Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

  I knew very little about Santos Cage Dolls when my doll making group set us a challenge of creating our own interpretation of a cage doll. The image below which I found on Pinterest is a lovely illustration of these historical figures.    Image :  http://pinterest.com/pin/277112183292720280/  from the board, Santos Love   Here is more information from  http://www.santoscagedoll.com/pages/history-of-santos-dolls ... “The Santos dolls take their name from the Spanish word for Saint, and are also known as Santons (French) and Santibelli (Italian)…Originally, Santos were used as in- home altars especially in small villages which did not have a priest, as well as for when it was not possible to travel to church, such as during times of war.  Their development flourished in Europe in the 1700's and 1800's, primarily due to these wars. European Santos dolls were also brought to the Latin Americas during the Colonial age of Spain'...

" Welcome to Maitland in the beautiful Hunter Valley. Maitland is made up of a patchwork of places, townships, colourful communities and immense history. As you explore the various destinations on offer you will notice the uniqueness and warmth which makes Maitland, Hunter Valley the wonderful area it is... . "  This is what  is written for tourists to Maitland, but nothing is said of  its art culture.  I had a wonderful day in Maitland last Sunday. The Hunter Art Bazaar had its annual Winter event in the grounds of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. With over 70 stalls of high quality hand made creations, the bazaar was such a stimulating and inspiring experience. I particularly loved the colourful fibre and felt wearables and was drawn to the outstanding quality silver jewellery and handcrafted silver art pieces - so much artistic talent in one place!  photos courtesy of Bobbi Oliver  It is always such  a great opportunity to catch up w...

My little doll has arrived home. Thank you Ayala Art and Lulus Apples for working on her. A vision of colour and flowers - did we name her? What about 'Marigold ' ? This is how I sent her off to California... Then Lulu worked on her ...for the full story - look here And then off to another part of California to Martha . The details of her adventures with Martha  and other traveling art dolls are documented here . Just as reminder - here are the two dolls I worked on  - Lulu , Martha and I were the Tiny Team!  The Traveling Art Doll was an Art Dolls Only   Members' event. However, each month, there is an open challenge   and all doll makers worldwide are encouraged to enter. Thanks again to the talented members of the team - your work is much appreciated!

NZ publication available from Fishpond Every tea towel might tell a story, but nothing rhymes with 'tea towel'  - is this true?    There is a lot of interesting information surrounding the humble tea towel ...  The name 'tea towel' originates from early 19th century Victorian England. The tea towel was the linen of choice for Victorian ladies who liked its absorbent, fine weave soft linen fibres. They deemed it ideal to dry their expensive and delicate china, glassware, and serving pieces without scratching or leaving surface lint. A popular Victorian pastime was to embroider personalised tea towels which were used at tea time to cover food, to wrap around the outside of the teapot (tea cosy), and to take care of any spills....During the early 20th century , American housewives showed great ingenuity by transforming empty animal feed cotton into dish towels( tea towels). The feed sacks  were cut into suitably sized pieces of material, and the women wo...

works in progress for 2014 exhibition    Today was the deadline for a publicity photograph for an exhibition I will be having in July 2014.  It seems such a long time away but with this week's deadline,  I have been thinking about the preparation required for an exhibition.  early PR photo for 2014 exhibition  I have been very naive about preparing for exhibitions. After the first one I had in 2012, I feel I know a little more, but am always seeking good advice. I found this article very useful . I used the headings  from this article to put together a plan for myself.  1: Objectives and expectations There are many reasons for staging a solo show. I need to  be clear in my  own mind what I'm  hoping to achieve from it. Be realistic about what to expect from it.   - sales?  - publicity?  - networking?  - new commissions?  - workshop promotion?   2: “Gallery” Space I am very fo...

Fabric_-Animotion 1994  Further adventures in Australia of the Traveling Art Doll.( please see the previous posts for more information - Australian Inspired Traveling Art Doll  and  Art Dolls Only Traveling Art Doll )  Today is Anzac Day, so it was a quiet afternoon and  I set to completing Lulu's doll. Here is what she looked like early this morning. As Lulu lives in USA, I wanted to give this doll an Australian touch ,too.  Lulu's doll as she arrived.  I had intended to use the"Yalke" design fabric which I used on Martha's doll but once I held it against her body, with the fringed yarn already in place, it just didn't seem to work. This doll has a "spirit" look and I first thought of the Australian classic children's novel, "Playing Beatie Bow"  about the ghost girl who couldn't find her way back to 1873....  No....calico pinafore - a bit boring!  Then I remembered a vintage looking piece of Australiana fabric with...

Gum leaves (Eucalypt)  - dried leaves and some encased in fused organza   Last week I posted about Art Dolls Only "Traveling Art Doll" project. Our team , Tiny Team  is Martha (Ayala Art ) and Lulu ( Lulus Apples ) both from USA and me. When Martha's doll arrived, I was very worried ... Such a beautiful face -  I didn't want to do anything, not in character. And I had not made a doll with a polymer clay breast plate before, so I wasn't sure how to proceed. Martha had named her Linda but I nicknamed her "Dimi" - a kind of  tiny sprite! And then it came to me as I was walking in the bush near our place - an Australian bush sprite, inspired by a pile of dried gum leaves on a path! Traveling Art Doll 1 - on arrival  Sketches 1 Sketch - close up The fabric I chose is a design called "Yalke" ( Aboriginal word for Australian bush onion) by indigenous artist, June Smith. The skirt is made from fabric leaves, and natural leav...