Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Finally, Cooler Days!
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Hello Reader, I can't believe we're nearly halfway through September! This summer was gone in the blink of an eye. I published my last newsletter in July, right before the UFDC Convention / ODACA Day. I'd hoped to send another before now, but life conspired. My husband and I caught COVID in Kansas City (or on the flight home) so we lost a week, followed by three weeks of babysitting grandchildren. So on weekends (when the upstairs studio temperatures were tolerable) I worked on my {secret} souvenir dolls - an exercise in time management. No waiting until the last minute on this one! That being said, I've decided to work assembly-line style for efficiency, and will divide the project into small groups of finished dolls. Yesterday I completed the first group of six. In between these groups of souvenirs, I'll be working on other dolls in preparation for next year's ODACA Day. This one will be in Norfolk, Virginia and the theme is "Shiver Me Timbers, PIRATES!" How fun! I've already got some ideas. Check it out: https://www.odaca.org/odaca-day-2025 As I look through my patterns, I think I'll make a Santa doll next. The holidays will be here before you know it, and I haven't made an Old World Santa in years. The stores will probably start displaying Christmas decor before long, and ornaments make great accessories for dolls (like the red lantern below). https://www.etsy.com/shop/blueherondolls
*Have you missed any Tips or Tutorials?* Tip #1: Sewing with Freezer Paper
Tip #3: Sewing Stripes Tip #4: Realistic Fingernails
Tip #6: Drafting a Clothing Pattern Tip #7: Pleater Board Tutorial
Deanna Hogan
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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, April: the last time I published a newsletter! I haven't been idle, though. During these past few months I've been working in bulk, getting a start on the second half of the Big Project: souvenir dolls for a UFDC luncheon. While I can't share what the dolls will look like, I will share my progress. I'm not giving anything away by sharing these, but just want to convey how many man-hours (months!) have been devoted to this endeavor. Yesterday I opened another 10 pound bag of...
Hello Reader, I finished a doll yesterday, and it felt good. When I started her I thought she'd be a good one to take to Virginia for this summer's ODACA Day. But as life has a way of getting in the way, I had to make the decision to cancel the trip. My only regret will be missing all my doll friends. So here's "Averill." I'd forgotten how time-consuming she is to make but I didn't feel rushed as I made her, working a little bit on her each day. She has buried bead joints in her elbows,...
Hello Reader, It's finally spring, which means we're due for weather that beats down my beautiful daffodils. It never fails. Yesterday I started sewing a new doll. This is exciting and refreshing for me because while working on my Big Project (secret souvenir dolls for 2027) and Christmas creations, all my other doll undertakings were on hold. But which doll to make? I went through my patterns and picked one. I chose "Averill," a doll I haven't made in a long time (the last one was a OOAK...