Finished Doll

This is my favorite doll so far. She's saucy and chic! All the silks were part of Japanese kimono, save for the red, which is from Encinitas designer Doshi. She is ready for my studio sale on May 7 (see sidebar).

Fat Little Sausage

The idea was good, but the outcome is not satisfying. Her shapeless body is accentuated, rather than camouflaged, so I think this doll needs more work. A doll will take longer to sell when I'm not laughing joyously as I make it. Anyone want to offer suggestions?

Inspired by Dior

I wanted this doll's outfit to be simple. Simple is not necessarily easy, and I made the skirt three times to get it just right. Wrinkles were not an option! She needs hair next, but at least her hat is temporarily in place. Long black gloves and pale shoes are her other accessories. Second photo below, Dior Haute Couture from winter 2007/08, provided inspiration.

Two Dolls

The dolls are getting stylish!

Exaggerated for Fashion's Sake

The dolls currently have the pose of that famous statue in Rio de Janiero, and that's temporary. Eventually the elongated limbs will be bent into expressive figures. Tonight the glue is drying to hold new legs in their bodies. The dolls are becoming less like their original Nancy Ann Story Book Doll shapes.

Talmadge Art Show

That's me, bottom row, second from the left -- the blue silk rag basket with the green leaves! Join me and 75+ other artists at Talmadge Art Show.

Painted Eyes

My dolls can see once again. Fear of failure before starting to paint caused endless fussing and futzing, but once I got going, everything turned out satisfactorily. The rest will be easy. My girls need arms, hair and clothes, and something to stand on or hang from (a noose?! jk).

Naked, Blind & Hairless

Is there something creepy about this, or is it just me?

I've painted over the original eyes because people often wear masks to hide behind their vulnerability.

Modifying Nancy Ann

I bought this lot of dolls some time ago but didn't know until today that they are Nancy Ann Story Book dolls from the 1940s or so. Some are bisque, the newer ones are plastic, some are jointed, and all are broken or missing limbs. And there's one extra head. While cleaning the dolls with water and alcohol, I also scraped off what was left of old hair. There was something gross about it, esp when chunks of "scalp" came off with hair, ugh. My plan is to repair the dolls and make clothes for them. They'll also get a sophistication treatment -- I can't have my dolls looking like little girls! They'll be drastically different, if I have my way. Stay tuned and let's see how they turn out.

Incidentally, Nancy Ann Story Book dolls were created by a woman from SF, like me.

Finished Purse Hooks

This are just a few of what I've prepared for the Studio Sale and the Talmadge Art Show! Will you join me? See sidebar for details.

Fine Asian Silks

Ooh, I do love working with silk scraps! These pillows are made from what were once parts of Japanese kimono and lengths of Chinese brocades from Hong Kong in the 1960s. They are a sampling of the pillows that I'll be selling at my Studio Sale and at The Talmadge Art Show (see sidebar for more information). Pillows are packed and ready to scent new homes.