Spring has Sprung!

I hope you all are enjoying spring like weather after such a harsh winter.  Here are some pictures of our beautiful azaleas that are bursting with blooms.

                                                                        

 

 

I've also been busy doll making of course, and have finished my companion doll for my Mary Todd Lincoln.  Elizabeth Keckley was the first lady's dressmaker who became her friend and confidant during the time of her husband's presidency and many years after his assassination.  Elizabeth was a free woman of color who bought her own freedom. She worked for many influential ladies including the future first lady of the Confederacy, Varina Howell Davis. 

 

 

 

Elizabeth's outfit consists of a silk taffeta plaid skirt, and a silk dupionni blouse trimmed in brown velvet bands.  This outfit is a copy of the one on display in the Smithsonian.  It  was worn by the actress Gloria Reuben, who portrayed Elizabeth Keckley in the movie "Lincoln".

 

 

 

 

New dress for Mary Todd

This is the new dress I just finished for Mary Todd Lincoln.  The other one I had started for her just didn't seem "grand" enough for the First Lady, so I tried to reproduce the gorgeous royal purple velvet gown with white satin piping in the seams that is on display at the Smithsonian.  It was a lot of work, but I am very happy with how it turned out!  Antique black lace and cream netting are used on
the sleeve caps, and cream chenille is looped around and stitched to the top of the sleeve cap. 
   Also, I am very pleased that another article about my dolls that I wrote myself is in the new April/May issue of "Doll Collector" magazine. 
                                                       


                                                     

 

 

 

 

"Miss Lizzie Scott" and her doll

My latest doll is "Miss Lizzie Scott" . She is 20" tall with cloth body and paper clay sculpted head.  Her little Greiner type antique doll is 12" tall, with paper clay molded head and hair.  Both are oil painted.  Lizzie's outfit is typical of the 1860's and consists of a fine batiste blouse,  and a checked silk  taffeta skirt and jacket trimmed in black silk and pom pom trim.  Her doll is still in her undergarments; her outfit is forthcoming!

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

Ordering a OOAK doll

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all keeping warm and coping with this terrible winter weather. This has been the worst winter I can remember in 10 years of living in Mississippi. I almost thought I had been transported back to my roots in northwestern Ohio there for a while! 
   Anyhow, I thought I should let people know that they can order dolls directly from me.  Even though I do The National Doll Festival Show every year, (this year it is in San Antonio in July) and will try to do other shows as well, I know everyone cannot attend these. I am on the waiting list for the wonderful Quinlan art doll show in Philadelphia for May 1-3, and am very excited about that. I put a doll on EBay once in awhile, but it occurred to me, after talking to ladies at my shows, that they might want something very specific.  Each state has historical women of interest from the Civil War era, or another time during the 18th or 19th century.    If there is someone in particular that you think would make a great doll, let me know.  I can commission a doll for a 50% deposit, and will accept several payments for the balance.  Most of my dolls are 20-24",  and will start at about $425, and up, depending on complexity of costume, props, etc.  I specialize in girls and women, but have made boy dolls as well.  I am going to start working on some adult men prototypes also, to see how that goes!    Right now I am working on a lady of historical significance in the Philadelphia area during the Civil War.  Or, if you just would like a generic person of a particular historic period, I can do that as well.  My husband makes great furniture and props that can be geared especially towards your doll and her/his  history. 
   You can contact me through the blog, or my email is:  dollmaker@bellsouth.net.   Thanks for all of your interest in my dolls, and those who have emailed me to say how much they enjoyed the wonderful article in Doll News magazine. 

Mary Todd Lincoln

Well, here in Mississippi we have finally thawed out after experiencing a frigid blast of arctic air like almost everyone else!  It only happens here about once every 50 years, though.  All the pipes in our house froze, but luckily none of them burst.  I was here by myself during all this, as my husband was basking in 80 degree weather in Miami while visiting his children!
Anyhow, thank goodness it is over. 
   Here is my latest doll (still in progress).  Mary Todd Lincoln was a real challenge, having been the first doll I have attempted to actually resemble a famous person. I have dress on her right now that I'm not sure will stay; might try something else.  She's 23" tall, with cloth body and paper clay sculpted head, shoulders, arms and hands.  Once again, I am concentrating on the Civil War era and probably will until 2015 to honor the sesquicentennial of the war. There are certainly enough fascinating women of that era to inspire a hundred dolls! 

   I also want you all to know how thrilled I am to have a wonderful article written about me in the new "Doll News" magazine. This is the publication of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.  It will be sent out to members within the next week or so.  I want to especially thank Ann Leiss for writing the article and being so supportive!  

After the doll show in Washington DC was over, we did some sightseeing.  I have always wanted to see the First Ladies Exhibit at the Smithsonian, and it was fabulous!  This picture is of one of Mary Todd Lincoln's gowns, made by her dressmaker and personal confident, Elizabeth Keckley. It is purple velvet, with all seams piped in white satin.  It consists of a skirt, and bodice.  Actually there were two bodices, one for day and one for evening.  Also pictured is the Lincoln china used during their administration. 

NEW LITTLE ONES

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We are experiencing very cold weather for Mississippi and may even have snow flurries in the AM!  This is good weather to stay indoors and make dolls.  Here are some pictures of some of the smallest dollies I have made; this size is being made exclusively for some dealers in Ohio.  They are 10 1/2" tall, and dressed in antique fabrics from the Civil War era.  Their heads are paper clay over cloth, and the bodies are cloth stuffed with wool.  Then, they are oil painted.  These were really fun for me to make, as I am used to making larger dolls.  And, much easier for me to make after a trip to LensCrafters for some new glasses so I can see the tiny details!! 

 

 

 

 

I love how this little gal's outfit turned out.  The pinafore really added a great touch!  The beautiful solid oak armoire behind her was made by my wonderfully talented husband, who has been working with me to make furniture and room settings for my dolls. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another dress style with the antique fabrics.  She is enjoying her little Christmas tree with an antique lamb toy.

 

 

 

 

 

 These two little mulatto girls are dressed in outfits typical of the 1850's and 1860's.  Most of the dresses were all hand-sewn.