Doll Face

Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6hNj1uOkY&feature=related

It's by artist Andy Huang, and I loved it. All of us who are into our type of doll art will love it.

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I happened to stumble upon it at a very apropos time: I am about to begin the facial art for the new blue haired girl. It makes me wonder: what would she like to look like?

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And it reminds me: not to let her fall off a shelf.

Let Me In

Published in ten countries before finally making it here, I've finally got my hands on a copy, and I'm not letting go.

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I think that it's actually unfair when this guy is categorized with the likes of Anne Rice and Clive Barker. Surely, he should be in a class all his own.

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Lovers of LeFanu rejoice! Finally, there is something good to read.

Odd Dolls

One of the things that we're very fond of is Alice in Wonderland. Something that I particularly like about Alice is how it brings us all together. I've made so many friends over Alice and have so little time to thank them for the great laughs and the great joy that comes from sharing this classic tale.

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As you may know, you have a couple of days left to head over to Jericho to see our rendition of Alice. A.D. and I convinced our latest girl to stand in for Alice and she will be on exhibition there until the end of the month. My life size White Rabbit in his party sweater is keeping her company. Visit www.jericholibrary.org for directions and hours.

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For those of you who are out of town, who complain that you cannot get to the island, that you cannot see anything that we ever exhibit, and that you are not quick enough to capture anything that we make, simply ever: I have a solution. Visit: www.oddolls.net . If you frighten easily, or if clowns give you nightmares, go to www.firefliesintheforestfolkart.com . Debbie Kirkpatrick has separated her art into two sites: one for us hard core edgy ohmygodweloveit! types and the other, the fireflies one, is for the sweet and faint of heart.

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Debbie will make you Alice in Wonderland to your hearts content. Rabbits, cats, pigs, the Queen. Any of the characters, any or all of the pieces, single or in sets. Her work is, of course, entirely different from mine. However, the humor is somehow exactly the same.

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Visit, if you dare, and be delighted.

A.D. LJ Ends

"I don't know when I realised the dream was over

There was no particular hour, no given day

You know it didn't go down in flame

There was no final scene, no frozen frame

I just watched it slowly fade away"

- Eagles

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Many of us communicate through our blogs. We post our sneak peeks, our works in progress, relate our travels, share our recipes. For fans, it's an opportunity to eavesdrop on some of the off-line chitchat and the dollie lovers have probably enjoyed seeing some of the sculpts incomplete. Me, I'm a huge fan of the reindeer.

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A.D.'s graphic novel has been completed and is awaiting publication; there is less time than ever in AngelDevilLand for journal keeping. I will miss A.D.'s journal and I hope to keep you posted with teeny A.D. tidbits here.

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Visit http://iamdollface.livejournal.com/ while it's still there; A.D. has a way of making things completely disappear. A.D.'s main site, http://www.angeldevilland.com/ with links to DeviantArt will still be maintained and updated.

Not Yet Dead

Perhaps the biggest treat of what we do is the people we meet. Ali Scarpulla is a treat.

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And don't write to me and tell me that the photo is scary, it's supposed to be scary. That's what makes it good.

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Visit: www.flickr.com/photos/aliscarpulla to see more. Contact Ali to praise her, and beg her for one of her adorable cards.

Demon Barber

Paraphrased, one of the comments which I hear most often is, "Cathy Cara is Vera Wang, Tim Burton, and Walt Disney all rolled into one." Since I hear it often, I think of it often and I wonder: Did any of those people do handmade glass books? Did they string zillions of beads themselves?
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Then, I think of other die hard fans who jump into the conversational foray with, "Cathy is nothing like anyone! Cathy is like herself!" Of course, because I treasure uniqueness, I hold the second set of 'fan compliments' most dear.
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However, seeing this movie made me think of the first group of fans. There was humor; dark, of course, but humor. And there were gowns: large and puffy, tattered and flowing, stained and still worn. Masks; where would we be without balls and masks? (All pun intended.) And striped stockings: add a little lace garter, add one little ankle bow. Of course, the characters look like "our dolls". There were cobblestones and gargoyles and bugs. Yes, I could see how someone would see this and think of me, even when I had nothing whatsoever to do with it; even when I most decidedly "do New York" and steer quite clear of London.
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What made me most think of my fans' comments about me being "three in one", though, was the meat grinder. You are presented with the meat grinder in the beginning of the film. You say, if you know nothing, "Is that a meat grinder???" By the end of the film, after the dresses and the stripes and the romance and the bugs, there again is the meat grinder. And, this time, you are sure that it is a meat grinder. Coming out of the meat grinder, was well.... Let's just say that I looked at it and said, "Oh god, that's how that first group of fans see me! That's me !!!"

Insatiable

High society hi-jinks in the art world. Glob trot with a six figure per portrait artist and be highly entertained. From Denver, to Florida, to Tibet. Told from the viewpoint of her butler.
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Hilarious; it makes me wish I could buy gardenias everyday for my hair.

3 x 4

"Snapshots from Paris" by Richard Gardner will be on display until the end of May at the photography gallery in town. Yes, the upstairs gallery near IMAC that's hard to find.
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The showing of "Bebe", the photographs of our dolls, closed today in Port Jeff. Special thanks from all of us to all of you who took the time to make it to the show and to make it a success. And not to worry: Yes! we are adding to the doll photographs. 'Lila' by Laura Galbraith www.lauragalbraith.com and 'Heart', my new blue haired sculpt, both went to Richard's studio for photographs just yesterday.
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Richard was interviewed on the radio for the Port Jeff gallery show; did anyone catch the broadcast?
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Visit www.richardgardnerphotography.com

Two Weeks to Go

You have approximately two weeks to see Orchid and Alabaster in person at Jericho Public Library. Visit www.jericholibrary.org for times and directions. It's the IKEA exit on the island. I will be breaking down the exhibit at the end of April.
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Beginning in May, Orchid starts her music lessons with theHarpist. Visit www.karenstrauss.com and ask her what she's up to, if you dare.
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At Jericho, Orchid is a mermaid and Alabaster is a fisherman; it's his first opportunity to propose. There is also "Alice in Wonderland" with the new girl sculpted by A.D. Visit www.angeldevilland.com to catch up with our graphic novelist sculptor.
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Be sure to take note of "Taco". Taco is the rat who is playing the "Alice in Wonderland" dormouse. He's balancing on a teacup, holding a drink umbrella.
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Has anyone named the big white unicorn yet? Help me out; he needs a great unicorn name.

Vintage Kimono

Lately, we have been talking about putting together an "Oriental Exhibit". A.D. and I are both particularly fond of all things Oriental. And with my latest sculpt being an Orchid-sized blue haired Asian, people have been asking to see the new girl. We have been trying to think of a fitting setting for her.

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Both the blue haired Asian girl, as well as the blond girl by A.D. who is currently playing "Alice" at Jericho, have tattoos on their backs. If the girls wore kimonos, the tattoo work might be shown very elegantly and might make for a very beautiful display.

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Of course, I would have to make the kimonos. Of course, they would have to be silk.

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To further my "kimono education", one friend whisked this over -one- hundred -years- old Japanese kimono out of hiding. Per its provenance, it was last worn in the 1920's. Not only was I allowed to see the kimono, I was allowed to touch it. The silk feels like butterfly wings. It is absolutely magnificent. The intricate multi-hued embroidery on it is breathtaking; I wish that I had gotten more closeups. It is completely covered with butterflies and flowers. You simply cannot appreciate the work from just one beautiful butterfly.

Doll Study Club Show

Today's doll show out on the island proved once again that only doll people should run a doll show. Special thanks to all of the doll club volunteers who worked so very hard to make it a success.
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First, all of the dolls in these photographs have nothing whatsoever to do with any of "us". For all of you who know that we make dolls, no, we did not make these and no, you could not see any of ours at this show. The pictures here are only for the entertainment of the many people who could not make it to the show to enjoy the dolls in person. Particularly, since many friends are older now, travel for some is more taxing than ever. Sometimes, the only way to share a show with those who are housebound, or out of the neighborhood, is through photographs. An extra special thank you to all of the vendors who so graciously consented to sharing their collections by letting me take pictures for my friends.
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If the doll in the photograph is yours, and you wish to use the photograph to sell the piece or to reproduce for Christmas cards or whathaveyou, please feel free to take and save and use the photo that is here. And by all means, direct your friends and customers to the blog. Many of us have nothing to sell, but if you do, I'm pleased to share it.
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Alabaster was the great winner in today's shopping spree. As you may know, I make all of the dolls' many outfits, but sometimes it is truly easier for photographs if I can just buy them a little something. I came home today with a zippered red insulated vest for him that matches his eyes, as well as a button down white shirt and tan riding breeches. We had loads of fun laughing over the question, "Does he ride???"
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There was the most darling vintage beaded purse with the teeniest little beads which I considered for a moment for Orchid. But, I also make beaded purses; Orchid has many.
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When Orchid comes home from exhibition at Jericho, she will receive a faux mink coat. An extra special thank you to the person today who reduced the coat to a price that I just couldn't refuse. I had promised Orchid a mink, a real one. Of course, it would be fully lined and I intended to make it. Orchid is extremely spoiled and requires the mink coat to match her mink hair clips which were a gift from A.D. . I hope that this one amuses her and that she looks well in it.
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Reminder: Through the end of April 2008, this month, you can see Orchid in person. She is on exhibition at Jericho Public Library for National Library Month. Visit http://www.jericholibrary.org/ for hours and directions. Jericho Library is near the Milleridge Inn. You can visit Orchid and Alabaster and then have a great time laughing at Milleridge over lunch. Remember to leave time for checking out those tiny shops.