs that you find meaning in and totally make you giggle...because of the good memories!
CHEERS!

Check out the face on this little girl! LOL

ADO in ADQ

today my post is a little spotlight on 4 of our amazing art doll artists!
All four of these team members can be found in the current issue of
Art Doll Quarterly.


Paula Kermiet Connolly
is featured in the show and tell section with her unique Corn Husk Dolls.
Paula has been making dolls for over 40 years and it is a tradition that has been passed down from her Aunts.
shop Paula's dolls here and see more of her incredible work!

Also in the show and tell section you can find Colleen Downs of Loopy Boopy.
Colleen is a self taught artist and has been sculpting and creating for over 20 years Her dolls reflect her love of spooky and eerie. You can find more of her spooky ladies here.

Doll Project also know as Jessica Acosta can be seen with her cute little pin dolls in the article

formula for a pin doll. Jessica teaches sculpting and doll making and resides in Washington. See more of Jessica's work here.

And last but not least you can find Paula Nerhus and her crazy characters.
Paula's dolls are wonderful and a real treat for the eyes. take a look at here shop!

More Doll History! Frozen Charlottes!

Greetings and happy Monday everyone!

This week, I will be continuing my little forays into doll history...today's post encompasses the history of the Frozen Charlotte doll.

Frozen Charlottes were either china or bisque dolls made from around 1850 to 1920. Each doll is made in the form of a standing, naked figure molded all in one piece and are also known as pillar dolls, solid chinas or bathing babies. The arms and legs of the doll are unjointed or "frozen". The dolls ranged in size from under an inch to 18 inches plus.

The smallest dolls were often used decoratively; an example of this includes their use as charms atop cakes or puddings. Smaller dolls were very popular for putting in dolls houses. Larger dolls could be dressed, placed in doll stollers and cribs, and treated like larger porcelain dolls. Occasionally, versions are seen with a glazed china front and an unglazed stoneware back. This enabled the doll to float on its back when placed in a bath.

Besides porcelain, the Charlottes are also made in bisque, and can come in white, soft pink or, more rarely, painted black. In rare cases, the Charlottes also come with molded dresses. Male dolls (identified by their boyish hairstyles) are called Frozen Charlies.

A "Frozen Charlie"

The one-inch-sized dolls were commonly known as "penny dolls" because they generally sold for one cent. The popularity of Frozen Charlottes can be attributed, in part, to the fact that their relatively low price allowed children to accumulate a collection of dolls with which to play.

**Frozen Charlottes apparently acquired their name from a popular American ballad at the time.
The name came from Fair Charlotte, a well-known American folk ballad attributed to William Lorenzo Carter. It is believed to have been composed some time between 1833 and 1860.

The ballad tells the tale of a beautiful young woman who set out in a sleigh with her love, Charles, on a bitterly cold night to attend a ball. Her mother warned her to wrap herself in a blanket to keep warm, but:

"No, no, no," fair Charlotte said
And she laughed like a gypsy queen
"To ride in blankets muffled up,
I never can be seen."

The couple rode off into the cold and, after traveling a mere five miles, Charles remarked:

"Such a night as this I never knew,
The reins I scarce can hold."
Fair Charlotte said in a feeble voice
"I am exceeding cold."
Away they ride through frozen air
In the glittering starry night
Until at length the village inn
and the ballroom were in sight.
They reached the door, Young Charles stepped out
And held his hand to her
"Why sit you there like a monument
that hath no power to stir?"
He called her once, he called her twice
She uttered not a word
He held his hand to her again
And still she never stirred
Then swiftly through the lighted room
Her lifeless form he bore
Fair Charlotte was a stiffened corpse
And word spoke nevermore.

Of course there was a lesson to be learned from this tragic tale, and many young girls who later played with Frozen Charlottes probably were warned:

Now, ladies, when you hear of this
Think of that dreadful sight,
And never venture so thinly clad,
On such a winter's night.

Other factors might have contributed to the doll's name: they were made of porcelain, which was considered a "cold" type element, and their one piece design meant they could not be moved (i.e. they were "frozen in place").

In any case, the charm of the Frozen Charlotte endures--they are still currently highly collectable, often used in modern arts and craft designs, or preserved by fans of these tiny dolls.

Curiously, there is a modern version of the Frozen Charlotte doll, created by Ed Long & Damien Glonek as part of the Living Dead Dolls line. This Gothic focused doll is generally painted in blues and whites, and comes--as all of the dolls do--with a death certificate. According to the poem on her death certificate, Charlotte disobeyed her mother's wishes and "literally skated on thin ice".


This directly mimics the Frozen Charlotte legend of Fair Charlotte disobeying her mother to go out in the cold. The modern frozen Charlotte doll, by the way, is one of the Living Dead Dolls's most popular doll.....

And with that, I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your week!

**Folk Ballad lyrics and history are from the Yesterday's Toys site

Saturday-Vintage Doll Photographs

Saturday Vintage Photographs...sit back, grab yourself a cup of Java or a Spot of Tea and enjoy. Look at their faces...what are they saying, what where they doing, who are they and whatever became of them? These are the questions that I often ask myself while viewing vintage photographs. I always try to image who these people where and what did they decide to do when they grew up.

We hope you have a beautiful and creative Saturday!

CHEERS!

Remove the "Moonies" How to Repair Air Bubbles

This is a tutorial on how to fix those nasty little air pockets, or "moonies" that sometimes appear after baking polymer clay. Thank you to Ayala from ilove2paint.blogspot.com for creating and sharing this tutorial with us. Ayala is a member of ADO.

A Bit More Doll History!

Greetings Everyone and Happy Monday!

This week, I am taking a little break from covering ADO Challenges and going back to the other aspect of dolls that I love posting about--history!

I've decided today might be a good day to look at Colonial Dolls. These dolls were created during the time-frame of the 1600's and 1700's, when the British and Dutch settled America (the Colonial Era actually encompasses 1540 to 1776, but the early 1500's was the era of exploring, not settling, America)

Anyhow, most children during the colonial era, were made toys from the natural surroundings of the land. Most children did not bring toys from their previous homes, and since proper porcelain was too expensive and bisque and composition dolls were yet to be made (which is a whole 'nother post, altogether), many of these dolls were made from resources at hand, and were simple and charming. Most of these dolls are now known as "Early American," "Early," or "Primitive" dolls (note, however, that Primitives, or Prims encompass an era AFTER the colonial era, as well, and include Prairie dolls, Civil War era dolls, and dolls up to 1900).

Early American/Colonial Dolls can be classified into two categories: 1. Dolls made of natural materials and 2. Dolls made of cloth, also known as rag dolls.

Dolls made of natural materials include dolls strictly carved out of wood, or dolls that have interesting "ingredients" for heads, such as apple headed dolls or potato headed dolls, dolls made of corn or gourd dolls. Other dolls included animal skins, as well.

Dolls made out of wood were often made for girls and boys. Animal figures or small jointed dolls (with wooden pegs ingeniously hinging arms and legs) were often whittled from tree branches. Small blocks, spindles and other simple toys were also made in this fashion.

Apple or potato headed dolls, meanwhile, were literally that: apples or potatoes were carved into a rudimentary "face" shape, and allowed to dry. Because of the variant elements of drying, no two "faces" were ever alike. These faces were then painted/embellished, and a thin stick was poked through the bottom. This was the "neck" and the bottom was stuck into a stuffed cloth body and sewn together.


Apple Dolls by Pamela Matson

Gourd dolls were made in a slightly different fashion. Round or oblong gourds were picked and dried. Depending on the shape and size of the gourd, the doll was either painted on directly, or sometimes carved. A small gourd would be enough for a head, and this would be attached to a cloth body. Larger gourds could be carved or made into animals or other toys.

Meanwhile cornhusk dolls were simply dried corn husks wrapped in clever ways, to create a doll.


Cornhusk Dolls

Another "natural supply" that was used: animal skins or hides. These were resewn into animal toys, or added into costuming for Colonial dolls.

Prim sheep by ADO's own Lisa J of Skunk Hollow Country Store

Apart from this, there were cloth dolls. Colonial cloth dolls were often made of left over sewing fabrics, or rags and were literally rag dolls. These dolls were often rudimentary; some had no "faces," others had tiny hints of where a nose and mouth might be, with simple stitches. As time went on, these dolls became more and more embellished. Early dolls, however, were made of scraps, burlap and other materials. They were stuffed with straw, sawdust, leaves, feathers, fabric scraps, leftover yarn, or wool.

These dolls, often made for girls, wore bonnets, pantaloons, under-dress, petticoat long dress, and apron. So endearing were these sorts of dolls that this formula continues to this day. In fact, the "prim" market has seen a popular resurgence, with doll-makers replicating "old time" patterns or creating dolls very much like their antique counterparts...which is probably lucky, since many of the early dolls did not survive the wear and tear of being loved so well....


A modern replica of a "Early" or Prim doll


And that concludes today's short lesson on Colonial dolls!

Saturday-Vintage Doll Photographs

Here at ADO ... Wish all of you a Very Happy Easter...and my you sit back, relax, enjoy and grab a cup of tea and let these vintage pictures take you back to a place in time...of Peace!

CHEERS!

ADO Featured Artist: Mealy Monster Land

First, I must explain something. The way I choose the featured artist for the week is by using the Random Number Generator. There is a list of all the ADO members on the Ning site, and as new members are added, I change the integers accordingly. So, when I first started, I would ask for an integer between 1 and 30-something. Now it's between 1 and 84. Since Nicole of Mealy Monster Land set up the Ning group, she is number one on the list. The very first time I had the RNG pick an artist, the number 1 came up. I chose again, because I didn't want it to seem unfair to everyone else, having one of the group founders as the first featured artist. I kid you not, the RNG has chosen Nicole no fewer than four times since I started this feature. So this week, I decided to stop arguing with the Random Number Generator and just feature Nicole, already! So! On with the interview!

I present Nicole Johnson, of Mealy Monster Land:

Please tell us about yourself. What is your name? Where do you live? What makes you tick?

My name is Nicole Johnson and I live in Buffalo, NY, the home of the chicken wing and known for lake effect snow storms. I live with my husband, three kids, dog, and cat in a little tiny house that desperately needs a second bathroom, about 15 minutes from downtown Buffalo.

Tick… hmmm... coffee, and lots of it. I guess I would have to say my family, my little mini people that I made that are my best creations yet. My husband, he is super supportive and sometimes I think, how did I get so lucky. Life and living life.



When did you start making dolls? Why did you start making dolls?

My background has always been in some kind of art, all through my schooling and College I studied art. Sculpting, painting, printmaking, and it has always centered on the female figure with a darker, horror, or shocking theme. I discovered art dolls a few years back and fell in love with them, but I was not at a point in my life where they would fit in and actually had not done any art for quite a number of years. I was caught up in my married life, having children, and just living. Last year I discovered etsy, and opened up a shop selling baby and children items. Searching around etsy and seeing all the talent was super inspiring and got my creative side thinking about art dolls again. So in May of 2008 I bought some clay online and made some art dolls. I listed them in my etsy shop with not much expectation and guess what, they sold!! After that it has spiraled into what it is today.

Who or what influences you? Inspires you?

My favorite artists is Egon Schiele, I love his twisted and slightly odd figures. I actually really enjoy graphic novel and comic book art and used follow a number of comics, but it is a costly hobby and I had to give it up. The Sin City series, awesome!

I am inspired by countless things, music, books, other artists work, fears, over active imagination, and the list could go on. My children have had a big influence on my work. I have toned down a lot in comparison to what I made in my younger years. My biggest inspiration is my husband. I play most of my ideas off him to see what he thinks, and sometimes he has offered up some great ideas too. It is really nice that I have someone to talk out my thoughts with and feel like it helps to keep me motivated and full of ideas.



Tell us a little about your dolls and your process for making them. Materials, preliminary sketches, inspiration, etc.

I work in polymer clay and add to my finished pieces in acrylics, fabric, wool, and anything else that works. I do have a sketch book and like to sketch ideas down quickly or I tend to forget them, I have Mommy brain. For small projects, like my monsters and mealy kids I just create them without too much thought and see what I have come up with. For bigger projects I usually have a pretty good idea on where I want to go with the doll. My absolutely favorite part is painting the eyes. I don’t know why, just really enjoy doing so and for that reason, I hardly every use glass eyes.

Do you have a favorite doll? It can be handmade by you, handmade by someone else, or even (gasp) mass production.

Right now my favorite doll is a little red haired girl named Frannie that I made. I was really happy with the end result and felt like she is my first doll that I am really proud of. Since I am so new to the process of making dolls I still feel like I am working out some kinks with my style and whole look, and feel like Frannie is headed in the direction that I want to take my work. Slightly distorted with a little bit of realism and of course some humor.



Besides making dolls, what do you do? Job, other creative pursuits, hobbies, etc.

Well, I am a stay at home Mom to three little ones ages 1, 2, and 6. I also sell children's custom t-shirts and onesies on the internet, mostly ebay, but I do have two other sites online as well and have been doing this pretty successfully for a number of years.

What are some of your favorite: movies, books, websites, magazines, foods, tv shows? (Any or all!)

My favorite movies to watch are spooky movies, but I pretty much like any movie with the exception of dumb comedy. Some of my favorite TV shows are Lost, Dexter, and Heroes. I really don’t read many magazines, but did just get a subscription to Art Doll Quarterly since all my ADO buddies keep gracing the pages. I used to read all the time and hate to admit, but I just don’t have time anymore. Someday I will. I pretty much like any good story.







If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Someplace warm and sunny, but my husband is a Buffalo, NY guy through and through, and has no desire to move. I, on the other hand, would move tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself and the location fit the bill. I like winter for the month of December, and then I am done with cold and snow, but here it is winter 6 months out of the year and warm and sunny only seem to happen for about two months the time in-between is chilly and muddy. Fun.

Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years? Ten years?

In one year, hopefully continuing down the path I am on now. Five years, basically the same, with a lot more productivity since all my children will then be in school, hopefully ADO will keep growing the way it is and I will be planning on attending one of our annual conventions, someplace warm. LOL Ten years, holy cow, that is a ways off, maybe teaching classes online, having teenagers. Ugh!



Where can we find you on the internet? (blog, website, Etsy shop, eBay, et al.)

Etsy

EBay

Blog


Website

mini monthly March Challenge:Green

So what is a mini monthly Challenge?

Mini Monthly Challenges are made to be a simple monthly challenges that members can participate in if they are looking for a extra challenge.
Each Month a new challenge will be introduced.
ADO members are not required to participate and it is completely optional.
For the month of March the mini monthly challenge was Green. simply make a art doll in green. Here are the end results from the challenge...








check back for next months Challenge results....the theme is Mixed-up! *click on the picture for more information about each artist*