uncommon ephemera

Doll Disease

I was inspired to do this post by Susan, at Miss Maddie's. The "Doll Disease" - yes, I have it...and in a bad way. If anything, it's a good disease to have - unless, of course, you don't have the space to display the little darlings. Like Susan, I have had the doll-collecting bug since I was a child. I still have some of those little treasures - including an Effanbee walking doll (complete with her clothing) that I received for my 4th Christmas. I took some pictures this morning of just a very small sample of some dolls that were easily accessible.
This is a group that includes some German papier mache dolls, an old china head in original clothing, a Japanese rag doll (though I think she may have been made in China originally) and a beautiful German bisque that is newly acquired - undressed and quite bald at this point! (1) Is Miss Clara. I helped a friend at her parents' estate sale and she gave me Miss Clara. Clara had been in a shed, unclothed and quite filthy. I cleaned her up and washed the clothing that was in the box with her. The little mother of pearl pin was actually pinned to the dress! The thing that truly endeared me to Clara are her "gator" arms! China heads were often purchased without bodies and then the bodies and clothing were made by a mother, aunt or grannie. Whoever "built" Clara didn't have very elegant sewing skills - but you know it was made with love. (2) Keiko - was found at a street fair. She was in a box with some old patterns, also very dirty and bald for $5.00. After a cleaning, hand-washing her clothing and making a new yarn wig, she's ready for a tea ceremony!
(3) German papier mache dolls. I love these. I think they were made for the tourist trade in the 30s. Their faces are so sweet and the attention to detail of their costumes is wonderful. I purchase them on ebay a number of years ago.
(4) This German bisque was acquired at the same time as Miss Clara. I have been on the hunt for a mohair wig. There is a wonderful doll shop in Carmel that stocks them - so that will have to wait until the next time I go there. This bebe has weighted glass eyes that close and a wonderfully detailed kid body (check out the toes!). The doll was in the same box as Clara - very dirty and unfortunately her leg had been nibbled on by a hungry mouse. I have a pair of old kid gloves that I have set aside for her repair.

I apologize for being out of the blog mix so long. I started back on my "real job" last Monday and have been pooped in the evenings. Blogging requires time to put together photos and I just haven't had the energy to do it. I mentioned having post-holiday ennui in my last entry. This seems to happen every year. I have been trying to get my craft/sewing/computer room organized and cleaned. I think most of you know what a horror story that can be! I have often thought that if I won the lottery, I would buy myself a cottage to use as a studio (it's a nice dream, no?). For now, I'll be very happy with just getting the Christmas crafting supplies back in their proper places!

Beauty in Blades

Good evening, Bloglandia! I hope I'm getting my "groove" back. The last couple of weeks I have been in one of those seasonal funks. I haven't had many creative moments and the best I could do was cruise other blogs, leaving a comment here and there. I think there's a general feeling of after holiday ennui out in the blogging world.

I did get out with my daughter to see "Sweeney Todd". Wowee Zowee! Really a tour de force of movie- making. The production is beautifully designed - Dante Feretti (who did the production design for "Gangs of New York" and "Interview With the Vampire") created a very dark palette for the London setting. Coleen Atwood's costumes were beautifully realized. Here's a video regarding the creation of the costumes. Johnny Depp...need I say anything? Both he and Helena Bonham Carter gave wonderful performances. It is violent in places - the blood is pretty shocking given it's bright color against the dark colors of the production. Although I'm familiar with the music, I had never seen the musical. We left the theatre with Jessie making plans for a Mrs. Lovett costume for next Halloween!

I spent the afternoon yesterday with my dad, sorting through photographs and family memorabilia. He's 85 and feeling the weight of years and I have been trying to jot down family history notes and so forth before he's no longer around to provide them. He's a WWII vet, toured with Mickey Rooney in the jeep shows and has some wonderful stories. I found a list of fellows he served with and my reading them aloud to him made him get very choked up. I helped him clean out his desk drawer and found a couple of treasures that he allowed me to bring home...

the scissors (more blades - though not in the Sweeney Todd vein) belonged to my great grandmother. They're very long (about 11") and have ornate handles. Created in Germany, they have their own leather sheath that has a silver tip. The little snuff box is kind of a heartbreaker. My dad had a younger brother that died at age 3 (my dad was 6) on a family camping trip in the Sierra. He was stung by wasps, went into anaphylactic shock and died soon after. The snuff box was his "treasure box" and still has two wheat sheaf pennies in it that Billy (the brother) put there. My grandmother gave Dad the box when he returned from overseas to remember his brother by. Though it had it's poignant moments, it was very nice to spend the time with Dad, "my favorite fossil" (as I like to call him).

I return to work on Monday after being on a 6-week medical leave. I'm looking forward to the creative challenges. I've been such a dud of late, I'm hoping work will be the impetus to get me in gear to create some Valentine goodies and also the jewelry I have been promising to Queen Mab's.