Dollmaker’s Journey CUSTOMER CONNECTION
Dream ~ Imagine ~ Create ~ Grow ~ Believe ~ Magic
At http://dollmakersjourney.com we help your creative dreams come true.

October 2009 Issue 95

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Copyright 2009 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.htmll
The archives include an easy to follow index to all the past issues.

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Dear Dollmaking Friends,

Fall has arrived here on the east coast of the United States. My granddaughters are busy collecting autumn leaves to coat with Paverpol. Just paint a thin layer on both sides, let dry, and the leaves will retain their beautiful colors and remain flexible. These are great to create a fairy costume or hat.

One of our designers, Kat Lees, responded to a doll club challenge by cutting a plastic pumpkin in half, attaching toothpicks to the top and bottom, and adding an owl inside to create a bird cage carried by her fall doll. See her at http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_64MIN4ZDJLQ/Sswb36-s0wI/AAAAAAAAHUI/CAC6PV23gB8/s1600-h/FALL+Q+COLLAGE+NEW.jpg
You can see more of Kat's creations at http://dollmakersjourney.com/lees.html

Of course, now is also the time to collect acorn caps for hats, gourds for painting or creating dolls, teasels for hedgehog headed teasel people, etc. Mary Ann scooped some up leaves from Jim’s backyard and arranged them on the dining room table when his family came for dinner. Take a walk outside and collect some of nature's bounty for future creations.

Bonnie and Mary Ann

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OCTOBER SALE

For our OCTOBER SALE we're taking 20% off one of our largest categories - ANIMALS. Don't be deceived - you'll find a very diverse array of patterns - anything that includes an animal. Make sure you
treat yourself to something wonderful. http://dollmakersjourney.com/

Remember, visit our website at http://dollmakersjourney.com at the beginning of each month to see what our new sale will be. That way you won't have to wait for a newsletter.

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SEPTEMBER QUIZ WINNER

Q: What seven letter word or less contains all five vowels exactly once? It can be an item, the name of a product, place, etc.

A: The shortest word containing all five vowels exactly once is the six-letter EUNOIA, meaning alertness of mind and will (and also the title of a book by Canadian poet Christian Bok). However, it is not included in any major English dictionary. There are several seven-letter words containing all the vowels, including SEQUOIA, EULOGIA, MIAOUED, ADOULIE, EUCOSIA, EUNOMIA, EUTOPIA, MOINEAU, and DOULEIA. The relatively common French word OISEAU (meaning bird) contains all five vowels, once each. The shortest word with the five vowels occurring in alphabetical order is AERIOUS (airy), which has seven letters. The longest such word is PHRAGELLIORHYNCHUS (a protozoan) with 18 letters. There are two seven-letter words in Portuguese that contain the five vowels in alphabetical order: ACEITOU and ALEIJOU. SUOIDEA (the taxonomic group to which pigs belong) is the shortest word with the five vowels in reverse alphabetical order. The longest such word is PUNCTOSCHMIDTELLA (a crustacean). Just what you always wanted to know! See how much you can learn when you visit Dollmaker's Journey?

Congratulations to Carolyn Jones from Virginia. 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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OCTOBER QUESTION

Q: Who wrote the world's first novel and what was it about?

Everyone who emails in the correct answers by November 15th 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 October Quiz in subject box. Please include your full name and where you live (state/country) in your email. NOTE: Several times in the past a winner was
drawn with no name or state/country included. When that happens we have to draw again. So please, make sure you include this information with your answer.

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GRRRIP GLUE TIP

When storing Grrrip glue in the applicator bottle with the teeny tiny nozzle, it is easy to clog the tip and have to clean it out with a long needle or pin. Judi Ward suggested using a T pin in the tip. Do not push the pin all the way down. Just set it in the tip to close it. Before using, run the T pin up and down the nozzle to make sure it is clear. Stainless steel T pins won't rust and discolor the glue.

Sue Cordes has an even better idea. After using the applicator bottle, simply blow hard into the tip until you feel/hear a pressure pop in the bottle and the tip is cleared. No more clogs. Judi Ward tried it, and says: "It works, and only tastes a little icky."

For those of you who have lost the cap on your large Grrrip glue bottle OR your applicator bottle, we now carry "little red caps". These small, natural latex rubber "socks" are excellent for replacing lost caps of glue or crystal lacquer bottles, sealing partly used tubes of caulking, etc. Made from thick rubber, they seal well on nozzle diameters from about 1/4" to 3/4". Since only a part of the nozzle has to fall within this diameter range, it covers just about everything from toothpaste-type tubes up to quart glue-bottle tips. They can also be used for capping the air inlet on air tools or air brushes. See them at http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

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CHARITY CORNER

For those of you who like to knit or crochet for charity, here is a website with lots of free patterns for newborn babies, preemies, and dolls. (It also includes directions for preemie burial wraps for those who need them.) Enjoy! http://www.miracleshappen.us/patterns/

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CUSTOMER QUERIES

Q: What glue(s) would you recommend for attaching buttons to metal?
A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a woman who sells buttons at the Eastern Market (on Capitol Hill) and she told me that the glue she used to use to secure buttons to "metal" was no longer available. Regrettably I did not write down the name of the glue that is not longer available at the place where used to purchase it. I told her that I would ask Bonnie, the "Diva of Everything You Need to Know" for glue recommendations. So what would you suggest?

A: When in doubt about glue, I go to http://thistothat.com
Enter what you want to glue in the first box, what you want to glue it to in the second, and it will recommend several glues.
For example, plastic buttons to metal = LePage's Metal Epoxy, J-B Weld, and Faststeel Epoxy Putty
It also gives suggestions on how to prepare the surfaces before gluing.
Of course, my first choice would be Grrrip glue, which adheres most plastics and glass to metal just fine.
This is available from http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

Q: I am looking for small knit gloves (approx. 3 1/4") to use for snowman dolls. Can you help?

A: You'll find just what you are looking for at CR's Crafts:
http://www.crscraft.com/products/vProduct1.asp?pid=Minimits&L1=1&L2=10&L3=1&
L4=0&V2=0&V3=0&V4=0&cat=doll+supplies&sub=Accessories&class=

If that long link doesn't work for you, follow this path - Dolls > Accessories > Clothing Accessories
when you get to http://www.Crscrafts.com

Q: Do you have any idea where I might find a Pleater Board for pleating my French repo doll clothes? I have search the web but have only found one on Ebay that had already sold (EZE Pleater).
I am new to repo dolls and not ready to invest in a smocking/pleating machine. This seemed like a better way to create my pleats.

A: It looks like Clotilde may have what you are looking for -
http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?criteria=ez+pleater&x=7&y=6
If the big link doesn't work for you, just put PLEATER in their search engine.

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HAIR TIP from Estelle Katz

I was working on a rather small felt doll that was supposed to be Cinderella, and had no fixed ideas for her hair. While rummaging through my ever growing trim basket I came upon a piece of white soutache trim. I know it unravels as I have done this before. It did and became a wonderful cloudlike wig. She is not called Cinderella, but cloud and it was wonderful. You never know what will happen when you unravel the round or flat braid. It comes in many wonderful colors. I have a fairy with turquoise hair. Inexpensive too.

Editor's Note: The cord used to bind the trim that you remove when braid is unraveled is perfect for doll shoelaces.

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CHALLENGES/COMPETITIONS

See the new Hoffman Challenge fabric for 2010 here:
http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?catid=277

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DRYER SHEET FABRIC FUN

I sometimes put one used Bounce dryer fabric softener sheet inside a small stuffed doll (it makes them smell nice.) Also, if you have purchased a doll that smells musty or smoky, place an unused sheet in a plastic bag, add dolls, tie bag shut, and it will help remove unpleasant odors. Just keep in mind that some people are allergic to perfumes. Fabreeze also works to remove unwanted odors. Paint used dryer sheets with water colors, glue on a wire armature, trim away excess, and they become translucent fairy wings.

However, did you know mailmen put an unused sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow jackets and wasps away? Use this tip anytime you are outdoors, and the insects will just veer around you.

Here are some other zany uses for Bounce. (NOTE: I haven't personally tried these, but some of these ideas sound fun.)

*It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
*Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
*It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
*It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
*Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
*Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
*Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
*To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
*Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner bag or canister.
*Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
*Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
*To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
*Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
(NOTE: This hint is my favorite. For a pan with burned-on food that seems impossible to clean, I take a sheet of Bounce, put in a little water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit overnight. The burned-on food just wipes away. It sure saves buying new pots and pans when you ruin the ones you have.)
*Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
*Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs. *Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
*Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
* Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
*Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
*Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
*Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
*Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

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UPCOMING EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

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

Judi Ward writes: The simple, cute Wide Eyed Wendy pattern is up at my website now. It is a quicky pattern, directions on the pattern pages. http://www.judisdolls.com

Beth has created a blog to share some of her crochet doll patterns and their clothing. This is one of the cutest crocheted dolls I have ever seen. The patterns are available for free here:
http://www.byhookbyhand.blogspot.com
Links to the patterns, and to various dollmaking tutorials, are listed on the left hand side of the page. The doll pattern available is an eleven inch doll that bears a resemblance to Blythe, if you are familiar with this doll. There is also a flickr photo group to share pictures of dolls made from this pattern, which is here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/freespiritamidolls/

Antonette Cely, a NIADA artist, has wonderful free patterns and amazing tutorials available. However, they are no longer at her previous website. Go to http://nonidolls.com to print out a free charity pattern called Dolly Hugs or Bear Hugs. Click on workbook to print out wonderful tutorials for wefting hair, making eyes, making better hands, shoemaking, stuffing, printing on fabric, jewelry making for dolls, and accessories for a peddler doll. I don't know how long these items will be available, so if you want them, print them out now. We carry her "Cloth Dollmaking: Theory and Practice" workbook at http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

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

It seems like we are already speeding headlong toward Halloween – a favorite time for so many doll makers. CHRISTINE SHIVELY'S "Things That Go Bump in the Night" is deceptively easy to make and yet has great impact. http://dollmakersjourney.com/shively.html

"Punkin' Pie & Ice Cream" and "Scarecrow for Hire" are the two newest holiday themed patterns from the very imaginative MAUREEN MILLS that are very likely to tickle your fancy. - http://dollmakersjourney.com/mills.html

DEANNA HOGAN delights us again with her lovely new doll "Under the Harvest Moon." You'll find many wonderful construction techniques and as always, DEANNA'S instructions are impeccable. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hogan.html

We've got not 1, not 2 but FIVE grand new patterns from the prolific GINI SIMPSON of Cat and the Fiddle Designs. She continues her monthly series with "October's Full Moon" and "November's Lil' Kornkob," adds a sweet male rag doll to her collection called "Flying High", gives us a doll with lots of expression called "What Bird?!!!" and treats us to some darling raggedy Potpourri Holders in three sizes. Why not treat yourself to any one of her lovely patterns. http://dollmakersjourney.com/simpson.html

VICKI RILEY has another winner with "Flopper" which is an adorable cross between a rabbit and a baby. Click here and see what we mean. http://dollmakersjourney.com/riley.html

We're adding in two more painted raggedies with an ethnic flavor from KRISTA HARRIS that we think you'll enjoy - "Ella" and "Emily Early." http://dollmakersjourney.com/harris.html

CYNTHIA SIEVING has a very unique new pattern called "Stackables" that will have you diving into your stashes to make these three delightful projects. Click here to see what we mean -
http://dollmakersjourney.com/sieving.html

The holidays are creeping up on us slowly but surely and we have some terrific patterns that would be perfect for both gift giving and home décor projects. From MAUREEN MILLS we have a fantastic multi-
character pattern called “Christmas Wishes” that will give you tons of options and her very charming “Santy Cane.” http://dollmakersjourney.com/mills.html

If you are a snow person lover, than KAREN NEIFORTH’S charming “Frostina” is sure to delight you. http://dollmakersjourney.com/nieforth.html

The queen of painted muslin SUSAN BARMORE just keeps getting better and better. This week we have her delightful “Fairy and Snail” and next week we will have three more fantastic new projects.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/barmore.html

Have you ever made a button doll? Boy, do we have a treat for you! "Angels in Abundance" is a book on CD by MARIA RIPPINGALE AND LINDA WILSON that has 15 truly unique button doll angel projects that are sure to make you smile as you gather up your buttons and scraps and start creating these charming projects. http://dollmakersjourney.com/books.html

The amazing KAT LEES has more painting techniques to teach us with her "Master Angus and Miss Agnes" - two cats with personality galore.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/lees.html

Speaking of cats, GEORGIA MANNING LEWIS of Buckets Gone Wild has a wonderful new carry-all built over a cat litter bucket called "Sassy Kat Bucket" that you're going to love. http://dollmakersjourney.com/friends.html

Have you heard about CYNTHIA SIEVING'S Little Patterns? She had released a wonderful collection of dynamic pindolls at a little price that can easily be enlarged to make fantastic wall dolls. You won't
be able to stop at one!
http://dollmakersjourney.com/sieving.html

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SUPPLIES

Did you ever experience the aggravation of losing the cap to your glue bottle or other container? We have the perfect solution for you. It's called the "Little Red Cap" and having a few on hand is guaranteed to eliminate lost cap frustration! Click here to see what it can do for you - http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

We have another yummy new color of the Ricky Wacky Yarn called "Sunflower." http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#yarnrw The Peacock Green and Aurora Borealis Textiva Film and the Sugar Plum Angelina Fiber are all back in stock.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#yarnrw

We have found a fantastic hair fiber called KIDASSIA GOAT that is 6-8" long and straight! We have it in two lustrous colors - Black and Chocolate and we are excited to see how you like it.
http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

Over in the HAIR DEPARTMENT the Light Brown Tibetan Lamb and the Silver/Gray Craft Fur are back in stock and we have a beautiful new shade of the Ricky Wacky yarn called "Coffee.".
http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html#yarnrw

We are happy to report that we have four of the Braided Mohair and Braided Wool colors back in stock, plus two new colors of Braided Wool Light Blonde and Black. We are working so hard to get re-stocked but the fibers are getting very scarce and just aren’t available. We’ll keep trying. http://dollmakersjourney.com/hair.html

You'll also find "Steam A Seam 2" - the great double-stick fusing material and the Flower Shape Yo-Yo Maker readily available in the Supply Department. http://dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html

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DESIGNER DOINGS

Barb and Doug Keeling were recently interviewed by a local newspaper about their bra dolls. Read the article here:
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_f41e32dc-5dd8-5786-a4e4-73f72281085d.html
See some of their fun patterns and stamps here:
http://dollmakersjourney.com/keeling.html

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NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT

Bonnie is fortunate to have her son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters living with her while they search for a new home. It is fun to have children in the house once again. Meanwhile another daughter called with a request for several of her children to come over and do a special secret Santa workshop again this year. She did this last year and everyone loved it. (Read more about it in our November 2008 newsletter at http://dollmakersjourney.com/newsletter/cc84.html) Now she just has to come up with new ideas for this year. And somehow she has to create a Tinker Bell outfit for Halloween, along with some Japanese anime character costumes. And dye lots of ethnic fabric for Dollmaker's Journey. I think it will be a busy week.

Earlier this month Mary Ann was delighted to be invited to speak to the Sugarland Searchers Doll Club in Gaithersburg, MD about her personal dollmaking and business journey. Jim came along for the ride and loved meeting the members and seeing their dolls as much as Mak did. The club members made them both feel so welcome. Mary Ann was thrilled to have Judi Ward in attendance as she had a significant role to play in the beginning of our business. Weekends have been taken up with football games, trips to NJ and Buffalo, NY and visits from out-of-town children. Mary Ann is counting the days to Thanksgiving when her son Mike and his wife Kyah will be coming from California to celebrate the holiday. Whenever she gets the chance, she disappears into the studio to start on Christmas presents. One present she wasn’t able to finish last year was her version of SHELLY HAWKEY’S “Dillon” for her very Irish James Patrick Lyng. She finally got it done and you can see that they are quite a team! See the 2 Irish Guys at http://dollmakersjourney.com/showcase.html

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WEBSITES:

This is probably the most useful website we have ever seen. How long can that bottle of ketchup stay in your fridge before it goes bad? If you want an expert opinion, go to http://www.stilltasty.com/ This site lists all kinds of foods and how to keep them fresh longer as well as when to get rid of them. If you have a question, click on the particular picture and a lot of information appears. WE LOVE IT!

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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!