Angel Ornament

I just wanted to share with you the Angel Ornament that I just completed.  It is a variation of the Sea Spirit Ornament that I am currently teaching an online class for.  If you would like more information about the class or would like to sign up just click on the following link.
http://www.aforartistic.com/sea-spirit-ornament-with-marla-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop is About to Begin!

The Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop is about to begin on A for Artistic.  If you are looking for a fun class that teaches how to needle-sculpt a head and how to use watercolor pencils for facial coloring while making an heirloom ornament join me in class on A for Artistic.  You can find out more information about the class and how to sign up by clicking on the following link to A for Artistic
http://www.aforartistic.com/classes/online-classes/sea-spirit-ornament-with-marla-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Hope to see you in class!

Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop

I am really looking forward to teach the Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop online starting November 6th!  For more information and to sign up for the class click on the link below.

http://www.aforartistic.com/classes/online-classes/sea-spirit-ornament-with-marla-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop

I am very pleased to announce that I will be teaching the Sea Spirit Ornament Workshop online at A for Artistic in the beginning of November.  As soon as the class opens up on A for Artistic I will post a link to it.  The class will teach the skills of needle sculpting a cloth doll face, using watercolor pencils for facial features, needle felting hair, and bead embellishment all while you will be creating an heirloom ornament!  Hope to see you in class!

Mistique Workshop

I just wanted to share with you some pictures of the Mistique doll workshop that I taught on A for Artistic.  This doll was created by Christine Chumley.  Isn't she just lovely!

Mistique class on A for Artistic

I just wanted to share a completed Mistique doll from the Mistique online class I have been teaching on A for Artistic.  This doll was created by Jorge Fernandez.  Isn't she lovely?

You can see more of Jorge's dolls by clicking on the following link
http://pinterest.com/mistiteres/my-cloth-dolls/

Warm Hugs Tutorial

I was very moved by a website I found while surfing the net during the winter holidays.  It is called Enchanted Makeovers and its website is http://enchantedmakeovers.org/    The organization transforms homeless shelters for women and children into spaces for individuals to thrive in, not just survive.  It sets the stage for individuals living in the shelters to become empowered during the process.  I was so moved by what the organization was doing that I contacted Terry and asked her if it would help to create a pattern and tutorial for a cloth doll that her organization could use.  I wanted to develop a pattern that was very child safe, easy to make, and very warm and cuddly.  I couldn’t think of anything better than a pattern of a kitten made out of fleece called Warm Hugs. 

I finally completed the tutorial and would like to share it with you.  Please use this free pattern to create as many Warm Hugs as you wish to donate to organizations such as hospitals, safe houses, homeless shelters, police stations, Enchanted Makeovers Doll Adoption program

http://enchantedmakeovers.org/category_37/Doll-Adoption.htm
 and to give to any and all children in need of comfort and a warm hug.  This free pattern can also be used to create Warm Hugs to be given as a gift to anyone that you deem may need or want a warm hug.  Please respect the energy in which this pattern was created as a gift to all of the many warm hearted doll makers out there to use and create a gift of warmth to be given as a comfort for others.  Please do not sell any items created with this pattern.

Click on this link for the introduction to the tutorial

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eTERMcHdEZWs2bHc/edit?usp=sharing 

Click on this link for Warm Hugs lesson one

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eLVBBSXZCT0JORTA/edit?usp=sharing 

Click on this link for Warm Hugs lesson two

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eS18zb1hXakI0dVE/edit?usp=sharing 

 Click on this link for Warm Hugs lesson three 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eRHdQU2ZkVEh0UFU/edit?usp=sharing

 

 Click on this link for the pattern for the head

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-edHZ0aEFkVl83dUU/edit?usp=sharing 

Click on this link for the body pattern

 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eUF9wMUdDcHNJbG8/edit?usp=sharing

Click on this link for the dress pattern

 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eR3lfWGZ6OGhXekk/edit?usp=sharing

Click on this link for the vest and tail pattern 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7zUscfURQ-eeUFuc1RwVTBlams/edit?usp=sharing

Day 51 of 51 Days of Art

Today is the 51^st day of my 51 Days of Art.  I began my 51 days of art with a watercolor journal entry and I am ending my 51 Days of Art with the same.  During the past 51 days I have often pondered the question of why I create art.  I found my answer while sitting in my screened in porch last evening.  As I was quietly contemplating the beauty of the nature that surrounds my home the image of this Fire Spirit fluttered into my mind.  I then realized the answer to the question of why I create art within the image of her flames.  Artistic Creation is an everlasting fire that consumes my thoughts, dreams, moments in time.  To discontinue my artistic pursuits is to quench the flames of my inner soul.  It is an option that doesn’t exist.   Although I am ending my 51 Days of Art retreat to return to the routine life where my day job exists, the fire of artistic creation will never be lost.

Day 32 of 51 Days of Art

I woke up this morning on the 32nd day of my 51 days of art and decided to actually complete one of the many projects that I have been working on.  This is one of the sea nymphs that has been dancing in my head.

Day 31 of 51 Days of Art

Today is the 31^st day of the 51 days I set aside to create art.  The act of engaging in artistic pursuits for 31 days has created changes within.  There is an ever-present inner smile that brims from ear to ear that often finds itself expressed upon my face.  There is more of a bounce to each step I take, laughter flows more freely, and there is an ever-growing calm that pervades my essence.  I wake each morning excited about what I am going to work on each day and often find myself working on projects way into the night.  I have not found o loss of projects to work on, instead a multitude of new projects have been added to my list. I’d like to share some of the progress I have been making with my art.

I am currently teaching an online class Mistique on A for Artistic  which you can find out more about here  http://www.aforartistic.com/Mistique.html  .  While teaching the class I get to talk to wonderful doll-makers from all over the world every day!  

I am still working on the Make a Face Challenge.  She is not finished yet, needs much more regal embellishment!

This is the beginnings of one of the sea nymphs dancing in my head.  I am currently trying to figure out how I want to make her tail fins and hair.  I will share more pictures soon.

And I am still working on putting together a free tutorial for Warm Hugs for Enchanted Makeovers.