Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Stuffing Dolls, Aching Joints
Hello Reader,
I've been sewing and stuffing like a madwoman the past few days, and my hands are paying the price. It's tough getting old. Honestly, don't underestimate the effort it takes to stuff dolls.
This weekend I sewed four Santa ornaments and two full-sized Sleepytime Santa dolls. The joints in my hands, especially my thumbs, are giving me quite a bit of grief.
Our Emergency Department holiday party was Saturday. One Santa ornament was my White Elephant for our gift exchange, and the other was a gift for my friend/coworker that hosted the party (poor thing - I told her to text me on Sunday if she wanted me to help her clean up). Turnout was great, though I was only mildly curious as to who was left to staff the ER. Don't judge me...
On Friday, I settled on my final day of work: September 1, 2023. I downloaded a retirement countdown app, and it's getting real! Only 8 months, 12 days to go! Just think of all the things I'll be able to accomplish without that pesky day job getting in the way!
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Deanna Hogan
www.blueherondolls.com
deanna@blueherondolls.com
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, 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...
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...