The Magic Bean

The Bamboo Oracle: A Tropical Seer

2009-11-27T12:47:31+00:00

The Bamboo Oracle is an elusive figure who hides in the bamboo forests of China, trying to avoid humans. But every once in a while someone catches this insightful sprite and demands a reading of the future.

As well as being a decorative doll, the Bamboo Oracle can be used as an eyeglass caddy. Keep your eyeglasses propped up on the curled toes of the Bamboo Oracle’s shoes while you are not wearing them – that way they are easier to find, especially without your glasses on! The Bamboo Oracle’s bag holds a lens cleaning cloth and the “magic glass” through which she gazes is actually a tiny magnifying glass with optical screwdriver for tightening the screws on your spectacles.

This doll has been living in my imagination for 4 years now and only now decided to come out and play. She is really quite a different doll in style than most of my dolls who tend to look a bit softer in colour and more vintage. I also took a bit of chance with the Chinese Opera style make-up look too.

I figure as a designer you can keep creating the same doll on a variation of a theme, but I really don't want to grow moss on my North side, I want to keep moving and doing interesting things. This doll is different in style and the construction and patterns are totally out there.

What do you think? Worth the risk?

Freebie Friday - Polar People

2009-11-27T07:00:00+00:00

There's a chill in the air and snow in the forecast?

Click here to make this cut snow people pattern to get yourself in the mood.

Reduce, reuse and recycle by making this bottle snowman.

This cute little snowman uses a bottle and sock as a base.

Glitzy Gloria is a diva of a snow-woman if I've ever seen one. Click here to see how to make her. If you like Gloria watch this video to see how to make a little snowman to go with her or check out this little snow guy. Make a little house for your snowman village with this Holiday Clay Pot Waffle Cone shop.

If you'd rather the temperatures were a little warmer, why not make this felt melting snowman.

Another melting snowman made of Styrofoam.

Make this little snowman and his polar pals from foam and felt.

These polymer clay polar bears are just so cute.

If you've rather make a snowman out of the real white stuff, try making this snowman making kit. It would make a great present for the young at heart too.

For more Frosty for Free patterns, check out these free snowmen pattern links from last year.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

Wordless Wednesday - Great Heights

2009-11-25T07:00:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

Freebie Friday - Free Nativity Scene Patterns and Tutorials

2009-11-20T07:00:00+00:00

My dad and I have a thing about Christmas. We love all of it. And we love our nativity scenes (there was slight issue one year when our dog Ben ate the leg off one of the sheep. Good thing that we really loved our dog and he was really cute is all I'm saying). My dad bought me this absolutely beautiful nativity scene a few years back.

If you don't have a nativity scene, why not make your own? Here are a few free patterns and tutorials:

This flowerpot nativity is simple and cute.

This polymer clay nativity is pretty simple (the pictures in the tutorial are quite blurry, but you get the idea).

This nativity is made by wrapping pipe-cleaners. I remember doing a similar craft as a kid and it is pretty effective actually.

This creche from Canadian Living is a slightly more sophisticated sewn version.

Thisnativity tutorial uses pre-bought head and limbs, but is very lovely and shows you how to put the bits together.

If you have the figures but no manger,here is a tutorial on how to make a manger out of wood. (in case you don't have a woodworking genius like my dad to figure it out for you).

Now this nativity is just a bit of fun, a Gingerbread Nativity - yum.

If you are just after an angelic host, try this huge list of free angel doll patterns.

Now, if you have a dog - watch out for the sheep. They are tasty apparently.

Wordless Wednesday - What I learned from Arley Berryhill

2009-11-18T07:00:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

Freebie Friday - Angelina Fibre Tutorials

2009-11-13T07:07:00+00:00

Angelina fibre is absolutely the funnest stuff. I've used it in so many ways to embellish my dolls.

In wings:

On headdresses:

Or any old place, like wrists:

If you've never used Angelina fibre before here is a bit of info to get you started from Alice in Stitches.

Here is a short and sweet tutorial on Angelina fibre to get you off and running.

Here is a cute little tutorial on making simple wings from Angelina fibre.

If you fancy having a go at stamping Angelina to create embellishments for your dolls or other crafts (these would be good on cards) then watch this video:

Or try making beads with Angelina fibre with thistutorial from Carolyn Saxby.

Wouldn't this Angelina fibre vase be beautiful in your studio space? Thanks to Sue Bleiweiss for that free tutorial.

The thing about Angelina fibre is that it is so easy to use that it is addictive. You've been warned...

Wordless Wednesday - Fallen Leaf

2009-11-11T07:00:00+00:00

Colleen Babcock

Soul Whisperer Online Class Starts this Friday

2009-11-09T13:48:22+00:00

My Soul Whisperer class starts this Friday on Joggles. Click here for more info on the class and to sign up.

This is the class for you if you ever wanted to learn:

- how to draw and colour a beautiful black face

- how to create a body with an interesting gusseted shape, including face with a gusseted chin

- how to create amazing shoes out of polymer clay

- how to embellish with crystals, microbeads and pressed clay faces

- how to create a tiny shrine

- how to make an easy stool for your doll

- how to do a beaded picot edging

- and so much more

I love this doll, she really does speak to the soul.

Teaching Finders Keepers at Blue Haze in Chesham, Bucks

2009-11-06T09:57:00+00:00

Finders Keepers class at Blue Haze in Chesham, Bucks UK

Friday 5th & Saturday 6th February 2010
10am to 4pm
Class Fee - £100 for a 2 day course

This little imp is a bit of thief! She just can’t help stealing stuff from humans. With a pen clutched in her tail and her pockets stuffed full, she also carries some pilfered booty on her back in her upturned hands. Finders Keepers hands are perfect for holding your business cards, recipe cards or a treasured photo.

This class covers drawing and sculpting a face as well as wiring and shaping a simple mitten hand. Finders Keepers’ body is then created with a wire armature that is wrapped to create a realistic body shape. Those students wishing for a more relaxing and simple class can keep the body proportions of their doll to the standard of the 13” sample doll, while students seeking more of a challenge can alter the body proportions of their doll to suit.

The methods learnt in this class are invaluable as the same method of body construction can be adapted to use with any doll head and hands, including cloth or clay.

Please note, that there is a small amount of “homework” to be done before the class – just sewing up the head and hands so we can begin the class with face drawing and sculpting and get that part done right away. Also be prepared that unless you are a super speedy doll maker it is unlikely that you will complete the entire doll in class but you will be given complete instructions for every little detail of this doll, so you can keep to your own pace and enjoy the class.

Bookings are now being taken, (non-refundable deposit of £25)
Bookings must be paid for by 15th January 2010.
Contact Hazel Hopkinson
at Blue Haze Arts & Crafts
2 Church Street, Market Square, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1HT
Telephone - 01494 782030 Fax - 01494 782060 Email - info@blue-haze.co.uk
Opening Hours - Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm
ALL NEW WEBSITE - www.blue-haze.co.uk

You can even sign up for this class online by clicking here.

This doll is not available as a pattern - she is a class doll only. Don't miss out.

Freebie Friday - Advent Calendar Patterns and Tutorials for Free

2009-11-06T07:00:00+00:00

Every year in December I start doing Christmas themed Freebie Fridays. So it may surprise you that I am doing a Christmas themed Freebie Friday early on in November. I am going to pretend that I am doing this because I am terribly practical and want to make sure you have plenty of time to create these advent calendars in time for December 1st (let's not mention that I'm a crazy Christmas fanatic and would do Christmas all year round if it didn't freak people right out).

Click here to see Better Homes and Gardens slide-show of advent calendar ideas.

This funky little advent calendar from So you Wanna Be a Domestic Goddess recycles styrofoam.

Click here for another advent calendar with recycling in mind, this one designed by Cyndi Lavin. It uses re-purposed tins to create a really cool retro look.

If you like the tin idea, you could try this calendar made from scrapbook tins by Beate Johns.

This magnet advent calendar uses stuff found at the dollar store (pound shop).

This cone garland advent calendar designed by Julie Ree looks so cool, and refined.

If you've got stars in your eyes, try this star garland advent calendar from DIY Father.

This embroidered advent calendar from All Sorts would be a bit of work but so lovely.

If you've got tons of Halloween candy left over from last weekend, why not use it up by making this advent calendar. What a great way to enjoy the candy slowly instead of eating it all at once, just cause it's there, and thereby causing a sugar induced coma. Awesome.

Enjoy the countdown!