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, 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...