Barri’s Neighborhood

QotD: You Might Be Surprised to Hear...

Deborah
Mar 12, 2009
Post a comment

What story of personal greatness, achievement or success would your co-workers or friends be surprised to learn about you?
Sponsored by Nature Made.I have had an astounding life singing with my 3 very talented sisters. We started off as teenagers in eastern Oregon singing together and learning to harmonize. Paying so much attention to each others voices that they became a part of each of us. We have entertained a thousand people at a time and had a blast. One of my sisters is a song writer and has written over 1000 songs. We have recorded a CD and made a music video which is shown in Hawaii often. I have also sang for Hawaii Stars. My friends would be amazed if they knew I have learned how to make miniature dolls from polymer clay and love it!!!
Yes, I have lived an amazing life and what I have shared was just the tip of the iceburg, so to speak!

NEW Master CD, Vol #2

DANA
Jan 30, 2009
Post a comment

`Greetings everyone! Well we have a new addition to the tutorial CD patterns! This one - Volume #2, has 19 miniature doll pdfs (wigging, dressing, construction, painting, accessories, stage, photography and more)

Master CD Vol 2 and for our brand new release - tomorrow only - Saturday (1/31) it will be on sale for $12 plus $1 shipping - instead of $15 plus shipping.

Many of these tutorials were paid classes last year - so big deal and another fun way to learn!
Happy Creating!
DANA

Winner, free pdf and SALE

DANA
Jan 11, 2009
2 comments

Greetings and Good evening everyone! Hope everyone had a productive weekend! Nancy you are the winner for yesterday's *comment* section - congrats and email me with your address for your prize! NEXT ....

http://www.minidolllist.com/Master%20CD.html ... this is a very popular CD, and on sale for HALF price! for the next 24 hours.

If you click the link - you will also see a full length PDF full of all kinds of wonderful tutorial information!

Winner, free tutorial and big sale. Read you guys tomorrow!
DANA

Items to do when ....

DANA
Jan 9, 2009
12 comments

Greetings and Good evening everyone! Yesterday my mother fell and seriously hurt her hip .... lots of time in the hospital and taking care of her.

Which brings me to my question for Saturdays email contest for a great little piece of antique lace! Simply add your comments below and I will select one Saturday Night.

WHAT are some ways you can take your miniature doll making along when you have to spend extended period of time away from the studio? .... Share with the rest of us! Do you bring small pieces of fimo along for sculpting? Bodice pieces to hand sew? Stomachers to bead?

Yesterday's Pregnant picture email winner was Paula Crane. Congrats Paula - just send me your snail mail address privately at Dana@Miniatureart.com

DANA

Thursdays email contest

DANA
Jan 8, 2009
3 comments

What is your favorite pregnant doll's position?

i.e. ... do you like them in a bikini with their tummy showing?

do you like them in a Victorian Gown?

Do you like them with children on their lap?

Send in a URL of your favorite pregnant lady photo/painting .... and get a chance to win a February LOLITA doll class kit!

This contest goes through tomorrow at noon - for those on digest.

DANA

DANA - Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:23:47 AM

DANA
Jan 8, 2009
Post a comment

Greetings and good Morning everyone! WOW ... lots to do today so lets jump right in!

1. Valentina kits are all sold. If you had me *hold* one for you - please settle up soon so I know if there are any extra's. We do have a waiting list started for those that are crossing their fingers someone bows out. Now remember - you can take the class, receive the PDF tutorial and class notes for $15.

2. The VALENTINE SWAP is up and underway! Trish Hurley is in charge of this event and will be posting the information again today.

3. POSSE is today ... and you might have read the 10am Posse will have TWO Valentine BUST PRIZES given away by Jill Weisz from 10am-10:10. I THOUGHT I would be able to attend posse today --- but family issues came up and I will be out the door most of the day until late.

4. The February Class schedule is coming out within the next couple days. Included are classes from Trish Hurley (and wonderful Ballerina series), Jill and her magic sculptures and the *Marie Antoinette* (style that's all in vogue now) bridal faery in a teacup & Lolita (our 2nd little girl in the Lavish little Ladies series).

5. LAST but not LEAST .... is the FUN MATERNITY CONTEST that Moonyeen Moller will host today.

I'm going to send a photo through the pix list today ... with a question. The person that sends the RIGHT answers to Moonyeen wins a prize. Her email address is moonyeenmoller@sbcglobal.net

I think that covers it all for today! Are you making a doll yet?

Happy Creating!

DANA

PS ... tomorrow due to popular demand ... we will have a MATERIAL RUMMAGE SALE! That's right ... from midnight tonight ... until Midnight tomorrow you can post up to 3 emails with material packets for sale. This is a GREAT way to get rid of excess material that is special but you will never use all up ---- as well as bargins for the many new comers to the list.

Dana's Musings.... 1/06

DANA
Jan 6, 2009
11 comments

Greetings and Good Morning everyone! WOW ... now that we woke everyone up on the list after the holiday slumber ... its time to get involved and MAKE that doll! AND to help you do that --- we always have at least 3 contests going at any one time!

(BEFORE I get started .... here is ONE simple thing I'd like you to remember. There are 1400 members on the list .... with different tastes, life experiences and cultures. I provide a WIDE variety of activities on the list to - hopefully - interest everyone. Don't try to enter ALL the events, contests, rather pick out one or two and have fun. This way you won't get overwhelmed).

CONTESTS .....

SAME MATERIAL CONTEST .... this is a fascinating and fun use of a single screen printed flower on cotton material. Cut out the flower, ... use as a ballerina skirt, faery etc - whatever your imagination sees. This contest photos are due to Marilyn Parke in February ... AND I have 2!!! that I am giving away as prizes this morning. Then all packets are sold out. Simply leave a comment on the blog about an idea for an upcoming contest ... and first two entries will win a flower.

Memories Video Contest .... watch the video - and you will be sucked in! Such a relevant story for so many of us ... whether in love, gothic costumes, immortal romance, or simply an understanding of old age. This contest deadline was extended to May 15th ... and you now have time to make that room box - doll - or perhaps the magic mirror!

Valentines BUST Contest .... this is a great contest for new members or busy other members. Simply dress a half bust (which can also be used as a pin or miniature clothing store wall bust).

All contest details can be found on the list website .... http://www.minidollLIST.com

Alrighty ... that is all for this morning .... a new chance to win this afternoon with another Dana's Musings....

Happy Creating - and PICK out that contest and get motivated!
DANA

1/05 Dana's Musings...

DANA
Jan 5, 2009
12 comments

Greetings and good Morning everyone! I hope you are enjoying all the *WHO ARE YOU* emails sent yesterday and again this morning! I personally like getting to know the person behind the name ... it makes it a much friendlier list if we get to know each other a bit more.

I've decided to post Dana's Musings ... here as well as the list for 3 reasons.

1. Some of you have problems on digest with missing out on contests. If you read the blog - and subscribed you will instantly know of my contests and items for the day - instantly - at the same time as everyone else.

2. Yahoo sometimes delays different emails.

3. Incase you are a bit behind in reading your list emails - but still want to know what is going on - you can just open this in the mornings and read at your leisure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alrighty ... here we go!

Read through the handful of blog entries below. Leave a comment and let me know WHICH one was your favorite and why! I will select one by luck of the draw and announce the winner at 6pm tonight. The prize is a brand new little girl's doll porcelain mold (that can also be used as a press mold for fimo or sculpy).

Happy Creating!

DANA

Same Material Contest

muqsite
Nov 10, 2008
Post a comment

Same material Contest Pictures 047

1 comment

Same Material Contest

I am so excited to be the Grand Prize Winner of The Same Material Contest, which is one of many held by MSATMiniDolls Group. The list owner is Dana Burton. Each member who participated in the contest had two choices of fabric to chose from, either raw silk, or leopard print fur. I was one of the fortunate members who received the leopard print fur through Dana's RAK program.

The coat, muff and gloves were made from black velvet fabric and trimmed with the leopard print fur. The coat and muff are fully linned with black china silk fabric. The hat and purse were made from the leopard print fur. I trimmed the hat's brim with black double scroll braid and accented the purse with a Filigree "Crown" Finding and a very tiny gold plated chain.

The coat, hat and muff pattern are by La Petite Belle. The purse and golves pattern are by Sue Atkinson. The China silk was purchased from Tayna's Mini Dolls and Fabrics. The finding and trims were purchased from Michelle Mahler of Doll Artist's Workshop.

A big "Thank You" to Dana, Marilyn and everyone who make the RAK program and contests possible!!!

Emma - Proud Member of TheGSOLFOTClub

Official Seamstress of Unknown Things, P.I. int *~^^~* #59

proud member of the mini doll list
http://www.minidolllist.com

Easy to FLY with - Show table set up

DANA
Sep 22, 2008
7 comments

Today's mini tutorial will be on a simple show table look .... one that flies well ... provides optimum viewing potential and looks professional.

I did shows for about 15 years before leaving to focus on teaching. BUT I flew mostly oversea's with this simple set up - and if it made it there you know it works .

WHAT I had for sale: DOLLS and Doll KITS/Supplies

Problem .... I had to make the dolls look special *exclusive* and still put supplies on the table. PLUS all this had to fit into one large hard suitcase that was lightweight enough for me to load on trams as I went on the train to whatever city from the airport. (THUS anyone in the US this will work for long walk airports as well).

The best solution I came up with:

1. RISERS for the table if possible. This brings the table height up so the customer is more likely to view your dolls eye level (when using the boxes) and see all those wonderful details. I simply called/wrote the show coordinator and asked what dimension the table legs where. I then cut PVC pipes (4 - one for each leg) about 6". This added a few inches and made a HUGE difference. AND the easy part was simply going to the show table, lifting each leg, sliding up a tube and WALA! Instant higher table.

2. Now you need a table cover for the table. You want a fabric that doesn't wrinkle, drapes well incase you want to *puddle* it to cover up an empty spot from those sold dolls , AND shows off the dolls without clashing. I went to the swimsuit department in my fabric store and bought 4 yards of this fantastic black - light sheen material. Black looks professional, shows off ALL dolls (we'll go over how to showcase dolls that are dark in a moment), and this material scrunches REALLY SMALL, doesn't WRINKLE and is light weight.

3. You next need something to give height to your dolls and provide a visual interest point. The best thing I found was papermache boxes that stack inside each other. This makes for the most compact packing EVER and is light weight. You can, of couse, spray paint the boxes (or glue material on it) with any colors you wish. The key is to get two sets of all the sizes that fit into each other - including the lids - so you can stack like building blocks as a nice base. Add a bit of sticky wax if you wish at base of boxes to hold in place. Now of couse common sense is needed ... you can't make a 3' tall stack and then set your most expensive doll on it . Hopefully at the place you landed, you can find a nice discarded flat box - to use as a central lump on the table, and then add your other boxes on top.

4. LIGHT is next! THIS is so very very important! Obviously oversea's the best thing is to sweet talk to your hostess or a friend and borrow a couple of high power spot lights (or worst case buy them). If you are in the states --- go to Walgreens - and the little high density black lights used for desks (the taller version) are only $9 and work FANTASTIC! You can put these on the table - perhaps two in front, one in back, and hide the cords with the swimsuit material. Then angle the light around on the table showcasing your special pieces and easily moving the focus as your dolls sell.

5. Put a few containers of the macrame box UP (open) on the table and use these to hold your supplies. This keeps it nice and orderly, neat and still showcases your dolls.

6. LASTLY ... decoration! I personally let my dolls do the talking --- but the few decorations I put on the table where VERY VERY nice, classy, simple and elegant. A nice card holder (for your biz cards), a few loose vines and flowers (NICE ONES) to dress up a side of the table you want to focus on OR to cover those bare spots from where you sold your work and don't want the table to look empty.

**HINTS** ..... You NEED a draw! A small bowl of hard candy - an old trick - BUT it works with a lot of people. Who doesn't like a mint after a few hours of crowded shopping? OR a box of $1 priced *sale* items! Who doesn't look in a bargin bin? Miniaturists just LOVE a bargin - and anything to keep the customer looking - means the more chance of a sale. This also means showcasing your talent and showing people a skill! I lectured, demonstrated almost non stop how to do a simple wigging cross! Made a TON of sales in hair and supplies showing people how to do it themselves! PLUS you draw a crowd and that brings people to your table so perhaps that collector with a big LV bag and unlimited funds is drawn to your table - sees your best doll and SIMPLY MUST have it!

Well that is simply the bare basics of a show table that have worked for me over and over again. I welcome additional comments from dealers and shoppers today to discuss this topic.

Off to work on the FF again - so will be back in awhile. Until then....

HAPPY CREATING!

DANA