Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Ready to Switch Gears
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Hello Reader, I have one course sample doll that need to be completed. All that's left is hair, and I need to make some choices here. Do I go with Tibetan lamb like the others, or use the beautiful wool yarn I like so much? She looks a little serious in this photo, so hopefully hair , whichever I choose, will soften her expression. Originally I had two sample dolls for the course, videotaping each step (or so I thought). Turns out I large part of the costuming/dressing module was NOT recording, so I had to sew ANOTHER doll. Frustrating, but the silver lining is that I'll have one more doll for the ODACA Sale this summer. One she's done, I look forward to switching it up and making a different doll - maybe Viola Ruth http://www.blueherondolls.com/Alabama%20Baby%20.htm, or the multi-jointed Averill http://www.blueherondolls.com/Averill.htm. But first, my studio needs some serious cleanup and organization. It's a small space, and and there's always a bit of mayhem after each project (and Enigma has been a big one!) In January I made preparations for the UFDC Convention/ODACA Day this summer in Kansas City. I purchased airline tickets, made hotel reservations, kennel reservations, and airport parking reservations. Last year I procrastinated the hotel reservations (in Bellevue Washington) and ended up paying a small fortune for the room. Not doing that again! I hope there are some of you who have the means to travel to the convention. I love meeting people with whom I've only corresponded on the Internet. And of course, seeing everyone's dolls in person is inspiring. FYI: ODACA is always looking forward to collectors and fans of art dolls to apply for ODACA Patron membership. The organization wouldn't survive without these supporters.
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...