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

August 2010 Issue 104

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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.

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Dear Dollmaking Friends,

I just got a note that Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine will stop publication as of the Oct. 2010 issue. Sadly that was such a great magazine with a lot of variety. Everyone who has a subscription will have their subscription switched to Dolls magazine. If you already subscribe to both, they will refund your money or extend your current Dolls subscription. Judi Ward will have an article in an upcoming Dolls magazine on how to weft hair using Grrrip glue. Her technique creates a very flexible THIN weft that works for mohair, human hair, and other fibers. I have seen the results, and they are awesome. Perhaps I can get Judi to share her technique after the article is published.

Meanwhile, check out News From the Home Front below for some really exciting news. I jumped up and down when I heard.

Bonnie and Mary Ann

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WORDS TO LIVE BY

The following quotation is a little sacrilegious, but I still thought it was funny.
I get up every morning determined both to change the world and to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult. -E.B. White, writer (1899-1985)

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AUGUST SALE

This month we are taking 20% off everything in our HAIR and FACE MAKING categories. People who joined us in New York for Day with Dolls were delighted to find many of their favorite items were 20% off. Go to http://dollmakersjourney.com to see all the exciting possibilities.

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.

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JUST ARRIVED!!!

It was such a treat to see one of the world’s best dollmaking teachers Gloria “Mimi” Winer at Day with Dolls in New York. During the day she slipped Mary Ann a DVD and said “Let me know what you think about this…” Well, our dear dollmaking friends, get ready – Mimi and her husband Jim have taken the material that Mimi teaches in a 2 day Needle Sculpting Class and produced a PHENOMINAL FIVE HOUR LONG 2 DISC DVD called “Needle Model a Pretty Face” that is going to knock your socks off! We pride ourselves on the variety of needle sculpting products we carry but for all of you who really want to learn by following along with a DVD the wait is over. You will feel like Mimi is sitting right next to you and the wealth of doll making knowledge she shares with you is absolutely priceless. The DVD is arranged so that you can easily navigate around the 31 detailed chapters that cover every aspect of the head construction. You can watch it on your TV or your computer whichever is more convenient. Your reference library will be screaming for this DVD!!! Just take a look at the sample video - http://dollmakersjourney.com/mimi.html

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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

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PAPERCLAY EMERGENCY SUBSTITUTION

We sell paperclay at Dollmaker's Journey. However, for those who have a midnight inspiration and can't wait to order some, here is an emergency substitution that might work for you.

http://ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-clay

The ingredients are inexpensive, and can be found at your local grocery and hardware store.
You will need:

Cheap toilet paper (one roll per quart of clay)
1 cup Joint Compound from the hardware store (get "regular," not "fast set" or "light")
In Australia it is called Stopping Compound (GIB is a brand name)
This is what you smear on the joints where two pieces of dry wall join. It is then covered with
paper tape, smeared with more joint compound, smoothed with a trowel, sanded and painted
3/4 cup Elmer's Glue-all, white glue, or PVA
1/2 cup White Flour
2 tablespoons Linseed Oil

If any of you try this recipe, let us know what you think.

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JUNE/JULY QUIZ WINNER

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.)

A: The Christian flag may fly above the US flag only "during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy" (Flag Code, Section 7c).

Congratulations to Beverly Ellis from Newark, California. 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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AUGUST QUESTION

Q: This question comes from Joshua DiPietro, Victoria DiPietro's (one of our designers) son.
Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by August 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 August 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.

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TRAVELING DOLLHOUSE
By Bonnie B. Lewis

This summer I have had several groups of grandchildren visiting (7 at one time), and one of the first things they want to do is make something with grandma. I remembered a book I purchased when my children were small called The Woman's Day Book of Weekend Crafts (Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1978.) In it they have directions for creating a wonderful traveling dollhouse with furniture. It is portable, folds flat, and stores in a box when not in use. The house I made with my children when they were young has long since vanished, but we created two new ones during the week everyone visited.

I got one of their fathers to cut wood as follows:

Use 1/4" or 3/8" plywood (hardboard would also work)
Cut two 11" x 27" pieces for walls and four 13-1/2" squares for floors

At the center of long edge of one 27" wall, cut a 5-1/2" long vertical notch 1/4" or 3/8" wide (depending on width of wood). Repeat on other wall piece. Test-fit two wall pieces together by sliding the notched edges together crosswise. This will look like a large X, and will create a house with four rooms. The wooden floors fit inside each room.

Sand and prime all surfaces. Paint or cover floors and walls as desired. We cut up an old rug for one floor, used wood grain contact paper to cover others, and floor tiles for the kitchen. For walls use wallpaper, paint, gift wrap, rice paper, veneer wood strips, contact paper, etc.

The original house had a kitchen, living room, children's bedroom, and parent's bedroom. Of course, the first thing they decided was that they didn't need a parent's bedroom. Instead, we created a boy's room and a girl's room, along with a kitchen and living room. One boy's room had black glossy walls (he always wanted a black bedroom, but his parents said no) with red metallic stripes. The other boy's room was green with sponge splotches that looked like Army camouflage. The floors were separate, and could be turned over and covered with something entirely different for more options. The boy's rooms had beanbag chairs, TV and video games, and became an entertainment center. The girl's room had desk, lamp, bunk beds, dollhouse, etc.

During the week the children learned to knit, crochet, and braid rugs, do long stitch pictures and needlepoint pillows, paint and paper walls, sponge paint designs using crumpled plastic wrap and paint, create floors with rugs, fabric, contact paper, tiles, and make wonderful furniture using pill bottles, spools of thread, lids, match boxes, and sculpt clay food.

We covered balsa wood with cork, pictures, and map tacks to create bulletin boards, round wood pieces became clocks (find great clock faces at http://www.printmini.com/printables/), round wood on top of empty spools of thread became stools, a pill bottle topped with a plastic lid and lace doily became a kitchen table, fancy beads topped with decorative cake molds became lamps, match boxes with beads became drawers for the desk, dresser, and kitchen cabinets, a 4-1/2" wooden dowel and straw from a whisk broom glued and secured with wire became a broom, scraps of vinyl became beanbag chairs filled with plastic pellets, a wooden block painted and covered with foam fun shapes and topped with a stuffed pillow became a desk stool, a foam shaped flower with a mirror glued to the center became a wall mirror, etc.

We also went online and found many paper miniatures by going to Google and entering printable miniatures. They even made a baby grand piano for the living room. Just make sure you click on the 1" scale. The children found CDs and DVDs, TVs, game boys, computers, along with great seasonal decorations. I believe the black bedroom is going to turn into a haunted house at Halloween complete with bats, skeletons, pumpkins, and lots of other scary things they found online.

I feel we have a whole generation growing up addicted to video games. This was a chance to teach them some old fashioned skills. Of course, we still need to make the dolls (check out the dollhouse family pattern by Barbara Graff at http://dollmakersjourney.com/graff.html) but that is a project for another day. The best thing about this project is the possibility of Christmas gifts – anything for the dollhouse would be welcome.

This would also be a great project for any grandmother to have. I asked my son-in-law to cut another dollhouse out for me. This house could also be enlarged to fit Barbie dolls. Just use a proportional scale wheel (http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies) to make sure rooms are to scale. I hope you have fun this summer and share your skills with those you love.

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KNITWEAR DESIGNER KIT

While touring Luray Caverns in Virginia with my grandchildren, we saw a kit in the tourist shop I couldn't resist. It is by Alex, and is called Knitwear Designer. It was kind of pricey ($26.99), but I decided if it encouraged my granddaughters to learn to knit, it would be worth the cost. It includes knitting needles (size 9), 6 colors yarn, buttons, beads, thread, embroidery floss, needles (yarn and embroidery), a 12" cloth Molly Dolly and directions to create 12 different outfits using just a basic knit stitch. I already taught two granddaughters (age 9 and 11) to make a vest and scarf. They were so excited to learn to knit clothes for this charming little doll. (The 11-year old has since started knitting a scarf for herself to wear to school.)

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CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

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

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

September 9-19 – Go Figure – A show by “Cloth-A-Dollics” of Victoria, BC.
Coast Collective Gallery
At Havenwood at Esquimalt Lagoon
3221 Heatherbell Road, Colwood
250-319-5522
www.coastcollective.ca
Opening Reception – Saturday September 11th, 2-4 pm
Gallery Hours: Thursday – Sunday – Noon to 5 pm

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/

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SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU

Annie Wahl is a wonderful NIADA artist. I was privileged to take a class from her at Jekyll Island a few years ago, and learned to work with Sculpey. Visit her website at http://www.anniewahl.com/
Click on ABOUT. Then scroll to the bottom to learn how to make a molded felt hat and a great tutorial on creating characters the Wahl way.

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

On August 7th we traveled to New York to attend the annual Day With Dolls and got to see STEPHANIE NOVATSKI’S grand new pattern “Year of the Witch” – an easy to make witch that she has done five different ways with a huge variety of embellishment techniques. AND – the CD includes a charming BONUS pattern called Barefoot Valentines. You’re going to love this one! - http://dollmakersjourney.com/novatski.html

Oh my Gosh! Just wait until you see ARLEY BERRYHILL’S newest creation – “Gwendolyn, The Glamorous Witch!” She will surely cast a spell over you. http://dollmakersjourney.com/berryhill.html

Well, the wait is over. For all the JILL MAAS fans who were disappointed that she didn’t produce a calendar last year, the 2011 thirteen month calendars have arrived and it was well worth the wait! She has really outdone herself with her fabulous array of new creations. You are going to love it. http://dollmakersjourney.com/maas.html

“Meow-Meow Neko” is a gentle cat with a lovely Japanese flair from LESLIE MOLEN that is sure to delight cat lovers. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/molen.html

MAUREEN MILLS has released her 100th pattern – “Kitchen Help” and it is jam packed with options. You can choose to make a variety of dolls, toaster covers or bag holders plus some great extras. And we have another we have another jam packed pattern called “Fall into Winter” that will give you very big bang for the buck with its grand assortment of dolls. - You can check out all of Maureen’s wonderful patterns here – http://dollmakersjourney.com/mills.html

Australia’s SHIRLEY GIDDY has just released another wise forest character called “Gatekeeper” that includes some fun decorative techniques. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/giddy.html

We have two great new patterns from GINI SIMPSON – “Roses for Mama” and “Big Bro. Lil’ Bro, Dawg.” You can check them out here – http://dollmakersjourney.com/simpson.html

If you are looking to whip up something soft and cuddly for a loved one or a charity project we have the perfect pattern for you by SHELLEY HAWKEY – “Squishies!” You won’t be able to stop at one of these adorable creatures! We also have a lovely ethnic bride doll built over a candlestick called “Laura.” – http://dollmakersjourney.com/hawkey.html

“Ogre& Satyr Babies” is the latest release from JENNIFER CARSON who is the queen of mythical characters. Stop by and take a peek - http://dollmakersjourney.com/carson.html

It’s always a good time to enhance your creative skills and we are in the process of expanding our book department to help you do that. Embellishing techniques most often seen in altered art and art quilts can also take your dolls to amazing new heights of creativity. We recently added LUTRADUR to the site and we now have LESLIE RILEY’S book “Fabulous Fabric Art with Lutrador” to get your creative ball rolling. Along with that we have “Fabric Embellishing – The Basics & Beyond” that has more than 50 fantastic techniques for you to explore. Why not treat yourself to a new book. http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

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CUSTOMER QUERIES/COMMENTS

Q: I have been sculpting heads for Shari Lutz's Sarfina. Boy you sure have to be able to laugh at yourself when beginning this project. Michelangelo I'm not. Now I need hair. I know some of you tried this doll or another black doll. Where have you found good hair?

A: We sell Shari Lutz's Sarafina on our site (http://dollmakersjourney.com/lutz.html), so I checked her out. It looks like she uses wool roving glued to the head, which is created from paperclay over Styrofoam. Using felting needles with mohair wouldn't work very well, as the needles wouldn't penetrate the Styrofoam. You could either use Tibetan Lamb which comes on a skin, wool roving, or sew small braids to a wig cap made from fabric or buckram and glue to the head for dreadlocks. You can get small braids (used for hair extensions) at Sally's Beauty Supply store. Hope this helps.

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SUPPLIES

The #1 and #14 Ethnic Fabrics are now back in stock. The Doll Face Pink Deersuede and the Chamois and Honey Bear Craft Velours have finally arrived and back on the site. http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie has been busy creating dollhouses with grandchildren, teaching them to knit, and just got back from Day with Dolls in New York with Mary Ann and Jim. On the way home we saw a delightful canoe carnival with 17 floats built on top of 1 or 2 canoes. They take turns rowing around the lake. The grand prize winner was Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater's wife in a pumpkin with bars in the window singing Jail House Rock along with a wolf and other animals. There was also an Aladdin float with the genie slowly rising from a lamp and Aladdin, Jasmine, the monkey and parrot circling around it on flying carpets. Her favorite one was from Up, where a house attached to over 100 balloons slowly floated from the ground to the top of a waterfall and back again. Mary Ann showed everyone how to use some of our newest products, including Lutrador and Photo Transfer Paper.

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WEBSITES:

You Bet Your Life with Bill Cosby – funniest thing I have ever seen – make sure you see the whole thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGRKTkS7pW8
Also check out Part 2 – hilarious!

Here is a great website from Barb Spencer:
Jeanne Robertson U-tube video – Don't Bungee Jump Naked – clean humor for those over 50
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=L1_W0LCHwK4

For those of you who live in a city and love farm fresh produce, in the United States there is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that hooks you up with local farmers. From May to October you get produce, flowers, eggs, milk, etc. depending on the farm you choose. See if there is a CSA organization in your neighborhood by going to http://localharvest.org If you don't live in the United States, there may be a similar organization in your country. It is a great way to get fresh produce.

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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. 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!