Dollmaker's Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION

September 2003 Issue 25

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Copyright 2003 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 dollmaker friends,

Here in the United States fall is in the air, kids are back in school, and a doll maker's thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays.  We were finally able to get some wonderful patterns from Canadian designer Becky Holloway, and due to popular demand, we will soon carry Dolskin fabric, needed to make Meo Feroy's delightful dolls. We would encourage each of you to make at least one doll for charity this fall, and donate it to a local shelter, hospital, or church who helps see that every needy child gets at least one special gift this holiday season.

Mary Ann and Bonnie

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NEW - DESIGNERS OF THE MONTH FEATURE!!!

Because our July Sizzling Summer Sale was so successful, we thought we should always have something on sale. We've decided to feature two different designers each month. From September 1-30 all patterns by LYNNE BUTCHER AND SANDY CORSON will be 20% off. Beginning October 1-31 our featured designers will be JESSE CHANDLER and HEATHER GAILEY. Check out their patterns now to decide which ones you want to order at 20% off in October.

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CHARITY PROJECT

Pam Small is hosting an auction called "Every Doll Needs a Home" to help her local homeless shelter in New York. All dolls need to be received by October 15th for an auction November 14th. Dolls can be sent to:
The Evangeline Booth Miracle Home
ATTN: Pamela Small
168 Lafayette St.
Schenectady, N.Y. 12305
Director: Marcy Hausman Phone: (518) 370-0277
For more information email Pam at erasmuse@nycap.rr.com

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CHALLENGES

Sherry Goshon, one of our designers, has issued a new challenge entitled "Art Nouveau, 1890-1914 to Art Deco 1920 - 1930's." Pictures need to be sent to Sherry by July 1, 2004.

Beaded Art Doll Competition: Create an original beaded doll representing the five seasons. You may view Official Rules online at http://www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm
Or you may obtain a copy of the Official Rules by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition, Land of Odds, 522 East Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204. Deadline is August 15, 2004.

Hoffman Challenge: The new fabric for 2004 is now on their website. You can see it at: http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/

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NEW DESIGNERS

At long last we are able to bring you the amazing patterns of renowned Canadian designer BECKY HOLLOWAY! Because her line is so vast, we are starting off with a selection of our favorites and we'll be adding more in as quickly as we can. We have 2 of her popular old-fashioned skaters "Amy" and "Briar Rose", the very elegant "Harlequin" and her Three English Maids - "Pippa, Piper & Penelope," and many more. All of Becky's patterns are filled with wonderful techniques that are sure to advance your doll making skills. If you have any special requests just let us know by contacting Mary Ann at makaahanui@cox.net and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Stop by and take a look at her fanciful Christmas and storybook characters, exotic female figures and much more. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/holloway.html

We couldn't resist the charming little girls "Rachel" and "Brittany" from new designer SAMANTHA ANN GROUT. You'll learn to sculpt a wonderful body and make sassy wigs and more with Samantha's well-presented patterns. http://dollmakersjourney.com/grout.html

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

October 2-4, 2003 - Sewing and Quilt Expo
Dulles Expo and Convention Center, Chantilly, Virginia
The Sulky and Hoffman Challenge Dolls will be on display.
Exhibit Hall hours are 10 AM-6 PM.

October 2-5, 2003 - Camp Doll U
Seattle, Washington
For brochure send $3 to: Two Friends LLC, 2423 SE 322nd Street, Seattle, WA 98042
OR visit the web site: http://www.dollu.com

October 29-November 2, 2003 - Houston Quilt Festival
Houston, Texas
For more information visit:
http://www.kringlecreek.com/southern%20doll%20conference.htm

March 17-21, 2004 - Kansas City Doll Fair ~ The Art of the Doll ~
Kansas City, Kansas
For more information: http://www.kcdollfair.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

Two great free tutorials on making wings for dolls
http://somethingdifferentcreations.com/How2Wings.html
http://www.pcpolyzine.com/0206june/wings.html

Lots of free puppet patterns from our Canadian designer Noreen Crone-Findlay.
She created masks for two of them from some old wooden salad bowls (she loves recycling!) You can see Talley and Ribbin and the gang at:
http://www.crone-findlay.com/puppetpage.html

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TIP

When using doe suede fabric for doll bodies, just be sure you prewash it to remove any sizing.

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NEW PATTERNS

JEVNE EILTS treats us to two more beautiful face mold projects, the enchanting "Genie" emerging from her magic bottle and the lovely mermaid "Leila." Both dolls include beautiful embellishments. http://dollmakersjourney.com/eilts.html

My, oh my, we have a terrific new doll from the fertile imagination of MARY
KOCHEVAR! "Sultry Sadie" is a voluptuous 18th century barmaid with a body
that can be posed in a variety of positions. You're going to love this one!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/kochevar.html

We have an array of wonderful new characters from Australia's MICHELLE
MUNZONE - a dashing pirate, a fancy court musician, a festive gypsy and an
exquisite angel. Stop by and see them all at
http://dollmakersjourney.com/munzone.html

From KERRY SEYMOUR we have her delightful "Free Spirit Mermaid" that's
just perfect for special embellishments.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/friends.html

This week MARY TRESSLER is treating us to her award winning, full figured
beauty "Iola". http://dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

We even have two brand new patterns from LYNNE BUTCHER - a sweet baby doll with a lot of body sculpting "Lindy Lou" and another fabulous wall doll
"Paterson" - a very colorful clown. Along with SANDY CORSON-WALKER, LYNNE is one our featured designers for the month of September. All of the
patterns of both of these talented ladies are 20% off all month long - even
the new ones!

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I recently purchased Riffle pattern by Alison Marano. I had on hand enough suede cloth to make him. I would love to make a few more, but do not know where to purchase the right fabric. Can you help me find this fabric?

A: Some good alternatives to the old Guilford Mills doe suede are:
-alova suede - available at Joann fabrics with good color range
-costume collection doe suede - available at Hancocks and REALLY close to the Guilford stuff
-Diane Lewis sells a new doe suede at S&D. It's got a heavier hand but still sculpts nicely and fine for turning fingers - even on a fairly small hand.
--Allison Marano

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DESIGNER DOINGS

Mary Tressler shared a story about her latest pattern, "Iola" - a full-figured African American doll. She says:

"Iola is one of my favorites...and there is a story behind her....

"When I went to Tyler to show my dolls and they asked for entries to be judged, I wanted to enter Iola, but they said they had no cloth doll categories...I asked what categories they did have and when they got to professional, I stopped them and paid my money......when we came back the second day of the show....Iola had won a first place and a Judges' Choice.....

"She stood in all her brazen glory in front of a porcelain Mother Theresa, and the snapshot was priceless! I got lots of stares, lots of questioning looks and lots of criticism about my dolls, it was an all porcelain show...but Iola and I walked away proud...."

Mary Tressler

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SUPPLY NEWS

Trims - M&J Trimmings carries every conceivable kind of trim, braid, ribbon, cord
and gee gaw you could possibly imagine.
M&J Trimming
1008 Sixth Avenue
Between 37th & 38th Sts.
New York, NY 10018

Buttons - Check out their sister store just down the street for any kind of button you could possibly want.
M&J Buttons
1000 Avenue of the Americas
Between 37th & 38th Sts.
New York, NY 10018

Tiny Buttons - To purchase tiny buttons (1/2 cm or ¼") go to:
http://www.dressitupbuttonsandtrim.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SBAM&Category
_Code=TINYQUILTBUTTONS

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CUSTOMER TIP

Hard-to-find thin leather perfect for making shoes is now available at:
http://www.joggles.com
The extra thin and thin leather works well for shoes glued to the feet, although the extra thin is so thin it is difficult to work with. For removable shoes try the medium leather, and the thick leather would work for large dolls with removable shoes or for shoe soles. The leather comes in a gray white color and needs to be dyed, stained with shoe polish, or painted with acrylics. Each square is 6" x 6", which is large enough to make two shoes for most dolls. This leather is also thin enough to make ladies gloves.

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Here on the east coast of the United States we are gearing up for Hurricane Isabel, which should reach land on Thursday or Friday. A new home is being built in Bonnie's back yard, and right now its roof is piled with stacks of shingles. She just hopes they get attached to the roof before the storm hits! The eye of the hurricane is supposed to pass directly over Bonnie's town about midnight on Thursday. Currently Bonnie has 11 people living in her home. A family of 9 from Costa Rica moved in two weeks ago, while they look for a home of their own. Since four of the children are school age, all the neighborhood kids love to hang out at her house and watch movies on their big screen TV. I guess this is one way to meet for her to meet the neighbors.

Meanwhile Mary Ann has decided that Becky Holloway's pattern 'Beneath the Frosted Pines" of a Santa riding a goose would make a perfect gift for several people on her Christmas list. She's having a ball learning new techniques while she gessoes and paints up a storm. She's also having fun making some interesting beaded jewelry which she hasn't done before. One's never too old to acquire a new hobby and more stash!

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OTHER SITES TO SEE

This website is full of free patterns for dolls clothes http://home.tiscali.nl/jes.tromp/

This site has a free "doll costuming tutorial" and free dragon pattern:
http://members.tripod.com/~wingsnthings/index.htm

Neat website for dragon pictures: http://members.fortunecity.com/cwd1296/wyvgo02.html

Story book web site (one of my favorites)
http://www.marthaandmarianne.com/tales.html

Learn what shoes looked like through the years
http://www.centuryinshoes.com

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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, address changes, 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! (By the way, you might want to print this out and put it into a binder to keep for reference….)

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Copyright © 2003 Dollmaker's Journey