Noel is my new Christmas baby. She is actually much cuter and prettier in person. She is 3 1/2 inches long in her sleeping position. I had a piece of green French ribbon to use as a garland around her head, but it wasn't green enough for Christmas so I hand dyed it.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, but I feel like I need two of me! I want to sculpt, decorate, and make the magic happen for everyone I love. I learned the Christmas spirit from my mom, Ginny. I think that she really was Mrs. Claus! I will never forget walking into her house on Christmas Eve and hearing the Lennon Sisters album in the background. Mom made Christmas fun and, though we didn't have a lot of money, each gift, each part of the holiday was special and dear to me. Mom really knew how to spin the magic with her home made fudge (not the marshmallow kind, but the real kind) pulled taffy, and an assortment of perfectly baked cookies. One year, she made me a jingle bell skirt and, believe me, I walked with springs on my feet so that it would jingle to the max!

I hope that my Christmas creations will make someone's Christmas special this year. Please watch for new dolls. My next doll will be a baby Christmas elf. I finished the face today, and tomorrow I will work on the rest.

Sue Anne

A Nordic Fairy

I have crossed over the other side! I was encouraged to show my skill at creating a grown-up lady fairy, so I created Astrid, a Nordic fairy who sits on her snowy pice of driftwood. She was fun to make, but, I admit, a challenge because I am used to doing chubby toddlers or babies. Long limbs were something I had not really mastered. But, I am pretty happy with her and hope you like her too!

Sue Anne

Victoria, a vintage look baby fairy

Victoria is my most recent sculpt and is currently on Ebay for a 5 day auction. She is very antique looking, very detailed, and very cute! She sleeps in an off-white silk Christmas flower that is sparkly and makes a darling fairy bed for her. I secured the flower on a candlestick, but the baby is removable. You can place her wherever you like.

I aged her wings and her hat with a little coffee and a little antique stain. She is detailed with fingernails, toenails, and baby creases.

I was happy to get my fingers back into my clay after being in Ohio to welcome my first grandchild, a wonderful little boy named Paul. And yes, I studied his feet, his profile, his mouth, and all of the little creases that came with him! What a good little model he was.

Sue Anne

New OOAK doll ~ Kathleen

I have listed a new doll on Ebay for a 5 day auction. She is made from ProSculpt polymer clay. At only 4 inches, she is highly detailed with baby creases, nails, and dimpled knees. This one will be hard for me to say good-bye to so I hope she goes to someone who will really love her and take good care of her.

I want to mention that a polymer clay doll cannot be positioned unless it is jointed. This doll is in a fixed position. I say this because it has come to my attention that some novice collectors have tried to reposition the doll and have broken the limbs.

I have custom made her clothing so that it can be easily removed. The bodice of her dress is French ribbon and the skirt is batiste. The clothing is my own design. Of course, the doll will never be repeated. I do not take molds of my work to make reproductions.

Many steps are involved in the making of a doll such as this. After hours of tedious sculpting, there is blushing, painting the eyes, sealing the face, wigging, and dressing.

This doll will one day become a family heirloom for some lucky bidder. Kathleen will warm your heart and amaze you when you see her in person!

Sue Anne

Bear auction!

I just want everyone to know that my bear goes off auction tomorrow! I put it up for only three days. My OOAK bears have been one of my most popular items over the past few years.

Perry is string jointed (Irish linen waxed cord). He has moveable arms and legs and comes with his own sparkly pumpkin.

I ship worldwide and am happy to say that I have dolls in many countries.

If you are looking for a real handmade teddy bear and not a reproduction, this bear is for you!

Sue Anne

baby chimpanzees!

I was commissioned to make three baby apes and once I got started I couldn't stop! I had not made any baby chimps or orangutans for quite sometime. I forgot how much fun they are. So, I have made one that is so tiny it fits in a walnut shell and another that sleeps in an antique spoon. They are currently up for auction on Ebay. Please check them out!

What can I tell you about making a baby ape. Well, their facial structure is pretty much the same as a human's on the upper part of their faces, but the bottom of the face is all mouth. They don't have cheeks like humans. I usually start out with a round ball and then add an oval shape on the bottom half of the face. I set a nose in the center top of the oval and then cut in a mouth. Ears on a chimp are bigger and stick out more than on an orangutan. Also, orangutans have darker faces (top half at least) than chimps have. They also have those long orangutan arms.

Sue Anne

baby sculpts

My two listings on Ebay have about two more days to go. The spoon baby is incredibly tiny and ver detailed. The larger baby, Mary Beth, come is a really pretty vintage style case.

I list each baby only once. "Un-adopted" babies will stay in my family as heirlooms. If you do bid and win a baby, it will be a nice collectible for you to pass on in your own family!

Currently, I am catching up on comissioned pieces and am ready to take more orders.

Sue Anne

New sculpt next week?

I should be sculpting again next week, so please check in. I have had to put my clay on the back burner this summer. The two family weddings were beautiful, but the days have whirled by and I have not stopped for a moment, not even to grasp that "summer feeling" that I usually get this time of year.

My plan is to work on another vintage style baby. She will come in a darling antique look metal case and she will wear a long habotai silk dress.

I would love to know what size dolls my collectors like the most. So, please write me here or email me at am803@aol.com.

See you soon!

Two new sculpts

I have two auctions on Ebay. Ophelia, my antique style baby, is a unbelieveably detailed miniature doll. Her tiny face was meticulously sculpted using only my fingers and a few simple sculpting tools. Her dress bodice and hat are made from antique lace and the skirt on her dress is made from coffee dyed habotai silk, the best draping fabric for these tiny babies.

Pascale is a fairy child who comes on a base with her calla lilly, which I also hand sculpted. She, too, wears a skirt of silk. Her hair is mohair, which I curled and styled. She and her lilly are removable from the base for safe shipping.

These will be my last two sculpts for a couple of months. My beautiful niece, Ashley, is marrying a wonderful guy, Adam, on July 12th and my handsome son, Grant, is marrying a beautiful girl, Christine, on August 2nd. I have been busy sewing a bridesmaid dress and this coming week I will be packing for my trip back to Ohio. Sculpting will be on hold for a while.

In the meantime, I would love to hear from you. If you have any requests or questions about my work, please contact me at am803@aol.com, or write me here on the blog site.

I will leave you with a sculpting tip:

Keep baby wipes on your work table to clean your hands frequently while you sculpt. Meticulously clean hands are a must when using polymer clay.

Sue Anne

New slide show

I have updated my slide show with some of my more current dolls. I have been focusing on vintage human baby dolls, but I do like to sculpt a fairy here and there. I hope you enjoy the show!

I am almost finished with two new pieces, a child fairy and human infant. I will post them here when they are up for auction so please watch for them!

Sue Anne

vacation beckons

I will be on a much needed vacation with my family for the next week.

Sculpting time will be tight this summer. With my niece getting married in Ohio in July, my youngest son, Grant getting married in August and our first grandbaby arriving in Oct (what a birthday present for me!), I won't have much free time. But, I am sure I will be staying up late to squeeze in some of my sculpting/alone time. So please watch for a few new dolls.

In the meantime, I will leave a sculpting tip for you:

I strengthen the joints in my dolls by add a touch of TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey) before I attach a thigh, calf, etc. It takes very little but does so much to keep the doll from cracking in those areas.

Happy sculpting!

Sue Anne

It's official!

This is off topic, but I just have to announce that my youngest son, Grant has graduated from Cal State Fullerton! All three of my sons have graduated from college. Edison has hired Grant as a graphic designer. Needless to say, I am one proud mom!

Please visit Grant's updated website www.grantmcconnell.com.

Watch for a new doll soon!

Antique style baby doll

Yesterday evening, I listed a new baby. She is one of a series of antique style babies that I am sculpting. Each will be about the same size doll, some jointed, some not.

I am really working on refining my doll's faces, making them softer and watching that I leave no harsh lines. Expressions are yet to come. There are so many muscles that change with a smile, unhappiness, etc. So, for now, my look will be serene, which I do well!

Please check out my auction for Annabelle. She is so sweet, quaint, and loveable.

Here is her link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170217944928&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

French Country baby listing

I have listed the most adorable French Country doll. The bodice of her dress and her headband are made of vintage ribbon from France. The bottom of her dress is made from the sleeves of a vintage dress. She has a very etheral, serene look. She is one of my favorite creations so far.



To bid on her, please go to this link:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170213478492&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

Sue Anne

Suzette

I have a new baby sculpt up for auction on Ebay. She wears a pretty pure white dress, hat, and diaper...all hand made just for her. I hand sculpt and hand paint all of my dolls' eyes. Once again, remember that each tiny face is unique and will never be repeated.

I would also like to mention that I prefer to make dolls that are not attached to a elaborate bases that will turn out to be nothing but dust catchers. I like a nice clean sculpt that can fit into your present accessories....like a fairy or baby lying on a stack of books, or nestled into a collectible teacup.

I have just finishd two commissioned pieces and am ready to take on more. Please email me or write me here on my blog to place an order.

Sue Anne

Timing a sculpt

I am frequently asked how long it takes for me to sculpt a doll. I have never really timed myself because I multitask and don't pay much attention to the clock. Sometimes I am working on a face while another one is curing. However, I am going to attempt to time myself with the next sculpt. I will time the different steps.....sculpting the face, the body, limbs, painting, dressing, wigging, and making and applying the wings(if it's a fairy).

This will be an interesting time study!


Sue Anne

New human baby~Lillian

I have listed a new human baby and I think this sculpt show that I have improved in realism. In person, she almost looks as if she can breathe! Making the eyes smaller and narrower helps give a baby a more newborn look. Lillian comes with a really nice little box. She will nest so sweetly in the palm of your hand. I just love this doll! Please visit her auction here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170210163934&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

new fairy doll

My new fairy, Nancy, is a different kind of sculpt for several reasons. She is actually a doll, rather than a posed sculpt. She is jointed the old fashioned way with tiny holes that run through her limbs and body. Also, she is intentionally old looking, like something you might find in one of those locked glass cases in an antique store, or in a long forgotten trunk of treasures in grandma's attic. I have made the bodice of her dress from a piece of antique lace taken from an old dress collar. Her skirt is tea dyed habotai silk and her entire body has been washed with an antique medium for an aged look. I used my own special technique to age the wings, which are embellished wity tiny holeless pearls. Her hair is mohair and her antique style hat is sealed and stiffened. As always, her face and body have been painted and blushed with Genesis heat set paints and the finest acrylics. She would make a unique addition to any fairy or doll collection.

New Vintage look fairy baby

I have listed a new baby fairy, one of my favorite sculpts. Her hat is made of antique lace and she comes in a cute little "French" box. She is very "baby" looking, anatomically correct, and oh so sweet!

Please look for me on Ebay under my name "toodlesocks" or go to this address to bid:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170205526456&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

Two new fairies are up for auction on Ebay. These are 3 day auctions. I am having fun with altered art on flower pots and such! It satisfies my love for paper and odds and ends.

Altered flower pot fairy!

I am so excited about this piece, not so much because of the darling baby fairy, but because the flower pot is my first altered item. I will probably be doing more, because I loved creating this!

Ginnybelle is up for a 3 day auction on Ebay. If you would like to bid, my Ebay name is "toodlesocks." Or cut and paste this address into your address box and it will take you to the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170202449712&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

Sue Anne

New fairy baby soon!

I have a new fairy to list. She is completely finished, but she will probably not be up for auction until Saturday because I am having a tea on my back porch tomorrow and will be busy making finger sandwiches and scones! Guests include 3 year old Chloe, and 1 year old Kiera. We are wearing hats and spring dresses for this lady-like event. Actually, we should probably wear running shoes to keep up the little ones away from the pool!

Back to the fairy:
She will be sleeping in a pretty rose that sits in a vintage style flower pot. She is blonde, pink, and sweet! I am working on making feet more detailed and realistic. Oh...this one is anatomically correct and in her birthday suit, other than a sparkly hat on her little head.

I have other fairies planned in my mind. One will be trapped in a bird cage. Another will be sleeping on a bed of assorted feathers. I have more ideas than I have time....with teas and all.

Sue Anne

Trixie

I just listed my new jointed human baby on Ebay. You can turn her head from side to side and move her arms and legs. She is the perfect size to hold in the palm of your hand....about 4 3/4 inches. Here is her link.....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170198382448&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

Small news and Big News!

Once again, I have not been a very good blogger, but I do thank all of you who check in for updates and tips!

Currently, I am working on two new pieces. One is a collaboration with Christine Evers,my soon to be daughter-in-law, who will be marrying my youngest son, Grant, this coming August.(We love her!) I am sculpting the doll, an adult fairy, and Christine will be wigging, painting, and dressing the doll. Christine is an makeup artist and photographer. You can visit her new website at ~ www.hintonbeauty.com.~ If you live in Southern California or are visiting the area, you might enjoy using her services. She is extremely talented.

The second piece I am working on is a jointed human baby. I have not sculpted one of these for quite some time, and have had a couple of requests to do so. She will probably be listed at the end of the week.

Off topic for a moment...I just have to announce that my middle son, Eric, and his wife, Lora, are expecting and we will find out on February 25th if there will be more than one! We were beginning to believe that this blessing was never to be, so we are more than excited!

I was delighted to see one of my dolls featured in a miniature magazine from the Netherlands. Slowly, my work is being noticed as I improve, learn, and grow in my sculpting.

Once again, thanks to all of you who follow my work and appreciate my little ones.

Tip: Try using dental floss for jointing arms and limbs on jointed babies. You will never need to worry about breakage.

"Bless the beasts and the children, for in this world they have no voice, they have no choice..."

Sue Anne

Two new fairies!

After a wonderful holiday season with all of my kids home and after putting away my many Christmas decorations (and a bout with the flu) I have finished and listed two darling little fairies on ebay. Rosabella, a blonde child fairy, stands on a lovely silk rose. Baby Tinkie sleeps in a spoon! Both are simply sweet and adorable!

Please keep in mind that all of my dolls are double boxed. The inner box is wonderful, complete with a pretty ribbon.....perfect for gift giving! I also include insurance in my shipping price (if shipped within the US).

The links are below. Sorry, I can't seem to make them static so you will have to copy and paste them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170186980913&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170186989144&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

Sue Anne

Happy New Year!

I wish you a happy and prosperous new year!

I had some very exciting news this morning. I have received Artist Of The Month award from Global Fantasy Dolls! Needless to say, I am thrilled and can't wait to use the new logo in my next auction and add it to my website.



I have a couple of sculpts in the works, but they won't be up for auction until sometime next week. Right now, I am enjoying having my son and daughter-in-law here for the holidays, but I am itching to get back to my clay, so please stay tuned!

Sue Anne