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

June/July 2010 Issue 103

******************************
Copyright 2010 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!**
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.

******************************
Dear Dollmaking Friends,

July 4 (Independence Day in the United States) has come and gone, and we are trying something new. We have had several requests that the newsletter come out at the beginning of the month so you can take advantage of our monthly specials. So this issue is a June-July issue to try and get me back on track. (The newsletters seem to come out later and later each month.) Therefore the monthly quiz answers will be due by the end of each month instead of the 15th.

Sewing by the Sea, a yearly get-together of dollmakers and fiber artists where they work on unfinished projects, has proposed that it be a reunion this year for participants from We Folk of Cloth and MADMs (Miles Apart Doll Makers). If you are interested, check below under Upcoming Events. Also, check out the winners of the baby doll contest.

We are celebrating Christmas in July. Therefore all our patterns under Christmas, Angels, and Snow People are on sale. There is nothing like getting a head start on the holidays.

We want to thank Victoria DiPietro's son Joshua who sent in a series of trivia questions to be used in later newsletters. As always, we welcome information such as events, questions, trivia, awards, contests, tips, etc. that you would like to see in this newsletter. Send them to Bonnie at EnchantedR@aol.com

Dollmaker's Journey is headed for New York City in August for their Day With Dolls. We look forward to seeing some of you there. Mary Ann is working on a special surprise and class for those who attend. Have a wonderful summer, and for those of you down under, stay warm. (Here it has been over 100 degrees F. for the past week. We hope the heat wave breaks soon!)

Bonnie and Mary Ann

******************************
WORDS TO LIVE BY

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Or as my Dad's favorite quote says: People don't care how much you know if they don't know how much you care.

******************************
JULY SALE

Well, we couldn’t resist having a CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE and that means we have discounted three great categories - CHRISTMAS, ANGELS and SNOW PEOPLE giving you a HUGE variety of patterns to choose from for holiday projects. Be sure to take advantage of the 20% savings all month long. http://dollmakersjourney.com/

Remember, visit our website at http://dollmakersjourney.com at the beginning of each month to see what our new sale will be. That way you won't have to wait for a newsletter.

******************************
CHARITY CORNER

Don't forget to send your dolls to the Evangeline Booth Miracle Home for their auction to benefit homeless women and children. Details are in our May newsletter. Deadline for donations is August 27, 2010.
You can also read more about the Booth Home and doll art benefit by going to: http://home.roadrunner.com/~tsmall/2006/indax.html

******************************
FAIRY NAME GENERATOR

If you are making a fairy, and need a special name, check out http://www.emmadavies.net/fairy
I went and this is what it told me:
Your fairy is called Field Rainbowtree
She is a fortune bringer.
She lives in fields where wild flowers and poppies grow.
She is only seen when the first leaves fall from the trees.
She likes to wear red petals in her skirt. She has multicoloured wings like a butterfly.
I think I need to make this fairy.

******************************
MAY QUIZ WINNER

Q: What is the largest crustal break in North America and where is it? (Hint: It also refers to a vampire coven.)

A: The Denali Fault in Alaska between the Yukon border and the Aleutian Peninsula
Source: www.Alaskan.com

NOTE: The Denali Vampire Coven is described in "Breaking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer. They live in Alaska.

Congratulations to Jeanne White from West Virginia. 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!

******************************
JUNE/JULY QUESTION

As we were preparing to celebrate the 4th of July, I decided to hang an American flag in front of our house. Since I didn't have a flagpole that would work, my son went online to figure out what side the field of blue needed to be if the flag was hung sideways. (It's at the top on the right hand side, which surprised me.) While looking up flag protocol, we came across a curious fact, and that is the basis of this month's quiz.

Q: When flying the American flag, is there any other flag that can fly above it ON THE SAME FLAGPOLE? If so, what special circumstance would permit this? (We are talking about U.S. property, not foreign soil.)

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by July 31st (NOTE NEW DEADLINE) 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 July Quiz in subject box. Please include your full name and where you live (state/country) in your email. NOTE: Several times in the past a winner was drawn with no name or state/country included. When that happens we have to draw again. So please, make sure you include this information with your answer.

******************************
USING CRAFT VELOUR TO CREATE DOLLS
By Judi Ward

A clarification is needed as far as Velour is concerned.....Robe velour is very different than Craft Velour....Robe velour is quite thick and usually has "lines" showing on the back/smooth side. Craft velour is much thinner and is very smooth on the back/smooth side.

I always forget that many don't realize the difference, and it was brought to my attention when I was teaching last month at the quilt store. One lady brought in Robe velour from Jo Ann's Fabric and it was THICK!!!!! Much too thick for Annie Beads Knees hands.

CRAFT VELOUR can be used interchangeably with the Comforts, Pontes, Bucksuedes, and even really good quality woven cotton.

It stuffs and needle sculpts very well but doesn't stuff out of shape like the stretchier fabrics do. It does not take as much sculpting skill to control it and can be used either way. Place your pattern side to side for chubby and up and down for thinner. The difference will not be huge, especially for smaller dolls but there will be a difference if you stuff hard. If you don't stuff rock hard the difference will be about what you would get with woven cotton....but....no fraying and blowouts.

When you use CRAFT VELOUR with the smooth side out it is very smooth and easy to work with colored pencils and/or acrylic paints. Always check pens on the back of the head for "bleed" though. Some bleed.

A hint for non toy dolls....Spray the face with Clear,Matte Acrylic spray before doing the face work. Use your hand to press down the fibers that will raise and let dry before doing the face work. You will have a nice, firm surface for your face work. (If you are going to needle sculpt, do it before the spray)

Spray again after you have finished the face to seal it.

If you want a warm, soft baby, use the Craft Velour fuzzy side out and either embroider the face features or do a very simple, soft face with colored pencils. I actually love to paint on the fuzzy side but most dollmakers don't.

Hope this helps de-mystify Velour.

See Judi's patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/ward.html
Get craft velour in 5 colors at http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

******************************
STORING FLOWERS

Do you have lots of artificial flowers getting crushed in a box or drawer? Try this PVC storage tip: 4" perforated drainage pipe makes a good artificial flower and greenery storage tower, hung on the wall or in a corner. Just tuck in the ends of the stems or bushes.

******************************
JUST FOR FUN

Have you needed a great dessert to bring to a doll club meeting? Need a quick treat to take to an ailing neighbor? How about a potluck at the church? Don't have time to run to the store and buy a lot of fancy ingredients? Here is Bonnie's favorite brownie recipe – cheap, delicious, made "from scratch" and rich enough it doesn't need frosting. Nuts are optional. Best of all, it only takes about half an hour from the thought to the finished dish. A perfect dessert for a picnic or drive in the country. Enjoy!

Mom’s Perfect Brownies (Bonnie Lewis)

2/3 cup margarine or butter (melted)
1/2 cup cocoa
Mix together.
2 cups sugar
3 eggs (fudge) or 4 eggs (cakey) (I usually use three eggs)
Beat well until light colored.
Add cocoa mix and:
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 - 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Bake in greased 9” x 13” pan at 375° F. for 20-25 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE!
For Christmas put green frosting circle on top. Add red hot candies to create a wreath.

NOTE: Mary Ann has made Bonnie’s recipe and she can testify it was a HUGE HIT!

******************************
CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

Cloth Baby Doll Challenge Results are Online!
http://clothdollbabies.com/challenge2010/

See the new Hoffman Challenge fabric for 2010 here:
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?catid=277

******************************
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

July 10, 2010 – 2010 New York Black Doll and Art Show
Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY
11 AM – 6 PM
For more information go to: http://www.blackdollshows.com

July 17 – 21, 2010 – 23rd Annual National Doll Festival
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, Chicago, Illinois
For more information email Rowbear & Faith Lowman at DollFestival@aol.com

July 17-21, 2010 – NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists)
Swissotel, Chicago, Illinois
For information: http://www.niada.org/info.html

July 18-23, 2010 - UFDC (United Federation of Doll Collectors)
Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
For registration form click here: http://www.ufdc.org/documents/RegistrationCard-Print.pdf

July 18, 2010 - ODACA (Original Doll Artist Council of America)
Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
For information: http://www.odaca.org/events.php

July 21-25, 2010 - Dimensions in Dollmaking -2010
San Diego Comic-Con International Convention, San Diego, California
Go to http://www.iolccsandiego.blogspot.com for promise forms and registration to sell your doll

July 29-August 1, 2010 – Enchanted Doll Artists Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
http://www.enchanteddollartistsconference.org

August 7, 2010 - 2010 DAY WITH DOLLS
Hosted by the 3D Cloth Doll Club of Mount Vernon and the Manhattan Doll Club
9am - 4pm
The Village Lutheran Church
172 White Plains Road (Rt 22)
Bronxville New York (Opposite Concordia College)
Blog: http://3dclothdollclub.blogspot.com/
Webpage: http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/events3dcloth.htm
Email: 3dclothdollclub@gmail.com

October 22-30, 2010 – Sewing by the Sea (NeedleArts Adventures)
Ocean City, Maryland
We Folk friends and MADMS (Miles Apart Doll Makers) reunion planned
For more information: http://needlearts-adventures.com

April 28–May 1, 2011 – Artistic Figures in Cloth (AFIC)
Columbus, Ohio
Artistic Figures in Cloth (AFIC) is a Doll Makers and Fiber Artist Extravaganza, held in Columbus, Ohio every other year. AFIC is offering your choice of 13 teachers and 24 workshops. There are classes in fabric sculpting, painting, designing, fabric art, paper clay, felting, collage to name a few and in addition to these workshops we have vendors, exhibits and extra events, all activities are geared to simulate the creative artist in you! What better gift to yourself than the gift of inspiration. Come to AFIC and join the fun. Visitors welcome on April 30 & May 1, 2011 to view exhibits and vendors. Visit our web site starting September 1, 2010 http://www.CyndysDolls.com

June 9-12, 2011 – Figurative Artists Consortium
Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://figurativeartistsconsortium.com

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

*******************************
SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU

KATE ERBACH is one of the most generous designers on the planet. Stop by and check out her delightful “Phang” the newest addition to our FREE pattern section. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/freepatterns.html

*************************************
NEW PATTERNS/BOOKS/CD-ROMs/DVDs/MOLDS

“Sweeping Beauty” is CINDEE MOYER’S newest pattern and we think you’ll be enchanted by it as much as we are. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/moyer.html

No one imagines Halloween characters better than SUSAN BARMORE. We just added four more of her eerily delightful patterns – “Millie,” “Field Witch,” “Devil Witch” and “Hope Witch.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

Leave it to SUSAN BARMORE to find the perfect way of using Plaster Wrap on a doll. Check out her exquisite “Water Horse” to see what we’re talking about. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

We’re adding in two long time favorite ELINOR PEACE BAILEY patterns that we didn’t have – that girl with all the attitude “Mehitabel-Dell” and some outrageous poultry – “Chicken Shaman.” Two colorful and fun projects! – http://dollmakersjourney.com/epb.html

“Elysia the Freindship Fairy” is a class taught by PATTI CULEA that is now ready for a wider audience. As usual, this pattern is chock full of fabulous construction techniques you are going to love!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/culea.html

It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday projects so here is a perfect project from KAREN NIEFORTH to get you going – “Reindeer Santa.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/nieforth.html
Best of all, it's on sale this month!

If you are looking for ways to jump start your creativity why not explore the great little book “20 To Make - Art Dolls” by Sarah Lawrence. Easy directions guide you through the creation of a great assortment of little dolls from a variety of easy to assemble materials. Great projects - great gifts too! http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

We’ve acquired enough SNOW PEOPLE patterns now for them to have their own category. The newest addition is KAREN NIEFORTH’S “Jingles the Snowman” easy to make - lots of character – and on sale this month! http://dollmakersjourney.com/nieforth.html

We have two more charming patterns by MICHELLE ALLEN of Raggedy Pants – the sweet “Rose~Annie” and the busy “Lady Bug Collector.” Stop by and take a peek – http://dollmakersjourney.com/allen.html

“Magnolia Kisses” is a wonderful wall doll from JACQUE UETZ that is an alternate body for her popular “Maggie Rose Pressmold.” - http://dollmakersjourney.com/uetz.html

CORRECTION: The dress pattern certainly IS INCLUDED in the beautiful new pattern “Margaret” by KAREN MUSSON that we put on the site last month. Do take a second look – http://dollmakersjourney.com/musson.html

******************************
CUSTOMER QUERIES/COMMENTS

Hello, my name is Victoria and I've been receiving your wonderful newsletter for a number of years now. I thought I would let you know about my new website www.periwinkleartstudios.com and let you check it out. As well as a new book entitled "1000 Artisan Textiles" which is out as of May 1, 2010. My work is also inside the pages of this beautiful book as well as some other doll makers you might recognize.

******************************
SUPPLIES

Have you ever played with LUTRADUR MIXED MEDIA SHEETS? We have packages of 10 with a combination of regular and heavyweight sheets. There is no end to the creative possibilities.

Do you have a favorite colored pencil that you use on every face you make? Mary Ann does. She loves the PRISMACOLOR TERRA COTTA finding it a richer color than a plain brown. It is now available as a single pencil. Let us know if you have a favorite color pencil that you would like to see on the site. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

At long last, the PAVERPOL products are back in stock and once again available for sale in the 1 liter and half liter tubs and the ¼ liter bottle. We’ll have the Stockinette in a few more weeks.–
http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html#PAVERPOL

Over in the HAIR DEPARTMENT the Purple Tibetan Lamb and the Black Mohair Locks are back in stock. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

THAT PURPLE THANG is one of those all purpose tools that belong on every sewing table. It’s the perfect implement for poking and prodding and so much more.

At your request we are bringing back ANIMAL EYES. We are starting out with 4.5mm in Clear (you can paint the backs any color), Translucent Blue and Translucent Brown. We will have a selection of larger sizes in shortly. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

We’ve just added two more colors of MOHAIR LOCKS – “Autumn Blend” and “Earthen Blend” for those bald headed dolls in search of a great color for a hairdo. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

Over in the HAIR DEPARTMENT we have two great new yarns with wonderful textures and yummy colors - “Lush Lucy Loops” and “Bump Spun.”
http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

Our convenient FABRIC GLUE STICK is super handy to have around especially when pinning something tiny doesn’t work very well. The CRYSTAL LACQUER is back in stock, too. http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

******************************
MARY ANN AND SARAH’S FIELD TRIPS

Mary Ann and the world’s greatest assistant Sarah have been going on a variety of field trips. One week they went to the local quilt show seeking new products that we might sell at Dollmaker’s Journey. They were delighted to meet a very talented vendor named Judy Gula who actually has a storefront in our area called “Artistic Artifacts.” They have already made several more field trips to the store to drool over all the embellishments and treasures that Judy has collected for every kind of fiber artist. If you aren’t able to visit her store here in Virginia, then stop by her website www.artisticartifacts.com to see her wonderful products. She has so many unique items it’s hard to get them all on the website, so if you are looking for something special be sure to ask Judy if she has it – Judy@artisticartifacts.com

Artistic Artifacts
4750 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-823-0202 ext. 213

***********************************
NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie and her husband hosted a Japanese young man for a week. He wants to learn better English and perhaps pass the TOFEL (an exam testing English prior to entering an American college.) He is now with a host family. She and her husband went to see Eclipse the day it came out. Her husband agrees that it is the best movie so far in the Twilight saga. Maybe she will have to make an Edward doll (although it would be fun to sculpt Jacob's amazing muscles!) In the meantime she is writing the first in a series of 10 books that will hopefully be available before Christmas (of course it is doll related.) And then two nights ago she had an amazing dream about a fictional story with dolls. Perhaps that will appear in the Christmas issue. Keep checking the Customer Connection for more information. Too many projects, not enough time.

Mary Ann and Jim have been doing a lot of celebrating. Memorial Day weekend they attended a wonderful engagement party for Jim’s son Michael and his beautiful fiancée Becky Gordner at the home of her parents. A few weeks ago they went up to New Jersey to commemorate the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Mary Ann’s parents Paul and Marion Zetts at a marvelous family dinner held at the home of Mak’s sister Sharon and husband Jerry. The next weekend they traveled south to Newport News, VA to spend the 4th of July with Jim’s sister Joedy and husband Bill. For the 2nd year in the row they enjoyed the spectacular fireworks at Colonial Williamsburg. Today they took Mary Ann’s daughter Ana out to lunch at a local sports bar to celebrate her 39th birthday and watched the Spaniards beat the Germans in the soccer game. On Monday the 12th they will embark on a great adventure which they’ll tell you all about next month. Stay tuned!

******************************
WEBSITES:

A company that prints custom fabric from your designs. Perfect for dolls.
http://www.spoonflower.com

Fantastic video on the progression of technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

Know anyone having a birthday that remembers the Beetles? Here is a fun animated video of the Beetles singing Happy Birthday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lh525NYjzY

******************************
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.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to any of your friends. Help us spread the word about Dollmaker’s Journey! All we ask is that you forward it intact, with all the subscription information included.
Thanks!