The Creative Doll

Three Freinds Part 4

2012-01-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

Want to view it Larger? Click Here

Three Friends Continue

2012-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

The 3 Friends

2012-01-08T21:23:00.001-08:00

Click picture to view larger. I have found bloggers new updates to be annoying when viewing pictures. If you have trouble viewing in full size then right click and choose "view image" and it will open in a new window and you can magnify by clicking to view full size.

http://www.minidolls.com/Blog/ThreeFriendsp2.jpg

The Stunning work Jodi and Richard Creager

2012-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

This incredible post popped on on my facebook feed today from Jodi Creager. I just had to share as some of you are facebook resistant. The depth of there work is STUNNING. This gal is named Bathilda Bagshot. She is a especially made commission for a collector that loves anything Harry Potter. She is in 1:12 scale. Can something really be that perfect? Every detail in perfect scale. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do.

Michelle Mahler minidolls.com

Have you missed us??

2011-12-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

Three Friends

Once upon a time, there were three friends, well actually a pair of cousins and a mutual friend. Okay, cousins can be friends, too! Remember Emilie Claire? She’s the one on the left. Her cousin, Molly (Mary Kathleen) got engaged last year and is here visiting family for the New Year.! Sarah Grace, (center) is here with her family, too! We are getting ready to go shopping as Molly needs all sort of things for her trousseau.. Molly is the most discriminating shopper, and we cannot wait to see her selections. None of us have seen her wedding dress or even have a description of it. She’s keeping it a secret!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

2011-11-24T11:11:00.001-08:00

Madame Tutli Putli

2011-11-22T11:40:00.001-08:00

Incredible...I wonder what scale the work is done in? Michelle minidolls.com

More Tools to Help your Creativity Flow

2011-11-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

Woe is me for being so naughty as to not keep up the posting. It has just been crazy with the new school routine; 2 kindergartners and a 1st grader. Then Halloween hit! In early October it seemed like a much better idea to make 3 costumes than is did around Oct 28th. But I did get them done and all look cute and scary. 2 mummies and a mermaid = 20 lbs of candy. Wu Hu! But on to more things Creative doll related...
Kathi worked so incredibly hard on some great tutorials. Enjoy!
Michelle minidolls.com

Click Picture to See Larger

More Cool Tools to Help your Creativity Flow

2011-09-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Click Here to Enlarge

Oh So Cute little Millinery Bouquets

2011-09-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

I am really thrilled when I find something good. These little millinery bouquets are made the way flowers used to be made. There is limited stock as once again a supplier is telling me when they are gone they are gone :( . Of course they would be absolutely perfect if they were half the size. BUT I know how creative everyone is. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I did buying them. Follow this link to find them on my site: Mixed Bouquet
Michelle minidolls.com Doll Artist's Workshop

Mary Kathleen Part 7 - The End

2011-08-20T19:09:00.001-07:00

It has been months since the UFDC convention and it has all gone so quickly. I have finished the dress pictures and I have reported almost everything to you. I do have one more dealer I want to share with you and will be doing that soon. There are some final notes to take and I will share them with you, too.
As you can see from the fashion plate, I was trying my best to copy the center pink dress. The theme for the display was “Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes”. I changed colors accordingly. Here you see my completed figure dressed in her ball gown, completely accessorized, dance card at the ready for signatures. What excitement or drama would the evening bring?
I thought she was lovely. The pieces of the evening costume packed away, in truth, probably never worn again. I am on to the next creation, a much simpler one.
I wonder sometimes about the young miss who has worn this dress. Did she meet her special someone that night? Were there tears of joy and giggling with friends? Was her heart broken instead? The only thing I can be sure of is if I had been able to wear this confection, I would have entered a ball room with my head high and all the confidence in the world. The candlelight mesmerizes me; I feel the music. A young man is asking for my hand, it is a waltz, he places his gloved hand at my waist, we sway, and swirl. I would be lost in the joy!

Kathi

Tutorials - Bowmaker

2011-08-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Kathi as been very busy with tutorials. I am so glad to include them in our blog. It is so nice to learn from someone so talented. This bow jig can be purchased from minikitz.com
Michelle minidolls.com

Click picture to make bigger

New Item: Cute Hand Stiched Spider Roses

2011-07-24T22:34:00.000-07:00

So cute I have to share them. Just added them to my site. Hand Stitched Spider roses. Find them HERE

I though this was kind of interesting

2011-07-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Having a website I get lots of junk mail from all over the world. I usually go right to mark as junk and delete. But something made me stop and click on this one. The title was: "Doll Face Machine". Wouldn't you have to click on that one? So I clicked hoping and deadly virus would not envelop my computer. But I do see some possibilities. Cute Christmas ornaments of your kids and grand kids? Funny convention souvenir maybe? If you have your own little body to pop it into instead of those strange little cloth ones...Maybe? What do you think? The smallest head is 6cm which is a little over 2", largest 45cm or 17-1/2". Ok, maybe it is a little strange and odd...and maybe tacky?

Happy Forth of July!

2011-07-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday America!!
I could NOT resist this ever so cute hand crafted Patriotic Donkey lovingly made by MaryAnn Wills. You can find more of her creations on her blog: maryannwillsteddybears.blogspotAnd for those who have never read it here is a copy of the declaration of Independence signed 235 years ago:

Click to Enlarge

Mary Kathleen Part 5 - The Finishing Touches

2011-06-30T11:47:00.001-07:00

Finally! The dress is complete. So much sewing, figuring, drafting and cutting and sewing again and it was complete. That felt great! I had no idea what I was getting into when I began this ball gown.

Alas, there was more to do. I created the wig of mohair diligently trying to copy the style of the fashion plate. I think that was a success. The floral headpiece seemed quite easy after all the embroidery on the skirt. I did punch a comb of brass with a punch and attach the silk ribbons and leaves to a florists wire to make the accent complete.

The earrings simple creations made with an “S” hook to hang on her ear wires. I did have a problem with the necklace however. This might be interesting. I made the necklace originally on a gold chain. It looked beautiful. I do not know what doll’s do while I am sleeping, but that little chain went down into her neck! What? Each time her head turned or I shifted something it would get lost. Really! It took a week for me to figure out to add those pearls and resting that necklace. It NEVER occurred to me that the necklace would work its way into the neck join and the breast plate. The finished look is pretty and the pearls do add some richness to the “look”.

She now needed only to grab her dance card and fan. The carriage was waiting. One last look in the mirror….

Kathi

The Dance Card

Mary Kathleen Part 4 - The Bodice

2011-06-10T23:03:00.000-07:00

It was time to fit the bodice and I thought it would be much easier than anything I had done on the skirt. Au Contraire! The bodice on this dress also went through many variations. I wanted a nice tight fit and slim waistline, (who of us does not?), but found myself juggling seams and remaking constantly. I wanted the bodice to be authentic, but could not find the best way to achieve the result of the lining showing on the turn back. I looked at a Louise Hedrick example and the construction was not even similar. What lesson was I missing? I read “Costumes in Detail” and the Janet Arnold books and could not find the answers there. It was up to me to create everything I could see in the fashion plate and make the garment as correctly as possible. The neckline turned out beautiful. The chemise lace shows ever so little and matches the rounding wonderfully. The hooks in back alternate so there is no specific pulling in any one are. While there, I spoke with several experts and have learned that I should not have lined this bodice the way I did, as that is what is causing some bunching. This was the best lesson I learned. In speaking with those who know, that best way might have been to snip the lining at the center and finish off the edges of the cut area. This would have released any pressure and pulling from the inside. The linings would also have been apparent in the turn back and I would not have forfeited the style. Having completed this costume, I do believe I can take on other challenges with more success. I intend to try it. To date, however, this is the most complicated thing I have made.
I think it is time to get her accessories and a wig on, don’t you?

Kathi Mendenhall

The Creativity of Christopher Boffoli

2011-06-03T08:35:00.001-07:00

I stumbled across this absolutely wonderful and charming pictures in my wanders one line. I knew I just had to share them with you. They are dolls right? Miniature for sure. Very creative and a wonder?- definitely!! I find myself wishing I were those little people. What a world they live in. I want to be the "person" mowing that broccoli.
The photo's are created and photographed by Christopher Boffoli. Christopher is a writer, photographer, filmmaker and artist. His work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and online publications around the world. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington, USA. You can find more of his photography on his website. This wonderful series is called "Disparity" He uses the little HO train scale figures as his people in there larger than life world. I just love them! Bravo Christopher!!
Michelle
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT CHRISTOPHER BOFFOLI. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD AND REHOST IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION.

A little About Sharon Crystal de Vries

2011-05-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Sharon Crystal de Vries of Chrystal Designs http://chrystalsdesigns.blogspot.com/
(Sharon is having a contest on her blog, so please visit for your chance to win!)

We are always happy when we can feature another doll artist. Today, we are featuring the wonderful knitting of IGMA Fellow Sharon de Vries. I think you will agree that a lifetime of experience shows in her work.Sharon’s career began at the age of four, yes 4, when her mother taught her to knit. Soon, she was knitting and sewing for her Rosebud baby doll. She created large dolls and especially enjoyed the heirloom sewing she used for the undergarments. Sewing for large dolls was so much fun. It was not long before “teddies became the rage” and she created her first knitting patterns for them. She decided on knitting a little teddy dressing gown and the rest is history. She loved baby dolls and knitted her first miniature gown on “Sean”, a sleeping baby. She called the design Candy as it was knitted all in pink. “It was the only baby colour thread I had.”
Sharon believes her specialty is now long baby gowns with the most delicate lace patterns. Some call them Christening gowns, or Blessing gowns, regardless of the name “designing these long gowns seems to please my soul the most.”“I enjoy all the aspects of knitting and crocheting. Doing so in miniature really challenges me as I feel it is vitally important to achieve all the detail in a garment, and yet, producing something so delicate a human mother would enjoy putting on her child.”
In 2009, I achieved IGMA (www.IGMA.org) Artisan. I knitted a version of a leather jacket I had bought my husband in the 70’s, which raised $650.00 for the Guild School at auction. “That felt like Christmas had come early."“My husband Rein, was my third eye. “…I would ask him what he thought, and he would hone into the area I thought needed improvement. One too many buttons, ribbon too fussy, too wide…” Apparently, Rein could see the tree in the forest. At long last since Rein's death, which is nearly 2 years ago already, “I feel I can laugh again and have happy moments, though I miss him so. My children tell me, 'Mom, life goes on’ and so happy are my days spent knitting and designing.”This year, as she had promised Rein she would, she submitted her work for Fellow with IGMA. Moreover, she EARNED it. “I am happy that is behind me.”
Threads excite Sharon and she used the finest she could find on her Fellow submissions. Her commercial designs will continue to be completed using Venne 70/20. The miniature knitting movement is growing and Sharon sees how much more is now available, not only in needles but also in threads and patterns. Sharon’s goals are to publish a knitting book on miniature design and finishing techniques. She will continue to teach and sell her patterns. The only thing I wish is that I could knit anywhere near Sharon, but sadly cast on, knit and purl are the best I can do. Thankfully, we have Sharon, her talents and teaching she shares with us all.

For more articles on miniature knitting and to see more of Sharon’s work, Chrystal Designs, visit her Blog, http://chrystalsdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathi Mendenhall

Soo Cute...

2011-05-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know it is an advertisement but still so cute!

Modern Miniature Settings

2011-05-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ever sine I had my daughter I have been jonesing to dress a Barbie or other larger fashion dolls. I have not had any time of yet...but maybe someday. In my travels around the web in the large modern doll world I ran across Maryann Roy. Her company is called Welcome Home. She even has a jingle which I thought was so cute.

A little about Maryann and her company:

“Welcome Home” – This is my artistic desire to design and create visually pleasing settings in 1:6 scale, for collectors of fashion dolls, toy companies, doll magazines, and miniature aficionados.

You will find my work in Fashion Doll Quarterly Magazine, where I am a regular contributor. I have been featured in American Miniaturist magazine as well as Dolls and have an upcoming feature in Haute Doll Magazine. I also occasionally contribute work to Integrity Toys for their line of dolls – Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty, Nu Face, etc. And, you can always find me on the web at : www.maryannroy.com, as well as several doll boards.

It is my passion to add another dimension to your doll collecting. Make them more entertaining, exciting and pleasing to look at by incorporating a living world all their own. “Welcome Home’ is the way to do this. I hope you enjoy the ride with me.

“Where does YOUR doll live?”

Best,

Maryann

Very exciting as she now as gone miniature with 1:12 scale furnishings.
So hip! So Cool!!
You can find Maryann's Blog at: Welcome Home
Michelle Mahler minidolls.com Doll Artist's Workshop

New Flowers - Delightful!

2011-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

I am quite tickled to have found those wonderful millinery quality flowers.
To see all the Flowers click here: Flowers
Primrose:Lilac:Rose Bouquet:
Posy:

Michelle Doll Artist's Workshop minidolls.com

Mary Kathleen Part 3

2011-04-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Apron
I cannot imagine the help women needed to dress in days gone by. Making this evening dress made me think about how much has changed in the last 50 years and the last 150 years. So much HAS changed. I do love jeans and t-shirts. (Or a turtleneck with a pretty sweater in winter)

The apron shown front and back is of ivory and blue taffeta. The blue is very fine. The embroidery is silk ribbon set along the side. The flaps showing the lining fold to the front the position secured with tiny baby buttons. (I really debated covered buttons, but they were just not “right” so I went with these.) The reverse of the bib shows hooks attached. These will fit into thread loops on the front of the skirt. We don’t want her apron to flap while dancing, do we?

Notice the elastic loops, yes there was elastic then, fit the buttons attached just below the waistband. The apron covers the front closures, front and side views demonstrate this.

Kathi

Basic "Cold Porcelain" Miniature Flower Making Tutorial

2011-04-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Make an Apple Blossom

Gina Bellous has so generously allowed us to reprint her tutorial on Cold Porcelain Apple Blossom flower making. She has other REALLY nice and informative tutorials on her site:
GinaBellousDolls.com If you hurry you can also purchase one of her in stock doll kits that are EVER so hard to purchase.
There are instruction to make your own cold porcelain clay included. But if you do not want to or don't have time to I stock cold porcelain clay on my site. Click Here: Cold Porcelain Clay
Thank-you Gina! Now everyone get to flower making!
Michelle minidolls.com

What is Cold Porcelain?

Cold Porcelain is not actually a real porcelain clay. It's name comes from the effect achieved with the finished product. Porcelain is a clay body that requites a high fire temperature in a kiln to vitrify.

"Cold Porcelain" is a mixture of cornstarch, water, glue, glycerin and cold cream. It is mixed up and heated on a stove until it forms a solid clay type ball. It can be colored with acrylic paints or virtually any coloring medium.

It's best feature is that it air dries to a very hard porcelain like substance. It also shrinks quite a bit, very much the same as porcelain does when it is fired in a kiln, making it a very useful product for many applications.

Materials for Cold Porcelain Paste

3/4 cup of white glue
(any child's white school type glue)
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of cold cream
(any thick moisturizer like Ponds, Curel, etc)
1 teaspoon of glycerin
(available at any drug store or pharmacy)

Making the Clay

Over a medium heat, add all ingredients in pan except the cornstarch and mix together until it is smooth over medium heat. Stir constantly for a few minutes. Slowly add cornstarch. Continue stirring (this is important) until it forms a ball. Remove from heat. Let it cool just a bit so you can handle it and knead it with your hands.

The clay should be very smooth and soft. It is important to Keep in it an airtight bag. Wrapping the clay in cellophane and then putting it in a zip-loc bag will help to keep all air out. If any air stays inside the bag, the clay will harden and be ruined.

When working with this clay you can use extra cornstarch to keep it from sticking to your fingers or you can use cold cream to moisten your fingers.

It is sort of like making bread dough when you are baking. When you are working with bread dough sometimes you need to add more flour (cornstarch), or you can oil your hands to keep the dough from sticking (cold cream).

Materials for Cold Porcelain Flowers

1 batch of cold porcelain clay
1/4" heart paper punch & leaf punch
(Fiskars makes many different shapes)
Acrylic Paints: pink, lt. green, burgundy, dk. green, yellow
Very fine wire, Tacky glue, toothpicks, tweezers, brown or dk. green thread, Kemper Ball stylus
(small ball has been cut off and ground to a point)
Clear No Hole Beads & Crystal Snow White Ultra Fine Glitter

Coloring the Clay

Next we will mix some acrylic paint into small portions of the cold porcelain to make the petals and leaves. Keep in mind that when coloring your cold porcelain the acrylics help make the clay less transparent, and add a lot of color. A little goes a long way. It dries much darker, be careful!

Break off a small chunk of the clay and roll into a ball. Add a small amount of acrylic paint to the clay and knead the paint into the clay until color seems uniform. You may have to keep adding cornstarch so it won't become too sticky. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and set aside.
I would suggest making a very pale pink (blush color) for the flower petals, a darker pink for the flower centers & a light leaf green color for the leaves. Be sure to keep those little balls wrapped very tightly in plastic wrap so they don't dry out.

Dip the tip of a piece of fine wire into some tacky glue as shown in the photo. You don't need quite as much as the photo, but I wanted to be sure you could see the glue.

Roll a very tiny ball of medium pink clay and add it to the tip of the wire. The glue really helps it to stick. Shape it more into a narrow oval (think of a stamen on a flower) That is what we are making.

While "stamen" is still wet, dip it in the container of "Crystal Snow" to coat it with a sugary sparkle. I personally like this little effect as I tend to like my flowers a bit sparkley when I am using them in my doll's hair or gowns. Set aside to DRY!!! (you can make several of these stamens ahead of time, you can never have too many).

Now you will need your 1/4" heart punch You can use a smaller one if you like as apple blossoms really are very small, but I like to make some of them larger, and besides it will be easier for you to learn on them if they are a bit bigger. Take a small ball of pink clay & flatten it out as thin as you can get it. Use plenty of cornstarch to keep it from sticking to your hands.

Be sure to dust the flattened out clay with cornstarch to keep it from sticking too much (it will stick a bit)to the heart punch. Carefully position the clay in the punch and "punch it out".

Use a toothpick to help push the hearts through the punch & let them drop to the surface below. Try to make them as thin as possible. Try not to touch them right away as they are very fragile. Let them set up a little.

Carefully place a heart cutout on your index finger. Use the ball end of the stylus to cup the petal and use the pointed end to add tiny detail lines. This is a good time to help thin out the petal if needed.

Gently dip the pointed end of petal in tacky glue (or you can add tacky glue to the stem). Lightly press the pointed end to the side of the stamen. We want the stamen to stick up so be sure to place petal near the base of the stamen.

Repeat the cupping and forming with the next petal. Add it to the stamen overlapping the first petal. We will continue going around the stamen to add 5 petals total. Each time one edge will overlap the last and the other edge will go under the next petal.

It is hard to see in this photo but there are 3 petals in place. Each one overlapping the previous petal. I don't know about you, but this is exciting to me! Our flower is really taking shape.

Petal # 4 continues it's journey around the stamen. As tiny as this flower is, you can really see the small details helping to create the illusion of a real flower.

Petal # 5 is now in place. You can see clearly in this photo. How each petal overlaps the last one. Now we will just set this flower aside to dry a bit. It can be just a couple of hours or overnight.

Our flower is really taking shape now but we need to make some leaves.

You will need your ball stylus, tacky glue, a leaf punch & some green clay. A magnifying lamp will be helpful if you find it difficult to see tiny things well. Flatten out a ball of the green clay like you did with the pink clay. Make it as thin as possible. Be sure it is dusted with cornstarch so it wont stick to the punch. Pictured are two different leaf punches, either one will work fine or you can use a large teardrop punch (my favorite, but I couldn't find it).

Gently pull the clay into the slot on the punch. Press down firmly and hold the punch down so it can't pop up. It will easier to remove the clay this way.

While still holding the punch closed turn the punch over and use either a toothpick or the pointed end of the ball stylus to gently remove the punched out clay. Let it fall to the table below.
Here are some punched leaves. They will need to set up a bit. If you are going to be away from your work for a bit, you can cover the cutouts with a piece of lightly moistened plastic wrap.

Next we will paint the details on our flower while the leaves set up a bit. A simple coated paper plate is the perfect palette, and disposable! I used burgundy, rose, beige, yellow, brown & three different shades of green. A light, medium and dark hue. These are just everyday normal bottle acrylics.

This will be our final process.
We will paint the fine details on the flowers & leaves.

You will need a very fine 18/0 liner brush, acrylic paints, water, & clear no hole beads A magnifying lamp will be helpful if you find it difficult to see tiny things well.

Be sure to water the paint down We want it to go on as a wash and not become chunky on such a delicate flower. Mix yellow with some beige to tone it down a bit. Add a wash around stamen on center of petals.

Use water downed burgundy to carefully go along some of the outer edges of the petals. This is where a photo or live flower model come in handy. Apple blossoms have random edges of color, but not all over. Use a tiny bit of water to help blend the paint.

Look how lovely and realistic the petals have become. Keep the paint simple. Don't over do it!

Let's not forget the back. Make tiny radiating lines on the petals with burgundy & some rose paint.

Now it is time for even more detail. This will give the tiny flower even more depth! Use medium green mixed with dark brown and put the finest line around the stamen very close to the center of the flower.

Lets' not forget the back of the flower. Paint the pointed parts of the petals green and make tiny triangular shaped areas to simulate the tiny leaves that often surround the base of a flower. Amazing effect!

Add some tacky glue around the center of the flower very close to the stamen. Use a toothpick or the pointed end of your ball stylus to add some tiny, clear, no hole beads around the center of the flower. When this dries, it will really sparkle like the sample in the picture at the top of the page.

Now it's time to add some leaves. I like to put them on first and then paint them. Use the ball stylus to shape and cup the leaves just like we did with the petals. Dip the stems of them in tacky glue and add them to the wire stem randomly around the flower.

Use several thin washes of the three green paints along with the dark brown and even a bit of burgundy. Keep the washes light and go back and add more coats as needed. You can paint the leaves while they are still wet or wait until they dry. Either way works. The paint blends a bit nicer on the slightly damp leaves.

That's it! You made an Apple Blossom.

If you want to make the buds, just use a dark color thread. Dip the end in glue and add a tiny round ball of med. pink clay to the end. Let dry. Cut the thread shorter and twist 2 or three buds together and secure with glue. Add the painted details like we did with the flowers. You can brush the tips of the buds with glue and dip into the crystal snow to give them a tiny bit of sparkle.

Very Exciting News

2011-04-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Kathi is Famous!! Her charming and wonderful Hansel and Gretel (they are a fav of mine) have appeared on the Smithsonianmag.com website. So cool. Congrats for the mention Kathi. The dolls were made for the National Miniature Museum project "The Great Books". Lucky for us she made a pattern. You can find it on my website. Aren't they cute? I do love them and wished they were in my collection. On a side note. I promise to continue her convention doll dress asap. It has been CraZy around here. I am so busy I really want to cry sometimes.
Michelle minidolls.com