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Happy Anniversary!

11/1/2020

24 Comments

 
Today is the tenth anniversary of this Antique Lilac website, and like every previous anniversary, I wanted to celebrate with a small cake of some sort. But as the years went by, the number of candles increased, so this year I needed something a little bigger - to hold ten candles - so Jan and I made a cake ourselves....
​.....and with my dining room table 'photo studio' empty, I took some photos there.....
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So, how did it all start?   Well, I purchased my very first ball-jointed doll, an Elfdoll Ryung, back in 2007, but I didn't really do much with her the first few years, other than sew a couple of costumes...
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Then in 2010 I made her a series of fairy costumes, and took her along on a summer camping trip up north, where I took photos of her....
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Then I made her a Ruby Fairy and Celtic Maiden outfit, and took her along on a cross-country trip to the Pacific.
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I was thrilled with the photos, and had been selling all the earlier costumes I'd made, so decided I really needed a website to showcase my photos, and for selling my doll costumes. I struggled with learning how to exactly do it, but finally managed to understand the process.  I created the header from the few photos I had of Ryung at the time, and on November 1st, 2010, my website went live.

Not long after, my second doll arrived - my first Narae -  and then my very first new doll ordered direct from a company, my Kaye Wiggs Cinnamon.

At first I ordered dolls specifically to be costume models, since my original goal was to make doll clothes for sale, and I needed all kinds of different sizes of dolls, since every company made their own sizes of dolls, so it was difficult for them to share.

Then in 2012 I joined a Yahoo group for the smaller Iplehouse dolls. I had just three BIDs at the time, but loved their photo challenges, starting with the Alphabet Challenge that first year.  Taking the photos had been so much fun, that I decided to do a Special Days series for all of 2013. By this time I was totally addicted to taking photos, as opposed to making costumes for sale.  Wait times for commissions were approaching two years, which seemed ridiculous, so I stopped taking them.

Over the years, my doll collection kept growing, as did my interest in photographing them. Nowadays I spend much of my time sewing for my own dolls, and creating new stories. It's a way to distract myself from ever worsening health issues. 

The past year has been especially rough, but it's also produced some of my favourite photos, partly because of the new fashion size dolls.  Costuming has always been my first love, but I never much cared for the really big dolls, so I'm just loving the possibilities with these smaller ones, especially after I started including the children...
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but my older dolls continue to inspire new ideas as well....
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So, what does the future hold?   There's no way to know what lies ahead. Just look at this year.  Who would have expected a worldwide pandemic, or the insanity to the south of us, or all Jan and my worsening health issues?  So the thing is to try stay positive, and keep following my dreams.

I have a lot of ideas, some of which may never happen, but others that hopefully will. I started a photo story back in March, which came to a screeching halt when Jan got really sick. I have shot more bits and pieces of it the past few months, but haven't started posting anything yet because I haven't figured out the middle part of the story.  

I have a Christmas story in mind that I've wanted to shoot for several years already, and am hoping this might be the year, since I finally have the dolls I'd need for it. It would just need one or two new costumes, some sets, and then a lot of photography in a snowy forest. With my mobility constantly getting worse, this might be the last chance to finally do it.

I've had all kinds of costume ideas over the years. Some get made. Many do not.

So, what's happening short term?  Well, I still have those five pairs of shoes to finish, but it's not something I enjoy doing, so they'll happily get bumped.   Like, by a wig and costume for Eden.  And a new dress and coat for a little Princess, just in case I do want to shoot that Christmas story.

So, lots to think about, and do....and enjoy some cake.....

Happy Anniversary!  And hoping for another ten years.....
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24 Comments
Sara
11/1/2020 07:15:06 am

This made me smile and almost cry! I love seeing your photo stories and all the fabulous things you do with your dolls. And it’s a lot of fun to find a kindred spirit who loves fantasy and medieval stuff as much as I do. I’ve especially enjoyed your family stories and seeing your families interact with each other. Happy Anniversary! I hope you have many more years to come.

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:20:48 pm

Thank you! I'm so glad that you enjoy it, and here's hoping I can still do it for some time....

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Heather D Hansen link
11/1/2020 07:51:32 am

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. This website is such a treasure. I look forward to looking at it daily for a “feel good” lift. I am never disappointed. Your creations are truly wonderful and I am so grateful that you have immortalized them here. Wishing you all the best. Thank you

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:22:55 pm

Thank you! I'm glad it's something positive for you to come to every day.

That's why I keep doing it. We could all use something nice to look at.

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Clara
11/1/2020 09:48:19 am

Congratulations and many more anniversaries in happier times. Thank you for sharing your wonderful dolls and stories with us. It never cease to amaze me how beautiful you can bring your dolls to life - so many details and perfect in every way. I looking forward to your posts, I love all if them.

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:23:47 pm

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

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Donna
11/1/2020 10:03:40 am

Happy Anniversary! Thank you so much for the light you bring into each day with your wonderful photos, beautiful costumes and lovely stories. And thank you too for the inspiration and encouragement you inspire to rise above the difficulties that surround us.

I wish you many, many more anniversaries!

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:24:20 pm

Thank you! I try my best.

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karenc
11/1/2020 10:27:11 am

I've been so very happy that I finally discovered your blog in the last few years! I got interested in BJDs around that time and came across some of your wonderful outfits on Pinterest. You have made me fall in love almost exclusively with FIDs, and I look always forward to your beautiful clothing and stories. I wish you many happy more years of blogging. (And, I'd still love to see you do a live show display somewhere!)

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:26:22 pm

Thanks. I'm in love with the Fashion size dolls too. For me it's like going back to what got me into doll costuming in the first place.

I don't know about a live show though. I have way too many dolls to be taking them along anywhere.

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Frances
11/1/2020 11:14:21 am

I get so much pleasure from your photo stories, and inspiration from your costumes - I am raising a glass to the next 10 years. And if you could just pass a slice of that fabulous cake across the Atlantic...!

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:28:14 pm

Thank you!

I don't think cake would ship well, esp not in these super slow Covid times. You'll just have to imagine the taste.

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Jitka
11/1/2020 11:46:11 am

Happy Anniversary! Your blog brings happiness and light into the daily life (even during this difficult year). I fell in love with your blog and those marvelous costumes and stories many years ago - and I have been coming back to look for your new post every day since then. Thank you for sharing with us the wonderful stories, costumes, behind the scenes photos and a lot of tutorials - you are my greatest inspiration and tutor in the BJDs costuming. Thank you Martha. Wishing you all the best.
And the cake looks delicious :)

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:29:24 pm

Thank you so much! It's nice to know that my work helps inspires others. That was always my hope.

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kenaiqueen
11/1/2020 12:32:47 pm

Happy Anniversary! And thanks so much for creating all this. I get so much happiness and inspiration from your work. Best wishes for the coming year!

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:30:37 pm

Thank you so much! I'm so glad my work inspires you, and makes you happy.

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Lisa
11/1/2020 12:52:47 pm

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for the beauty that you share with us)))) And I wish you and all your family and friends happiness and good health! And for you personally, creative inspiration!

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:32:04 pm

Thank you! I don't know about the 'health' part. That's not going to get any better. But creative inspiration I can do. I just hope I can keep doing it for a long time yet.

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Lisa
11/3/2020 11:37:52 pm

when everything is fine with relatives and friends, you worry less about them) it means you live more calmly)) And when you live calmly, your health is getting better). And I really want you to have it that way! and as people in my homeland say - let these wishes reach the ears of God

Carol
11/1/2020 03:08:16 pm

Congratulations & very best wishes for your tenth anniversary!! Thank you for sharing your journey with me giving me a smile every day, inspiring me on so many. I love that you also share your frustrations with putting an outfit together. It gives me courage to persevere with my own. I do not have many BJD. I do have many Sasha dolls. My biggest challenge is with photography. Love the tips that you give.
Your dining room is transformative across centuries. What a magical place to live! The cake looks amazing❤️

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:34:09 pm

Thank you! Dolls are dolls, doesn't matter the kind. I hear you about sharing frustrations. I do it because I know many people think the doll outfits seem to just happen by magic. Sometimes they do seem to, but more often these days it's with a lot of having to redo stuff.

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Jay
11/2/2020 09:10:58 am

So lovely reading about your website and doll journey. I've loved your creations since that beautiful fairy outfit I purchased years ago and every other one since. They are little treasures.

And your blog! So inspiring and delightful. Living "to the south" amidst this current insanity has been a challenge and I so much appreciate the joy each day your photos bring. Thank you!

I also really appreciate your generous sharing of your wealth of knowledge. The tutorials are superb! And while often I read them and think, nope won't be trying that as it's way too hard, I've also tried a few "easier" ones and really enjoyed the results.

I hope your health issues go on hiatus! Big hug to you!!!

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Martha
11/2/2020 02:36:48 pm

Thanks so much!

I was thrilled back in 2010, when you were my very first customer.

Things only look 'hard' if you look at the final product. Doing stuff one tiny step at a time makes almost anything manageable.

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Dorothy
11/2/2020 08:21:21 pm

Dear Martha, you have given us a wonderful, inspiring place to come for the last ten years. You have given us amazing stories and lovely photographs. You have given us camera tips and sewing suggestions. But most of all, you have shared your love of dolls and taken us on journeys through real vistas and imagined worlds. Thank you and congratulations on achieving this milestone.

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    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
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