New Look

It's a new look to the blog! 

(Insert kazoo sound effects and thrown confetti here.) 

After several requests for commissions and many wanting more information about the process, I've finally hunkered down and made this happen! Things will be added as I figure out details on how to add/edit the bells and whistles, but, for the most part, this is pretty much how it's going to be layed out.  I have to say, I am quite pleased with the overall look and streamlined feel to it.

Some of the biggest changes I made include creating separate pages (in links available along the top of this page) which offer information about prices for my restoration services along with details about the process.  Also, I've made it so that there is only one blog posting up at a time.  However, you'll still be able to access older posts by clicking the Archive links to the right side of the page.

If you want to receive updates as soon as I post things, feel free to insert your email address in the "Follow By Email" area near the bottom of the page and you'll be notified as soon as postings are, well, posted.  And if you have any questions about anything, you can contact me directly by using the "Contact Me" area down below.

I have plans to add a Big Cartel shop link for painting services and other doll related items that I create and don't want to bother with listing on Ebay.  Those will probably be doll photography prints and the like.  Still looking into getting that account set up.

Thank you so much for your continued support and interest in my doll artistry endeavors!

Latest Words

Here's an article I wrote for DOLLS magazine.

Reworkin' It

Over this past weekend a wild wind of creative energy flew into my house and I got busy makin' stuff again.  I painted.  I painted somethings that I'd been wanting to try my hand at for a while and some things that were presented to me anew.  These are the results:

I painted a Darci stand and reworked several pairs of shoes.  I'd grown weary of the same old silver shoes and wanted something different to showcase the several outfits that I have.  So, I went for it and am very happy with the outcome!

Most of the time I have these dolls tucked neatly away in storage bins... safe from dust and cat hair.  But, once in a while, I take those bins down and fuss with the dolls.  It's actually quite a stress reliever for me and I enjoy gazing at these beauties each and every time.

Getting There

I've been in the process of selling my house which, needless to say, has been a tad on the stressful side.  That's nothing new,  I realize there are millions of people who have ventured into that area as well.  But for me, I just want to be moved and on with where I move to.  Dealing with a lot of the house stuff has taken my time and mindset away from feeling very creative or ambitious to get anything done other than look for an apartment and a new job in my new state.  To be honest, I haven't really figured out which state I want to move to, though I have the west coast in my sights.

My original plan, at least while I was in school, was to find a job working at Laika or perhaps in the movie industry in some way in set design or character fabrication.  I've applied to several positions at Laika over the last few years that haven't been fruitful at all, which is a little disheartening and has made me rethink what my goals are.  But, I went to bed last night looking at apts in the Portland, OR area again and then woke up thinking about my original decision to move out there - at least as a starting point - in the hopes of working for Laika.  Perhaps I could give it a year or so and see what happens out that way.  Maybe I'll land something in California.  One thing's for sure though, one way or another, I have to place myself closer to the area I want to be in to be able to take advantage of opportunities that come up that way... and not be here in Michigan hoping to find something.  I need to go and chase after it.  In the meantime, I will continue to work on my doll art and find avenues (such as writing for Jones Publishing on doll related topics) until something else happens for me.  I've always believed that if you want something bad enough, you have to make it happen.  Some days it just takes a little more to remind myself and push through the other stuff that comes my way and make time for art.

I did manage to create a Cat Woman Sea Wees doll last week that I am very pleased with:

Then There Were Bears

Well, there it is.  The first of 3 articles I've written for Jones Publishing this Summer.  Even though I know they will be published, finding the magazine waiting for me in the mailbox takes my breath away a little bit.

I do enjoy writing and being able to take the photographs myself as opposed to having to hire someone was a major bonus (thank you art school education!).  It's been a bit since I've appeared in print.  I used to write for Barbie Bazaar and Miller's Fashion Doll magazines a while back (both publications are no longer in print).

I'm very pleased with how this article turned out... and looking very forward to having the other two articles show up in my mailbox to surprise me, too.

Ripe For Repainting

Was pilfering through my doll bin the other day looking for a few dolls to begin a few repaints on when I found this guy lurking about in the dark corners.  Though he looks trashed and beyond any form of bringing back around, I welcome the challenge.

I'm actually really looking forward to working on this doll!

Last week I finished up a few customs for a few orders and am pleased with how they turned out:

The Skipper doll took my breath away a little bit.  This was the first time I had painted doll's eyes using multiple colors to create depth... and I am very pleased with the results.  The Midge owner sent me a photo of the doll after they put a wig on her and dressed her.  She looks beautiful!

Tiny Treats

I remember some time ago coming across a few miniature food listings on eBay and was enamored by the amount of detail that can be achieved using clay.  So, I did a little research and made my way to the craft store to get the supplies to make my own.  Here are the results:

It's incredibly meticulous work, but I find that my attention span increases when making things like these.  The same can be said when I repaint doll faces.  I know that I need to make more of these and then sell them, but I struggle with finding the time necessary.  It is something that I am constantly trying to negotiate with myself.

Inanimate Animated

A while back I found this on You Tube.  It was burned into memory and I think it of it often... for so many reasons.

When I was a young girl, the elementary school I attended had many school-wide events where all the classes (kindergarten through 6th) would attend.  My biggest memories of those events were the ones where puppet shows were involved.  I specifically remember two: one with Rumpelstiltskin and another that featured Thai puppets behind a screen and lit from the back.  I was captivated.

I am a child of the 1970s and 1980s.  It was during this time that shows such as The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Mister Roger's Neighborhood, Fraggle Rock in addition to several movies (Dark Crystal, Never Ending Story, Labyrinth to name a few) were created.  These all featured puppets in some form or another and I found myself never being able to get enough of them.

There is something incredibly magical about making an inanimate object animated.  During my studentship I had the pleasure of creating a couple of stop motion videos for assignments.   And I would like to share them with you.  They make me want to make many, many more.

Some Favorite Finds

If you are anything like me, you relish in the chance to get your hands on older books illustrating ways in which to make something on your own.  Two of my personal favorites are:

How To Make Dolls and Doll Houses by Tina Lee

The illustrations alone make this book worth having.  There are 64 pages total and it is hard cover.  It's from 1948 and it shows you how to make your own dolls, furniture, houses and even some clothing and costumes.

Another of my favorite books is one about the older Kathe Kruse dolls:

Treasury of Kathe Kruse Album 3 by Lydia Richter.

I did not know that there was an extension of the Kruse doll creations in the form of mannequins which were called Show-Window Dolls (shown above).  I absolutely ADORE these!

This book has 128 pages with some full color and some black and white images.  It is also hard cover.  I found the Lee book online and the Richter book at a doll show.  I have only one small vintage Kruse doll in my personal collection.  She's not even in her original clothing, but she is among my favorites.  I always have to stop when I see them at doll shows.  I don't know what it is about them... I think it's everything about them.

Pure magic.

h e l l o

And welcome.

So, you might be wondering why I chose "tiny ribbons" for the name of this blog.  Well, tiny ribbons is actually more representational of the small details that go into what makes a doll or a toy special.  It's also about taking time to notice the small things in life.

My focus for this existence of this blog is going to be about all things doll and toy related.  It's also going to coincide with an array of articles I will be writing for a few doll related magazines in the next several months.  And, since I am asked so frequently, it's also going to showcase my doll painting and restoration creations.  Needless to say, I am very excited!

It's been a long time coming, really, since I've been involved in dolls in some form professionally for nearly the last two decades.  But, I've never showcased my work... until now.  Let's start with some of some older restoration work:

The top images show the blonde flip TNT Francie restored.  The second images show a custom Sun Sun Malibu Francie that I sold a while back.  Francie is probably my most favorite doll to work on.  I love the shape of her face (she has the sweetest profile) and that her look is relatively versatile.

As time goes on, I will be showing my other dolls as well as some tips to help fellow doll customizers with their own creations and what products I use.  I may even post a few repainting tutorials on You Tube, depending on time constraints.

Until then, feel free to post your comments below and I will answer them as best I can.  I am looking so very forward to how this blog will be changing and expanding as time travels on and new ideas present themselves!