Dollmaker’s Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION
Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
At http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come true.

July 2008 Issue 80

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Copyright 2008 by Dollmaker’s Journey

Dollmaker’s Journey Customer Connection newsletter is a free e-mail newsletter. Tell your friends, family and fellow dollmakers about us, and feel free to forward this newsletter to those who might be interested. You can visit our companion website at:
http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/

**Notice!**

AOL Members Click HERE for Online Issue with Hot Links

You can read all the past issues online. Go to:
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/archives.html
The archives include an easy to follow index to all the past issues.

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Dear Dollmaking Friends,

HOORAY!!! YAHOO!!! We are getting more Grrrip glue!!!

Here at Dollmaker's Journey we are jumping for joy. Grrrip glue, our favorite, is finally back in production and we are expecting a big shipment any day so keep an eye on the site.

UPDATE:  Grrrip Glue is Back.  Go to... http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

It is really hard when some of our favorite dollmaking things are discontinued, such as Doe Suede (now replaced by Buck Suede, slightly thicker, but still works). The quality went downhill on Springmaid Southern Belle fabric (too many slubs, trash, thinner threads which made it unsuitable for stuffing fabric dolls), and we replaced it with Pimatex. Dip 'n Drape has ceased production, and we are experimenting with buckram to see if we can still make molded hats. Createx is no longer available, and we are still searching for the perfect sealer. Rit no longer has peach dye, and that plays havoc with our ethnic hand-dyed fabric. It is especially hard when patterns and books are based on certain products being available, and then they are discontinued. However, at Dollmaker's Journey we are continually searching for new methods and products to help make your life easier. Right now we are experimenting with Paverpol to bring innovative ideas to cloth dollmaking. If you have any good ideas to share we would love to hear from you. Just email Bonnie at EnchantedR@aol.com and she will include them in a future newsletter.

Bonnie and Mary Ann

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JULY SALE

We're in the holiday spirit and starting July off with a BANG by taking 20% off all of our BOOKS, INSTRUCTIONAL CDs and DVDs! Be sure to take advantage of the substantial savings all month long. http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

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JUNE QUIZ WINNER

Question: U.S. coins are differentiated by the edge. Old silver dollars, half dollars, quarters and dimes have vertical ridges on the edge. Nickels and pennies have smooth edges. The new "gold" presidential dollars, which are easily confused with quarters being about the same size, have engraved information on the edge, but no ridges. I always thought that was because if you were blind you could feel the edge of the coin to determine what it is. (Pennies and dimes are similar in size, as are nickels and quarters.) So my question for this month is: How many ridges are on the edge of a dime?

Answer: 118
I learned a lot from all of you this month. Actually, the ridges are called reeds, NOT ridges. Several of you pointed that out. Kathleen Loose wrote: Here is the answer as to why some of the coins have reeded or grooved edges. The dollar, half-dollar, quarter-dollar, and 10-cent (dime) denominations were originally produced from precious metals, mostly gold or silver. The reeded edges were created to make sure no one would alter the coins by attempting to file off the edges to retrieve some of the precious metal. (She got this information from http://www.usmint.gov/) Now I know where the term "shaved" coins came from. Well, at least the blind person idea was my own. Sally Harper added: "We play a team trivia game every week and one of the questions a couple of weeks ago was which has more ridges, a dime or a quarter? We lost, but I remembered that a dime has 118 and a quarter has 119." Just what you all wanted to know!

Congratulations to Linda S. Garvin from Lexington, Kentucky. Your name was selected at random from all of the correct quiz entries, and you will receive a $10 gift certificate from Dollmaker’s Journey. Watch for your name in a coming month!

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JULY QUESTION

With rising gas prices worldwide (and diesel being even more expensive, at least in West Virginia), I thought the following question was timely.

Q: How far can the QE2 cruise liner travel burning one gallon of diesel?

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by July 15th will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Dollmaker’s Journey. The winner will be announced in the next newsletter. Email your answers to Bonnie at EnchantedR@aol.com Put June Quiz in subject box. Please include your full name and where you live (state/country) in your email.

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CHARITY CORNER - "Every Doll Needs a Home"

*Calling All Dolls...*
It's that time of year when we turn to all of our fantastic doll making friends sending out a request for help with our annual doll art benefit

The Evangeline Booth Miracle Home run by the Salvation Army is a temporary emergency shelter for homeless women and children located in Schenectady, NY. We will be holding our annual fundraiser on September 18, 2008. The event is called "Every Doll Needs a Home" and is a doll art benefit. Donations of dolls are being accepted anytime now up until August 18, 2008. You can also read more about the Booth Home and doll art benefit by going to:
http://home.nycap.rr.com/tsmall/2006/indax.html

The live auction will consist of handmade dolls of cloth or cloth and clay. These can be anything from ragdolls to brightly colored funky dolls and/or hand-sculpted cloth and clay artist creations. Porcelain, vintage, and manufactured dolls are also accepted. They will be offered in a silent auction.

Last year's event was a huge success. Because of this benefit and the help of an additional grant, we will be getting a much-needed new roof this spring! The event seems to become more popular in this area every year. Last year we had quite a few new people attending -- there were actually a couple of bidding wars! Everyone always has a good time. Your efforts go a long way to help these women and children. It also does a lot for them spiritually. If you could see their faces when they see that so many women from all over actually care about them and want to help. Spirits around here continue to boost every time another doll arrives. Your assistance not only helps to keep this shelter open but you help create hope where there sometimes was little or none. Some of the dolls that arrive early enough - before August 1st - may appear in the main library's glass (locked) display case for the entire month of August and may even appear in the news.

Dolls can be dropped off or shipped to:
The Evangeline Booth Miracle Home
ATTN: Pam Small
168 Lafayette St.
Schenectady, NY 12305
Any questions? Please call (518) 370-0276 or (518) 3700277 and ask for Pam.
You can also email Pam at Pam.Small@USE.SalvationArmy.Org

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HEAD HEIGHTS

This tip is from Nettonya of Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
You can measure the doll's body from the head size. Depending on the gender, age, and style of doll, most dolls measure from a range of 4-1/2 to 8 "heads" high. Wizards or witches could even be 9 or 10 heads tall; trolls, gnomes and the like are maybe 3 or 4 heads high; realistic child dolls will be about 5 heads tall and adult humans between 6 and 8 heads high.
(At Dollmaker's Journey we send all our new customers a pink sheet with anatomical drawings of a typical male and female with suggested head heights.)

If you have access to any of Susanna Oroyan's books, Designing the Doll has a set of proportion charts in it - pp.46-60. Excellent reference. This book is available at http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

In case you don't have this book, here are some sites that might help you –
http://www.kids-courier.com/kids_toys/doll_maker/
http://www.dace.co.uk/proportion_doll.htm

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I am trying to get some doll books at my local library but they cannot locate any. How do I find any?

A: Many libraries don't have doll books on their shelves. If they do, it should be filed under 745.59 in the Dewey Decimal System. I know, because used to work in a library, and I have looked for them in our system here in West Virginia and there aren't any. Quite often a library will check with other libraries in their system, and if any one carries the book you seek they can borrow it. I would suggest you might want to buy a few basic books and begin your own doll library, or join a doll club and borrow books from other members. We sell doll books at Dollmaker's Journey, and this month all books are 20% off. You can also go to Amazon.com and check out their book selection. Often they will have used books for very reasonable prices. Many of our favorite books are no longer in print, but Amazon will still carry them through some of their used book dealers.

Q: I want to use fantasy film to make wings, but don't know how. Do I just fuse 2 layers together and cut out the shape?

A: It is called Textiva Fusible Iridescent Film. You can see all the colors we carry at: http://dollmakersjourney.com/fibers.html
Actually, you can make wings with just one layer if they are small enough. If you fuse two together, inside you can place glitter, Angelina fiber of a different color, wire, cut-up pieces of film in a different color for a stained glass effect, bits of metallic thread, or anything else you desire. Just be sure you place film BETWEEN two pieces of white tissue paper before ironing so it won't stick to the iron. You can also paint it (like use metallic paint around edge of wing), emboss it, etc.

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DOLL CLUB FACE BOOK PROJECT

Noel Wolfman recently finished a little project for her doll club that she thought might be fun for other clubs too. She made "face books". These are little fabric books with blank doll face fabric in them so you can practice different face techniques. You can see her books on her blog at:
http://clothdollpatterns.blogspot.com

Kat Lees suggested another idea for original faces. She keeps her original face drawings in a binder in plastic sleeves to protect them. When she needs a quick face for a swap or gift, she prints the face out onto muslin, tweeks it, and most of the work is done. Go to http://www.designsbykat.blogspot.com
See a sample pin doll she made on the left hand side of her blog using this technique.

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CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

Hoffman Challenge
Deadline: July 25, 2008
You must use a recognizable piece of their challenge fabric in the finished doll.
You can get the fabric at http://eQuilter.com
See previous winners at http://www.blueherondolls.com/ and click on "Hoffman Dolls"
For details go to: http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com
[The Material Girls] Becky Holloway Challenge!
Deadline: September 30, 2008
Rules:
1. Use the Becky Holloway pattern called "Garden Party" (available at http://dollmakersjourney.com/holloway.html)
2.You can change the pattern by upsizing or downsizing and adding bits and
pieces but it still needs to look like the Garden Party pattern somewhat
when you are finished.
3.You must finish and send the pictures to Lisa Risler (happyartist@gmail.com) by September 30th, 2008 with a NAME and a good DESCRIPTION of what all you did and how you did it...even a story is nice!
4. Voting will begin on October 5th with the url to be announced as soon as it is available online.
5. NO LATE entries can be accepted to be fair to everyone.
6. Please join the Yahoo Group "Hollowaypatterns" so we can kind of keep up with what is going on.
7. Do NOT show anyone your finished project until after the voting has been done. You must not tell anyone which entry is yours. You will be disqualified -- out of fairness to everyone else entering the contest.
Prizes will be awarded by Dollmaker's Journey, Cloth Doll Patterns, and Cloth Doll Supply.

Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge - Journey of the Gypsy
Kits available now for $20.00 US
For information on 2008 challenge contact: Pamela Armas
P. O. Box 748, Mountainair, New Mexico 87036, USA.
Email address: gypsytreasures@cs.com

2009 All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition
Due date: August 31, 2009
Theme: Earthen Mother
Official rules posted here: http://www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

July 24-27, 2008 – NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists)
Imperial Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
For registration and more information go to http://NIADA.org

July 26-30, 2008 – National Doll Festival (21st annual)
Tuscany Suites and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Same time and town as UFDC, ODACA and NIADA National Conventions
Contact information: National Doll Festival, P.O. Box 66823, Scotts Valley, CA 95067
E-mail: NatlDoll@aol.com or DollFestival@aol.com
(831) 438-5349 phone (831) 439-9142 fax number

July 27-August 1, 2008 – UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc.)
Bally's, Las Vegas, Nevada
For registration and more information go to http://UFCD.org

July 27, 2008 – ODACA Luncheon 2008
Bally's, Las Vegas, Nevada
For registration and more information go to http://ODADA.org

August 2, 2008 – A Day with Dolls #3
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Shelton E Dole Center, 250 South Sixth Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY
For more information call 914-667-7100
Dollmaker's Journey will have a booth there and we would love to meet you in person.

August 28-30, 2008 – Dimensions in Dollmaking
San Diego, California
Promise forms due Aug. 1st, dolls due Aug. 15th
Theme: "Flights of Fantasy"
For more information and entry forms: http://www.iolcc.com/

October 19, 2008 - Manitoba Doll Club presents "Village of Dreams"
Time: 10:00 to 4:00 pm
Canadinns Polo Park, 1405 St. Matthew Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Admission: adults $4.00 Children (-12) & Seniors (+65): $3.00
Info: Sylvia sdgranth@mts.net 204.482.4932 or Vieve toadhall@mts.net

To save yourself time and energy, get all the details on upcoming doll related events at CLOTH DOLL CONNECTION: http://clothdollconnection.com/

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SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU

I found this very cool website. My grandchildren are having all sorts of fun printing wonderful things and making toys out of them. It even has a tooth fairy house!
http://www.thetoymaker.com/2Toys.html

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NEW BOOK

Barb Keeling recommends a wonderful new fairy book that is available at many book stores. It has fantastic "pop ups" and is called "How to Find Flower Fairies" by Cicely Mary Barker.

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HAND POSITIONS

If you create a doll with separate fingers, armature them with folded pipe cleaners in each finger. Instead of leaving them spread open like a starfish, hands appear more natural if the fingers are closer together. I was taught in modeling class that the most graceful hand position is this: place your hand flat on a table with the thumb separate from the fingers. Now rotate your hand up off the table, thumb first, extending your forefinger, the second and third fingers together, and the pinkie separate. Leave your last three fingers on the table. When you lift up your hand, you will notice your forefinger and pinkie are up and the two fingers that are together are down. Your thumb will also be down. Also, the fingers are slightly curved. You can also achieve this position by shaking your hand and letting it fall naturally. Think of the hand belonging to a very proper lady holding a cup of tea.
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NEW PATTERNS/BOOKS/CD-ROMs/DVDs/MOLDS

When you combine the amazing talents of SHERRY GOSHON and KATE ERBACH you get an explosion of great stuff! KATE applied her graphic art skills to SHERRY'S popular Watercolor Pencil Faces Book to produce the marvelous "Watercolor Faces CD." You are going to love this updated and enhanced version and it's even ON SALE for the rest of the month!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

The Victorian Carnival Series of BARBARA SCHOENOFF has a new character. Come meet the mesmerizing "Madame Zlotska and her Crystal Ball." http://dollmakersjourney.com/schoenoff.html

SHELLEY HAWKEY has been quite busy hatching Tree Trolls and has just introduced her sweet brother and sister duo "Bazel" and "Nolen." A treat for any troll lover. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hawkey.html

From Down Under we have "Viola" another fabulous mermaid from MICHELLE MUNZONE. This one's an embellishers dream!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/munzone.html

PATTI CULEA is wowing us with two fantastic new patterns – "Penny
Cassandra, A Sewing Caddy" and "Janet Anne, A Fashion Doll." We know
you are going to love them.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/culea.html

Our favorite Troll Queen – UTE VASINA – treats us to the
lovely "Fiona." Who ever thought trolls could be so enchanting?
http://dollmakersjourney.com/vasina.html

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JUST FOR FUN
Mental Feng Shui
(Mary Ann found this and wanted to share.)

ONE - Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO - Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE - Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR - When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE - When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX - Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN - Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT - Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE - Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN - In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN - Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE - Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN - When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN - Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN - Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN - When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN - Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN - Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN - When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY - Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE - Spend some time alone.

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

I flew to Utah to help my youngest daughter Amy with her first baby, born June 28. My latest granddaughter's name is Elizabeth Marie, and she weighed 8# 11 oz. and has lots of black, silky hair. I arrived one hour after they left the hospital, and discovered there was no crib, bed, or place to put the baby. (They had one, but it was defective, and they returned it and hadn't had time to replace it.) Her husband ran out and bought a crib, bassinet, diaper changing table combination, and we spent all evening putting it together. I spend several weeks there, and when I returned, discovered my sweet husband bought me a new van. Our old van had travelled more than 250,000 miles, and I guess he was worried it might not make long trips anymore. (Dollmaker's Journey is travelling to a convention in New York City in August.) Since it still runs perfectly, the old van went to our son. My only problem is the new van is bright red. I went to Wal-Mart the next day and two red cars parked on each side, three directly in front, and two more on the next aisle. I discovered red is the most common color in the parking lot, and I couldn't find my van. I did research online and discovered full length dragon decals I could apply to both sides of the van, but my husband wasn't too sure he wanted to drive a van covered with dragons. I think he will change his mind when I show him a website Barb Keeling recommended. It has nothing to do with dolls, but has great faces and embellishments.
http://www.gadling.com/2007/04/25/art-car-parade/

Mary Ann and Jim continue to travel to NJ every two to three weeks to visit Mak’s sister Barb. This week she will begin Hospice care. Last week along with daughter Ana and her husband Nik they went to Heathsville, VA in an area called the “Northern Neck” to attend an engagement party for dear friend Ben Young and his lovely fiancée Crystal Cannady. Ben’s parents Joy and Bob hired a local ferry boat for a sunset cruise and party on the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Wicomico River that was just phenomenal. A pool party at their amazing river front home followed and continued with a brunch the next morning. Mak was delighted to meet a new dollmaker on the cruise who had just joined a local club. Arrangements are being made for her to return to teach some classes and revisit her buddy Joy. While living in Italy some years ago Mary Ann, Joy and Ana made a memorable trip to Paris together. After the brunch Mak and Jim drove further south to Newport News, VA for a quick visit with Jim’s sister Joedy and husband Bill. Joedy is an avid quilter and needlepoint enthusiast. They just completed a magnificent remodel of their home. The beautifully enlarged Family Room features comfortable chairs and ottomans and a wide screen TV – a perfect space for working on projects. It was hard to leave and return home. Now she and Bonnie are working like demons to complete a special pattern that will include four dolls so they can bring it to the Dollie Day in New York on August 2nd. Never a dull moment.

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WEBSITES:

Learn to make polymer clay hands and feet
http://www.desiredcreations.com/
Click on How to and then on desired tutorial

Fashion figures to trace to create your own dolls
http://www.alleycatscratch.com/ffashion/Figures.htm

Historical costumes/patterns from Godey's Lady's Book
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/godey/fashion/di.html

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We’d love to hear your thoughts about our Customer Connection newsletter.

Contact the editor Bonnie B. Lewis at enchantedR@aol.com with any comments, suggestions, etc.
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