I’m Back!

Do you ever get the feeling that your days keep flying by faster while it takes you longer to complete what you set out to do each day?   I just realized how long it has been since I sat down to chat with you and it has been way too long!

I’ve been keeping busy working on classes that I will be teaching, getting ready for the Quinlan show (which was so much fun), and experimenting with my needle sculpting techniques trying to take them to the next level.

One of the things I love the most about teaching classes is getting to see what my students create after taking my class.  I taught The Goddess at AFICC in the spring of 2017.

The Goddess by Marla L. Niederer

Christy Chumley shared with me some pictures of the second doll she made after taking the class.  Her doll came out absolutely gorgeous! So I thought I would share a few pictures that she sent me.  Don’t you just love her doll?

 

Doll created by Christy Chumley from Goddess class taught by Marla Niederer

Doll created by Christy Chumley from Goddess class taught by Marla Niederer

Doll created by Christy Chumley from Goddess class taught by Marla Niederer

Until next time…….

Warm hugs,

Marla

Ball Jointed Cloth Dolls

This week I have been working out some new designs for ball jointed cloth dolls.  I have been trying out some new techniques for attaching the arms to the shoulders and new hand designs.  I thought I would give you a sneak peek by sharing some pictures with you.  I will be sharing these techniques in my future classes. 

If you would like to take an online class now I am currently teaching a class on how to make a ball jointed cloth doll on A for Artistic.  

If you would like to learn more or would like to sign up just click on the following link.

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

I am also teaching Mermaid Broach, a live class, in Clayton NY at the Thousand Islands Arts Center.  The class is offered later this month and again in August.  If you would like more information about the class and or to sign up you can send Marcia Roberts an E-mail

marcia@tiartscenter.org

Or give her a phone call at 315-686-4123 Ext. 203

Ball Jointed Cloth Doll

If you would like to create a ball jointed cloth doll the Bridgette online class is now open on A for Artistic.

In the class that I teach you will learn how to needle sculpt a cloth doll head, hands, and feet.  In addition you will learn how to create a ball jointed cloth doll with a cloth facial overlay. 

If that isn’t enough, instruction on utilizing watercolors to create skin tone and facial coloration, needle felting a hairdo, and elaborate costuming instruction are all included in the class.  

If you wish to find out more or to sign up for the class just click on the following link to A for Artistic.  Hope to see you in class!

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

One More Lady in Red

I dressed a second French Mignonette inspired ball jointed cloth art doll this week while working on the finishing touches for the first one.  I will be bringing both dolls to the Quinlan Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event in Philadelphia on May 1st for my sales table.   If you are in the neighborhood pop in to say hello, or better yet sign up for the convention and spend the entire weekend with all of your doll and teddy bear friends!

I am also teaching a class at the event on Friday April 29^th.  

There are still a few slots open if you are interested in learning how I use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration on needle sculpted cloth dolls.  You can find out more about the weekend event and how to sign up by clicking on the following link

http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention/

If you prefer to take doll making classes in the comfort of your own home I am teaching Bridgette, a ball jointed cloth doll on A for Artistic starting on May 25. 

You can find out more information on the class and how to sign up by clicking on the following link

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

If you are planning on spending any time this summer in the romantic Thousand Islands Region (which I highly recommend for vacations) I will teaching two different sessions this summer at the Thousand Islands Arts Center in Clayton NY on the use of watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration on needle sculpted cloth dolls.

You can find out more about the class by clicking on  the following link to download their summer schedule

http://www.tiartscenter.org/

Or you could send Marcia Roberts an E-mail

marcia@tiartscenter.org

Or give her a phone call at 315-686-4123 Ext: 203

Compassion

As the Dali Lama has once stated, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.  Without them humanity cannot survive.”  According to Thich Nhat Hanh, “Through we all have the fear and the seeds of anger within us, we must learn not to water those seeds and instead nourish our positive qualities – those of compassion, understanding, and loving kindness.”

At this time in my life, the only way I feel I can respond to the current climate of news events, is to create my art. While engaged in the process of creating art all else slips away while I enter into a state of total peace, total calm.  I strive to create my art to reflect and be infused with that calm and peace.   I cannot change how others think.  I cannot change how others act.  All I can change is myself and what I choose to send out to others in my thoughts, actions, and creations. 

I wanted to share with you my latest creation.  She was inspired by Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion, one who hears the cries of all beings.  Others know her as a Bodhisattva, one who puts off Nirvana in order to liberate all sentient beings. Many representations of Kuan Yin depict her as a beautiful oriental woman in flowing gowns carrying a vessel filled with the waters of compassion.  She is often depicted standing or sitting upon a lotus blossom. 

In this interpretation of Kuan Yin, I chose to place a hand crafted and hand painted lotus blossom upon her head as a headdress.  She wears a skirt and shawl of hand painted cheesecloth which represent the waters of compassion.  Her costume is hand beaded with silver lined glass beads.  

She will be on display at the Quinlan Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend Event in Philadelphia this April.  I will also be teaching a class at the event on how to use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration.  

The class is limited in size to six students.  If you are interested in joining me in the class be sure to sign up soon to insure your place.   If you would like more information about the event and find out how to register for the class click on the following link to the event website

http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention/

What is on my Workbench?

I just thought I would share what is on my workbench this week with you.  I am in the process of creating some dolls for wedding cake toppers and I am also working on some needle sculpted ball jointed cloth dolls.  Here is a sneak peek.

Since I use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration I decided to make a watercolor paint-box inspired by some antique paint-boxes.  I used a metal tin for the actual paints and a cigar box to keep everything in.  I really enjoyed the entire process and plan to make a few more. 

If you want to learn how to needle-sculpt cloth dolls and how to use watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration I am about to start teaching an online class on A for Artistic that includes instruction on those techniques.

  If you would like more information or would like to sign up just click on the link to AforArtistic.

Hope to see you in class!

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone that is celebrating Thanksgiving today a very happy one.  Wishing you a day filled with good company, good food, laughter, and loveJ

Warm hugs,

Marla <3 o:p="">

Inspiration for Mistique

I just thought I would share what inspired me to create Mistique, a cloth needle-sculpted ball jointed boudoir doll.  My greatest inspirations for Mistique were the beautiful Lenci boudoir dolls.  I have loved them forever.  The Strong Musuem of Play in Rochester NY has a very extensive doll collection and also has a wonderful online collection.  These are some pictures of the Lenci dolls I fell in love with in their online collection.  

You can click on the link to see more of their online collections here

http://www.museumofplay.org/online-collections/

When I started out making my own dolls I imitated the child like Lenci dolls and covered bought face masks with felt.  As I progressed in my doll making I became influenced by Antoinette Cely and started creating my own clay masks that I used cloth overlays on after reading her book on Cloth Dollmaking.  You can see a tutorial on Youtube that Antoinette Cely shared on facial coloration by clicking on this link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mYsySdn8qA

After creating dolls with cloth covered face masks I became intrigued with Needle-sculpting.  I had always taught myself all of my doll making by reading books and just figuring it out but learning how to needle sculpt took quite a large dead head pile before I liked the results. Until  I met Peggy Wilson at a doll maker’s retreat where she took pity on me during my needle sculpting attempts, sat me down, gave me one of her doll heads, and had me needle sculpt a head with her.    My dead head pile grew but I caught on and have been needle sculpting my doll heads ever since.

I needle sculpted Mistique’s swivel head and incorporated ball joints at her elbows and knees.  I then took inspiration from Marie Antoinette for her costume.  She was soooooo much fun to create.  I am currently teaching a class on how to make her on A for Artistic.

  It’s not too late to sign up.  If you would like more information about the class just click on the following link.

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

Happy dollmaking J

Advanced Needle Sculpting in Tulsa

 I just wanted to share some picture of the Advanced Needle Sculpting Class I recently taught in Tulsa. I enjoyed every minute of teaching the class!  The Tulsa Dolling Dames are a wonderfully talented and fun group of cloth doll artists.  

You can see more pictures on their facebook page by clicking on this link 

https://www.facebook.com/TulsaDollingDames

Getting Ready to Visit Tulsa

I am so excited to be visiting Tulsa this May at the request of the Tulsa Dolling Dames!  I was so pleased to be invited to teach a class for them that I created a doll with advanced ball jointing techniques that I have never taught before.  The doll has a swivel head also.  I have even been playing with techniques to inset eyes in a needle-sculpted head with a cloth overlay for the class.  This is the doll for the class.  I still need to complete painting the body.  The class will also involve using watercolors for skin tone and facial coloring.
Hope you are enjoying a very creative week :-)

Claudette: A Cage Doll

I just wanted to share that I will be teaching a new online class,  Claudette:  A Cage Doll, on A for Artistic starting March 31.   If you are interested in more information click on the link to the class

http://www.aforartistic.com/classes/open-classes/claudette-a-cage-doll-marla-l-niederer-cloth-doll-artist.html

Nature’s Gifts

I wake up early in the morning on most days excited to get to work in my studio and one morning I had the good fortune to witness the most glorious sunrise right outside my living room window.  I took a few photos and thought you might enjoy seeing this one. 

As far as doll making, I have been working away this week on a cage doll and a second Bridgette.  I will share some pictures soon.

P.S. P.S. It’s not too late to still sign up for the Bridgette online class on A for Artistic.  You can find out more information by clicking here

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