Maude, and Judging People

This little dolly, Maude, came to me last night. She told me all about her continuing struggles. She tells me that she has a hard time seeing herself in the mirror. She has no problem understanding other people. Why can't she understand herself? I suggested that quite possibly, she is blinded by her need to judge everyone else's behavior. Just a thought. . . here she is.

She brought something to my mind, though. I cringed at the sound of my voice using the word "judge" in such a way. You see, I have this odd way of thinking. I hold certain points of view (just like anyone), but am so irritated by people who use such points of views, as a sort of thoughtless pedestal to stand on. It's like a bandwagon way of thinking and. . . phrasing thoughts? Maybe it's that I have this feeling that many people are saying "the right thing," but are just spouting what they've heard. Maybe it's possible they wouldn't hold this point of view, had no one ever told them about it. . . and they sure have a way of saying it the same way everyone else says it. 

This is how I feel about the word "judge." See, it has every bit of a place in the court of law, where actual judges preside, and judging must take place. But, not every opinion or point of view is a judgment. I find that many people are often so quick to say, "don't judge." When really, perhaps that person held no judgements of the other. They simply had an opinion (which last I heard we are all more than welcome to have) about life. . . which happened to coincide with someone else's life, thoughts, words, choices, etc. 

I suppose I'm saying: why must a moral opinion be considered a judgement of others? And in fact, even if it is one. . . why is "judging" always held so negatively? The very same people who would say "don't judge" would also express their horror at a person only suspected of rape and murder. What is it with this trend of insisting that everyone's morals be alike?

Don't get me started on the phrase, "Safety First!!" You see, I believe in being safe, and even in keeping it pretty high on one's mind. But, the fact that so many people remind and caution you to be safe (as if we could forget about the dangers our lives might face) in this same little hashed out phrase, "Safety First," irritates me. And probably making your voice go up at the end, and wagging your little finger condescendingly. . . is that it? Do I find it condescending? Who knows. I just think, "Be careful," is more than fine. 

One thing we do know is I have some major problems when it comes to watching people behave in these ways, alongside so many others behaving the same way. This is the first time I've ever publicly voiced these thoughts, that I can recall. I'll stop here. 

Thank you for letting me rant on this topic under the guise of showing you my newest doll.  ; )

Lotus Asylum

Doll, I'm Charmed!

I've spent the last week or so, racking my brain! I've been trying to think of something I can make with polymer clay, on a hugely smaller scale. Something funky and fun, but still sticking to my theme of making dolls. 

Making a single doll is a big undertaking. I spend hours on the sculpt, hours on the tiny little stitches, and I'm always just a tad nervous for a few hours before I begin to paint. My point is, it takes great time and effort to make just one. 

So, last night I had this idea, and I thought I'd give it a try today. Little doll charms/pendants. Over time, I think I can come up with different repeatable styles. But for now, I've made a trio of gingerbread man/voodoo doll–esque type charms with tiny little purplish beads for the eyes. 

They are for sale at $12 for the whole set, plus shipping. You can purchase them here.


Lotus Asylum

Poppy

Little Poppy is lovely, and everyone loves her. But her head is in the clouds and she doesn't hear anything anyone says. She's dreaming of that man who she hasn't yet met. Always a little absent minded. Never able to focus on anything.

This little doll is my favorite yet. She turned out exactly as I'd hoped. I had little blue bachelor buttons I had planned on using. But, they seemed like a little much. I am quite proud of her, and will be sorry to see her go, when the time comes.

I had fun making her, and enjoyed being even more excited every step of the way. You can purchase her here. 

Lotus Asylum

Benjamin Blythe

Benjamin Blythe loves the girls he watches over. He strolls along the halls, checking on each one. The girls look forward to seeing him, he's very tall and mysterious. They don't know anything about him. He can be purchased here.


Benjamin Blythe is a unique sculpting experience, in that he didn't turn out even remotely like I planned. I planned to make a female doll as usual, but I did want to make it differently than usual. I wished to make a long face, longer body, and high eyelids. I did these things, but I didn't expect the doll to look like a boy.

Well, I discussed it with my husband, and he agreed that I should dress him like a gentleman. How could I resist something of a 19th century nature? So, I got started designing and sketching his clothes. The further along he came, the more pleased I was. You see, at first I was very disappointed with how he turned out. I will readily admit that he's not my best work. Yet, I put so many hours into the sculpting, I felt I had reached a point where there was nothing more I could do.

I love how he turned out, in the end.

Had this unexpected result occurred while making a custom doll, I would simply have made another one until I got it right. Every doll always has its own little personality, and has a place in the Asylum.

Stay tuned for my next doll, which will be themed in blues!


Lotus Asylum