The Beauty Shop

In the background of the above two pictures you can see where these dolls were created. I owned and operated a beauty shop. I always wanted to keep busy doing something creative. So in my down time I started to make a whole bunch of these fun character. I didn`t need a studio like I have today. My studio today is overflowing with every sculpting tool made by man, pressure pots, vacuum chambers, materials, laces and on and on. If you create you get the picture. All I needed for my baby steps into the wonderful world of dollmaking was a needle and thread. Fiberfill, nylon stocking and a strong desire to create.
As it worked out my customers absolutely loved these little guys. I could not make them fast enough. They sold immediately. My weekly customers looked forward to seeing new dolls and were disappointed if there were none. After a while I decided not to sell them any more. I put shelves up around the shop and the collection grow and grow until there were fifty or more of these dolls. There were joggers ,farmers, nurses, nuns , priest. and of course many witches.You name it I probably made it.

More Soft Sculptures

the Newly Wed

A Ribbon Peddler
Mr and Mistress

Me And ET

Here is a picture of me and ET. I always hated having my picture taken. But 27 years later. I kinda like this one now. I only have one chin!!!! How great is that.

ET

This is one of my favorite dolls. I wanted to see if I could get a likeness and also see how many wrinkles I could make. I made a bunch of him. I still have a head that I made of him. I went a little nuts with him. I put a light in his finger and over his heart.
My sister was a school teacher at the time and she persuaded me to bring him to school so her 3rd graders could meet him. They were overwhelmed with him . There were twenty pairs of little hands touching him all over. He did survive the love he got but he also suffered a bit too. After all he was just nylon stockings.

Two Irish Guys

This is to funny. The guy on the right looks like my X.

A Few More Needle Sculptured Dolls

A lady in lavender and Nursey

"Lovely In Pink"

I think she is pretty. Well maybe not LOL. I am trying to send some really funny needle sculptured dolls made in the early 80s. But I am having a bit of a hard time getting them on the blog.

My First Doll

I thought I would give you a giggle or two. Here is my very first attempt at doll making. She was made in 1980 as a gift to my mother. Mom always liked me to make things for her instead of buying gifts. At the time kitchen witches that you hung over your sink for luck were popular.

Mom took one look at her and said "she is so ugly can`t you make her pretty". My mother was not being unkind she just always liked pretty dolls. I personally loved this little doll!! Little did I know at the tome she would be the beginning of my doll making journey.
She is a soft needle sculptured doll made from nylon stockings and stuffed with fiber fill. She sits 10 inches tall on her broom.

Bad Tempered Witch Class

Here is a picture of the happy faces in my Bad Tempered witch class at the recent Sturbridge show. Would you believe that I even saw a slight smile on all of the little witch`s faces as they were completed. It was a comfortable group of five ladies. Two of the ladies were repeat students and three were new . All were fun to be with for the seven hours we were together.
    Some of the reasons I  enjoy teaching classes is that I get to spend   quality time with other artisans . I also get to share some of the things I have learned through the years. And there is always something new for me to learn from them. It can be a new tool I have never seen, or a new technique that I can use. I never know what it will be and that is part of the fun for me.

PS I have two kits of this doll for sale. Price is $175  plus shipping $6.00. international shipping to be calculated.

A new goal for me.

My journey into miniature doll making has been long ,very long. I want to welcome the young and not so young newbies to the world of miniatures. You are in for an exciting ride of challenges, successes and yes some failures too. My journey continues as I set new goal to improve and meet new challengers . My newest challenge is to be able to create portrait dolls. This idea has been percolating in me for quite sometime. I think my sculpting skills have progressed to a point where I think I can archive this goal. Well we will see. And yes I bought yet another book on Portrait sculpting." Mastering Portraiture." Now I do not think for a minute I will "master" portrait sculpting ,but I sure am going to try.

Here is a quick dollmaking aid for you to make. I use it all of the time.

A Simple Beanbag Can Be A Very Useful Tool.”

I use the bag to prop my doll as I create it.
I also use the bag when I do table top photography.
Instead of using a tripod I use one or more bags
It keeps my camera steady.




Beanbag tutorial

You will need
A sewing machine or you can sew by hand
White opaque tights
White uncooked beans from the grocery store


Directions
Cut the leg of the tights to the desired length.
Close one end by machine or by hand sewing.
Turn right side out.
Loosely fill with beans.
Close the open end by machine or by hand.
Nancy Cronin

Strubridge show and Bad Tempered Witch class

I am back from the show . I was pleasantly surprised at how well I did. Attendance at the preview seemed to be down a bit but the general admission folks were there and buying. Molly Cromwell puts on a lovely show.
As always with doll shows I met new and wonderful artisans. A new acquaintance was Sherrie Colvan she makes wonderful character dolls. Her costuming is extraordinary. We talked about reproducing some of the dolls in resin. I am looking forward to working with her.
Some of the things I bought for future dolls. From Dragonfly two pieces of the softest leather I have ever felt. I really did not need any more leather and I do not know what I will use it for, but I could not pass it up. Lordy Lordy but my stash just keeps on growing Also from Dragonfly I got a piece of red material with tiny tiny sequin. I do know where that will be used. Moonyeen is making a telephone scene for me. There will be a "lady"wearing a dress made of this flashy material. Another interesting thing I found was a 1/12th scale oxygen tank. Ya know the kind a person can push around. I will give you a hint of where I will be useing the tank. It will envolve an older lady turning 90, a birthday cake with candles and a cigerett .
I want to publically thank my talented artist daughter Dawn Campbell. With out her help I would not be able to doll shows.
I will tell you about my Bad Tempered Witch class later.

Hi and The Strubridge Show

Hi all, You would think I have nothing else to do but to start a blog four hours before I am going to leave for a doll show. But here I am getting side tracked as usual. When I return I will have a report on the show.
My class featuring the Bad Tempered Witch has filled up nicely. We have a comfortable eight out of ten seats filled in the class.
This post will be short. I need to finish packing for the show . Wish my luck.
Nancy