Dollmaker’s Journey
CUSTOMER CONNECTION
September 2007 Issue 70
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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.

September 2007 Issue 70

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Copyright 2007 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,

Susanna Oroyan, NIADA artist, doll designer, writer, and our friend, passed away August 22, 2007. She left such an amazing legacy to the dollmakers through her magnificent books. There was a memorial service in Eugene, Oregon September 5. A second memorial service and internment followed in Hawaii. You can read more about her life and contributions to the dollmaking world at www.legacy.com/registerguard/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=93649550

The Eugene Doll Club has organized a memorial fund to first pay for a memorial page in Doll News, with the surplus going to Tom Oroyan to help defer expenses.
Please send any donations in care of:
Judy Parmenter
Eugene Doll Club
96494 Hwy 99 W
Junction City, OR 97448

Jean Peeters writes: "Our beloved Susie O is now in heaven. Her 6 years of suffering is over and she is now without pain in a place of light, love and peace forever. She will be sorely missed. Susie's family and many friends thank all of you who have prayed for her, sent cards and other items to encourage, called and visited to cheer her. She was strong and upbeat to the end. Please pray for Tom, Eunice and the rest of Susie's family."

Mary Ann and Bonnie

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SEPTEMBER SALE

For our September Sale we're taking 20% off everything in the BASIC BODIES,
COSTUME and HISTORICAL categories so be sure to treat yourself.
http://dollmakersjourney.com

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AUGUST QUIZ WINNER

Question: In 1985 the world’s largest ice cream sundae was created in Anaheim, California. How tall was it?

Answer: 12 Feet Tall. It was made with 4,667 gallons of ice cream and 7,000
pounds of toppings. However, as one of our readers was quick to point out, this was topped in 1988. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest ice cream sundae in the world was made in Alberta, Canada, in 1988. It weighed nearly 55,000 pounds. The same year, a baking company and a sheet-metal firm in Dubuque, Iowa, teamed up to produce the world's largest ice cream sandwich, which tipped the scales at nearly 2,500 pounds. And, in 1999, Baskin-Robbins created an ice cream cake at a beach hotel in the United Arab Emirates that weighed just under 9,000 pounds.

Did you know: The average number of licks to finish a single scoop ice cream cone is 50. 98% of all households purchase ice cream. Among the most unusual flavors of ice cream ever manufactured are avocado, garlic, azuki bean, jalapeno, and pumpkin. Perhaps the weirdest of all: dill pickle ice cream, which was marketed to expectant mothers. Sales were disappointing.

Source: National Dairy Council

Congratulations to Michelle Havenga from Wyoming. Your name was selected at random from all of the correct quiz entries, and you will receive a $10 gift certificate from Dollmaker’s Journey. Watch for your name in a coming month!

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SEPTEMBER QUIZ QUESTION

It's back to school here in the United States, so I thought I would give you an art related question.

Question: The first crayon, invented in Europe, did NOT contain wax. Instead, it was made from two other substances. What were they?

Everyone who emails in the correct answer by October 10th will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to Dollmaker’s Journey. The winner will be announced in the next newsletter. Email your answers to Bonnie at EnchantedR@aol.com Put September Quiz in subject box. Please include your full name and where you live (state/country) in your email.

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SEWING MACHINE – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Last month we wrote about an inexpensive sewing machine carrying case. A customer asked us "What was the model of the Brother sewing machine?" I was told in Columbus, Ohio that it was a 7 pound Brother sewing machine available for $199 at Wal-mart. However, when I went to Wal-mart I found lots of sewing machines under $200, but the lightest weight one was 10 pounds, not 7. I have tried to find out what sewing machine students at Artistic Figures in Cloth were using without success. The closest I came was Brother CS 6000, which weighs 10 pounds. Wal-mart sells it for $184.76, but overstock.com sells it for $129.99. Wal-mart also has a slightly heavier Brother machine (14.3 pounds) model CE4100 for $139.97. If any readers were at AFIC and know what model sewing machine people were raving about, please let Bonnie know at EnchantedR@aol.com and I will talk about it in the next newsletter.

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CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

“Gypsies of the Sea” 2007 sponsored by Treasures of the Gypsy
The challenge packets are available now, and finished dolls are due in September. To enter, send $15 to: Pamela Armas/Treasures of the Gypsy, PO Box 748, Mountainair, NM 87036.
You will receive a packet of fabric, trims, and trinkets to use on you Gypsy doll. You may add additional fabrics of your choice to your doll.

Take Flight Challenge sponsored by Doll Crafter & Costuming
Deadline: October 4, 2007
Challenge information at www.dollccmag.com (click on Take Flight)
Voting will be online from Oct. 13-27 at www.dollccmag.com

I Challenge You – Blank Canvas Doll Challenge sponsored by APWPWD
Deadline: December 1, 2007
Adapt her and embellish her to your heart's content. Paint, beads, fabric - the works! Enlarge or reduce her. Male or female. Separate the limbs or give her an armature.
Send photos via email to skeelhaven1@yahoo.com or via snail mail to:
Judy Skeel
6881 Tussic St. Rd.
Westerville, OH 43082.
Encourage everyone in your doll club to enter a doll and send a photo of the group of dolls as well as individual photos. One doll entry per person, please. The club with the most entries will win a prize. There will also be a prize for the best individual doll, so dollmakers that don’t belong to a club are still able to play along!
Prizes - Judges Choice:
$50 gift certificate to Dollmakers Journey
Doll Club with the most entries:
2 days of class with Judy Skeel—a $600 value!
You can get the pattern and all the details here: http://dollmakersjourney.com/#blank

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

May 13-20, 2008 (tentative date) – WOW New York
New York
More information will be forthcoming

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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NEW DESIGNERS

We are delighted to welcome the newest member of our Dollmaker's Journey family of designers - CINDEE MOYER. We fell in love with CINDEE'S whimsical characters. You'll find them easy to construct but so full of life. Check out her collection and see which one captures your imagination first! http://dollmakersjourney.com/moyer.html

Everybody knows that we LOVE dragons at Dollmakers Journey so we're really thrilled to welcome The Dragon Charmer herself - JENNIFER CARSON. Her dynamic collection of dragon characters are so easy to construct but the addition of needle felted features gives them all such a dramatic effect. Dragon Lovers are going to want to make them all. We can't wait to see which one is your favorite! http://dollmakersjourney.com/carson.html

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JUST FOR FUN – IN HONOR OF GRANDPARENT'S DAY

On September 9, 2007 in the United States we celebrated Grandparent's Day. So for all you grandparents out there, here is a fun story my husband found on the internet. Enjoy!

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following:

"We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.

"They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, and do exercises there, but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but in it, they all jump up and down with hats on. At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. They go cruising in their golf carts! Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds.

"Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked centre for pot luck. My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren."

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SPECIAL GIFTS FOR YOU

Lady Bug doll pin pattern by Ute Vasina http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/LadyBugPattern.htm
See more of Ute's patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/vasina.html

Sherry Goshon and Kate Erbach have teamed up to create a wonderful new free newsletter called Inner Child Creations. Kate has started a series of tutorials on their website teaching you how to create patterns using Adobe Photoshop that are excellent. The tutorial can be used for versions 3 through 5 of both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Anyone wishing to purchase this software for a great price check out the link at the end of this newsletter under "Websites". (It usually sells for more than $100, but I got it for $37.00). You can subscribe to her monthly newsletter and check out the tutorials at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sherrygoshonnews/
See Sherry and Kate's patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/goshon.html
and http://dollmakersjourney.com/erbach.html

Another wonderful free newsletter is called Adele's Creative Costuming. The premier issue is available now, and is a team effort of Adelke Sciortino (ODACA Figurative Artist), Martha Boers (Editor), and Marianne Reitsma (Art Director). The first issue has wonderful directions for making lots of unusual wings, costuming with flower petals, and a great article entitled "Red & Blue Don't Make Purple, the Truth About Colour Theory" that really opened my eyes.
Please visit www.costumesandtrim.com - click on "Newsletter" at the top "Sign Up" and then you can go in and view the newsletter.

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NEW PATTERNS/BOOKS/CD-ROMs/DVDs/MOLDS

We’re adding a bevy of Halloween beauties from some of your favorite designers. You’re sure to find a style that suits your taste.

CINDEE MOYER “Wilda, the Web Designer” http://dollmakersjourney..com/moyer.html

CYNDY SIEVING “Frog Legs LTD” and the “Four Seasons Doll” http://dollmakersjourney.com/sieving.html

JULIE McCULLOUGH “Broom Hilda” and the classic “Stitch Witch” http://dollmakersjourney.com/mccullough.html

JEAN BERNARD’s “Dragon Wings CD” will teach you how to make the most fabulous wings imaginable. http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

VICKI RILEY'S newest pattern "Paloma the Airy Fairy" was designed especially
for a very brave 11 year old Paloma who is battling bone cancer. http://dollmakersjourney.com/riley.html

Caridad" is the third of MARY TRESSLER'S exquisite Ethnic Angel Series and "The Mystic" a heavily beaded wall doll. Two more terrific projects from MARY's fertile imagination! Elevate your dollmaking skills by learning to create natural, life-like positions for your doll bodies. "It's All About Position!" will guide you expertly to this goal. BONUS: Since this last pattern helps you create a basic body, it is on sale this month for 20% off! See all her new patterns at http://dollmakersjourney.com/tressler.html

We've got three more great patterns from the painted muslin queen - SUSAN BARMORE. "Nikki" and "Albert" are two wonderful Halloween pieces and her "Sleeping Angel" is too adorable for words. http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

DE RUE JOHNSON is introducing two more magical characters from her Mystic Garden. Come meet the "Teenie Laddie and Lassie Fey." These little guys have big personalities and are wired for endless posing possibilities. http://dollmakersjourney.com/johnson.html

We have three amazing new patterns from MAGGIE BAGGETT that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. "Ellie, Allie and Ollie" can be any way you've ever imagined an elephant to be - flying, Pink, elaborately decorated - you have to see for yourself. The "Dragon Squadron" will teach you all the fine points of free form machine embroidery while making these delicate creatures. Have you ever heard of a Caribbean Surf Rat? Then you've got to stop by and meet "Ricco." He'd be a great conversation piece in a dorm room. http://dollmakersjourney.com/baggettandrigby.html

We're adding three more elinor peace baily favorites - "Angel - Keeper of Memories" a unique box, "Old Bags" - three great handbags that are sure to attract attention - and "Mermaid". "Lady of the Sea Evening Bag & Pet Fish" and "Mad Maddie and a Decorative Shoe" are two fabulous new projects from elinor peace bailey that are sure to be way too much fun to create. http://dollmakersjourney.com/epb.html

Now you can indulge in the magical whimsy of JILL MAAS dolls all year long with the "Slightly Weathered Ladies and More 2008 Calendar." Each month features photos of JILL'S extraordinary creations and commentaries that are sure to delight you every month. http://dollmakersjourney.com/maas.html

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: I'm making a showgirl who needs/wants/has-to-have an "up do" and I'm using a piece of Tibetan fleece. I've figured out how to get her hair "up" --- I've sewn the side flaps (the arms of the "T") very high on her head so they meet in the middle of her crown at the back. Then I pulled the upright (main-body?) of the "T" over & on top of that. (I hope this makes sense.)

Here's the problem: the fleece (the actual "hair") is too short to completely tuck in & I'm left with ends sticking out all over her head. She's got a fairly large head---Nadia by Ann Clemens. Frankly, at this point she looks extremely disreputable!

I know you say to treat Tibetan fleece just like human hair, but the thing is I'm hair impaired---I get a permanent every 3 months so I won't have to deal with mine.

Can/should I use hair spray? Mousse? to hold these ends down & tucked in? A curling iron? Please help! Any suggestions are more than welcome!!! Julie

MARY ANN - We were just talking about this to a group of dollmakers in NJ. You can make rollers for the hair with straws and pipe cleaners. Cut the straws to the desired roller length, roll the bits of hair around the straw, thread the pipe cleaner through and bend the ends over the hair to hold in place. Wet the hair with a spray bottle and then dry. I think you can use a little hair product on it, but test first on some scraps. You can also spray with hair spray when you are done.

BONNIE - Normally with wefted loose mohair I use felting needles to tuck in loose ends. However, when using skin wigs that is not possible, because the needles will break before piercing the skin. You can use hairspray to hold loose ends in place. I also sometimes use a tiny drop of glue (Grrrip works well) on the end of a piece of hair and tuck it into position underneath other hair. I have never tried mousse on Tibetan Lamb, so if you wish to try it, I recommend using it on a scrap first. I once made a Beach Babe with a skin wig, and I pulled the hair to the top of the head and caught it in a small hair clip.

Q: I've made a hand soft-sculpted head out of nylon stocking. I truly like the way it looks but my problem is that I've tied a knot at the base where the neck would go. I want to make a body for her but can't figure out how to attach or insert a neck to this head nor attach it to a body without messing up what I've already sculpted. In my passion for wanting to make dolls, I've been making my own armatures (not perfect) but I can't figure out how I can make her neck. Maria

A: I can envision several solutions. First, create a body with a long neck. Make sure you armature the neck by inserting into the neck wire wrapped in batting, or use a wooden dowel, rod, PVC pipe, or just stuff the neck firmly. What you use depends on how heavy the head is, how large the doll body, and how long the neck. Now you have two options. First, you can place the knot to the back of the head, sew the head securely to the front of the neck, letting the neck extend up the back of the head at least 1". This is commonly a method used when the head is fairly flat or "pancake" shaped. The extended neck is then covered with hair, a hat, turban, etc. If your head is rounded like a baseball, untie the knot at the base and push excess nylon inside the head. Put the neck into the opening in the BACK of the head. Try to get at least 1" of the neck inside the head for stability. Sometimes it helps to "screw" the head onto the neck. Then ladder stitch the neck and head together where they join. With this method you definitely need something firm inside the neck so it doesn't collapse when you push it inside the head. If you place the neck toward the back of the head you will minimize breaking your sculpting stitches. However, if any break, just resculpt after attaching the neck.

NOTE: If anyone has other questions or suggestions, please email them to EnchantedR@aol.com and I will include them in a future newsletter.

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SUPPLIES

We're happy to report that the DOLSKIN is now back in stock.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/fabrics.html

At long last, we have found a new supplier for the BRAIDED MOHAIR. We have every color back in stock and 5 new colors to boot! http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#bmohair

You’ll now find the ever-so-useful CLOVER MINI IRON in our Supply Department along with a FREE Cooling Tote. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

We are very excited to add TEXTIVA FUSIBLE FILM to the site. This versatile material is the solid form of ANGELINA FIBER and the 4 x 120 inch strips come in all the same colors as the fibers. We have seven wonderful colors to start and will be adding more soon. Check out our FREE wing project by JEAN BERNARD http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/wings.html to see one of the many uses for this product.

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie went to Utah to help settle her Mom's estate, and brought back four boxes of books, including books her parents wrote and many of their journals. She wants to make copies of their histories for her children and brother and sisters for Christmas. It was really fun to type her mom's journal from 1935 when she was a senior in high school and dreaming about college and boys. She also wants to turn the Doll/Dude for All Seasons into her parents on their wedding day in 1942. She has done a lot of research into WWII uniforms. Her mom made an original military style wedding dress, which Bonnie brought back with her, along with her Dad's army uniform. Her biggest challenge is to create U.S. Army brass buttons in miniature. No one seems to sell anything that will work. Any suggestions?

Mary Ann has spent the past several weeks overhauling her “Necessary Room.” During her life as a Navy Wife she moved about every two years which was a great way to keep on top of it. Now that she has been in her townhouse nearly five years the room had become a repository for all manner of household clutter. A dropped pattern piece would quickly disappear into a sea of fabric and trims putting a great damper on the project at hand. The room had definitely reached a point where creative energy was being stifled rather than amplified. The only recourse was to drag out as much as possible, resort, reorganize and put back. Oh the thrill of finding long forgotten projects and getting rid of things that have outlived their usefulness! She even unearthed a treasure she had forgotten she had finished that she can’t wait to give to Jim for Christmas. As she gets closer and closer to completion her mind is overflowing with ideas for fabulous new creations she is so eager to get started. Stay tuned for a Progress Report next issue!

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WEBSITES

Here is a link to purchase Photoshop Elements for CHEAP!
http://www.clickcooldeals.com/show_category.php?category_id=9

Incredible shoes made from papier maché. Check out the other things on this website. http://www.nivescicinsain.com/eng/gallery/shoes.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, 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!

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Copyright © 2007 Dollmaker’s Journey