Jane, the Dreamer

This is Jane, the Dreamer. She can be purchased here. 


Jane doesn't sleep well at night. She has horrible nightmares of being alone in a white room and tied to a bed. Yet when she wakes up, she finds herself alone in a room with stone walls. She's not exactly sure where she is.


I wanted to tell you a little about this little girl and about how I made her. 


When I started, I knew right away that she was going to have big lips. I was inspired by a character on a show, and was intrigued by the idea of trying something a little different. Big eyes and lips were a must for her. I made the armature with foil, wrapped it in floral tape, and got to work, seeing what I could create. I was happy to find that she came together nicely and making her smooth wasn't the problem that it can be with some dolls. I suppose it's all in the armature and getting a little lucky there. 


After she was sculpted and baked, I knew I wanted to dye her clothes purple. Through trial and error, I had known from past dye jobs, that if you dye fabric with black dye, but use less and a shorter time, it comes out a beautiful marbledy purple. So, with that in mind, I added a little blue to my black and got to dying my favorite white stretch-cotton fabric. 


While the fabric was in the dye, I had an idea to wrap something around her waist. So, I found a leftover piece of some wide white lace I had used on my doll, Eliza, the Alchemist. I started stitching another white lace and some pink rick rack to the hem, and gathered up the top. Eventually the dye had done it's job, and the fabric had dried. I started sewing the dress, and when it was mostly complete, I put the lace skirt up to it, to see what it would look like. It just didn't seem perfect. I looked at my stash of thread, scissors, and other nick-knacks and found another failed skirt section I had intended for another doll. It was just the right color, and looked perfect. When choosing a lace for the hem of the dress I saw a long piece of lace I had tatted during a phase I was in when I tatted everywhere I went. It was the right choice, I thought.

I finished up the dress, painted the doll (with nervous fervor), and put the dress on her, sewing up the seem in the back. Then came the question of the hair. It's an interesting thing, hair. Sometimes I think I know what color it should be, but it almost never looks right when I put it up to the doll. So, one of my favorite pastimes ensued. I selected about four different color choices that seemed decent candidates, and I asked my husband which color he thought was best. The colors I had out were black with bleached tips, plain black, fire engine red, and green (which would have brought out the color of her eyes, beautifully). He chose the black with bleached tips. I always trust his opinion, since he's usually right. Sure enough, she came out lovely, with this lonely, listless inner craziness. That's when I knew she was a dreamer, lonely and confused.


This process I've just told you is much the way it goes when I make most of my dolls. I hope this little glimpse into my doll making world has given you some bit of pleasure. 


This is a doll I'm very smitten with, and I hope she finds a home with someone who can tell her where she belongs.


Lotus Asylum

A Vision: Disembodiment

I had a vision last night, just before I fell asleep. I can't do exactly what I had in mind as of yet, because I haven't a clue where to get the hardware my brain envisioned. I suppose it would be like a ball jointed doll. I've never read up on making a BJD, but have been curious about it, and plan to try one day.


The idea I had was to make the limbs very simple, smooth, and perfectly round cylinders, painted brown-black. Then, I would attach them all together with metal male/female threaded fixtures. So, basically, all of the limbs could screw on and off. I originally imagined the hardware gold, but I greatly dislike gold, so I might consider something silver or copper. That first picture that flashed in my mind, did not feature joints that could bend, only the ability to screw on or off. After I thought about it, I realized I needed a combination piece that would allow them to move.


The bottom line is, I had this picture in my mind of a doll with a sort of modern, yet old-world "wood and brass" look. A little bit of sailor: the compass, clock, and depth meter; also, a bit of a gentleman's den or library: the pocket watch, letter opener, and fountain pen. Some might think I have a steampunk idea in mind, but I don't think so. I'm not thinking about technology, gears, or anything mechanical. I'm thinking more of an enlightened age of people, who would consider themselves civil or sophisticated, yet they see things more through a craftsman's eye. Maybe they see themselves as self reflecting, introspective, disembodied souls. The picture I have drawn above, doesn't even remotely show you what I actually have in mind to make. I want metal casings at every conceivable joint. The limbs screw apart, but so does the waist from the bottom, or the neck from the torso.


I don't know if I can find anything that might facilitate this vision of mine, but when I see it realized, I will definitely show you and write again. 


Now I'm sure I have thoroughly overwhelmed your head with too many words trying to describe a single image in too much detail, and perhaps even reading too much into it. Somehow, while I was about to write a couple of simple sentences on my facebook page about this, I found I had too much to say.


Today, however, I plan to make a pair of dolls to be sold together. It won't have the hardware, or the threaded joints, but it will be painted brown-black skin. Maybe a folkish dirty couple of kids. I'm not exactly sure, but I will keep you posted.


For now, stay crazy. 


Lotus Asylum

Cirque du Soleil: Personal and Memorable

I said I would write about our experience at the much anticipated circus. It has been nearly two weeks, however, and still I have no words to describe it. In fact, we were just visiting friends over the holiday weekend, and I quickly realized that even the most perfect descriptions become just meaningless words, when spoken and not seen. Yet, actually seeing some of these acts blew our minds. I started thinking about the five small girls rotating drum-like disks on their feet, while lying flat on their backs. My biggest curiosity was the painstakingly long amount of time it simply must have taken for them to learn such seemingly impossibly feats! Those five girls and their rather large bag of tricks was definitely my favorite part. It was so close to the beginning of the show, and yet I knew right away that nothing would top it. 


The trapeze artists were something I'd always heard about, but never actually seen up close and real. How many of them miss-landed and fell to the net, surprised me. That alone made me realize just how complex and incredible their talent must be. I mean, this is Cirque du Soleil! It's a world renowned event! World class, even! 


But, most of all, it felt so incredibly personal. First, there wasn't a bad seat in the house. As soon as we walked into the tent, we were quite surprised at how little seating there was, so small, so close. We had two seats by an isle and in a row. Different bug characters (including a very cool one in stilts) passed through the isles and rows before and during the show. They shook hands with all the little kids, and a ringmaster-like character in the story had such a unique participation with the audience. The energy was enough to last us for months.


There was just one thing that was actually quite humous, yet so vexing (considering just how much those tickets cost). There was a girl sitting just behind my husband and I. She was probably about seven or eight years old. Old enough to know better, to know how to behave when an audience is so silent and that one could hear a pin drop. My little four year old girl has enough sense to know better than this one. I suppose, what my husband and I came away with, when the music wasn't too loud to drown out the noise of it, was:


"What is that, Daddy? What is that, Daddy? What is that Daddy? What is that, Daddy?"


After about the sixth or seventh time she had asked the same question with no response, the father would finally reply with an equally idiotic answer, "I don't know. I think it's a butterfly." 


To which the girl would then say something like, "No, that's not a butterfly, Daddy. What is it, Daddy? Is it a giant bug, Daddy?"

Oh, by the time that the intermission had come around, my husband and I had each given our own looks of complete disappointment and irritation. After the intermission was over, however, and we had discussed the little girl at length (and my shoe managed to step on an authentic piece of chewing gum, which I was never able to completely remove), we didn't hear another word. I didn't think my look had been that glaring, so I'll assume I have my husband's glare to thank. It's not that I mind a little talking here and there, but either answer the girl's question or tell her to be quiet!  

It was a beautiful and utterly memorable occasion. Every part of it, good and bad, brought the whole of the experience to a positively amazing level. I suggest you buy yourself a ticket or two, add a bag of popcorn, maybe a drink, and please, enjoy the show!

Lotus Asylum

Marcy

Marcy

It is that terrifying thought of life being nothing more than perpetual inconsequence. The endlessness of the thought that things might be always the same. For Marcy it is the last straw. She is standing on that brink where tears are imminent. Mentally unstable, a breakdown is nigh. 



I took my time making Marcy. I really wanted to give her that expression of a feeling that everyone knows. That moment where a whole world and swirl of thoughts are violently fighting within your mind. 


What's crazy about such a feeling is there are so many different causes of this moment in one's thoughts. Is it a cruel word from someone, humiliation, a fall of pride, despair? Many different reasons, but all of them with the same result: an explosion in the mind.


I took my kids for a walk to Monticello's and its connecting Monti's Deli for lunch and a little antique/vintage shopping. It is just down the street, so we walk there rather often. As I was browsing the familiar Antique Mall rows, I spotted an old polka dot doll's dress with a huge blue stain on it. It was a dress for a large doll, so I knew I could work around the stain, but why someone thought they could get $6.50 for it I only know as being because I bought it. I took my time making this doll, however, and I am rather happy with how she turned out. At last she is here at the Lotus Asylum, and I hope you will take the time to visit her. She is quite upset, after all.  Visit Marcy.


Lotus Asylum  

My Favorite things: Limes

Every now and then I will write about one of my favorite things. Many people certainly love that freshly squeezed glass of orange juice or lemonade, but have you ever tried limeade? It's quite simple really:

5 parts Water
1 part freshly squeezed Limes
1 part sugar

But really, much like many things that call for a whole part of sugar, it really is too sweet. So, of course, this recipe ought to reduce the sugar by 25-30%. I suppose I could have just written the recipe that way, but then what about those who prefer a whole cup of sugar in their Kool Aid? I figure you ought to know what you're getting, and definitely give yourself the amount of sugar that you would like best.

Limes are one of those things I've liked since I was quite young. I remember reading Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, and when I got to the part where little Amy March was ever so upset about her lack of limes, I asked my mother, "Do they actually intend to eat a lime all by itself?"  I think she mentioned that she supposed so, and since we were just heading inside the grocery store, I asked if I could buy a lime or two so I could try it. I've been in love with limes ever since. A mouth full of lime peel, making a lovely green smile and your breath suddenly seems a lot fresher. 

Indeed I do love limes, but since the weather is looking so lovely, I couldn't resist making a nice big jug of limeade, today. Go on, try it!


Lotus Asylum

Umlaut

There are simply no words in the English language to give quite the amount of credit that the lovely and extremely talented lady from Umlaut Graphics deserves. First, it is important that you understand that this is no artist who simply buys programs and tinkers around and figures she can make a few bucks providing a service. No, she is a professional graphics designer with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design . . . and it shows.

Why I must tell everyone about her is that she isn't simply a great designer or even an incredible artist, which of course, she is both (not to mention, she draws everything herself). Her greatest talent is seeing the client as though they were crystal clear. It is almost as though your personal style has become her style, and she knows exactly what you're looking for. She perfects beautifully what you, the client, didn't even realize needed perfecting . . . until you see it. She has a great eye and great skill.

Every time I ask her to do something, she blows my mind. She doesn't just do what I ask or imagine, she goes beyond, and sees the whole picture, the whole feeling, the final concept. 


And the best thing about Umlaut Graphics is that the prices are very affordable. I greatly urge you to go to this kind lady for any graphic design job that you might need. Even if you are relatively good at graphic design and think you could do what you need yourself, still I bet you she will provide you with something infinitely better and also more professional. You can enter her shop, here.






Lotus Asylum  

Prudence

I must thank the new people who have liked my Facebook Fanpage. There have been so many new people and I am ever grateful for you guys who are keeping up with everything new that I do. Sadly, while I was sick a couple of days ago, now I am dreadfully sick, and the rest of my family is also dreadfully so. We've been keeping our hands warm by the fire. This is why I have not made anything new or done anything whatsoever. 


However, I want to bring to your attention this doll, Prudence. She has been a longtime favorite with many people over the time she has been staying at the Lotus Asylum, and I thought it was only right that attention should be brought to her. She is a strong soul and takes care of all the other girls in the Asylum but at the expense of her own happiness. She feels that it is her duty. 

So come and take a look at our dear Prudence and see if she speaks to your soul. I will be along shortly to add new sad souls to the Lotus Asylum.






Lotus Asylum