Wednesday 1 October 2008

Gritty Jane Doll


This is the first doll I made for the course. I loved making her, and watching her come to life. I found the sculpting the hardest as I have not done that before. Lips-so tricky and eventually, so crooked! What I really loved was being able to make a figure that I could paint on and I really want to try making just painted dolls. I also really enjoyed the aging process for the dress where you soak it in coffee, rearrange the pleats and then bake it in the oven. I did give it a little rinse as I was worried about the coffee smell. It does smell slightly but is quite pleasant-a bit like fisherman's friends lozenges.

I just can't decide on a name-any ideas?

8 comments:

Penelope Grey said...

How about Lucy, she kind of looks like that should be her name.

I am thinking of doing the gritty arts doll class and wondered did you get all you needed for the class in the UK alright. I am north of you in Buckinghamshire. I am doing the Suzi Blu class as well at the moment. Small world.

Sarah said...

Hi Beverley-I hope you look back as I can't contact you otherwise! Have only just noticed your comment sorry! Yes perhaps Lucy would suit her, she does look kind of lucyish! I have got most things ok for the class but could not get paper clay. I used Das clay which worked alright.

Penelope Grey said...

Hi got your message, I had it email me when you responded. that sounds good, I have found another class I want to do, so whether I would do both I am not sure.

I can get hold of something called Delight here in the UK which I think is like paperclay. I belong to a local Scrapstore, you can join as an individual, not as a professional artist, etc. www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk they sell loads of bulk items for kids to do crafts and there are some places in London. Your school may already belong.

The other name I thought of for your doll is Rosie.

Sarah said...

Thanks Beverley I will look into that. What's the other course you are going to do? There is just so much to do and not enough time to do it.
On the doll front-maybe she could be Lucy-Rose.
Oh I found you on Ning by the way-and left you a message there.
Sarah :)

Penelope Grey said...

Hi Sarah, here is the link to the other course, its a totally sewn doll though.

http://www.joggles.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=75_761&products_id=17391

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have just signed up for the Gritty Jane Doll Workshop.

Sarah said...

Hi Beverley,
Thanks for that-I will look into it. I hope you enjoy the gritty Jane course. One of the children in my class (4 yr olds) spent ages making the doll dance around like a ballerina. I was pleased that she liked it more than by the adult response! I am making an all cloth doll at the moment so maybe I should donate that to school once it's finished! See you at the party!

Penelope Grey said...

Hi Sarah, please can I ask you, sorry to be a pain, but where did you get hold of your paperclay in the end. I am going to try the Delight which is made by the same people but is much lighter in weight. I have found paperclay on Ebay but given I am only up the road from you in Milton Keynes if you bought it from a shop in London I should be able to pick some up from there. Plus DH goes into the city each weekday LOL

Sarah said...

Hi Beverley
I didn't use paperclay in the end-i looked on the internet as far as my patience would allow and couldn't find any suppliers here. I ordered some from the U.S. but the delivery charge was ridiculous so I camcelled! In the end I used Das clay which was ok. I don't think it is quite so soft as the paperclay looked but it worked ok as long as you keep it wet. It baked ok as well. I did read a worrying thing on the internet about not using your oven too much for this. It said to clean it with bicarb of soda solution afterwards. This works well on the oven!