soldier, sailor and commissions

This is the secret project that I was working on a month ago. Secret because it is a gift for someone.

It was a commission. You may or may not know that I have a policy of not taking commissions. I feel like I’ve talked about it regularly, but when I searched the blog, this was the only post I could find. It isn’t recent but still pretty accurate. These days my excuse for not doing commission work is that I am not getting paid enough to not being doing just exactly what I feel like. But, sometimes someone asks me if I’d be willing to do something that I do feel like doing. Something that tickles my imagination. When I got an email from someone asking me if I would interpret a Staffordshire figurine that a friend owns, my first thought was no… until I scrolled down and saw the photo.

How could I say no? I had fallen in love at first sight!

I used my tattooed man pattern but had to do quite a bit of problem solving to make the coats and hats. It was lots of fun and I love how they turned out.

So much white was a challenge. I decided to use a variety of slightly textured whites (twill) to give more visual interest.

I love all the blues here-

and I used every last little bit of this striped fabric to make his hair and beard.

I wanted the hats to be removable so I found some matching pins to hold them in place.

The coat is a piece of vintage twill. I’ve seen antique children’s coats made of this fabric.

These are Crimean War veterans- a soldier and a sailor. The figurines must have been a popular collectible at the time of the Crimean War because there seems to be a wide range of styles. Some examples here.

And here is my husbands arm to show scale-

They are on their way to their new home. I had a hard time parting with them!

 

23 thoughts on “soldier, sailor and commissions

  1. Your have make it very good from the Staffordshire models. I like them very much. I hope also the person that become the figures

  2. Splendid figures.

    Whomever these go to is so lucky.
    I know what you mean about taking commissions.
    I even find it hard sometimes to part with things I make for sale.

  3. Mimi, I am so glad that figurine tickled your fancy – and that you shared. these guys are wonderful, I think you captured them perfectly.

  4. Amazing!!! They came out just perfect. I would have trouble parting with that duo. I’m glad you took the commission so we could see the figurine come to life!

  5. Beautiful ! What a smashing duo….
    I appreciate all the detail work &
    the thoughtful fabric choices….
    an amazing commission…thanks
    for sharing.

  6. These two are just beyond fabulous. The beard, the back hairline, the coats. Oh, my!! So much fun to see. Glad you had such a good time with the project.

  7. I LOVE these two handsome men! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and just love your dolls. I think you should definitely start designing more sailors! Their uniforms are beautifully done!

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