I'm sorry the blog has been so quiet. I've been busy bringing a baby into the world. Her name is Amandina, born February 24, 2016 at 4:10 PM, 16" (40 cm) long, 1 lb. 1 oz heavy. More of her in the coming week. Stay tuned and enjoy the rest of your lovely day.
In December 2015 I started on a project to make a couple dolls for a good friend's daughter's 7th birthday and one for my own daughter's birthday. I wanted to make something different than what I normally create, which are the Waldorf-style dolls. In early 2015, I picked up a book by a local doll artist, Jess Brown. Jess Brown is from Petaluma, CA and her dolls are renowned worldwide and can be found in specialty shops across the Bay Area and the US. I always admired these dolls when I saw them in shops...their sophisticated look, their unique star eyes, their simple construction, their heart shaped lips...all signatures of a Jess Brown doll. When Jess Brown released her published book in August 2014, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one and give a go at making a Jess Brown rag doll. It wasn't until the end of 2015 that I found some time to begin this project and it's in thanks to two little girls' birthdays.
So, here's to sharing my experience in making the Jess Brown rag doll.
The construction of the Jess Brown rag doll is a simple one made from muslin cotton, which can be bought at a very affordable price from any local craft or fabric shop. For the ones I made, I chose to use a cotton fabric from India that I tea-dyed to give a bit of color to the skin.
Jess Brown prefers corn fiber stuffing, which I've not yet had the experience of working with, but hope to one day. Instead of the corn fiber stuffing, I used what I have on hand...100% clean carded wool.
One of the best and most beautiful features of Jess Brown's dolls is the construction of the hair. Jess Brown dolls have hair that is typically made from cashmere and sewn directly onto the head. It can come in neutral tones or wildly colorful and beautiful bright tones. It can be styled in many different ways depending on how it's sewn. The fun and imagination is really up to the individual and is truly endless.
For the ones I made, I chose to stay with neutral tones. For one I made the hair from a wool-blended yarn and made it long for more styling fun. For the other I went with the classic Jess Brown look and used 100% cashmere. Both were extremely fun to work with and especially exciting to see the final look on the doll.
You know a Jess Brown doll face when you see one...the unique star eyes, the lack of a nose, the felt heart-shaped lips.
Instead of this signature look, I took to my own looks. For the eyes, I made round embroidered eyes. For one I added a tiny fleck of color simply for the sake of trying something different. For the nose...a dash of embroidery thread. On one I tried the Jess Brown look with the felt heart shape and on the other I embroidered the lips. Both turned out fun and beautiful. For the cheeks, rosy red beeswax was added for color.
Now, the truly endless fun bit...the clothing. Jess Brown's book includes patterns for an entire wardrobe...
Knickers...make as many as you like in as many colors and patterns as you like. Use as much or as little trim as you want.
Sundress...oh!, the infinite array of ways that you can make this dress and oh the fun you'll have. Jess Brown's sundress lends itself to so many styles and designs you can form from one pattern. Use beautiful delicate trim to your heart's delight and make it as creative as you want by using it for shoulder straps, sleeves, on the dress, at the bottom of the dress, behind the dress. You could probably make the entire dress from trim if you so desired. Such a versatile, simple and fun design.
On the sundress, one thing I did change and make different from Jess Brown's design was to make the back fully open and close with two snap buttons. The pattern provided in the book has the back completely sewn and the dress worn by pulling it up the doll's body from the feet. I found this to be too tight for my liking and I felt that for the girls, having a dress that fully opens up on the back would make it much easier to handle.
Tote bag...what a stylish and perfect accessory. Every dolly needs a bag to carry little treasures or even goods from the farmer's market. Jess Brown's tote bag is designed to give the maker an opportunity to play with small swatches of fabric for a truly unique result.
As I did for the sundress, I also altered the design of the tote bag to my liking. Jess Brown's tote bag is a very simple design that gives a vintage and unfinished look. For the tote bags, I wanted to give a sturdier and more finished look. So, I adjusted a few minor things on the tote bags and made them so that they are lined on the inside with a pretty fabric and embellished on the outside with beautiful trim.
Overcoat...sew in linen or any type of fabric you desire, add trim, use different details for the drawstring.
Quilt...have scraps of beautiful fabrics laying around that you don't have the heart to toss? Here's your chance to use those scraps up for a beautiful creation...a doll quilt.
Drawstring dress...all little dolls need a special occasion dress. Jess Brown's drawstring dress gives the opportunity to use your most lovely fabric pieces to create a dress that can be worn on special events. And we know all dolls have special events they attend...birthday parties, ballet outings, playdates.
Use buttons and trim to your heart's content.
Sweater scrap hat...take those old sweaters that you love but just don't wear anymore, wash them and cut them up for this doll's hat. Make lots and make many in different shapes and colors. Add beautiful pieces of ribbon to embellish.
Apron...we all love having a friend to cook with. So, surely, your doll will need an apron for those cooking festivities. For the aprons I made for our Jess Brown rag dolls, I loved using some French vintage fabrics that I had laying around. I played around a bit with using trim for the pocket.
Accessories you can add out of your own resources and creativity...for our dolls I created a few simple accessories...
...a birthday crown for the birthday girl...made from 100% Belgian wool felt, embroidered #7 with a metallic colored embroidery thread, and embellished with a royal blue trim.
...a necklace made from embroidery thread fed through several balls of wool felt.
...a couple of simple scarves cut from a ruffly trim to grace the necks of these fine dolls.
Truly, the opportunities for creativity are endless. There are so many other accessories that you can add for Jess Brown's rag doll. It's just a matter of creativity, time and resources.
So, there we have it...two natural fiber, homemade, handmade beautiful Jess Brown rag dolls created uniquely for the children in my life.
I hope this inspires you to try for your very own making of a Jess Brown rag doll. Jess Brown's "The Making of a Rag Doll" can be found on Amazon or from Jess Brown's on-line shop. If you do get around to making your very own Jess Brown doll, I would love to see how yours turned out and how you made it uniquely your style.
Enjoy and thank you for visiting the blog.
ALAS! Welcome to the world, Wisegrey!
As I spent the month of January tending to many things within and beyond my workshop, this little owl sat in perfect patience waiting for his turn to awaken so that he may gather his "five-pound note, a small guitar and a honey jar" to begin on his journey of "a year and a day" across the seas with his sweetheart in search of their ring.
Without further ado, let me introduce to you a young, grey and wise little soul.
If you were around last Fall, you might remember a young kitty by the name of Margaux.
Wisegrey came into the world for Margaux. So, soon...very soon these two shall set sail to the place where they will "dine on mince and slices of quince" and "dance by the light of the moon." Ah...swoon!
Wisegrey and Margaux are inspired by Scarlet Elfcup's "The Owl and the Pussycat" playset, created back in September of 2014. Margaux went home to her mama long ago and she's been patiently waiting for the arrival of her little owl. To read more about the inspiration behind the making of Wisegrey, you must read the "Words of Wisdom."
So, here he is...Wisegrey! Surely, you must be able to guess how he got his name. I needn't say more than the fact that his beautiful grey suit and the words of wisdom he carries in his hat and on his sleeve speaks for themselves. Little Wisegrey can doctor the grayest of days with words of comfort and wisdom, which he always carries under his hood and on his sleeves. Who wouldn't want such a wise sweet boy nearby always?
Wisegrey is an 8" (20 cm) doll, made with natural materials. His facial skin is made with premium quality swiss cotton jersey and his body/bodysuit is composed of ultra-soft, clean, repurposed 100% cashmere. He is softly stuffed with bio-wool and weighted with non-toxic, washable stuffing beads. His owl bodysuit is permanently sewn on, but his hat is remove-able to reveal a sweet head full of ginger-brown hair. His hair is made of mohair yarn. His owl hat has buttons for the eyes and a piece of printed fabric for the nose. He has an embroidered and simple, expressionless face. His cheeks and nose are blushed with red beeswax. His wings are embellished with beautiful and inspiring words of wisdom cut from individually-shaped fabrics sewn and then stitched to the wing. His feet are lined on one side with this beautiful printed fabric.
Wisegrey comes with his sweet guitar made of 100% cotton from a gorgeous vintage Owl and Pussycat fabric. The guitar is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool and measures about 6 in. (15 cm) long.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Wisegrey is recommended for ages 8+ due to the delicate nature of his design and the small parts on him that pose as choking hazards for very young children.
The beginning of a new year offers the opportunity for possibilities and also for responsibilities. In the creative business, it means there are many administrative hum-drums to be taken care of...the duller, less colorful side of things, you might say. It also means the opportunity to make adjustments, fine tune or even eliminate some things that either worked or didn't work in the past year....improve on a pattern or design or create altogether an entirely different pattern or design, build upon current skill sets or learn completely new ones. It's all an adventure really!
So, with great pleasure, I begin on a custom creation that not only puts to work the imagination and creativity, but is also offering me a chance to reflect and contemplate on some thoughts and ideas...particularly, the direction in which I would like to balance my personal life with my creative life in 2016, both of which I love and enjoy deeply.
In the process of gathering thoughts and ideas for not only this next custom creation but also for Scarlet Elfcup's direction in 2016, I've been digesting some words of wisdom offered by a small young owl who is about to come to life soon.
First and foremost....
Max Ehrmann's Desiderata is among one of my favorite poems of all time. There is a history, a sentimental attachment to these words....a very deeply personal one. In these words resonate a personal story that echoes the sound of a love found and lost, of persons and memories that exist in my mind today only as haunting voices and images. So, yes, this poem holds a very dear, very tender and very special place in my heart. Perhaps one day, I will be able to designate a creation wholesomely on this poem and then I will be able to tell you it's full story. But, until I am courageous enough to bring that story back to life, these words are mere letters that sit nearby and flutter in the wind of life, waiting for it's turn to be set free into the air.
So, I take them for no more or no less than what they are today...words of wisdom..."Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars....In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul." Isn't this all worth striving for starting from today and forever more?
"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." I've strived from the start to make this Scarlet Elfcup's purpose. Scarlet Elfcup exists not because I'm an artist or have brilliant talent or skills, but because I wanted to take all the beauty that I've had in life...the things of the past, the things of the present and even the things of the unknown and turn them into something tangible, truly to bring them to life...to make them immortal in a sense. Perhaps this is because I have a hard time letting go of things and in my mind, if I can make these things tangible to me and for others who might hold a doll, a creature, a something that I made with my hands that was inspired by the beauty that I experienced....perhaps, I keep thinking, that will make these beautiful things that I've experienced, am experiencing, might experience....perhaps it will make it so that they don't slip away into nothingness. I know it's a silly thought....to try and make sentimental things become tangible and even immortal, but still, it makes me happy to think that I might have a tangible version of it exist somewhere in the world and then if the story about this beauty is shared, then perhaps somewhere in another place of the world....someone else might know of this beauty and then it makes them happy. Then, to me...it's not such a silly thought after all.
"Sew your little heart out...have tea...collage...go make art...make something that you like...don't worry if it's not perfect...make something amazing for someone you love." The difference between a personal life and a creative life is a thin, fine and very gray line. Sometimes, I ask, isn't it one and the same if this is what one loves? But, no...not really...it's not one and the same. I think it's a slippery slope and a dangerous idea to make oneself be one's passion or one's work...it really is not the same. So, this year, I want to make a goal of balancing these two things that may seem to be one in the same sometimes....the personal life and the creative life. I want to sew and make for myself and for my dearly loved ones as much as I make for Scarlet Elfcup. And I think that in doing this, I'm going to be able to make Scarlet Elfcup be more of who she is and me be more of who I am and in the end, they will each balance each other out in a beautiful way. And I wish for you the same...go make something amazing for yourself and for someone you love...don't worry if it's not perfect....just MAKE.
With these three thoughts to start me on my next creation, I want little boy owl's mama to know that these words are spoken to her, for her and not just for her, but also for her little boy who has grown so quickly and whose image is reflected in this little boy owl. This creation, the sentiments in the words that will be attached to this creation, mean so much more than what it seems...represents so much more than what appears on the surface. This creation represents all the sentiments I expressed above...the whole thing about making something tangible, turning sentiments into something immortal so that we may always have it's presence in our hands and near to us...for this creation, it represents a mother's wish to hold on so tightly to her little boy's fleeting childhood memories...the ones of the past, the present and the unknown. It is a sentiment that I understand so well and so whole heartedly as I watch my very own little boy of 3 years grow and grow fast and grow faster and faster. It's a heartache to see the speed of light work itself within a child. No wonder we desire the need for sentiments to become tangible and even immortalized. No body knows how to let go of those we love the most....no body.
Now, on a lighter note, let's play a bit with some colors and textures. Back in October, Winston came to life. And oh, did I love this owl, as did so many others. He was a wise little owl who carried these words of wisdom on his wings and in his hat...to be taken out and given for a day when the blues might come or for days when things feel harder than usual...he was a pick-me-upper kind of guy.
He was just that kind of guy who knows just the right thing to say and when to say it, to make a person feel better right away. So, you can't blame me for wishing that I could clone him...make a large assembly line of little Winstons and hand them out for all who need his words of wisdom on a grey day...kinda like the manufacturing of the moon in the book "When the Moon Forgot" by Jimmy Liao. It really wouldn't be the same...Winston or the moon. But, that goes for all Scarlet Elfcup creations. I like for each creation to be unique unto itself...unique in it's inspiration and unique in the process of creation, so that truly, each making that comes to life is one-of-a-kind and inspired by something one-of-a-kind. As such, a mama and her little boy have inspired the making of another wise owl...but, don't be mistaken...this is not the mini-me of Winston. This little man is his own.
This is the moment of "imagination" and "playfulness" in Scarlet Elfcup's motto "Dreams, Imagination, Adventure and Playfulness"....for all ages....that includes me. Here's where creativity goes to play.
For his coat...a neutral color that is not screaming and gleaming with brilliance, but that conveys gentle and quiet words of wisdom. Will all grey work? Or perhaps a mix of grey and cream with some beautiful trim added? If grey is not for today...how about the neutral of cream, but with a different texture scheme...a soft, all wool pinstriped fabric type?
For his eyes, this has been decided...a green to match the eyes of a very loved boy. Here are the shades of green from which to toy.
As for his locks, shall we go with loopy boucle or brushed mohair? Whichever one you dare to flair, make sure to choose the shade for which "he" will be most portrayed.
Before I leave you to your day, to ponder on these thoughts, let these words be imparted to you....
Go do something that you've been holding back on...
Go be YOU...
Remember...YOU are enough!
Go find love....then give it all away....
To all the blessings in your life....
And finally....most of all....
To our little wise owl....can't wait to see your little face shine through soon!
Please bring a warm drink. Sit down. Relax. Play the music below. Enjoy the slides and find a surprise at the end of the show. It is for you!
On January 1st, 2016 at 4:00 PM (EST), Scarlet Elfcup is offering Jespa for FREE via Dollectable. Simply visit the Dollectable shop to enter your name for any of the drawings listed.
Without further ado....Jespa, a doll for the new year!
...the final hummingbird of the year!
Rufus is named simply "Rufus" as chosen by his mama. She's a very thoughtful mama, this mama. I know her bits of personality, though we are separated by an ocean and some land and we have never met face to face. We're kindred spirits, Rufus' mama and I. And I think she thinks a lot like I do. Sometimes the best and most sentimental things are named just for what they are. The only toy I have today from childhood is a tiny bear given to me when I was four. His name is simply "Bear." My son's most favorite stuffed animal is a little frog that he holds so dear to his heart and in his arms, round the clock. The frog's name is "Frog." I am sure there is someone in your household whose name is simply "as is."
Rufus is named for his hummingbird species, Selasphorus rufus. This particular species of hummingbird is known for being the feistiest of all the North American hummingbirds. They can defeat even the larger hummingbirds, some of which are double their size. The rufous hummingbird is also known for their extraordinary flight abilities, flying as far as 2000 miles during migration.
Rufus' name also coincidentally is related to the Biblical persona, Rufus, whom the Romans compelled to carry the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Although Rufus' coming to life at this time of year was pure coincidence, he has surely done well in representing the celebration of the holidays.
Rufus was inspired by a mama who wanted a hummingbird made with crimson red and burnt orange colors so that she may enjoy the beauty of the holiday season. Henceforth, came a creation modeled after a real life species who also carries with him a name that represents a story for Christmas time. How beautifully it all coincidentally came together!
Rufus' body is made from mud silk. On top of the mud silk, Rufus' body is decorated with over 1000 stitches of about 15 different shades of embroidery thread. He is stuffed firmly with 100% carded wool. Rufus' wings are hand stitched with strips of of 100% silk. His tail is made from a 100% iridescent silk stitched on top of a 100% silk fabric.
Rufus' beak is made from wood, colored with permanent black ink and attached with a tiny dab of industrial strength glue. Despite the industrial strength glue, the beak is still rather delicate because of it's miniscule scale and should be handled with the most gentle hands. In other words, Rufus is not a toy and should not be handled by children.
As requested by his mama, Rufus is sprinkled with a small splatter of gold thread on his head to give him a dash of holiday sparkle. At certain angles in the light, one can see the twinkle of gold glimmering through. It is just enough to give him some shine without making him out to be overly-decorated and as a result taking the eye away from all of his other beautiful features.
Rufus has tiny taloned toes made with floral wire, wrapped in floral tape and then stitched firmly against the body with thread. The toes will clasp onto small branches when carefully posed and Rufus has the ability to sit prettily by your side without assistance. How nice to have a friend sitting near, in front of a fire with a warm cup of tea!
Introducing Scarlet Elfcup's newest tiny hummingbird creation...Ceol (pronounced Ky-ol). Ceol is the Irish word meaning music. This itty-bitty hummingbird loves to sing!!
These tiny life-sized hummingbirds are thus far my most favorite creations to bring to life. They are inspired by true life species of hummingbirds. Like all the other Scarlet Elfcup creations, not one are alike. And, in the making of the hummingbirds, I delight in working with nature's greatest inception....colors...gloriously magnificent incredible colors that can never be replicated by human hands. Even so, bringing a hummingbird to life allows me the pleasure of working with a deep, rich and wide spectrum of beautifully colored threads. And the results never fail to make me gasp with enjoyment!
Scarlet Elfcup's hummingbird creations are life-sized. The birds range from 3-5 inches (approx. 7-12 cm) long from beak to tail and stand at about 1 inch (about 2 cm) tall. Each bird is decorated with nearly 1000 hand-embroidered stitches covering the body. And because these birds are hand sewn from start to finish, it takes nearly 30 hours of finely detailed needlework to complete one bird.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to Ceol. Ceol's scientific binomial is Chrysolampis mosquitus, otherwise known as the Ruby Topaz. The Ruby Topaz is one of nearly 300 species of hummingbirds left in existence. They can be found mostly in northern South America. Compared to most other hummingbirds, the Ruby Topaz's long straight beak is relatively short.
Ceol's body is made from mud silk. Mud silk is created through an incredibly fascinating process and dates back hundreds of years. It is also a very eco-friendly and sustainable process. This article, "Dye for Two Tones: The Story of Sustainable Mud-coated Silk," provides a very good take on the history of mud silking and talks about it's sustainability and eco-friendliness. If you want to see beautiful photos of the process, this site has a small article and lots of pictures. I chose mud silk for it's tight knit and firmness but yet still thin and pliable qualities. I wanted to embroider the fabric without layering backing into the fabric, which would add too much bulk for such a tiny creation. So, mud silk was the best quality for embroidering tiny stitches on a tiny object. Ceol is stuffed firmly with 100% carded wool.
On top of the mud silk, Ceol's body is decorated with about 1000 stitches of over 25 different shades of embroidery thread.
Ceol's wings are hand smocked using multiple layers of 100% silk and a 100% linen fabric.
Ceol's tail is made from a 100% iridescent silk stitched on top of a 100% linen fiber.
Ceol's beak is made from wood, colored with permanent black ink and attached with a tiny dab of industrial strength glue. Despite the industrial strength glue, the beak is still rather delicate because of it's miniscule scale and should be handled with the most gentle hands. In other words, Ceol is not a toy and should not be handled by children.
Ceol has one fantastic addition that Scout and Pica did not have...FEET!!! Oh joy! Ceol's tiny taloned toes are the smallest bird feet to clasp on to anything around here. The toes are made with floral wire, wrapped in floral tape and then stitched firmly against the body with thread. The toes will clasp onto small branches and Ceol has the ability to sit prettily without assistance due to her tiny toes. I was so delighted to be able to give the hummingbird toes...it's a rather useful feature, you see! These toes allow a singing bird the much needed ability to perch on top of a branch, a tree, a book, a finger and sing to the heart's content. The higher the space is, the happier Ceol will be, for that is where musical sounds carry best throughout the house.
Friends, I hand you...yet, another wee-itty bitty hummingbird created by Scarlet Elfcup...Ceol!
