Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Bellevue, Here We Come!
Hello Reader,
Packing has begun. Due to Covid, cancellations, and the uncertainty of travel during those years, it's been some time since I last attended ODACA Day (Original Doll Artist Council of America). I've really missed visiting with my doll friends and collectors.
| ODACA Day |
ODACA Day occurs during the UFDC Convention and consists of the annual member meeting, artist salesroom, and luncheon. The luncheon event features a speaker, souvenir dolls, centerpiece dolls, and a fund-raising raffle for "Helper" dolls and other items.
This year's event will be held in Washington, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue - the closest it's been to home since I became a member of ODACA. My husband and I will be driving to the venue. And as we'll not be flying this time, we'll be transporting the above-mentioned dolls... I think we'd better take the truck.
Not the same thing at all! |
I'm in the process of finishing one more doll (fingers crossed) to take to Bellevue. All she needs is clothing and hair. I made her boots yesterday. I tweaked the pattern a bit, and these are better fitting than earlier boots.
Today I'm gathering up dolls I made over the past few years, labeling them and packing them for safe transport. I'm delaying the hardest part - pricing - until the last minute, as usual. How do you put a value on something like this?
Back to packing!
| Find Past Newsletters Here |
| My Patterns are Here |
| Instant Downloads on Etsy |
| ODACA |
Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
| Buy me a Coffee? |
Deanna Hogan, Blue Heron Dolls
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, I finished my Alabama Baby-inspired doll yesterday and took her official photo. She'll be going to New Orleans with me this summer for the ODACA Day luncheon and sales room. Viola Ruth stands about 16 inches tall. Her clothing is removable. I chose to use a one-step crackle product and antique wash on her painted surfaces to give her an aged look. I'm always nervous about crackling because you never know how it will turn out. Viola Ruth, upright with the use of a doll stand (she...
Hello Reader, It's been a week since my last newsletter - I'm on a roll! I've been budgeting my time, working in the studio a couple hours per day. It's been a nice change to work on one doll at a time, as opposed to an assembly line workflow. My current project is from one of my earlier patterns - one I haven't made in a LONG time (2017)! I'd forgotten how many steps this doll requires, including baking and drying times. This is Viola Ruth, my interpretation of an Alabama Baby, using modern...
Hello Reader, Now that we're well into 2026, it's time to get a wiggle on and start making dolls for ODACA Day this summer. I'm looking forward to visiting New Orleans again, and will be taking a couple girlfriends with me, one of whom will be arranging our various excursions (music venues, walking tour, swamp/boat adventure, cemetery visits...) In the past week I made a new doll - partly because I was procrastinating getting a start on my luncheon centerpiece steampunk doll (daunting), and I...