May 2009

Blueprints
Imitation of Life Construction Company

May, 2009


The purpose of the IOLCC is to share the joy of doll making and collecting and to bring this enjoyment to the community through exhibits, workshops & programs.
Ed. Note: This will be the only edition of BLUEPRINTS this month, so don’t lose it!

We had an excellent turn-out for Jenny Doh's presentation on the publishing world last month, and the best "Show and Tell" in ages. It was a great meeting. And for the Sunday meeting, Barb Keeling had us rolling in laughter with her Bra Doll presentation. She is so clever. Get in on this challenge. It is for a very good causeand will prove to be lots of fun. And will be an opportunity for you to have your doll published, as Barb has been asked by "Soft Dolls and Animals" magazine to write an article, with photos, onthe challenge.
Now for something different. Again, this month we have different speakers for the Sunday and the Tuesday meetings. Everyone is welcome at either or both programs. Neither speaker is a cloth doll maker, but both are highly innovative, very accomplished artists whose techniques will augment our doll art. Sunday afternoon's program features Sharon Cariola with her miniature polymer dolls. They are exquisite and very detailed figures. The Tuesday evening's program features Maraya Hunter, with her "Forest Faces" made of wonderful found natural materials. Both will be very interesting programs."

From Sharon Cariola: There is a whole "other world" out there. An alternate reality. It captures a moment in time and place and seeks to draw you inside where you can forget your everyday cares and worries. Is it The Twilight Zone?
No, the world I am talking about is the world of miniatures. This craft has recently evolved far and away from the standard doll house you may remember. Artisans are now building castles (with dungeons, of course) Italian restaurants and shops, gas stations and even trailer parks! All in a scale where one small inch equals an entire foot in the world of reality. Some like their creations to be perfect and sterile. Others want to add that last detail – a spark of life. That’s where I come in.
I began making miniature dolls about four years ago and have made over 300 to date! A miniature doll is usually between five to six inches tall and is the same scale as most doll houses. I exhibit and sell these character dolls at shows and also on the Internet. This hobby has now become a career, which I love. There is no lack of inspiration because I see interesting faces and body-types everyday. I have also created some larger dolls using these same techniques.
I will be bringing my tools and materials, and will explain my methods and some tricks I have learned along the way. This will be a basic overview, with samples in various stages of completion for you to examine.
You can see samples of my work at: http://stores.ebay.com/Doll-Mine-Miniatures. I hope to see you at this presentation. From sculpting and assembly, to costuming and pose, I will do my best to answer any questions you may have.

Note from Kelly: I attended the Sunday meeting with Sharon and she was a huge success! We were all enthralled with her creations and couldn't get enough! She was so generous with sharing her techniques and sources with us....we are hoping this is not the last we hear from her...hint, hint...
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Maraya Hunter is a local artist, a kinetic, visual sculptor, who works with natural fibers, textiles, wood, found objects and treasures of all kinds. She will share with us her “Forest Faces” series, allowing us to see the whole process in step by step stages.

Maraya writes:
“I grew up in trees. I swung on their branches, and climbed high into their canopy to see out over the land. I have been amazed at their variety, taken in by their beauty, from their tall stature down to the bark and grain of their substance. Faces, I find, are quite intriguing. Having many and varied planes, contours, forms and expressions, they are complex, -- revealing infinite possibilities, and yet uncanny similarities. Thus these “Forest Faces” emerge, -- the convergence of muse and materials, heart and hands.”

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Don't forget our club challenge for the June meetings, with the theme of American History.
Sun. June 21st Pot Luck and Challenge cancelled
Tues. June 23rd Pot Luck and Challenge -
Sun. July 19th Doug Keeling – variously painting stamped faces
Tues. July 28th Doug Keeling – variously painting stamped faces
Sun. August 16th Patti Culea – faces painted with Paint Sticks
Tues. August 25th - Patti Culea – faces painted with Paint Sticks

The pin dolls are on their way to Canada. We got a wonderful group of little dolls from our members. As soon as theirs arrive here, I'll bring them to the next meeting.

The entry forms for "Dimensions in Dollmaking" have been mailed. Thanks to Tatiana Ellison, Kelly Riley and Sheila Godfrey for helping with the addressing and filling of 302 envelopes. Again, we hope IOLCC members will support this year's exhibit, as they have in the past. Entry fees remain the same. In addition to the theme, "Make Me Laugh".

BRA DOLLS:

A special exhibit of the bra dolls will be gathered together to support the cause of cancer research. Enter either category, or both.

The following magazines are soliciting photos of your dolls for publication:"Doll Crafter and Costuming" seeks for the September issue: "Autumn Wonders" Due by May 15thOctober issue: “Perfect Pairings" dolls and their companions, due by June 15th
November issue: "Bling, Bling"-dolls & their jewelry, due July 15thDecember issue: "Happy Holidays", deadline Aug. 15thSend to "Doll Crafter and Costuming" Gallery, PO Box 5000, Iola, WI 54945-5000 or email 300 dpi digital photo to editor@dolccmag.com with your name and Gallery in the subject line"Soft Dolls and Animals" seeks for the Fall issue: "Halloween Houligans" deadline July 6thWinter issue: "Winter Wonders" deadline Sept. 2nd. Send to "Soft Dolls and Animals" 2145 W. Sherman Blvd. Muskegon, MI 49441-3434, or email 300 dpi digital photo to kkoch@scottpublictions.com."Contemporary Doll Collector" seeks for the Fall issue: "Lady in Red" deadline July 1st.Send to "Contemporary Doll Collector" 2145 W. Sherman, Muskegon, MI 49441-3434 or 300 dpi digital photo to lsass@scottpublications.com

To keep up with events in the cloth doll world, don't forget to keep checking with http://www.clothdollconnection.com/