Thursday, April 10, 2008

Doll Party ... worse than fashionably late

Not too many days ago I stopped by Monica's blog (it's a Dolly doll Art World) and saw that Faerie Window was having a doll party. I thought it was such a fun idea and had every intention of taking snaps of my favorite dollies (most a little off the beaten path) to share, but the days just kept on slipping by. Tonight I finally took the time to take some photo's. Even though I missed the festivities, I thought I would share ... bear with me as I take a stroll down memory lane ...


This is Mai and she is my most favorite doll. My husband bought her for me for my 33rd birthday. He and Sadie had been visiting Mama W. here in Punta Gorda and came across a local artist that had a shop at Fisherman's Village. The shop was called something Pepperberry and the artist is Joanne Brook. Ms. Brook passed a while ago, so I am pleased to share one of her magnificent creations.



I tried doing a search on her to provide you with a link to check out her other stuff - she was a prolific folk artist that made signs, paintings, and other things, too. Unfortunately, my search came up with nada. Bummer. Most of her dolls had animal heads - sheep and cows ... maybe ducks if I remember correctly ... and not so many people faces. I think her faces are fabulous:




My husband and I married on November 22, 1997 in Phoenix, Arizona. On December 9th of that same year we packed our meager belongings and headed east. We set up house in Baltimore, Maryland (walking distance from University Hospital and the Johns Hopkins campus). Uber-spouse worked at New Arts Foundry while we were there, so we were lucky enough to be exposed to a lot of local artists. Baltimore actually has a pretty fabulous art community. There was a street in Hamden that boasted a number of "galleries" ... my favorite was called Mud and Metal. Mud and Metal carried Julie Buchness's amazing and unusual dolls (she's been married since those days, so it's possible that her name has changed ... when I tried to search Julie, once again I came up empty handed). One cool side note ... Julie's sister worked with the spouse at New Arts Foundry ... we bought our first Julie doll without knowing of the connection, so once we found out, we were extra pleased. This one was the first we purchased - her "crown" is made from porqupine quills. Julie uses twigs, seed pods, beads - actually any found object or little treasure she deems fit to use on her creations.




The strand of garnet didn't come with the doll, but until I find use for the beads, they seem to be at home with the doll.





This is a little out of order (the one above was the first Julie purchase and the one below this one the second) - this one was actually a gift from the artist herself. It's really simple and yet still so expressive.




Here's a close up of her face and "head-dress" - love it!



OK, so this one was the second of Julie's dolls that we purchased. She has such an earth goddess / native sort of feel to her. I adore her to pieces.



I really love her face. I should admit that my daughter isn't as fond of my dolls as I am ... she would tell you that they are all pretty creepy.




The next two dolls are much more recent purchases. They both come from Gothic/Surreal/Folk artist Michelle Steele (check out the FABULOUS flamingo on her banner) ... once again the Uber-spouse purchased them as gifts for me for my birthday ... if I ever forget, you MUST remind me that I am one lucky girl for being smart enough to say, "yes" that night over that game of backgammon. Life is WAY better with him in it.





I guess that I can see there might be a little bit of creep factor, but you have to admit they are pretty amazing ... seriously, just check out their eyes ... and their noses ... and the texture ... yep, I'm so drawn to them.





Finally, below is the first (and only) doll that I ever made. When Sadie was just a bitty critter she had all these adorable little one-piece outfits. One day I thought I would be clever and turn one of the outfits into a doll that she could love, love, love. OK, I admit it - I knew absolutely nothing about making a doll. I stitched the outfit closed and stuffed, stuffed, stuffed it full of that fiberfill stuff before adding a lopsided (hairless) head that I had embroidered eyeballs, nostrils and tiny lips onto and dubbed her (yes, it's a she) Bubby ... once upon a time Sadie did actually snuggle with Bubby, but at some point she became a bit frightened of her ... honestly, I think the fear has everything to do with not-so-uber-spouse giving Bubby a bit of a creepy voice ... I could be wrong, but I think not. Anyway, I know that she's a bit poochy, misshappen and has no eyelids, lashes or hair on her head, but I can't seem put her out to pasture ...



OK, I admit it ... I'm a little attached to Bubby at this point.




If you have actually made it this far, tada! This is the end. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my lovelies.

30 comments:

bluemuf said...

I have so enjoyed seeing and reading the wonderful history about the dolls. And even though I have a different type of doll, I adore yours and think I might like to have one. Thank you for sharing your amazing collection.

Karen

Lori Garbarino said...

Thank you for stopping by!, Wonderful Collection, I especially LOVE Bubby, What an awesome idea!

I will be back

Blessings

Lori

pchickki said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and the comments you made.

I like your work, especiall the Eternal Quilt. It is beautiful!

Your dolls are extrodinary.

Do you mind if I post your link on my blog?

Thanks for sharing
God Bless You
Patti

Becky said...

Oh my I do love your Mai too. She is so lovely.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. this was so much fun seeing so many wonderful collections such as yours.

Smiles,
Becky

Lori said...

oh my goodness, what a fabulous collection of unusual dolls...i have never seen anything like the ones featured mid~post, they are fantastic...my favorite has to be the first one, her face is lovely...thanks for letting me know you were over here showing your dolls, i loved seeing them!

Betzie said...

How interesting!!!! I so enjoyed reading your post about your dolls, and "BUBBY" is just precious. :) You have to keep it for your daughter when she grows up.
I love folksy dolls and it was fun seeing your collection. Thanks for sharing!!

Janet said...

What an interesting and eclectic collection of dolls you have. They are all so unique and unusual. And thankfully you've shown that dolls do not always have to be the typical baby doll that everyone thinks of. Great collection!!

girlgonethreadwild said...

I so love your collection, especially the pod variety and MAi, she is incredible. We have Phoenix, AZ in common..while I did not marry there my husband and I used to live there and call AZ our home away from home. Thanks for sharing your dolls, I say it's neva too late to post about our addictions. Dolls FEED the soul and I'm hungry for more! ~Monica :)

Mackenzie Bergmann said...

I LOVE EVERY kind of doll! Your dolls are sweet and fabulous!

Julie

Mackenzie Bergmann said...

I LOVE EVERY kind of doll! Your dolls are sweet and fabulous!

Julie

e.beck.artist said...

i laughed out loud at your bubby description ... i love her very much and would be horrified if you ever let her go!

Unknown said...

thank you for inviting me over to your blog. these are some out of this world dolly's. I am all for different and these are.... They are pretty cool.Looks like my Mother in law and sister in law have left comments too !!! And yes.. it is fine to sign up for my b-day give away !!! i draw a name Sunday. Hope to see you again. Mica from garb-oodles soup blog

Unknown said...

What a unique collection of dolls! And I love the stories that go along with them! The first doll is beautiful! And I love the one you made! What an adorable idea!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!

Hugs,
Amy

Cami said...

Most fun to see your collection---love that Bubby most of all!

mushroommeadows said...

I've never seen dolls like yours. They're really interesting.

Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog.

God bless!!

Anonymous said...

Thankyou for stopping by. I enjoyed seeing your collection, and especially liked bubby.

Natasha Burns said...

wow lookat your fascinating dolls! I love Mai, she's gorgeous.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

bubby looks like a cuddler. And the two before her seem like trouble makers, but fun to have around!

Thanks so much for making one of the 100 cards for my great aunt's 100th birthday!

bluemuf said...

Hi Michelle, Thank you for your kind comments on Petrina. To date that is the best picture I've taken. I have been spending some lovely time reading past posts and enjoying your artwork. I also noticed the great picture of Fern on your sidebar. I found it so interesting that she is a pound dog and a beagle/pug mix. My SIL have just adoped a rescue that is the same mix. He is so sweet with an amazing personality.

I do tend to ramble
Karen

Unknown said...

You have such a unique and wonderful collection of hand-made dolls! Thanks for sharing them with us and for stopping by my blog!

Sandy:)

Janell Berryman Pumpkinseeds folk art said...

Thanks for stopping by!
Love your collection of dolls. Each one so unique! Love all the natural materials some of the artists used.
Again, thanks for stopping by!
Janell

Shirl said...

What a unique collection that you have, I'm glad that I stopped by to see them! Thank you for stopping by my blog!

cherished*vintage said...

Wow, interesting dolls! I really think that the first Michelle Steele doll is cute, I love his eyes. Thanks for showing yours dolls, and stopping by my blog to let me know.
-Karoline

msteeleart said...

Thank you for featuring me in your blog. I have been wondering what you have been up to. :) I will add you in my blogroll. I love the doll you made by the way. I don't blame you for getting attached to her.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and inviting me to stop by for a visit! ...better late than never! :) You have quite a fascinating & unique collection of dolls! I love the two by Michelle Steele! The eyes are mystical and beautiful! Your bubby was too cute...what a sweet memento for your daughter! I enjoyed your recollection, you are a born story-teller! Stop back and visit again some! I'll be adding some new material the first of the week! (Busy weekend!) :) ...~ Rhonda

PS...Your quilt is amazing! Great job!

Sandy said...

Great collection of art dolls! Love the one picture above Bubby! Bubby is a very cute idea!

beth said...

wonderful dollies and so unique !! thanks for stopping by my blog and inviting me to play !!!
xo,
beth
www.bethquinndesigns.com

LW said...

Love your doll,
an amazing collection.

Louise

Alicia said...

I found this website by accident. My mother is Joanne Brook. She would be very happy to know how much you love her dolls. Thank you for saying such wonderful things about her.
Alicia

3rdEyeMuse said...

Alicia, just in case you ever come back for a visit - I am so happy that you came across my doll post ... I had the pleasure of meeting your mom once & telling her that I was honored to have one of her dolls.

I'm truly sorry for your loss. Know that she touched more lives than you can begin to imagine.