From Artistic Expressions Doll Academy
Silver Spring, Maryland
301-388-3956
Spring 2002 Newsletter
Happy spring, everyone! I can’t believe how fast and how much time has gone by since our last issue. So much has happened from the change of having business partners, to now running and owning the business as a sole entity, to our newly remodeled studio. I want to sincerely thank those of you that have been with me through thick and thin! I won’t embarrass you by mentioning you by name you know who you are. To those of you who are new to AE Doll Academy, I would like to welcome you to the wonderful world of doll making and I look forward to a lasting friendship through dolls.
Spring always brings feelings of renewal and rebirth. Our flowers start
to bloom and our yards begin to show that wonderful pallet of colors that
we look forward to seeing every year. I always seem to become energized
in the spring. So watch out for lots of new ideas. Our website is finally
finished. The address is www.dollacademy.com. Take a look and let me know
how you like it. I hope to use the site as well as this newsletter
to make announcements and to share information with you. Our printed
pricelist for greenware will be made available to you in the near future
(as soon as I can edit all the mistakes). As time progresses so will this
listing so that eventually it will be a catalog of all that is offered
in the studio to you. Last but not least be sure to keep in touch to take
advantage of the monthly specials and surprises that I will be announcing
through out the year. So be sure and stop by, have some coffee, and
chocolate, tell some jokes and oh let’s work on a few dolls as well.
See you soon.
Bernie
Because so many of you are working on multiple projects, the following items will be on sale for the entire month of June.
Shoes – 15-30% off
Wigs – 25% off
Eyes – 15-30% off
Clothing – 40% off
Back issues of Dollcrafter, and Doll Reader magazines are also available at discounted prices. See below for sale details.
Doll of Your Dreams Contest – Studio Winner:
Congratulations to Sylvia Miller
our studio winner!!! Sylvia’s version of “Flossie” touched all of our hearts
with her beautiful costuming and lovely flowers. Sylvia’s entry was
sent to Dollcrafter for judging on a National level. All of the studio
winners will be featured in Dollcrafter in the coming year. I want
to thank everyone for participating. Believe me the competition was tough.
I can’t wait to see what you enter for next year.
June 20-22 – Doll Artisan Guild International Silver Anniversary Festival & Competition, Oneonta, New York. Call : The Doll Artisan Guild at 800-433-1191.
July 6 – NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) Show & Sale, Bethesda Hyatt Regency Hotel. Information: Call Helen Facto (847-869-8048).
August 1-3 - Sculpting Class at Plum Creek Dollmakers, Bernville, Pa.
This class is being taught by Phillipe Faraut of PCF Studios. Several of
us from AE Doll Academy will be taking this class. If you
would like to join us let me know.
August 23-25 – Doll & Teddy Bear 2002 Expo, Marriott Wardman Park
Hotel, Washington, D.C. Call Laura Janssen,
800-331-0038.
Beginning June 11 our weekly class time will change from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. This change should give everyone more time to get home from work.
Tuesdays – 7:30-10:00
Wednesdays - 7:30-10:00
Saturdays - 10:00-1:00
AE Doll Academy will be closed for the entire month of July through August 3 for summer vacation. We will resume class on Tuesday, August 6 (Christmas will then be only 4 short months away!).
Do you know a young artist interested in making dolls? I am putting
together a project that I think any young dollmaker would love! Call me
or send me an e-mail for details.
Mini pallet knives are in. These fit right into your paint vile and are perfect for scooping out small amounts of paint.
The following books will be available near the end of June. They are all great references to add to your Doll Library.
For the Love of Dolls, the Mildred Seeley Collection - $49.00
The Legendary Dolls of Madame Alexander - $39.00
A Certain Style, The Dolls of Madame Alexander - $45.00
The Way They Wore – $33.00
The Trousseau of Blondinette Davranches
- $33.00
Tech Tip: Eye Cutting is probably the most fearful of all things
we do to make our dolls. The eyes say it all. First you must start with
a sharp scalpel blade. If you are using the scalpel with the metal handle
you should replace your blade about every 2-3 dolls. If you are still using
the plastic scalpel you should switch to the one with the metal handle.
Before you begin to cut the eye socket, be sure to line the eye with a
pencil to mark where the mold line ends. This helps establish your cutting
boundaries (corner to corner, top to bottom). Most doll eyes are a nice
almond or football shape with points in both corners. After you have outlined
your cutting boundaries, next draw a straight line from corner to corner
(I’ll draw you a picture when you come to class). Cut in one direction
only, making smooth cuts.
Remember to keep the eye socket moist and free of excess porcelain.
Use a soft cleaning brush to clean away shavings.
Last but not least practice makes perfect.
I will help you perfect your technique when you come to class.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE ON SALE FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE OR WHILE THE SUPPLIES LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!. This sale does not include special orders for items not in stock.
Back Issues of Magazines:
Back Issues of DOLLCRAFTER:
JAN-APRIL 2002 $4.50
2001 ISSUES
$4.00
2000 OR OLDER? $3.50
Back Issues of DOLL READER:
ANY ISSUE $1.00
SEE OUR NEW WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT FLYER - HERE