It's all in the details for this Journal Girl...

 'Journal Girl' is a fabric art doll that is packed with details, from her handpainted face and hand-stitched leather vest, to her handmade leather shoes.  She is even holding a tiny leather-bound journal with two signatures of blank pages within.  Check her out at Craftique Redux of the Etsy online marketplace!

I'm a Leo Whimsical Beaded Ornament Art Doll

According to most horoscope descriptions of Leo's personality, they demand attention.  This whimsical art doll ornament can be hung on a cabinet knob or Christmas tree, or even tucked onto a shelf.  Find it at Craftique Redux....

The Beady Blue Bird of Happiness

I'm in a feathered frame of mind lately; this is my second beaded fabric art bird ornament doll.  This one is blue, with natural feathers at her tail, an embroidered beak, and wonderful bead ornamentation all around....find her at my Craftique Redux shop at Etsy!

Facebook Groups are the Outpost and Meeting Place for the Like-Minded

I've got SO many doll-making books (actually both teddy bears AND dolls) that I figured offering them in a group setting would ensure they get to happy new homes of other dollmakers.  I've started the Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dollcraftbuyselltrade/

Here, members can buy, sell, trade, and advertise their doll-related items in their shops - i.e., Gypsy Spoonful, Etsy, eBay, etc.). 

There weren't that many other doll groups on Facebook that had as wide a range of interests, they seemed limited to a certain type, etc..  But I'm quite eclectic in my doll tastes; I would love to have a beautiful Gene doll dressed to the nines; but I also love funky art dolls.  So if you too love dolls of any sort, come join in the fun!

Doll Fans unite in Facebook Group

If you love dolls, love making dolls, love trading dolls, selling and buying dolls and anything doll related (such as doll books, magazines, clothes, dollhouses, and doll furniture); I've just started a new Facebook Group to do just that.  Just visit Doll Craft Buy Sell Trade on Facebook; the more members, the more dolls!

Meet Boho Betty, Self Proclaimed Queen of Festivals Forever

For some, the party shall never end!  Boho Betty is a free standing beaded art doll, with shimmering beaded hair, and she is topless over a brightly beaded skirt.  You can find Boho Betty at Gypsy Spoonful:

Hand Beaded Folk Art Bird Ornament

Whether you trim your tree with this lovely bird, or simply keep her hanging from a cabinet knob for year-round viewing, you'll think she's the beaded bird of happiness!  Find her at Gypsy Spoonful, the New Home of Handmade!

A new art doll: 'Love Child from Andromeda'

What I almost like best about creating art dolls is their little faces staring at me as I am working on them, and that steers me in the direction of their perceived personality...

Soul of Needlecraft Art Doll pattern....

Art dolls are a fun way to express your creativity....with this Soul of Needlecraft Art Doll pattern, you can use the full size pattern to work in needlepoint canvas, or transfer to fabric for traditional embroidery. It's now available at:

http://www.lulu.com/product/media-download/make-a-soul-of-needlecraft-art-doll/11276785

Make a pretty Fantasy Puff Doll

Recycle a damaged 11" fashion doll into a pretty fantasy creation. It's a great way to use up your stash of embellishments, fabric, and imagination! Includes the full sized pattern:

http://www.lulu.com/content/multimedia/make-a-fantasy-puff-doll/8141919

Make a Doodle Art Doll

Doodle your own unique fabric and use it to make a wonderful beaded art doll. The finished doll is approximately 6" and makes a great mini wall hanging. Find the tutorial here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/multimedia/doodle-art-doll/8034722

Meet Kitty Pearl....

Kitty Pearl is a 6" wool felt cat doll that is wearing her favorite dress (made of pearls!). The tutorial for Kitty Pearl includes the full size doll pattern and the directions for making her pearl dress, with instructions and photographs.

Beady Bella Cloth Doll Pattern & Tutorial

Beady Bella is a bohemian babe who has very eclectic tastes, and she'd be happy to wear most anything in your bead and bauble stash. This tutorial includes the full size pattern for the 11" cloth doll, and instructions for her beaded accessories, with photographs. The tutorial can be found at: http://stores.lulu.com/busycrowstudio

Art Doll Pen Tutorial

Create an adorable art doll on a refillable pen. These little dolls are addictive to make, and are a great way to use up beautiful bits of fibers and beads from your stash. The tutorial includes a full size pattern, and directions. $5.00

Cool Cat Doll

I've listed the Cool Cat stuffed doll at Etsy (look for busycrowstudio at www.etsy.com). This cat doll is full of attitude, from his pointy ears to his furry black jacket. He's a sassy study in black and white. He's 15" tall.

The mermaid's tale is finished....

The little mermaid is now completed. Her tail is completely beaded, her fiber embellishment has been added, and a beaded Grecian up-do has been styled for hair. She's now ready to bask peacefully on a stone....

Mermaid's Tail is completely beaded now

The Mermaid's tail is now completely beaded; all I have to do is add some fiber and embellishment to the waistline where her back meets the tail. Then, on to adding hair!

Bead Embroidery Class starts on September 17-October 1, 2007

For those living in the Southern California area, here is one of the latest class offerings:

Class: Bead Embroidery CAD4.01

Location: DeAnza Community Center, 1405 Fern St, Ontario, California, 91762

Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Date(s): Mondays, 9/17/07 to 10/1/07 (three class sessions)

You can register online at: http://www.ci.ontario.ca.us/

New Art Doll Kit offered - "I Felt Happy"

I have listed my latest art doll kit, "I Felt Happy" on both Etsy and eBay. This kit creates a unique 9" art doll whose felt body can be embellished by needle felting and embroidery.

A Mermaid's Tail....Follow her progress

I am going to document the creation of an art doll. I made a mermaid doll form, about 4" long. The form is half-polymer, half-fabric, a type which I sell occasionally on Etsy (look for busycrowstudio); and sometimes on eBay (look for serendipitydoo). The mermaid is posed lying on her tummy, with tail outstretched. This form has no hair, because it will be added last. Otherwise, it would only get in the way. I will probably do pure bead fringe for the hair, with some nice fibers blended in. The body is a deep blue color, and the batik fabric matches, but the fabric will be covered completely with bead embroidery.