Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Halloween, Chloe!





I have given my BJD, Chloe, a face up! It's not perfect, but I think she looks sweet. The biggest challenge was the eyelashes, but making the mouth look defined without looking like lipstick was a challenge too.



Chloe shows off the Kitty on the Halloween dress I made her.







So many of my dolls are posed holding a Teddy Bear. (No surprise there!) Chloe has fallen for this one made by Terri Effan.









Friday, October 10, 2008

My BJD is Here!

Meet Chloe. Isn't she sweet?


I had to start with that photograph because it is my favorite, but I suppose I should back up a bit. I have been reading the BJD forums and I noticed it is customary to document the arrival of a new BJD with a "box opening" photo shoot. Since this is my first ball-jointed doll, I decided to participate in this custom so here goes:

The box arrives.



(I've also noticed on the forums that it is also customary for the family pet to inspect the box and make sure all paperwork is in order. Missy seemed to instinctively know this was her job, and she went right to work as soon as I put the box down.)









Hello


Is all this stuff for me?




Cinder had to get into the photos too. (How come I can't get a good shot of just him when I want to?)




I like my dress.



Could you make my ears smaller, please? I think they are too big for me.



That's all for now. I'll take more pictures when I get her face done (which may be a little while)
For those waiting to see bears on this blog, you will soon!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Ball-Jointed Doll Artists Retreat!

I'm back from my retreat and it was great! It was a great learning experience, it was fun, and even exhausting. We sculpted a head, created the molds for it, and cast it in just three days. We also had a wonderful airbrush painting demonstration. I was very busy but I did manage to snap a few pictures. So here they are!

This is what I came home with--my original sculpt and the casted head. We used ball barings for eyes so the original looks quite creepy. I had wanted to sculpt a girl, but my head decided to be a boy! We only had four hours or so to sculpt the head, so I thought it came out pretty good considering.



Making the clay bed for the molding process...



Making the mold box...



Our classroom. (The lovely and talented Lori Metcalf, seated in front, was my roommate for the weekend! Thanks for everything, Lori!)



Our wonderful sculpting instructor, NIADA artist, Pat Lilich talks with Lori.



This is Donn Kinney of Bishonen House, our mold making instructor.



Here are two of Donn's amazing dolls...



And some alternate face plates for them.



I met so many wonderful (and talented) people, I really wish I were better at remembering names.

On the left is Yia Putman. She sat right in front of me and was a delight to talk to.



Lori and I pose with Yia's doll.



Sarah, AKA Batchix, with her incredible Machina dolls.



One person's trash is another person's treasure! The mohair scraps I brought were a hit with the dollmakers.



One tiny doll gets a new look from an unused mohair Teddy ear!



And look who I found at the BJD Artists' Retreat! Famous fellow Teddy Bear Artist, Art Rogers of Chatham Village Bears!



Saturday evening there was a Steampunk Ball and I took some pictures there too, but I'll have to post them later. I want to spend some time in my studio today...the bears are calling!