Jessica Hamilton

And our third teacher will be Jessica Hamilton!  I discovered Jessica Hamilton's wonderful Doll Project thanks to Tulsa Dolling Dames member Shauna Henry.  What struck me first was that she calls herself a "creative engineer."  That is awesome!

Jessica shares many techniques and patterns for free through her monthly newsletter.  It's well worth signing up for by email!  As someone who is enjoying Steampunk art in dollmaking, her google pattern is FABULOUS.  I wish I had it while making my Steampunk Maggie. 

Jessica's art is very unique and eclectic, with ball jointed dolls, polymer clay, apoxi sculpt pieces. Also, she has a gift for those all important doll accessory items: wigs and shoes.

Also, be sure to check out her Flickr: dollproject's Photostream for a look at her art dolls, costumes for dolls, and online tutorials she teaches.  I think my favorite is a piece she calls "Math Love Detail" made from polymer clay and ultra suede. Also, check out  "Water Under the Bridge" a beautiful piece from polymer clay and apoxi sculpt.

Jessica will also be teaching two classes - a two day class and a one day class.

I am so excited to have her join us!  Hope to see you as well!

Laurie

Linda Misa

I am very excited to announce that Linda Misa will be a teacher at the first MAD - Magical Art Dolls conference in Tulsa, October 11-13, 2013.  Have you saved the date?

Linda is a textile artist and doll maker who lives in Bunbury, Australia. You can visit her blog, Tact-ilse at and sign up for a free online class and see her many lovely pieces. I am particularly fond of her cloth and clay dolls "love you" and "she dreamed."  They have such lovely facial expressions!

She is also currently teaching a couple of online classes at Doll Street Dreamers including a needle felting class and image collage class. There is also a free pin doll pattern by Linda: "Love, Faith & Peace."

For us, Linda will be teaching two classes -- a two day and one day class.  I don't want to tell you too much, because everything is in the planning stage and well, things happen. In fact, with me, things always happen.

I got to skype with Linda on Sunday and let me just say, she is a lovely person. I can't believe we are so lucky to have her coming! Special thanks and shout out to Stephanie Novatski  who told me Linda was planning to come to the US next year and I should email her.

Meanwhile, check out Linda's blog.  :-)

Laurie

Barbara Schoenoff

I am very pleased to announce that Barbara Schoenoff will be one of our teachers for the first MAD - Magical Art Dolls conference!

When considering teachers for a conference about magical dolls, Barbara was the first teacher to come to my mind. She's tied with Diane Little for my personal favorite teacher.  I love her dolls. I love the whimsy of them (Her pattern line is appropriately titled "Whimsy."), the way they come together even for students with little experience. I have made more of Barbara's dolls than any other pattern maker. I get so much challenge and joy out of putting one together. Putting together one of her patterns reminds me of what I love most as a doll maker -- working with cloth. I branch out into mix media and experiment with other mediums, but every so often I just need to come back to cloth.

One of the highlights of Barbara as teacher is her fabulous costumes. Here her expertise and experience in costume design just shines through. From the magnificence of her Marie Antoinette:

 

or the poise of Temple Dancer:

Temple Dancer is an online class taught at www.joggles.com

Barbara's dolls never fail to delight.  She teaches techniques on armature, sculpting, face and body as well. She was the first teacher to help me as a new doll maker really understand the mechanics of face sculpting.



One of Barbara's dolls in progress during her last visit to Tulsa, October 2011.



I very much look forward to the piece she will be teaching at MAD.

For a look at some of Barbara's wonderful dolls, you can check out her patterns at:

Joggles

http://www.joggles.com/store/catalog/index.php?cPath=75_402

or

Dollmaker's Journey

http://dollmakersjourney.com/schoenoff.html

And if you are looking to try out one of Barbara's delightful patterns, may I recommend "Blooms" featured at Dollmaker's Journey.

Please "like" us on Facebook at MAD - Magical Art Doll Conference.

I hope to see you in 2013!

Laurie

Save the Date!

Coming - October 11-13, 2013 at the Tulsa Wyndham Hotel in Tulsa, OK.

Save the date for a new, wonderful, whimsical Art Doll conference in Tulsa!  Our theme will be Magical Mythology. 

Stay tuned for more information!  :-)

Laurie