Jayn and I visit the LA Volks store

Only open on the weekend, the Volks USA showroom in Torrance, CA, has been on our list of places to visit for a couple of years. Finally last Sunday, my daughter just said "Let's go!" and so we did.

The ground floor is full of "Who's That Girl" dolls and fashions as well as the little fashion doll size EB Beauty dolls. The fashions are cool adorable, with fine details and accessories. We have an EB Beauty, yet to have her face up, so it was also cool to collect some free brochures about painting doll faces.

Up the stairs is the real magic - the Super Dollfies and other ball jointed dolls in the Volks collection. A vista of dressed dolls, all the parts for the full choice customizable system, fashions and accessories as well as the full range of supplies for face ups and doll care greeted us. They have sewing supplies, patterns and itty bitty doll sized notions. And the shoes!

The staff couldn't have been kinder, especially Jane, who spent a lot of time answering my Jayn's questions, listening to her stories, getting out parts to show her close up, and helping her hold some of the dolls, which she found remarkably heavy.

We are saving up to buy our first full size Dollfie doll and outfit, and when we're ready we are definitely going to the Volks showroom for our purchase. Then we will sit her in the beautiful victorian style chair set up as a photo op (as shown above), and take her picture.

Inspiration

I went on a browse and was led to Lisa Lectura Creations, the blog of a San Francisco area painter and mixed media artist. Her painting, mostly of female faces and characters are very pretty, very attractive with delicate linework and colors. Her blog is very beautiful to look at - a plethora of lovely images.
Doll connection - she takes prints on fabric of her own artwork and reforms the beautiful ladies into art doll stuffies of felt and quilted cloth embellished with hand embroidery, ribbons, beading and stuff. The pieces have a clarity and precision about them - finesse I think is the word.
Right now Lisa is having a "Blogiversary" give away - the art prizes aren't dolls, but nobody's perfect.

Happy New Year

Thank you to all the followers, visitors and doll artists, collectors and fans who have made making this blog so gratifying for me over 2009. I've been pretty busy recently, as you can tell by the dearth of posts, but with the New Year I intend to post more often.

You can help by letting me know of any exhibitions, events or contests related to dolls and doll collecting that you hear of, as long as they have some kind of online presence. I'd love to help you promote your dolls in my small way.



Meanwhile here is a doll artist starting the New Year right, with beautiful dolls on Etsy.

I mentioned this artist before in a round up post, and now I'm coming back for more. A Little Catty makes whimsical, odd, dolls and figures, of fiber bodies with painted and sculpted paper clay and mixed media details. They all have a lot of character and really fun and interesting stories. Frankly I think her dolls are bargain priced for their size, level of detail, and the workmanship involved. But that may change if they take off - so get yours while you can.

Suji Rising

One of the most interesting things about Suji (tm) Angels Pray for Peace dolls is seeing the development of the dolls over time, in the gallery. I'm seeing a doll maker blossom as an artist, and the increased sophistication and quality of the dolls. They incorporate beautiful quilting and fiber art techniques, mixed media and many different color stories and themes. I enjoy the organic, earthy angels and the geometric, ethereal ones equally.

Suji is a member of the Central New York Doll is Art Guild, dedicated to the advancement of art dolls and educating the art loving public about dolls as a collectable fine art. Stop by - there are some beautiful dollmakers (and their work ain't bad either).

Simpli Jessi

Jessi Halliday of Michigan makes sweet cloth figures in folksy/prim style with hand embroidered faces. Her blog has pictures of her dolls, also on Etsy, and if you want what looks like a kick-ass apple pie recipe scroll down a few days. (Sorry I missed your blog giveaway.)

Nina

When you visit Nina Originals you will find not only her beautiful art doll and mixed media work, but also photos from workshops and group events that Nina has attended over time. She has been a prolific participant in trades and swaps over time, with much beautiful work including jewelry to show for it.
I realize it's not strictly a doll, but this Halloween Mummy Cheese Log just tickles the heck out of me.

Must be something in the water

The Canadian Doll Artist's Association is a national association dedicated to the advancement of artist dolls as an art form and the many, many wonderful Canadian art doll makers (and some international members too). The association publishes a newsletter, facilitates workshops and mentoring, and holds a conference.
Save this date: In 2010 Celebration! will be held April 29 through May 2 at the Four Points Sheraton in Meadowvale Mississauga Ontario. The theme will be "Renaissance Dreams". Lots of inspiration there!
When you visit the site be sure to allow plenty of time to browse the member galleries, with links. Very beautiful.