Here she is, basking in the sun. I felt kind of cruel, taking her out for a photo shoot. The temperature is around 100 degrees and she is dressed in her wool housecoat, slippers and kerchief… not to mention her wool skin and hair. She made it through with a smile on her face though. What troopers these grandmas are.
Above is the face, in progress, before I added her eyebrows. And here is the back- her hair in curlers under her kerchief:
A close-up of the front of her dress:
and her fluffy slippers-
One more photo.
**Warning- I’m going to whine now. Last night I got an email telling me that I am a Plush You reject. I guess I’m not surprised. I was seeing around the blogs I read, about other people getting acceptances weeks ago. And truthfully, when they posted about my work on their site in March, I thought there was a lack of enthusiasm. And then today, I see this review on Drool.icio.us. Is it just me being too sensitive, or is this kind of harsh? Have these people seen what an American Girl doll costs? Should I be happy that people are noticing my work at all? Any publicity is good publicity?
Well anyway, I keep going back to this review at Design Boner to boost my spirits. Being totally clueless though, I had to figure out whether a design boner was good or bad!
Something else to make my day. A perfect Abraham Darby Rose. So fragrant. Breathe deeply and relax.
your work is stunning! i just read the droopy little comment at drool….and no you are not sensitive! they/she obviously has never threaded a needle and has no idea that the reality is that you should be getting $300 (or more!!!) for your beautiful doll. and, how about surrounding our children with things of beauty and things with soul instead of the plastic muck that is contributing to the demise of the very earth we live on! mmmm, touched a raw nerve with me!
Your work is wonderful-your dolls are keepsakes and to be displayed like the art they are, so don’t let the too expensive remark get to you—And the fact that you got a rejection-well it happens to everyone and it doesn’t mean you are less of an artist–it just means you are not for them at this time…chin up and move forward!
Well, I LOVE your dolls, Mimi. Your kitty dolls are my all time favorites. Just ignore what those people are saying. They aren’t appreciating your dolls as unique works of art.
Mimi, the woman posting on “drool” was thinking of your art work as a toy for a child, which it simply is not. I agree with Louise, those who have never picked up fabric and sewn it together no clue regarding the craftsmanship, time, and soul that goes into creating art work. Your pieces are always whimsical and beautiful. If that lady wants her kid to play with an ill proportioned barbie, that is just fine by me.
This grandma doll is really fabulous. The curlers! I love the hair wrapped around each one. That looks like fun to make. And the hair in front of them is really realistic.
And I need a pair of slippers like that – purple and fuzzy.
Mimi, I love your work, and I’d love to take a doll-making class with you, but , alas, I live in Ohio. Your dolls are adorable, I’m partial to your bride&groom series. I guess, when you put your work in to the world to be judged, once in a while you have to feel like a reject, but to me your stuff is just so lovely.
P.S. If you ever put out a pattern for a doll, I’m first in line to buy it.
xo, Vesna.
I think your work is beautiful, Mimi! Don’t feel bad about being a “Plush You” reject. I’m one, too (I entered a set of my vignettes). Everything in the show is VERY similar, very SuperCute. I don’t think Kristin even notices stuff thats different. (Even tho’ she’s a very sweet person in person :>)
Mimi – First off, your work is what defines Fine Craft – skill, detail, and meticulous execution are all aspects of your work. Plush you is not the right venue for your Fine Art – You are not a “Plushy” you are ART – WAY different. I agree that Kristen has a specific style that she likes and promotes, it’s a DIY type, and you, my dear, are an ARTIST. So there! And you are part of the revolution, sometimes it’s hard being the ones to change the world – Keep at it and you are not alone!
The kids who make the plushies at Plush You aren’t of the same caliber as you … I read that blog too and just love the simplicity of the work … your work is way too sophisticated for them … so don’t sweat it. As to the review on drool .. she is equating toys with art … and you can’t do that. Do you know any rag doll makers who go to NIADA conventions and get critiques? I don’t. You just keep following your heart and everything will fall into place for you. Believe in yourself … I do!
Ragdoll, indeed! She doesn’t know what she’s talking ’bout, Mimi! Children love the doll that you made for me and they are gentle and loving to her. Thank you for your beautiful vision and work.
That reviewer is a numbskull, obviously not knowing much about what she’s writing about. I know how much work, talent, experience you put into each of your creations and what you charge is PEANUTS! I remember your post about how you make up your prices, and how you think you should at least be paid $100 for a day’s work — and, I agree, you should! Not charging for materials and everything else that’s extra. I say that reviewer stinks, and I don’t like to write negative things online. Good job Mimi. I love your work.
wow. i’m not even sure what to say. that would definately get me down too. fact is…you get what you pay for…if you want a simple rag doll for your child to toss around, then that’s what you get. if you want a one-of-a-kind MK original artwork made with gorgeous fabrics , amazing attention to detail and perfect stitches, you get MORE than your money’s worth…as you well know my Fat Fairy is all mine :) Peanut only gets to have surpervised visits with her…anyway…glad to see your got your chin up and are stopping to smell the roses.
BTW… LOVE grandma with curlers :)
I was never under the impression that your beautiful dolls were intended to be playthings. I don’t know if she was trying to be flippant, but it does come across as a bit mean to me. I think people who don’t create things themselves have a hard time understanding how much work goes into making one of your dolls. Grandma is wonderful! I love her curlers.
Mind if I hop on this crowded bandwagon? I ADORE this grandma! The hair! The flowers on the housecoat! And those slippers! OMG! You are amazing! The review on Drool is snarky. Dismiss it entirely! I love your work–the intelligence, the humor, the originality, and the fine craftswomanship. It’s wonderful.
I am wordless…. I left a comment on that review that I wrote, rewrote, deleted, rewrote, edited and then just went bollocks and posted! I was so angry. I has something similar happen to my face recently by a “friend” it really leaves a bad taste in your mouth and the only way to get over it is to focus on sales! sales are the universe’s way of saying your work is fantastic. :-) can’t think of anything more to say, shocked. Your work is truly beautiful and intricate and amazing.
I think your work is bargain at that price, I honestly your things are worth so much more. Love the granny. The rollers in the hair are fabulous!
Grandma is fantastic ART…I’d buy her…tell me how?
Forget the reviews – the bad ones are from clueless people who don’t understand your unique point of view. You are an artist on a par with George Eliot, Mozart, and others who are able to paint character with a deft brush (or pen, or baton). I adore your work (in case that’s not obvious).
the writer should have done a bit of research before commenting on your dolls. as you know, i love your work!!
I love your Grandma with curlers, I can’t imagine the suprise on someone face as they turn her over and see her curlers…it certainly brought a smile to my face.
Sorry about the Plush you reject, although looking at the work available it does seem to have a more hard edge to it whereas your work seems to be much more from the heart.
As for the Mir woman, having looked at her blog she seems completely vacuous and doesn’t know what she is talking about.
The curlers…eeek! So cute!
Re: the review, clearly the writer doesn’t get the whole concept of handmade dolls. Your work is so lovely, so individual, so *Mimi*. Worth every penny (as if that was the final measure of its value.)
I love my polkadot Grandma!
And thanks for the rose photo…I needed that. ;-)
Mimi, I agree with what everyone else has posted. You are a creative, talented and highly skilled artist. If someone wants a cheap ragdoll, she can go to a big-box store. You don’t do cheap work: you do quality work and everything you create is one-of-a-kind.
Your dolls are really lovely; the craftsmanship is outstanding. And the robots seriously rock. :-)
wow, those dolls for Mahar dry goods are amazing, and whoever wrote that is a dufus. (don’t know how to spell dufus)
Well nothing like coming late to the party. Boy I am so sorry Mimi, that is a bummer. I went and added my two cents and it is most telling that you mentioned American Girl dolls. They are spendy in the most heinously commercial way. Having had a son first and with eight years separating them, I am experiencing all things girl right now with my almost seven-year old. Her friend got an AG doll and I have had to explain that, No we are not going to get one, look at all theses dolls you have (Waldorf type) some even that I made. Because of all this, I find the review most stinging. Yes, AG dolls will cost you $90 if your child will let you get away with the most basic of basic “packages” and Waldorf dolls clock in at an even steeper $100 to $140. So even if they were intended for children (which they’re not, gee I remember reading that somewhere on your etsy site) they are not outrageously priced by any stretch of the imagination.
I adore your work, the humor and care that you put into each of your creations. One day I will have a naked robot, when they make it into production. And this granny – hair curlers, who would have thought? Well, you Mimi, you would have thought about making hair curlers.
Mimi rocks.
I’m thinking of tattooing it to your forehead.
I let ’em have it over there.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Sorry about plush you–who knows how it all goes down anyhow.
I agree with all that has been said here about your work, Mimi! Skill, craftsmanship, and design go into every piece you put out. If someone doesn’t understand that, maybe they shouldn’t be commenting on dolls/crafts/art. I’m sorry you had to read such an uninformed review…
I love all the little details. Very smart and well made :)
I always loved to make dolls but wasn´t familiar with Mimi…..ooooohhhhhh I am in love…..!!!!!! she is wonderfully talented and I am starting with the one in the Purl So Ho web….Thank You so much