Nancy In The Making

Dear diary, Christmas being just around the corner is a seasonal reminder of the annual ritual of gifting.  I relish Dickensian tales of austerity and the ingenuity of the characters  that embrace the philosophy of a gentle economy, where there was little to waste.

  Giving something luxurious and thoughtful that entices a warm midwinter glow during the darkest part of the year is what I endeavour to do.  Although handmade by me the time invested can never be considered an exercise in penny pinching.  After all one cannot bestow compliments of the season with a miserly approach, there are no Scrooges here thank you.

An important familial tradition and an absolute pleasure over the years, has been to create little characters as gifts.  My children are grown yet there is still a desire to create these dolls, not for playing with as previously but as an heirloom piece or a decorative artefact; this was where the original inspiration for Nancy was born.

The simplistic charm of a traditional rag doll cannot be surpassed; it conjures a retrospective sentiment, traditionally from nothing more than odds and ends of this and that and is appreciated and loved by young and old alike. 

I can’t explain my endless fascination with doll making it is a palpable feeling rooted within that compels and motivates me.

 I am renowned for over complicating designs and miniaturizing a thing.  Although I wholeheartedly appreciate the beauty of simplicity in the work of others, however, when faced with a choice of static versus articulated limbs the joints win every time.  I am quite a contradiction.  I feel the introduction of dynamics elevates a fabric figure from a play thing into a holistic character that is fully pose able; unfortunately this takes time and requires much experimentation hence several attempts to achieve proportional and balanced limbs.

Nancy is a historic representation of the stories and knowledge of my forbears, of making and crafting using traditional skills; I pay homage to the generation that I succeed.

I am taking a small break from doll making this week as my attention turns to more homely pursuits.  My lounge and conservatory are receiving new window treatments, handmade by me of course, an indulgence long overdue.

Farewell, until next time.

The British Craft Trade Fair

Dear diary it has been a rather hectic week all in all.  Balancing the family dramas of normalcy and work does not ease regardless of how old, practiced or experienced one becomes.  As the tick of a clock marks the passage of time with monotonous regularity, the depths of my subconscious is equally pricked by an urgency; a cumbersome reminder that my journey continues without any physical effort from myself.  However, I shall continue to endure the imminent pressure of the deadline which, for me, is par for the course.

In August, somewhat rashly perhaps, I decided to exhibit my wares at the British Craft Trade Fair this coming April, and have been developing and refining my ideas for this event.  Being totally absorbed in the making process that my submission for their online catalogue had completely eluded me.  So began the onerous task of finding images and a narrative that portray Raganory within a specified word count, hence all the deadline drama.  The effort was made, the entry submitted and the panic swiftly set in.  Alas fait accompli, my dreams reside in the uncertainty of speculation and opinion.

An impromptu photoshoot was organized in my current workroom for the catalogue images, which hopefully illustrates the diversity of my craft.

A truly satisfying moment occurred midweek when all my industry resulted in a rather charming online catalogue page, none of which would be possible without the efforts, on my behalf, of the British Craft Trade Fair.

A view of my entry on the listings page.

My planned diary entry is scheduled later this week, which is the first instalment that details the making of a new doll Nancy. For now however, I’m off to work on a miniature bear.

Farewell, until next time.

A New Age

Dear diary it was my birthday yesterday, I was forty-nine.  I said that without the sharp intake of breath or audible gasping that’s associated with an incremental age hike.  Now on the threshold of my fifth decade I’m reminded of those predictable clichés, ‘forty being the old age of youth and fifty being the youth of old age’, need I say more?  I no longer feel the need to be placated and reassured about age related decline, in fact it’s quite the opposite, the once familiar and funny I find rather patronizing and not at all to my taste.  Perhaps I’m finally feeling a little more comfortable in my own skin, a little more confident, more accepting or maybe it’s just my age.

I have been absent from my blog for some months now. However, in that time I have made the monumental decision to exhibit at the British Craft Trade Fair next year and I’m currently developing my designs with that mind.  The diminishing timeframe inevitably creates obvious pressures with my working practices; the tension is almost palpable, hopefully not to my detriment as I strive to perform.

Currently I’m working on a new cloth doll; she is dynamic and has several articulating joints in the upper and lower limb; she is made exclusively from small quantities of rescued natural fibres, definitely rag by nature. 

She possesses a hand knotted silk wig, bespoke clothing and shoes.  

I started this project during the lead up to Christmas last year; unfortunately she was temporarily postponed due to a particular fascination of all things ursine. 

 I can confidently report that my grizzly enchantment has somewhat dissipated allowing for a more balanced approach and portfolio of work.

Although life is busy, frantically so at times, I endeavour to write regularly regarding the creation and processes involved with my approach to doll making.

Until next time, farewell.

Introducing Dusty Ruffpelt

A crack of light breaks through the distressed roof shingles and pierces the gloom within, gently illuminating the ancient rafters swathed in lacy cobwebs.  The unmistakable musty aroma and tranquility fuses the senses evoking images of a comfortable old library. 

Long forgotten, among the hidden crates and battered boxes is a once cherished treasure, now banished to a lofty graveyard until only ghostly sentiment remains. 

 Amid all the put away things a shabby little box rests with its lid askew and Dusty Ruffpelt glimpses out into the pooled light.

Thank you for reading.

Farewell until next time.

Wholesome Hues & The Happy Accident

 As well as my love of all things miniature I have long since harboured an obsession for dolls houses, which appears to be somewhat of a global phenomenon.  Interestingly, the earliest recorded evidence of doll houses were discovered in Egyptian tombs and estimated to be about five thousand years old, truly a fascination since time immemorial.

My parents are passionate collectors and although they do not own a typical dolls house they have put their discriminating eye and profuse talents to good use and have created quite a captivating diorama, which resides within a disused glass fronted cupboard, truly a unique piece of art.  Therefore, it is no surprise that I yearn to create an heirloom treasure that fits within this environment; a bear from yesteryear, previously loved and a rediscovered treasure.  

I currently use commercially available yarns for my knitted creations, however I frequently find myself at the mercy of current fashions, which aren't always compatible with my preferred palette for a vintage or antiqued bear.  I am faced with a threefold predicament which could threaten the bear's authenticity, albeit on a purely aesthetic bases.  The main issues are vintage tints, opacity and uniformity of colour; in short branded yarns are too perfect for my requirements.

I believe plant dyes will give a translucence and subtlety of colour associated with a vintage appearance that I so desperately crave.  My eternal quest is a search for natural fibres in tarnished shades, particularly in hues of brown and gold.  However, worn with persistent disappointment I have taken matters into my own hands and aim to colour the yarn to my own specifications.  As cautious is my favoured approach to all things experimental I have chosen to use the natural and readily available sources of tea and coffee to dye the yarn; not an original idea maybe, but a tried and tested one.

Originally bears were fashioned from a plush pile material, usually mohair, used from the times of their development through to the present day, which has in turn influenced my choice of yarn.  Although my methods maybe unconventional I aspire to create a unique bear that acknowledges a historic tradition.

For the purpose of the experiment I used four tablespoons of a standard ground coffee which was brought to the boil and then reduced to a simmer; the yarn and fabrics were immersed and allowed to stand for thirty minutes prior to rinsing and drying.  

Using Rowan's Kidsilk Haze in white resulted in a soft muted caramel shade, pictured above, with no adverse affect to the natural lustre or handle of the original yarn.

 This delicate shade of rosy apricot was achieved using the same method and yarn but using tea as the colourant.

Although I am very happy with the delicacy of the shades produced there is an unexpected uniformity throughout both swatches.  I was convinced my amateurish approach would be sure to deliver a degree of randomness.  However, all is not lost I shall have to add a little tarnish; perhaps a sporadic brush with the India ink should be enough to sully the outcome.

I find the recurring problem of locating appropriately shaded fabrics that provide an

 authentic foundation for the origin of a soft sculpture also exists in the doll making realm.  Therefore, I couldn't resist the opportunity to evaluate the results using a range of natural and synthetic materials; calico, muslin and tulle were immersed simultaneously in the dye bath.  The fibres yielded pleasing results although a little resistant to the process, I was rather surprised by the degree of subtlety achieved.

I was interested to try a second experiment to establish a correlation between incremental rises in coffee and the intensity of colour.  After all, I wasn't quite ready to accept that my simple techniques may only be effective for a delicate result.  All was well until the fragmentary racket of the smoke alarm prompted me into action, the muslin was scorched and although it produced an exciting effect visually was less appealing aromatically.

WARNING!

The fabric scorching effects were achieved accidentally I do not endorse or recommend that this be tried deliberately as there is an associated health, safety and fire risk. It also produces some rather acrid and lasting fumes.  Anyone wishing to proceed does so entirely at their own risk. 

 Dirty, stained and impaired to the point of fragility are the consequences of my accidental and haphazard methods.  The end result has the appearance of an aged map I think, perfect.

 I am now a devotee of the happy accident.

Although I am happy with my foray in fibre dyeing it is still rather irksome to admit that one's judgement is off, but in the absence of a thorough appraisal I have had to omit an entire process; further experimentation with the India ink will follow as soon as the application difficulties have been resolved.  

Coming soon, Dusty Ruffpelt. 

 Farewell, until next time and thank you for reading.

A Bear And A Blanket

I am revisiting a blog post from August last year, The Poppy Gathering, to complete and chronicle the evolution of a miniature patchwork quilt.  I wanted to try and capture the rustic charm and country style of handmade traditional patchwork, which would suit my rather folkie bears I thought.

  

I love using mixed media in crafts and art, it adds an extra dimension of interest as well as introducing different textures to the finished piece; and for me personally provides an exciting alternative visually and creatively to yet more knitting. 

As scale is an important aspect of miniature work I decided to make up a few swatches to establish what size patch would be most applicable for my project.  I let aesthetics do the talking; my decision is always based on beauty and balance not rigid adherence to a specific scale.  I simply wanted a little quilt for the bear to nestle within and not to overwhelm him.

I have chosen a construction technique that I grew up with, English paper piecing, I truly believe that with something this small there really isn't a better alternative for accuracy and success; although the downside is it's rather time consuming and painful on the eyes.

I have at my disposal a large cache of fabric that I've amassed over the years, housing an array of colours and designs, ironic really as these bite sized patches are no more than one centimetre square. 

Historically the patchwork quilt was often considered a utilitarian item especially following the world wars when fabric was scarce.  Adopting the make do and mend attitude of our previous generations ensured that families were kept warm in the colder months; as the old proverb goes necessity is the mother of invention.

With an ever watchful eye on fabric randomness and an equal distribution of stronger shades throughout, I was attempting to proffer the traditional impression of using just what I had to hand; anyone would think that this mini quilt was contrived.  However, I was rather excited at the vintage, shabby chic appearance that was beginning to emerge. 

This is where I left it last year and with the top complete I was already in some doubt as to its function. 

At this point I would like to consider the definition of a quilt or blanket, keep the faith all will become clear. 

 According to my dictionary a blanket is a covering of woven material used primarily for warmth.  I would like add to that definition that a degree of softness is a prerequisite for drape in order to function as a blanket.  

Although the little quilt maybe pleasing to the eye, soft, sumptuous and cuddly it is not; in fact mine is more carpet than blanket similar definition though.

All those little stitches, seams and additional quilt layers have produced quite a rigid fabric.  I mean this baby has gravity defying properties and can hold its shape in space indefinitely; I have to say some of my family struggle to achieve that.

It is well documented that hand sewn, English paper-pieced patchwork has a reputation for being somewhat fragile, I would like to dispute that I have the evidence after all.

Valuable lessons have been learned and now shared, thanks for reading.

Till next time.

Introducing Bruno Habeardashing

In the darkened recesses of a little shop a flickering candle reveals a weary figure straightening threads and tidying trims well into the night.  The tranquillity of a peaceful backwater is disturbed only by the diligence of Bruno Habeardashing.  Proprietor of a magical emporium, nothing is too much trouble for this charming chap, selling notions and trims that add a little sizzle to any stitchery endeavour.

The weather had turned; brilliant sunshine and appalling winds forced a more flexible approach to capturing the images.  The diorama was set and transferred in and outdoors as the occasion demanded.  

In hindsight I shall have to take greater care of the lighting and set as this can have a detrimental effect on the darker bears.  

I have used a variety of props including a selection of pre-war thimbles, dried seed heads from my garden and old wooden thread bobbins. 

For clarity this is probably the best image of Bruno, although not centre stage in his storyline, and I shall have to work on his cravat; a piece of silk tied around his neck simply will not do.

                                     

Finally, the three bears spinning a yarn after a gruelling days work.

Until next time.

Introducing Hortie McClawrin

Once upon a time in a far flung corner of Northumbearland a simple little soul tirelessly tends his earthy patch, eagerly greeting each new season Mother Nature ushers in.  An idyllic existence filled with sweet birdsong and warm lazy days dreamily sky gazing.  Introducing Hortie McClawrin, always at the mercy of the elements, nurturing plants and at one with nature, he truly is a hardy little creature.

Hortie is the first bear of his kind off the needles from my new pattern; he is just over 3cm seated and 2cm wide at his hips. 

He was created using a fine merino twist, which gives excellent stitch definition. I use this type yarn in the preparatory stages of a new design, as it immediately highlights any key problems that can be addressed with pinpoint accuracy.

Outdoor photography presents a unique and variable set of challenges namely: the planet, the climate and the light and in our neck of the woods, more often than not, endured rather than simply experienced.

“Toto, I think we’re back in Kanas,” (Wizard of Oz,1939).

Ideally I prefer a soft, muted, natural light for my photos, which reveals the little figure in all his splendour. I personally favour a calm and overcast day for the best results.  However in the United Kingdom we are not always blessed with the weather, therefore a compromise is more often than not required.

  Hortie’s presence has a definite bearing on the matter I think.

Until next time.

Introducing Flax Oakenbear

Once upon a time a fine little fellow of certain good character was lovingly handcrafted from quality fibres and fashioned into a small bear.  Introducing Flax Oakenbear, gallant defender of his little corner and occasionally found frolicking among the clumps of moss in shaded woodland.

He requires very little in the way of space measuring a mere three and a half centimetres seated and just over two centimetres wide at the hips, a niche really would be ample. His paws and facial details are hand embroidered and managing a meagre two grams on the scales Flax is decidedly a flyweight.

To give context to the finished piece I experiment with props to develop a story-line that surrounds this little character.

Behind the scenes and I have chosen a woodland based theme, no doubt reminiscent to some of Tolkien’s Hobbity creations although this is quite unintentional.

As well as capturing the best possible image I like to include universal props that aid with the perspective of the character and inform the and overall perception of the scene.  With miniatures size accuracy is paramount when the only available interaction with the bear is through a screen.

The acorn helmet is the final flourish and adds a dash of nobility I think.

The final shot.

Until next time.