ADO Elements Challenge

Not long ago, I happened onto a blog called ADO (Art Dolls Only) and was so impressed with the dolls that I had seen there. On one of the days I went to visit, I saw that there was an Art Doll challenge.



This challenge was not only for the members, but non members too (I’m not a member). So I decided to join in on this adventure. My hands have been itching to create dolls again and this was another opportunity to revisit on of my first loves. Most of the dolls that I’d seen on ADO were sculpted in polymer clays of different sorts and were so beautiful. So many varieties and personalities. A little intimidating and envious to say the least since I use fabric and my fingers don’t work their magic with polymer clays (I so wish they did). But I stepped up to the challenge anyways. I tossed and turned between Earth and Fire. Earth won.

As some of you may know, my Muse (and I have a few of them) will take me on a journey only to have me come out on the other side with what you see here. I have a clue and a few items going in (in this case a wood block, and some flowers), but once there it’s another story. I have to say that it’s all good and I would not change the journey one bit. It is a gift given from them and I honor these gifts.

In my earlier post, I teased you with bits-n-pieces of this creation. And I have to give a shout out to my very good friend and best bud, Greg! He took these magnificent pics of her in his back yard. Thank you sweetie!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Earth Mother. Nurturer, caregiver, provider. She’s 10” tall, crafted in fabric and stands in a base making the overall size 11”.

Her upper body is made from tea dyed muslin
and the lower part from cotton fabric.
Her bodice is made from a maple leaf taken from a fall foliage garland.
Her cloak is green velvet lined in a moss green fabric
with moss green/gold ribbon.

Her beautiful head of hair is made from deer moss, adorned with flowers
and a beaded crown. And for her necklace, she wears beads
representing the seven colors of the Chakras with a glass leaf.

You can’t see it too well, but on each arm she wears four bracelets.

She stands in (she comes out) a hollowed tree stump

and is surrounded by colorful flowers on a peat moss base.

As she came more into focus, I was prompted by my Muse to put a piece of braided sweet grass in her feet (to attract good spirits) and healing Chakra stones at her heart (Rose Quartz), throat and Third Eye (Lapis Lazuli), and crown (Quartz Crystal) of the head as she was being filled. I did not ask why these four Chakras were given, I just moved with it. Now I see why. Earth Mother is here to remind us of the healing that desperately needs to happen within ourselves and with the earth. There is an imbalance and a healing that is way overdue. The earth is the only place we have to call home right now. Lets take care of her.

......Don't forget to stop by ADO to visit the other Elements Blog Event participants (the list is on the left). Some great works to be seen there.

Dolls...new and revisited

Well now, my hands have stopped itchin’,
for the moment at least.
Been itchin’ to create a new collection of dolls.

There is so much inspiration out there. Started on some plushies last month (finished those) but could not get the goddess dolls out of my mind...I used to create soft dolls and toys back in the day when my daughter was in her toddler stage and I was a stay at home mom. Life happened, the dolls were exchanged for other types of creations and I started working outside of the home.

This collection is called Create (that’s what the charm says). Simple, huh? Made to inspire creation for the one who holds her.

Each goddess is 7” tall with a beaded charm necklace.
Their faces are made of air dry clay with a third eye chakra for clarity.

The purple one was made for a personal trade,
and the others will be given as gifts.

The hair is a very soft chenille yarn. The fabric for the body was hand picked and printed from my computer using InkJetPrinting cotton sheets from Jacquard. I added a bit of sweet grass in the feet for healing and peace before sewing them closed.

So now I want to go into the archives to introduce you to some old friends...

The King and Queen, now there’s a pair.
He still likes to hold her hand.

They are 15 years old! See, told you it was back in the day. I made all kinds of dolls and toys then, but these are my absolute favorites. They are 24” tall. I did not design the body pattern, but I did design the matching costumes, hats, and sandals for them. The nose ring that the Queen wears is my original nose ring from 1974/75. Her dress is lined and her duster is reversible. She’s even wearing bloomers. *giggles* I wanted the King in the patterned costume. He wears a two piece set with a sash.

The hair is braided (Queen) and wrapped with gold ribbon to match. You may wonder why they have no faces… at the time they didn't need one, and they still don’t.

There are so many ideas running around in my head for more Goddess dolls. But I will give it some more time and get back at them soon.