Dollmaker’s Journey
CUSTOMER CONNECTION
October 2006 Issue 60
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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.

October 2006 Issue 60

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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,

In revamping our website we have created a new Christmas category, added Halloween patterns to Witches, and Pilgrims and Thanksgiving patterns to the Indian category. We hope this makes it easier to find a special pattern for a specific holiday. Originally everything was lumped under Holiday. You might also want to check out Amulets/Bags, Pincushions, Tissue Box Covers, Specialty, Books and Supplies for unique gift ideas you can make or give for the holidays.

Mary Ann and Bonnie

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OCTOBER SALE

We’re sure you will find some very exciting and fun patterns on sale for the month of October in our WITCHES/HALLOWEEN and INDIAN/PILGIMS categories. We have a tremendous selection for you to choose from so be sure to treat yourself to a 20% discount through the end of the month! http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/

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FREE “STUFF”

There is a nationwide site called http://www.freecycle.org/ (United States only) Go there and enter the zip code for your area. You can get rid of anything and everything that is cluttering up your life, home, and garage. Just list it on this site and people will come and get it. This can be anything, from furniture, appliances, fabric, sewing machines, rolls of batting, old magazines, etc. Make room for things you really want and get rid of things you no longer need. Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

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CHARITY CORNER

The charity auction to help Debbie Porchia is coming to a close. Check out “Dolls for Debbie” Auction house at http://www.cyndysdolls.com/Dolls_for_deb.htm
We wish to thank Cyndy Sieving for sponsoring this event. Auction ends October 31st, 2006. Many of our designers and customers have participated in this event.

The auction “Every Doll Needs a Home” was held in September to help the Evangeline Booth Home in New York. Tracy Deeter, one of our customers, submitted the doll “Portia”. Many of our other customers and designers also participated. Although this event is over, you can still see the dolls that were included in the auction. Go to http://home.nycap.rr.com/tsmall/2006/indax.html

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NEW DESIGNERS

Our Dollmaker’s Journey family of designers continues to grow internationally. We are delighted to welcome SARAH JONES from Sweden who has managed to solve one of life’s greatest mysteries - where the missing socks go from the washing machine. She’s discovered that they are being stolen by a special species of Sock Fairies and you are going to love these darling creatures! SARAH also introduces us to her wonderful woodland fairies called “Trixlings” which are whimsical characters you are sure to enjoy. SARAH’S pattern presentation is superb beautifully illustrated and well written instructions to guide you easily through construction. Do stop by and check out her fine work. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/jones.html

The talented Canadian designer ELAINE LE GROS is also joining our Dollmaker’s Journey family. ELAINE loves holidays and we are delighted to bring you a selection of her wonderful witches and Santas just in time for the holidays. Do stop by and take a look. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/legros.html

Please help us welcome Australia’s RHONDA McGINNITY and DELYS BRADY. There’s got to be something in the water down there that leads to the creation of such vibrant and imaginative characters! We are starting with six of RHONDA’S patterns. You’re going to love “Waiting for Mr. Right” and “Still Waiting for Mr. Right” along with three fabulous undersea creatures and a jungle dweller. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/mcginnity.html

DELYS’ “Beth the Bad Fairy” is quite the saucy one, “Grace” is very aptly named and “Scarab Beetle Man” is quite an interesting fellow. Do stop by and check out all these wonderful new projects just waiting to become the work of your hands. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/brady.html

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PRICING DOLLS
By Arley Berryhill

This is the time of year when people wonder how to price their dolls as they approach the holiday season and are entering craft shows. It seems every year the same question is asked, and Arley has agreed to share some of his ideas.

The "real" way to price anything hand made is to add the cost of the materials, and the number of hours in labor. The hard part is putting a price on your hourly rate of labor. (Think about what the auto mechanic or plumber charges for his time!)

Unfortunately, when you add all this together, you usually come up with a total cost that no one wants to pay for a doll. (Especially when one can buy a commercial doll for $20.) Just because your doll is handmade, and "one of a kind", doesn't necessarily mean there is a market for it.

The best way to price a doll is look at what others are charging for dolls similar to yours. Look on EBay and at craft shows. Visit other websites.

If you really want to make money selling dolls, you must keep the amount of time making the dolls to a minimum. Jack Johnston teaches "speed" in sculpting in his workshop. His theory is, "the faster you can sculpt a head, the more profit you make."

Or, perhaps you have a technique where you can do most of the sewing by machine, and less on hand work.

If you have ever sold anything hand made on a website, such as one-of-a-kind handbags, answer the following question. How do you come up with the cost of them? Use the same method for your dolls.

See more of Arley’s creations at http://www.ArleyBerryhill.com
See some of his patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/berryhill.html

EDITOR’S NOTE: A wonderful Project Cost Sheet designed for pricing dolls is available along with other great hints. You can find it at: http://www.snsdolls.com
To get to the main hint page: http://www.snsdolls.com/hints/hintmain.htm#top
To go straight to the cost sheet main page: http://www.snsdolls.com/hints/costmain.htm

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CHALLENGES

Home for the Holidays Bluette Challenge
Deadline: November 15, 2006
For more information go to: http://thedollnet.com/bleuette/

All Dolled Up: Beaded Art Doll Competition 2007 – Theme Celestial Reflections
Deadline: August 31, 2007
For more information go to: http://www.landofodds.com/store/alldolledup.htm

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

Year round classes – John C. Campbell Folk School
Brasstown, North Carolina
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

November 10 & 11th 2006 – Cloth Doll Workshop with Christine Shively
Hartsdale, NY
Call 914-667-7100 or 914-755-1150 for more details.

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

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

Free fox finger puppet pattern and great puppet patterns to buy also
http://www.puppetpatterns.com

Mary Tressler has a free pattern, “What a Guy” at http://www.uncommonfolk.org/Whataguy.html
You can see her other patterns at: http://dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

Azhreia the Knitting Dragon free patterns
http://www.wyrm.org.uk/cuddly/azhreia.html

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: What would you recommend for Santa Claus hair?

A: I have made Santa's with many different kinds of hair. I have used mohair which I have wefted or needle felted, fleece (which is hair attached to a hide - we sell it at Dollmaker's Journey) in either bleached (very white) or natural (great for an Old World Santa), fake fur, feather boas, yarn, fabric strips, etc. I have even painted a sculpting compound onto the doll and painted that. It depends on what type of Santa you are making and whether it is for a child, adult, or display. To get some ideas go to http://dollmakersjourney.com Click on category Christmas to see many different Santa patterns. If you choose a specific pattern and ask us, we can check the pattern and let you know what type of hair the designer recommends.

Q: Can you direct me to a source to buy already embroidered eyes for craft
projects. They are for children under 3 so must be cloth and not removable.

A: Anything for a child of 3 that can be removed will be, even if the eyes are embroidered and then sewn or glued on. You are probably safer to draw the eyes, transfer them, or embroider them on the original doll face. We do carry iron-on transfers at http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html#stamps

I did a search and found no pre-embroidered eyes for sale. However, if you go to http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-423466.html
they have information on how to embroider your own eyes.

An excellent tutorial on painting or embroidering eyes is at
http://www.clothdollcreations.co.uk/Doll%20making/Anatomy/faces.htm

If you want to paint them, information is at http://dollmakersjourney.com
Click on Charity Corner, and then Ethnic faces by Jan J. or Haiti Dolls.

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TURNING TINY FINGERS WITH HEMOSTATS

Designer Phyllis Robinson shared the following:

As far as turning fingers, I have no problem at all just using forceps or hemostats. I still haven't figured out which they should be called. Anyway, I place the forceps all the way up into the finger tip and open them and then push the tip of the finger into the forceps slightly, just push in enough threads to grab the tip. Next, this is the most important part, do NOT pull the forceps down in the finger! SLOWLY walk the finger fabric UP on the forceps as if they were a turning rod.

Pushing the fabric up on the forceps will form wrinkles on the forceps. Walk the fabric up to the top of the forceps. Keep doing this until the finger is at least 1/2 turned inside itself. After all the fingers are 1/2 inside the hand, gently grab one finger with the forceps and gently turn the hand right side out.

Remember, do NOT try to turn the fingers by just placing the forceps inside and pulling them. I have been very successful with very small fingers. If you can find forceps small enough to place inside a finger, you can turn them. If the fingers are so small that this will not work, you may need to make separate fingers (tubes) and place them inside the
palm. If a hand gets really tiny, separate fingers will work.

You can see some of Phyllis Robinson’s designs at: http://designsbyphyllis.homestead.com/index.html

Tiny hemostats and turning tubes are available at: http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

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NEW PATTERNS/CD’s

KERRY SEYMOUR has just released a beautiful mermaid with unique embellishment involving tissue paper called “Rhea” and a dramatic piece of patriotic wall décor called “Freedom Flight.” http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/seymour.html

We are thrilled to offer you PATTI CULEA’S new CD project called “Stargaze Sonja” a fabulous beaded wearable along with one of her regular patterns - “Goblin Princess” just in time for Halloween. Patti’s projects are always a creative adventure. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/culea.html

Who says all witches have to be ugly? SYLVIA SCHORR doesn’t think so and her lovely “Witch of the Forest” stump doll proves it. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/schorr.html

JANE HOUCK has just released her exquisite new fairy “Lulu, Dancing in the Moonlight” that she taught at the Enchanted Freedom Conference last summer. This is a fantastic project for learning how to give your dolls the suggestion of movement. You’re going to love this one! http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/houck.html

“A Woman of Character” is one of MARY TRESSLER’S slightly exaggerated Uncommon Folk she is so well known for. We also have the revised and expanded edition of Mary’s most popular pattern “Body Basic.” Stop by and take a look at these and all of Mary’s marvelous designs. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

With BILLIE HEISLER’S newest pattern “Twinkles and Jingles the Bear” you’ll get a lovely elfin character and the terrific little bear that she rides. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/friends.html

We are always happy to bring you more BECKY HOLLOWAY patterns for your creative enjoyment. We have a charming scene called “Special Delivery” and a marvelous mohair rabbit called “Easter Parade.” http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/holloway.html

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CUSTOMER KUDOS

Pat Clark from Long Beach, California, wrote:

“I just wanted to share with you my accomplishments at this year's LA County Fair. Drum roll pulleeeeeeeeeze!
Handmade Purses - 1st Place & Best of Show (this was Elinor Peace Bailey's 'Old Bags' pattern)
Help a Child Smile - 1st Place, Best of Show & participation ribbon (a Doll in a nightgown & cap wearing bunny slippers and carrying a bunny & blankie. Following the fair, this item will be sent to the Children's Trauma Center at Pomona Valley Hospital)
Holiday Crafts (other than Christmas) - 1st Place & Judges Award of Merit (Valentine's Day - a doll 'Queen of Hearts' carrying her tray of cherry tarts).
Sewing - 1st Place for a Ladies Shirt
Sewing - 1st Place for a Ladies Jacket

Congratulations, Pat! Please let us know about your accomplishments, and we will include them in the newsletter. We would also love any input or insights on the patterns we carry. If you have hints or tips, or just pictures to share, please send them to Bonnie Lewis at EnchantedR@aol.com

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DESIGNER DOINGS

Mary Tressler just finished a Witch challenge. Go to
http://www.2005challenges.homestead.com/Halloween.html
Click on “see the witches”
You can see more of Mary’s patterns at http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

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SUPPLIES

CHAMOIS Craft Velour back in stock! http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

HEMOSTATS - We’ve just added two new hemostats: an 8” that is a great mid-size tool and another 6.25” that has rubberized handles for easy gripping. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html#tools

SCISSORS - We’ve also added three decorative (but very sharp) scissors that would make a lovely addition to any sewing box. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html#tools

TIBETAN LAMB FLEECE - Our newest shade of Tibetan Lamb is a fabulous PINK. The possibilities are endless! http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#tibetan

SCULPTING WIRE - We are happy to report that our shipment of Aluminum Sculpting wire has finally arrived and we are well stocked again. This soft, flexible, aluminum wire is easily shaped. A thin coating eliminates aluminum marks. http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

ALPACA FIBER – Super fine soft brown and white fiber great for doll hair
Email Anglic1996@aol.com for prices.

SHEEP’S WOOL supplier – low prices and great service
http://www.homesteadwoolandgiftfarm.com/

PLASTIC BAGS for beads, patterns, etc.
http://www.GTBAG.com
http://www.thebaglady.com

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie has been busy with family events. Two grandchildren were baptized (in the Mormon Church they are baptized at age 8), and one baby was blessed (similar to a Christening.) She is busy on a surprise for all of you that hopefully will be ready by December. Unfortunately, she also just got called for jury duty (this will be from the middle of November through December), so depending on whether there are any trials she needs to attend, the surprise may have to wait until January.

Mary Ann and Jim snuck away to enjoy a lovely drive through the Shenandoah State Park on the Skyline Drive. Viewing the magnificent fall foliage is always so invigorating! Mak has been trying to put her vast supply of yarn to good use by making hats for a great charity project she found called http://www.theshipsproject.com/ There are so many ways we can use our talents to contribute to the world around us. Let us know what your favorite charity projects are.

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WEBSITES
Doll house collectibles, miniatures, furniture, wallpaper, etc. http://www.dollhousecollectibles.com
Paper Doll Websites:
http://www.inkastamps.com/artdolls.html
http://www.alphastamps.com/stampsdolls3.html
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/Files/dolls2.htm
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/images/paperdoll.gif
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Ballerina.shtml
http://www.aliciag.com/classes/dollclass.html
http://www.wetnoodleposse.com/archives/August_2004/stuff.html

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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