Sometimes You Just can’t Make One

Once I design a doll I usually only make one unless I need to make an additional one for photos for one of my online classes.  But the Flower Faeries I have designed have been so much fun to make that I recently finished another one.  I know it’s time to move on to my next project but just wanted to share the photo of the four of the ones I made. 

 I am teaching an online class on how to make them on A for Artistic starting February 10^th 2016.  If you would like more info on the class click on the following link.

http://www.aforartistic.com/flower-fairies-with-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

What to do when you no longer can read the news?

I don’t want to keep my head down in the sand so I do try to keep informed by reading the news.  But sometimes, when there is so much negativity in the news, so many things out of the typical individuals’ control, I just have to focus on something else, something that is pleasant, peaceful, engaging.  Something that will bring a smile to someone’s face including my own.  So what do you do when you can no longer read the news?  You create more Flower Faeries, that’s what you do!   

I have been happily working away on my third Flower Faerie the past few days.  Even though I have used the same pattern and techniques to create each one, they all are a little different, as if each one has their own little personality.  If you want to join me in on the fun I will be teaching a class online on AforArtistic in February on how to create your own little Flower Faeries.  So put a gift certificate for A for Artistic on your wish list this holiday season. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate you can click on the link below to A for Artistic

http://www.aforartistic.com/

Artistic ADD or What have you been working on lately?

This summer I have been suffering from Artistic ADD.  It seems like I have been trying to work on a multitude of projects at one time and keep getting new ideas for more.  Then I have to chase the shiny new idea down the rabbit hole again!  Do you ever run into the same thing?  Anyway, I have been working on a garden sprite, created a sleeping mermaid, played around with new techniques for making and inserting eyes, worked on developing a few new patterns for cloth ball jointed dolls, and have been working on a challenge for one of the online forums I belong to.  On top of that I created and just finished teaching Poinsettia, an online class on A for Artistic and am working on getting ready to teach another online class called Mistique on A for Artistic starting on September 29^th.   Reminds me of the old expression, “No rest for the Wicked!”  I thought I might share a few pictures of the ball jointed dolls I have been working on and the antique box I will be making into a doll trunk.  Hope you are having as much creative fun as I am :-)  And yes I will be creating heads for the dolls sitting on the antique box!

If you are interested in finding out more about the online class Mistique that I will be teaching on A for Artistic just click on the following link.

http://www.aforartistic.com/mistique-cloth-ball-jointed-doll-with-marla-niederer.html

Tiny Mermaid

I just wanted to share a picture of the tiny mermaid I just completed.  She was a lot of fun to paint and bead :-)  

If you would like to join me in creating some Christmas in July decorations I am teaching a class on A for Artistic called Poinsettia.  Just click on the following link if you would like more information.

http://www.aforartistic.com/christmas-in-july-poinsettia-with-marla-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Christmas in July!

Okay I know it might be a little early to start thinking about the holidays but if you are going to create some presents to give away this year it really isn’t ever too early to start working on them.  I have been working on creating a few Poinsettia busts for this coming holiday season and I just wanted to share some pictures of them with you!

What I love the most about Needle-sculpting each head individually is that even though you could use the same pattern no two are alike and they each develop a personality of their own.

If you would like to learn how to make some of your own I am teaching this as an online class on A for Artistic starting this Thursday (7/09/2015).  If you would like to find out more about the class click on the following link.

http://www.aforartistic.com/christmas-in-july-poinsettia-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 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/

Mistique, my new workshop doll, is published in Doll Collector!

I was so pleasantly surprised to open the September issue of Doll Collector and find a picture of Mistique, my new workshop doll inside the magazine.  Although I have had other photos of my dolls in Doll Collector, it is always a thrill to see one of my creations in the magazine that started my journey into figurative art.  I never knew that dolls could be created as an art form until I picked up my first copy of Contemporary Doll, which many years later became Doll Collector.  Believe it or not it was before Google existed!   While I opened each page of each new issue of Contemporary Doll I was so inspired by the works of Robert McKinley, Antonette Cely, Lisa Lichtenfels, E. J. Taylor, Nancy Wiley, along with many other talented figurative artists.  This inspiration led me into designing and creating my own dolls that now appear inside the pages of the very magazine that started it all.  How Cool is that? 

The Mistique Workshop that I am teaching on A for Artistic is starting July 23rd.  You can find out more information about it and sign up for it if you choose by clicking on this link
http://www.aforartistic.com/Mistique.html

New Year, New Projects!

Of course I didn't add complete my unfinished projects to my New Year resolutions list.  How ridiculous would that be?  Instead I chose to embark on three new projects.  I am very excited about each one.  First since I so thoroughly enjoyed presenting an online class on the A for Artistic website, I decided to create another one.   And since I was working on one online class why not work on two at the same time?

This is a picture of the needle-sculpted heads I am working on for the two new workshops.  They both will utilize new watercolor techniques that I have developed for facial coloring.  My goal is to create the dolls to look like they have just walked out of a watercolor painting.  I must say I am really enjoying the process of creating them.

The third project came about during the holidays while I was surfing the net (yes sometimes I do get lost there).  I found a website that just absolutely touched my heart.  It is called Enchanted Makeovers.  You can see it by clicking here:         http://enchantedmakeovers.org/      The organization does makeovers of homeless shelters for women and children so they can have a place that is inspiring to a transformation in their lives.  It doesn't use the traditional let me help you philosophy.  It utilizes the philosophy where everyone in the equation is on equal ground and each person works together to enrich each others lives.  I contacted Terry who is the founder of the organization and asked if it would help if I created a pattern and tutorial for a child friendly stuffed doll for Enchanted Makeovers.  She was really excited about the project so I started to develop a pattern for "Warm Hugs."  I just  started working on developing the pattern and will keep you posted when I get a little further along and have some pictures to share.  

Sea Spirit On line workshop!

I am so excited to be teaching an online needle-sculpting workshop for A for Artistic starting November 5th!  It is an intermediate level workshop where you will learn a variety of techniques while creating a heirloom ornament for the holidays.  I hope you will join me in the fun!  If you are interested in taking the class you can click here for more information  http://www.aforartistic.com/sea-spirit.html