Visions of Peace

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

June Brides

I recently completed some wedding cake toppers I had started quite some time ago.  I had so much fun dressing the brides and making the topper base!  The base for the couple is covered with hand stamped rice paper.  I thought I would share some pictures of them with you. 

I am currently teaching an online class on how to create a ball jointed cloth doll.  

It’s not too late to sign up!  If you would like to find out more information about the class or if you would like to sign up for it just click on the following link to A for Artistic

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

I am also teaching two different sessions of a live class in Clayton New York this summer at the Thousand Islands Arts Center 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/index.php

Or you could send Marcia Roberts an E-mail

marcia@tiartscenter.org

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

My Favorite Spot to Needle sculpt

In my living room I have the most comfy couch set against a picture window.  Although the entire upstairs of my home has been converted into my studio, I still love to sit on my couch with the morning sun filtering through the window onto me while I needle sculpt.  Right now the apple blossoms and lilacs are in full bloom.  

They smell so wonderful I had to bring some inside.

What is your favorite space to create?

If you would like to join me in an online class I am currently teaching Bridgette on A for Artistic.  To find out more about the class or to sign up just click on the link below.

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

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

Why Attend an Art Doll Convention?

               my sales table at the Quinlan Philadelphia Weekend Event

If you are interested in Art Dolls there are so many good reasons to attend an Art Doll Convention.  Viewing pictures of art dolls over the internet or in a magazine cannot compare to the actual experience of seeing the art doll right in front of you.   I recently returned from quite a large Art Doll and Teddy Bear convention in Philadelphia sponsored by the Susan Quinlan Museum.  What an absolutely delightful experience it was! 

                                                    Gypsy Wedding by Natalie Ruiz

If you are a collector, attending an event like this gives you the opportunity to get to know the artists on a close and personal basis while getting to see the latest works of a wide selection of artists.  The Quinlan Philadelphia Conference is a very reasonably priced conference to attend which includes the cost of your meals and beverages.

                                                  Moment of Zen by Lori Platt

If you are a doll or teddy bear artist, attending an event like this gives you the opportunity to network, exhibit your work to a large group of collectors and representatives from various professional organizations.  The price of the Quinlan conference is exceptionally reasonable, includes all of your meals and beverages, and includes a sales table. 

My sales table 

The first day of the event was filled with a variety of workshops that early arrivers could take.  I taught a workshop on how to use watercolors on needle sculpted cloth dolls to develop skin tone and facial coloration.  Here are pictures of the broach doll busts that two of my students painted.

Bernice Gasaway's hand painted broach

Mary DeMattina and her hand painted doll broach

The first evening event was a viewing of the one of a kind artist signature piece gallery.  What wonderful inspiration to find in one room!  The talent within the group of artists attending was simply amazing! Here are a few pictures from the gallery.

                                      Briar Rose by Rafael Nuri

                                            Goddess by Marla Niederer

                                                     Henni by Nina Tugarina

                           Wonder and a Vow by Christine Shively Benjamin

                                                          Periwinkle by Mary Ward

                                  Sleepless in the Sahara by Lillian Alberti

                                       Those Quiet Moments by Diane Keeler

                                                        Aqua by Patricia Rowe

                                                      Charlotte by Coleen Athens

After the exhibit there was a banquet dinner.  What a lovely group of people all in one place!  Whenever I attend a doll maker’s convention or retreat I always find new friends. 

The next morning several other galleries were exhibited. I was able to exhibit one of my wedding cake toppers in the Here Comes the Bride Gallery and one of my Flower Faeries in the Hand painted Gallery.  On top of the morning gallery exhibits there were all kinds of supplies for doll making and teddy bear making for sale. 

Wonder and a Vow by Christine Shively Benjamin

Wedding Topper by Marla Niederer

Flower Faerie by Marla Niederer

After a day of a variety of very interesting programs to attend there was an early bird Art Doll and Teddy Bear sale open only to conference attendants. 

                                     Donna Mae Robinson's sales table

                                                Shelly Thornton's sales table

                            Christine Shively Benjamin's sales table

                                                             Diane Keeler's Sales table

                                              Michelle Pulaski's sales table

                                                      Mary Ward's sales table

The evening ended with another lovely banquet dinner.  It was so nice to be able to chat with old and new friends!

On the final day of the conference the Art Doll and Teddy Bear sale was open to the public.  It was so much fun to chat with all the collectors that came to stop in and say hello.  The whirlwind event ended with another banquet dinner where attendants could visit and revisit highlights of the event.

                                        Lillian Alberti's sales table

                                          Sandra Wright Justiss at her sales table

A doll on Sandra Wright Justiss' sales table

Now that you are inspired by all of these beautiful dolls, I hope you save the date on your calender to attend the Quinlan Art Doll and Teddy Bear Convention next year on May 4 - May 6, 2017

If you can't wait that long and are interested in taking an art doll making workshop I will be teaching an online class on AforArtistic starting on May 25, 2016

You can click on the following link to find out more about the class and to sign up.  Hope to see you there :-)

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

Art Doll Exhibit and Classes

If you have been wondering what I have been up to lately I am keeping busy preparing to present a class on using watercolors for skin tone and facial coloration at the Quinlan Artist Doll and Teddy Bear Weekend in Philadelphia on April 29^th.  It’s a wonderful event to attend.  If you are an artist the price for the event is really reasonable and it includes all of your meals and a sales table for the open to the public show on Sunday.  This is a picture of my sales table at the show last year.

If you will be in the Philadelphia area next Sunday and wish to check out the show, private message me on Facebook with your E-mail or send me an E-mail at orsinisangels@gmail.com and I will send you free tickets to attend.

To find out more about the weekend event click on the following link.

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

Hope you are enjoying the warmer weather and having a creative day.

warm hugs,

Marla