Gwendolyn Online Workshop at Joggles.com

 Altered Tin Wall Doll

There is a huge fascination with altered and found objects in the art world these days, and I must confess that I too have been smitten….So what do you get when you merge two passions – doll making & altered tins – you get Gwendolyn!

This is such a yummy doll! I had so much a fun making Gwendolyn and would love to share her with you! I used a lot of my favorite things: velvet, netting, leaf garland, velvet leaves, pearls, glitzy beads, bits of lace and other fun stuff from my stash (and that’s just on the outside). The tin is lined with pretty scrapbooking papers and then filled to the brim with bits of lace, silk flowers, velvet leaves, junk jewelry (nothing expensive but it looks pretty when you put it together), glass glitter, glass beads, pearls, rhinestone jewelry…….oh my!

Like I said, YUMMY! We will be using my “Jubilee-press mold” to create the face on this doll. I’ll show you how to use the press mold to create a head bead, and also how to tweak the face a bit to get different looks - It’s a really fun process. Press molds are a great way to make a quick face. Also, they are great for those who may not feel comfortable sculpting a face. We will also be using Apoxie Clay…the newest tool in my toolbox.

I usually try to list all the techniques you will learn…but there are too many to list. Sometimes the class is about the techniques you learn and sometimes it’s just about making a really fun doll!

Garden Pixie Online Workshop at Joggles.com

Wouldn’t you love to find this little pixie dancing around in your flower garden?  She is a 12” figure with a wire armature body and cloth over clay face.  She is dancing in the center of a rose which is resting on a pedestal.  Very sweet…very fun to make!

What you’ll learn:

•  Body armature for a fully articulated figure
• Wrapping a body with batting to create muscle (cloth over wire wrapping)
• Needle sculpting to define the body
• Posing a body to achieve whimsical effects
• Simple ways to mount a figure on found object(s)
• Cloth over paper clay face
• Soft delicate face painting techniques using acrylic paint
• A super easy technique for making tiny fingers
• Whimsical costuming & embellishing including petite garden slippers
• Fun techniques to age wood and other found objects

This is such a fun class.  The techniques taught give a lot of room for self-expression and each doll turns out so unique!

Offered at Joggles.com

New items on Etsy!

 

Well it took me awhile, but I have new items listed in my Etsy Store - meadowbug.etsy.com.  So take a peek when you get a chance.  I'm also opening a second store with my Sister-in-law Tracy Mahlstadt which includes vintage finds, handmade items, and eclectic funky junk - GreenEyedGirlz.etsy.com.

Cruising to Wonderland!

  

Come join Patti Medaris Culea, Cyndi Mahlstadt, and Adele Sciortino on an exciting 11-day, 10 night doll-making cruise.  We’ll sail to the southern Caribbean destinations of Labadee, Haiti; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Limon, Costa Rica; and Grand Cayman on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas.

February 25- March 7, 2011
Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise Itinerary:
Day 1    Depart Ft.
Lauderdale
Day 2    Cruising
Day 3    Labadee, Haiti
Day 4    Cruising
Day 5    Cartagena, Colombia
Day 6    Colon, Panama
Day 7    Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
Day 8    Cruising
Day 9    George Town, Grand Cayman
Day 10  Cruising
Day 11  Ft. Lauderdale

Package Includes:
11-night Royal Caribbean Cruise
Food & Entertainment
Workshops with both teachers
Doll Challenge
Show & Tell evening event
Extra afternoon activity with a special guest
Group photo
Mad Hatter Hat Night

The cost of the cruise starts at a little over $1500.00 per person, which includes the cruise fare, port charges, government taxes and fees, gratuities and workshops with both teachers.  For companions not interested in the workshops that fee is deducted.  They can attend any of the social functions if desired.

Our theme this year is Alice in Wonderland.  Cyndi and Patti are creating dolls based on their love of the new movie and the books.   And, as you saw in the listing above, we will have a Mad Hatter Hat contest, so put your thinking caps on for the type of wacky hat you’d like to wear.

Pre and Post night hotel stays, airline reservations, hotel/ship transfers, will also be arranged based on your specific requirements.  Other fun activities are available on Cloth Doll Cruises website. 

Our wonderful leader is again Barbara Roby.  She’s worked her magic and blocked the best cabins on the ship for our group. 

Space in classroom sessions is limited so CALL NOW and confirm your spot.

Contact Barbara Ann Roby barbara@brtravelservices.com

Saturday, March 28...I'll be at Piecemakers!

For those of you who live in my neck of the woods, stop by and see me, I'll be at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa for a Trunk Show on Saturday! My art will be on display, including a few pieces that are available for purchase, and I will be doing little demonstrations throughout the day using my new "Jubilee" face press mold and Apoxie Clay. I hope to see you! I'm sure it will be another fun filled day at Piecemakers!

Saturday, March 28
11am - 2pm

Piecemakers
1720 Adams Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 641-3112
www.piecemakers.com
classes@piecemakers.com

My Second Day in Sitka Alaska

What a fun day. This is my 2nd day in Sitka. It has been snowing all day. This is one of the little harbor in Sitka. The boats were so "salty" and full of character. It was really fun walking out on the docks looking at all the boats, and the view of the ocean was breathtaking.

Tam took me on a little tour of Sitka today. We also went to Totem Park and walked around a bit.

Here are two of five huge King Crabs that Chris, Tam's husband, brought home my first night here....I ate one of those crab legs with dinner. I have never tasted anything so yummy - talk about fresh. The crabs are such interesting creatures. I also ate Halibut Cheeks for dinner....I bet you didn't know fish have cheeks! They are pretty tasty!

A face only a mother could love!

It was the oddest thing, when the crabs were right side up, they were crawling all over the place and very active. This in itself gave me a very odd feeling just because of their size (it was totally Sci-Fi-ish. Then if you flip them over on their backs it was like magic, they were suddenly motionless. Like they had just finish with a rubdown at the Fondell Spa and Resort, and were waiting to finish up with a hot salted steam bath! Yum!

One of the highlights of my day was visiting a small bear sanctuary. There are two brown bears that live at the sanctuary right now. They were rescued when they were just little cubs after there mother had been killed. Now they are 2 years old and just as happy as can be living in this truly remarkable home that has been created for them. A man named Les has poured his heart and life into this Sanctuary for quite a few years. It was very apparent that this is his passion, and all his hard work has and perseverance has saved these two bears. They really do look like big fuzzy teddy bears and it just makes you dream about cuddling them. But, they are wild animals and their enormous size and apparent strength demand and deserve respected. They are truly magnificent animals!

Tomorrow will be the first day of doll classes. I met the ladies tonight at dinner, and they are a vibrant, fun lovin' group! This is going to be FUN!!!!