Echo Line Debut!

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Ladies and gentlemen, I have some exciting news!

Inspired by my recent travels in China, I’m beginning work on the long-awaited, limited edition costumed Echo line! While the entire edition of 30 is in production for the next year, the very first completed Echo of the edition will be available for sale at the 7th International Doll Salon in Moscow, October 6-9th, 2011.

Echo #1 is a part of the advanced mini-edition of five costumed, porcelain Echos called the ”Special Five”, which is set to be released by the end of 2011, featuring one-of-a-kind crowns and accessories that will set them apart from the rest of the edition. The unique features of the Special Five were inspired by the great vibrancy and diversity of traditional ethic ornament I encountered while touring the beautiful China.

Echo 1/30 Construction: Ball-jointed, porcelain doll; Full body ceramic-china painting; Industrial steel spring articulation; Custom made costume, featuring a UV resistant and permanent dye-sublimation print of original bead embroidery; Cast sterling silver crown with synthetic-enameling and beaded pendants; Carved and cast, sterling silver Pedestal shoes accented with blue Opals. Nude doll is 13.5” (34cm) tall.

Purchase details:

Price: $16,000 CND

Buying priority will be given to local public on October 6th, but International sale of Echo #1 opens on October 7th. (Edit, the show has ended, if you are interested, please email inquiries@enchanteddoll.com). Two month layaway is available.

Echo #1 is one of three Enchanted Dolls to be displayed at this event, but only she is available for sale. Each morning I will be present there in person to meet doll fans, so stop by if you're in Moscow.

Please email me if you have any questions regarding this.

The Enchanted Doll grand prize

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..For the 2011 Birthday Contest Winner!

The grand prize doll Lily has been completed and will be shipped to its new owner this week. Amal, please let me know you're in town and confirm you shipping address.

This still frame animation depicts some steps in the painting process of Lily, showing how it starts out and it's final look, but there are other steps between the layers that aren't shown, such as firings, of course. This head was painted in 3 china layers and 3 kiln firings. You can see how each layer fades after each firing, and has to be built back up to gradually intensify. It's a one step forward, two steps back kind of process.

Due to the unique transparency and non-drying characteristics of china paint, which require multiple firings to set, the painting process is driven and defined by the two conflicting targets: To paint the doll in as fewer layers as possible to minimize the number of firings, while simultaneously achieving the ultimate feature shapes, vibrancy and depth of colors.

After years of practicing china painting, I've finally come up with a suitable analogy to describe its multiple characteristics: China paint is like watercolors because it’s translucent; like oil paint, because it doesn’t dry; like digital graphics, because all layers must be kept separated and like ceramic glaze, because it bonds only through kiln firing.

A completed doll face. This one is for you, Amal. Claim your prize!

Another Dream

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Another one of my lifelong dreams has come true, I got to hike the great wall of China. This section is part of the original wall without restorations. It was overgrown and deserted, a very surreal and exhilarating experience.

The White dress side project

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As you may remember from my earlier posts, I've been working on this tea dress for a couple of weeks now. I needed a light and fun distraction from other, more complex and demanding projects; a little working holiday.

And it still took me longer than I originally planned, because I kept complicating the design. I can't seem to help myself.

Yup....just loooove complicating things.

I was working without a sketch. Just letting the bits of lace inspire me.

I think it might be done. At least for now. I want to keep it light. Must. Stop. Beading.... I do feel a sense of completion about it, but, a week from now I may wake up and decide that this dress is several thousand beads short. It's like I've got an Alien Hand syndrome.

I think the dress suits her.

Back in Town!

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Hey gang, I'm back from my recent exhibitions in Russia and travels in Scandinavia! It was both a prolific and an adventurous trip, if a little bit stressful. But then again, Chad and I are not the ones for relaxing vacations, exactly, so it was business as usual.

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2011 Traveling Collection Dolls

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Sorry for not posting these shots sooner, it's been all hustle and bustle in St. Petersburg.

Here are the new dolls (or newly finished dolls) that are part of the 2011 ED Traveling Collection:

Cixi

 

Chandelier

 
 

Swan Princess (updated)

Stepmother

 

Cinderella

These dolls (and others) will be on display at the Doll Time International doll exhibition at the Union of Artists exhibition center from June 10th-13th in St. Petersburg.