Sunday, October 04, 2015

Making Stuff

I've put aside this little lady to work on two more La Catrinas.

  Of course, I am doing everything differently on the Catrinas and am having to solve new problems.  I made the heads differently, slightly larger, and made a new pattern for the body, which ended up being a little too small for the head size, so have to make another pattern and try again.

Since the new Catrinas were being difficult, I decided to work on the box for a tiny jointed doll finished last week.  I used  lace for wallpaper, glued a plastic embellishment on the box, painted the entire thing, gave her a little rug that doesn't show, painted a wooden bead for a vase and used some tiny flowers I had left from an Etsy order,  used a tiny block for a table, and took the face off an old watch I paid $3 for at a flea market and used it for a wall clock.  
 She is almost 3 1/2 " tall

I truly admire those miniaturists who make realistic items to scale for doll houses and miniature displays, but this was a fun little project that didn't  need to be exact and only required me to search through all my stash of stuff.

Here are the tiny flowers from Julie Collings' Etsy shop.  I ordered them last year for a project and still have some left.  Last year it took some courage for me to slip a few out of the packaging because it is so charming.  I love these tiny millinery flowers!  It may be time to order more.


14 comments:

  1. Ah, the life of a creative....figure out how things go together, just to change it all up and start over again!

    The little green box is adorable. I didn't realize how small until I saw the numbers. 3 1/2 inches is pretty amazing to me. I can't imagine how you get the details in. Your brushes must have only 1 or 2 bristles! My favorite is your watch face. I've been collecting a few lately but have no idea what to do with them. I'm sure something will come to mind, but for now they are just sitting quietly...letting me mull over the possibilities, I guess. I hope they don't think I'm going to attempt something this small and intricate!

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    1. Exactly, Mary! I'm not sure why that happens, but it does--that need to change it up.

      The box is about 5'' tall with a little smaller opening, and I was so pleased the little lady fit in so well.

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  2. :) They are all so lovely! Once again, I wish I have skilful hands like yours.

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    1. Thanks, Melody! I was not really a doll person as a child, but making these little figures--especially for Halloween--is so much fun. Keeps me occupied when I'm not reading. :)

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  3. She's charming, and the bead-vase is a great success!

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    1. Thanks, Rachel--the bead was just the right size for the flowers. :)

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  4. Such a cute shadow box. That watch for a clock idea is perfect. For me, miniature is hard. I can't wait to see the Catrina doll. I love her face. It's pouty perfection!!
    xx, Carol

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    1. Oh, the above is not a Catrina. She is going to be a witch. The Catrinas have skull faces decorated with flowers. I should have taken a pic of the heads, which are all painted. I have to make a new pattern for the bodies. Third time and charm and all. :\

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  5. I love it all! I know the 'agony' of having to make a new body, or arms, or legs to correct making the first ones too long, or too short. I try not to let it take away the joy of making the little person. Sometimes I just leave it - making it more of a spontaneous figure. I LOVE her face. Your shadow box is beautiful. I've wanted to do some dolls in shadow boxes but have never gone through with it. Maybe someday.

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    1. :) Sometimes I leave it, too! This time, I decided to make a small change to torso and just make new legs. I am working on them now--just came downstairs to answer the door, then I'm back up and hoping the new leg will make the difference.
      The tiny doll was too small to do much else with, so the box worked a treat. Thanks, Penny!

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  6. I also love the millinery flowers, and have some I keep for some unknown reason. Just to look at I guess! I love your sweet dolls. Especially the little 'house' you made for the second doll. Very sweet!

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    1. Aren't the millinery flowers great? I spent hours searching for things I could use in the "house"--and found enough to make it work. She looked just too bare when I first put her in the box. :) Thanks, Debra! I love where your new people are going!

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  7. Your dolls are delightful - the fine detailed work is so evident in each component - and what personality they have! Your work is beautifully unique... truly wonderful.

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    1. Thanks so much! I love playing with my little Eccentrics and am usually surprised at what they decide to become.

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Good to hear from you!