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.

spinal fusion update

I am 5 weeks post-op and have to say my recovery has been much harder than I ever thought it would be. I have advanced from a walker to a cane, but I still struggle with a lot of deep aching, mostly in my hips and am trying to get off of pain meds. The good news is the sword-like pain going down my left leg is gone. I am very impatient and want to get well and be normal again. My lumbar spine was fused and I also had a second laminectomy. Some of my mobility will be lost, but I feel I am getting a second chance. My surgeon is said to be the best in the western US.
Thanks to all of you who have written comments and emailed me. I have a long way to go and appreciate hearing from you.
I won't be sculpting for a while because I can't sit for long periods of time, but please stick with me.

On the mend!

I have not been creating dolls lately, and for a very good reason. I had spinal surgery.....8 fusions (L5 up to T10), a laminectomy, and 2 twelve inch titanium rods in my back for support. I feel like a doll with a metal armature!
It was a huge surgery so healing is at the top of my priority list right now. Things are going well so far, but I can't say that I have not been afraid. The physical therapist comes to the house 3 times a week to help me strengthen my core and to give me pep talks. I am slowly weaning myself off of medication. It is beyond my understanding out anyone could use those drugs for recreational purposes. Thank God we have them, but playing around with them is just so unsafe.
I will keep you updated on my progress. In the meantime, please appreciate being able to take a shower alone, put on your clothing without help, and mostly, going to the bathroom alone. Don't take any of your independence for granted.
Sue Anne

Gone for a while

My surgery date has been rescheduled for this coming Monday. I simply could not deal with the pain and wish tomorrow were Monday. So you probably won't see me here for a while, but please don't leave! I will get back as soon as I can.

My summer

My sculpting will be slowing down for the next couple of months, although I am going to try my best to keep going. I am having a spinal fusion, currently scheduled for June 20, but due to intense pain in my left leg, I am going to try to reschedule for an earlier date. I have collapsing discs in my back and the nerve to my leg is impinged. They say that this is a huge surgery and yes, I am scared but have no choice but to go for it. I have congenital scoliosis which has finally caught up with me. I would love to hear from anyone who has had this surgery. I really don't know what my back will feel like with part of it in a fixed position.
I will continue to post helpful tips and hope that my followers will hang in there with me.
I will keep you posted.
Sue Anne