Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Getting it Right
Hello Reader,
Amelia is truly a one-of-a-kind doll, meaning I'll never make her again. Every piece of clothing has been a significant challenge. The nature of cloth dolls is that size and shape can vary significantly, which requires bespoke costuming.
My latest adventure: making Amelia's flight cap. I've (re)experienced the necessity of multiple attempts to get the right fit. I thought I'd accomplished this, but after adding hair found that my "final" version just a tad too small. Frustrating.
Speaking of hair, I entered a Google search for Amelia's hair color. That wasn't as informative as I'd hoped. Depending on the source, she had either blonde, red, or brown hair. So helpful. Many photos were originally B/W and then colorized, so how reliable are they?
I settled for a reddish-brown. This is jumbo loop chenille, needle-felted into place (without drawing blood).
When I initially colored her face, I intentionally kept her eyebrows and other markings a bit on the light side. When I'm done manhandling her, coloring will be enhanced a bit.
The next challenge? Goggles. I've had a few readers submit some ideas. Thank you!
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Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
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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, This summer went by very quickly, my calendar full nearly every day. And because I'd invested in an air conditioner, I was able to spend more time in my (hot) studio upstairs, creating my luncheon centerpiece and other dolls for ODACA Day. I called my centerpiece "Isolde Steamrider." She started out as a steampunk pirate, but ultimately became a "daring adventuress who sails the ocean currents and uncharted waters where reality bends and machines hum." You can see more photos...
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...