Frida,Frida,Frida

I took a leisurely stroll though the kingdom of blog today and what do you suppose I found, only a homage to one of my most beloved of artists Frida Kahlo by dollmaker Christine Alvarado. The Three Fridas is an exquisite creation and to me really embodies her life and her work, I was excited and delighted to have stumbled upon her. 

© Christine Alvarado, Du Buh Du Designs, 2007-2010 .

© Christine Alvarado, Du Buh Du Designs, 2007-2010 .

not been a particularly faithful blogmaiden!

'Tis true, I'm afraid, pink and shame-faced, here I am. Methinks it's time for a catch up!

 Autumn came and went, and dolly making made way for felting. I took part in a couple of craft and design fairs, in Brighton and London. A lovely time was had in Brighton, I stayed at Paskins Town House and had a cozy bed and delicious organic breakfasts washed down with a huge pot of tea. It was a stones throw from the sea and a short stroll to the venue. Fairs are always a tricky affair, but I met some wonderful people and had the great fortune of having my stand next to Chris and Tanya, both ceramicists who I got to gossip, giggle and eat cake and Japanese food with. They kept my spirit high when it could have been heading for the door. 

The most amazing experience that weekend was catching up with a long lost friend (20 years, eek!) who showed me the best bits of Brighton in a howling gale, while we nattered and chatted. 

In London I chanced upon the work of Dan Hillier, I was smitten and have vowed to treat myself to a piece one day!!

Christmas was a sparkly, delicious affair with pomegranate seeds on everything and plenty of books! I hauled out the old bent tree and adorned it with my beloved Grandfather's christmas witch, a finer tree fairy there surely never was!

We've had plenty of snow this year which added to the magic no end, with crunchy, chilly walks with The Galibeast and pink skies. 

The new year has rolled in and I'm preparing for imbolc, refocusing on my dolls and daydreaming of pictures not yet painted.

All felt and no play!!

Not wanting to whinge about my good fortune, I'm taking part in MADE 09 in Brighton, but it does mean there'll be no dolly dabblings for me for a while ;(

 Instead I'll be cracking on with my felt work, which I am loving as always. My Etsy shop is somewhat sparse for now, but abundance lays ahead in my felt garden, it just loves the cold!

So, as I won't have much work of my own to show on this dolly blog I will take this chance to show the work of creative magi and bewitchers over the coming weeks. Starting with my favourites from Black-Eyed Suzie more about her here

Aaah, sweet Freya, how I wish I had those antlers on top of my own head

This beauty was a custom order, imagine having an interpretation of yourself in dollworld, it's just magical. I especially love her clothing and that crow like umbrella.

Introducing the exquisite Mme. Frontenac who received her husband's heart in a lead box!!!

The melancholy huntsman's daughter

Last but by no means least The Faun Girl, I love this doll, her antlers and hooves and otherworldly gaze.

So many treasures, so hard to whittle them down to a few photos.

Rainy Mondays

Aah, rainy Mondays- snails, soggy dogs and a magical gloom that fills the air. A perfect setting to enjoy the wondrous worlds of Lewis Carroll and Tim Burton, I can't wait to see this!




Here's a link to the online book illustrated by the magnificent Arthur Rackham.


Enjoy ;)

Meet Olive and Edgar

The Wee Folk are coming to me thick and fast these days and I'm trying to capture them before they disappear down the dusty corridors, never to be seen again.
Here are Olive (on the left) and Edgar a pair of hirsute twinlets, poor old Edgar usually has to traipse along wherever Olive wants to go, except for when it comes to gazing at the patterns of the sky in murky puddles, where he firmly stands his ground.
They can often be seen sucking on moss, and admiring the silvery patterns created by snails and slugs. Shooting stars of the dirt is what Edgar calls them.
Olive's best friend (except for Edgar) is Stinking Russula (more of her later).

The Colour of Pomegranates

This is a film by Sergei Parajanov, I want to share it because he created such visually stunning films. Here is part 1 of the film....
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The Seasons - beautiful Animation...