I traveled south to see if the Shetlands were in their pasture. Unlike me, they were sleeping in. I turned north in search of the hundreds of wild horses I saw last fall. First of all, I had a hard time remembering exactly where I had seen them. Out yonder thar, the countryside tends to all look the same. After driving several miles in various circles, I spotted them. But they were too far even for my telescopic lens. This was turning into one of my infamous bison hunts!
So my Saturday project turned into finishing what I started Monday - straightening up and reorganizing my multipurpose room. My husband put up a long shelf for my display of art dolls and I got them arranged. Not as many fit as I had hoped! I thought while we're here, I'll just give you a short tour.
In the photo above are mostly dolls I've made. There are a couple that were gifts or won in club door prizes. The two biggest ones in the center are called Pas de Deux. They were the first dolls I made in the first workshop I took shortly after joining the local club. (link here). I finally have a place for them! They take up so much room, they've had to hide in the closet for awhile.
I really like this little ensemble above. It's a piece of the old fence from our yard, crowns given to me by friends, and one of my favorite artist's creations - a beautiful fairy I received in a holiday gift exchange. She adorned the top of our Christmas tree that year.
These two mischief makers are from club friends. The little lady below is something I made in another workshop. It's one of my favorites.
Since I joined Tulsa Dolling Dames 11 years ago (!!!), I've only made 25 dolls. Eight of those reside in other homes. Seven of the dolls in this collection are from other artists, won in drawings or received in gift exchanges. Oh yes - there are still 5 in various stages of completion. Maybe this time next year, they'll be added to the shelf!
Unless you're into this hobby, you wouldn't know that there are amazingly talented artists who are well known and quite respected in this field. Their work fetches hundreds of dollars. Our little club has been so blessed to host them personally in workshops. The dolls pictured here are made from designs by Patti Culea, Barbara Schoenoff, Cindee Moyer, Sherry Goshon, Paula McGee, Diane Little, Arley Berryhill, and others.
And since we're touring my room, I'll introduce the Guardians of Ephemera...
The black bear is a souvenir from the Smoky Mountains (one of our favorite vacation spots), and the little penguin & meerkat are whimsical gifts from my husband.
You may have noticed a running theme in these photos - crowns & sparkles!
I wasn't sure I'd like all the dolls on display, but I had to give up the notion of decorating this room tastefully. Now I enjoy all the color and remembering fun workshops, satisfying times of creating, and meeting new people who inspired, shared, and became precious friends.
I used to love visiting the home of our club founder, Jean. She had art of all kinds in every possible space, but mostly art dolls. I spent many a happy Saturday learning at "Jean's Magical Doll House." I think I may be developing one of my own!
