New Doll Face pendants

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The peeks continue: for the past few weeks I've been working on this little side project as a way to relieve stress. Yeah, sometimes I relieve work-related stress by working some more, but I digress.

This is a Sleeping Beauty face pendant. It's cast in sterling silver and designed to be versatile and customizable. There are 10 discreet holes and loops in the pendant that allow for extra accessories such as jewels and chains to be attached and suspended from it. The pendant can be as minimal or as extravagant as desired. They are almost like dolls that can be dressed up or down. I've made only two fairly conservative combinations because I only had three tests pendants cast and didn't really have time to play with them. I'll post more pictures next week. Today there is more book editing to do.

Editing the Enchanted Doll book

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My editor is in the process of polishing up my writing for the book before it goes to print in two weeks. I took a day off molds in order go over the latest revisions she had sent me and spent most of it editing at my alternate (and rather comfortable) working station until my laptop got tired, said: "Adios Amigos!" and promptly crashed. Thank software engineers for auto-save. The deadline approaches...it's the nature of deadlines.

I love my job.

 

Molds-behind the scenes

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Some more peeks of my current projects. Making more molds.

These shots were taken just this morning. So tired... I wish I could just go to sleep, but my mind is restless...13 hours spent in clay, water and plaster up to my elbows don't think I can stand the feeling of clay on my hands any more...skin is so dry and tight, I just want to jump out of it, like a lizard, God I wish I were done with this already but there are so many more...oh my god I hate making molds so very much alas, that's what it takes to make what I want to make and I will make it so help me god...at least I've got a few more episodes of the Tudors left why is the iPad screed so shiny and reflective? is my nose too long? why did Henry the 8th come to hate Anny Bolyn so much? did he really believe she was a witch? my fingers are so pruney I wonder how much water they can absorb before the skin starts falling off the bones... can that happen? if only this part would just set already so that I can take it out and clean up I should also sweep before I drag these plaster crumbs all over the place I really need to clean this place up, if only I were finished with these stupid molds already...I need some hand cream......man, my orange tree is going to freeze outside if it keeps getting colder, I wonder if I ought to pull it back in? I should stop dropping my flipflop every time I tuck my knee under so that the chair wouldn't roll over it and get stuck every time I move, and why do I have to tuck my knee under every time I sit down anyway? I, like, don't even notice how it happens...god, my knee is so sore I wish I would just stop doing that, when is this mold going to set already...?Ouch! pay attention when you're using dental tools if you want to keep all your fingers...perhaps a knife would be better to trim this seam...this towel is covered with clay I need a new one...Chad? Chad?! damn, he is wearing headphones in there...I'll have to put this down and hope it holds for a few seconds...ohh for crying out loud, that stupid flipflop!!......

New Molds

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Happy New Year, everyone!

I've had a great holiday, a wonderful end of 2011 and a fantastic beginning of 2012! I'm so excited about this year! With all the new things I'm working on, I can just feel how awesome it's going to be! I'm bursting at the seams with creative energy and can hardly contain myself.

The Enchanted Doll book is undergoing final edits and will be going to print in three weeks, on February 1st.I, in the meantime, have been sketching out new project ideas, creating rough machetes and making new molds. You know how much I like to keep things secret until they're finished and until I know 100% that the are going to work, but I'm very compelled to give you a few sneak peeks of what I've been working on. Perhaps I should. Perhaps I will...Alright, meet me here next week for some peeks.

Back to work now. Art can not wait to get made!

Book Reservation Update

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UPDATE: The First Edition of the book has been Sold Out.

Dear Fans,

Enchanted Doll would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for all your support. It moves me, inspires me and drives me to work. Having it means a lot for an artist, and for that, my dear Enchanted Doll admirers, I Thank you!

Regarding Enchanted Doll book: I'm going on holidays tomorrow (Dec 24th) and will be away until January 2nd. Chad and I are heading up to the mountains for a week to celebrate the Old Year and to greet the New Year with some old friends. We're looking forward to doing winter activities, such as ice skating on the lake, snow shoeing and downhill skiing. I hope there is also a hot tub. In the meantime.......

Those of you who wish to reserve a copy of my new Enchanted Doll art book in our absence, may do so by placing a deposit of $75.00 CAD (Canadian) through Paypal at your soonest convenience, and we will get back to you with a confirmation immediately upon our return to work on Jan 2nd. Those of you who have emailed us with a request already, but haven't heard back yet, may proceed with a deposit to reserve your copy as well. A copy number will be assigned to you upon payment. Available copies of the limited and signed First Edition are depleting fast, and may even run out before they see the printers in three weeks. I hope everybody who wants it, gets to have one.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

See you all in the New Year! It will be better than last year- I know it!

 

Line of Printed Aluminum Accessories

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Good news everyone!

Due to many requests, printed aluminum accessories can now be ordered. Just in time for Christmas. These are double-sided, full color prints on aluminum, with images of Enchanted Dolls on the front and a brand logo on the back. The prints are permanent, non-fading and water resistant.

There are 22 designs to choose from, in any of the following options: Key chains, Dog tags and Deluxe pendants with a silver crown bail.

Deluxe pendants with a crown bail.

A standard ball chain comes with the dog tags and deluxe pendants. It's 30"(76cm) long, but can be adjusted to any desired length. The silver Satellite chain featured in the photographs is not included, but can be purchased separately for $22.00 CAD. Chain Length is 15" (38cm).

Prices

1) Dog Tag with ball chain $12.50 CAD
2) Key Chain $13.50 CAD
3) Deluxe Pendant with silver Crown bail + ball chain $28.50 CAD

The silver Satellite chain featured in the photographs is not included, but can be purchased separately for $22.00 CAD.

Please choose a design or two or several here......and email inquiries@enchanteddoll.com to order.

Key Chain

 

Post Moscow

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I've been back from Moscow for a couple of weeks now, resting up after a pretty intense trip. The Salon show was fantastic and the Moscow weather was lovely. Very summer like. I've had a very long summer this year, because I caught bits of hot weather here and there in my travels. I'm really looking forward to staying put for a few months and working on a brand new collection.

I wanted to thank all those who came to visit me at the exhibition. Special thanks goes to Dima and Katya-thanks for the wine and a pleasant river cruise, Sasha and Lena-thanks for the roses, Katya- thank you for bringing us Chad's favorite chocolate truffles from St. Petersburg! Svetlana, thank you for organizing the show, there is just never enough beauty in the world. I hope to be able to attend again.

Hey, what is that? A doll hand zipper pull? :)While packing for this trip, I noticed that the zipper pull was broken on my favorite sweater, so I attached a bronze hand to it and now I feel like I'm shaking hands with my doll every time I zip. I think I might make some more.

Up Next: The map of my travels in China!

 

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!