SHOW CANCELLATION

I just got notification within the last few days that the "Kreativity" doll and teddy show that was scheduled for the end of January in Sarasota, FL. has been cancelled due to the ill health of the promoter and apparent lack of follow-through on the part of vendors.  I am disappointed about this, as it should have been a good show.  Anyhow, this means more dolls for sale at Rowbear Lowman's "National Doll Festival" which will be in Orlando August 1-5 at the International Palms Resort.  It is always held at the same time as the UFDC annual convention, so there is a lot of doll excitement in one place!   For more information, go to www.nationaldollfestival.com. and see the ads in Antique Doll Collector magazine. 

CHRISTMAS DECOR

Just thought I'd include a few pictures of the Christmas decorations here at our home in Florida.  It's called the "Pasco" house, because Senator Pasco of Florida lived here after the Civil War.  The home was built about 1850.

Entry Hall tree

Bannister arrangement

Stair garland

                                                    Mantel décor

This is my "teacup" tree; it has many porcelain tea cups and tea-related items

This tree is in my breakfast room, and is my "wildlife" tree.  I love birds and wildlife, and have an abundance of pheasants, birds, and other little wild animals on here.  Pheasant feathers adorn the top.

Mantel décor in French parlour

Pink Victorian tree with antique doll beneath

Annalise, Grace and Jewell at their Christmas tea

I put up four trees this year, each with a different theme.  I have made a lot of the ornaments myself that are of small dolls. 

I hope this finds all of you well, and getting ready for Christmas!  It's been really busy around here with holiday parties, etc., and I am getting ready to do a new doll show in Sarasota, the Kreativity Doll and Teddy Show at the end of January.  Here are a couple of new dolls I've been working on.

This is "Annalise" having Christmas tea.  She is about 18" tall, and has a synthetic mohair wig.  Her dress is of fine batiste with cotton laces.  I decided to changer her hair style; a previous post had her as a blonde!  Which one do you like better??

"Suki" is about 14" tall, and is holding her sampler pillow.  Her wig is synthetic mohair, and she is dressed in a simple ruffle yolk dress.

                        
                                        "Violette" and "Suki"
 Miss Violette is 22" tall, and represents a young mixed race girl from 1890's New Orleans.  Her dress is made of dotted swiss, with lace trim and blue satin sash.  Her wig is synthetic mohair.


Have a wonderful Holiday Season, and I'll see you next year!

Happy Halloween everyone!   Just thought I'd show you one of my new dolls.
"Annalise" is getting ready to enjoy a tea party with her friends.  Her dress is made of fine batiste trimmed with cotton netting and laces.  She is sculpted of paper clay with a cloth body, and has been oil painted.  Her beautiful curls are synthetic mohair.  
   I want to remind everyone about the exciting new doll and teddy show, the Kreativity Show that will be held in Sarasota January 27-29.  I will be exhibiting there, and looking forward to seeing all you art doll lovers out there! 

Jasmine and Callie

Well, the long hot summer is winding down; I can't believe it is almost September already!  I have been busy in the studio making new dolls for the upcoming doll shows I will participate in next year.  Due to the popularity of my African-American dolls, I have decided to make them my "trademark" and create many more of them!  I will still do other types of dolls, as well.
 
  Here is Miss Jasmine with her little doll Callie.


                                                 

 

             Little Jewell holding her teddy toy

Both dolls have cloth bodies, and have paperclay sculpted head, shoulder plates and arms.  Miss Jasmine's boots have also been sculpted.  They are then oil-painted, and wigged.  Jewell's wig is human hair. 

Well, back to work!!  More photos to come.

NEW DOLL

Good morning


Yes, I still exist, for those of you who may be wondering!  We have been here in our new (old) home in Florida for a year now, unbelievably.  I can't get over how fast time is flying by.   I was SO disappointed that we were not able to attend this years National Doll Festival in Washington, D.C.   With the move, and almost nine months of house restoration, I was not able to make enough dolls to make the show feasible.  As you can imagine, the dolls take a long time to make, and I didn't want to skimp on details or quality.  However, next year the show will be right here in Florida, in Orlando, and I have already begun making a wonderful collection of new dolls for a great show. 
  My line of African American dolls has consistently received rave reviews and brisk sales, so I have decided to make these my "signature" work; they will be the vast majority of the dolls I make in the future.  I will still make other types as well, including Izannah Walker reproductions and dolls based on historic figures.  
   The latest doll I just completed was for a collector in Baton Rouge, LA.  She is "Phillis Wheatley",  the first African American poetess to have her works published in the US in the late 1700's. 

Please remember that I take commissions for your choice of doll:  Just contact me with your ideas and I will be happy to discuss it with you. 
   I will be posting some new photos very soon of new dolls I'm working on.  For you collectors,  I would love to hear from you with ideas of what you would be interested in or what you would like to see me have available at my show.
   I'm also researching a couple of other doll shows to participate in, and will let you know when/if I sign up for those. 
   Hope you're all having a great summer!! 

HARRIET TUBMAN

Here is a picture of my latest doll, which has just been sent to her new home in Washington, D.C.   Harriet Tubman was born as the slave "Minty" on a Maryland farm.  She was a very petite girl, barely five feet tall.  When she was quite young, she suffered a head injury after being struck with a heavy weight.  This left her with bouts of unconsciousness, but didn't prevent her from leading a remarkable life.
  She married John Tubman , and assumed the name of Harriet at that time.  In 1849, she escaped to Philadelphia, being aided by a sympathetic neighbor who hid her in his wagon full of vegetables.  She worked as a maid for some time, but risked recapture by returning more than a dozen times to Maryland to help other slaves escape to freedom.  It is estimated that her work for the "Underground Railroad" resulted in more than 75 slaves reaching freedom in the north.   
  Her story has always fascinated me, so I was very happy when a wonderful customer of mine commissioned this doll.  Researching the lives and history of so many colorful characters is a real joy for me, and being able to create a historical figure representing those people is a wonderful experience.  Harriet is pictured here with another of my dolls, Mary Todd Lincoln.  They are currently on display at the Jefferson Arts Gallery here in Monticello, Florida where I live.