I'm Late, I'm late!

I know, I know. I'm late with a post. I was really trying keep up with my posts. My finger is much better but still aches late in the day/early evening. My kitchen sink had a leak, again. The faucet was finally replaced. Yay! I'm still hoping October will be good to me. It's only four days in but two of those days haven't been the greatest. I could use a break from all of these life tests.

I have been slugging it through though. As much as I would like to crawl under a blanket and sleep, I push myself to do something. Even with that, a blanket would be too hot because we're still warm and muggy here. So I take a deep breath and suck it up. I'm not giving up. I will be doing NANOWRIMO again this year. That's National Write A Novel in a Month. I'm prepping for that, along with two different doll related swaps online. It's my way of getting some pretty decent doll art without paying. They get a piece of my art too.

I've had to go back to the familiar, cloth dolls, because having been in the shop, times are still tight for a lot of people. I have to continue to make some inexpensive pieces to sell in order to be able to make the nicer pieces I want to make. People will spend up to about 30 bucks for something that isn't necessary. And that's here in my neck-of-the-woods and my experience. It's all good, as long as it helps to pay the bills. But starting next week, I will be doing my art pieces.

Here's my list for the month. It's long but it's my guide.

• blog at least twice a week
• put more cloth dolls on Etsy
• restock dolls in shops
• work on my kid story edit
• sketch every other day, preferably new dolls
• finish one commission
• start items for Krankie's Holiday Craft Show
• sew my pirate vest
• finish my short stay
• finish my last Hop To It quilt block
• prepare for NANO
• create website

I will copy and repost this at the end of the month to see what I got done. Yes, I'm a bit touched but that's okay. I like me.

Krankie's Summer Craft Fair

Okay then. I was at the Krankie's Summer Craft Fair yesterday and it was a success. I worked hard and made enough money to pay bills and get some groceries. It's a great start. There was a very good and steady crowd. They were buying. Not lots but they were buying. I will believe that this is a good sign. I'm not going to listen to the goofy people in Washington, or those who do poles because they don't really ask the real people real questions, or any doomsday depressing people. I am excited about the holiday show and will start working towards that. This is just the beginning for me.

I have new ideas for figures. I'm no longer calling them dolls. People have an unusual idea when you say doll. And when you really look at my work, they aren't play things. I will start working on pieces that will be able to go in finer galleries and start working on getting into juried shows. Continue expanding my online presence and get more items on my Etsy shop.

This is a fantastic journey I'm on. I keep getting reminded that I am human and not perfect. But I'm also getting stronger in knowing who I am as a creative individual. I have to create. It is like breathing and this is how I will make a living. One step at a time. One figure at a time. One day at a time. There will be lots of planning and doing this week. Lots swirling around in my head.

Stay tuned!

Jeepers! I forgot the Doll!

Just getting a wee bit excited about my upcoming day and forgot the picture of my latest doll. She's the second in my limited edition of Moli Dolls. Her name is Tamarlyn and she's a goth hippie with an attitude. She's also on my Etsy shop. I'm getting more work on there. Slowly but surely.

I just love her belly button bead. And her mole. Don't mess with her.  Okay, I'm going now. My stomach is growling.

Wonderful Wednesday and a Doll

Hello! It's a glorious Wednesday and it's raining. Yay! Still gotta work on the humidity but it's a lot more comfortable in my apartment and studio. I may be able to be in my studio a lot longer today. That is so fantastic. I'm doing better at enjoying each moment of my day. I'm also getting better at enjoying what I do each day instead of what I didn't get to on the list that can go around the world. I now giggle when I think about what I've accomplished for the day. It's pretty awesome. That feeling of being in the moment.

Okay, today is going to be busy because tomorrow I'm going to a museum and movie with the gal pals. This will be one of the long days I'd been talking about. Remember? Have one or two knockout, creatively killer days during the week. Or at least one. I think this will be it.

• I've got to work on an applique block. Getting behind again. 
• Work on another Moli Doll, they seem to be happening right now after being unfinished for over a year.
• Post a blog, which I'm doing.
• Work on my short stay. I can't make the real thing until the mock up is done. Can't make a Jane Austen gown until I have a short stay.
• Continue on my latest collection of voodoo doll pins. Ran out of buttons and was going to go to the store today but patterns are on sale next week at JoAnn's, so I guess I'll wait. I will work on their skirts and red hearts today.
• Get my 500 words in.
• Play with some clay.

Yeah, sure. I'll check back in with you on that list. Ha, ha, ha! But I'm feeling quite happy and I'm ready to get going. Right after breakfast. Have a wonderful day all!!!!

Moli Doll - Peach

I started a group of dolls a million years ago when I was going through a stripe phase. I finally got one done and her name is Peach. The doll is an enlarged version of my voodoo doll pins. She had always wanted a hat and shawl and no matter how much I tried to put at least a vest on her, she protested. As you can see, she won and has a hand knit hat and shawl with a leftover Halloween candy button. I think she's cute. I know, still with the cute stuff.

She will be on my Etsy shop today. Have a wonderful day!

Works in Progress

I was off to a good start this year, as far as my dolls were concerned. Then I got sick and was down most of last week. I'm feeling better now and getting back on track. Here are some small Prim Dollies that are in the works. The two white ones will be goth prim dollies. I can't wait to dress them. You know, it's hard finding the right size black lace and trim for dolls. Web surfing, here I come.

Most of these will go into local shops and on my Etsy shop.

Items On Etsy

I now have some items listed on Etsy. Still working on the link thing but if you click on the Etsy circle, you'll go directly to my shop. I'm trying to figure out how to get a pic of my own work on that little thing. Bear with me. Thanks!

What's Next?

No pics this time round. I really need to get some fall pics this year. I can't remember if I had any last year. The leaves are changing quite nicely and I love to hear them being blown down the sidewalks. We finally have our regular temps for this time of year.

So what's next with me and my work? I really need to get more items back on my Etsy shop. Need a PayPal adjustment and then I should be back in business. I have dolls stacked up that need to be finished and I'd like to do that within the next two weeks. More needle felting with some bears in winter wear. That should be fun. Lots of ornaments for the Krankies Holiday Craft Fair. Catch up on my Hop To It quilt blocks and get ready to do NaNoWrimo again next month. Also, restock shops for the holidays too. That's just my three month plan. I also have a six month plan. But I'll work on getting things done for the rest of this month. By the end of the week I should have something to show.

See ya!

Marley Batsheva and her Amazing Bat Circus

I finally got the last piece done for my show. It's Marley Batsheva, named by two friends, and her bat circus. I had fun making the bats. They are needle felted over a wire armature, with felt wings and beads for eyes. Marley loves her bats. Here's her story:

Coming from a family of performers, artists, and writers, Marley decided to continue the tradition. She has created her own bat circus. She's not too fond of fleas. Bats are more petable.

Forgot to take the pin out of this bat. Oops! He's been skewered. They still need some practice, don't you think?

And look what I found at the craft store. I was looking for something else when I spotted these two beauties. The last two. I'm on the hunt for more but I believe I've missed the boat. Get it? Dracula was on a boat.... Anyhoo, I can't wait to paint and decorate them and see what dollie goes inside. My voodoo doll pins are too big. Drats! It doesn't matter. I'm creative.

I'm supposed to be taking it easy this week. A self imposed break of sorts before I get back into the creative swing of things. I will probably continue to rearrange things and get projects in order on my craft bookcase. See which dolls in progress I want to finish and get everything together to get started on new ones. Now, I've got the holidays to think about. I'm also thinking about a different background for my blog. Not satisfied with this one.

I have a lot on my creative plate for the rest on this month and year. I'm so excited, I can't wait to clue you in on some things. I will be doing more needle felted pieces and throw myself into some polymer clay. I can get back to my applique and finish off a quilt or two. My Etsy shop needs a lot of work, so that's on the list too. 

Have a great day!

Vonna and Vlad

Meet Vonna and Vlad. They are voodoo pin dolls and about 6" tall. They are the first of my voodoo designs and they each have a pin and a voodoo scroll. I'm still working on the incantation. Their friends will be available through Etsy by the end of the week.

You can barely see her button eye. Of all the gazillion buttons I have at my disposal, you'd think I'd have a tiny dark one. Oh no! Shopping trip! I think I'll get black and red. Gotta have bloodshot eyes. They both have hearts of dyed wool.

Yeah, that is a rope around their necks. It's been a rough month, okay. Vlad's pants are being held up by another rope. While I was adding the final touches on him, he happened to get into some blue paint, so I added more in several other spots on his body to make it look like I did it on purpose.

More legs. Aren't they cute? I could go in so many different directions with these things.

Winter Wandi- Snow

Finally, another dollie done.  She had been done for a week now, I just needed to attach her hand crocheted hat and shawl.  You can barely see but there is a beaded snowflake on her hat and one closes her shawl.

I'm a work in progress and working on getting better at photographing my pieces, so bare with me.  Her arms and legs are a light blue color.  I had a time working with the eyelash yarn.  It works better when the piece is knitted.  But she is done and I like her.  I will be posting her on Etsy.

I'm on Etsy!

I finally did it and it was a challenge.  I'm finally on Etsy.  You can click on the Etsy link on my blog and go directly to my shop.  Now I'm still trying to figure it all out and it is a work in progress, so bear with me.  Right now my head hurts.  But I did it.  After much anguish and gnashing of teeth, and gnawing down finger nails.  I have Cassa and Lexa posted.  Next will be Goth Girl Wynn.

I did it.