visions of dolls to come

Do you dream of your creations? Last night I had a dream about the next doll I will be working on. It was very detailed in shape and color. Right down to the accessories she will have. In some ways it makes it easier to create, since I have a definite direction. In some ways it hurts because I am trying to "live up to" my imagination, making it just like the picture in my dream. I suppose no one else would ever know if it is close or not, but I do. And I really do think that is all that counts. If I am not pleased with something, if I do not see it as almost flawless, then its not good enough to sell or even give away. Those pieces are sometimes trashed, but most often they are kept for parts. Or at least to let me know where not to go next time ;O)

Two and a half..

done and four to go. The ornaments that is. They are going much faster now though, alot easier since I figured out exactly what to do and how to get there. Its such a relief to see it all coming together.

Just got a catalog of the new classes for the bead and button show in Milwaukee in the mail. Looks like there are some wonderful classes being offered, but unfortunatley they have some wonderful prices to go along with them. Seem to be alot of steampunk type jewelry coming around this year too. Shame Im not rich enough to take the ones I would like, but can you justify taking a class for around $500 when you have three children? If so let me know, cause I cant seem to stomach it.

Gasp...could it be..??

Actual free time? Today the youngest two went to a friends house to play, and wont be back until their father picks them up. That leaves just the oldest and I, and she isnt too demanding of my time. So far today Ive finished five sets of hand armatures and completed one angel. Hmmm, seems things go alot faster when you dont have to referee all the time. :o)

Just waiting to find out the schedule agreed upon at the last guild meeting ( I missed it) and I will be sending out those emails. A new year sounds great!

Its Almost Over!!

Not that I want to be "that girl", but I am so GLAD to see this year almost out the door. It has been a year of one rotten thing after another, and frankly I wont be upset at all to have it over!!

Things are almost back to normal here. I have finished "undecorating" from the holiday season and all the family things are done. Just one more week and the girls are back in school. Then life will really be back to normal. I have finally conquered the whole ornament battle, and now just need to get into a small production mode to finish them ( pics to follow soon!)

I am so excited to be able to move on to something different.

Sick of being sick...

I have one of those lingering colds, the kind that dont make you sick enough to go to bed and wake up feeling better, but you dont feel quite right when you are up. It sucks. Things are moving along though, I have gifts that have actually been made, wrapped and been given. I love having things start to move along again. For so long Ive felt like Ive been in a rut. Breaking free will be sweet. Still pushing the ornaments through. Im hoping to work seriously on the rest of them tonight..sigh.

Excitement at the inspiration...

Okay, so I found a definition for the style I would like to try next. Its called steampunk. A mixture of Victorian lace and elegance and steam driven cogs and exposed machinery! Its so nice to have a word to put to the feeling! Ive already begun sketching the doll and designing her companion and have accesories in mind for how it will all work out. And with the kids on Christmas break it will give me some time to start creating. Isnt a wonderful thing to have a name to put to the idea!!

I give up...

Yep, I admit it, those ornaments have gotten the better of me. I just cant get a finish on the edges that is up to the standards I want it to be. ( I feel they look like an elementary school project.) So as soon as I can locate some ladies handkerchiefs they are going to become angels. They should look rather cute as angels, since most of the ones you see this time of year are girls if nothing else they should look different from everything else out there. I am also ( still) having trouble being motivated. Is there anyone else out there with this problem? I feel like this time of year I should be pumping out dolls, idea after idea being realized in clay. I have the ideas, Im just having trouble actually doing anything with them. Okay, back to the house work... thanks for listening to me whine. ;OP