Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Massive Commission Finally Completed!
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Hello Reader, What a great way to close out 2025! Today I completed my big, secret commission for a UFDC Region 3 luncheon in 2027. I have just finished 40 cloth dolls with their 80 companion dolls! Sadly, I can't share any photos until after the event but I've been prepping the web pages in anticipation. The original agreement was for 35 dolls, which I completed before leaving in mid November for an absolutely wonderful vacation in Australia and New Zealand. I wanted the dolls done before I left, just in case something catastrophic happened (yeah, I'm a bit of a worrier and worst-case-scenario person). I made the prototypes in March of 2024, finalizing the design. Then I began making the trios in groups of six, with the goal of maintaining some consistency. Upon my return home I made a few more for an even 40. Each trio took nearly three full days to make. I don't think I charged enough - the cost of the materials wasn't exorbitant (but added up), but the labor more than made up for it! This project was quite out of the box for me, subject-wise AND scale-wise. I've never made more than 10 or 12 dolls in any given year due to work, life, responsibilities... so this was a massive endeavor. As a result, I did not make my annual Santa or design an ornament (I'm open to ideas!) Now that this project is behind me, I can begin to make dolls for ODACA Day in New Orleans this coming summer. I've been using ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas for a "Steampunk Masquerade" doll (our theme for the ODACA event). Again, out of the box for me. Happy Holidays to all of you, and I'm hoping for a fabulous new year! Deanna
*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, After the big push - finishing 40 souvenir dolls and their 80 little companions for a 2027 UFDC luncheon, I'm ready to proceed with my ODACA Day Centerpiece doll. Or am I? This year's ODACA Day Luncheon centerpiece dolls will be unlike previous years', where one artist makes all the centerpieces (another artist makes the souvenirs). This year, seven artists will make a steampunk doll for the seven tables at the luncheon. Each will interpret the theme "steampunk masquerade" in...
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,...