the Blue violet Mermaid

My Charity Doll for 2013

      I finished her just in time ! I used a Beautiful pattern By Linda Misa " Finella " ..I reduced it down to 65% .. The body is 2 layers of  silky fabric and organza with hand beading and  white starfish I created from polymer clay using a mold I made from a charm .
    I had Lots of fun Making this Mermaid Doll .
 Please scroll down and enjoy the WIP photos ,                            Thank you .






Her tail before Beading ..free motion sewing  hand stitched to
the body



some beading and a few star fish




a glimpse of her bodice and sleeve



Bald is beautiful !





finished face and crown

2012

Roses .. One of my sketches

           Where has this year gone ?

              I'll tell you it flew right by . My life has been wonderfully full this year .My Crazy cute Grand Daughter  the light of my life  Antonia Rose is a little over a year old Now , it has been such a pleasure to have her here in my Life ..I spend as much Time with Her as I can because I know How fast the years Go By..
              My Amazingly Talented Bunch of Friends and I have been Exploring the world of ART .. Discovering New Art Forms and Rethinking Some old Ideas too. I only mase a few  Dolls this year and Must confess that a some of them  are Sitting on a shelf  with No Costumes ,But with winter approaching I'm sure they will all get finished .. I have been Dabbling this year..  I dabbled in Book Making and Altered Books  too , I did some mold making , Fooled around making Charms ,  I filled a couple sketch books with drawings ,doodles and Ideas ... I even keep trying the Elusive COLLAGE Hoping some day to GET IT !  .I Learned a lot about mixed media projects and played with many New products ,from Inks to patinas.. I even did a little Needle felting Again making  mice this time..I added a few photos of thing I have been playing with I hope you enjoy them... OH  please excuse the spelling mistakes for some reason the spell check on blogspot is on the fritz today ..
                                      

   Now on to a few of my Talented Friends

I donated her at
" Art is You "

      
       Who should I Start With ? .. I Know Who .. My Beautiful and Brave Friend Colleen Athens . Colleen Decided to follow a dream she has had for a while. A  few months ago She opened an Art Studio  Called " The Artsy Soul "  I'm so proud of her .. " The artsy Soul "is filled with wonderful Art supplies,  like graphic 45 papers . Dylusion ink sprays . interesting rubber stamps . An assortment of Clays, air dry and polymer , imported rubber molds .Several different types of patinas and ohh la la  the Vintage Bling is to die for !! jewelry findings , Kemper tools for sculpting .. German glass glitter and Dresden foil items too .. Just a few of the items I could think of .. Colleen offers Classes in Doll Sculpting and Has many other Artists holding one day classes and  longer workshops  in a variety of mediums  . I have been heading down to " The Artsy soul" once a month it is so worth the  2 hr drive ..
       Next  Miss Susan Milo .. The original "Art forms " Girl .. let me tell you when it comes to Artsy stuff Sue has done it All ! This year Susan was bitten by the Ceramic Bug .. She purchased a kiln the Clay and every thing needed to turn out all kinds of  tiny Ceramic things.. Tiny  decorative Dishes ,  Tiny houses , beads  ceramic Charms ..She is so smitten with Ceramics that she is researching a second kiln....I love her  incredible passion in everything she does ..
        Ellie G .. A new friend, I must thank Susan for introducing her to our group ..Ellie is a jewelry maker ..Her jewelry is outstanding , much of her jewelry is fashioned from precious metal clay and semi precious  stones ..just beautiful ! ..Ellie also does beading stitching up sparkling bracelets and neclaces from tiny beads . Ellie is a traveler and will hop in the car and drive almost any place to take workshops  a good flea market or a bead show , A girl after my own Hart ..
       Miss Tery Favo .. I have to say  we haven't seen much of Tery this year ..She has been following her own Hart , Diving head first into Jewelry Making . Using wire ,copper . Brass, patinas . rivets, semiprecious stoned even  etching metals  .wooooo mind blowing stuff is coming from her studio this year. I think Tery has found what makes her hart sing.
       Miss Stephanie Novatski ..An Amazing Doll Artist and Teacher is also enjoying her 2 little grand babies .. I don't know how she does it , She designs and creates fantastic Doll patterns that sew up like a dream  .. Every year Stephanie creates a one of a kind Doll entry for the Hoffman challenge let me tell you  they are stunning ! Stephanie  has been taking part in some fantastic swaps this year , & teaching  mixed media Book making At " The Artsy soul ".. Stephanie like all my friends has a most generous soul .. I'm lucky to have a friend like her ..
        Last  for today but By Far Not least in my book  is  the very Talented  Elizabeth Parsons.. Like me Elizabeth has a darling new grand baby that is keeping her busy.. But she is still the Queen of Paper. I seen several of the  books she has created this year and WOW ! is all I can say .. The last couple years Elizabeth has been creating one of a kind Dolls and  in her own words has " Fallen down the rabbit hole " and landed into the enchanting world of doll making ..and boy oh boy is she Good at it !! Elizabeth has been taking workshops from talented and amazing doll artists like Colleen Athens and Lillian Alberti and is an active member of the  "Warwick doll crafters guild " She inspires me to keep keep trying Collage , Telling me not to over think it ..

This  charm is close to actual size in the photo
I made  it from polymer clay useing a push mold.
Added a little paint with my finger ,triple thick
and ultra fine glitter .finished  it with a vintage bead .

      


This  is the second year I attended the " Art Is You" retreat . I connected with So many amazing talented , Fun ,Caring fellow Artists  .. I hope that the connections I made will grow in to friendships to last a life time  ..peace , love and creativity to all of you  xoxoxo
  
    


My altered book.. the pockets are made from Coin envelops ..I learned this
cool idea  from
Terri Sproul .



a page from one of the needle cases I have been making this year

another sketch

Taylor .. one of the dolls I made this year as you can see she is not totaly finished

Neptune Doll club Meeting

               Evey third Friday of the Month a group of Doll makers meet at the Neptune Library . I have to admit that  I don't make every meeting , it is quite a haul for me and depending on the traffic can take me up to 2 hrs to drive there .but believe me  it is always worth the Trip .               
              This month Stephanie Novatski Brought in her Home made Photo booth or light box what ever you want to call it , it was Cool .. I must make one for my self . Every one brought a doll with them so we could take some photos .
                
                                here are a few photos I snapped

The dolls in this Photo were Created By Colleen Athens  her beautiful bunny and
a most glamorous Fox

Stephanie took many more photos of the dolls , adjusting the shutter speed and lighting too . My camera is new to me so I haven't learned how to do all the fancy stuff yet. so As you can see I'm leaning over her shoulder  snapping away .... 

A Close up of Colleen Athens dolls  Oh the Detail  her Dolls have

This is Marion  a Prim style doll i made a a while ago  on a vintage doll Bed

I zoomed in just a little

 .

Mermaids Workshop At Anne's House

       Oh how time flies  .. Its been over a month since  My trip to Florida. What can I say  Life has been good , I have had tuns of Creative Energy this year ,work is good and My Darling Grand Daughter  keeps me smiling  it seems I just don't have time to Blog ..
         I went to Florida with My Friend Colleen Athens  Back in Early March ...We stayed at My Brother in laws Hans's Home the first 48 hrs . We Did some  hobby lobby shopping , we even went to the beach and Colleen Got to meet My crazy Florida Family at a little get together for my sister husband Jay , He was home on leave from Afghanistan .

                                OK  I know lets get to the workshop !!!

      .Colleen was teaching her New Mermaid doll At Anne Hesse home studio . So On the third day we drove to Lake Mary and made the la Quinta Hotel our Home for the next 5 Days 
      The night We arrived  Anne and the other Ladies met us for a get to know you meal , as it turned out  I had met two of the women  in Kentucky at MMM a couple years ago and Debby is an old friend from Doll club here in NJ ..It is always  good to make new friends and spend time with old friends Too . On the first day of the workshop Anne gave each one of us a beautiful  Beaded bracelet that she made, how cool is that ! It has inspired me to learn how to bead ! but that is for another Blog .. Anne is a Talented and generous lady I'm so happy to know her .
                                         
                          "  Here are a few photos from the workshop "

Colleen Athens

        I should have taken some photos of the finished Dolls But I forgot my camera at the hotel the last day ... Colleen and I  still Had another day in the Lake Mary area  after the workshop ..so we made plans to meet Anne at the place Called " Space Craft " after a little treasure hunting there we went to a cute bead shop, Then Anne treated us to  Lunch at the cheese cake factory , needless to say it was a yummy meal.
     Another Fun Trip comes to an end  Colleen heads home and My Sister comes to get me ..

Debbie

    

 the Ladies are working away

Jill and Sally

Two Trips to the Bead Barn ...

         Not once but Twice in a week  I went to visit Judy in valley Cottage NY , Judy is a lovely Gal  also know as the Beadwildered woman from Nyack .. The first trip was on a Tuesday , I headed over to my friend Sue Milo's House to pick Her and Doreen  Up . After a quick cup of coffee and a little  "ART "  show and Tell the three of us  were on the road to visit Judy ....
         The second Trip was on Super Bowl Sunday . Judy was hosting a 50% off sale  . I picked up Sue a little before noon , But this trip we were meeting another friend  Kathy Hoffer at the Barn .After Sue and I left Judy's with our treasures in hand , we made a quick stop at Ac Moore ,  Now all that shopping made us hungry  ..Thanks Sue for treating me to a quick burger and frys  .



the Treasures from day one Brass findings ,a brass house charm. tiny pink
vintage foil back rhinestones and tiny aroraboryalice rhinestones.
a pocket watch , but the real special find is the  cream color Bakelite bow .  

       Judy Has a Cozy Art Barn  stuffed to the rafters with Great treasures  ...  Vintage brass findings and Charms ...Vintage buttons .... Beads old and New ....  Stunning lampwork beads  ...  a Variety of  Ribbons ....    Hand made Felted hand bags and Felted flowers ...            old pocket watches ...old millinery flowers ...   Rhinestones Galore !  And much much more . Every time I go to visit  Judy I see wonderful new treasures to buy.. 



Sundays goodies Tiny Ruby Red vintage crystal rhinestones .Gold oval foil backed
Rhinestones .4 glass fish on thin wire. small pink millinery flowers,
a small brass phone some beads and the coolest black and green trim.

Treasure Hunting Saturday !

   A Treasure Hunting Trip in winter is just a little different than Hitting Flea Mkt's and yard sales like I do April through November. Its Hunting goodies at the Antique Shops and the out of the way little places,Yes it can be a little pricey but I love it all the same.
   I Hopped in the car about 11 am and drove to Andover,a beautiful 40 min drive though the rolling hills of N.J ... I love the shops on rt 206, Many are Co-ops having dozens of dealers under on roof. I do shop several of them often so I feel free to haggle only paying what I feel is a good price.. 




      12 vintage Doilies  .5 vintage post cards one in a glassine envelope  ,1 calling card shaped like a painters       pallet .. A perfect pair of  vintage Black leather gloves and a hand full old of  buttons... Total cash spent  23 bucks..  The relaxing time spent rummaging and picking  PRICELESS !

Life has Been Good ..

Antonia and Big Ed  my adorable hubby (aka Pop Pop ) having fun  last week

    Yes a Crazy Good ..I have been Enjoying time with Family. Spending Time with My Grand Daughter is at the top of the list, she is the light of my life . Antonia Rose Was Born late July, woooo time flies .I can't believe she is 6 months old already ..

a peek at one of the inside pages  they need some more bling

                              when I'm not visiting with her  or at my day job I have been sewing up some gifts for my girlfriends ..lets call them belated Christmas gifts .. LOL .. I finally Delivered two of them this week and have two more ready and waiting... They are needle cases with embellished felt pages they are about 4x6 inches every one different . the fabric used to do the quilt like cover came
from  discontinued designer fabric swatch books all of which my friend Sue Milo collected.Its so nice to have friend who share the treasures with you ! I ended up making about 8 covers but only finished 5 so far.
    

a view of my sewing table

this design is a Tim Holtz  stamp  I did some free motion sewing
over the design and added some dimensional trims

I guess I should take a few more photos of the finished needle cases ..LOL ..but I think you all get the Idea ..peace and love  till next time ... Hugs  Heather

 

                                                           Oodles of stuff to embellish with.

vintage bits ,trims from Mood, images printed on ink jet fabric
just a sample of the things I love.and used in and on the needle cases

Reno / Iowa Retreat ..Snug Harbor NY 2011

     Woo Hooo .. let me start by  Giving Big Ed ( My Hubby) A huge Thank you and a few hugs and Kisses ..This workshop was a fantastic Christmas Gift , yes I had to wait till summer to use it but it was well worth the wait !
      Sherry Goshon is one of My doll Idols .. I love her work and could only hope Sherry would give a workshop close to me one Day ..That day Has Come !! Reno / Iowa Retreat held in Snug Harbor , Staten Island NY ..Snug Harbor is a beautiful historical Maritime park and botanical garden that was the perfect backdrop for a creative weekend .
       Sherry Came to town with her partner in crime Jean Bernard ... They are a Dynamo combination of Talent ,where one leaves off the other one picks up ..  Sherry is so down to earth and Jean is a little shy, they complement each other making for a workshop full of techniques that I'm sure I will use on many other Dolls ...
       We were supplied with a Simple Doll pattern , head, torso and arms to be sewn and turned before the workshop and a supply list from Both Jean and Sherry... I could only wonder what Sherry and Jean Were going to do with the Ridged Wrap ,Tissue paper, Apoxi sculpt  and Wire ...         
      Sherry Guided us through the basic construction of the Dolls Body and the face up..Jean Taught us the cage .. The cage is totaly encrusted in Glitter and sparkle !! (glitter does not photograph well)  .. I love the way she came out .. I still haven't given her a name 
    
 A BIG THANK YOU TO JEAN AND SHERRY  it was a hoot meeting the both of you !

I hope our paths do cross again  xoxo

      

A back view

I had to give her legs

Dozens of Tiny frosted hearts Adorn the Wire Cage.
My dear friend Sue Milo gave me the hearts
They were white, I tinted them with ranger Alcohol inks.
I used clear crystals and fancy head pins
 to make the small drop pendants.

Sherry Showed us how to shadow a face with
Pan Pastles and watercolor pencles.

I up- cycled a brides made gown to create her costume
and the center Flower . I used a heat gun to shrink and pucke the fabric .

                 
     
     

" ART IS YOU " Day 2

                                                                                              
     Fridays workshop ..."COLD BLOODED JOURNAL "..With  MICHAEL DeMENG...

     You just don't know How Excited I was that morning !!! I think Michael is Hands down the Rock Star of Assemblage Art ..
     I bet Mr DeMeng  never Forgets Me . I almost knocked him off his feet with a big Hug the morning of class , I have to admit He looked mildly shocked  by this crazy red Head , but quickly learned I'm quite harmless.   LOL   Michael is so Down to Earth and Willing to Teach his students All about Assemblage Art .. And make you laugh along the way ! I highly recommend taking a workshop with Michael you will not regret it ..

     
 Yikes... Collage / Assemblage ..Not my Strong point when it comes to ART ..So in the days Before " ART IS YOU " I played with the composition  arranging and rearranging  till I had something I liked.. Leaving me open to learning the techniques . In the End I left class with a Journal Cover  I was very Happy With ..
     The Journal is not Really Finished ,still needs some glazing and and some cool paper on the inside cover ,Maybe a little gold Rub N Buff on the nail heads , Then you know Some More of the USZHHHH,
     As For That Vintage stop watch Case,  I have a plan  for that ... The  "Mysterious Frozen Caveman Trick " page 75 in  Michael DeMeng's Book " Dusty Diablos " the question is should I put a face behind the ICE or a tiny frozen Charlotte  ?  Only time will tell.

" ART IS YOU "

      This Was My First year At " ART IS YOU " and it was one of the best things I have ever done for my self ! ... As the Retreat Approached I Became so excited I thought I might burst..lots of things to pack , supplies for each workshop ,Clothes and Makeup...The one and only thing I forgot was my CAMERA !! oh well can't cry over spilt milk can we .. so all the pictures you are about to see I took once I got home .
      I met Tery at the hotel on Wednesday afternoon ,we unpacked the cars ,and checked in . Colleen arrived later that evening the three of us settled in for the night....
      Thursday Day one , so excited up early .. Breakfast and My first Class .. Thomas Ashman teaching "Glass journal" OMG what a cool guy.. with Thomas's help I conquered My FEAR OF FIRE  in the workshop.

   We learned to make a spine and hinges for our journal from copper.
   Thomas showed us how to anneal the copper and patina it with a torch .. oh what fun it was blasting the copper with the torch. HOT STUFF !!!
   I brought along a vintage bracelet to attach to the journal. I love the way it looks  with the purple in the cover.

A big Thank you to Thomas Ashman for teaching  this fantastic journal to us .