Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
November, Already?
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Hello Reader, We had no trick-or-treaters yesterday, so now we have a Costco-sized bag of candy to dispose of (one way or the other). It's now November 1st, and it's (again) a dark, dreary, rainy day here on the north Oregon coast - perfect for starting a new project. This time last year I was busy designing a new holiday ornament - Mortimer Moose (http://www.blueherondolls.com/Mortimer%20Moose.html). I had the idea that I might design a new ornie every year, and if that's going to happen I'd better get started NOW. I'm open to ideas! As mentioned in a recent newsletter, I continue to chip away at the big project I've been working on - souvenir dolls for an event that will be held in 2027. I'll need to make 30 to 50 dolls, so I've been working assembly-line style in small groups of six. I just finished my second set. It's challenging to create that many dolls with a uniform look and consistency. When not working on souvenir dolls I plan to create other dolls to take to next year's ODACA Day in Norfolk, Virginia. ODACA members had a Zoom meeting in September, and decided to have another challenge - this time "Spools & Tools." Challenges are wonderful ways to create something completely out of the box (see Magda, below): Now it's time to clean and reorganize the studio, or I won't be able to find anything!
*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, 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...
Hello Reader, I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING. So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has...
Hello Reader, It took over two weeks, but the new pattern is finally completed. Creating a new pattern means making another doll, writing instructions and photographing each step, proofreading I don't know how many times, and drawing the pattern pieces (without being overly caffeinated. 'Tis the Season She still needs her official photo shoot (she's kind of washed out in this photo), but she is done. I've just added the pattern to my Etsy store and website, but wanted to offer it here at a...