More Holiday Decorations

 I shared with you last week my art doll tree.  This week I thought I would share some of the other decorations I have up for the holidays this year.

 

3D printed ornaments made by Jason Niederer in a wooden bowl turned by Bob Niederer

This is a wooden bowl made by my beloved husband filled with 3D printed ornaments made by our son Jason, pine cones, and a decoupage tea light holder that I created quite some time ago.

 

I was really into decoupage quite some time ago and decoupaged cones to hang from the dining room chairs during the holidays.  I just fill them with greenery and tie them on with a ribbon.

 

This is the chandelier we have over our dining room table.  I decided to hang some clear angel ornaments from it this year.

 

This is our dining room table centerpiece.  The nutcrackers have been around for awhile and so has the fairy lamp.  I used to collect fairy lamps enthralled with their story.  When a young couple was courting the parents would light a fairy lamp in the sitting room.  When the candle went out it was time for the young ladies suitor to go home.  I love the fairy lamps glow when lit with a tea light inside.

 

I usually put up two trees in our home each holiday.  One is a theme tree which I change from time to time (the art doll tree from last week’s post) and the other is our family tree where we put up ornaments collected through the years.  We used to put up a large tree for the family tree but the past few years we have just used two small trees to decorate just because it is easier to decorate and find space to put them.  This is the family tree filled with ornaments made by Jason when he was little and new ornaments made by our granddaughter Ada.  It always makes me smile to see the tree when I enter the room.

 

This is how I decorated the fireplace in the living room this year.  I made the Little Lion, Princess, and Santa on the mantle placed on each stocking holder.  I also made the stockings quite sometime ago. My beloved husband made the wooden family crest behind the decorations.

 

I’m already thinking about different ways to decorate next year!

 

If you wish to see the video of my art doll tree just click on the picture link below.

 

OrsinisAngels 2020 Art doll tree video

You can find out about my self study classes by clicking on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes

You can find out about the Little Lion and Little Santa Art dolls I have for sale by clicking on the picture below.

 

Art Dolls for Sale

You can find out about all the free tutorials I offer by clicking on the picture below.

 

Free Tutorials

If you want to find out more about me click on my picture below.

 

About Me

Until next time…….

 

warm hugs,

Marla

 

Photo Studio Upgrade or how to set up an Art Doll Photo Studio on the Cheap

Did I ever tell you how awesome my son Jason is?   Not only has he grown up to be a great bestower of gifts, he also has grown up to be one of the kindest, most thoughtful, generous, and all around awesome man that I have ever met despite my parenting skills!

 Over the holidays he gifted me with two professional studio lamps with light bulbs and diffusers.    

Up until now whenever I did my photography for my online classes or photos of my art dolls I have used a make shift photo studio dependent upon how much light is filtering in through my studio windows.

Originally I used a grey mat-board to set behind whatever I was photographing in order to have my photos focus on the art doll rather than what was behind it.  Last year I broke down and bought some professional photo studio background paper to use as a backdrop for my photography.  I tried to tape it to the ceiling and the table I was using but it really didn’t work that well.  I wound up ruining quite a bit of the paper as a result.

 

curtain rod clips holding photo background paper

If you can see in the photo, Jason gave me the idea, to just attach some hooks to the ceiling to hold a curtain rod for the paper.  I used some curtain rod clips to clip the top of the paper on which works really well. 

In order to get that curved consistent background for the photos I did wind up taping down the bottom part of the paper to my table.

background paper held down with tape

My husband, Bob, brought me up some clips from his workshop to use instead of the tape.  I haven’t tried them yet but bet they will work like a dream.

On a really dark overcast day I tried to do some photography using the lights.  Before having the lights I wouldn’t be able to do any of my photography during overcast dark days, much less in the evening hours.  

Light with diffuser

When I put the light on behind me It was bright enough to get a suntan in the room but using the diffuser over the light kept the subject of the photo from being washed out which is what typically happened when I used room lights for my photos.  So I tried to take some photos with one light set up behind me while I worked on some photos for the Moulin Rouge class I will be teaching at AFICC in Ohio this April. 

light used as a reflector

I took the second light and used it as a reflector to keep shadows at bay while taking photos.  It worked like a dream! 

Moulin Rouge Dancer by Marla L. Niederer

Here are some pictures I took on an overcast day with my new photo studio set up.

Moulin Rouge Dancer by Marla L. Niederer

Moulin Rouge Dancer by Marla L. NIederer

Until next time……….

warm hugs,

Marla

Moulin Rouge Dancers by Marla L. Niederer

P.S.  You can sign up for my live Moulin Rouge Dancers class at AFICC in Columbus, Ohio on April 25-28, 2019 by going to the AFICC website here:

www.CyndysDolls.com

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

Festival of Trees

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season!  Recently my husband Bob and I went to see the Festival of Trees at the Dulles building in Watertown. 

Bob and I at the Festival of Trees

 We had to pose in front of the choir! 

 

Westelcom tree

This is the Westelcom tree that my son Jason helped decorate. 

 

3D printed decorations

He 3D printed some of the decorations.

 

Year of the Dragon tree

One of the trees I found quite creative was the year of the dragon tree.

 

Under the Sea themed tree

Another one I particular enjoyed was this under the sea themed tree.

 

Nerissa by Andrea Baughman

 Speaking of under the sea, Andrea Baughman, shared with me this picture of the mermaid she created after taking my class Sleeping Mermaid.  She is so talented and creative!  I just love how it turned out!

 

Sleeping Mermaids by Marla L. Niederer

Until next time…..

the warmest of hugs and best wishes,

Marla

Happy Mother's Day

Hope you enjoy a wonderful mother's day today:-)

Why I teach the art of doll making

In light of the unsettling news this past week of the Ottawa shooting on Parliament hill and the world affairs that are disturbing to us all, I have to ask myself what is the relevance of teaching doll making?  What is the relevance of what I do on a day to day basis? 

Ottawa is a city that I frequent and love.  Part of the reason why I love where I live is its proximity to Ottawa.  When I think of Ottawa I think of the diversity of culture that is celebrated.  I think of the art, music, and song that flourishes there.  I think of the museums, the events, the markets, the food, and last but not least the people.  I belong to a doll making group in Ottawa where I have had the honor of becoming friends with some of the kindest warm hearted and talented ladies I know.  My daughter in law and stepson live near Ottawa and work in Ottawa. 

So what is the relevance of teaching the art of doll making?  Most of my life I have worked in the helping professions. Early in my adult life I worked in the health care field where I tried to bring comfort to the elderly and infirm.  I then entered the field of education where I taught my students to utilize their strengths to overcome their needs and use all kinds of tricks to get around the things that stood in their path so they could gain and maintain meaningful employment.  These are not things that solve the problems of the world or decrease violence but these were purposeful activities that I liked to think had some sort of positive impact on the little part of the world I lived in.

I have recently become a full time doll artist and teach the art of doll making.  I am currently teaching an online class on A for Artistic and have just recently had a proposal to teach at the 2015 spring Philadelphia Art Doll and Teddy Bear show accepted (which by the way I find so way cool). So again, I ask what is the relevance of teaching the art of doll making?  How meaningful and purposeful is this?

Quite a few years ago I met a woman that made very time intensive and very beautiful dolls and horses out of cloth at a conference.  While we were chatting away she shared with me the reason why she created her dolls and horses.  She stated, “it gives me something beautiful to think about every day.”  Her quote remained with me and comes to my mind often when I think about why I create.  It truly does give me something beautiful to think about every day.  During high stress periods of my life I would often stop and think about my doll making project.  My project gave me something beautiful to think about, something calm and peaceful to focus on.  I have always found my doll making and my art very calming and stress reducing.

When I create I enter in a peaceful state of bliss.  Some call it the “zone.”  It is a state of mind that artists, athletes, martial artists, dancers, musicians share when their entire focus is placed on performing a single activity during one moment in time.  During this state one becomes completely immersed in the activity to the point where one becomes completely lost in the act.  One becomes at one with the act.  The act becomes a form of meditation, much like walking meditation.

About four months ago I left the field of public education and became a full time artist.  I create and engage in art every day.  I am immersed in my art.  I lose track of time.  Sometimes I forget to eat.  I work during the early hours of the day into the late hours of the night.  I laugh more often, smile almost always, and find myself calm and at peace almost all of the time.  My heart sings.

Throughout life and as an educator I have learned that one cannot change how others act or behave.  To enact change, one can only change oneself.  I have no control over world events, over violence, over the behavior of others.  All I have control over are my own acts, my own behaviors, my own response to the actions of others.  Thich Nhat Hanh, a great spiritual leader and peace activist, teaches that in order to create peace you must create peace within oneself first.

Why do I teach the art of doll making?  Is there a purpose?  After truly contemplating this question the answer I have is this:  I teach others how to engage in an activity that brings me great peace and joy.  It brings my mind to a state of calm.  It makes my heart sing.  If I can share that ability with others so they too can enter a state of bliss and have their heart sing maybe it doesn’t change world events, maybe it doesn’t create world peace.  But maybe, just maybe, it brings something positive to the little part of the world I live in.  

P.S. P. S., It's not too late to sign up for my online class Bridgette on A for Artistic.  You can find out more about it here http://www.aforartistic.com/bridgette-with-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.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.  

All Dressed Up for Halloween!

A few years ago I used Peggy Wilson's body pattern for her Long Tall Sally doll and designed this costume and hairdo that she is wearing with Halloween colors.  I had so much fun dressing her!  Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

Artistic Inspiration and Amazing gluten free desserts! Who could ask for more?

Thursday, not only did I get to visit with my good friend Annie at her shop Man in the Moon Bake Shoppe, I also had the honor of meeting one of the most talented doll artists of our time, Nancy Wiley. Nancy was at Annie's shop for a book signing to promote the new book she illustrated with her dolls, The Little Red Riding Hood (which of course I bought and now own a signed copy of). Nancy's work has always inspired me and has been one of the reasons that led me to walk down the road of becoming a doll artist. Her work has always reminded me of a beautiful impressionist painting. She hand paints each doll and its costume with oils creating the illusion that the doll is walking right out of an impressionist painting. The painted backdrop that often appears as part of the settings that she creates for many of her dolls enhances this illusion. Not only is Nancy amazingly talented, but she is also a very warm, down to earth individual. She gave me lots of good tips and left me with a lot of encouragement to continue down the road I am on. I also had the pleasure of meeting Nancy's absolutely charming mom and beautiful daughter.

If you want to see why I have been so inspired by Nancy Wiley's work, or if you would like to pick up a copy of her new book you can check out her website here:

http://www.nancywiley.com/


If that was not good enough for one day, I have to add in that I had the most amazing gluten free cheesecake you can imagine at my good friend Annie's place, Man in the Moon Bake Shoppe and Cafe. Annie's husband came up with a gluten free cheesecake that surpasses any regular cheesecake out there (other than Annie's of course which is also amazing because I tried it before I knew I had Celiac disease). So I left the shop with wonderful goodies to bring home to share and lots of good advice and inspiration to continue down my artistic journey.
If you want to have the most delicious baked goods, gluten free and/or regular, great service, and wonderful conversation head down to Man in the Moon Bake Shop and Cafe at 982 Route 34B, King Ferry NY You can check out their website here: http://www.maninthemooncheesecake.com/Welcome.html

Sometimes life is just good!

Wedding Day

Miss Pretty Kitty and Mr. Honey Bear are all set for their big wedding day! The only last minute detail left is their glasses. Good thing because the wedding is this weekend!

Miss Pretty Kitty in her wedding dress

Miss Pretty Kitty in her wedding dress. All she needs is her veil and flowers. Now its time to work on Honey Bears tuxedo!