Many of you know that I have a very special relationship with David and Paul of The Old Pretenders. What you do not know is that Paul went through some rough medical trials in 2000 and was not sure if he could ever create like he used to again. Well here is proof that he can indeed create and with exceptional detail and style! Just look at this French Fashion Doll he dressed, exquisite down to the last details! This beauty is dressed to look exactally the way antique dolls were dressed in the 1870's and 1880's. Paul's eye for beauty, color and detail is unmatched in this divine creation. Can't you just imagine waltzing in the moonlight in a gown like this? BRAVO PAUL!!!
I am so excited to be presenting my new BAT BABYS at this weekends TINSEL AND TREASURES show! These sweet little pendants (they hang upside down!) are crafted from fimo, and apoxy clay, and then embellished with beads and shimmering metallic powders. Each is unique and one of a kind. I will also have a large selection of reliquaries available for sale. Please come by and say HELLO if you are in the area!!!
I think these images of the French version of Punch, called "Polichinelle" are really wonderful! I may just have to make some more puppets!!!! Link plus Google Images...
I delivered my 'Punch and Judy' dolls to the Castle today, and they are very comfortable in their new theatre/home built by John McRae! When John gave me the project a couple of weeks ago, the first thing I did was go through all my boxes of fabrics and trims and pull out things that I thought would work for the dolls. I knew I wanted to work mostly with primary colors, and that I wanted the 'Baby Punch' to be done in baby blues. Amazingly, I ended up having everything I needed on hand, which is always a wonderful feeling, and the only things I purchased were the mannequin's! The heads were sculpted out of 'DAS' paperclay on 12" and 5" mannequins.
For Punch, I found a wonderful rich red wool that become the main part of his 'costume'. He "had" to have a bump on his back and a big belly, which made pattern drafting a little tricky. I was really happy how the embroidered fabric from Guatemala turned out on him, and the combination of vintage laces with other trims. I put one of the red anchors on the back of his hat, a quiet nod to all the 'Seaside' Punch and Judy shows that are so popular in England now.
Judy was less defined initially, so I gathered fabrics that had a 'country marm' feel. As you can see, I didn't use all of them. Her bonnet was created from a piece of an antique French baby bonnet, that is wired for form. Her apron is also a vintage piece. You can't see them here, but she has bright red bloomers on underneath her skirt!
Baby Punch was a surprise, as I had been asked only to do Punch and Judy. But I just couldn't leave him out! Shari, one of the Castle's employee's had recently given me the little 'duckling' handkerchief that belonged to her mother, and it became the focal point of babies costume! His dress was created of a vintage tea towel, and the hat used one of my favorite trims with bunnies on it!
All in all, they are a very happy family, full of mischief and the usual dysfunctions! ENJOY!!!
David of the Old Pretender's just sent me these photos of Paul's MERMAID DOLLS which he created a number of years ago. Anybody else out there wish he would do more fantasy work again? I just adore these!!!
Do you remember the incredible Doll that David and Paul gave me last year? I knew I had to find a very special way to display her. Last October I took her to Addison Endpapers and asked Julie to design a box that would highlight and protect her. On Friday I finally picked up the box and boy did Julie do a fantastic job, using a beautiful pale blue rose print on the outside, and a vintage cream moire on the inside. The shape truly lets this little 'Old Pretender' look her best! She now hangs next to my little silk dress (which ironically also came from Addison Endpapers) and Donna's Magnificent French Crown! ~ Perfect company I think!!!
I think I am finally on the mend from a nasty bout of the flu! Thank you to everyone who commented and emailed me, notes like yours can't help but make me heal faster!!! As its been over 100 degrees in this part of California, the heat didn't help my recovery, but it seems a bit cooler today, and I am happier... The best thing about being sick for me is that I can day-dream about creative projects all day long... So here are a couple of things that are inspiring me right now. English Mahogany 'Clock Tower', makes my head spin with Miniature ideas!!! Look at that staircase! And the work of Ibride out of France. Who couldn't use an ostrich table??? ~more soon...
How can one not fall in love with the work of Melanie Bourlon? She captures a delightfully french historical point of view in her Papier-mâché whimsies, that make me smile and wish for more! Just look at those beautiful and intoxicating shoes, delicious cakes and animals ~ dressed in historical finery or benevolently peering at us from afar... all created with such care we cannot help but fall in love! 
Sunday, I had 5 women, a group of friends, take a class in my studio. I thought it would be fun to do a paper theatre where we focus on the characters rather than the background. We used oval boxes for our base, and paper theatre sheets for the backgrounds. I then had them chose 'characters' from paper theatre sheets and needle felt the heads. Costumes were created from bits and pieces of a variety of textured papers. It was like playing with paper dolls again... My vision was dressed animals, or people with animal masks, having a wonderful time in a fancy~ball like atmosphere!!! Didn't they turn out WONDERFUL?!?!
If you have not yet read this delightful story about 'a party of 7 theater (carnivale/circus) company members' over at A Fanciful Twist, spare no time, and GO IMMEDIATELY ~ you are in for a real treat!!!
Spring just wouldn't be Spring without seeing a few new creations by David And Paul! As always their colors and style are supreme, and attention to details amazing! I am especially fond of the little gentleman, so dapper and handsome! ENJOY!!!
