Dollmaker’s Journey
CUSTOMER CONNECTION
December 2005/January 2006 Issue 51
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Dollmaker’s Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION
Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
at http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come true.

Winter Issue 2006 Issue 51

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Copyright 2006 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,

We hope that each of you enjoyed a Holiday Season rich with joy, love and happiness. After a long and rewarding year of running our business and producing fifteen new patterns ourselves we thought that our families deserved a little more of our attention. We managed to keep the orders filled but we hope you will understand why we delayed the release of our Holly pattern and the Newsletter. Now we’re feeling renewed and refreshed and we’re hard at work planning more exciting things for you to enjoy in the coming year.

There is no question that we have the best customers in the world (and you are all over the world!) and we treasure each and every one of you. Thank you for giving us the continued opportunity to serve your dollmaking needs. Please know how much we value your business, your suggestions and your shared creativity. We are constantly striving to serve you better. Most of all we want to thank you for accompanying us on our Dollmaker’s Journey.

With love and best wishes for a fabulous New Year,
Mary Ann and Bonnie

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FROM THE EDITOR:

I love it when customers email me and share information. After reading our November newsletter, Flavia sent me this link to a great article from the Smithsonian Magazine about the first Thanksgiving. Just wanted to share it with you.
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues05/dec05/indians.html

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OOPS!

In November I erroneously gave credit to Alixandra Jordan for the “Lady Bug Queen” on page 52 in the January 2006 issue of SDA. It was created by Sarah Lucas. She wrote: “I would like to get the credit for it since I make and show so few dolls and it is a struggle to make them. I would like other dollmakers to know I do make dolls and have them take a look at it.” Sorry for the error. Please check out Sarah’s wonderful doll, and feel free to email me if you find any more errors in this newsletter.

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DOLL FOR ALL SEASONS CHRISTMAS PATTERN
Check out our latest (and last) Doll for All Seasons costume pattern – Holly, Dreaming of a White Christmas. Learn to make real removable high heel boots with grommets and laces, gloves, muff, hat, cape, nylon stockings, underwear so beautiful you don’t even want to dress her, a wonderful holiday dress, and lots more. Included is a new leg pattern designed especially for high heels. This pattern will be half price for the whole month of January.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/dollforallseasons.html

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JANUARY SALE

For all of you who are itching to start the New Year with new projects we’d like to help you along. Our January Sale will give you 20% off our general dollmaking supplies. All sale items will be clearly marked with the sale price. Be sure and stock up! http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

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SELL YOUR OOAK DOLLS ONLINE

Several of our designers are selling their dolls online at http://www.ooakdollart.com
This is a free auction site, and anyone can sell their original dolls and art on it.

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CRAFTY COLLEGE FREE CLASSES

If you have never taken an online class, try some for free at http://craftycollege.com

Web of Angels - Over 60 Free Angel Projects, including several angel dolls.
http://craftycollege.com/webofangels/

Ribbons, Roses and Wrappings - Free Mini Class
http://craftycollege.com/room/103/

The Christmas Elf - Free Mini-Doll Instruction
http://craftycollege.com/room/miniclass/elf-i.html

Candy Flower Arrangement - Free Mini Class
http://craftycollege.com/room/miniclass/candy-i.html

Basic Floral Arrangement - Free Class
http://craftycollege.com/room/121/

Free Making Doll Hands Lesson
http://dollnetcampus.com/room/mini/hands_1.html

Hat Making Fun-Damentals - Free Class
http://dollnetcampus.com/room/220/

**** Just Announced….Our 2nd Hat Class is now open as a Selfpaced Class. Check it out at http://dollnetmarket.com/shop/product.php?productid=170

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CHALLENGES

Enchanted Forest Doll Challenge
Deadline: February 3, 2006
Dolls displayed at the Creative Festival in Denver Colorado
Information on the challenge is at this web site: http://www.denverdollartisans.com/

Party Time Challenge from Doll Crafter & Costuming Magazine and Sherry Goshon
Challenge appears in February 2006 issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming Magazine. Embellish the doll or create a costume. Winning dolls will be pictured in the magazine.
Free pattern and details on their website at: www.dollcraftermag.com

The Art of the Doll (Pump House Regional Arts Center in Wisconsin)
Display: July 1 – August 19, 2006
Must be artist’s original work
For information go to: www.thepumphouse.org
Email info@thepumphouse.org Phone: (608) 785-1434

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

April 27 – 30, 2006 – Canadian Doll Artists Association: Celebration 2006
Holiday Inn Convention Center, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
http://www.dollartists.ca

May 6, 2006 - Calgary Doll Club Spring Sale
North Glenmore Park Community Assoc., 2231 Longridge Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults $3.00, children under 12 free
For more information call Marina at (403) 243-6479.

July 27-31, 2006 – NIADA Conference 2006
Bloomington, Minnesota
http://niada.org

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

UFDC has free 1920 romper pattern and paper doll ornaments at:
http://www.ufdc.org

Edwina Sutherland shares free tips of making and turning hands at
http://www.edwinadolls.com/freebies.htm

Hopi Corn Husk Doll (inspiration to go with our Thanksgiving Indian doll pattern)
http://www.aaanativearts.com/article552.html

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: Do you have a wig pattern for the Doll for All Seasons?

A: Each Doll for All Seasons costume pattern comes with complete directions for a wig or hairdo. For example, the Snow Queen showed how to make a fleece wig, the Queen of Hearts used curly hair and felting needles, the Irish Colleen taught you how to use artificial hair and make an invisible part, in April you learned to knit a wig using eyelash yarn, May was a different kind of skin wig, June you learned to sculpt hair from special gel mediums, July you used special furry fleece, August was yarn, September was hairpin lace loom yarn, October was fleece, and November was yarn and artificial hair. Each month I have tried to share a different technique for creating a wig that fits the style of doll. We deliberately left the basic doll bald so people could use their imaginations.

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DOLL CASE/COVER
By Bonnie B. Lewis

A customer wrote: I am looking for a doll case/cover pattern. Is there one out there?

I did a search and didn't find any patterns. I did come up with two ideas that might work.

1. If you measure the height of the doll, add 2", measure the width of the finished doll outfit and add 2", and cut two dome shapes that width and height out of clear heavy vinyl (plastic), sew around the curved side, leaving the bottom open, you can make a see-through case that fits over the doll and will stand alone if the plastic is heavy enough. You could cover the stitching with bias tape that matches the doll's outfit for a more finished look. You could also put a thin bead of clear vinyl glue around edge, but sewing is more secure.

2. I can also see you measuring the circumference of the doll and costume at its widest part, cutting a rectangle of clear vinyl that width plus 2", the height of the doll plus 2", and gluing the back seam by overlapping plastic 1/2". Cut a circle of vinyl 1" larger than the opening, clip 1/2" around outside edge every inch, put glue on outside top of case, and glue top to sides. Now since the case is taller than your doll, cover the vinyl tabs at the top with 1/2" to 1" ribbon that coordinates with the doll's outfit.

If neither of these ideas appeals to you, go to http://google.com and enter doll cases you will find several companies that sell finished cases, but they can be expensive.

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NEW PATTERNS

We are always delighted when SHERRY GOSHON releases a new press mold and body pattern. “Murphy” has a unique gourd shaped body embellished with embroidery and a wonderful face. http://dollmakersjourney.com/goshon.html

The amazing MARY TRESSLER seems to have an endless supply of characters to create. We’re delighted to have two of her newest – “Hey, Mister!” and “Caribe.” Stop by and check them out along with the rest of Mary’s impressive pattern collection.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

We’re just loving CHRISTINE SHIVELY’S new “Collage Doll” – so many great embellishment techniques! http://dollmakersjourney.com/shively.html

We have three very charming Christmas characters from SHELLEY HAWKEY a sweet “Mrs. Santa” stump doll and two delightful elves “Jacob” and Shea.” You’re going to love them! http://dollmakersjourney.com/hawkey.html

JUDY SKEEL has just released her very lovely “Winter Solstice Fairy” a project just brimming with wonderful construction techniques that will keep your creative juices flowing. Make sure you also pick up Apoxie® Sculpt to make the shoes. http://dollmakersjourney.com/skeel.html

We’re delighted to have “Secret Keeper” BARBARA WILLIS’ newest pattern. This beautifully costumed seated doll comes with a full color iron-on face transfer. What a treat to have a doll with a real BARBARA WILLIS face! http://dollmakersjourney.com/willis.html

We have two delightful new patterns from KAREN SHIFTON. You’ll just love her jaunty “Magpie” pincushion and roly-poly jester “Bouffon.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/shifton.html

Australia’s SUZETTE RUGOLO has just released a wonderful Christmas Elf named “Schnozz” with lots of great techniques that she has taught as a class. Take a peek http://dollmakersjourney.com/rugolo.html

Check out JUDITH PRIOR’s wonderful new furry dragon “Clarence” at http://dollmakersjourney.com/prior.html

Paul (Doll Net Webmaster) has saved the best for last! He has just
released the last of the Oregon RagBabies(TM) family patterns by Kezi! And
she is very familiar to us all!

*** "Dilley and Chick" ***

Dilley is not only a classic doll pattern by Kezi Matthews but one of the
most famous dolls on the Internet. In 1997 she was chosen as the Logo Doll
for the Doll Net®! She has become known as the loveable face that greets
dollmakers from all parts of the world when they visit the many sites within
the Doll Net® Community.

Don't miss out on this Limited Edition Pattern... "Dilley" is only available
at http://dollnetmarket.com

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CUSTOMER KUDOS

Jan Demetralis created a wonderful gourd Santa to use on some of her greetings for the holidays. She also sent us pictures of some of her other original dolls that won challenges. Check them out at: http://dollmakersjourney.com/showcase.html

She also entered the Treasures of the Gypsy challenge, and her doll Elena won a judge’s choice. Her gypsy from last year was in the Art Doll Quarterly. Shashi’s doll won best in show. You can see pictures of the winners at http://tinyurl.com/7upxj

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SUPPLIES

APOXIE® SCULPT is great for dolls and accessories. We now have this terrific product available for you in 2 different sizes. Click here to learn about this exciting, non-toxic material that can enhance your dollmaking in numerous ways. http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

WOOL FELT - We are trying out some Wool Blend Felt 35% Wool/ 65% Rayon in a basic color called Champagne. Let’s us know how you like it and if you’d like us to carry more colors. http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

STUFFING FORK – Judith Prior’s husband has been busy creating fabulous Stuffing Fork Sets with lovely wooden handles for comfortable stuffing. What a great holiday gift they would be! http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html#forks

TIBETAN LAMB - We’ve added another color of Tibetan Lamb - a beautiful Blue! http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie was busy watching Christmas movies while she designed our December Doll for All Seasons. White Christmas with Bing Crosby is one of her favorites. It was fun to make boots while snow fell outside. She also brought some of her dolls to an Easter Seals adult day care center in Hagerstown, Maryland where she taught a class on the joys of dollmaking to handicapped adults. Out of 40 students, half were men, and they enjoyed the class as much as the women (especially the Redskin football doll she made.) They liked the April Bunny Girl and July Miss Independence dolls best. Even though many in the audience were mentally challenged or in wheel chairs, dolls had a universal appeal that seemed to touch everyone.

Mary Ann is thrilled that her son Michael and the beautiful (and creative!!) woman he brought home for his sister’s wedding Kyah Mae Lattimer have announced their engagement. Their wedding is being planned for June 3rd in California and she can’t wait for the joyous occasion. Mary Ann is also hard at work on the male doll pattern to go with the Doll For All Seasons. Watch for it COMING SOON!

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OTHER SITES TO SEE

Gladys Boalt ornaments (wonderful miniature cloth dolls)
http://weedhouse.com/st_main.asp OR http://weedhouse.com/index.htm

Keep your children entertained with lots of free paper dolls. Site also includes patterns for doll clothes and toys
http://www.origamibears.com/main.html

Visit a website from Holland for free doll dress patterns
http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/poppenpatronen_dollpatterns.htm

Want to make a 3-D Cinderella’s Castle and lots of other Disney treasures? Over 400 pages of paper crafts to print out and put together
http://www.seite42.de/indexe.htm

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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 © 2006 Dollmaker’s Journey

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