Thursday, March 6, 2008

New Skull Head Pin Cushion





I made one of these last year sometime but with a white lace bonnet. I wanted to make another but could not find any more skull heads. After cleaning my office closet /storage room this weekend I found 3 more in my Halloween party boxes... so off I went to make another and hopefully 2 more later on in the year.

For those who prefer odd and unique pin cushions rather than -YE OLD TOMATOE !


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Nina.

The Maid Did It !





"Malicious Maid "A New Torso Doll Ornament that I just listed today.


I have a weak spot for the "Who done it ?" murder mystery story, whether in books or films. So I created this maid doll to have a 1920's Dark Noir ,Murder Mystery feel to her.
The old "The maid is the one poisoning all the guest ...oh my (gasp)!!! "scenario.


I handpainted all of her, from face to body in acrylic paint and the the picture that is on her midsection is of a teacup, tea pot, sugar cubes, spoon and a bottle of poison . My artwork is rusty after may years of non practice, so I only dare to venture and paint on small surfaces, and fabric is very easy to work with as it is very forgiving with mistakes ;)

Nina.

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Saturday, March 1, 2008

..and a vision was born,





so I called her "Timeless Beauty ".


I could not sleep last night so at 2 am I got up, made myself a cup of TAZO Tea ,then I when to my office, sat down at my desk and began to work on a new doll. Sleepless nights are cause by the on going mad rush of thoughts and new ideas in my head created by my demon muse I call "Damien".

Oh he was was pushing hard on this one to get her completed,photographed and listed this morning. So within 3 hours she came to life which normally takes a day or so to do these type of dolls....I think this is the record.
Ahh... if only I could make all my creations as fast as I did this one, without knowledge of time or place, just free creativity with an insane drive of tunnel vision.
One day I shall capture Damien in a bottle and drink of his tidings and musings of dark inspirations when ever I feel the need. But he is a funny fellow who comes and goes as he pleases .Yes quit the humorous one though, waking me at 2 am !
Off to bed I go .
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Friday, February 29, 2008

Morphine Doll Ornament




Also just listed is a new Doll ornament I call "For What Ails You ". Based on the popularity of Morphine and it's many uses during the Victorian era as well as it's addictions and death inducing traits..a very fascinating subject for me of course. She comes complete with prescription paper, a bottle of morphine, needle, and spoon all handsculpted from polymer clay .
Althought my doll ornaments are made to hang I find that they add a nice touch to book ends and corners of shelves, as they can be made sit up. My favorite way to display them is on my book shelves.Such nice little touches among my old books :)


Do drop by and take a look.







Listed this morning are two new bottle ornaments, a "Witches Brew" Spell bottle for beauty and transformation spells, and an "Elixer of Death" to bring your loved one back in case of early departure or accidental death ( I could have used this one when I was learning to cook many, many years ago;)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

New Mourning Topsy Turvy Doll "Tear Drop Memories"

"Tear Drop Memories" Topsy Turvy Doll
One side is a mourning doll holding a family album or "book of the dead" with
post mortum photographs .

The other side is a mourning doll with a gold momento locket which has a photograph of the deceased and a lock of braided hair.


Just listed her this morning a new Topsy Turvy doll called "Tear Drop Memories ".
My inspiration for this being Victorian Mourning customs of post mortum photographs and momento hair lockets worn in remembrance of the deceased.
A one of a kind creation indeed, and another I am having a hard time parting with ;)
Drop by and take a looksie.
Nina.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Gothic Victorian Folk Art Doll Ornaments

One day I decided to try to make a new type of doll that's style was similar to the Victorian China doll . I love the sleek look they have of white faces and black hair, not to mention the beautiful Victorian clothing they are dressed in. I did not want to use a mold so that each one would be unique in facial features, so I made the head out of polymer clay. The hands and legs were done in the same way, I spent many hours trying to get the shape right based on pictures I saw in my doll books. When it came time for the body to be made and stuffed, the torso came out well, but the arms and legs were something to be desired... uneven and lumpy . I do not allow myself to use patterns and most of my doll bodies are done with freehand cutting and measurements meaning I just look at the fabric and start to cut "eyeballing it"if you will. This gives it a more of a custom make to the doll I feel and you not using a pattern someone else made. Well, needless to say the fist one of these I did I was not very happy with. The legs are a big problem for me (looks like she had gout ;) so as I mentioned in blog before if a project goes wrong I turn it into an ornament. I am very glad I did as this had such a wonderful turn out. So what you see is a mini doll ornament done in some what of a Victorian China doll style of my own sculpted head design . I hand stitch the clothes and give them strange little accessories and features made of polymer clay as well to go along with the theme of the doll .
I suppose eventually I will start to make these as "real dolls "and on a larger scale with more detail and better sewing craftsmanship to where if one buys it and happens to undress the doll they won't think it was part Frankenstein doll ...although that would be a good idea for a doll too ;)
I am my worst critic I guess, but I will keep trying until I get it right .
"The Undertaker's Wife- with small coffin and certificate of death
" Tea Time"-with a clock, poison design tea cup and paper will
" Lady Opium" with poppy pod pot and unusual death /snake opium pipe
" Time Keeper" with small skull with wings clock
" The Spell Caster " with a small book of spells and her pet black crow perched on a skull .