I’m going to start posting about dollmakers I met in Philadelphia, in no particular order. I have a pile of business cards, postcards and a few magazines and I’m going to start shuffling through the pile.

These dolls are made by Leslie Molen of Rootie Studio. Here is a much better picture! These dolls just pulled you in- they have such sweet faces and expression. Also beautiful hair and costuming. Well, I could go on and on I guess, but then I’ll never get through!

One of the first people I met when I got to Philadelphia was Maryanne Oldenburg– what a friendly and welcoming person she was. She helped me feel part of the event right from the beginning. And what a sweet pea her little fellow was!

I met several artists who do minature work. This is an area of dollmaking that I had never appreciated before. I don’t think I could have without seeing them in person. There was Gisele Hanson, whose work was next to mine at the critique. She is obviously a very patient person since she never said a word about having to answer all my dumb email questions before getting to Philadelphia- she was one of the contact people for the conference, a job I don’t envy!

There were 2 NIADA artists who do minatures at the Philadelphia show. Jane Davies, who did the demonstration of minature sewing and showed this amazing creation-

The other artist was Susan Scogin who showed this piece-

I never had a chance to talk with her, but was amazed by how much life she could put into something so little!

Now that my workshop is finished I can get a few other things done… well actually my list is about a mile long!

I’ve put together an album of my photos from NIADA. I took tons of pictures but somehow came home with none of some amazing work. Luckily I’ve got links to some other peoples photo galleries if I need to remember.

Photos are here.

I am always excited when I see that Scott Radke has posted something new on his journal. Today he has posted some new dolls. Wow!

More about yesterday’s busy day… In the afternoon, I went to the viewing at Skinner Auction House. Many dolls and so many teddy bears. If I could have left with one item, it would have been this beautiful lady- referred to as a creche figure.

I love her face and hands… well,and her dress and proportions and really everything about her!

These veggie dolls were pretty cool too.

After looking at dolls, a quick stop at an orchid greenhouse- delicious!

My friend Helen sent me this fantastic idea based on the Dresden dolls below. Print out pictures of your own dolls and turn them into ornaments! These are her Bleuettes.

hmmm… is this a way to dress all the naked (or should I call them naturists) dolls that live in my studio?

My friend Helen sent me this fantastic idea based on the Dresden dolls below. Print out pictures of your own dolls and turn them into ornaments! These are her Bleuettes.

hmmm… is this a way to dress all the naked (or should I call them naturists) dolls that live in my studio?

My friend Helen sent me this fantastic idea based on the Dresden dolls below. Print out pictures of your own dolls and turn them into ornaments! These are her Bleuettes.

hmmm… is this a way to dress all the naked (or should I call them naturists) dolls that live in my studio?

There is a link to Dresden Star Ornaments is in the Dec. 2004 issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion and they have this “make your own ornament” project. This is what I made-

I’ve spent way too much time following links trails and looking at beautiful antique Christmas decorations and ornaments.

Antique Ornaments

This site is in German, but the pictures are great- and there are lots more great links on their link page…

Das Ornament