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

January/February 2012 Issue 117

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Copyright 2012 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 view this issue online. Go to
http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/cc117.html

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,

January's newsletter died in Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is a tropical island just above Venezuela bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the left and the Caribbean Sea on the right. Bonnie went to Vieux Fort at the southern tip of the island December 29th to help bring her grandchildren (ages 2 months and 3 years old) and daughter there. Her daughter is attending medical school and a nanny from Uganda was supposed to meet them. She never came. Bonnie packed for three days, thinking she would be back by January 2nd. Transit visas were denied, internet wasn't available, phone service was impossible and very expensive, and Murphy's Law was alive and active. She was finally able to return 37 days after she left, full of mosquito bites, sunburn, and driving on the wrong side of the road. She thought she would be able to write a newsletter there, but Dropbox swallowed her newsletter information and the children were a fulltime job while her daughter went to school 12 hours a day and had to study 4 more. The whole time she was there she kept saying "There's no place like home. There's no place like home." The good news is she lost 10 pounds (lots of sweat and exercise hanging laundry every other day and hauling a baby carrier, baby and child everywhere.) The bad news is she didn't get to the newsletter until now. Saint Lucia was famous for its chocolate and sugar plantations, so we hope you enjoy the chocolate quiz in this newsletter. Have a wonderful day, and I hope the newsletter is timelier next month.

Bonnie and Mary Ann

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2012 UFO CHALLENGE FROM DOLLMAKER'S JOURNEY

Originally when I envisioned the January newsletter I wanted to issue a challenge to everyone. It is a little late, but I think you can accomplish it anyway. It is to work on UFOs for 2012 minutes this year. Everyone has UFOs (Unfinished Objects) – those projects you started but never finished. A quilt, doll, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, painting, story you are writing, etc. etc. etc. I have bins of them all over the house. The idea is to spend 45 minutes a week or 6 minutes a day working on a project you started but never finished. Since this challenge is a little late, in order to reach your goal you will have to spend a little more time to make up for January. If you wish to take pictures of before and after, feel free, and I will see if Paul can put pictures on the web for everyone to enjoy. So far I have finished four jewelry sets of earrings, necklaces and bracelets for gifts this year. I already gave away several for birthdays. There is no prize except for your personal satisfaction, knowing that there will be fewer UFOs for your children to inherit and throw away because they will have no idea what to do with them. Make 2012 the year you finish something, meet a challenge such as drinking 2012 glasses of water (6 cups a day) or performing 2012 minutes of service helping bring joy to someone else. (The time you spend creating something to give away counts!) Feel free to invite family, friends and neighbors to join you in making 2012 the best year ever!

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TEACHING CHILDREN SEWING by Judi Ward

One of the doll club members here is her granddaughter's Home Economics teacher. The girls are home schooled and Bonnie (Lewis) teaches them Home Ec on Fridays. It is a set day and time and Bonnie is using the Mary Francis books as the teaching guide. She says the books are great and the skills taught are very wide ranging. She says having the step by step guide makes it really easy and dolls and doll clothes are in the mix. In fact her Grand Daughters can already do many embroidery stitches and I can't even do a decent French Knot! LOL

Bonnie note: Judi, thanks for the kind note. The books mentioned are part of a Mary Francis series teaching sewing, knitting and crocheting, cooking, and housekeeping (which includes a set of dollhouse dolls and furniture made from paper.) You can order them at: http://lacis.com/catalog/
Click on The Mary Francis experience under Specialty. A granddaughter who has been taking my class is getting a sewing machine from her parents for Christmas, and along with it I will include fabric and notions for her to sew several outfits from the Mary Francis Sewing Book. These patterns fit a 16" doll, and you can buy two doll patterns from the Lacis Company that will fit these clothes.

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FEBRUARY SALE

Just in time for the Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge, come see the wide variety of patterns we have in the FEBRUARY SALE of the ETHNIC and GYPSY CATEGORIES and treat yourself to a 20% savings. –
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.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY

When Jean Peeters first met Susie Oroyan, she kept asking her "How do I do this or should I do that?" Susie finally told her "Stop futzing around and just do it, you can't make mistakes, you just have learning experiences." Her statement gives you freedom to just to it.

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DECEMBER ANSWER

Question 1: Who was St Nicholas?
a. A bishop who ruled over part of present-day Turkey. As a young man, St. Nicholas became the Greek Bishop of Myra in Lycia, which is now part of modern-day Turkey.

Question 2: As well as being associated with Christmas, St Nicholas is the patron saint of:
a. Thieves. He is also the patron saint of sailors, bankers, pawn-brokers, merchants, archers, children, orphans, laborers, travelers, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, scholars, and even murders. He is a friend and protector of all in trouble or need. He was especially known for his protection of children and miracles of children saved from harm are attributed to St. Nicholas.

Congratulations to Rachelle Spiegel from Plainview, New York. 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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FEBRUARY QUESTION

This month with Valentine's Day just past, my thoughts turn to chocolate. When I was in Saint Lucia I discovered that they only had two major crops: cocoa and sugar. I have a fun quiz in the newsletter all about chocolate, but the February question is in two parts:

Q: By 1810 which country was producing half of the world's requirements for chocolate?

Q: Who produces over half of the world's cocoa today?

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by March 1st (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 February 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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WHAT'S YOUR CHOCOLATE I.Q.? (T = true F = false)
(Quiz created by Rebecca Benson from Charlestown, West Virginia.
Answers are found later in this newsletter)

1. Chocolate has not only historically been enjoyed for its flavor, but also for what purpose?
2. The first French word for chocolate mousse translates in English to chocolate _____________?
3. By 1810, which country was consuming one-third of the cocoa being produced in the world?
4. What country consumes half of the chocolate currently produced?
5. In 1875, Thomas Jefferson wrote to whom, making a declaration about chocolate's superiority over
tea or coffee for both health and nourishment?
6. T/F One plain milk chocolate candy bar has more protein than a banana.
7. T/F Chocolate contains a limited quantity of salt.
8. T/F American and Russian space flights have always included chocolate.
9. T/F The first chocolate box was introduced by Cadbury.
10. T/F Though chocolate is high in fat, studies have shown that fat from chocolate does not raise
cholesterol levels.
11. T/F Chocolate is high in calories so it is a good source of energy – just one chocolate chip provides
enough energy for an adult to walk about 150 feet.
12. T/F Each pod is about the size of a pineapple and holds thirty to fifty seeds.
13. T/F The seed pods of the cacao tree grow not on its branches but directly on the trunk.
14. T/F Cacao seeds contained significant amounts of naturally occurring flavonoids. Flavonoids are
connected with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers..
15. What percentage of Americans have some chocolate most every day of their life?
16. How many TONS of chocolate is consumed in the world each year?
17. How many POUNDS of chocolate did the average American person eat in the year 1995?
18. M & Ms are made by the ________ Company.

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CHALLENGES

Judi Ward writes: Paul just sent the Male Doll Challenge entries to me to look over and WOW! is all I can say. Every doll is a winner and the categories are really not even needed this time, as the quality and imagination and costuming on every one was fantastic. I have never seen a challenge with so, so, so, many high quality dolls!!!! What a fantastic turnout for the first Male Doll, Man of the Century Challenge. Just wait til you see them!" Check out the winners here: http://thedollnet.com/challenge/index.html

4rd Annual (2012) Cloth Baby Doll Challenge! - Announcement Coming March 1st at http://clothdollbabies.com/

Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge 2012
Dolls due last week of September 2012 for Houston Quilt Festival
You must purchase packet of materials to be used in your doll from Pamela Armas. The cost, which includes entry fee and shipping, is $20.00. The theme is: The Charmed and Mystical Gypsy
For more information go to: http://www.creationsinfiberinc.com/Gypsy-Challenge.html
Or contact Pamela at GypsyTreasures@cs.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

April 20-22, 2012 – RenoIowa Retreat
Reno, Nevada
Classes are full, however you can be on a waiting list.
Classes from Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard
For information go to: http://www.RenoIowaRetreat.com or contact Sherry Goshon at innerchildslg@yahoo.com or Jean Bernard at Jean@JeanBernardArt.com

May 3-5, 2012 - Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention
Ramada Airport Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
More information at: http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention/

May 18-20, 2012 – RenoIowa Retreat
Fallbrook, California
Classes from Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard
For information go to: http://www.RenoIowaRetreat.com or contact Sherry Goshon at innerchildslg@yahoo.com or Jean Bernard at Jean@JeanBernardArt.com

July 22-25, 2012 – National Doll Festival
Hilton Riverside Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
(Shuttle provided to other doll conventions in New Orleans)
More information at: http://www.az-ps.com/dollshowusa/natldoll/index.html

July 23, 2012 – ODACA Luncheon and Sale (Original Doll Artists Council of America)
Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
More information at: http://www.odaca.org/

July 24-27, 2012 – UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs)
Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana
More information at: http://ufdc.org/

July 27-29, 2012 – RenoIowa Retreat
Staten Island, New York
Classes from Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard
For information go to: http://www.RenoIowaRetreat.com or contact Sherry Goshon atinnerchildslg@yahoo.com or Jean Bernard at Jean@JeanBernardArt.com

September 21-23, 2012 – RenoIowa Retreat
Marshalltown, Iowa
Classes from Sherry Goshon and Jean Bernard
For information go to: http://www.RenoIowaRetreat.com or contact Sherry Goshon atinnerchildslg@yahoo.com or Jean Bernard at Jean@JeanBernardArt.com

September 27-30, 2012 – NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists)
Stamford, Connecticut
More information about the convention at: http://www.niada.org/

October 1-3, 2012 – NIADA Dollmaking School
Stamford, Connecticut
Class registration is now open for the NIADA 2012 Dollmaking School
http://www.niada.org/dollschool.html

October, 2012 – Doll and Teddy Bear Expo
Information coming soon at: http://www.dollandteddyexpo.com/

October 14 -16 and 17-19, 2012 – "Jack Out of the Box"
Ottawa, Canada
Take a class from Marlaine Verhelst and Ankie Daanen, NIADA Doll Artists from the Netherlands.
Fee Including Kit - $500.00 Deposit of $250.00 to Hold Your Spot. The sculpted bases and bodies will be prepared by Ankie and Marlaine. All students will sculpt and paint their own head and hands and make hair, hats, collars and embellishments for the costume.
For more information go to: http://www.alldolledupottawa.com

January 2013 – IDEX
More information coming at: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=942999

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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STUFFING by Gloria J. "Mimi" Winer

I have been in love with Airtex Premium for over 20 years. For many years, about 18 of them, Airtex supplied all my classes and my studio for free. And that is because they read about how much I loved using it in a magazine article before they even heard of me. It is soft and silky but not as much as the soft and silky brand made by Fairfield.

This one stays exactly where I put it. I can sculpt with it and demonstrate this in all my classes. Even very thin arms and legs are nice and smooth. No lumps or unexploded fibers to make lumpy legs and arms. It stays white. I noticed that some popular stuffing looks white in the bag but when stuffed into a doll made from undyed muslin it seems to look a bit grey... Don't like that look. It looks as if it were dirty, even though it is not.

I no longer am able to get it or free but they do let me have it at a nice discount plus shipping.

I ran out several months ago and ripped open all the body parts in the bone yard so I could reuse the stuffing, Someone on this list suggested putting it in a zippered pillow case and popping it in the dryer for a few minutes. THANK YOU!!! I used to spend hours fluffing up each. I needed to have some recently and was forced to pick up some of the Fairfield stuff. I tried both flavors of their "new" product. I thought
it might have improved a bit since I had hated it so long ago. It is a bit better, but it feels like sandpaper after years of using my lovely Airtex. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Airtex can be purchased directly from Airtex Consumer Products wholesale or retail. They do have a toll free number and a website. It does cost a little bit more than the stuff at Joanne's but is worth every penny. I get it in Bulk. Be sure to ask about the shipping costs once I ordered the largest size and UPS charged more for the shipping than the product inside. You can also get it from crscrafts.com in the 12 ounce bags.

View a 25 minute tutorial on how to stuff a doll by Gloria J. "Mimi" Winer
http://www.mimidolls.com/DCC_Demos/DCC_Demos_Stuffing.htm
See more of Gloria's great patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/mimi.html

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SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU

Laura Lunsford has free tutorials on how to make feathers from organza, sculpting heads for beginners, and how to make a doll stand using old DVD disks. http://laurascreativemess.wordpress.com/
See pictures of finished angels at http://laura-lunsford.blogspot.com/

Gloria J. "Mimi" Winer has just put an 8-page list of costuming books up on the website for free downloading. She has selected the best from her own personal library and recommended which books you should read or buy first. http://mimidolls.com/Dept-Free/Mimi'sCostumeBookList.pdf

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

"It's De-lovely!" is the most enchanting new pattern from CINDEE MOYER. Come see this perfect pair – http://dollmakersjourney.com/moyer.html

BARBARA SCHOENOFF'S "Blooms" are two perfect little pixies, each with their own body design that will surely delight you. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/schoenoff.html

That amazing SUSAN BARMORE keeps coming up with the greatest Steampunk patterns! Check out "Steampunk Aardvark" and "Steampunk Baby!" "Idea Man" is the newest Steampunk pattern from the wildly imaginative SUSAN BARMORE. This project really looks like a lot of fun! http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

We have also started a STEAMPUNK category so you can see the patterns we have so far in one place. Go to http://dollmakersjourney.com/ and select Steampunk under Quick Search!

Another perfect pair – BARB AND DOUG KEELING – has redesigned their popular "Body Shop" pattern into "The Body Shop Collection" and all the pattern pieces are printed onto cardstock for you! Everyone should have a basic pattern with mix and match body parts in their stash. –
http://dollmakersjourney.com/keeling.html

We have two more fantastic patterns from our newest designer LINDA HOLLERICH. Stop by and check out "Her Favorite Blue Socks" and "Sebastian's Mother." Why not make this the year you learn how to sculpt a terrific paperclay face and take your Art Dolls to an exciting new level! – http://dollmakersjourney.com/hollerich.html

In case you haven't heard, we have the brand new 2 Disc DVD "Cloth Doll Making" by Patti Medaris Culea. Now you can get up close and personal with Patti with nearly five hours of instruction covering all
aspects of doll construction from sewing the body parts, through drawing and painting flat and dimensional faces through the creation of fabulous costumes and accessories. You'll surely want to have it as part of your reference library. Click here to see a wonderful video preview - http://dollmakersjourney.com/culea.html

SHERRY GOSHON is treating us to a new mold named "Sara" that can be used with the bodies in her 7 Virtues Book along with a sweet flat faced doll named "Gretchen." Stop by and check them out. –
http://dollmakersjourney.com/goshon.html

It's too late for Christmas, but this quick project has a cute snowman along with Santa. Check out "HoHoHo Let it Snow" by MAUREEN MILLS. She made a ton of them for an open house in her shop and sold every last one. Since Bonnie returned from Saint Lucia she hasn't seen any snow. The weatherman says it is one of the warmest winters on record. Maybe if she makes a snowman some flakes will fall before spring. http://dollmakersjourney.com/mills.html

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SUPPLIES

BACK IN STOCK:

Doll Face Pink Craft Velour, Knit Sampler Packs Light and Dark - http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

Applicator Bottle with 2 Tips, all Animal Eyes that we were previously out of - http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

20 Gauge Wire, the Fine Line Pen, Mini Stuffing Fork, Crafters Pick Glue and TAP. – http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

You'll also find the Black Tibetan Lamb available in the HAIR DEPT.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

Over in the HAIR DEPARTMENT we are adding a lovely new shade of Tibetan Lamb called "Royal Purple." Come take a look at all the wonderful colors we have – http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#tibetan

Check out Anita's Doll Supply for great prices on wigs and shoes if you don't want to make your own.
www.dollsupply.com

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ZENTANGLE

While in Saint Lucia Bonnie taught her 3-year-old granddaughter how to Zentangle. Elizabeth loved drawing designs in random shapes, and best of all, it kept her quiet during church services. All that was needed was a pen or pencil and piece of paper. Two tutorials which were very helpful are in PDF files. There was no way to print them out in Saint Lucia, but they looked at them often for ideas. Enjoy!

Two great Zentangle PDF file workshops
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/focd/attachments/folder/1213317043/item/list

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

While Bonnie was stuck in Saint Lucia for 37 days she learned to be VERY creative with materials at hand. The only materials she had was a pair of scissors and Elmer's glue which she bought there because they weren't allowed in carry-on luggage on the plane, some tape and wiggle eyes she brought from home, and scraps of felt that came in a finger puppet kit. She helped her three-year-old granddaughter make a robot from an empty yogurt container and clear plastic egg carton. She cut out the round egg holder and taped it to the bottom of the yogurt container and added wiggle eyes. For a doll they taped together sections of the egg carton for legs, arms, and body, with a round egg holder for the head. They drew a face and placed it inside the clear plastic head and since there was no yarn or fabric available they cut up black plastic grocery bags to create a pompom which they placed inside the egg cup for hair. Braiding plastic strips was hard because the plastic kept breaking, but eventually they had credible looking hair. They also used the puppet kit to make a French poodle, butterfly, spider and web, and princess finger puppet. When she returned home she sent felt, ribbons, glue sticks, cardstock in many colors, paper dolls, and storybooks so creativity had more options.

Last Fall Jim planted over 400 flower bulbs around their property to include Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulip. Day by day they are pushing their way through the earth, reaching skyward. Mary Ann is excited to watch the progress and can't wait to see the yard explode into glorious color. It seems like it was just Christmas and Spring is on the doorstep! Mak recently crocheted two Bath Buddies for her 2 year old grandson Kainoa. They are delightful hand puppets made of cotton yarn that double as washcloths in the tub. So far she has made the shark and a stingray and Kainoa LOVES them! You can find the instructions here - http://www.jeanettecrews.com

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WHAT'S YOUR CHOCOLATE I.Q. Answers

1. Medical 10. True
2. Mayonnaise 11. True
3. Spain 12. True
4. United States 13. True
5. John Adams 14. True
6. True 15. 90%
7. False 16. 600,000 Tons
8. True 17. 11.5 to 12 pounds
9. True 18. Mars

How did you do? If you answered 10-12 correctly, you LIKE chocolate. 13-15 you LOVE chocolate. 16-18 you are a CHOCOHOLIC!

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WEBSITES:

Change For A Dollar – Enjoy this silent movie on the difference one person can make
http://www.flickspire.com/m/Share_This/changeforadollar?lsid=161f9da9b7692b6854ca64548e80ab61

I first met George Stuart at a NIADA convention, and was amazed at the detail he put in his historic figures. See them here: http://www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com/
Also check out http://historicalfiguresfoundation.blogspot.com/ for more ideas.

See a true story of how the sewing machine was invented.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gImm40ImRyo&feature=youtu.be

Watch Regina paint. It is especially fun to see how she does the face and hands.
http://blog.creativekismet.com/2011/08/14/watch-me-paint/

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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!