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Let’s Do This!

May 17, 2012 By 1 Comment

It’s been too long – a month or maybe even 6 weeks since I took you along on a ride …

This ride is on the back of a Flying Fairy – I mean how can you refuse?

A for Artistic starts a new class today with Marilyn Radzat – I know … I know … I should maybe stretch my wings a little and try other teachers but I really am drawn to this class because Marilyn promises to teach us a trick about how to make sure your Fairy (or maybe a Kitchen or Halloween witch?) is flying straight – not drooping – looking like he’s going to crash into the floor head first!

I have to say … I’m pretty excited – because who doesn’t love a little Fairy in their life?

And also – this is much closer to where I started out with my Halloween Witches last year – I absolutely love anything that can hang off my branches in my dining room … and these have great potential!

Also – Marilyn is an amazing teacher – and I am jumping up and down inside with crazy happy joy – because I’ll be learning something new from her today … and it is just a quick little class – won’t take long but I’ll be happy to be doing something new and exciting in my studio again!

Do you want to join me – it is Fun (yes, Fun with a capital F!) … if you want to try something new – something really rewarding and happy … this is it – trust me!

You’ll love the classroom, the clay, the dressing of the fairy and as for Marilyn – you’ll be hard pressed to try to find a more supportive and wonderful teacher!

If you don’t think it is for you – hop on my Fairy’s back and I’ll take you along for our ride!

Filed Under: Chit Chat

And We’re Off …

February 6, 2012 By 2 Comments

Wow – this is going to be an interesting week – I just know it.

Because since my plea I have worked harder than ever to figure out my path as an artist – and I have had some amazing feedback and comments and support and now I have to show every one of you that none of this was given in vain!

Do you remember the list from last week? Well let’s see …

  1. “Read 4 books” … have read 3 and will be reading fourth after this blog!
  2. “Connect with Doll Artists” … have connected and am following many new amazing artists out there … I literally must have spent 20 hours (at least!) looking, searching, connecting and commenting!
  3. See point 2!
  4. Ok – can’t really do anymore about this one till she tells me to pay in the beginning of March … but I’ll be first in line – promise!
  5. “Sign up for Online Doll courses” … I have indeed.

I have signed up for 2 courses and I’m like a kid in a toy store about this!

The first one is all about learning how to model a head and some hands … I’m pretty confident on this one – I know I model well, and with a super instructor like Marilyn Radzat I am confident that by the end of this course I’ll have learned new tricks and be amazed at what I will be capable of doing – all because Marilyn came into my life.

The second course is by Deb Wood – she will be teaching me about armatures – and I chose this course because between this and the head – I figure that I’ll be ready to create some amazing creatures/witches/dolls. Deb Wood is extraordinary too – if you like fairies you should take a moment to check out her website!

Now, do you understand my excitement? – These are not just your average little doll makers – these ladies … they truly are the best of the best – the cream of the crop – the icing on the cake.

- And I get to learn from them … I know – it takes my breath away every time I think of that.

I know, I always get a little starstruck – I cannot help that … but I do feel very fortunate to have found this new love of Art Dolls and then to be able with a few clicks to say “yes please!” I am then able to be taught by the best.

That is amazing – no more, no less!

The rest of the week?

Well,I’ll be busy getting all my materials (gotta love shopping for materials!), I will continue to “surf” and get to know more about all these artists, I will work on the Kitchen Witch and then – I do have a little something that I’m going to share with you tomorrow – because I’m going to take you on a “first ever” adventure with me … It might get hairy at times, there might be swearing (highly likely!) and there might be tears … but the end result should be fun!

Till tomorrow!

Filed Under: Chit Chat

The Evolution of Her …

January 30, 2012 By 2 Comments

I have been a busy little bee this weekend!

An egg and a sperm … or a wire and some foil … same thing really.

Let’s start from the beginning because there is a big difference in how I made my little Halloween Witches

to how I am bringing life to the Kitchen Witch.

One of the big differences is that the little witch is just that … little … and because of that she doesn’t need a skeleton – she doesn’t need any strength, such as pipes or string or bronze wire.

The Kitchen Witch on the other hand – she is big – well she is much bigger and she needs a skeleton.

It is imperative that you understand right now – I have never ever before, in my life – made anything like this.

Remember, I heard the women at the fair mention about a Kitchen witch and I saw those in the magazine (still a bit shaken from those!) and then I went to the library and by total fluke picked up a book on doll making.

And an idea was conceived.

I had never before heard or seen or thought of making a doll.

But I have been busy reading ever since that library book – and I truly believe today is the day that not one, not two – but three books will arrive from Indigo and I will be gobbling them up very fast and with great enthusiasm.

I have probably read 4 books since that first one a few weeks back.

But just once more in case you didn’t quite believe me – I have never worked with a skeleton before – and as with everything I touch or start or make … I’m lazy.

This is not something I’m proud of but I am by definition lazy.

A lazy crafter!

So when the books tells me to start by drawing and counting and measuring to make sure my doll has the right proportions – I can’t be bothered.

It’s true … I just do!

Of course that will sometimes results in some new materials, which I don’t know how works, ends up in the bin. But I’d say I have a pretty good success rate on the “just do it” account!

Saturday I did just that – I just did.

I went to Michaels, got some bronze wire – gauge 20 (I had no idea what this meant until I stood in front of what felt like thousands of different wires!) and then I went home and started wiggling it about.

And before I knew it I had formed a pretty decent skeleton for a pretty decent body for a pretty decent broom.

And then all you do is you fill it all with foil to give it some beef – and whammo … a “person” is born.

Sure, I know … you really need a fair bit of imagination here – but still … if you tilt your head a bit to the left, squint your eyes and think of how a body on a broom would look – and then … well – tell me you don’t see it?

This is the beginning of “her” – I could just show her – but that would be boring … as I said think of it as the egg and the sperm and how they have to divide and multiply and how things take time … I need you to slowly appreciate how she was born and whom she’ll grow into … because that is just a wonder!

No more … No less.

Filed Under: Chit Chat

Pssst … okay then …

January 24, 2012 By 5 Comments

… I’ll tell you …

But you have to promise two things

  1. You cannot tell anyone
  2. You are not allowed to put any pressure on me

… deal?

Do you remember I told you I had this thing I was working on that I wanted to spend some time developing?

Well, as always there is a little story behind it and it goes like this!

When I was at the craft fair back in November I had my little lovely witches on display as well as the angels and elves. I only sold one or two witches as it was past Halloween and people were more in a “Christmassy” mood than a “Halloweeny” mood – which was fair enough (no pun intended).

But three times during those 6 hours different people came up to me – saw the witches and exclaimed with excitement “Is that a Kitchen Witch” … and the first time I was asked I was totally taken aback and answered with a puzzled look (I’m sure!) … “eeeh no?” … the following two times I just kind of thought “that is odd” – but answered looking less puzzled.

I didn’t think any of it – for a long time (Christmas became more important!) and then one day I went to Chapters (bookstore!) and saw this magazine which I showed you a picture of I’m sure, called “Prims”.

Coffee in hand (of course!) I sat down, super excited, and started looking through said Magazine and I have to say … I wasn’t totally impressed. Not that I couldnt’ tell that the artists did great with their dolls just that it is not at all my kind of art.

But then … WHAMMO ….

Will you look at this …

I mean … I’m not embarrassed to say I got scared … I mean look at those faces … argh!!!

But it did something to me – I must admit … if you’ve been following this blog for a while you’ll know by now I’m a little sceptic when it comes to “things happen for a reason” and all that – I’m more of a “you have to take responsibility for you life and actions-kind of girl” … but I digress – I sat there and couldn’t help but think – “there it is again – this thing called a Kitchen Witch”.

And I can – hand on heart – promise you that I have never in my life heard of this phenomenon before … but now I got pretty intrigued and ended up googling it.

And here is what everyone’s trusted Wikipedia tells us about the Kitchen Witch:

A kitchen witch, sometimes called a cottage witch[1] or a “Scandinavian” kitchen witch doll, is a poppet or homemade doll resembling a stereotypical witch or crone displayed in residential kitchens as a means to provide good luck[2] and ward off bad spirits.[3]

It also says:

The Legendary Secret of Goof-Proof Cooking: The Famous Kitchen Witch

For centuries, Norwegians have hung this good witch in their kitchen. They believe she has the power to keep roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and sauces from spilling.“

I am telling you – I’m all over this!

Not only is it Scandinavian (bit of a stretch calling it anywhere near Danish – but still!) … it also brings good luck AND wards off bad spirits.

So now that I’ve told you … I will of course take you on my journey – because in my head, in my little silly arty head – by the time I present MY Kitchen Witch to the world … If you liked my little witches – I think you’ll LOVE my Kitchen Witch!

(at least I hope so!)

Filed Under: Chit Chat