Angel Egg Dolls

Last year I stumbled on a photograph of an astonishingly lovely porcelain ball jointed doll and my first reaction was that of delight. I was instantly reminded of a childhood memory I'd nearly forgotten. It was early evening, the light slanted low into a shop window, bathing the objects in a golden veil. It was the first time I'd ever seen antique dolls like this, dressed in ancient lace and velvet, their hair braided with pearls, their painted smiles serene. I remember standing with my mother for a long while, studying the beauties and pointing out little details I liked and wondering aloud about who the dolls were and who they once belonged to. I found myself feeling the same way about the doll in the photograph, intrigued, delighted and longing to know more.

As someone who is not new to the doll world ( I love collecting and making them!) I was delighted to see an artist I'd never seen before. I learned the dolls are called 'Angel Egg Dolls' (because the artist imagined the dolls born from the eggs of angels) and are created completely by hand by Marmite Sue, an artist based in Tokyo, Japan. Each doll is created from a set of molds, then hand carved to customize each piece. The parts are then painted with china glazes, each light layer of paint fired in the kiln until the colors are bright and saturated. Porcelain is a delicate material, translucent and fine, a perfect canvas to allow light to diffuse throughout the piece and through the layers of china paint,creating a luminous quality.

While porcelain may be delicate, it is also one of the most enduring substances known. Beautifully glazed pots have survived thousands of years, the glazes as clear today as they were when they emerged from the kiln. The amazing thing about porcelain is the chemical change that occurs during firing, the silica becomes glass, which is then impermeable to stains, discoloration or fading. The idea of how long the dolls will be around is very appealing to me.... I like imagining the world they'll exist in far in the future.

One of the most appealing qualities of an Angel Egg Doll is the options for customization. On a basic doll the faces can be swapped, carved to look completely different and painted with one's choice of makeup. The eyes can be changed from the back of the head, altering the appearance greatly. The wig is removable, so the possibilities for shifting personalities is endless.

Another unique feature Marmite Sue offers with her dolls is the possibility of carved cut outs, or pierce work. This unusual look borrows from porcelain china tea services, where borders are delicately pierced and carved to resemble lace. Little roses can be added to the neck or ankle, as well as beautifully sculpted flowers and swirls. Tattoos can be incised into the clay, so pigment can be rubbed into the surface, like intaglio plates or scrimshaw.

My favorite thing about these dolls is the jointing. They seem very fluid and natural. This appeals to me for a couple of reasons, the main one being that with most forms of sculpture, you experience it from a distance, but these seem to have an interactive, almost intimate quality in that they are the perfect size to hold and pose. The other reason is that these joints seem more human, which to me, is one of the reasons I love dolls in the first place. The imitation of life and the creation of characters and personalities is endlessly interesting to me. I guess that's why I like these dolls so much. They are so different from anything I've ever seen! I've really enjoyed looking at this talented artists work and can't wait to see more.

fairy paper doll

I think I might be a little obsessed with paper dolls lately. Here's another one! This is a fairy I painted with watercolors and egg tempera on paper.
I love how they can be posed! Azalea and I played with her for awhile, rearranging her petals and leaves, placing her in front of different backdrops and coming up with ideas for her name. She thought of 'Lyra', while I said 'Grunty' or even better, 'Wingding'. I find it amusing to come up with really weird names and see Azalea's face. Its so cute how she tries to be nice about my horrible choice of names.
Here are a few samples I made before finishing the doll. The one on the left is the first draft that I used to make the pattern. The strangely colored version is one I printed on our printer (the black ran out) to use as a test to make sure the limbs looked natural when assembled.
This is the finished painting, with the pencil lines still on it. I like this girl. Her palette was inspired by Jack-in-the-Pulpits (a bizarre woodland flower that grows in our backyard) and a lovely butterfly called a Blue Pansy.

I have to admit I find making these pretty relaxing. I work on them between projects, or when I start getting stressed out. Of course, I am getting pretty frazzled with Art Fest just a couple of weeks away! I'm not worried about teaching, or having enough materials, or if folks will get their monies worth - I know the projects and am not stingy with information, so I think it will be good. I worry about things like sending the materials, which are sensitive, that could leak, or be ruined by some over enthusiastic person checking packages. I just need to have faith that things will arrive safely. Anyway, I've been working non-stop on the classes to make sure they are amazing.

woodland babies

Paper dolls are really fun to make, especially cutting and assembling them. The activity brings to mind long afternoons spent with my sister and brother, gathered around the dining room table quietly creating fairies, monsters and mermaids for our little world. The picture above is the first draft of the dolls, a sketch to see how the parts will fit together.
This is a shot of the transferred sketch (the line drawing) and the watercolor in progress.
The finished watercolor! I like to use a variety of materials when I paint. Egg tempera is used over washes of Daniel Smith's gemstone pigment watercolors, which have a delightful tendency to form patterns while the water is drying. The egg tempera is an opaque paint, which has a satiny sheen that is very luminescent. The last details are painted with acrylic ink and a crow quill pen, for the tiniest lines or dots (like in the eyes).
I took this assembled set to a park where I knew of a few stumps with turkey tail and lichen growing on them. It was really windy, which made taking pictures especially challenging.
Here are a couple close ups of the assembled dolls. I made lots of parts to mix and match between the dolls, which is kind of fun, I think.
I had them printed on heavy cardstock, with a nice satin finish. The colors printed surprisingly well, almost identical to the original. I love this batch so much. I think I'll paint a background for them, although they look pretty good in a shadowbox frame! I'll put these in my etsy shop for sale within the next few days.

The Secret World of Arrietty

Last night, we had a girls night out and went to see The Secret World of Arrietty, a Hayao Miyazaki film. Its based on 'The Borrowers' by Mary Norton, a classic story about tiny people living in the walls of houses. I am a big fan of Miyazaki's films, my favorite being Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away, so I was prepared to be dazzled by beautiful animation. I wasn't disappointed! This film is full of little details, which are a pleasure to find. My daughter loved spotting all the big people things the borrowers used (like a chess piece as a sculpture, a pin served a sword, stamps used as delightful artwork for the walls). The story is well paced and the soundtrack a perfect backdrop to the action. The actors are really adept at following the animation, so there are no lags or weird spots where the lips are moving and the voices are all wrong.

We really loved this movie and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys classic stories or great animation. I can't wait till this is available on dvd, so I can have it on while I work!

Tucson

So the shows are coming to an end (only one day left of The Best Bead Show) and its time to wrap it up and take stock of the whole experience. I've been seeing some posts and updates about negativity, not making a lot of money, people behaving clique-ishly, how the economy is bringing out the worst in folks and how its not fun anymore.

I have an observation that I want to make in reaction to these negative comments floating around about how the Tucson Shows have become unpleasant. I think I am more than qualified in putting in my two cents, since I've done the shows since the early days, when there were only TWO bead shows.

All gatherings of people will attract a few folks that love to talk, that love to bemoan their situation, love to cause a stink and some really love the spotlight no matter if its good or bad. That's life. You can find this behavior in schools, doll shows, dog shows, bird shows, comic cons, art shows, retreats and bead shows. I've attended hundreds and hundreds of gatherings and its always the same. Here's what makes a difference: when people stop the negativity. It sounds simple, but the reality is, you are in control of who you spend your time with, where you shop, where you eat and you can say 'well, since that person is a buddy of mine, let's talk about something else. Where'd you find those amazing stones?'. I've learned from experience that if you nip the 'neg' in the bud, people usually get the hint.

When I was starting out, I received some good advice from a successful vendor I was set up next to, that was doing amazing. They told me to always try and have a great time, even if you aren't selling, its raining, you're hungry, tired, whatever. People attend shows to have a good time and find amazing things. If your a huge downer, no one is going to stick around to see what you have. If things aren't going well, I give myself a mental shake and think about what IS going great, like making new contacts, seeing old friends and looking at all the great art shown around me. Things always improve.

We set up booths at three shows this year and we did very well. We always have an amazing time. Really, how can you not love seeing all the beads, specimens and precious stones gathered from every corner of the earth? You kind of have to try and not enjoy yourself. Even someone as jaded as I am has a blast. Its a wonderful gathering every bead artist and collector should attend at least once. Don't be influenced into not going because someone had a bad show, or is resentful of the success of others. I look forward to it every year and have yet to be disappointed.

close ups

Here are a few pictures of some of the new pieces cast in metal, including the horse clasp in shibuichi. The lucky cat and wolf will be available on our website, or on Fusion Beads or Lima Beads sites. The horse clasp will be available on Jess Imports site.

relax

We have been working hard, so now its time to take a short break before getting ready for Art Fest! I have the classes hammered out, but I want to make lots of delightful things for vendor night and some special prizes for my students. Anyway, I've spent the last couple of days relaxing with the kids, taking walks and drawing pictures. It has been lovely, but I need to get back to work making new things.

New for Tucson!

Bronze and shibuichi fairy pendant.
Bronze and rose cut sapphire owl face pendants.
My new little articulated turtle! Finally molded and cast!
Greg's sweet faced baby bat with articulated wings (I didn't put in his garnet cabochon eyes in the picture above). These pieces and more will be available at The Best Bead Show and also at The To Bead True Blue Show, followed by The Tucson Show.

It has been nice to finally relax a little after the storm that is the preparation of these big shows. Its a little subdued around here, now that the shows are in full swing, but I've stayed busy since there's always something to finish up. Maybe I can take the night off and read a book.

hand pendant

Here's another wax in the process of being molded! This pendant is two pieces, the hand fits into the lace cuff, allowing the pendant to be cast in two different metals (imagine! a silver hand with a bronze cuff, or a shibuichi hand with a silver cuff....). I made this with Victorian elements in mind, thinking it would look nice with a cast key or little bird held from the fingertips. This piece has sat on my work bench for a long while and was actually cast once (it just didn't look right, so I did it over). I would pick it up, carve a little on it, then set it down again. I have lots of pieces like that, in various stages of completion, waiting for their turn to be finished and polished. I think this piece will be one that gets a little extra detailing before its cast, like adding a tiny, sparkling ring, or maybe the cuff will get pierced, allowing light to pass through its bell-like shape - small details to make each one unique. That said, I'll probably end up making a handful then moving onto something else! Sometimes I have such a limited attention span. Anyway, this piece will also debut at The Best Bead Show and the To Bead True Blue Show happening a few days from now in Tucson, AZ. Stop by and see the new things!

bronze bee clasp!

This is a new clasp design carved by my good friend Jessica Wiesel, to debut at The Bead True Blue Show in Tucson, AZ. This piece will be offered in bronze at the show and on my etsy shop for a bit, then in fine pewter when that stock runs out.

Jess is an extremely talented artist in many mediums, from painting and drawing to miniature sculpting to couture sewing. She recently relocated from Columbus, OH to my neck of the woods here in Asheville, NC. We have been having a wonderful time creating new pieces and planning adventures (London, next year....). I am so happy to have my long time buddy so close! We met nearly 19 years ago in art school and became fast friends in a modern dance class, both of us rather awkward and embarrassed. We shared a love of dolls and detailed work, both things very unpopular then, considered too crafty for the fine art world. We persisted, making doll sculptures and noodly egg tempera paintings, focusing on our technical skills by making pretty things. Those days seem like yesterday, as we are both constantly searching for new techniques to learn. We have quite a pile of things to cast! Stay tuned for the next pieces!

facebook

Lately, I haven't been blogging as much since Facebook is so easy to upload to. If you want to get updates and whatnot on goings on at GGS, like our page Green Girl Studios. I just started it the other day, but I thought it would be a cool place for folks to share photos of things made with our stuff.

Anyway, I took a long needed break today by heading up forty miles to Hot Springs, NC for a mineral soak and massage (above is the view from the front porch of the spa). My friends Jessica Wiesel and Jess Gaston accompanied me on our little adventure through the mountains. The spa is a little rustic, with private outdoor hot tubs filled with soothingly warm mineral water overlooking the French Broad River. I love it there and would go all the time if I had tons of cash. We're already planning a mud wrap when Tucson is over!

Jess Imports

The last few weeks have blurred by as we approach Tucson 2012. The studio is always occupied, the sounds of metal grinding and torches burning heard at any hour. This year is special. I've decided to make exclusive masters for my friend Jessica Gaston of Jess Imports fame. She's known for carrying a wide variety of unusual clasps and rings featuring interesting designs ranging from vintage to modern.

I've known Jess ever since my first shows, way back when I was an art student testing the waters of the bead world. That was some 15 years ago, when the bead industry was still a mystery....there were only two bead magazines and a handful of shows. We used to travel around to different cities selling our wares at shows during the day and having fun in the evenings. A lot has changed since those early days, we've grown up and buckled down as responsible adults (well, sort of.....I still feel like 24). Some things never change, though, and we are giggling and silly whenever we get together.

The waxes above are the latest batch of clasps (the squirrel will be set in a box clasp or hook and eye) and will debut at The New Gem Mall Tent #Two Jan.28-Feb. 10. They will be offered in shibuichi and bronze, possibly pewter.