I've decided to put my own Christine up for sale. I had thought that I really wanted to keep it, but it would seem that just making the outfit and taking photos of it was good enough. I still have enough trims to make a third should I decide I want one myself after-all.
Today I have to take studio shots of the newest outfits and make Gallery pages for them all - that includes 'Velvet Rose', the yet un-named knight outfit for Kyle, and 'Little Bluebird'. I've also re-organized the Gallery and For Sale Items, so outfits for sale are also in the Galleries for their corresponding years. The Gallery 2012 has been sub-divided by size as well now that there are several outfits in each size.
I've decided to put my own Christine up for sale. I had thought that I really wanted to keep it, but it would seem that just making the outfit and taking photos of it was good enough. I still have enough trims to make a third should I decide I want one myself after-all. Went driving around for some reasonably dry, interesting woods for a photo session, and ended up at the lake on the Frenchmen's Bay spit - again. That spot seems to be the default location for doll photos after my own backyard. Good thing it's so nice and close! Anyway, I found a nice patch of periwinkle to provide a spot of green for the background. Miki looked amazing there! *To see more photos of Miki as 'Little Bluebird", just click on image above.
My native-inspired commission is almost done, and I'm really loving how it's turning out. I still have to make her some moccasins, so will wait to show the whole outfit until everything is done.
The top to my native-inspired outfit is hanging outside to dry. After hours of cutting all the fringe, I drew on the painting designs, then wet the entire garment, and worked brown and mud-coloured acrylic paint into the fringe and all the areas where the natural leather would be showing. I like how this 'aging' process discolours the leather, getting rid of that 'brand new' look, and makes the fringe all crinkly. To make my 'mud' paint, I just pour some paint from every colour family together: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown and something light. Right now the underarm seams remain un-sewn, so the top can be laid out flat for painting. When it dries the colours will be much more muted.
I'm working on a native-inspired commission for a Kaye Wiggs girl. The original inspiration was a Cheyenne buckskin dress, but the design has evolved into a two-piece ensemble with a simple sleeveless dress and a separate fringed cape over it. I'm using some soft thin chamois leather acquired in the auto department at Canadian Tire. I've stained the leather so it doesn't look so glaringly new. The fringe was wet and stained and let dry all crinkly. The customer loves blues and greens, and wanted something without too much beading, so the main designs have been painted on. The main dress is done, so now I have to draw up the cape/sleeve pattern. I love working on native-inspired pieces, and have started thinking about making a native-inspired outfit for one or two of my own dolls - but something a bit more Northwest Coast. If we do go to BC this year it might be nice to work some Northwest Coast Native characters into my doll photography story. My Asa (JID) and Byuri (BID) would be perfect.
I took some new photos of Kyle in the back garden. I really like how his cloak turned out.
I tried giving him slightly smaller eyes - 8mm - and find he doesn't look quite so lost in thought as before. I'll see what I think, and if this new look grows on me. I know everyone is always curious about stuff like this, so I thought I'd share a photo of my basement photography studio. It's pretty low-tech, with three tables side to side, a place to hang back-drops, and two photography lights; one aimed up at the white ceiling to create a soft overall light, and a second, with a filter on the front, to use as a spot-light. And of course a tri-pod - which isn't in the picture because I needed it to take the photo.
We went for a little drive to look for some snow, and found a nice snowy woods perfect for some photos of Kyle. He will still be getting an olive green cloak with trims more suited to his station, but with the temperature set to sky-rocket tomorrow it was probably going to be my last chance for any snow photos. Looks like spring may actually be coming.
I made a Favourite Photos page with the best images from the photo shoot. I'm hoping to finish Kyle's outfit today. I sewed a knight's surcoat out of black leather - which is the first time I've ever sewn one out of leather - and added all the trim, and clasps. Today I'm working on all the finishing details: wrist-guards, belts, sword hilt, etc. It's all such fiddly, time-consuming work and takes a lot longer than one would think. I suppose Kyle should really get a cloak as well. Right now I have to get back to making thinner cords to lace up the wrist-guards - the first set were too thick, and I'm trying to keep things in scale as much as I can
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
February 2025
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