Dollmakers Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION

Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
at http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come

Dollmakers Journey
CUSTOMER CONNECTION

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April 2005 Issue 43

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Copyright 2005 by Dollmakers Journey

Dollmakers 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,

We think you will enjoy Aprils Akiko the Japanese Bunny Girl.  When Bonnies daughter and son visited Japan, they were waited on at the country club by Japanese bunny girls.  Although Hugh Hefner disbanded the Playboy Clubs in 1990, in Japan the bunny girls were so popular they became an anime icon, and you can still see waitresses dressed that way today.  (Yes, we know Easter was in March this year, but we still thought it would be fun to have bunnies in April.)  Remember, she is half price until the new May doll arrives.  With this doll you will learn to appliqu clothing and shoes, use armature wire, and create an Asian face with a new face, high heel leg, and body pattern.  Mary Ann agonized over the head, and has a pile of discards to prove it.  However, she finally created the perfect face.  We think you will like it. If you are lucky enough to get one of our exclusive kits, you will also receive a hand knitted wig.  Directions are also in the pattern for this item.

Mary Ann and Bonnie

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SALE/DESIGNERS OF THE MONTH

Be sure to take advantage of our April FAIRY CATEGORY sale  with more than 70 patterns to choose from.  Youll see the 20% discount when the pattern is placed in the shopping cart.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/

Dont forget Akiko Japanese Bunny Girl costume pattern for our Doll for All Seasons is half price until the May pattern arrives. http://dollmakersjourney.com/dollforallseasons.html

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NEW DESIGNERS

We love dragon patterns at Dollmakers Journey and so were just thrilled to welcome new designer LAURIE TAYLOR and her exceptional garden dragon Purvis which we are offering in 2 formats  printed and on CD with printed pattern pieces.  Laurie has found a great use for weed whacker line in the wing construction.  She recently held a dragon challenge and you can see all of the amazing entries on her Picture Trail site - www.picturetrail.com/TheMagickDoll Take a peek at this delightful creature. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/friends.html

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TIP ON FELTING NEEDLES

Felting needles - They work because they force hair fibers under the surface of the cloth skin which then mix or felt with your stuffing.  Felting needles have tiny one-way barbs on the end which grab hair and force it underneath the doll's skin.  When you remove the needle the barbs slide easily out, leaving the hair in place. For extra security put some Grrrip glue on the scalp before attaching the hair.  The glue is forced into the stuffing along with the hair fibers, which creates a very good bond.  It is possible to style the needle felted hair, but I usually let the needles guide the hair to go where I want, make parts, and poke in any unruly ends. The only way I know to prevent breakage (and I seem to break at least two needles for each doll) is the make sure your needle is held at a RIGHT ANGLE to the object being felted.  But no matter how careful you are, eventually the needle will bend and then break.  Just make sure you retrieve any broken ends from your project using needle nose pliers (felting needles are VERY SHARP). These needles are very fine, and come in three different sizes.  Perhaps if you are felting hair you need size 36 (the largest and heaviest size).  Size 38 has a star tip, which grabs more hair than the triangular tip, but it is finer.  I would use size 40 only for eyebrows or mustaches or perhaps some very tiny dollhouse dolls.  I love felting needles, and think they are the greatest invention for attaching hair to cloth art dolls.  I probably wouldn't use them for childrens play dolls.  Instead I would use fleece wigs, commercial wigs, or wefted yarn hair, which is easier for a child to restyle.  Of course, they are available in all three sizes from Dollmakers Journey. http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html
 
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CHALLENGES

Purse Challenge from Sew News Magazine
Deadline:  June 20, 2005
Go to http://www.sewnews.com and click on the purse for details.

Challenges In Time: Japonism
Deadline:  June 30, 2005
For details go to:  http://kukulla.tripod.com/cit2004/japonism.htm

Anything Goes Handbag or Miniature Quilt Challenge for Kaufman Fabrics
Deadline: August 1, 2005
Go to http://www.kaufmanquiltquest.com and click on "anything goes"

2005 Second Annual All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition
Deadline:  August 15, 2005
Theme: Over the Rainbow
For more information go to: www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

Adventures of the Gypsy 2005 Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge
Deadline:  October 1, 2005
Details will be included in your entry package of goodies. To participate in this unique event, sent $15.00 for US participants and 18.00 US for participants from Australia to:
Pamela Armas
Treasures of the Gypsy
P.O. Box 748    Mountainair, NM 87036
505-847-0963

Through the Looking Glass Doll Challenge (Fairfield Poly-fil Challenge)
Deadline:  December 31, 2005
For details and entry form, go to:  http://www.poly-fil.com/contests.asp

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WONT WANT TO MISS
 
August 11-14, 2005 Enchanted Doll Artists Conference (EDAC)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
http://www.enchanteddollartistsconference.org

September 17-18, 2005 Magic Doll Exposition
Las Vegas, Nevada
For more information email Lee Bryant at dollbryant@aol.com
September 29 October 2, 2005 - Camp Doll U 2005
Seattle, Washington.
For more information go to: http://www.dollu.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

We've added two more great FREE patterns.  The first is called "Swinging on a Star" by
designer MARY ANN HULL ( http://dollmakersjourney.com/swingingonastar.html)
We also have a super Bunni Wabbit from JACQUE UETZ. ( http://dollmakersjourney.com/wabbit.html) 
Be sure to check out our entire array of FREE projects to print out at your leisure. 

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CUSTOMER CORNER

We recently asked customer Jan Shackelford what she was doing with the mountains of Tibetan Lamb she buys from us and she invited us to visit her website http:// www.janshackelforddolls.com to find out.  We were squealing with delight over her truly unique dolls and other wonderful creatures.  Why not take a look for yourself.  We know you'll have as much fun exploring her site as we did.

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How to pack for AFIC
By Cyndy Sieving

You ask how to pack for a convention. Well this is my method.  Mind you it is not solid fool proof packing method but it is how it seems to go and it works for me.

How to pack for a convention?  Now that was the question.  Well this is how I pack.

5 days before convention:
I get the supply list out and I make sure I have everything for every class.  I take every color thread, fabric and trim I could possibly want.  I make a pile.

4 days before convention
The next day I decide that I may need some additional colors so I add those to the pile remember something like a seam ripper or darning needle add that to the pile.

3 days before convention
I find dolls, and other things I have made to share with the other room mates, buy Chocolate and Coffee to take on the trip.

2 days before convention
Start putting things in suite case, only half of it fits.  Take everything out of suit case and start going through the mountain of stash fabric and cut it back to 3 choices per class instead of 10 choices.  Try to get it back in suit case.

1 day before the convention
Call the hotel.  Now I have found out they have a coffee maker in the hotel room so I take the coffee maker out of the suit case, and 1 of the 3 bags of chocolates.  Get every thing in the suit case, call my husband and he sits on it so I can close it.

Day to leave for the convention
Put all my clothes, toiletries and what nots in a carry on bag and I am good to go!

Editors Note:  You can see Cyndys patterns at: 
http://dollmakersjourney.com/sieving.html

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NEW PATTERNS

Springtime makes us think of bunnies, and our April Doll for All Seasons
costume keeps with a bunny theme.  Stop by and check out "Akiko - Japanese
Bunny Girl."  Designing this one has been quite an adventure and we hope you
enjoy making her.  As always, this pattern is available at the introductory
price of $4.50 until Miss May debuts.  A limited number of comprehensive
kits are available and they go fast!  http://dollmakersjourney.com/dollforallseasons.html

It seems to us that those talented Down Under Designers have a special Funky Gene!  DI McDONALD has a delightfully colorful new pattern called Bree thats sure to get your creative juices flowing. http://dollmakersjourney.com/dimcdonald.html

Weve just added 5 more of JULIE McCULLOUGHS most popular patterns - Jess the jester, her exquisite Angel Hair, the very popular Wood Nymph, the delightful Wiz Kids and the sweet Pixie Dust.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/mccullough.html

BARB AND DOUG KEELING have designed a Really Nice Chair that is so quick and easy to make in any size you need.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/keeling.html

From MAGGIE BAGGETT we have a wonderful new Flamingo pattern called "Pretty
in Pink" that is sure to delight Flamingo lovers everywhere. http://dollmakersjourney.com/baggettandrigby.html

We have two more of MARY TRESSLER's Limited Editions.  She has been grouping
patterns together at a great price, and when these editions are gone they
will be retired.  In Set #3 you'll get the very popular "Buxom Beauty," "The
Goodwife" and "Mikweh."  Set #4 has a dancing theme with "Dragon Dance,"
"Cabaret" and the belly dancer "Shanti."  She also has two new patterns - Practice Makes Perfect - a doll that just exudes attitude and a terrific male body pattern called The Minstrals.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

JACQUE UETZ has released a beautiful angel body to go with her Molly Muse Pressmold called Ashley Rose that we know youre going to love.  Weve also added her darling Letty & Tanner rag doll duo. http://dollmakersjourney.com/uetz.html

More and more of our designers are releasing projects on CDs enabling them to give you hundreds of color photos and pages and pages of detailed instruction  just as you would receive in a course.  This week were delighted to offer you both UTE VASINAs Watchful Eye http://dollmakersjourney.com/vasina.html and JUDY SKEELs Gemini: A Fairy of Two Seasons which includes two wonderful versions of the doll. http://dollmakersjourney.com/skeel.html

Weve just added two more of  VIRGINIA ROBERTSONs classic books  The Fairy Book and Little Stuff  along with a selection of her most popular patterns: Nude Nancy, Fat Fairy & Leprechaun, Nine Inch Jester and Little Lady and Aunt Coras Chair.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/robertson.html

SUE CHAFFEE SIZEMORE is really on a roll and has just released two more wonderful patterns  Baby Brooke and a folk art painted prairie girl Isabella.  Why not treat yourself to one of Sues marvelous projects! http://dollmakersjourney.com/sizemore.html

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I am looking for size 10 Glovers needles.  What size is yours?

A: The Glovers needles are size 3, which are fine enough to do stitching on most leathers.  We also sell a set of John James leather needles in sizes 3, 5, and 7 (7 being the smallest, and very fine.)  I don't know where you could find size 10 Glovers needles, except maybe in a bead shop. 
 
Q:  I am working on Pattis tome pages, and have a question about some of the supplies.  What is Crafters Pellon, Visilene, Vilene, Vliesofix, and Diamantes?

A:  Craters Pellon is a heavy Pellon available at most fabric stores, and also Wal-Mart. It is found in the interfacing section of the store.

Visilene is a hairy plastic that melts when touched by an iron.  It is available at craft stores near the fabric dye and ink.

Vliesoflix is a thin, wispy tissue like substance that comes on a waxy backing. You use it for applique etc. You trace the pattern onto the vliesoflix  -  iron the vliesoflix to the wrong side of the applique fabric (ironing on the waxy side)  cut out your shape - peel off the waxy stuff iron the applique shape to the base fabric (obviously both the applique and
base fabric have to be right side up). The applique is now permanently stuck to the base fabric. You can hand stitch around it or machine stitch for added effect. It is kind of like stitch witchery, Wonder Under, or heat and bond. To learn more go to: http://www.barbarabilyard.com/tip_vliesofix.htm

Vilene is made by the same company but is more intended as a stiffener as you might use in say the waistband of a skirt. http://www.thesewphisticatedstitcher.com/vidist.html

Diamantes are paste jewels that look like diamonds think of rhinestones. They are usually flat backed and can be applied with glue or rhinestone setting prongs.

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SUPPLY NEWS

LEATHER - We love the Velvet Pigskin Suede so much weve just added 11 more beautiful colors!  Taupe is our latest. This supple leather can be used on the smooth or suede side depending on the look you want.  Weve also added perfect shoe sole leather in black cowhide. Why not stop by and take a peek http://dollmakersjourney.com/leather.html

BOOK - Customer Susan Daniels put us on to a fabulous new book called "Embeadery:
Using Classic Embroidery in Beadwork" by Margaret Ball.  We are thrilled
with the detailed diagrams and the superb color photos.  With this book you
will take your bead embellishment to a whole new level of mastery and
inspiration! http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

FACE STAMPS - There are so many ways to use the array of fun face stamps that BARB AND DOUG KEELING have designed.  Stamp up a fabulous vest or tote bag or add a face to a beaded necklace.  We have 2 more of their stamps  Sweet Sue and Slim Gin along with a photo of a necklace Barb made to inspire you.  http://dollmakersjourney.com/keeling.html
 
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TIP DID YOU KNOW?

When buying glitter or sparkling gel pens to do doll faces, check the side of the pen.  Look for a shooting star logo and the words Sakura Gelly Roll Japan.  These pens will have a wonderful metallic glitter effect.  If the cap glitters but you dont see the shooting star, they arent as pretty. (I checked my pens after hearing this.  Not one shooting star in the bunch.  I will have to go to an office supply store and get some new pens.)

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

In addition to finishing Akiko for our Doll for All Seasons series, Bonnie and Mary Ann have been busy creating a fabulous new pattern that will be available the first of May.  They taught a class called Miss Sadie the Church Lady at We Folk of Cloth in 2002, and many people who couldnt take the class have been eagerly awaiting an online class.  Instead, they have created a course in pattern form with an updated look for 2005 called Shirley and Sadie The Red Hat Ladies.  This extensive pattern includes two 16 dolls, all their accessories, several outfits (purple of course), handbags, shoes, stockings, gloves, jewelry, and of course, their red hats. 

We rarely take our goodies out of Mary Anns house but were off to Columbus Ohio to ply our wares at the Artistic Figures in Cloth Conference.  We cant wait to renew old friendships and meet many of our customers in person.  Kelli will be holding down the fort for the few days we are away.  Were looking forward to the adventure.

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OTHER SITES TO SEE

Bra calendar amazing creativity great costume ideas
http://www.wtww.org/calendar_bras.htm

We have had a request for chemo patient hats:  Here are some links:

free pattern for Chemo Hats
http://www.hancockfabrics.com/jump.jsp?itemID=157&itemType=CONTENT

free pattern for turban
http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys/assets/html/turban.asp

free pattern for beret
http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys/assets/html/gailsckberet.asp?
mscssid=VC8MPC9B5KVP9K917DVBEME0A7FGAG12&gift=&giftID=&URLCheck=1

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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 Dollmakers 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 2005 Dollmakers Journey