A bit of plaid and pearl

Hiya folks, so I'm still trucking along making dolls and working on the business side of things.  I get a lot of inspiration from Etsy articles.  Sometimes I think that this business isn't really viable or able to be successful because...well, they're dolls and who's in to that kind of thing?  You'd be surprised.  Reading those articles shows me that no matter how obscure the product that you make is, if you do it well, you will find success!

I've always liked miniatures since I was a little girl.  I'm not a doll collector and I make this clear to people, but I really love miniatures.  I love how one can get lost in a miniature scene.  How we can create another reality in tiny form.  The artisanship and skills of miniaturists amaze me and I strive to get that quality into my dolls.  When I attend dollhouse miniature shows, I spend hours pouring over these tiny works of art.  It's incredible the skills that people have!

Most of my business will be online, but I hope to attend a few shows here and there.  I want my dolls and products to be of high artisan quality, that one would normally expect to find at shows.  With online shopping such as Etsy and websites, the world has opened up to artists.  It's exicting!

So here's a glimpse into my creative process.  The picture below shows how I prepare cut fabric to make into clothing.  I draft my own patterns...really it's just deciding in my head what I'd like to make and then making it!  I also do some research into costume history to make the doll authentic. There are adjustments here and there that I make, such as cutting away length or more neckline, snipping, gluing, fitting.

People ask me if I hand sew the doll's clothing, and yes I do sometimes.  Half sewing and half gluing.  In miniature, sewing usually creates bulky seams and that just doesn't look good, so I glue a lot of my seams and embellishments on.  I spray fabric stiffener onto the clothing to simulate folds and drape, but I do this in stages.  Usually the biggest part of the outfit, I will hand sew and then spray...if it were glued, the liquid stiffener can pull apart the seams.  The last bits after I used the stiffener are glued, and if I need to use the stiffener on any other part of the outfit, I will apply with a tiny paintbrush.  Here is a finished doll, from that fabric above.

So off to more doll making!  What a wondrous adventure I am on!  Thank you for coming along with me :)

Merry Christmas from my little world to yours!

It's Christmas Eve here in the Northwest!  There is no lack of greenery here!  It's been quiet in my little studio as I've been like the rest of the world, out there shopping away for presents and making goodies in the kitchen.  I will get back into the swing of things after the holiday :)

My sweet boyfriend has been working on my website, so check it out!  It's not functional yet, such as buying directly from it, but it's getting close!! www.lillislittles.com

So have a Merry Christmas and a great start to 2015!  Positive thoughts and energy heading your way!!

Undressed Dolls Ready To Go

I've just finished 3 undressed dolls for a customer.  I will create the porcelain and paint and assemble for those who like to dress dolls but don't have a kiln.  I wrap their limbs with self sticking medical tape.
  

So the weather outside is frightful...:)  It's nice to stay indoors and work on dolls.  

A New Beginning

  

This blog, is about my miniatures and my business.  I also want it to be able to express myself and my creative life through this blog.  I hope to be able to share with those interested, my process of creating a business and the life I love.  Being able to do what one loves and to get paid for it is a common dream.  It's not unattainable.  It doesn't emerge unless you actively seek it.  Not just a great idea in the mind, but actually getting up and out there and forcing your creative self to work at all the aspects.  

Making miniature dolls has come about through my role as a mom, namely with my daughter and her first dollhouse.  I had to make her some better people to put in there!  So, I began sculpting dolls from polymer clay.  I have some early photos but they are hidden...okay someday I'll bring them out.  I then moved on to porcelain, and through self teaching, I now make one of a kind porcelain dollhouse dolls!   The learning process is most definitely continuing and I can see the progress I make through each doll.  My goal is realism...wonder...amazement...

I work from home.  I have a tiny apartment in the Northwest, near Portland, Oregon.  I actually live in Washington but it's seems easiest to point out the big city next to me.  I'm a single mom, with my 13 year old son living with me.  My 22 year old daughter lives in town as well.  I have the sweetest, most amazing boyfriend who shows me what love is really like.  My aging parents live about 5 minutes from me, so I can help take care of them.  This is my home, the rain forest of the NW.  Sun lamps are necessary :)  It's a beautiful place, full of inspiration and moisture!

My plaster molds and supplies are at my parent's home, in a tiny shed in the backyard.  I pour and fire the dolls there.  I bring my tiny kiln home to do my china painting, as it's a long process, requiring 1-2 firings a day over a few days.  I design and dress my dolls here, in my apartment.  I've collected bits of lace and fancy fabric and baubles over the years, and as you can guess it doesn't take up much room!  

After finishing a doll, I set up my photography tent and lights, and photograph the doll.  Usually I'll have a background fabric that I pick to showcase the doll in the best light.  I will then post to Ebay and/or Etsy with detailed descriptions and prices.  I love connecting with my online customers.  I deliver dolls all over the world.  

Starting over in the middle of life seems to be a common cliche, but I'm happy to be here.  I never thought I'd get the opportunity to design my life over, but the chance came right after I turned 40.  I tell people, "It's a good thing!" and I honestly mean it.  Despite the process being rough, and that's quite the understatement, I'm energized and invigorated by my new opportunities that are presenting themselves on a daily basis.  I'm looking forward...ahead.

So with gusto I forge ahead and hopefully I can provide encouragement, inspiration and a bit of color to people's lives!  Tune in!

Love  ya!  ~Lilli