Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Making Things

Just a recap of recent projects.

This was the last week of an online class with Pamela Hastings on 3D Doll Construction.  It was not easy, and I didn't complete all the projects she offered, but it gave me quite a different perspective on doll-making.  I have printed out all the lessons to read and study later.

For now, this is my version of her doll "Emerging".  My goal is to alter the doll's head to symbolize the sun, and then paint the body with clouds. Not there yet.
The sun's rays are made of Perler beads

Last Saturday I took a polymer clay class with Christi Friesen at The Bouncing Bead. This was my first time using resin. I confess, even though I did fill both ponds with water to test for leakage, they both leaked when I added resin. Good thing those are polymer clay fish!
Two tiny ponds with goldfish and water lilies
This little frog just hopped in.

And, last but not least, last night my doll making group, Imitation of Life Construction Company, met and discussed making doll hats. Some members brought their dolls and hats for Show and Tell. The hostess, Patti Smith, showed us how she makes doll hats and she had made one for each of us to embellish.  I left my hat pretty plain, so I can add decorations when I have made a doll it will fit. Thank you, Patty!
Patty Smith made the hat, I added the lace.


Three great classes, three great teachers - I have a lot to be thankful for.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Reading Frederick Buechner

Recently it seems things have been falling apart. Looking for comforting reading, I started Frederick Buechner's SECRETS IN THE DARK, a collection of this Presbyterian minister's sermons from 1959 to 1998.

The first of his books I read was his fictionalized account of the life of St. Godric, simply called GODRIC. Who could resist a book that started "Five friends I had, and two of them were snakes."

Later I read his THE SACRED JOURNEY, the first part of his memoir.

I recommend Frederick Buechner's books and hope that I will be able to read more of them in the future.

"Thus, when you wake up in the morning, called by God to be a self again, if you want to know who you are, watch your feet. Because where your feet take you, that is who you are. 
 Frederick Buechner, The Alphabet of Grace