"D" is for Dollies

I began making cloth dolls in 1989. Bunnies, cows, baby dolls, Raggedy Ann and Andy. In 2009 I began dabbling in creating the primitive dolls with a Raggedy Ann look.  Most dolls are made from muslin or cotton broadcloth with the baby dolls being made of craft velour. Little girls just love the hug-ability of this fabric. 

We have dolls of all sizes ranging from 10” to the huge and loveable 36” Raggedy Andy.

My current project is with my first design – a 12” tall prim bunny with hand painted features, long floppy ears and big big bunny feet. I am going to be featuring this doll as a boy or girl and offering seasonal/holiday clothing. We are working on a web page specifically for this doll at Holly’s Dollies.

Recently I have begun dabbling in sculpting dolls in polymer clay. A fun challenge but really not getting anywhere fast. The eventual goal is a 14” ball-jointed-doll who can model the 14” doll clothes line for me.

I have a very small collection of dolls. Two Galoob Baby Face Dolls, a 25” crow doll, 1 Berenguer, 2 unknown vinyl dolls, 1 CBK, 2 DinkyBaby dolls, 1 MoxieGirlz the blonde and 5 Barbies.  I am hoping to find some dolls this coming Yard Sale season. Only two thrift stores in this area so findings are rare. I am looking for Skipper, Crissy and any inexpensive dolls needing TLC of various sizes so that I can use them for making sure the doll clothes fit.

Goings On

I haven't been very inspired lately. All this rain and the humidity. I haven't felt like knitting or crocheting. So I decided to spend some time sewing!

I got quite a bit accomplished with the traditional Raggedy Ann and Andys. 3 dresses (3 sizes), 3 outfits for Andy (3 sizes). 2 15" dolls done (one waiting for wig), 2 36" dolls sewn (1 stuffed and face painted), 2 15" dolls sewn. Still need to cut out and sew bloomers and aprons.

Then I sewed (is that really a word??) a 12" prim kitty and got her painted and stained. And then this morning I sewed a Jumper and long sleeve top for a 14-16" baby type doll.

This evening I plan to crochet an outfit for 14" baby type dolls. Who knows... never a dull moment around here.

Visit http://hollys-dollies.sweetwatercreations.com/doll-clothes.html to see handmade knitted, crocheted and sewn doll clothes!

Scrappy Armrest pincushion - Free pattern

Image via Wikipedia

While taking a break from sewing (winding bobbins is so boring!!!), I was surfing for free patterns and different goodies and came across this adorable armrest pincushion.

http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/2009/10/scrappy-armrest-pincushion-tutorial.html

Another item for my "to do" list!

Making progress on the first set of 15" Raggedy Ann and Andy. I have enough flesh fabric left over that I can make a body for the 36" version....sweet talk hubby into letting me get some dress fabric!!! I'd love to make the 36" version. She'd look so cute sitting on the studio sleeper sofa (good inspiration to keep the clutter off it!).

Online Craft Mall is a Go!

Image via Wikipedia

It's official!

     I have decided to create an online craft mall! The startup of any business or venture is usually a lot of hard work with little result. I love a challenge, so this is perfect! I have registered my chosen domain name and have the hosting all setup. 
     While shopping for templates and graphics, I saw some really nice sets, but they were a bit pricey for me right now. Then I realized I could, with some effort, create my own web set. Is it worth saving $30-50? I could use that dough for advertising the site and gaining traffic. Creating my own set will take quite a chunk of my time, but we can call it sweat equity!
    The plan is to gather the images I want to use for the site and make a rough penand paper sketch of the layout design. I was going to tell the site name, butI think it should wait for the debut! Then I need to decide on ad/listing rates. Being as this is new with little to no traffic, the rates are going to be exremely low. Still researching the beginning rates.
     Going to work on a traditional Raggedy pair today. The sewing machine is getting dusty!
Be well, go out and make it a good day for yourself.

Holly’s Dollies Website Updated

     Hard to believe it’s Monday already! The time just flies by here and I don’t seem to be able to get as much accomplished as I want to! The “to do” and “ideas” form keeps getting longer rather than shorter as the projects get marked off or added.

     I finally took some nicer pictures of 3 finished dollies and one blank body and uploaded them to the site. These are all prim raggedies.

http://hollys-dollies.sweetwatercreations.com 

     Going to work on a traditional Raggedy Ann and Andy set today. Would also like to make some African American raggedy dolls this week.

     I am toying with the idea of starting up a country crafts and collectibles advertising shoppe. I might approach shoppe owner to see if maybe they will be willing to help me get started and up and running. Being as I love working on web sites and pages, I think this would be another wonderful challenge.