How exciting...

I have just launched my new blog http://starlightcostumes.blogspot.com/ , where I can concentrate solely on my costume making (while keeping my dolls here, of course). I intend to keep adding to both blogs as I am planning to continue with the doll making as well as launching my costume business...I can see it's going to be a very busy time...

a fashion first....

Well, I'm a bit rusty, but my first attempt at new designs didn't turn out too bad! I finished these figures in watercolours, (my favoured medium). This is my first commission (though it's a 'freebie' so I can test my new pattern software) for a salsa style evening dress for my daughter...I have already printed the pattern, so it just needs making up!...but I can already feel myself being pulled along the paper doll route....oh,oh...

Folksy...Folksy...Folksy...

I've recently discovered FOLKSY a UK site that runs along the same lines as ETSY (where I have my other online store). You can find all manner of wonderful hand crafted items there, including my new shop!! You can find me at: http://www.folksy.com/shops/AuntPollysdolls
Please pay me a visit when you can.

chasing rainbows...

Well...after a terrible few weeks where I have found out I'm losing my job in a couple of weeks time...and then got turned down for a university course...I was about ready to just give up!!

But after a good while feeling sorry for myself, I've picked myself up and I'm going to 'bite the bullet' and turn my hobbies into a full time business!!

I'm planning to start a costume design service as well as general dressmaking and, of course, my dolls will be a big part of it too. I used to make dance and stage costumes (like the one in the picture)and spent time doing bridal alterations before the dolls came along so it shouldn't be too difficult to 'start again'....so here's to a new beginning!!

Introducing....

.....and here she is!! My beautiful ragdoll kitten. You can't really see the pale blue colour of her eyes in photos. We have called her 'Tia', she is a real sweetie!!

The cat's out of the bag....

I've had to confess to hubby what I'm planning to do with my money from selling the miniatures...I have to say he took it quite well.....although when I said I wanted to buy a rag doll, he just assumed it was a doll. I think he was just a bit surprised when I mentioned that it happened to be a breed of cat!! But, he's got used to the idea (only took a few days of persuading)...which is good really, as I'd already found 'the one' ! She's a beautiful blue point ragdoll kitten...and I'm going to meet her tomorrow...and I'm sooo excited! She won't be ready to come home with me for a few weeks yet, so I'll just have to be patient (not one of my strong points!)...

Don't You Just Hate It When...

It's happened AGAIN!...Someone (who shall remain nameless) is passing off my goods as her own on Etsy!!! I even gave her the benefit of the doubt by asking her where she found the items and she claimed to have made them herself!! I really don't have a problem with people making and selling my designs so long as they don't try to pass them off as their own, but it's even worse when they are selling my actual products and claiming to have made them....this has happened to me several times and I sometimes wonder why I bother....perhaps I should give up sharing my designs?

Pale and interesting...

I don't come across many dolls heads made in the UK, but both of these heads are marked 'House of Nisbet fine bone china 1980 made in England' (the House of Nisbet was founded by Peggy Nisbet in 1952, she died in 1995). They are unusual in that their colouring is very pale, (the china is almost white like the original china heads), I think they were probably originally sold in kit form.

'Surprise'!!

This head was another of my 'impulse' buys. She looks rather surprised with her high eyebrows and round eyes, though at least it looks like a pleasant surprise...she has just the hint of a smile! I'm planning to make her in the style of a French fashion doll complete with full trousseau.

Impulse buys....how guilty are you?

Okay, so hands up all those who are guilty of buying on impulse...then wondering why? Yes, I'm just as guilty as everyone else (we've all done that at some point, haven't we?)....you only have to look at this head to see it was a spur of the moment thing!! I can't use any of my usual excuses like...'felt sorry for it'.....or 'couldn't resist it'......it would be more like...'it was cheap, no one else wanted it' or maybe...'oops, look what I bought'!! So I'll have to dig deep to create a character around this one...I'm already thinking along the lines of a drag queen, complete with sparkly dress and big red hair....Then, perhaps at the next fair someone will come along and on impulse.....