Some Amazing Finds!

Hi everyone!  I love finding new tools or supplies to make my creating/job easier.  The longer I'm in this business, the more I find new tools and techniques.  All that to say that I found my favorite brushes for china painting, well miniature painting in general, from a company called MicroMark.  They sell all sorts of tools and supplies in small scale for the hobbyist or small size creator.  Their catalog is exhaustive!  These micro paint brushes can be found on this page of their site.  Here are the two I purchased.

These are the two smallest and help me so much with the tiny facial features I china paint onto my dolls.  They're super easy to hold as well, for close up work.  I don't know how I've done it without these guys!

I also found another amazing treasure just last week.  She fell right out of the tree by my studio window.  An Eastern Gray squirrel that was only about 4 days old.

  Of course my Love and I couldn't just leave her there, so I took her in and warmed her up and gave her Pedialyte to get her fluids back.  I tried puppy formula too, but she didn't like it so much.  This squirrel rehabilitation is hard work!  I had no idea how to keep this little guy alive except for a fabulous site called Squirrel Refuge.  They showed how to re hydrate and feed a baby squirrel and most importantly, how to find a local wildlife rehabilitator.  I really didn't want a squirrel for a pet (though I named her Forrest....) so I really wanted to get her to someone who could take care of her and put her back out into the world (plus it's illegal to have any wildlife as a pet!)  This site also happened to be the site of the one rehab person in my area.  I took her over to the refuge and they kindly accepted her in!  They knew exactly what they were doing!  

So gosh, what amazing finds I've had lately!  It's the little things that count :)

Summer crazy days!

Yes, it's been a busy, crazy summer.  So much to do before it starts to rain again!  Not only are my Love and I busy working on house projects and getting some camping in, I'm also busy developing new products and creating more dolls.

 I'm getting ready for the Portland Miniature Show and I hope to bring many many dolls and supplies!  Come visit with me and see my work up close!

I've developed a new Basic Dollhouse Doll.  This little Victorian/Edwardian man is in my Etsy shop and ready to be ordered.  You can pick out his hair and eye color as well as skin color.  He is from my line of basic and affordable dollhouse dolls, meaning the costume is very simple and the style the same for each doll made.

I'm halfway finished with my new kit, a modern lady.  I hope to be able to debut her at the show in October.  My testing ladies are standing by ready to try her out!  Stay tuned!

I've finished two dressed dolls, this first being a special custom order of the dashing Mr. Rochester.  His new family is quite excited to welcome him!

The second is a sweet little girl dressed in Victorian/Edwardian dress.  The fabric is light green checked silk, and I've added mauve pink accents.  She's in this permanent seated position.  She is also on her way to her new home.

My sweet Love bought me an amazing camera for my birthday this year, and I've been working on Macro photography and different sets for the dolls.  I still haven't settled on a permanent set/background, but hopefully soon I'll have that down!

I hope your summer has been as lovely as mine!