Day 3 Anniversary Giveaway

Hello again! I'm back today with a small friend I found. She was in the woods looking after some baby bird eggs. I named her Raspberry because she reminds me of Raspberry macarons. She's looking for a loving home. If you are interested in taking this baby bunny home, please look further down in the blog for info on how to enter your name for the drawing.

Raspberry measures 8" (25 cm) long. This sweet soft bunny is made with all natural materials. Raspberry is made with clean, pre-washed, repurposed 100% cashmere. Raspberry's ears, hands and feet are lined with a lovely 100% cotton fabric. Raspberry is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool. She is squishy and cuddly. Her eyes and nose are embroidered with 100% cotton embroidery floss. Her arms and legs are string jointed and will not withstand to rough play. So, gentle as she goes. She is recommended for ages 5+ only. She is not intended as a toy for young children who still mouth their toys.

Raspberry's floral crown is hand knitted from a delicate halo of 100% mohair yarn and permanently fixed to her head.

Raspberry comes with a nest of bird eggs wrapped in a hand crocheted bowl. The bowl is made from 100% cotton yarn. The three small wooden eggs each measure a little over 1" (2.5 cm) tall. The trio of unfinished wooden eggs are perfect for decorating to your heart's desire.

Raspberry Bunny is being given away as Day 3's FREE gift from Scarlet Elfcup for being here to celebrate our 2-year birthday. See below for details.

If you are interested in entering your name into the drawing to bring Raspberry home for FREE simply follow Scarlet Elfcup on Instagram, leave a comment or 'love' the photo of Raspberry on Instagram. This will help me identify those who are interested in participating in the drawing so that I don't inadvertently spam all of my followers on Instagram. You can also enter the drawing by leaving a comment in the comment box below (be sure to leave your first and last name so that I can contact you in the case that you are a winner).

Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM (PST). The winner will be notified sometime on Sunday via the Scarlet Elfcup blog.

The Art of Photography in a Creative Business

Hello and happy belated Tuesday! If you were here yesterday, you'll know that I had run out of daylight to photograph Fifi Bunny and blog on the topic of photography in the creative business. So, I'm back today to show you some pretty pictures of the pretty girl and to give my two cents on what I've learned in the past couple of years in taking photos for an online creative business.

I hesitate to provide any sort of instructions or know-how on my blog. I feel that I'm pretty far from being experienced in any of this much less give tips and direction on any topic. So, today, I really want to just share what I've learned about photographing the things that I make. I'll share the mistakes I've learned as well as tools and things that have worked for me. If you're a maker, maybe you'll be able to take some of it with you or maybe you'll correct me and tell me how it's really done because you are very welcome to comment and provide feedback anytime.

The online creative small business is a rapidly expanding one. There are thousands upon thousands of amazing artists who operate a global business from a single studio in their home or in a simple small space which means that they are marketing their products purely from cyber space which then means that their customers are not able to have the real-time experience of touching, smelling or feeling the item or piece of art that they want to hold, wear or display in their homes. As such, creative photography is an art in this arena.

Presentation is everything! How do you get someone on the other end of the computer to fully understand the experience that you have in real-time with the item that you've made? How do you express the softness, the lightness, the playfulness, the beauty or the usefulness of the item that you have designed specifically for these purposes? Well, let's take a look at some of my favorite places to go when I want to "experience" something....

NATURE - Fig & Me must be the first place I'll always mention because that's where I started my journey into the world of making and frolicking with dolls. If you're reading this blog, most likely you know very well Fig & Me. If you are new to all of this, then, please...go there and you'll see. I never tire of looking into Fabiola's magical world. Her photography captures every essence of what she makes. Her creations are beyond stunning to begin with. Then, you add creative photography to it and you get a magical, whimsical world filled with fresh air, funny characters, rich textures and the essence of a quality handmade item. If you ask me to spurt a single sentence that immediately comes to mind when I think of Fig & Me I'll say, "beautiful little beings in flurry soft white snow in the woodlands." In her photography of the dolls that she makes, Fabiola uses a lot of the nature around her and it really resonates with everything that she makes. And when you enter this world, you can envision yourself not just holding the doll that she's made, but 'being' or wishing you could be the doll that she made.

PROCESS - Lalinda. At Lalinda, I get to visit and feel as if I'm in Agnieszka's studio. Her photos are always set up differently for each doll. It gives me the sense that I'm in a play world. The backgrounds are ever changing but so contextual to the item that she's displaying. I love seeing photos of parts of her process of making the dolls or the bird or the hand felted worlds. It's fun to see a picture of the felted head uncovered and then to see side by side a photo of what that felted head looks like on a completed facial structure. Fun, fast and furious is what I think of when I visit Lalinda because she's so darn quick! There's always something new that she's made that is displayed in a very linear and methodical way because she posts them in the same manner on a frequent basis.

WONDER & MAGIC - Mister Finch...well...who doesn't know or love Mister Finch? If you are remotely interested in the world of textile art, then surely you are already familiar with Mister Finch. Mister Finch makes the most amazing creations I've seen around. I like to visit his website, not because I can afford much of anything that he makes, but when I go there I'm in a completely different world....magical, wonderful, beautiful, exotic, mysterious, curious, whimsical, imaginative, creative, happy....these are just a few descriptions of the feelings or experiences I get when I visit Mister Finch. His photography is mostly simple...extraordinary handmade museum quality pieces of art presented on mostly plain backgrounds. His work is so exquisite that any "noise" added to the visual effect would almost be too much for the eye. Mister Finch's work is marked by the extraordinary detail in colors and textures and the items themselves are often so curious that he simply needs a plain jane background and good lighting to highlight his creation. But, it's not just that...you'll notice that his props are very unique and creative...spiders serving tea with their long, wiry legs, birds lying in peace inside glass coffins, fat furry bumblebees towing old world hearses. Now, who would ever want to go back into the real world after visiting Mister Finch?

Those are just three of many makers and bloggers that I like to follow and be awed and inspired by their work and also to enjoy and relish in how they photograph their work. In my own personal experience, I like to try different things and I haven't quite nailed down what my style is just yet. But, here are some thoughts on some of my tried, failed or satisfactory photo sessions:

• I like black backgrounds. I wish I could use it for everything. But, it doesn't always work for everything. On the photo to the left, it worked beautifully for Seren. The lighting was great and the photo really highlights that tiny doll and her size. On the right, it worked terribly for Amandina. The lighting was not good and her face is shadowed. It also provides no context for scale or texture...just a boring and dark background.

• I've used white backgrounds as well. If there is a lot of detail and good lighting, the white background really places the focus on the thing that matters the most...what you made. (First row below) 
• If there is not good lighting or it's too busy, the white background really gives no context for size or what you made. (Second row below)
• If the item you made is so small, a macro lens and a plain black or white background work perfectly together. But, make sure the lighting is good. 

• On the topic of lighting, we all know that natural, indirect lighting is the best form of lighting for photography. Mark my mistake here. If you're going to do a nature photo session, choose a location and time of day when the sun is not directly on the subject. The photo session for Cicindela and Elytra was one of my worst sessions yet. I chose a space that offered only direct lighting and I chose a time when that very lighting loved to cast shadows that just made every photo agonizing to shoot. So, if you are going to do an outdoors shoot, don't do what I did for Cicindela and Elytra's photo session. You can see I have a lot to learn still.

I can go on and on about photography because it is one of the things that I love to spend time on. But, my depth of knowledge on the subject is really quite shallow and the topic can be delved in so deeply, which is why there are books already written for people like you and me. So, I'll end today's chatter by sharing a few of my most necessary tools and resources in regards to creative business photography and let you get on with your day.

• Flash - I don't like using the flash, but it's quite handy as reflective lighting and I always have it on me.
• Wireless remote clicker - This wonderful little tool makes it very convenient for you to fire your camera without touching it, therefore providing less room for blurriness in your photos.
• Tripod - a must if you want photos to come out clear when using a Macro lens to photograph small things or small details.
• Artful blogging magazine - I pick these up at the stores from time to time because I love to look at the beautiful photographs by bloggers and it's very inspiring.
• The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos by Heidi Adnum - This book is a great resource if you want to learn the ins and outs of photographing your handmade goods. It'll give you useful things like how to DIY your own light box so that you don't have to spend hundreds on a store bought one.

Now, on to the treat of the day! Fifi Bunny.

About Fifi Bunny

Fifi Bunny is an 8" (20 cm) doll, made with natural materials. Her facial skin is made with premium quality swiss cotton interlock and her body/bodysuit is composed of ultra-soft, pre-washed, clean, repurposed 100% cashmere. She is softly stuffed with bio-wool and weighted with non-toxic, washable stuffing beads. Her bunny bodysuit is permanently sewn on, but her hat is remove-able to reveal a sweet head of red hair. Her hair is made of mohair yarn tied into two braids. Her bunny hat is adorned with a piece of printed 100% cotton fabric for the bow. The same fabric lines the inside of her hood, paws and feet. Her facial features are embroidered with 100% cotton floss. Her facial structure is sculpted to give her round full cheeks, an itty bitty nose, lips and chin. Her cheeks are blushed with red beeswax. She is made from Scarlet Elfcup's Fall Critters pattern....one of my favorite patterns to make something of for the Fall and now for the Spring. 

Fifi Bunny is being given away as Day 2's FREE gift from Scarlet Elfcup for being here to celebrate our 2-year birthday.

If you are interested in entering your name into the drawing to bring Fifi Bunny home for FREE simply follow Scarlet Elfcup on Flickr AND leave a comment or 'favorite' this photo of Fifi Bunny on Flickr. This will help me identify those who are interested in participating in the drawing so that I don't inadvertently spam all of my followers on Flickr. You can also enter the drawing by leaving a comment in the comment box below (be sure to leave your first and last name so that I can contact you in the case that you are a winner).

Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM (PST). The winner will be notified sometime on Sunday via the Scarlet Elfcup blog.

The Art of Managing an Online Creative Business

When I started Scarlet Elfcup two years ago, I dived headlong into it not knowing one thing about doll making or running an online creative business. The only thing I knew was that I had the chance to try something absolutely new and different from anything I've ever done or dreamed of doing. And so, I propelled forward and took a leap of faith with the following quote by Tim Ferris inspiring me:

"Conditions are never perfect. 'Someday' is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it's important to you and you want to do it 'eventually', just do it and correct the course along the way."

So, began the journey.

It has been an incredible journey. But, like all journeys, the incredible is defined as much by the beautiful moments as it is by the hard and challenging times. Running an online creative business takes a whole lot of heart and courage. If I had asked myself the question, "What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs, doll makers or fiber artists out there?", I wouldn't be here having the time of my life. That's a question I'm happy I didn't ask myself when I started this journey.

Running an online creative business is an art...the art of the balancing act...a skill I've never been able to achieve. Nonetheless, it's worth a try over and over again. Living, learning and keeping up with the times is only a small part of what it takes to thrive in this world filled with creative geniuses.

Starting and maintaining a creative business is hard work. It takes:

• Working evenings and weekends: There isn't enough time in a day to accomplish or create everything I'm dreaming about. In Scarlet Elfcup creations as well as anything I've ever done in my past life, I enjoy making things that I've never tried before or tweaking existing things into perfection. Hence, as you can imagine, each project brings an entirely different pattern or design to be dreamt up and created. Copious amounts of time are put into designing and creating patterns, organizing photo shoots, gathering thoughts for the blog posts, researching different materials, tools and resources, learning new skills and techniques, writing meaningful blog posts with clear intentions.
• Staying up to date: I try to keep track of my favorite blogs and fiber artists and interact with readers and followers on my own blog and social media sites and respond on a daily basis. I also make it a point to go through emails and respond to those who have contacted me for any form of comments or inquiries. Staying up to date, without over-running on 'making' time requires a whole lot of discipline and time management. It's impossible to keep up with all of my favorite blogs and fiber artists without eating into my own time to make and create.
• Maintaining social media interaction: I am a pretty private person. You're hard pressed to find my face anywhere on the internet. In my personal life, I don't use social media. I check email sparingly. And I'm on the phone even less. I'm a here and now 'present-right-before-you' kind of person. So, when I started Scarlet Elfcup, I was forced to 'get with the times'...enter the world of Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and much more. The technical aspects of blogging and dealing with an online world that is ever-changing challenges and inspires me. I'm still learning the ins and outs of social media. I'll continue to study other blogs, ask questions and try out things for myself. And it'll all lead me to do the thing that inspired me to start Scarlet Elfcup in the first place...try something different, learn something new. 

This leads me to today's "live and learn" moment...my exploration into the world of Tumblr...the online photo blogging place. So, if you're there...help Scarlet Elfcup through it. If you're not, and you're interested in trying something new, then, let's go together and learn it together.

Follow Scarlet Elfcup on Tumblr...just for the fun of it...or for the chance to win today's giveaway...

A set of 3 Rainbabies

The Rainbaby was Scarlet Elfcup's very first and original creation. Scarlet Elfcup's Rainbaby was inspired by California's drought. They were called the Rainbabies in Hibernation.

At the time that they were created, California had been in severe drought for several years and there had been little to no snow on many California mountains. Those of us who live here felt it in the air. So, it was no wonder that rain was on my mind a lot and therefore I wanted to bring the whimsical idea of rain into the world...it was perhaps just a piece of hope...a dream, a wish for water from the heavens.

These Rainbabies are amongst hundreds and thousands of Rainbabies still in hibernation...in a deep deep slumber they slept. The question was, "When will they rise and shine to shower California with much needed water?" Sweet little slumbering ones, they were.

Well, today, we can all sigh a brief sigh of relief that the rains finally came to California. This year was the first year in many long years that California enjoyed a most wonderful gift from nature...rain! And so, the Rainbabies finally stirred and graced us with their waking sleepyheads. As such, I felt that I really wanted to make some of these sweet babies again. The last time my fingers enjoyed the sweetness of their tiny and super soft bodies was back in early 2014. It is time they came back into the world.

These precious palm-sized (3.5") Rainbabies are handmade from pre-washed, re-purposed, 100% cashmere and stuffed with clean carded wool. Their doll skin is made with 100% cotton jersey. Their facial features are made of 100% cotton embroidery floss. They come in 100% cotton muslin bags hand embroidered by me with a design that I created and drew myself...the word 'baby' with the Rainbaby emblem. 

The Rainbabies are perfect for baby shower favors. They can be given to a special someone as a gift or gift tag attached to a gift box.

The Rainbaby can also be given to a loved  one to carry around in the pocket. Or they can be hung as an ornament for any holiday, any time of the year.

If you are interested in entering your name into the drawing to take these Rainbabies home for FREE simply follow Scarlet Elfcup on Tumblr, like the blog post and reblog the post. 

Entries will close on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at 12:00 AM (PST). The winner will be notified via the Scarlet Elfcup blog.

Celebrating Two Years in the Making!!

Today, on the 20th of March, Scarlet Elfcup is proud to celebrate two years in the making! The fact that today marks the official start of Spring and the Vernal Equinox is no coincidence. Spring is all about change and new beginnings.  As such, today seemed appropriate to open Scarlet Elfcup to the world. And so, she was introduced on this day, two years past.

The fact that Scarlet Elfcup still exists today is a gift that I do not take for granted. She has come far and it is not without a lot of hard work, passion, and commitment. But, this part is only the half of it. The rest come from the support of those who appreciate handmade, natural fiber arts. Without this support, we would not be here. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I want to take time throughout the course of this coming week to express my gratitude to all the people who've made it possible for Scarlet Elfcup to continue to thrive and exist.

Come! I invite you to join in celebrating Scarlet Elfcup's two-year birthday! Starting from tomorrow, Monday, March 21st, Scarlet Elfcup will be giving away one handmade creation a day for 5 days!!! Simply check in, here, on the blog to find out how to win the giveaways. I hope to see you around for the celebration this week!

With All My Gratitude -

Young, maker and creator of Scarlet Elfcup

Spring Bears, Spring Bunnies

Spring is almost here...officially, Sunday March 20th marks the Vernal Equinox. Coinciding, but not coincidentally, with the Vernal Equinox is Scarlet Elfcup's birth date! Yes, friends, on Sunday, March 20th Scarlet Elfcup will turn two! There is much to be celebrated in the second year of life. But, don't let me spoil the fun just yet.

Instead, let me tell you that the bears and the bunnies have come out from hibernation to jumpstart the festivities that Spring has to offer.

This lot has roused from slumber to gather together and bring you baskets of Easter goods. After making Juju Bunny for Baby Amandina, I was so excited to have a stuffed bunny pattern that I wanted to make different variations of the critter by working with different fabric types and textures. Here are the results:

KORDEE, corduroy baby bear

Kordee measures slightly less than 8" (20 cm) long. This lovely textured bear is made with all natural materials. Kordee is made with 100% cotton corduroy. Kordee's ears, hands and feet are lined with a beautiful 100% Japanese Echino cotton linen fabric. Kordee is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool. His eyes and nose are embroidered with 100% cotton embroidery floss. His arms and legs are string jointed and stabilized and strengthened with beautiful vintage wooden buttons.

Kordee comes dressed accordingly for the occasion whilst wearing a hand knit bunny bonnet. His tangerine bonnet is hand knit with a 50% wool / 50% alpaca yarn by Isager. The ears are lined with the same fabric as that on his ears, hands and feet. 

Kordee comes bearing a nest full of tiny eggs which he found on the forest floor while scavenging for nuts and berries. The nest measures 3" (7.6 cm) in diameter and less than 1" (2.5 cm) tall and is crocheted with strips of 100% Japanese cotton linen fabric , made from the same material as that lining his ears, paws and feet. The three small wooden eggs each measure a little over 1" (2.5 cm) tall and are left unfinished and undecorated so that you can have the pleasure of decorating them with baby bear, Kordee, over Easter. 

CARMINA, velveteen baby bunny

Carmina measures approximately 8" (20 cm) long. This luxurious velveteen bunny is made with all natural materials. Carmina is made with premium quality 100% cotton velvet. When you hold her, you will know how ultra soft she feels. Carmina's ears, hands and feet are lined with a beautiful 100% Japanese Echino cotton linen fabric. Carmina is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool. Her eyes and nose are embroidered with 100% cotton embroidery floss. Her arms and legs are string jointed and stabilized and strengthened with beautiful wooden crafted buttons.

Carmina comes capped with an ultra-soft bunny bonnet. Her lovely 100% baby alpaca hat is hand knit with holes fitted just for her baby bunny ears to poke through.

Carmina comes carrying on her back a basket filled with a single wooden egg. The basket measures a little over 2" (5 cm) in diameter and about 2" (5 cm) tall and is crocheted with a 100% merino wool yarn by Madeleine Tosh. The straps are made of 100% linen ribbon. The wooden egg is made in Russia and measures 3" (7.6 cm) tall and 6" (15 cm) in circumference...so, about the size of an actual small egg. The egg is left unfinished and undecorated so that you may have the pleasure of painting and adorning it yourself on Easter. It is also hollowed inside...perfect for inserting a tiny surprise for your loved one on Easter.

TOTO, woolen baby bear

Toto measures 10" (25 cm) long. This sweet soft bear is made with all natural materials. Toto is made with clean, pre-washed, repurposed 100% merino wool. Toto's ears, hands and feet are lined with a lovely Liberty of London 100% cotton poplin fabric. Toto is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool. His eyes and nose are embroidered with 100% cotton embroidery floss. His arms and legs are string jointed and stabilized and strengthened with 100% coconut shell buttons.

Toto comes capped with an ultra-soft bunny bonnet. His lovely 100% baby alpaca hat is hand knit with an Isager yarn and the ears are lined with the same fabric as that found on his ears, hands and feet.

Toto lumbers along carrying a basket filled with three tiny wooden eggs. The basket is hand weaved using clean and treated pine-needles shed by the great Redwood trees found locally. The basket is weaved in the shape of an upside-downed bees nest for little bears love to dip their paws inside such nests when the sweet smell of honey is in the air. Inside the basket, strips of linen are used for straw. The three small wooden eggs each measure a little over 1" (2.5 cm) tall. The trio of unfinished wooden eggs are perfect for decorating to your heart's desire come Easter. 

PEBBLES, cotton linen baby bunny

Pebbles measures approximately 8" (20 cm) long. This simply chic bunny is made with all natural materials. Pebbles is made with 100% cotton linen. Pebbles' ears, hands and feet are lined with a beautiful 100% Japanese cotton linen fabric. Pebbles is stuffed with 100% clean carded wool. Her eyes and nose are embroidered with 100% cotton embroidery floss. Her cheeks are blushed with red beeswax. Her arms and legs are string jointed and stabilized and strengthened with beautiful wooden crafted buttons.

Pebbles comes wearing a smart bunny bonnet. Her sweet pink cap is hand knit with mohair, silk and merino wool yarn and an opening made just to fit her wee bunny lobes.

Pebbles comes carrying on her back a basket filled with a single wooden egg. The basket measures a little over 2" (5 cm) in diameter and about 2" (5 cm) tall and is crocheted with a 100% cotton yarn. The straps are made from ric-rac. The wooden egg measures 3" (7.6 cm) tall and 6" (15 cm) in circumference...so, about the size of an actual small egg. The egg is left unadorned so that you may have the pleasure of painting and decorating it to your heart's delight. And the hollowed inside is perfect for sneaking a special note or treat inside for your loved one.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Kordee, Carmina, Toto, and Pebbles are recommended for ages 5+ due to the delicate nature of their design. Their string jointed limbs will not withstand rough play. And the small parts on them pose as choking hazards for very young children. They are not intended for children who still mouth their toys.

If you are interested in giving these Spring bears and Spring bunnies a loving home to go to for Easter, they are now available in the Etsy shop.

Spring Welcomes Baby Amandina and Juju Bunny Into the World

I am so thrilled to introduce you to two delightful little ones by the names of Baby Amandina and Juju Bunny. Spring brought them into the world and they've come upon us bringing good tidings for Easter and all the wonderful things to enjoy at this time of year (that is...if you are in the Northern Hemisphere).

When the air gives off even the slightest hint of Spring it gets me hopping because I know it is that time of year when Father Spring comes out from hiding and brings us the gift of Easter, budding leaves, wild bunnies darting to-and-fro in our yard, and warm sunshine. As such I always welcome this time with jubilant arms for I love love love making bunny-related things.

If you were around during this season last year, you might remember all the Spring cuties that entered our lives...Ostara and Paschal, Skye and Poppy, Pip and Goosey Mae and all the other wonderful wee-ones.

There is something about bunnies that brings timeless love. Everybody loves bunnies. They bring good cheer during Easter. They have the cutest button noses, curious brown eyes and the dearest little whiskers. They are small, fluffy, furry, soft. They are beloved characters is books, stories, myths. These little rascals have won the hearts of humans for time unknown. No wonder I love thinking about them, watching them in our yard, making them and holding them.

This year, Baby Amandina and Juju Bunny are the first to be welcomed into the world by Spring.

Oh, this sweet pair! I don't think they'll go anywhere without one another. Baby Amandina's Juju Bunny is more than just a favorite toy bunny. Juju Bunny is Amandina's everything.

These two pals...

...they tumble and rumble...

...they play house...Juju likes to welcome Amandina home for tea...

...they play firetruck...Amandina zipping around as fast as she can with Juju at the bow...

...they make each other laugh...Juju's always the entertainer...

...they love to stow away in their hiding place...Amandina shows Juju her favorite picture books...

...and best of all...they are there to give comfort and hugs to one another in times of need...that's what pals do.

ABOUT BABY AMANDINA

Baby Amandina is a 16" Baby Elfcup.  She is created from Scarlet Elfcup's 16" Baby Pip pattern. The 16" Baby Pip was created with a very special child in mind...designed to be limber, long, lanky and very small in the torso so that the doll could be slung and handled by a toddler's tiny hands. Baby Amandina on the otherhand was created with a modified Baby Pip torso...a torso that is wider and a bit chunkier...something to give a tiny bit of heft to the baby. Her feet are also modified so that it is more proportional to her body and does not have the effect of an exaggerated foot size...makes for a lovelier time in creating her shoes. Finally, a small adjustment to the arm length was created in order to give a more accurate proportion of baby arms...shorter and not so long and floppy. Other than that, Baby Amandina's construction is the same as that of the 16" Baby Pip.

I haven't quite decided yet how I want the final 16" Baby Elfcup pattern to sit, but for the time being, this one will remain as a fun and floppy doll.

Baby Amandina measures approximately 16" (40 cm) long. She is made with all natural materials. Her doll skin is made with premium quality cotton interlock milled in the USA. She is firmly stuffed with bio-wool. Her seams are sewn twice for reinforcement.  Her locks are made of mohair yarn tied "baby-style" at the front with an organza ribbon. She has a lightly sculpted facial structure and cotton embroidered facial features. Her cheeks, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax.  She has a belly button and a bum. 

Baby Amandina comes with a play outfit and a sleep jumpsuit and a pair of the sweetest bunny shoes made from the best quality all natural vintage fibers.

Baby Amandina's play clothes is fit for an Easter outing. The white baby suit that she wears under the rompers is a brand new, pre-washed 100% cotton baby onesie. She'll go out frolicking and rollicking on Easter with her dashing blue rompers. The rompers are made with a gorgeous 100% Japanese cotton fabric and lined with a 100% cotton floral print. The rompers were stitched to fit her just right and has beautiful functional bunny buttons attached to straps that cross on the back.

At night Baby Amandina snuggles up warm and cozy in her sleep jumper. The jumper is made of 100% cotton interlock.

Baby Amandina's Easter shoes...I wish I had one! Baby Amandina's shoes are made from three different fabric textures composing of 100% cotton velvet and 100% cotton...embellished and trimmed to the nines. The lining and the soles are made of a 100% vintage cotton fabric. And the outer shell is composed of a 100% vintage cotton velvet. The shoes tie closed with a delicate and gorgeous 100% Swiss cotton lace. The top and the back of the shoes are embellished with bunny parts...bunny eyes and nose embroidered with 100% cotton floss, bunny ears are made of 100% Belgian wool felt, and the very soft and fluffy bunny tail is made from 100% suri alpaca yarn.

ABOUT JUJU BUNNY

I love working on pattern creation. Slow but enjoyable and wonderfully gratifying are the things that come to mind when I think of this process. In the past year, I've come to fiddle with a few soft animal designs and I've loved each pattern that's come and stayed...the hummingbird, the megaloceros and now Juju. Each was created with an endless number of hours sketching and scratching, sewing up the mock-up and restarting the process numerous times before I am finally satisfied with how the puzzle fits together.

Pattern making is challenging and fun...it's a puzzle with math and art combined. There have been pattern making projects that I attempted in the past, utterly failed and have left to collect dust until I can be inspired to come back and take a look at the problem solving with a fresh eye...the gypsy moth project was one of these. It's been nearly a year since I started this project then left it to sit. It nags at me. I tugs at me all the time. But, I know that when I come back to this one, I'll be able to pick it up and create something that is way off the path from my original idea, but will be just as deeply inspiring and gratifying. And this is part of the wonderful journey of creating your own patterns.

So, now back to Juju. I wanted to make a bunny for Baby Amandina. I wanted the bunny a size that is playful for Amandina and I wanted the bunny to have a vintage look. So, all these desires played into the design of the pattern. I won't go into the details of Juju's pattern design today...that will be left for another day.

Today, I want to give Juju all the attention. Juju measures approximately 8" (20 cm) long. The bunny is made with all natural materials. Juju is made with premium quality 100% cotton corduroy velvet. Juju's ears, hands and feet are lined with a beautiful 100% cotton linen fabric. Juju is stuffed with bio-wool. Juju's eyes and nose are embroidery with 100% cotton embroidery floss. The arm and legs are string jointed and are not designed for rough play.

Baby Amandina and Juju Bunny...a gift brought forth by Spring. This duo will be up for a live auction at a local fundraising function on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

Bringing a Baby Into the World

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.

The Making of a Rag Doll

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.