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.

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!

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!