Dollmaker’s Journey
CUSTOMER CONNECTION
August 2006 Issue 58
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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.

August 2006 Issue 58

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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,

The Annie LaBouche contest is officially over and the votes are in. Kate Erbach, our designer, has chosen her favorite dolls under Vintage and Colorful, and you, our readers, have also voted for your favorites. Over 300 people voted, and here are the results.

First place – Most popular - #23 Maiden U’Essay by Andrea Luliak
Second place – Most popular - #8 Porphura by Leota Webb
Third place tie for most popular - #3 Annie Mae by Kathy Jackson AND
#34 Annie LeFleur by Jeanne Hughes

Vintage Designer’s Choice goes to #10 Dorthy Fay by Nancy Goodrich

Most Colorful Designer’s Choice goes to #28 Maggie Mae by Deb Jensen

Andrea, Nancy and Deb will each receive an original doll made by Kate Erbach. Second and third place winners will receive gift certificates from Dollmaker’s Journey. As a special treat we will also be sending gift certificates to everyone who entered so they can add to their stash.

One dollmaker, Jeanne Hughes (3rd place winner) loved the pattern so much she entered 4 different dolls. Several others found they couldn’t just make one. We enjoyed reading your comments on why you chose different dolls. One designer didn’t enter the contest, but really enjoyed making the doll. You can see Judi Ward’s version of Annie LaBouche entitled “My New Shoes” at her picturetrail site in the one-of-a-kind album. http://www.picturetrail.com/

A word of advice to those who plan to enter future contests at Dollmaker’s Journey. Dolls with original names and stories generated the most interest. Also, when you enter, please include contact information (full name, email, address, and phone number) so we know where to send the prizes. We are still waiting for the address of one of our top winners so we can send her a doll. You will notice on our website that several dolls have no dollmaker listed. That is because we never received a name, just pictures. When we receive more information, we will be happy to include it with your doll. You can see the dolls at http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/anniechallenge.html

Mary Ann and Bonnie

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AUGUST SALE

For our August Sale you’ll have more than 70 patterns to choose from in our wonderful ETHNIC CATEGORY which covers a very broad range of characters. This is a great opportunity to expand your face making skills so treat yourself to 20% off all month long. http://dollmakersjourney.com/

We have a new costume for the Dude for All Seasons as a Street Entertainer by SHERRY GOSHON. This will be 25% off introductory price for the rest of August. http://dollmakersjourney.com/dollforallseasons.html#Designer

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CHARITY CORNER

Kathy Muller sent us pictures her cloth dollmaking club (L.I. Cloth Dollinks) made for the charity http://ragdolls2love.org/ These were made to their specifications, so they would 'hug' the children. Go to their website for an adorable free pattern to make this rag doll. See the picture Kathy sent on our Charity Corner at http://dollmakersjourney.com/charitycorner.html

We thought you might enjoy seeing some of the dolls you have donated to the Women and Children of the Evangeline Booth Home Shelter in New York. The live auction will be held September 21st. Just go to the gallery and visit the 2006 album. http://home.nycap.rr.com/tsmall/2006/indax.html

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ERROR CORRECTION

One of our customers wrote: I was reading the July newsletter, which says, "If you use Lycra or Dolskin, there is at least 25% stretch in both directions, and you have to be careful not to overstuff the doll." However, the Dolskin that you recently sent me stretches in only one direction. I am designing patterns for sale specifically for this fabric, so I hope that I was sent the right material. Please check the stretch again, and let me know.

I went and measured the fabric, and here is my response: You are absolutely correct! I do apologize, and will correct this information in the next newsletter. Dolskin does stretch a lot in one direction (about 60% on the cross grain), and maybe 10%-20% along the selvage edge. I held the fabric up to a ruler, and 10" stretched to 11" or 12" along the selvage and 10" stretched to 16" along the cross grain. Thanks again for catching this error.

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A SPECIAL FUNDRAISER SPONSORED BY SOME OF OUR DESIGNERS

To all the friends of Debbie Porchia - A dear, wonderful doll maker that many of you know, Debbie, has been in the hospital in Columbus, Ohio for over a month now due to a bad fall while ice skating with her grandchildren. We have posted a few messages about her accident and condition. To recap - Debbie suffered a serious concussion. So serious they had to remove some of her skull to relive the pressure on her brain. To complicate matters, she suffered a stroke, developed problems breathing requiring being on a respirator, and finally a tracheotomy. Within the last week the trach was removed and she is in in-patient rehab (but still the hospital). She is facing many weeks of physical and occupational therapy ahead. Her spirits are good, and thankfully she does not seem to have lost any functions. Although after month in bed she is weak, but growing stronger every day. Debbie lives in Pennsylvania now, so her husband, Sal, has to commute to be with her the last couple of weeks.

Many doll makers have known Debbie for years. She owns Mini-Magic, Inc., a company selling numerous doll items, trims and fabric, especially fabrics, patterns, kits, etc., for French Fashion Dolls. Sal has been trying to handle the business alone, but he has had to cancel many of the shows they attend as vendors, most significantly, the recent UFDC convention in Dallas. This has been a double whammy for Debbie and Sal. With large medical bills, and a lot not covered by insurance, canceling shows and the loss of income makes for a bad situation.

Debbie is a member of the Guilded Lilies Doll Artists Club of Columbus, Ohio, as I am. Another Lillie, Jean Kelley, a dear friend of Debbie’s and I have been trying to think of ways to help. Isn’t that always the way - you want to help but just do not know what to do. We decided to ask for doll makers that feel the same way Jean and I do to donate dolls for an auction “Dolls for Debbie.” Then others can bid on them. I will put them up on for sale on my website and handle the auction. The auction and sale will be held Oct 1-30, 2006. So to get the ball rolling ………..

HOW TO HELP - DONATE A DOLL

1. I will need a picture of the doll emailed to me Cyndy@CyndysDolls.com by September 15th. I need to know if the buyer or seller will pay the postage.

2.If you can not take a picture I will do that for you, and send it to the buyer. If you cannot take a picture, send the doll to me at “Dolls for Debbie” c/o Cyndy Sieving, 1101 St. Agnes Ave, Columbus, OH 43204. It MUST be postmarked by September 10th, 2006.

3.I will have the Auction from Oct 1- 30th, 2006, on my website http://www.CyndysDolls.com

4.All checks for the dolls will be made out to Debbie Porchia the checks will be mailed to me and I will attaché a picture of the doll purchased to the check, so Debbie knows who’s gracious gifts she received both doll donations and buyers (unless you ask for your name to be anonymous, I always honor such requests)

5.This auction will not be tax deductible. Just a kind deed.

UPDATE: I went to see Debbie today and told her of our plans. Jean and I would never attempt such a task unless we knew she was okay with this. Debbie was very grateful and began telling me of the cancellations on shows and how she has been concerned about the outcome of all of this. I told her we would do our best to relieve some of those worries. If you have any questions please contact
Cyndy Sieving Cyndy@Cyndysdolls.com
Or
Jean Kelley jfkelley@tampabay.rr.com

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FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
By Bonnie B. Lewis

I found the following information on the IdeaBank website, and thought it was very applicable for dollmakers.

Perhaps you’ve heard the expression, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Here are a few examples of when life gets tough for some people, how they kept on going – and followed their dreams:

Alexander Graham Bell: When he invented the telephone in 1876, it didn’t exactly ring off the hook with calls from potential backers. After making a demonstration call, President Rutherford B. Hayes said, “That’s an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one of them?”

Thomas Edison: His schoolteachers in Michigan complained that he was “too slow” and hard to handle. As a result, Edison’s mother decided to take her son out of school and teach him at home. In his lifetime, Edison produced more than 1,300 inventions.

Lucille Ball: She began studying to be an actress in 1927 and the head instructor of the John Murray Anderson Drama School told her, “Try any other profession – any other.”

Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Baker): In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modeling Agency, told the future movie star, “You’d better learn secretarial work or else get married.”

Julia Child: In 1953, she and her two collaborators signed a publishing contract to produce a book tentatively titled French Cooking For the American Kitchen. Julia and her colleagues worked on the book for five years. The publisher twice rejected the 850-page manuscript. But she and her collaborators didn’t give up. They found a new publisher, and in 1961 – eight years after starting – they published the best-selling book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Elvis Presley: In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis after one performance. He told Elvis, “You ain’t going nowhere, son. You ought to go back to driving a truck.”

Follow your dreams. They can take you places others thought impossible. When Mary Ann and I met on the internet she was living in San Diego, California and I was in Herndon, Virginia. We never dreamed that a chance pin doll exchange through Virtual Dollies would transform into a chance to write books, create patterns, teach and sell things we love to others all over the world through Dollmaker’s Journey. Dreams do come true. Hence our motto: dream – imagine – create – grow– believe - magic

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CHALLENGES

Déjà Vu All Over Again
Deadline for entries: September 1, 2006. Show is November 11, 2006
Columbus, Indiana
This juried art and fine craft show features artists who creatively reuse and recycle items.
Visit http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/dejavu.html to download an application form.

Four Seasons Challenge
Deadline: September 19, 2006
(Winners announced in February 2007 Doll Crafter & Costuming Magazine)
For free pattern designed by Cynthia Sieving and challenge information go to:
http://www.dollccmag.com/DCC0906-4seasons.pdf

“Let the Fun Begin” Camp Doll U Challenge
Deadline: September 23, 2006
Must use challenge kit ($15.00) to create doll
Go to WWW.DOLLU.COM for more details.

Treasures of the Gypsy – Theme: Mysteries of the Gypsies Dance
First week of October, 2006
You need a kit of trinkets, trims, and treasures to participate. These are available for $15.00 (US) $18.00 (Australia and Canada) and can be ordered from:
Pamela Armas
Treasures of the Gypsy
P.O. Box 748
Mountainair, NM 87036
(505) 847-0963

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

Year round classes – John C. Campbell Folk School
Brasstown, North Carolina
September 17-23 – A Doll of Your Own, Dee Dee Triplett
October 22-27 – Behind the Magic: A Doll Maker’s Toolbox, Kathryn Walmsley
October 29-November 4 – Advanced Needle Felted Doll, Sharon Costello
Click on http://www.folkschool.org for more information or call 1-800-365-5724

August 25, 2006 – “On the Silly Side” flat doll day
Fabric Depot, Portland, Oregon
Create mermaids from patterns by elinor peace bailey, Patti Culea, Sally Lampi, Betts Vidal, Karen Shifton, and Barbara Willis
Contact elinor for reservation information at elinor@epbdolls.com or giver her a call at 360/892-6657

September 28-October 1, 2006 – Camp Doll U
Issaquah, Washington (near Seattle)
http://www.dollu.com/

March 3-10, 2007 – 2007 Soft Doll Art Cruise
Leave Miami, Florida for a 7 day fun-filled cruise to 5 islands in the western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Take classes from Ute Vasina, Patti Culea, Leslie Molen and Barbara Willis
Call Carl at 1-888-537-8267 or Tim at 1-800-755-1191 for more information.

April 15-21, 2007 – Creative Doll Artist’s Voyage
Leave Galveston, Texas for a 7 day fun filled cruise to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island & Cozumel, Mexico on Carnival Conquest. Take classes while you sail from Jean Bernard, Sherry Goshon, Jeff Kantrowitz and Maryanne Oldenburg. For more information email Jeff Kantroqitz at nyeggartist@si.rr.com or call (718)983-1888.

May 3-6, 2007 - Artistic Figures In Cloth
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.cyndysdolls.com/AFIC/AFIC.htm (not updated yet)

May 10-13, 2007 – 8th Annual CDAA (Canadian Doll Artist Association)
Ottawa, Ontario
Theme: “Floral Fantasy in an Enchanted Garden”
www.dollartists.ca

May 18-20, 2007 - Flowers, Fairies and Fiber Fancies
Aurora, Ohio
Contact Joan Stephens at 330-562-9145 for more information

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 La Bouche designer KATE ERBACH has treated us to yet another terrific FREE PATTERN. Be sure to stop by and download the fashionable “Carnaby Cat.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/carnabycat.html
You can see more of Kate’s delightful patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/erbach.html

Designer Judi Ward has created a wonderful free pattern called Baby Bows. She writes: Go buy some little newborn feet jammies and caps, and have fun! She is such a cute, fun doll...and easy! She is a template pattern, so you could also make her smaller, but you would have to find different clothes for her. She is designed to fit newborn clothes. Go to... http://judisdolls.org/babybows/

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NECESSARY ROOM UPDATE

In the February 2006 Issue we told you about Gulfport, Mississippi customer Kay Dendy who was in the process of rebuilding her home after Katrina. She referred to the sewing room she would one day have as her “Necessary Room.” We are delighted to report that Kay has completed her room and has sent along some photos to share of the lovely creative space she has fashioned for herself. http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/necessaryroom.html In part, Kay says:

“Well, after almost a year the Necessary Room is up and running. I still have a few boxes to go thru and a few more things to go on the walls. I will point out that my curtains are too short. I'm not a curtain maker! But, oh well... The color of the walls doesn't show up very good, but it is kind of a mint green. Also, A Doll for All Seasons is perched on the machine! I love the pattern! She is not finished yet though! I am very happy with it and thrilled that I now have somewhere to "hide". We are working on the living room now. I painted the walls in there just last week. We're getting there, slowly but surely.”

Looking at the photos, can’t you just FEEL the happiness and contentment Kay will experience in that space! Bonnie and I hope that each and every one of you know the joys of having a “Necessary Room!”

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I was wondering if Apoxie Sculpt has a shelf life once it is open. Is there an expiration date on the container as well?

A: I just called the manufacturer and they told me that the product has a shelf life of 3-5 years whether it is opened or not but it can be extended quite a bit longer by “rejuvenating” it in the microwave for 15 second increments in the original container until it softens. It shouldn’t take more than 30-45 seconds and shouldn’t be used while hot. It also can be frozen and thawed as many times as you want or kept in the refrigerator. There is no expiration date on the containers.

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BUTTERNUT CHALLENGE

In our May 2006 newsletter we gave you a link for a free pattern from Sashi in England called Butternut. The Cloth Dollmaking List decided to make a challenge out of it, and the results are spectacular. I just thought you might like to see what other dollmakers have done with this pattern.
Here are the Newbie dolls: http://butternut1.homestead.com/Newbie1.html
The Advanced: http://butternut1.homestead.com/advanced.html
The Professional: http://butternut1.homestead.com/professional.html

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NEW PATTERNS

Would you believe that our Dude for All Seasons has been leading a secret life as a Street Entertainer! You’d never recognize him now that he’s been so colorfully costumed by SHERRY GOSHON. You’ve got to stop by and take a look at our newest Designer Series Costume. http://dollmakersjourney.com/dollforallseasons.html#Designer

From Australia’s MICHELLE MUNZONE we have her very lovely “Contessa” a pattern packed with detailed construction photos for the exquisite costuming. http://dollmakersjourney.com/munzone.html

We’re delighted to have two more whimsical characters from England’s JANET CLARK a “Funky Mermaid” and the most impish “Little Pixies” you’ve ever seen guaranteed to be fun projects. http://dollmakersjourney.com/clark.html

A few days before leaving for a month long teaching trip to Australia SHERRY GOSHON released yet another wonderful pressmold pattern. Come see “Joy” and create a beautifully embellished ornament. http://dollmakersjourney.com/goshon.html

We just had to expand our collection of Frowning Francis patterns by SUSAN BARMORE. Susan has developed unique methods for appliquéing facial parts and fabulous painting techniques for the wonderful characters she imagines. The six patterns we’ve added include two mermaids, a Red Hat Lady, a Witch, a young child and an amazing Angel face. We know you are going to enjoy them as much as we do. http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

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DESIGNER DOINGS

ARLEY BERRYHILL writes: I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Enchanted Doll Artist Conference. For those of you who went, I think we could agree it was a fun event -- Nice turnout, and good selection of classes and dolls sent for the exhibit. Plus, I got to meet a bunch of new people, and see old faces. AND.. I got to meet Shashi from England!
Good to finally meet you, Shashi!
Oh yes, ahem....Your's truly is the featured artist of this issue of Art Doll Quarterly. Rice Freeman-Zachery interviewed me on the phone and wrote a wonderful article. Even I was impressed reading about me!!
You can see some of Arley’s fantastic patterns at: http://dollmakersjourney.com/berryhill.html

Congratulations to STEPHANIE NOVATSKI for her 2nd Place win in this year’s Hoffman Challenge. Take a look at her wonderful winning doll - http://www.hoffmanchallenge.com/2006challenge/winners06/dolls2nd2006.html
You can find Stephanie’s first pattern “Regalia” here - http://dollmakersjourney.com/novatski.html and we’re looking forward to many more from this talented doll artist!

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT
Bonnie survived the Nauvoo experience. She got over 100 mosquito bites on her legs, arms, etc. but they are finally clearing up. The trip wasn’t without excitement, however. One car was totaled (avoiding a deer), a wheel fell off a U-Haul trailer (they only had one lug nut on the tire), and a daughter got a speeding ticket. However, all is well that ends well. The family reunion was great, the pageant was terrific, and two daughters got safely to Utah. Her son is leaving today for law school, so maybe for a short while she can be an “empty nester” until someone else moves into the nest. Maybe she can even finish some new doll patterns and articles that have been on hold.

Mary Ann and Jim have been quite busy since the last issue, traveling twice to NJ. On July 29th they attended the magnificent wedding of Jim’s son Sean to Lisa Mecca. The wedding was perfection as the couple was enveloped with the love and affection of their two very large families. http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/news.html The following weekend they attended a special annual water pageant in Mary Ann’s hometown of Medford Lakes called the Canoe Carnival. You would never believe what can be built on only 2 canoes and paddled around a lake. If you are curious go here http://www.medfordlakes.com/ and click on Canoe Carnival Photos. Jim was absolutely amazed! Last Saturday night they sat under the stars at Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center and enjoyed a wonderful concert by Peter, Paul and Mary. It is incredible to think that they have been singing together for 46 years! It was delightful to sit with several thousand people happily singing along with their songs. (Boy, having a boyfriend is GREAT!) Project-wise Mary Ann is hustling to complete her entry to Dimensions in Doll Making – a very special version of the Dude that will soon appear on the site.
Oh, we’ve added another photo from Mike & Kyah’s wedding so you can get a better view of the beautiful bride! http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/wedding2.html

CONNECTIONS

It is always thrilling to us the way our love for doll making connects us with other dollmakers around the world, forging bonds and friendships on many levels. Here is some correspondence with a customer from “Down Under”:
Gwen Smith from Sydney, Australia wrote: I have a query that doesn't relate to dollmaking but was sparked by News from the Home Front which I love to read. It says that Mary Ann is making centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner. I have heard of rehearsal dinners for weddings on American TV shows but as this isn't something we do in Australia I was curious what exactly a rehearsal dinner is. We have wedding rehearsals that are attended by the wedding party only & then a wedding breakfast (which is actually dinner) is held after the wedding for all the guests. On the TV shows I've seen everyone seems to turn up to the rehearsal dinner so I was wondering if Americans have replaced the wedding breakfast with a rehearsal dinner or if you actually have 2 dinners. I hope you don't mind me asking as I was just interested in learning things about your culture as although we all came from the same race originally Americans are certainly very different to Australians.

This is Mary Ann’s reply: Here in the States it is the general custom to have a run-through of the wedding ceremony the night before with the minister, bride & groom, the members of the wedding party and both sets of parents. After this rehearsal the family of the groom hosts the wedding party and perhaps a few others like the grandparents to a dinner – most likely at a restaurant. When my son was married in June we had the rehearsal dinner at the hotel where we were all staying. For Jim’s son the dinner was at an Irish Pub restaurant. When my daughter was married last September, they didn’t have a special rehearsal, so there was no dinner. Instead, the groom’s parents contributed money towards the wedding reception.

Here in the USA the wedding reception is paid for by the family of the bride and it is usually a dinner-like meal, either buffet or served that is for the wedding party and all of the guests invited to the wedding. You don’t often hear of Wedding Breakfasts – but I’m sure some people have them. I lived in the Philippines for several years and there the groom’s family pays for the reception. I once attended the wedding of a very famous Philippine movie star. The ceremony was at 8 am because it gets so hot and was followed by a sit down breakfast for nearly 1000 people at a major hotel! It was something else. Besides the regular wedding party of bridesmaids and groomsmen the Filipinos ask 6-10 adults – perhaps aunts, uncles and friends of the family – to be their “sponsors” and these sponsors participate in the ceremony as well. It is quite interesting.

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OTHER SITES TO SEE

Doll Photography Made Easy! Professional doll photographer Bennett Dawson reveals easy to learn tips and techniques for capturing the true beauty of your dolls. This highly rated eBook will change how you approach the art of doll photography, and your pictures will improve dramatically! Visit the information page at http://dolloutfits.com/books/dpme/dpme.html
(Note from Bonnie: I bought this course and was impressed. Just learning how to make a soft light filter was worth the price of the course.)

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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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