Aspen Listing On Ebay!

Aspen is now listed on Ebay. Here is the auction link, which you have to copy and paste into your browser because I can't ever seem to be able to hyperlink it with the blog tool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170716975570?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

This is my first sculpt since my surgery. I am finally able to sit long enough to sculpt. This baby is 4 3/4 inches long to the tip of his/her hat( this one is not anatomically correct). The baby lies on a pretty fall clay leaf, which I imprinted with a real sweetgum leaf and stained so that the veins would be more noticeable.

I plan to list this little one on Ebay tomorrow. I'll let you know the link shortly after I list!

Two new layered artisan necklaces

Sorry I'm so late to post the pics of my new necklaces. I used parts of antique drawer pulls in the layering of these two pieces. I couldn't re-create them if I wanted to, so they are definitely one of a kind creations. We needed to replace a broken hinge on an antique secretary, so we went to a store that carries old hardware. Since I am always looking for unusual findings for my jewelry, a lightbulb went off in my head when I saw the display of old drawer pulls. I was more than happy with the added interest they give to my collage necklaces.

I have a hold on the one with the onyx center. The other one is available, though I don't have it listed on my site. I am asking $49.00.

I have also finished a new baby fairy. I had started her face before my surgery. Following her, will be a new jointed baby, which should be finished in two or three days, so stay tuned!

You may be wondering if I am ever going to get back to work with my sculpting and artisan jewelry. I have to be honest and say that the Parkinson's in my left hand was agitated by the stress of the spine surgery I had last spring and I have been procrastinating for fear that I can't hold my hand steady enough to sculpt tiny faces. I have, however, created a couple of new collage necklaces using old drawer pulls that I found in an antique store that carries old hardware. They are very unusual and eye-catching. I will try to get photos posted tomorrow.

I am recovering very well. My physical therapist is amazed at my progress. I am driving, shopping,cooking, etc. I hope to add sculpting to that list real soon!

Please look back in the archives of my blog to see several sculpting tutorials.

wigging tip

To make part in my dolls' hair, I sometimes find it looks more natural to indent a line into the doll's head, while it is still unbaked, rather than just tucking the hair under and gluing it directly onto the head. After baking, you can tuck the weft of hair into the indentation. Just make sure you have cut a clean straight edge on the weft before inserting it into the indented line. The edge of the hair should have a thin line of glue on it. My favorite glue for wigging is FabriTac. It's a bit difficult to use because it gets stringy, but once you get used to it, you will find that it adheres almost immediately and bonds with the clay.
You can indent a "T" shape into the head for inserting bangs with a center part.

I would love to show you photos of this technique but I haven't sculpted since my surgery. Between physical therapy and doctor appointments I haven't been able to get into my sculpting mode. Soon, though, I hope!

A sculpting tip for blushing and painting face

If you don't want to invest in Genesis heat-set paints, you can use water based oils for blushing and painting your dolls' faces. Never use regular oil paints because they will eat into the hardened polymer clay over a period of time. Fingernail polish on the nails will also eat at the clay. Remember that polymer clay is oil based, so you can use only water soluable paints on it. Acrylics are fine to paint clothing, but they will not blend for a smooth finish on the face.

I hope to start sculpting again next week! I have a partially sculpted doll that I started before my surgery so I will finish her before I start on a new one.

I am now 8 weeks post-op, and am not using a cane anymore! Yay! Slowly, I am feeling normal again. For the first 6 weeks, I thought I would never feel good, but I am getting there. I

My recovery and a sculpting tip for you!

I am still using a cane and brace when I out in public, but I am slowly making progress. I have walked at the Mall of Orange, which is a small mall near our house. A large mall would overwhelm me at this point. I walked through Target today. It feels so good to get out and about. I feel like I am part of the world again! I started aquatic therapy last week. I felt like I weighed a ton when I got out of the pool! It was a strange experience. I have a great therapist who reminds me that I didn't have just one or two fusions, but 8! He said that is "major major" surgery. So, I can't expect to bounce back too quickly. In fact, he said it could take up to a year. I am normally on the go a lot, so I have had to learn patience. I will no longer have mobility in my waist, however the therapist said that a minimal amount will come back, eventually. That's a fair trade-off for being able to walk without that terrible....no, unbearable pain going down my left leg. I will be able to live a productive and good life with a couple of adjustments.

Since I can't sit long enough to sculpt right now, I thought I would leave you some sculpting tips as I think of them.

For my dolls, which are usually about 4 inches long, I use the eye a large tapestry needle to imprint the fingernails and toenails. You can buy the needles in several sizes to fit the proportions of your doll.