World of the Doll maker Clip

I finally figured out how to add the clip of the dvd I'm in! Please turn off the music at the bottom of the page before viewing the clip..it will make it much more Enjoyable!!( I'm the one with the long dark hair that dosen't look anything like me)!!

Back from the Living Dead

Just a short post here for now. I have been hiding in my crypt nursing a dreadful sinus infection..I thought I would surely die, as I saw that bright white light in front of me....then I realized it was only the doctors light as he was looking into my facial orifices!!
He's given me some wonderful pills that will cure my sinus infection along with 3 pages of warnings and side affects for taking these pills and a statement that there is more warnings and side affects that are not listed on the pages given...ahhh the wonders of pharmaceutical industry!
Hopefully they will just cure my sinus infection and I won't grow an extra limb or die a long and horrible death from taking them..or end up taking more pills to help get rid of the other illnesses that they could possibly cause me to acquire!!
I haven't been to a regular doctor in over ten years, prefering natural cures and "witch doctors" over over man created synthetics. But..I guess there is a time a place for it all!!

I hope to be back posting more fun stuff for you soon!
Happy Hauntings, Gail

New Doll Artists DVD!

I'm excited to announce that the release of a new DVD documentary that I was thrilled to be a part of! It's called "The World of the Doll Artist".
I was chosen along with six other artists, Richard and Jodi Creager, Nancy Wiley, Olga Roehl, Shelly Thornton and Reina Mia Brill . We were each interviewed at the 2008 NIADA conference in Vegas, about what inspires us, how we got started, our design techniques, and more. The video includes the interviews and up close photos of our work. I'm really excited to have been a part of this!I have to admit, my first thought when I viewed the video was, "geez..do I really look like that"??!! LOL!
It's a fun informative video that I highly recommend....(My shamless self promotion)!!
You can find out more about this DVD and information on buying it from Choices at www.choicesvideo.net or 1-800 570-5400.
You can view a trailer on youtube,under The World of the Doll Artist, I can't seem to figure out how to get it on my post, but you can also see the trailer at the Choices web site.
I have little goblins playing with my brain at the moment, but when my brain starts working again, maybe I can figure out how to get the video clip on my blog!!
Happy haunting, Gail

Props

I'm always on the lookout for different products and things I can use in my creations. This is some fun stuff I thought I'd share with you. It's great if you like making your own props and such.
It's called Balsa-Foam, and is similar to the floral flower foam you stick flowers in, except this is very dense and carveable. I purchased this ages ago, so I don't remember for sure, but I think it came in different sizes and thicknesses.
I've used it several times over the years to make little props for the dolls. You carve it like you would a piece of wood.You can use things to make impressions in it like crumpled foil or lumpy rocks to make rock like textures. I used my excato knife, toothpicks, cuticle tool and anything else that was laying in front of me to make this nifty little headstone for my ghosties. One word of caution, once you make an impression in it it's there...so I suggest you practice first on a small piece to get the feel of it.

Here it is painted. I covered it first in sobo glue to help seal it as it does absorb water. Solvent based paints will seal it good, but I didn't have any. Thick paint will fill in the lines so experiment. I have also used resin after I've carved my design, as this will harden and seal the whole piece. Here,..... the, "Oh so theatrical Miss Pennythistle", has donned her Victorian Mourning veil, and carries her wilted flowers, to weep over the tiny phantomly grave of the unknown "Our Darling" Oh Miss "P" you are such a mournful site...we weep for you!!!

I've used the balsa foam for the rock base on this earlier ghostie, "Tiny Veronica Carey, who was mistaken for a blueberry.... She was eaten for lunch... swallowed down with fruit punch, by a nearsighted Ogre named Harry!

The Balsa foam can be found at hobbystores like the ones that carry model railroads and airplanes. I've not ever seen it at the regular craft stores.

Hope this gives you something new to explore if you didn't already now about it.

Creepy creating!!

Happy hauntings, Gail,... and the sorrowful Miss "P"!

I'm The Winner!!

WHOOHOOO!!
I was so excited when my name was drawn out of the Bell jar for the One Heart give away from Michelle of The Studio at Crow Haven Farm!! Plus.. not only was there one fabulous creation but FOUR!! Boy did I hit the jackpot! Thanks so much Michelle for creating these Fab Four Fun pieces!
Be sure and stop by her blog to see all the fun things she makes! Hey, has anyone else had trouble leaving comments on blogs? I've tried to leave comments on several of your blogs recently and when the word verifcation comes up , there are no letters, and I can't leave my comment. Very frustrating!

Thanks again Michelle, I feel like a grand Pirate with all my new booty! (I'm hiding it from Miss "P"..she's so jealous)!
Happy Hauntings, Gail

New Etsy Shop

Thank you all for watching/ bidding on my ebay auction for Isabella!
Just a note to let you know I've finally gotten my Etsy shop up and have two new smaller ghostie wall hangings listed. I'm still trying to figure out links and such but hope this get you there for the moment!http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5308455
Geezz I'd rather be creating than computering!!
happy Hauntings, Gail

New Ghostie on ebay..Finally!

I've had the energy of a Slug lately..exhausted from dealing with mum's brain hemmorage on dec 31....not conducive to creative energy to say the least! But... I've manage to get one new Ghostie finished(although not what it originally started out to be..isn't that the way it happens)

This is Isabella, my first red haired Ghostie!
"When the carnival sideshow came to town, Isabella thought she might see a clown!
But, instead..she saw a shrunken head, and an army of the living dead! but her favorite was her souvenir dolly of "Pip" the pin head"!!! Isabella is on auction on ebay, here is her linkhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180327969609 if this doesn't get you there just type in..ooak lackey ghost doll..should get you there! Let me know if you have trouble.

Isabella is around 12" tall freestanding, Antique fabrics mixed with vintage laces and hand dyed silks. My first red haired Ghostie, I love the pale greyish blue pallor of her skin ..it matches her ghostly greyish blues in her shroudy tattered costume! She wears my signature baby skull button in her velevet ribbon head bow, with anitque millinary cranberry tattered trim . Cranberry antique velvet coat /dress.

She has handpainted blueish grey glass eyes..all the better to haunt you with!

Please check out her auction!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180327969609

I apologize, again,.. to those of you that I am behind on, awards, e-mails, etc..forgive me for being so slow, I'm crawling as fast as I can!!!

I am also working on some smaller less expensive pieces that i hope soon to list in an Etsy shop.

Happy Hauntings, Gail!!!